Grief?

How many of you receive undeserved/deserved grief from your wife, friends, etc. for your coaster hobby.

I once mentioned that I recognized a forum member on a coaster show on TV. So now everytime a show comes on TV she asks me if Danny is going to be on, if I mention a coaster she wants to know if Danny has ridden it, etc. And when we go to an amusement park - it never fails, she want's to know if Danny will be there.

One little comment - and she has to keep it living forever.

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Let the good times roll - Zingo

Nope.

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A random Mooshter's Dawntionary listing: Frisbeetarianism [n.] the belief that when you die your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck there.

I sure do. I hear nothing but complaints at home in the months before I take a coaster trip. I just tune them out. ;-)

I also get introduced sometimes as "that coaster nut" which infuriates me to no end. I've already been asked 6 times this year if I've been on "that new one in Ohio". I spend enough time on the web talking about coasters, it's really the last thing I want to discuss in a social situation. I'd rather talk politics, movies, sports, or music.

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Mike Miller - Con-Quest 2003 pictures now available at http://photos.yahoo.com/bassistist

Sports? *perks up* Gator and I have been known to hijack many dying threads to carry out our college football frustrations (me) and glory (him, usually). ;)

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I'm not an enthusiast. I just play one on message boards.

'Grief?' What is this 'grief' you speak of?

The "good" kind as Charlie Brown would say...

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"SOME people have NO class!" - Mom from the Whizzer queue

No, Can't say that I do. The only time someone mentions coasters to me is to ask a serious question(I'm going here and want to know what parks to hit/miss, etc.), or something of that nature. So far, I'm not known as a Coaster Nut/Geek/Nerd, etc. However, I'm a huge Janet Jackson fan. All of my friends bring her up in conversation all the time, and I'm like Bass is on this, I'd rather talk about other things in a social sit. I rarely bring up my hobbies in groups because that's why they are hobbies, you talk about them when you are involved in them. Unfortunately, however, people see me and know I'm a Coaster fan, janet fan, and sci-fi(esp. Star Trek/Wars) fan, among other things. I just try to avoid those people;).

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Beaver, The other White meat.

I've been coined 'Coaster Rain Man' by my fiancee and some friends, but all in jest of course. I generally don't bring up the topic in social situations, but if it happens to be brought up by someone else, I'll usually add my two cents...or 17 bucks.

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-Mike B.
Son of Hulk
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Aye, another Janet Jackson fan (waves)

Anyway, I don't really get "grief" from my frenz about coasters and such. It is not the only facet to my life (Also love music dancing, cars, airplanes etc.) and all my hobbies are pretty well balanced....therefore to them I *appear* normal.

I usually never start a conversation involving coasters myself, but when I hear my friends talking about them I have to jump in and start talking baout coasters and all the information I know. Most of my friends say, "Don't get him started!" if someone starts discussing coasters. Many people think that it's pathetic that I know a lot of things about coasters, but I honestly could care less what the "GP" thinks : )

I feel the same way lilspike, when someone starts talking about them I cannot help myself from joining in. Then it will turn into a big question and answer session, with people asking me questions non-stop. I answer them all. Most of my friends try to stop people from asking me about them. I would not call it grief though.

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-Bubba, 2003 SFWoA Typhoon Ride op.
HTTP://community.webshots.com/user/cpbubba
HTTP://community.webshots.com/user/glbubba

What I hate most is being asked when I return from vacation in Texas if I was stuck on that "stuck" coaster in Maryland.

I'm known around here as simply "that coaster freak." I think its kinda catchy... ;)

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Just because I have a short attention span doesn't mean I

I think the grief lies more with the people who ask me an innocent question about coasters and then end up hearing a thirty-minute discourse on linear induction motors and height records and all sorts of other stuff they never wanted to know.

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Come on fhqwhgads!

I wouldn't call it grief but my friends, parents and girlfriend as well as past girlfriends always get pissed over my hobbies and the ways I do things. I don't get into an arguement unless I know I'm right and that can lead to the point where none of my gf's family even talks to me which believe me isn't a bad thing, cuz when your surrounded by idiots how can you have a descent conversation.

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Ride the Conneaut Lake Blue Streak!

For the most part no. My ex boyfriend would get really annoyed with me when we attended parks together because I liked to get there early and foot race. He thought that was pretty stupid.

On another note, Zingo, I apologize for stealing your name! I am very new here and had no idea there was a Zingo already-

e-mail me if you would like for me to change it.

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paul ruben
ran lube up

I get called the "roller coaster nerd" at home, and work. I just suffered a collapsed lung (spontaneous), and my mother insists that it was due to roller coaster riding. I keep telling her that I specifically asked my doctor about coasters, and he said I can ride to my heart's content.

I also find myself getting into alot of arguments, one of my buddies insists that Power Tower is a roller coaster, and I have to keep drilling in the fact it's not.

My girlfriend also constantly harrasses me because I can spew out who manufactures the coasters she pulls off the internet. It is hell, being an enthusiast. :)
*** This post was edited by stopher 7/18/2003 5:46:38 AM ***

No grief. In fact, my husband doesn't mind my coaster hobby at all. He says it puts me into a great mood, and after spending a day riding coasters I look 10 years younger.

If he wants to attend with me, great. If he attends and wants to take a break while I ride alone, great. The point is I don't force my "addiction" onto him, and he allows me partake without giving me any grief about it.

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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead
http://www.webtechnik.com/ebony/CPLady.htm

My wife is very supportive of my coaster habit, she knows that when we go anywhere - we will be stopping at several amusement parks along the way. I support her baseball obsession, we go to all the baseball games we can.

I guess I tease her about Mark Grace so she teases me about my coaster hobby. She thinks it's funny that I would spend any time posting things on a coaster board, or watching coaster shows, or get excited about new construction, etc.

The "grief" I talk about is all in fun. - I'm sorry mamoosh if you don't get to experience any of it :-)

It's Janet - Miss Jackson if you're nasty.
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Let the good times roll - Zingo

Zingo, sounds like your wife has a thing for this "Danny" she keeps asking for ;)

As far as coaster conversation, I never initiate it, but if someone asks, it is usually impossible to shut me up. It is something I am very passionate about. I guess I don't see why some enthusiasts have a problem with sharing their passion with others for fear of being ostracized as a "geek". Everyone is passionate about something in their lives. Most people love to talk about what they are passionate about.

My dad is passionate about racing. It is all he talks about when he isnt doing it. I have a friend who loves to go hunting and that is all he talks about. Being a coaster enthusiast is the same thing. It is a hobby that many of us are passionate about and love to talk about. If it is unhealthy to talk about it all the time then I guess I am finding an early grave in my future. I guess I just don't understand this over riding need to appear "cool" and ignore things you are passionate about.

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Bob Hansen
Resident Airtime Whore