Sheepie

Welcome to the Dodgems, for your own safety, please keep your whole flaming body inside the car, do not decide you're a rebal and don't need a lapbar, please for crying out loud don't walk off during the ride and do not smash into anybody head on. Here we go!

OKay this isn't really a rant as such, but it's definately something I need to get off my chest... and everyone is asleep so this seems like the right thing to do.I am so frustrated with myself right now. I can't let go of someone and it's driving me mad. Relationships and myself don't really mix, they don't go, they just don't happen. They either end badly, or the aftermath is so painful it literally eats me up and takes control of my everyday life. When it shouldn't, because I'd like to move on and get on with things thanks!The feeling that swells up inside, from the pit of your stomach, it tugs your insides and you can feel it going through your veins. A mixture of jealousy, a sense of wanting what you once had, and then the pain. The genuine emotional pain. Here it is, as raw and as real as it was all that time ago. He said he was cute, yeah... I know he is, I thought that everytime I looked at him, everytime I spoke to him, everytime he spoke, and I still do. It cripples me, and as I sit here the tears run down my face.This time last year, I was just about to come out of a relationship with someone, it was awful, he was awful. I went through some dark times... he literally took all we had going, ate it, and then spat it back out for it to be shat on. The consequences of that relationship are still affecting me now. I sometimes don't want a relationship, it's made it very difficult to fall for someone again, I can't trust anymore and it doesn't really bode well for my relationship right now.A few months after that relationship ended I got back with someone who I'd gone out with previously and I fell in love with them all over again. Things went well for a while but there were evident faults with our relationship. I eventually got a message from his friend saying that I should talk to them because he's really not very happy. That day we eneded our relationship. At the end of July I got with someone from work. This brings me to present day. I should be happy right? Well I'm really not.Why do I still feel this way? A road layered with sleeping policeman... The more I try to ignore the fact, the more it becomes more prominent. I can't love him because I still love you. I want to let go but it's so hard. There's a world full of pirates but I only want the one.The pain continues...

Anyways.... I actually love the vampire, I really do. It's lost its magic though, like a lot of the old classics. It annoys me how quiet the music is in the station compared to what it used to be and also regarding the station- it looks rubbish compared to how it used to be. Arrgh.On the flip side though I'm glad the re-vamp (I lolled) brought a new lease of life to the ride. It's a great family coaster and I still love love love the "swinging between the trees" bit before the main drop into the tunnel.

^^ That freaks me out. But yeah I love it too.My fave sounds are Inferno's breaks and as others have mentioned the boom boom, boom boom, as it enters and exits the station- like other inverts do too- Nemesis' is more intense

Moving on.People keep on mentioning that Lionsgate are spending all this money on the attraction. Is that actually true? I don't see this as a sponsorship, but if the film studio is pumping in money, then doesn't that kind of make it one?Do Thorpe have to pay to have the Saw brand associated with the ride, or was a deal made?So many questions!My theory is that Merlin Studios/ Lionsgate come up with concepts for scenery and effects, then they would be produced by the film studio, and then you've got the usual signs and saftey restriction boards being done by Merlin Studios North. Seems like they have a good team of people on the project, especially with Wardley's theatre and film experience.

I don't really like the name of the ride. But I'm loving the potential now. As people are saying, a film studio are working with the development team. Let's hope that the ride experience is like stepping into one of the Saw sets."Scariest ride in the world"... that's a bold statement to make really. By saying that they're really going to have to impress now. I'm now expecting queueline pre-shows and a good storyline. I can see why people are moaning, but if the ride is going to be as immersive and in your face as it's making itself uot to be then hopefully people will stop throwing their dummies out of the pram.

^ When Merlin bought out Tussauds, there was something in the press release about Alton being the main focous of investment. Correct me if I'm wrong obviously.And I think I have to disaggree with you about the money comment. DIC wanted money, they didn't really care about the parks, and yes whilst promarily they are a business and make s**tloads of profit that's not all they care about. The company is made up of some of the most passionate people within the industry. Some of the atractions that'll come into fruition in the next few years will no doubt showcase that.

I get chills down my spine whenever I read the words: Secret Weapon 6. I have such a good feeling that I've never felt about any development before. I honestly don't care what type of attraction it's going to be.... I know for sure that it's going to be something utterly amazing.I think this could be Alton's first steps into something truely, amazingly themed. A complete psychological, and physiological journey- much like the Thrill Lab mentions in their research. John Wardley is involved.... even better, it's going to ooze quality and we should have even more faith in Alton's management with the aid of Merlin (who afterall, want Alton to be their main attraction).Some exciting times ahead of us here!

Of course it'd have the current Vampire Station theme... it hasn't changed in 18 years! =PAnd yeah the current Finale theme from Bubbleworks is the old "Accending" theme that was played on the lift. The old "Danger" theme now plays on the lift!

LOL Theme Park Bloke that post was awesome!All Topspins have this problem- not just Rameses! And yeah James was quite right- the ride E- stops itself as a safety measure because the sensors think the bars will come up.

Ohh I like the idea of rust effects! I think black would look good at the end of the arm ,fading into a brown and then into a dark red at the star. The the pods could be black, silver and red with rust effects. Lol.And I would never expect any flat ride to be run at its full potential at a theme park. The fair versions are so much more intense because they don't get as much use. At a theme park they're required to run for countless months and long hours. I'm glad it's going back to Mondial to have some spa treatment, it deserves it =D

Lol, when I was there on the 10th, it broke down twice when we were in the queue. Although to be fair I think it had just reopened after a bout of downtime. Something to do with a waterlogged kicker wheel I believe.There are only a few things I'd change with Oblivion and they include changing all the restraints so they all look the magnificant vibrant orange rather than having faded ones mixed in, a proper spruce up of the queueline which is in need of a bit of tlc, and then get the holding brake fixed and back to holding people there for the good 4 seconds it used to.X Sector in general is crying out for some hefty investment in general I think.

Yeah it had a major re-furb, had a brand new PLC put in and alot of work was done on the gondola.

Lol, well Ripsaw has had motor problems twice now this season, in which it had to close, Alton have been very good though and have fixed it as quickly as they could.To be fair I haven't known Rameses to be shut for lengthy periods of time apart from when it had that major refurb last season.

The reason why the hold was made longer was to allow the operator to control the fountains a lot easier, as you cannot get the ride wet due to the micro switches that monitor the restraints.Ripsaw does have the same rules, but they're a little more leniant as they have covers over their microswitches, however, this then means that the ride gets full of water.As for Ripsaw being more reliable... have you not read about the problems it's had this season?!

I wonder if Aerial's input with Chessington will involve a re-theme of Bubbles, or something completely new elsewhere in the park. For those of you who don't know about Aerial, here is a link to their site. Note that they're working with almost all Merlin attractions- except Thorpe

Alton was great! The park has improved even within a short space of a few months, with new Congo themeing and the new logo has pretty much appeared everywhere which now reinforces the brand perfectly and just makes it feel a bit more complete.It's really is feeling magical again and I hope they continue in the way they're going. Seriously well done Alton management and Merlin in general. :)A few quick points:I didn't really enjoy Air at the front, much better at the back;Nemesis was epically amazing as usual, loved it at both back and front;Hex made me want to inpregnate myself;Rita actually owns Stealth;I really liked CATCF LOL at the holding break on Oblivion not working most of the time and the mist was epic! :)I do love Duel, but I really miss the Haunted House =[Fury is FTW (better than Spinball =P)A few photos =D

The other day the queueline went right the way back to the entrance gate.

One of the guys you were with was hot =P

I love how we call a few hose pipes spraying water, "effects". Really shows the state that our theme parks in England are in! Don't get me wrong though, when they're working (and used to be all the time back in the day of Thunder River), they make the ride a lot more fun.

Last time I checked it was 45ft high, and not 80ft =P

Deprived of Alton for 6 years, I finally got the chance to get back up there on Saturday. Came straight from work on Friday and met James at Waterloo, and we then travelled to his house for the night ready for Alton in the morning.Whilst at his house, I experienced probably the best ride of the entire three days that I spent with him.We boarded our Pendolino train (which are rather sexual I'd like to add) whiched provided our 06:46 service to Manchester Picadilly. 2 Hours and 17 blissful minutes later we managed to collapse it off our train and stumble into Stoke on Trent station.I demanded in typical diva fashion that we go to Pumpkin and grab some breakfast, where we found that there was ample of choices on offer, that consisted of Coffee and Walnut muffins, a selection of lunchtime sandwhices and chocolate bars. The muffin it was, as well as a hot chocolate to go with it. We sat down and went on the magical endevour that was eating our muffins, I mean, we had an hour to wait for our bus so we had plenty of time.Whilst we were eating however, we saw another bus that took us to Alton. Although we noticed that it was a local bus and took a lovely 70 minutes to get there, instead of the 45 minutes that we had anticipated on the other bus. Fortunately, we figured that it still got us there earlier than the X65, so we ventured on to the bus- £4.50 return, which is fantastic considering it's about a 25 mile journey! Got to Alton, and used my Melin Magic Pass to get in, at which I actually had an orgasm at for an hour because the stamp they used was a star! How magical?! :oAfter a load of faffing about and James being indecisive about what to go on, we decided that Hex was our first stop. Omg I got scareds! But feck mine it was amazing. Went on this when it first opened, when I was ten, but didn't really appreciate it back then. But oh my I came off it and I was actually going on about it until we went on it later in the day. Effing amazing ride, and actually one of the best attractions we have in the UK. I'd also like to point out one of the cringfest moments that happened during the day. Was in the part just after we'd been batched through when some chavs decided they wanted to ruin it by talking really loudly so I couldn't hear what was going on. I actually told them to be quiet, and the look I got was priceless! Obviously James hid, and I stood there and lolled. HEHE.People are going to hate me for this, but I've come to the conclusion that I like RITA more than Stealth. Yes it has totally ruined UG Land, yes it's been plonked in and has less themeing than Stealth, but it has such a better atmosphere! It has actual substance to it; a bit of a neck chopper though, but the ride length and consistent high speed makes up for it. They got the interaction with the queueline spot on, as always with Alton, however you can tell that it was a last minute decision. I'd also like to point out that the staff on this were absolutely amazing at their jobs, apparently they broke the throughput record for it with 1120 people! Was really noticable as well, I think we only queued about 20 minutes for it in the end..... I know we only got to heaar about 3 or 4 songs anyways. Later in the day we saw it go up to a 80 minute queue: ouch!Over to Forbidden Valley then via the Sky Ride, and my god the cars are in dire need of a refurb, something on the scale of the monorail (more on that later), but yeah it has seen better days I have to admit. The main drive station looks good with its new roof and shiny new look, though, but if I'm being totally honest I was more looking eager to get on the epic coaster that is Nemesis.A 60 minute queue apparently; James was not happies! HA, I made him do it though I've never queued up round by the lift hill before, nevertheless it was good to actually see the ride in action once again. And as I said, it is actually epic. The surroundings- the lead up to the ride and the amount of effort they put in to make this as impactful as possible. The attention to detail is sublime- loved the Kitchen underneath the station, which I'd never noticed before yesterday. The top of the station needs a bit of a repaint though, and also the music needs to be looped better- it cut out just and then restarted in a classic Thorpe Park Style. We actually ended up queueing about 45-50 minutes; I think they were having a throughput day or something, as they were sending trains before the last train was ready to get back into the station again. Whatever was going on, it was good to see anyways! The actual ride however, well, it certainly knocks the socks off of Inferno, and is one of our best coasters. Although I think I hyped myself up a bit too much for it and whilst I wasn't dissapointed, I also felt I wanted to be offered with something more. I think it's more because I'm starting to become obsesed with dark rides more than rollercoasters as dark rides offer more of an emotional thrill (as well as a physical thrill).Lunch time me thinks, and over to the Fish and Chip shop it was! Was quite expensives, but it was yummy so I'm not really complaining, also got staff discount which also helped a bit. Felt a bit bad just leaving my rubbish on the table though as I couldn't find a bin. We went over to Air to see if it had reopened after an earlier break down, and lucky for us it had and we queued an epic 15 minutes for it - was quality. I was really nervous about this ride, I couldn't remember what it was like. I came off feeling really good about it- such an underated and an amazing ride experience. I genuinely would love to see some love going into some extra themeing and landscaping. I think it could easily rival it's older sister if it had the same impressive effort put into the details.Duel is actually so much better than Tomb Blaster! I think it's a brilliant ride. Although maybe a little ruined by the excess of LED's around the ride. I wasn't too bothered about shooting, I wanted to look at what had changed since the Haunted House- which I loved btw! Nice Noticed a few things not working such as the rocking horse in the queue and a couple of effects such as the blue lighting behind the window and the blowing curtain that had apparently been fixed for this season. We may have just been unlucky however. Good to see the strobes in the first section of the ride back, I'd never seen them before but obviously I knew they were meant to be there! You can now see the walls collapsing in which is a great effect. I got to see my old friend electric Bill! YAY. He is an actual legend. It was actually pretty scary, haha, bless it. I think the ride is a bit anti-climatic though, whereas the old HH had the great ending. HEHE. It also seemed a lot faster than I actually remember! Definately a lot better than it's southern counter part.A trip to Mutiny Bay, which btw is awesome! Got rides on Mauragergere Mayhem (sorry I dunno how to spell whatever the first word is) and Heave Ho. Mayhem absolutely pissing all over Thorpe and showing how a re-theme should be done- not painting cracks on to a dated ride and then fobbing it off as part of Amity Cove! The operator was a legend, bless her! they actually are so intense as well: imagine cup 9 at Thorpe, and then times that by two, and that's how fast Alton's ones go. Actually insane, so insane in fact, that James found it neccessary to perform an act of violence on my wrist and slash it open with his claws. He gets excited bless him, so just humour him..... *pats* :PHeave Ho is adorable, and you have to love the "remains in your seats" announcement. I actually awwwed! HAHA. :angry:It was James' turn to have a Diva strop when he did a Tyra Banks spoof whilst expressing his feelings towards riding Battle Galleons. Haha, to be fair though, it is Tidal Wave wetness, it's legendary! Overall though, I love the area and think that it was a fantastic way to invest £6M.We then went and did Corkscrew .......not my desicion, but yeah it was nesseccary. Didn't particularly enjoy it, but I know quite a few people still do, so whatever floats your boat really. Second cringefest moment of the day: RITA had broken down for whatever reason and we got people coming into our Corkie queue, so these people jumped infront of us and I asked them if they were physically feeling okay, the dad apologised for jumping in and gave some bullsh!t excuse, so I gave him the dirtiest look I could muster .We redid Hex, had a sex p!ss moment again and then queued about 30 minutes for Oblivion. The mist was on which was awesome, and everything was working that should have been. Not much to say about it really. Looks a bit odd with some restraints being new and strikingly orange and some really faded. A total refurb of all restrains would have been a good way to show some love for its tenth birthday. However, I do love the merch for the ride it's actually amazing. I wanted to buy quite a lot of stuff! =P We got an on ride photo, which James will upload when he's able to, hehe, loves the dark hole. =\X sector is in need of a lot of TLC- the actual them is so genius! But it needs some investment, and along with it a total spruce up of the area. Including a repaint of Oblivion kthnx bye.Katanga Canyon was our last stop, we wanted to do RMT and Congo! RMT is orgasmic and I want to bring it home and make love so we produce little RMT's that run all around my house. How cute and disturbing that would be. Congo was also cool, but I was a bit dissappointed that the waterfalls weren't on for our ride when they were earlier in the day.We legged it over to The Flume and if I'm being honest I wish we hadn't have bothered running LOL. It's really an awful ride, which also backs up the third cringefest moment of the day when some chavs spat and I thought I'd shout "NIIICCCEE" as loud as I could. Apparently I got an awesome dirty look, lol.That was actually it, we bought donuts, and then made our way to the bus stop. Whilst waiting for the bus we saw the new Mutiny Bay train! OMG it's fit! It needs to be raped over and over again. Can't wait to take a ride in it over the two days we have there in July. Got back to the station within 45 minutes and boarded our sexual pendolino train! The journey back was hillarious. We got some drunks get on and then later on during the journey this bloke was on the phone and then he decided to tell them to "fooking shut up man.... they're drunk innit," LMAO and then "fooking pussyholes," followed by "someone needs to fecking punch their lights out". Me and James roffled!!! HAHA.Wow, I've waffled so much and I'm so sorry to bore you with petty details. Thank you for reading though if you have indeed read it all. Was a good trip, although I liked the idea of spending three days with James a bit more than the Altob bit =PTake care everyone.

LOL! Well I wouldn't have come up with that by myself !But yeah, I'm going as a guest tomorrow B)Hopefully the bad weather puts a lot of people off going.

Anywho moving on?OMG the weather was super funky today! Hail stones FTW!Trains are going to be good fun tomorrow I can tell.Four poxy trains to get to Chessie :POh yeah and a bus

Will I think what you said was actually a little closed- minded and naive.Parents actually may find it difficult to come to terms with a child's homosexuality. It's not really prejudice against you personally, in most cases.... I blame society and the gender roles and stereotypes that are forced upon us. It's human nature to stereotype, as we tend to like to label people as it helps us define what kind of person someone is and can therefore determine how comfortable we are with them.We all do it whether we realize it or not. It's really interesting.But yeah, I'm not saying that it should matter to a parent what sexuality you are, but I think it is something that many people have difficulty with coming to terms with. Most of the time something clicks and they get over it. It's called time!