My long-awaited return, now in Columbus.

It's been a long summer since I was last here, and a lot has happened since then. I've started and left a part-time job, ridden the new Maverick at Cedar Point, ridden coasters at Geauga Lake for the last time ever, traveled to our nation's capital to ride coasters, see baseball, the Simpsons Movie, and ride their great Metro, and a few other things.

Oh, and for the first time in over 20 years, I've relocated, though it's not truly on permanent basis. I've relocated to The Ohio State University in Columbus, and am studying in the 3+-year Master of Architecture program at Knowlton School of Architecture. Making this move, I believe, and hope, will be one of the best decisions I have ever made. I needed a change of scenery, and it's not too bad, living on the 11th floor of the Graduate Tower on campus. Not only is there a nice view of the campus from above, the view to the south of Downtown Columbus is awesome.

I don't have a car, and honestly, knowing what my first 2/3 of the year has been for me, that can't be too bad, since I can either walk or take COTA, Columbus' bus system to some places. There's a good shuttle out to a shopping center with Target, AMC Theatres, Staples, and other stores. The bus up and down High Street is also great, especially to go to Short North district, the Arena District, Downtown, and north to Clintonville. Downtown has some great pros (and cons), with the Arena District, some good high-rises, theatres, and the like. However, the state of Columbus City Center (mall) has been depressing for the past several years, especially when Lazarus closed its great downtown store. Now Macy's (formerly Kaufmann's) is closing... It's odd how Cincinnati now seems to have the most vibrant downtown now.

As for the schooling, you could say "challenging" would be a nice word to describe it. Up to 12 hours a week in group critique sessions, and "banal" being the new "bullsh**..." it's not combat duty in Iraq, but it can be rough. But like our servicemen and women overseas, I think my role and hard work will mean something one day.

SNL Maya Anthem lyrics

Joe Buck: (Sudeikis) It's Game Five of the World Series at the new Busch Stadium in Downtown St. Louis. (Aerial and outside shot of new Busch shown before shoing the booth)
And it's just about time to sing the national anthem.
Tim McCarver: (Samberg?) That's right Joe. And singing tonight is Pamela Bell, winner of local grocery store Schnucks Anthem Idol contest.
Buck: I hear the girl can sing.
McCarver: Well, let's go to the field.
PA Announcer: (Hammond?) Ladies and Gentlemen, here tonight to honor our country by singing the national anthem, Please welcome Pamela Bell!

Pamela Bell: (Maya Rudolph)
Oh... say... 'an oo 'ee
By the dawn's early liightt...
D'what.. so proudly we hail-ail-ail-ed
At the twilight's.. last gleaming
Whose broad stripes... and right roars
(Gibberish in place of 'through the perilous fight')
O'er the ramrods... we watched
Mumbles 'were so gallantly streaming'
Speaking: And the rocket's... red glare
The bombs bursting... up in the air!
(pinches) Gave a little ploop
(Singing) Through the ba-night
That our flag was still there (wavering)
For it's one, two, nee strikes you're out
And the home... ay-yi-yi-yi.....
ay-yi-yi-yi.....
(Buck and McCarver picking ears, in disbelief)
The bra aaa aaaa (like a bee) vve...
B to the R to the A to the V to the E
B-B-B-B-B (engine stuttering) - Braaavve!!!
Thank you!

West (Virginia) wins NIT championship

I'm not really celebrating the Mountaineers being the 66th best team in men's college basketball, but West (Rhymes with proper name for female genitalia) shamelessly celebrated their big win...

Deadspin: original post - another image

YTMND

Cincinnati-Dayton: the Midwest's Dallas-Fort Worth?

Will expansion bring growth - or gridlock? (Enquirer article)

This 17-mile stretch of highway is where Cincinnati and Dayton will finally come together.

Farmlands along Interstate 75 are being replaced by an explosion of shopping plazas, hospitals, homes, schools, offices and distribution centers.

Planners have long predicted that someday the outskirts of Cincinnati and Dayton would merge, much like Dallas-Fort Worth. That "someday" appears close.

Experts predict the resulting megalopolis of about 3 million people would count as the nation's 15th-largest market.
-----
While politicians and business leaders envision growth in mostly positive terms, environmentalists see more sprawl and gridlock.

"All that ever happens is the road will become congested again and they will have to widen it," says Enid Nagel, chairperson for the Sierra Club's Ohio chapter. "It's a never-ending cycle, and it's bad for the environment."

The big question to add: What about the city centers of Cincinnati and Dayton themselves?

Winter SOAR Saturday at Kings Island

Heads up coaster and park lovers! Southern Ohio's annual winter meeting, Winter SOAR, will be held at Kings Island this Saturday, March 3!
Things get started at 5 PM with a construction tour of Firehawk, the new (from Geauga Lake) Vekoma Flying Dutchman coaster next to Flight of Fear. Then, around 6PM, activities move up into the International Restaurant for pizza and soda, followed by presentations by members, as well as by parks in and around the region.
This event is open to American Coaster Enthusiasts members and their guests - registration is $8 at the gate, including the food!

NOTE: Remember to bring an extra pair of shoes for the construction tour, no mud in the restaurant!

Flyer: http://aceonline.org/flyers/WinterSOAR2007.pdf
NOTE: The park is no longer known as Paramount's Kings Island, so don't complain if I look at you funny if you say "PKI."

Costco ends liberal return policy on electronics

Chicago Tribune article (free registration may be required)

It was a return policy made in shopper heaven, but it became hellish for Costco Wholesale Corp.

Customers at the membership warehouse chain could buy a snazzy big-screen TV, use it indefinitely and take it back anytime. They could use their refund to buy a newer model — often for a cheaper price.

Costco's generous policy was a big hit with consumers. "It was probably the best return policy in retail," said Jamil Brush, a 30-year-old Los Angeles claims examiner. "They pretty much would take back anything."

But even grateful shoppers suspected that others were abusing the policy. After all, Brush added, "what, basically, would stop someone from buying something, using it for a little bit, and taking it back?"

This week, after losing "tens of millions of dollars" annually on the policy, Costco said enough.

Its return policy for consumer electronics was cut to 90 days in California. The policy will take effect nationwide over the next month. The changes come as many in the industry are rethinking return policies.

As a Costco member since 2000, it's a mixed bag for me. I've bought some electronics, including DVD recorders there, that I have had to return because of malfunctions, so I have been able to return them instead of being stuck with a paperweight, and/or wait for a repair.
However, other retailers have a lot more selection, and sometimes, better sale prices. I got a Sony DVD recorder, which for me so far has been ultra-reliable, though not from Costco.
Above all, I realize that Costco is a business, and while it's nice to have a lenient return policy because things can break after a little while, people do abuse it (although a small percentage). Because they are a business dedicated to cutting costs to deliver a low price as possible, I respect the decision.

Side note, Costco's biggest competitor, Sam's Club, still has a 100% percent policy, except on computers, which is six months. Costco itself went to a 6-month policy for computers not too long ago.

Reporting back from Chicago and more... finally.

I'm back from
- the Chicago Trip
- a CTA Train Tour
- the old Carson Pirie Scott store
- John Hancock Center Signature Lounge
- the original Pizzeria Uno
- More Train Tour
- UIC
- More Carson's
- Macy's formerly Marshall Field's
- Cheezborger cheezborger cheezborger
- IIT and Crown Hall
- Train and Bus tour
- United Center: Blackhawks vs. Predators
- Organ Tour with Frank Pellico
- Steppin' Out Friday Night with yet another Train Tour
- Checking out the Wrigleyville
- Train Tour back to the Hotel
- Go to the ACE No Coaster Con, and drive there...
- But only after, you guessed it. Train tour.
- Arrive at the Con. A/V Problems, what did you expect.
- John Robinson threw stuff at us again
- Maureen Kaiser freed from the Paramount shackles.
- Pizza fun at Giordano's
- Some drinks with coaster friends at the hotel
- Breakfast then, heading back home?
- Naw, ANOTHER TRAIN TOUR!!
- This time, Sears Tower!
- Low visibility, but gets better.
- Train tour back to the car
- Leave Chicago, but only before a snowstorm in northern Indiana
- Back home, tired as hell
- CACE February dinner at O'Charley's (already?!)
- Jason Aldean at Whiskey Dick's. Finally a reason to leave Chicago.

Coaster track spotted at Kings Island!

Bad news for Michigan's Adventure fans...


http://photos.pkicentral.com/thumbnails.php?album=180

Post-Hiatus, yet again.

Sorry for the disappearance again, but I am here, alive and well.

First big announcement, I will be traveling to Chicago on Thursday, to see the sights, take a train tour, visit some architecture schools, see some great hockey, and, of course, hear people talk for hours about roller coasters and amusement parks. I'll be back Sunday evening, with a full report later on.

Also, I can say that I am a happy football fan. The Indianapolis Colts defeated the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship at RCA Dome on Sunday, and are off to Super Bowl XLI in Miami to face... the Chicago Bears. Peyton Manning gets his big chance, but big Brian Urlacher wants to make it hard... WOW!

Viral Video: Hudson's Implosion

Viral Video: Conservative Cartoon All-Stars

I neither approve or reject the following message:

Catching up.

I've been gone from the blog for a few days, so here's some updates:

- Louisville defeated Wake Forest in the Orange Bowl 24-13. At center is future All-American, and good friend of the website, Eric Wood.

- It has also proven to be Coach Bobby Petrino's last game with the Cardinals. Petrino will replace Jim L. Mora (the son of Jim "PLAYOFFS!!!" Mora) as head coach of the NFL Atlanta Falcons. This will also prove that the confusion at the U of L Athletic department switchboard regaring coaches' last names (Petrino, Pitino, Petrino, Pitino, let's call the whole thing off!).

- The UC Bearcats won the inaugural International Bowl in Toronto on Saturday, as they defeated Western Michigan, 27-24. The Broncos forgot (Bill) Poland.

- The NFL Wild Card: In the AFC, the Colts defense gets it done when it counts against the Chiefs, while the Patriots and coach Bill Belichick gets back at his old assistant Eric Mangini and that oach's NY Jets. The NFC matchups were more surprising: the Cowboys and Tony Romo fall in a hard-fought battle in Seattle, followed by another exciting game between Jeff Garcia and the Eagles, who got past the NY Giants, whose running back, Tiki Barber, has played his last game. It surely won't be the last time you see Tiki on Tivi. (TV)

- Apple is set to announce BIG THINGS on Tuesday for MacWorld Expo 2007 in San Francisco on Tuesday. When Steve Jobs says "One More Thing..." you'd better stick around this time.

- Oh, and Kings Island has announced that a major announcement is coming soon. Like you didn't know that.

Viral Vault: Burgundy's ESPN Audition

From the "You may have seen this" file: Ron Burgundy, anchorman from KWVN Channel 4 of San Diego, traveled to Bristol, CT to audition for this then-new network called "ESPN" (Pronounced 'Eee - Ess - Pee - Enn'), back in 1979.



Let's just say he was as interested in the SportsCenter job, as Cindy Sheehan is interested in working with George W. Bush on an Iraq strategy...

Viral Video: Reporter Blows Bowl Proposal Surprise

The first video truly from the new year:

New Kings Island logo revealed

While browsing Kings Island's website today (still located at www.pki.com), I stumbled upon the Season Pass page. I looked at the art/designs for the season passes, and quickly noticed something different - and great...



This is no doubt a sign that my home park is losing its long-time yet not-so revered Paramount branding. It is similar in the style of Carowinds' new logo, and similar font as seen with Cedar Point. Stay tuned for even more, including a higher-resolution version of this logo, and more announcements regarding the 2007 season.

Viral Video: One Bank, David Cross style

Was I not the only one cringing when hearing Bank of America's "One Bank?"

Well, you might like this parody:

Orange Bowl Alert

Now on Fox, it's the FedEx Orange Bowl from Dolphins Stadium in Miami FL. The Big East powerhouse Louisville Cardinals vs. the surprising Wake Forest Demon Deacons are facing off tonight.
Oh, and watch for Louisville junior center Eric Wood, #77 - my old friend, who played HS ball at Elder on their state champion teams in 2002 and '03. GO CARDINALS!!!

Update: At halftime, Louisville leads Wake Forest 10-3.

Viral Video: Saddam and the Rope

Happy 2007, everyone! While jsut about all of us are looking forward to a great new year, one man didn't get the chance...

Watch as the condemned dictator of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, gets a noose around his neck, before he takes the final dive of his life...

The Best Viral Video of 2006

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mrs. Connie Chung!

Viral Video: Why I Hate Cell Phones

The following video is evidence that I am not the only person in America that finds cell phones horribly annoying and distracting.



Only one more video left in 2006. The final clip will be a classic, I assure you.