O.K. now the B.S. starts to show up. GL's closing.

Your point was about Jeff Putz world and exceptions that don't constitute the broader reality. I did respond, you just don't agree, and that's fine. It's not a personality flaw on my part, as you've implied twice now.

Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog

You just said you weren't going to respond to what I said. Remember?

You take everything personally. I'm not going to respond to that.

Anyway, it doesn't matter. I'll just assume you're just as full of it as you think I am because you fail to present anything that suggests your reality is the one that practically all people exist in. What's true of you is not true of all people, nor does anything imply you're in the majority.

I do buy stocks from time to time for emotional reasons...but I don't hang on to them if they don't perform to my expectations.

An example: I really liked a new Italian restaurant I visited and, after talking to the franchisee I thought the business would be a screaming success so I bought some shares. That didn't work out too well.

I will say this, you two are starting to sound like me and my wife. THAT can't be good.

I'm not saying you buy a stock and hang onto it even though it's a dog, but people tend to invest in things they're familiar with, and people are usually familiar with things they're interested in. My cousin is a huge investor, and having worked for the government for close to twenty years, he has a thing for goverment suppliers and that sort of thing. My father loves racing horses so those types of investments make sense to him. My friend likes technology so those are the types of stocks he gravitates towards. Me? I like cars and sports and have invested money in companies in those industries. So far, so good. And if that changes, I'll adjust my strategy. Being passionate doesn't mean being blind.

*** Edited 9/27/2007 3:04:06 PM UTC by Rob Ascough***

RatherGoodBear said:
If you want a real interesting read right now, go back through the "Two More Out the Door" thread that Intamin Fan started.
Funny what the response was to those who said it looked like they'd be closing the rides side of the park, and those who said it. Go read what was said 2 weeks ago by those now saying the closure is a wonderful idea and the only sound business decision to make. Talk about a Head Spin!

Hehe...good stuff. Just read though some of it and came across my post on page three - here's some gems from my post:

LG said:
The point is, GL as it stands doesn't work. SF knew it & sold for chump change and CF knows it and is either getting the hell out or trying to fix it depeding on your perspective.

Hmmm...

LG said:
At this point I honestly don't think they're running from the property or smothering it and salvaging rides for other parks. I think they're still trying to find the optimal groove.

Sometimes you just have to be flat-out wrong. :)

LG said:
And who knows, maybe the big ol' combined park thing is just a bad idea? Seems like it so far. Perhaps the best move is consolidation to one side of the property? And given that all that new waterpark investment is on the SW side and that the GL side is roadfront property - I think it's a safe bet as to which side is the better choice.

And sometimes you hit the nail right on the head. :)

But yeah, RGB - I'm with you. I love going back to other topics and checking accountability. Seems too often that in cyberspace people spout things and act as if they dissipate into space. Not so.

coasterimage - lordgonchar

^ I don't think I've ever agreed with you more than with that last paragraph. It's all about accountability, and nice that you admitted being wrong. Hey, I was the one saying Steel Venom wasn't going to Dorney Park!

Stevie Wonder is passionate and blind...or so I'm told.

I get what you are saying Rob and I think there are a good number of people out there who's initial investment are driven by emotion. It's those that hand on to bad stock because of that emotion who are doint themselves a disservice.

If people didn't invest out of emotion than those "By a Single Share" deals where you get the "Disney Certificate" or whatever wouldn't be as popular as they are.

You're absolutely right with both statements. I'm not a big fan of those that buy a single share of stock, but let's not ignore the fact that there are a lot of casual investors out there and they can't be ignored. As far as hanging onto a bad stock, that's where emotions take over in a bad way.

I think there is a difference between "personal interest" stock purchases and "emotional" purchases.

"Personal Interest" purchases would be investing in something you know about.

"Emotional" purchases would be jumping in on the "next greatest thing" too late without doing your homework and loosing your a**.

I have to agree with Jeff that "Emotional" investing is the wrong way to go. In fact, I would say it is akin to gambling.

-Tambo

I think you're confusing "emotional" with "impulsive". I see personal interest purchases being very close to emotional purchases because some kind of desire (emotion) led you to become interested in something.

Impulsive purchases are stupid. You're probably better off gambling.

wahoo skipper Reply | Edit | Quote 9/20/2007 2:27:57 PM Do I think Geauga Lake will be around next year? Yes. Do I think it will be the Geauga Lake we all know?

I'm not so sure

Ironically, I made the above post the day the Cedar Fair Board voted to close the park. I'd like to be able to say I had "insider information" but I'm not friendly with anyone on the Board.

By the way, I think it is an important point that the Board made the decision on the 20th. I'm not sure how you tell people the park will be closing and give the public once last chance if, in fact, the decision wasn't made until that time.

You might argue that they "pretty much knew it was a done deal" but I don't know too many executives who like to stick their neck out when there is still uncertainty with their Boards.

Rob A:
As far as hanging onto a bad stock, that's where emotions take over in a bad way.

Or hanging on to a bad park. ;)

This is what I was saying all along - emotional decisions and business decisions do not mix. That's exactly where all of those hooker/stripper analogies came from.

coasterimage - lordgonchar

Rob A:
It's all about accountability, and nice that you admitted being wrong.

Yeah, I lessened the blow by bragging of my brief moment of prophetic ability in the same breath.

coasterimage - lordgonchar

Now back to those hooker/stripper analogies . . . :)

My author website: mgrantroberts.com

Rob Ascough said:
I'll just assume you're just as full of it as you think I am...

I don't think you're full of it, I just disagree.

What's true of you is not true of all people, nor does anything imply you're in the majority.

Did I not say there are always exceptions?

Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog

Lord Gonchar said:

Yeah, I lessened the blow by bragging of my brief moment of prophetic ability in the same breath.

It's all about balance ;)

Ensign Smith said:
^Okay, let's clarify. The semi-lame waterpark built three years ago on the smoldering ruins of the former nation's best marine park will be open next year.
It's not Geauga Lake. It's "Geauga Lake's Wildwater Kingdom". Even the truth-massagers in Sandusky know they can't present it as being the same.

First, I don't think it's a semi-lame waterpark. WWK actually made me want to give waterparks a chance again. And guess what? I had a blast. I was sorry that I had not been to a waterpark since KI built Water Works. No, it's not Geauga Lake as it was. I only went twice, post CF purhcase and liked it a lot. However, if the two times I went were any indication as to how their park was performing, then I can see why it's being closed. Exactly how long did anyone on this board think that CF should give GL to bounce back? 2-3 years, 5-10 years? Unlimited?

More than four years because it seemed as though they were serious only during the first two years. Considering what was spent to acquire the park, five solid years would have been adequate. That would give improvements a chance to resonate with customers and see if the market improved enough to make it a viable operation over the long-term.

*** Edited 9/27/2007 3:57:32 PM UTC by Rob Ascough***

Had the Paramount purchase not occurred I think you would have seen 5 years plus for Geauga Lake. That mega deal changed the company dynamics.

I won't argue that. But I don't think it changed the dynamics for the better. Seems like Cedar Fair is in way over their heads right now.