Playa's Entourage(s) @ VF's CoasterCraze: Prelude

…the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

Once upon at time, folks could tell you--chapter and verse—where that was written in a certain good book. Then people quit living by it, quit reading it (or any other Good Book) in its intended fashion…frankly, quit reading altogether in book form. And likewise society in general has decayed from a world of ‘do unto others’ to ‘me first’ to ‘me only’ and most recently, ‘do it my way, or else.’

So what do you do when someone’s little tongue has already set flames raging? Coining a new, but growing park event 'a waste of time,' of all things?

Something I’ve probably never done since the URC days. Park the MOJ, set down the shoulder-mounted missile launcher, come out from behind the Ray-Bans and do the only Obvious thing I can do--.tell a story.

Not just a better story, a bigger story… a well-rounded one from a viewpoint less single-minded, one-dimensional and bereft in perspective. But to tell you that story, I have to tell you a few other stories leading up to it. I might even link you to photos and pages I reserve for family and a few hand-picked friends. But the story itself will dictate what I do.

You see, VF isn’t a coaster park or a thrill park or a water park... - It’s where CoastaBaby and Da Midget used to pet Sniffles the Horse, try to ride him, usually break his back and then punish him for not giving a good ride…or not eating his oats…or not riding through the horsey wash…or eating his carrots…or sometimes for no reason whatsoever.

- It’s where Da Midget was a magician’s assistant for a day, or

- Where a double-dog-dare finally got her aboard Wild Thing , or

- Where she discovered she might have a little more gumption than CBaby after all

And the point is….what exactly?

This.

There are plenty of better-rounded people out there who’d jump at the chance to attend Coaster Craze. Who’d count off the days weeks in advance. Who’d actually skip their grandparents 40th anniversary, of all things. Not that I’d condone that at ALL—but you’d never guess who did. Their mom. Their grandparent’s own flesh and blood. She did so without a moment’s hesitation because she knew what it meant to them.

These are just a few of the majority who left Coaster Craze with smiles on their faces. It’s time they drowned out the vocal minority.

Now that I’ve told you that story, I can tell you the story of their day. It's coming next.

-‘Playa

*** Edited 8/1/2005 12:09:50 PM UTC by CoastaPlaya***

<-----gets popcorn and soda. :-)

-Tina

Ever think about writing Presidential speeches?

Edit: Fixed my spelling mistake. I shouldn't even try writing speeches. *** Edited 8/1/2005 9:24:19 PM UTC by coasterguts***

Heh. I scarcely finish my TRs. Speaking of which...have I really even started?

Even if you are slightly talented in that you can hold my attention, I still think you are sometimes a troll.

I am interested in seeing what CoastaPlaya acts like without the MOJ, the shoulder-mounted missile launcher, and the Ray-Bans. Maybe I'll see a person with a soul...

Or maybe I'll see a guy who can find a new way to bully people he disagrees with.

Whatever may come, I am looking forward to that TR.

And since when does a single person with but one opinion become a 'bully' whenever he chooses to dissent?

Especially when that person submits fewer posts in the average YEAR than some folks do in a matter of months?

Frankly, how can anyone be perceived as a 'bully' without having some sort of obvious and marked advantage?

Face it. Folks who say that are begrudgingly admitting two things:

1) That I'm capable of what they can never, ever do. Make a real impact--and a lasting one--with whatever I choose to say. They can forget half the hundred last things they've said themselves while two or three I've said still rattle around in their head.

2) They take themselves, this board and a life without fiber far, far too seriously

So while I suppose I, uh, say thank you--sorta--to the complainers in a creeped out sorta way, I might also suggest they take a lil' more R&R time with nearby flesh and blood people.

Right after you read my stuff, of course. ;)

-CO

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a life without fiber

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That's it! Deep fried kidney beans should be a mandatory menu item at all future enthusiast events.

Then they'd REALLY complain about MCBRs...the stench would catch up with the train! :)

-CO

"Arrogance is not the same as confidence"

A single person with one opinion becomes a bully when he uses his superpowers, yours being wit and creativity, to totally DESTROY an opinion that differs, instead of accepting that people in this community ARE different and may think differently than you.

I remember a time when you posted a lot on this board, before you settled down a little. Maybe something I, or someone else, said got past that shield you carry around and you began to realize that acting like a jerk is no way to make friends.

The advantage you speak of was in my first paragraph/sentence. Wit and creativity are what you use to bully people.

You act like we know each other inside and out when you say you know what I am admitting by saying that you are a bully.

1) I can't make a lasting impact with what I choose to say? Am I reading that right? How arrogant are you? The only real impact you have on me is that you sometimes really piss me off, which is not something I would want to be well known for.

2) Just because I don't appreciate the crap that comes from your witty, creative, arrogant head doesn't mean that I take my hobbie too seriously. I have a life outside of coasters just like everyone else.

Are you saying that if I go hang out with some friends for a while, when I come home and log on to CB I will be more forgiving of your insulting nature? If that's what you are saying, you couldn't be any more wrong.

I'll read you stuff, but from your last post it seems that you are just putting a desguise over your desguise, and not really showing us who you really are.

Dexter, I'm not sure where you're going with this. What did he say in his first post in this thread that offended you so?

You called him a troll. Doesn't he have the right to fight back against those words? Yes, Playa is a bit difficult at times, but no more than, say, Jeremy, and it's not a "black thing." I think they just are two very volatile, interesting people with varying, and sometimes dissenting, opinions.

I just don't get the anti-Playa speak. From you, or anyone. If you don't like it, you can ignore it. I realize you're an intelligent fellow as well, but maybe your intelligence can be better served being a little less aggressive in your posts?

I really don't get it.

Rob - I like you all.... unless you piss me off. :)

I would also like to know exactly what was said that was so offensive, considering I've read and reread the original post and don't see it myself.

Unless, of course, it's the reference to some people who attended the event and left complaining, in which case the only slight I can see is someone who complained about the event feels he's being "picked on" by coastaplaya for pointing out the behavior.

That, my friends, is not a "bullying" or "troll" issue. It's 'playa pointing out something that many of us have seen at various events. People who have no appreciation for what parks provide to enthusiasts when they host these events that, BTW, they do not have to do.

Frankly, I'd compare someone like that to a child who wants a lollypop, is given one, and then complains and sulks because it wasn't the flavor he wanted. *** Edited 8/3/2005 2:25:12 PM UTC by CPLady***

Like I used to say back in the day...let's looka this post again in slowwwwwww motion

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dexter said:
A single person with one opinion becomes a bully when he uses his superpowers, yours being wit and creativity, to totally DESTROY an opinion...

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This is your opinion, this is you.

This is your opinion, this is you.

I punch you in the nose, your nose bleeds.

I dissent with your opinion, what? See my point about taking yourself too seriously?

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I remember a time when you posted a lot on this board, before you settled down a little. Maybe something I, or someone else, said got past that shield you carry around and you began to realize that acting like a jerk is no way to make friends.

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Uhhhhhhhh...what?

Why don't you go back and re-read 'those days?' Compare it to what rattles around in your head. Honestly. Go read the infamous pancake thread. Cap'n Obvious (pretty much born of necessity) wears a pair of Ray-Bans over a mask, finds himself in CBaby's tights and has to go shopping for more...and this is ripping on other people? Are you serious?

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Wit and creativity are what you use to bully people.

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Naaah. It makes the boring interesting for once. The same old topics from the same points of view every single friggin' week, till somebody oh, I dunno, builds another coaster. Gah!

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You act like we know each other inside and out when you say you know what I am admitting by saying that you are a bully.

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You aren't the only person who's said it...but the reasons? Yeah. The same.

As for making friends? You'd be surprised how many folks wanna meet me precisely because I say what's on my mind...or drag me across the country to hook me up with Japanese women I've never met :)

I decline more invites than I accept to hang out (Ask Swoosh or perhaps Legendary) because I'd hate to say I'm coming and then wind up missing them (who was that dude from Wisconsin?). Oh--while I'm thinking about it--a huge and very public apology to the ARN&R dudes. I honestly forgot you were up here Sunday.

And among that number are people I've squabbled with in the past. Don't believe me? Ask +Danny.

-CO

PS - If you're not linked, it's not because I forgot you...it's cuz I'm lazy. :) There. I said it.

*** Edited 8/3/2005 2:54:30 PM UTC by CoastaPlaya***

Dexter, while I see where you are coming from, I don't feel bullied or destroyed.

I said what I've wanted to say. You really have calmed down a lot in the past year. I guess I just haven't got over the times that you have pushed me around and now when I see you do it to others I want to point it out and defend the helpless.

I've been a kind of superhero my whole life, in real life. I'm always looking out for others when it's not my place.

I'll go back to trying really hard to ignore you. It's very hard to do though, because you demand attention.

Maybe some day we can meet in person at an event or something, shake hands, and I'll find out that you are a really nice guy....on second thought, maybe not.

Superhero? Bully? Have you not figured out this is a message board, not real life?

Not real life? KAPOW! ZAMMIE! Whaddaya think now? ;)

There aren't any Japanese women who would even remotely want to meet you. ;)

Was that buried in the fine print of that Skedaddle invite? :)

I don't recall.... ;) That said, she missed a big opportunity. Too bad for her. :)

Where is the evening ERT report? Get to work.