Just Wanted To Introduce Myself...

I'm new to CoasterBuzz..a dear friend recommended it to me. Not new to coasters, though. I'm 45 years old, and have been seriously interested in coasters since the late 80's. I'm not a guy that can discuss most technical aspects of roller coasters. I know some history, but I'm not as knowledgeable as some. I would even have trouble explaining all the reasons I like or despise a particular ride. I like what I like, I dislike what I dislike.

Most of my favorite coasters are wood, traditional or non-traditional. My favorite coasters are El Toro, Ravine Flyer II, Voyage, Beast, and Lightning Racer on the wood side. Superman (SFAmerica,) Millennium Force, and Nitro are my top steelies. I will admit that Son Of Beast, Mean Streak, and SFGAdventure's Great American Scream Machine..at the time I first rode them...became my favorite coasters. Now? Don't like MS, can take or leave GASM, and really need to ride SOB again...it's been at least 6-7 years. Hope to in early July.

My home park is SF Great Adventure, and I've been going there since it opened in 1974. However, Dorney is just as close to me, and I get there pretty frequently. I've been to all the major..and many of the not-so- major but wonderful..parks from Massachusetts to Florida. Furthest I've been sice becoming an "enthusiast" is SF Great America in Illinois, although I did go to Disneyland as a kid in the late 70's. I would consider Cedar Point my favorite park.

So anyhoo, that's me. I'm not sure how often I'll be on the site, or how often I'll be posting on the forums. But I look forward to my visits, and maybe "getting to know" some people, as I have on another site.

My personal e-dress, if anyone wants to contact me off the forum, is sonbeast1964@yahoo.com (that shows you how I felt about the ride five years ago!) Feel free to drop a note, but reference CoasterBuzz in the subject line.

Thanks, Ladies and Gents!

Mike

You'll be disappointed (or maybe not) to hear that Son of Beast is down and will probably not be coming back up soon or ever. After its track record of brutal rides and a few injuries to riders, need for maintenance and modification, it's probably not worth the hassle to the park any more.

And welcome to CoasterBuzz, Mike Gallagher. You've come to a fun place.

Welcome Mike!

Welcome Mike. As always, enjoy the ride!

Have I been gone that long? We are now introducing ourselves on Cbuzz?

Anycase, welcome!

Mike, welcome!!!!

Next time you're up in NH, drop in to see me & ride the Cannonball @ Canobie.

DorneyDante: Suddenly I am remembering those days on rec.roller-coaster when someone would appear and ask some obvious FAQ or make some blindingly obvious comment ("Anybody here ever been to Cedar Point? That place is really cool...") and I would frequently respond with, "Welcome to rec.roller-coaster!" along with the actual response...

Mike: Welcome to CoasterBuzz! You'll find this to be a generally nice place to be. What you will find is that as you hang out more with like minded people like us, you'll get a better feel for some of the technical stuff that you claim not to understand. Not necessarily the deep mechanical stuff that I frequently talk about, but even the more touchy-feely stuff about what makes a great ride, a great ride; why some rides are worth the hype (Voyage, for instance); why some are not (such as The Beast), and why there are some real gems out there that nobody seems to pay much attention to (Cannonball, anyone?). Hanging out in a place like CoasterBuzz gives you a chance to actually discuss rides in great detail, and just as important to see what others have to say about them...you will find that participation in the community will make it easier for you to articulate what you have known all along.

I gave a presentation a couple of years ago to a group of ride professionals about ride enthusiasts, and one of my main points is that the "enthusiast" is really no different from any other patron. Both can easily identify a good ride or a bad ride. The big difference is that the enthusiast is more likely to be able to tell you *why*.

Welcome, Mike! Enjoy the ride!

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Welcome, Mike. Beware of that mamoosh guy...he can be a real douchebag ;)

^But it's ok, his unbound knowledge of the future of the industry more than makes up for it ;) Welcome Mike!

Oh, its bound.

See, Dave, that's just my point. Discussing rides in detail does little for me. I enjoy my coasters and try to find something to like about every one, but I'm not always successful in that endeavor (Dark Knight, anyone?) I'm not a newbie...my numbers may be lower than many, but I've been on 250+ coasters. I love Voyage, but there was a time when I also loved Mean Streak. Tastes change, people change, times change.

So maybe I'm actually not an enthusiast...I don't usually try to put into words the "why" I do or don't like a particular coaster. I just know what I like and don't. I ride coasters to have fun, not to break them down like a frog in Biology class....although that can be fun, too ! :-)

Mike

As a big fan of Match Game, I LOVE the Betty White thing, Moosh. I don't care if you ARE a douchebag...douchebags have an important place in society. We'd have anarchy without them.

Mike

You'll find that there are many people here who don't fit the traditional role of "enthusiast." I, for one, do not like gravy.

Was wondering who would be the one to insert the ubiquitous gravy term into this thread.

Next up.. a welcome haiku? Moosh?

A welcome haiku
from me? Too predictable!
I'll pass, thank you. Oops!

OK, I'll bite...not literally. I could bite my Mom's gravy, though...LUMPS! Mmmmm...

What's the gravy thing all about?

Mike

I'm new to the site

I want to make some new friends

This verse is so lame

Mike

The gravy thing is from a stereotype that all coaster enthusiasts are overweight and line up at the gravy buffet at coaster events.

Ah. I see. Well, overweight I am. And I do love buffets. But the few park events I've attended have featured lackluster buffets where..because of the low-quality food..I didn't eat as much as I would under normal circumstances.

Mike