Speaking of Enthusiast Events

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stoogemanmoe said:

I'm just trying to say don't let one bad apple like that guy spoil your fun. It was nasty cold and rainy that day we went and I still had a blast meeting everyone.
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That's the ticket...sure, some of us (myself included) may take the time here on the boards to make notes of *areas of concern*, etc., but when I am AT a park, I'm there for a good time riding and talking with friends, new or old....EVERY group of people, no matter the commonality, is going to have a few "less than cordial" folks. Just let the water roll off the duck's back (so to speak), and get on to meeting some of the NICER people around. I have spent time with several ACE reps, and MANY members and found almost all of them to be nice people....except, of course, for the ones reading this...;)

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Jim Fisher says:

"I haven't been to PPP yet. I suspect that it is somewhat different since the park is open only for enthusiasts the entire day."

Actually, Jim, Knoebels is open during the day to the GP and PPP is an event anyone can register to attend, enthusiast or not.

Chris Godsey says:

"Geesh, I didnt know Paul Reuben attended that event...hehehe"

Exactly what I was thinking, Chris! LOL!

Moosh

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Coaster & Amusement Park Christmas Cards and Merchandise...coming soon! Details in new sig any day now!

*** This post was edited by Mamoosh on 10/25/2002. ***

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Jim Fisher said:

I haven't been to PPP yet. I suspect that it is somewhat different since the park is open only for enthusiasts the entire day.

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Jim, that isn't true. Knoebels is open to the GP at PPP until about 5 PM.

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Intamin Fan said:
I think hearing 200 people all talking about coasters stats/favorite coasters would drive me up the wall.

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I think that would drive most people up the wall too. That's why, at events, most people don't talk about coasters all the time. People actually talk about their real lives (yes, some people actually have real lives. ;))
But a Phoenix train full of costumed screaming maniacs who know they're in for the ride of a lifetime is just hat much better than a train full of GP.

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AC?, RB?, MF?, DD?, PR? Who can keep track of it all?

Coasterdad,

You don't have to worry about a thing. If there is any event to attend, SRM is it IMO!

I have been to every SRM since the first one and won't even think about not attending this event. As cool as those two coasters at night are, this event is more about friends and sharing great times than actually getting tons of rides (although riding over and over is a possibility).

There is no doubt in my mind that you will feel welcome at the event. I mean, it's at Holiday World! That is reason enough to go.

I am going to be honest here. I have had a couple bad moments at SRM. There usually is a few people that attend the event that can't stand it that you may have a different opinion than them or something similar. I now just ignore those people because I am there for fun. The fun moments far outweight those possible minor unfortunate ones (like the tornado).

Bottom line....

Go and have a blast! It's a simple as that.

-Sean

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Ansley said:

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Jim Fisher said:

I haven't been to PPP yet. I suspect that it is somewhat different since the park is open only for enthusiasts the entire day.

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Jim, that isn't true. Knoebels is open to the GP at PPP until about 5 PM.

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Also there was a lot of the GP there for PPP.

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-Sean

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The Mamoosh goes:

Actually, Jim, Knoebels is open during the day to the GP and PPP is an event anyone can register to attend, enthusiast or not.

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They even let me in!

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Hallowave

chris - they let you in because I told them you were "with" me ;-)

Moosh

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Coaster & Amusement Park Christmas Cards and Merchandise...coming soon! Details in new sig any day now!

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Congratulations to two Gator greats, Emmitt Smith and David Eckstein - job WELL done guys!
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - unless you've got a spare planet!

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Jeff said:

Viper136: Kind of sounds like an IT industry thing too. More folks I'd like to get hookers and beer for!

....I'm not that hard core IT ...but as long as your buying,I'll take the beer and hookers. :-)

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..."so many coasters,so little sick time"....

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My husband attended a couple of events with me this year, at first because he was just "going along". But he met some people during lunch at CBuzzcon who were very interesting to talk with. That and the excitement of ERT with a bunch of "enthusiasts" has him now looking forward to SRM.

Being an "older" enthusiast, I also had my doubts about attending some events alone. I met some youngsters who were very friendly and let me "tag along" with them, which has resulted in a couple more friendships...and the honor of riding with Kara (STChic) on her 1000th lap on Shivering Timbers.

As with any group, there are "cliques" of people who seem to only want to associate with each other and they can make you feel like an outsider. But for the most part, I've found most of the people I've met to be very friendly.

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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead

Closing weekend at CP made me realize again what a bitter sweet thing it can be among enthusiasts at the park. Stephanie and I spent the weekend with two other couples, and it was funny that the women all couldn't stand the "groupies" that would appear and follow you around, just because you run a Web site or were on a TV special or whatever.

One of these freakshows actually had the balls to tell everyone I was a big dick because I wan't interested in hanging with these people and told them to get lost. It was my freakin' wedding anniversary! Give me a little f'ing privacy for God's sake.

CPLady brings up a good point about age though. With 30 coming next summer for me (groan), the range of people I consider good friends is wild. On one hand, there are a couple of high school seniors I enjoy being around, as well as college age kids, some 40-somethings and a few in my own demographics. The thing we have most in common isn't so much a coaster thing as much as it is a similar level of enthusiasm for coasters and our various other pursuits in life (most notably things like photography, DDR, alcohol, music, etc.).

So as it's likely becoming obvious, CoasterDad, it may take awhile to line up with the right folks, but there are types out there that are probably perfect matches for you.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"There's nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, when it's all in your mind. You gotta let go." - Ghetto, Supreme Beings of Leisure