Back from the North

Almost 23 hours after Cedar Point closed for the season, I am back home finally, so I will review what I did.

Friday, Prep football at Paul Brown Stadium: Colerain defeated Oak Hills 58-7, and St. Xavier remained undefeated as they beat Moeller 31-7.

Saturday, I arrived at Geauga Lake at around 1 pm, and they were somewhat surprisingly busy - and the coasters only ran one train, which wasn't terrible until later on in the evening. But always a great time at the Lake.

Then I drove 1.5 hours west to Sandusky and checked into Hotel Breakers at Cedar Point. That park itself was packed, but I got six great Gemini rides, a round on White Water Landing, and two front seat rides on Mean Streak, my first time at night.

Sunday was a very long and memorable day. I got an extra hour of sleep thanks to the return of standard time, 2 rides on Millennium Force for early ride time, several sky ride laps, and attended the recording of a CoasterBuzz Podcast, their second podcast with a live audience (I also attended the first, at Holiday World, Oct. 1). Special guest was Cedar Fair CEO Dick Kinzel, whom I had the chance to meet in person for a photo op after the recording.
I met with some good old friends (unsure if the pun is intended,) Marshall, Kathy and Fred for dinner at the Midway Market buffet, and also rode Disaster Transport with Marshall in front.
Some more Gemini was in order, a very last ride on White Water Landing, and a trek to the front of the park (with the aid of Sky Ride) to get my 'last ride on WWL' photo.

Since I stayed longer than I intended, and became a Chatty Cathy (or Carl, to be gender correct) I was totally worn out, so rather than endure what might have been a hazardous 4 hour drive home, I did a little homework to find a hotel room that was nice but not a lot of money, and stumbled upon the Microtel in nearby Huron for only $40. There weren't too many guests staying, so they were happy to get a few, like myself, even for much less than what they would charge mid-summer. Yet it was nice for a budget-type place, with free continental breakfast, indoor pool, free wireless internet, and lots of cable channels. 20 years ago, the perks were color TV, HBO and ESPN - now it's internet and (gasp!) Fox News. Because I like choice.

At around 9:30 today, I finally left the hotel and went south, first stopping a bit north of Columbus at Polaris Fashion Place. There's 7 department stores, the place is huge, and a lot of neat specialty stores, and very plush for an indoor two-level mall. Not long after, I drove around downtown Columbus and the surrounding area - lots of neat buildings and districts, new and old, from German Village to the Arena District. The huge old Lazarus building, which closed last year after 90 years as a department store, is being gutted and renovated into an office and retail complex.
City Center mall is still, but barely, alive with some of the decent stores and restaurants still there, like Kaufmann's and Max & Erma's, which I had lunch at, people discussing sports, such as that drunk-ass that ran onto the field at Paul Brown Stadium and stole the ball right out of Brett Favre's hands near the end of the Bengals-Packers game yesterday.

Before I finally made it home, it was Cincinnati Rush hour. I think they should just move the Tyler Davidson Fountain to some place like West Chester, Sharonville, or Springdale, since that's where all the action is...


I should later on have more specific trip reports, especially about Sunday at Cedar Point, and the Podcast.

"No, Caller, I don't mean throwing all your CDs into the Portable On Demand Storage container you rented!" - as Mr. Obvious might say

Weekend Report #1: Football Downtown

I am back from a couple of great Week 10 football games Friday Night at Paul Brown Stadium. First was the GMC battle between Colerain and Oak Hills, which easily went to the defending champion Cardinals 58-7, with the Highlanders scoring later in the game. Colerain finishes the regular season 9-1, but with some competition, may have to settle with an away game for the first round. The place seemed quiet with this game, only several thousand at most on hand, but then again, it is a huge NFL stadium.

The crowd strongly grew, maybe even double that of the Colerain-Oak Hills game when Moeller and St. Xavier took the field. In this GCL matchup, originally scheduled for Moe's "home" at Lockland Stadium, it seemed that the Crusaders would hold the Bombers, but at half, it was all X 20-0. The Moeller band played some classic rock at half time, like Kansas' "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Come Sail Away" by Styx. Satisfying at the least. The 3rd quarter was good defense, so no scoring, and I left to get ready for the Cedar Fair Ohio trip. Moeller put some points on the board, but with a final score of 31-7, the Bombers enter the playoffs undefeated and with the #1 spot and #1 state ranking! It is possible though that Moeller may get the #7 or #8 spot in the region for next week...

Yes, the place was cold, but it's always fun to see some games in such a grand facility on the river. Word is that Paul Brown Stadium will host a later round in the playoffs, possibly a regional doubleheader.

My next update won't come until Sunday evening at the latest, since Hotel Breakers (as I know of) doesn't have internet access, but I bet the place might be memorable. So, Saturday morning, in several hours, I leave for Geauga Lake for the usual stuff, then after several hours, drive to Sandusky to get a little CP.
Sunday is the final day of Cedar Point this season, the final day ever for White Water Landing, and possibly Demon Drop, and the live recording of the CoasterBuzz Podcast with Dick Kinzel, so I will have some neat stuff to report when I get back!

SOX SWEEP!

Either I'm happy because they've got their first title in 88 years, or because they swept the damned Astros...
but the Chicago White Sox are the champions of Baseball in 2005!

If the Cardinals got lucky by winning the NLCS and going up against the Sox in the World Series, would there have been a game 5 at Busch? Even that, I admit, would have been doubtful!

And the names we now know as winners: Dye, Konerko, Podsednik, Pyrzynski, Ozzie Guillen, and Jenks!!

So, as Billy Cunningham might say: God bless America, God bless the city of Chicago, God bless Baseball, and God bless the White Sox!

"Recovery Weekend"

After last week's devatstating Cardinals loss to the Astros that closed the great Busch Stadium forever, which also denied me a chance to see the World Series in what could have been that stadium's final game, I have a weekend planned to cheer things up.
The White Sox might help, since they are leading 1-0 in the 8th inning, now in game four of the World Series, which they lead 3-0. Brad Lidge will never forget the "Killer 'P's'!" - Podsednik and Pujols!


First, Friday, there's a double-header of high school football at Paul Brown Stadium, and this time, there are two serious conference match-ups. It's definitely nice to see a publicly funded, and very magnificent, facility get more use since they installed FieldTurf there last year.

From the Greater Miami Conference, it's defending state champion Colerain Cardinals (8-1) against the Oak Hills Highlanders (5-4) at 6:00 pm. Scheduled at approximately 8:30 is the second game, the St. Xavier Bombers (9-0), who are rated #1 in Ohio, and very highly nationally, go up against Greater Catholic League South foe Moeller Crusaders (6-3).


Saturday morning, it's a journey up I-71 toward Geauga Lake. This will be the first time I have visited that park three days in a year. Their 10 coasters are always a joy to ride, and their monorail is a must for me when I'm there. After several hours there, I will take the 1.5 hour drive to sister park Cedar Point in Sandusky - it might be a "beehive" of activity. I will, however, get a little more rest, since I'm staying at Hotel Breakers, my first time ever. No need to get in the car after a busy night - I'm right on the peninsula!

Sunday morning will bring me back into my favorite amusement park, for its final day of operation in 2005. It will also be the very final day for White Water Landing, which will be removed to make way for future expansion, possibly a new 2007 attraction.
If sold after this season, Demon Drop may also be removed.
At noon, there will be a live recording of the CoasterBuzz Podcast in the Red Garter Saloon (near Millennium Force). Special Guest: Cedar Fair CEO, Dick Kinzel!

It's not quite the farewell I had hoped for this week, but hell, it's Cedar Point (and Geauga Lake)!

"Please, Tom, forget St. Louis."

"Please, Tom, forget St. Louis."

This sounds like something I might have heard a lot this past week. It almost sounds like a movie title (Forget Paris) which was pretty funny.

In the past, I never saw this year's events coming. All I could think about were: coasters, parks, planning, politics, news, football, food, classic rock, monorails, etc. It got ridiculous how often I uttered the word "monorail" the first half of the year, as a wrote a senior thesis on a certain elevated transit system in Las Vegas.

During the writing of of this (Uno)rail thesis, I was planning some trips to get away from the one-tracked routine. Cedar Point and Geauga Lake were on the top of the list. Heading back to Pennsylvania for some new coasters, and maybe even New Jersey, also came up. A little bit closer was a park some friends have been to, and was a bit envious about - Six Flags St. Louis... they thought it was OK.

Before deciding, I reminded myself I'm into more than coasters and parks, so what did this mean? Why not combine SFSTL with a visit to Downtown. A trip to and inside to the top of the Gateway Arch was obvious. But something else jumped out at me, slowly at first - this would be the last year for Busch Stadium, home of the Cardinals, a team that had a good reputation but not too much attention from me. So, before I kicked myself, I bought a ticket to a game over Memorial Day weekend, a hotel room, and such.

I took the trip, took lots of pictures, and went to the game at Busch. I was to try to remain neutral, but before going, the mention and reputation of a player named Albert Pujols was on my mind. They say he was good. I just had to laugh because his name was pronounced "POO-holes."
So, I bought a Pujols shirt inside the stadium, originally to be a new running gag for my friends this summer. I wore it on my park trips. Good times, I guess.

Then, in June, the Cardinals were scheduled to come to Cincinnati in that ballpark supposedly named after Bill Cunningham. I got some good pictures and such, and captured video, too. My camera happened to be rolling when Mr. Bathroom Humor himself hit a 2 run home run. And I am not talking about Bob Saget. The Cardinals had such a good night that this became the last game for Dave Miley as Reds manager. While Miley was out looking for work, I stumbled upon the fact that I now have a serious favorite baseball team. And I was back behind the visitors bench again 2 days later. Yes, the Reds got better with Jerry Narron taking over, but I was pleased to see an awesome lineup in place. Edmonds, Eckstein, Rolen, Walker, Sanders, and "Poo-Holes."

Knowing money was getting short and drives back to St. Louis were just about out of the question, and that the Redbirds wouldn't be back to the Queen City until September, I made an effort to watch as many of their games on the Tee Vee, and for a period of time, especially July and August, the Cardinals were on a lot. By the end of August, I had become a serious fan, and felt the need to come "home" one more time before it got razed like they would do around here for the latest Rookwood phase.
So I'd be coming for the final regular season series at Busch Stadium.
Final game in September at that stadium.
Final Friday game in that stadium.

And so, the time came up to visit that weekend. I was nervous, and feeling somewhat uneasy.
But getting there, in the seating area, I began tearing up like Glenn Beck would talking about his family, the good old days, or a traumatic event. Seeing those arches. The field. The Cardinal logos. The organist playing "Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis."
I could be reminded that St. Louis was hosting my old hometown team, and rooting against them could be treason.
But this was the Cardinals' time. Easily clinching NL Central and on route to 100 wins.
Busch Stadium's time. So many memories, but its final year.
Albert Pujols' time. His fifth season, he's had at least 30 home runs in each.
And my time and money.

The Cardinal greats were there. Lou Brock, Bob Gibson, Whitey Herzog, Ozzie Smith, Willie McGee, Mark McGwire, and more. A future legend made another mark there, with a grand slam home run. It would be his 200th career, 40th of season home run. His name?
Albert Effing Pujols.
I was convinced that the 2005 team was on par with those from 1967, 1982, 1985, and especially last year's. I was ready to ride the train to a title for a great team. I was not quite ready to say good bye, even though I did so in an orderly fashion that September night.

My next endevour? Try to get a ticket to the World Series. After a few attempts and weeks, I was successful in getting a close seat to Game 5. This was after the Padres were swept in the NLDS by the Cardinals, and the NLCS was underway against the Astros. I wasn't too overconfident knowing the Astros had Roger Clemens, Craig Biggio, Lance Berkman and a good roster. So, two games at Busch. First game, Cardinals. Second game, Astros. Interesting series so far, let's try harder though.
The Astros may have their home field advantage and a loud bee-hive, and great picting. But The Cardinals? Good pitching too. Plus Eckstein, Edmonds, Puiols, and more. Guys that can hit the ball and score some runns.

Game three in Houston. Astros. I was depressed, but was reminded that Roger Clemens epitomizes excellence. "Let it go." So I did.
Game four in Minute Maid. Somewhat even pitching, but result: Astros. Bad, 'dyoy'-ty calls. La Russa and Edmonds ejected. Meltdown here at Allen Company world headquarters.
Game five, same place, same "djoy." At least for nine incomplete innings. But one man changes things. Again. It's Pujols. I couldn't be much happier. The tables seemed to have turned in the Cardinals' favor. Game: St. Louis!

Am I feeling much better? Not really. All I could think about was the Cardinals. It put a lot of important work aside. I was somewhat happy that the series would come back to Busch for at least once more, but it was making me feel like 'djoy' still.

Wednesday, Game 6 comes, I'm feeling nervous with all the Roy Oswalt talk, and the superstition stuff. Two innings are complete, and so far so good. Then things change. The team fell apart. Like complications from a surgery. The Cardinals were losing, and were eventually down 4 runs. The inevitable was coming. The Cardinals are going to be eliminated from the playoffs and World Series chances. Busch Stadium is going to close FOREVER.
Your friend you just became acquainted with is going to die. There's nothing you can do to save her.
At 10:20:15 p.m, this acquaintance, born as Civic Center Busch Memorial Stadium, was pronounced dead in the city of St. Louis, Missouri.
While I knew she was going to die, I was hoping it would be on a good schedule, and with a celebration. Instead, a bad wreck happned to her on the way, and life was cut about one week too short.
This was to be a storybook season, but near the end of the book, the author (Cardinals) discovered the celebratory booze a bit too early. Time (Astros) did him in.

Knowing that I had the chance to say good-bye, and somehow I took it. Like an actual person's death, all you could do was move on, no chance in bringing Busch back. The Astros won the NL title fair and square. Roy Oswalt played with class. The demolition crews have moved upon Busch, and Wednesday night was the point of know return.

Kicking and sobbing, I try to explain this is no loss of an ordinary cookie-cutter stadium.
To me, though, this one had character. While some of the concrete donuts said "70s stadium," this one shouted "This is St. Louis!"
The new ballparks are popular and seem attractive, but a collective sameness. They try to combine the old turn of the century looks with modern amenities, but seem to melt together. They all have lots of bricks. Lots of old-age green. Exposed steel and iron. Themed areas. Symmetrical asymmetry. Premium seating. Funky looking seats that still aren't comfortable. Canned sound effects. Liberal usage of the Copperplate font.
Busch was a place in time. The Arches, the space-age cornices, the 'old' modern fixtures. Clean lines. Helvetica signage. Structurally sound. Just a bit proportionately incorrect.

But why wasn't I upset with Riverfront, Three Rivers, or Veterans being torn down?
I admit, when 'Cinergy' fell, it was to me, a Hollywood special effect spectacle more than a death. Maybe because the teams closing them down weren't that good.

In short, I am letting go of what needs to be turned loose. I will return my unused ticket next week for a refund.
Some things, however, can't be discarded. The 2005 Cardinals were worth writing about. Chris Carpenter pitched very well. I will always admire Albert Pujols and his balance of power and humility.

So let me say:
To Houston, Congratulations, and good luck in the World Series!
To Busch Stadium, rest in peace.
To the Cardinals, next year can be much better, even with some of your key assets have left for good!
To Roy Oswalt: You delivered a terrific 'Top Ten," and read it after it was revised so that it didn't cross the line, keeping you as a class act.
To George and Barbara Bush: You were some of the few Astros fans I was happy to see in the series!

Now I realize that, despite attachments, the New Busch Stadium will be great. The Cardinals will be back! I still need a job! There are other teams and sports that I like. I get to go to Cedar Point (and Geauga Lake) for the last time this year, and say goodbye to White Water Landing for good. There's more to life than buildings and coasters, and earthly things.

So, while I have not exactly forgotten St. Louis, I don't dwell on it anymore. I still need some kind of job. I love the Wolverines and the Colts, too. Political and planning/city/regional issues keep me up and going. And American Idol starts up again in January, so I can't wait for Simon to rip apart singers both bad and good.


Note: 'djoy' was an euphemism the Late Show with Dave has used for word having to do with excremen. It starts with 's", is located to the left of keys 'd, j, o, y,' and is a 'hit.'

A close to a great stadium, and a great season.

Yes, there was magic in the NLCS when Pujols hit the game-breaking home run in Game 5 in Houston.

But even though they came back home to Busch, the Cardinals were no match for Roy Oswalt and the staff of the Houston Astros, I think had it not been for the Astros, the Redbirds would have their second consecutive World Series experience.

And the BIG SURPRISE: I indeed did purchase a ticket to the final World Series game at Busch Stadium, Game Five.
This game, however, will be played at Minute Maid Park in Houston, and I should recieve a refund in the next few weeks.

Busch Stadium will never be forgotten. Although the name will live on to a more advanced place next door, it is that white concrete facility with the arches at top, that opened in 1966, that people will remember the most. While I am deeply saddened to never see that historic facility ever again, I had two great visits this year - one of those, the final regular season series, against the Reds, is in a gallery on AllenArena.com

I am hoping to make a visit to St. Louis in April next year, and am looking forward to the new Busch Stadium. Vast concourses. Bricks and old-style steel arches. Escalators. A baseball-friendly design. An advanced scoreboard. Full view into downtown and the Arch.
But I also bet a few tears will be shed, as only rubble from the classic Busch will remain then.

Only 20 hours or so until...

...The St. Louis Cardinals' return to Busch Stadium for Game 6 of the National League Championship Series vs. The Astros.
The odds still seem to be against the Redbirds, as if Houston wins this game, they go on to face the White Sox, and Busch Stadium has died.

BUT: The last time the two teams were in similar situations, The Cardinals were successful.

2004 NLCS: Like this year, STL was down 2-3 to HOU. They got the first two at Busch, but dropped the next three at Minute Maid. Game 6 came down to a Jim Edmonds HR in the 12th, and 7 was over by the 7th for the Astros. St. Louis made it to the World Series, but could not keep up with the momentum of the heavily favored Boston Red Sox, who finally won and swept the Cardinals after an 83-year or so championship drought.

2005: Right after the All-Star Game in Detroit (won by the American League,) the Astros came to Busch. The three pitchers? Pettitte. Oswalt. Clemens. Who swept the weekend series: S. T. L.!
And now, who picthed Game 5 of NLCS? Pettitte. Scheduled for Six? Oswalt. And if we win Wednesday? The Rocket himself on Thursday.

The moon: full!

Deja Vu is coming to St. Louis... No, Six Flags St. Louis is not getting a problematic vertical inverted boomerang... I say the Cards will make their second consecutive trip to the World Series!

Yes, I am very nervous! But I know that Wednesday will come. Then Thursday... Then on to Saturday.... Sunday... and maybe, A surprise might just come!

HE SURE SHOWED US!!!

“How do we stay relaxed? We show you tomorrow.” - Albert Pujols on Sunday after their heartbreaking and tense loss to the Astros in Game 4 in Houston.

And when it came down to the ninth inning. Cardinals down two. Two men out. Two men on. And Pujols, age 25, picked up the bat, and not long after, hit the ball into left field at Minute Maid Park on Monday night. It's GONE! Cardinals 5-4.

Carpenter and Pettitte were a bit loose letting some runs go, including a 3run homer by Lance Berkman of the Astros in the 7th. But the defense wasn't too bad, and Jason Isringhausen gets the save!

I know how after 9/11 that our true heroes are our firemen, policemen, and armed forces, but to me, and many others, Albert Pujols is slightly a hero. These times for my family and some friends, as well as the planning job market, haven't been too great.

Within not too long, the Cardinals will be the "Lords of the Rings!"
Sometimes "we all need the help it brings, so let's sing!"*

*James Young, Styx, "Lords of The Ring," Pieces of Eight, 1978.

New 300' coaster for SFGAM...

Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, IL, near Chicago is announcing that it will build one of the world's biggest coasters, at 300' tall and have 11 inversions.

Or not.

Song Dedication on the brink.

The following is a song that I love so much, not only because of it's melody, guitar power, percussion, and that awesome Oberheim synthesizer sound, but also of some uplifting lyrics.

This comes at a time when someone needs a lift the most. Who? The St. Louis Cardinals.
They had a good start at Busch in Game 1, but lost it in the second along with a bad fall by Reggie Sanders.
Then Game Three came to Minute Maid Park, and a matchup that included the ultra-powerful Roger Clemens, and another loss.
Game Four was yesterday, and while Cardinals pitching was great, their offense wasn't. The strike zone was as consistent as the staff racing the trains on Racer at Kings Island. I thought the officiating was downright fixed. I can't blame LaRussa or Edmonds for getting ejected. The Astros won that one too.

The album is The Grand Illusion. Performed by Styx, it's "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)." This one is for you:

You see the world through your cynical eyes,
You're a troubled young man I can tell.
You've got it all in the palm of your hand,
But your hand's wet with sweat and your head needs a rest.
And you're fooling yourself if you don't believe it.
You're kidding yourself if you don't believe it.
How can you be such an angry young man,
When your future looks quite bright to me?
How can there be such a sinister plan,
That could hide such a lamb, such a caring young man?

And you're fooling yourself if you don't believe it.
You're killing yourself if you don't believe it.
Get up, get back on your feet,
You're the one they can't beat and you know it.
Come on, let's see what you've got,
Just take your best shot and don't blow it.

And you're fooling yourself if you don't believe it.
You're killing yourself if you don't believe it.
Get up, get back on your feet,
You're the one they can't beat and you know it.
Come on, let's see what you've got
Just take your best shot and don't blow it.

Having dedicated this song to the St. Louis Cardinals, I say best of luck! "Show me" you can!

"We show you tomorrow."

“How do we stay relaxed? We show you tomorrow.” - Albert. Pujols

After all, his team is from the "Show Me State!"

Carpenter. Petite. And the Pujols guy. Tonight. Game Five!

SPORTS!!!: WHY???

A good pitcher in Jeff Suppan, a nervous Brandon Backe for the Astros, and good bats of Albert Pujols and Reggie Sanders...

So why did manager Tony LaRussa and center fielder Jim Edmonds get ejected?

I promise you, I was mad as much as I would be with Kings Island announcing it would remove many of its large coasters to become a full fledged family park (the KI scenario only being a hypothetical situation)

Either it was bad luck, or there were umpires looking for their 15 minutes of fame, by intentionally making some ass backwards calls.

BUT... just like I'm optimistic of my home park getting that dreamy B&M hyper or floorless. I am optimistic that the Cardinals will beat Pettitte, leave Houston with a win, and beat the Astros and Clemens in games 6 and 7 at Busch!

Just in... whoever wins the NLCS will play American League Champion Chicago Wite Sox! The Sox just defeated Anaheim in Game 5 at Angel Stadium, 5-3.

LET'S GO CARDINALS!!!

Something BIG is coming later this October!

Yes, something BIG is coming to the Allen Arena 'network' later this month.
Plans are tentative and not truly FINALized as of yet...

But do check allenarena.com and this blog regularly for more updates on this thing of possibly WORLDwide proportions...

Apple releases video-capable 5th gen. iPod

They say that 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Apparently, Apple Computer wasn't listening. After they make a great best-selling product for a little while... they replace it.

They started the iPod, which was seen as a 'niche' product in 2001. Rather than keep it the same, theyve increased the capacity, improve the battery life, reduced the physical size, lowered the price, etc... There's even been the iPod shuffle, that's the size of a pack of gum.

Then in early 2004 they introduced the iPod mini, a smaller version of the original 4GB iPod. Around Christmas that year, they couldn't keep it on the shelves, and therefore became the best-selling digital music player. And just a month or so ago, they replaced it with the iPod nano, an even smaller one, this time with a color screen, flash rather than hard drive capacity, and about as thin as a #2 pencil.

Now, they have overhauled the regular iPods with the fifth-generation model. The biggest
new feature is a long-awaited one: video playback. And iTunes has been upgraded to 6.0 to allow videos, and the iTunes Music Store now sells a handful of music videos, TV shows, and short films that will be priced at $1.99 each, that will play on the 5th generation iPod.

The screen is bigger (2.5") to better please the video buffs, but the unit itself is smaller... the 60GB 5th-gen is even smaller than a 30 GB 4th-gen iPod. Since money is a bit tight for me, it might be a while before I own one (i might keep my 4th-gen 40GB monochrome one for another year, at most, and opt for a nano or shuffle for more rigorous activities) but I'll likely make a trip to the Kenwood Apple Store within the next week to check it out!

More info: Apple and iLounge

Cedar Fair interested in Six Flags?

Toledo Blade article

League Championship Series all set

Monday night, the Angels held off the Yankees in Game 5 (longest LDS this postseason), and will play the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago... Tonight! Tuesday. Game is 7PM.

Both LCS' I think might go at least six games. I've raved about the Cardinals' power for a while, but the Astros have a lot as well in pitching and hitting.

Wednesday, it's Carpenter vs. Pettite, but I'd be a bit surprised if the Astros got this one at Busch.

Baseball Humor

Jim Edmonds: "Tell #5 that I'm Albert Pujols!"

Regional Discrimination?

There's a lot of great sports action available on the tube here in Cincinnati.
ESPN has the 'titanic struggle' between the Braves and Astros in the NLDS.
FOX and CBS had a couple of games on the TV at 1pm - Chicago at Cleveland and New England in Atlanta.
Now there is one game on FOX, the Philadelphia Eagles at the Dallas Cowboys... but where's the huge fan base?
Especially since the Indianapolis Colts are in San Francisco at the same time.
To me, that would be like carrying the Northwestern/Illinois game instead of the Ohio State/Michigan game here.

Here's what I don't get:

The local media heavily covers Ohio State football. Columbus is two hours away (driving time).
The local media heavily covers Kentucky basketball as well. Lexington is two hours away.
BUT, even though Indianapolis is also two hours away, the Colts get almost no coverage here. Neither do the Pacers.
You think that with a 4-0 record (as of this moment) and the QB genius that is Peyton Manning, FiveNineTwelveAndNineteen would root for the blue.

However, does Columbus like the Bengals a lot? Do they even really care for the Reds? Do the Capital City stations even take a moment to mention the University of Cincinnati?

Go down to Lexington: do they show clips of (my good friend) Bradley Glatthaar scoring a touchdown for the football Bearcats? I thought not.


So what is CBS showing now? Paid programming, championship skiing, and the CBS Evening News! WOW! Who needs Kings Island to have excitement?!
Sure..... they could show a Colts game, but its 'bad for business reasons.'

If people haven't been near Paul Brown Stadium (OR RCA Dome) on early Sunday, there's tons of people willing to spend money for football. Are football fans bad for business?!


Similar to some selections on FOX Saturday Baseball... the two choices are the Cubs and the Brewers or the Cardinals and the Braves... Oddly enough, we love the Cubs, even though they haven't won crap for almost 100 years, so we pick them and the suddenly-good-after-years-of anonyminity Derek Lee. We could show the consistently good Cardinals and Albert Pujols... but he's a bathroom word, and they last won it all in the 1980s. Do the damn math, FOX 19.

Yes, the Bengals are great... but there's another NFL team of such high (I argue even higher) caliber just two hours away from Cincinnati... and they're just as newsworthy as the Nuts or Wildcats could ever be.

NL Semifinalists!

Congratulations to the St. Louis Cardinals for sweeping the San Diego Padres in the NL Division Series, with a late night win 7-4 at PETCO Park!

On Wednesday, the Cardinals will host either the Atlanta Braves or the Houston Astros for Game One at Busch Stadium.

This coming week, tickets for the final World Series at Busch should go on sale...

SPORTS!!!! Update early Sunday 10/9

From the past weekend:

High School Football: Joe Harbin's Blog.
Around town, St. Xavier is still the one, defeating LaSalle. For the Lancers to make it into the playoffs, Elder must beat Indianapolis Bishop Chatard... the win may get Moeller in the 'Playoff Eight' as well.
Whether Colerain has a home or away playoff opener depends on how a matchup in TEXAS goes, as well as a matchup in Kentucky...


The NHL is back! While it sucks to have no professional hockey in Cincinnati (the last time was 1989-90,) the big guys took the ice this week after a nasty labor stoppage that erased the 2004-05 season. Tidbits:
- All rinks have "Thank You Fans!" real big on the ice
- New rules, from new line designations, like the 2-line pass
- No ties! After regulation, there will be a 5 minute overtime period. If there is still a tie, there will be a shootout, like the IHL had. This makes the games exciting, especially when the Penguins lost at Carolina Friday in a shootout... that goalie did well against Lemieux and Crosby!
- Wayne Gretzky is head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes, and made a lineup boo-boo his first night...
- At least Columbus and the beautiful Nationwide Arena are only 2 hours away!

Some upsets in College Football:
- After almost 20 years, Minnesota finally has the Little Brown Jug, by beating Michigan 23-20 at The Big House. Some good work by MINN's QB Bryan Cupito (who played at McNicholas HS in Cincinnati) and Center Big Greg Eslinger...
- Penn State on the same level as USC? After defeating Ohio State in Happy Valley 17-10, Joe Paterno is proud to have held off retirement, as the Nittany Lions are 6-0.
- Northwestern defeated Wisconsin at Ryan Field near Chicago, 51-48.

(Double for Pujols.)

And last, but certainly not least, the Cardinals are leading 7-2 in San Diego in the 6th at this moment. An RBI for Pujols, a 2R HR for Eckstein, 2R RBIs for Molina and Sanders.
Looks like it's the Cards against the Houston Astros (or possibly the Atlanta Braves) on Wednesday at Busch Stadium for the NL Championship Series.

Church Sign Generator

While browsing the forums of the Glenn Beck Insider, I saw another one of those funny sign generators... this time, church signs.

If you are a Simpsons fan, like myself, you have noticed the many humorous messages found on the marquee at the First Church of Springfield.

Now there ChurchSignGenerator.comthe webmaster was found some church marquees he either found on the Internet or in person, the signs all funny, whether or not they intended to be. He started this site to let people make their own church signs, as well as see some of those actual signs that give congregations some fame.

Here are some of my 'creations.'

From The Simpsons:

For all who listen to some national radio show on Friday mornings:


And for sports lovers like myself:

Cincinnati Area Coaster Enthusiasts

Tonight I made it out for the latest meeting of the Cincinnati Area Coaster Enthusiasts (or CACE). We met at O'Charley's on Fields Ertel Road, located southwest of Kings Island.

Some of the more regulars, like myself were there, as were organizer Derek Clayton, Mary Heck, Brian Neal, Brian Kosmac, and David Cornell. We generally talk about our coaster trips and what is new around here and around the world.

If you have read, I have visited several different parks this year, most recently Holiday World and Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. Our most adventurous member, however, was David, who recently got back from the European Coaster Club's big trip to Japan.

Some other stuff may come up, like sports. I am following the baseball playoffs, especially the St. Louis Cardinals, who lead the Padres in the NLDS 2-0. It's a good chance they will make it to the World Series - I hope to be there when they close Busch Stadium for the last time...

Anyway, if you live in the greater Cincinnati area, and you enjoy roller coasters, I strongly encourage you to join our group at Yahoo!, and then for some of our monthly dinner meetings! We also have special occasions, such as a regional dinner outing and park outings at places like Kings Island, Stricker's Grove, and WonderPark.

Again, come join us! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cincycoaster/

Our first poll: What day would you prefer to meet on the first week of November?

Trip Report: Holiday World 10/1/05

From Dale, IN

Holiday World held its first enthusiast event since 2003 on Saturday. Although it was hosted by CoasterBuzz, it was the begin to a return to some normalcy. Although the over 150 attendees paled in comparison to the old Stark Raven mad events, it was a good restart.

First of note was the live recording of a CoasterBuzz.com podcast in the Holiday Theater, which I arrived upon during its recording. To hear it, you can subscribe to it through Apple's iTunes, or go to podcast.coasterbuzz.com. Hosted by Jeff Putz, some of the CoasterBuzz staff participated, with special guest Holiday World President Will Koch.

After the podcast, I met up with some friends, like Dave Bowers and Paul Drabek, and went for some rides on the three coasters, as well as the Liberty Launch.

One of the coolest parts of the event was the construction tour of the park's next wooden coaster, the Voyage. So far, the lift structure has reached 2/3 of its height, and one of the 90 degree banked turns was being completed.

Shortly after the construction walkback, dinner (pizza, chips, fudge) was held in Kringle's Banquet Hall, where an auction of old coaster parts raised over $600 for the Red Cross.

The end highlight was the exclusive ride time on the Raven and The Legend. Throughout the day, I got 11 Raven rides, and 12 on Legend. Later on in the night, double rides were being given. Just like I remember, the two were full of air and laterals, like that of few other coasters.

Thanks to Jeff Putz, as well as Mrs. Pat Koch, Will Koch, and Paula Werne for making this event such a memorable time!

A memorable farewell to Busch Stadium

From Dale, IN, near Holiday World, where the CoasterBuzz Club Fall Affair was held today.

Over 47,000 fans, like myself, went to Busch Stadium to see the Reds and Cardinals play in the final regular season series at Busch Stadium on Friday. We saw greats, from the past, like Herzog, Smith, and McGwire, today, like Pujols, bring the fans to their feet with some great memories.

One of those memories was a grand slam by Albert Pujols.

Pujols makes history in Cards' win
A grand slam, his 40th of the season, and 200th in his career.

Also, Mark McGwire, who broke Maris' home run record at Busch in 1998, and set the record at 70 later that season there, was selected to count down the final season, from 3 to 2.


(Tom Gannam/AP, stlcardinals.com)

The Reds had some offensive effort, but the Redbirds prevailed, 12-6.

Saying goodbye was hard for me, but it was fun and exciting at the same time! The fans and staff I ran into were just as friendly as the folks of Holiday World were today.

Except where noted, photos of/by Tom Allen/The Allen Company, allenarena.com, copyright 2005.