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- Start date
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- Shambhala (PortAventura Park)
- Firstly, I simply think that being a theme park enthusiast has given me something I find invaluably interesting and something that I love to spend my life doing. I know it’s simple, but I do love that theme parks have given me such an interest and I think that I have a more interesting life for having theme parks in it.
- Secondly, I like that being an enthusiast has introduced me to this community. As much as I’m not the most social of people, and I’m quite content with the fact that I don’t really have any close friends in real life, I love being able to talk online to a community of like-minded people who share in my interest, and I do find that having these forums and such is something I absolutely love.
- Thirdly, I think that I have a tangible motive to become a more independent person as a result of this hobby, and for that, I am immeasurably thankful. Being a theme park enthusiast and wanting to visit parks has pushed me outside of my comfort zone in terms of independent travel and made me do things that I once never thought I’d do in a million years. Being a theme park enthusiast has encouraged me to start taking the initiative to go places on my own, and I do think that that has been very valuable to me as a person.
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Strange questions that sometimes need answering (or not asking in the first place really).
Slugjc
TS Member
Told you.
This is how I will leaving work tonight.
From: https://youtu.be/Z_bjHYDnIrE?si=_-S5Cu8UU5Ah_v_I
This is how I will leaving work tonight.
From: https://youtu.be/Z_bjHYDnIrE?si=_-S5Cu8UU5Ah_v_I
BarryZola
TS Member
Alright, it's great to be here and so on and so on. Anyway, for this week's absolute tosh, I'll be talking about Tupac Shakur. You know, 2pac and all that West Coast and East Coast jazz. If only it was harmless jazz, but it wasn't was it?! I've been a follower or fan of the afore mentioned 2pac since the last year that he was actually alive which I believe was around 1995/1996. I was around 14 then and California Love was 'on blast' on MTV at the time of his actual death. It was actually a bit crazy to be honest, but yeah. I was lucky that for some reason we actually had MTV at home and I used to watch MTV Raps at around 11pm or something on a school night. For this reason, I used to get the 'really hardcore' stuff like Wu-Tang clan's cast offs and other stuff that was actually half decent but would never be released at the time in the UK (Xzibit, Mobb Deep etc). The younger readers here need to understand that in the mid 90s 'black music' was not that popular in the charts in the UK like it is now, apart from the odd track by Shaggy or Apache Indian that would just massively blow up.
Anyway. I'm bringing up Tupac Shakur as last week someone was arrested for his murder, after around 27 years! There are very strong rumours that the person who shot and killed 2pac (potentially in the same car as the accused) is already dead after being shot in a completely unrelated incident. If you're into conspiracies and guessing games as to how people were murdered, there are a few books around (I've read one or two). Myself, I just think that 2Pac and his record label associates kicked the **** out of some guy and then the guy came back with his 'homies' and they gunned 2pac down in the car on the Vegas strip. Simple as that.
But yeah. This Tupac guy. Only 25 when he was murdered, but he seemed so mature to me. Good looking guy as well (not that that has anything to do with anything, and I'm straight). So, months before he gets gunned down to death, he makes a video where he plays the part of someone who has been gunned down and is a bit of a ghost and is talking to his mate trying to tell him that everything's going to be alright and stuff after he's been killed. Tupac did actually talk about his own demise in other tracks, so it's not limited to that track. It's just a realisation of the danger he put himself into I suppose (after being shot and robbed previously).
This track I believe was the next track released a very short time after his death (featuring his own self acting as a ghost type figure). Interesting times.
From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn8N8JhgM0w
Anyway. I'm bringing up Tupac Shakur as last week someone was arrested for his murder, after around 27 years! There are very strong rumours that the person who shot and killed 2pac (potentially in the same car as the accused) is already dead after being shot in a completely unrelated incident. If you're into conspiracies and guessing games as to how people were murdered, there are a few books around (I've read one or two). Myself, I just think that 2Pac and his record label associates kicked the **** out of some guy and then the guy came back with his 'homies' and they gunned 2pac down in the car on the Vegas strip. Simple as that.
But yeah. This Tupac guy. Only 25 when he was murdered, but he seemed so mature to me. Good looking guy as well (not that that has anything to do with anything, and I'm straight). So, months before he gets gunned down to death, he makes a video where he plays the part of someone who has been gunned down and is a bit of a ghost and is talking to his mate trying to tell him that everything's going to be alright and stuff after he's been killed. Tupac did actually talk about his own demise in other tracks, so it's not limited to that track. It's just a realisation of the danger he put himself into I suppose (after being shot and robbed previously).
This track I believe was the next track released a very short time after his death (featuring his own self acting as a ghost type figure). Interesting times.
From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn8N8JhgM0w
Poisson
TS Member
Human coping mechanisms are weird. I haven't slept properly in over a week and my social + energy batteries in general are below zero. Why does a dark room with just a lamp and pc for light, specific hoodie on with the hood up and headphones on help? Has to be the same hoodie which is very very odd but it just works. Nowt as queer as folk as it might be said.
Anyway, being in my cocoon I had this on
From: https://youtu.be/6fOJ-XWkJgM?si=iOg-HXcQVqctWG37
Anyway, being in my cocoon I had this on
From: https://youtu.be/6fOJ-XWkJgM?si=iOg-HXcQVqctWG37
BarryZola
TS Member
Why havn't you heard this before? 'The Cars: Shake It Up', from the early 1980s. You've heard their slower and most famous track 'Drive', but this is a hidden gem and is very energetic. Sometimes I think that 'Shake It Off' by Taylor Swift was slightly influenced by it, but I doubt it. Good fun anyway by a good band. It's just one of those songs that people need to have in their consciousness:
From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3SA5Z-cbC8
From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3SA5Z-cbC8
Slugjc
TS Member
My strange question is this.
Is being an enthusiast good or bad for ya mental health?
I asked this as, I'm going through a bit of a thing at the moment. I'm 40 next year and just wondering how long I could/should keep my love for certain things going. My vices are
Liverpool/Barnsley FC
The second world war
Ghostbusters/Back to the future
And (the reason I'm here) Alton towers.
Football is a slog and after the reds won the PL, my obsession has wained. I still go. Will never stop going to anfield but I can take a step back. I've also learned to control my emotions after games.
Then we have the towers. I've said on many a post, I wish I could go more. Even once a year would a be boss but I can't for many a reason. I then had a second thought about this. Have I used my obsession with the towers to help me through dark times? Did it help or did it hinder.
I had a warehouse job for 10 years
Hated every second. Took the role because of the financial crash. Just couldn't escape, failed job application after failed job application. Around that time I got with the now wife, I moved in with her and for the first time in my life. (This shows how much life has changed in 14 years) had access to the internet 24/7. With no need to run a wire to the dial up. During times when she was at work and I was at home, I would whack the PS2 on. Get LMA manager 2007 on. Turn on the laptop and consume youtube video on the towers. History, ride music clips from Towerstimes 10 year thing and I the days after this website being built joining. Never joined TT as it wouldn't let me. I did this for hours on end. The wife got me towers past and present and I pre ordered Wardleys book and consumed that book by Nick Simm..I was all in. A guide to the haunted house......he's sir. Fancy a brew, choose which AT to mug to drink out of whilst the kettle boils.
Monorail theme, both air themes, oblivion queue videos , oblivion theme, haunted house theme, Rita queue line audio etc on a constant loop. Thirteens soundtrack was a favorite only because the composer was my music teacher. Always on, washing the silent times away. When I was reading a book. Hex queue line ambiance would provide the back ground noise. I planned trips even though I wasn't going and on several occasions did the trip from my house to AT on Google Street view.
Here is the question. Did I use AT psychologically to keep me going through the dark times. Or did this obsession get me further into one?
Is being an enthusiast good or bad for ya mental health?
I asked this as, I'm going through a bit of a thing at the moment. I'm 40 next year and just wondering how long I could/should keep my love for certain things going. My vices are
Liverpool/Barnsley FC
The second world war
Ghostbusters/Back to the future
And (the reason I'm here) Alton towers.
Football is a slog and after the reds won the PL, my obsession has wained. I still go. Will never stop going to anfield but I can take a step back. I've also learned to control my emotions after games.
Then we have the towers. I've said on many a post, I wish I could go more. Even once a year would a be boss but I can't for many a reason. I then had a second thought about this. Have I used my obsession with the towers to help me through dark times? Did it help or did it hinder.
I had a warehouse job for 10 years
Hated every second. Took the role because of the financial crash. Just couldn't escape, failed job application after failed job application. Around that time I got with the now wife, I moved in with her and for the first time in my life. (This shows how much life has changed in 14 years) had access to the internet 24/7. With no need to run a wire to the dial up. During times when she was at work and I was at home, I would whack the PS2 on. Get LMA manager 2007 on. Turn on the laptop and consume youtube video on the towers. History, ride music clips from Towerstimes 10 year thing and I the days after this website being built joining. Never joined TT as it wouldn't let me. I did this for hours on end. The wife got me towers past and present and I pre ordered Wardleys book and consumed that book by Nick Simm..I was all in. A guide to the haunted house......he's sir. Fancy a brew, choose which AT to mug to drink out of whilst the kettle boils.
Monorail theme, both air themes, oblivion queue videos , oblivion theme, haunted house theme, Rita queue line audio etc on a constant loop. Thirteens soundtrack was a favorite only because the composer was my music teacher. Always on, washing the silent times away. When I was reading a book. Hex queue line ambiance would provide the back ground noise. I planned trips even though I wasn't going and on several occasions did the trip from my house to AT on Google Street view.
Here is the question. Did I use AT psychologically to keep me going through the dark times. Or did this obsession get me further into one?
GooseOnTheLoose
TS Member
Does your obsession, as you call it, hurt anyone? Directly, or indirectly? Does it prevent you from attending other commitments, are you ignoring your loved ones for further indulgence? Are you neglecting things in your life, in favour of your enthusiasm for Towers?My strange question is this.
Is being an enthusiast good or bad for ya mental health?
I asked this as, I'm going through a bit of a thing at the moment. I'm 40 next year and just wondering how long I could/should keep my love for certain things going. My vices are
Liverpool/Barnsley FC
The second world war
Ghostbusters/Back to the future
And (the reason I'm here) Alton towers.
Football is a slog and after the reds won the PL, my obsession has wained. I still go. Will never stop going to anfield but I can take a step back. I've also learned to control my emotions after games.
Then we have the towers. I've said on many a post, I wish I could go more. Even once a year would a be boss but I can't for many a reason. I then had a second thought about this. Have I used my obsession with the towers to help me through dark times? Did it help or did it hinder.
I had a warehouse job for 10 years
Hated every second. Took the role because of the financial crash. Just couldn't escape, failed job application after failed job application. Around that time I got with the now wife, I moved in with her and for the first time in my life. (This shows how much life has changed in 14 years) had access to the internet 24/7. With no need to run a wire to the dial up. During times when she was at work and I was at home, I would whack the PS2 on. Get LMA manager 2007 on. Turn on the laptop and consume youtube video on the towers. History, ride music clips from Towerstimes 10 year thing and I the days after this website being built joining. Never joined TT as it wouldn't let me. I did this for hours on end. The wife got me towers past and present and I pre ordered Wardleys book and consumed that book by Nick Simm..I was all in. A guide to the haunted house......he's sir. Fancy a brew, choose which AT to mug to drink out of whilst the kettle boils.
Monorail theme, both air themes, oblivion queue videos , oblivion theme, haunted house theme, Rita queue line audio etc on a constant loop. Thirteens soundtrack was a favorite only because the composer was my music teacher. Always on, washing the silent times away. When I was reading a book. Hex queue line ambiance would provide the back ground noise. I planned trips even though I wasn't going and on several occasions did the trip from my house to AT on Google Street view.
Here is the question. Did I use AT psychologically to keep me going through the dark times. Or did this obsession get me further into one?
If you've answered no for all of these things, as I imagine you will have done, then you're fine. I can understand why you might be concerned, the level of how much you care and are passionate can be overwhelming and a little strange to the outsider. This isn't any different from someone who's really into Marvel, Doctor Who, Harry Potter or any other media franchise. It's not too different from those who are really into Tolkien, or re-enactments, or KISS, or The Beatles.
The difference that you have, compared to a lot of people, I'd wager is the lack of variety in what you're really interested in. Some people will be really into X game, or Y park, but listen to French electronic shoe gaze and read the latest Robert Galbraith book. Variety is the spice of life, but it's also ok to like salt and pepper.
The only thing in your post, which gave me a slight double take moment, is when you said you street viewed the journey from your home to Towers. That's a bit weird, but like I said, if you've answered no to all of the above, then it's perfectly healthy, if not just perceivable as a little odd.
Slugjc
TS Member
Cheers for that.
The street view was a little weird. This is the first time I've ever said that out loud. I think you've nailed it on the head. It was boredom.
As I get to the midlife I realised just how good being single, young with so much time was. The days I spent in my ma and dad's house bored out of my tree. Days where I could have just ****** off and go to towers or Blackpool. Even places like Eden camp. Always wanted to go, always felt I needed that companion. Scared to be seen on my own by others who I didn't know. Last week I saw John Power on my own, yesterday I did the Merseyside derby on own and it was boss. Still enjoyed it. Have had a season pass to Eden camp this year. Taken the dog and loved it.
My other fault is I'm never good at sharing my enthusiasm. They are All private. Buried deep down. Love a bit of doctor who. Won't discuss it with anyone, even if they know they love it. Football, nothing bores me more than talking about Liverpool FC to other Liverpool supporters.
The street view was a little weird. This is the first time I've ever said that out loud. I think you've nailed it on the head. It was boredom.
As I get to the midlife I realised just how good being single, young with so much time was. The days I spent in my ma and dad's house bored out of my tree. Days where I could have just ****** off and go to towers or Blackpool. Even places like Eden camp. Always wanted to go, always felt I needed that companion. Scared to be seen on my own by others who I didn't know. Last week I saw John Power on my own, yesterday I did the Merseyside derby on own and it was boss. Still enjoyed it. Have had a season pass to Eden camp this year. Taken the dog and loved it.
My other fault is I'm never good at sharing my enthusiasm. They are All private. Buried deep down. Love a bit of doctor who. Won't discuss it with anyone, even if they know they love it. Football, nothing bores me more than talking about Liverpool FC to other Liverpool supporters.
Matt N
TS Member
I agree with @GooseOnTheLoose. If it’s not harming anyone or directly taking you away from important things in your life, then I don’t see that it’s a problem.
I can actually empathise quite strongly with parts of your post, because indeed, I have done many of the things that you talk about, or at very least, I have done similar. I constantly do things like listen to theme park music and read theme park books and websites and such even when I’m not at the parks, although I would say that I’m a wider theme park enthusiast rather than solely an Alton Towers enthusiast. I’ve devised tons of hair-brained trip ideas in my head over the years that have completely imploded upon the slightest bit of contact with reality (as many of the threads I’ve made in the Trip Planning forum over the years evidence!). I’ve never Street Viewed the entire journey from my house to Alton Towers, or anything even vaguely close to that (seeing as I live a solid 120 mile drive from Alton Towers, that would be hours and hours of clicking!), but I’ve certainly Street Viewed my fair share of streets over the years, including some pretty random ones; I just like Street View!
I can also completely empathise with your hobby being a bit of a secret for you, because I’m pretty similar. My family know that theme parks are a big hobby of mine, but I rarely tend to tell people outside of my family that I’m into theme parks, partly because I’m scared of getting judged for it. I get the impression that I’m already viewed as a bit weird anyway, and I often don’t want to reveal anything that reinforces that view further.
In terms of your original question; despite what I said above, I feel that being an enthusiast has had a profoundly positive effect on my life. I feel this way for a couple of reasons:
I can actually empathise quite strongly with parts of your post, because indeed, I have done many of the things that you talk about, or at very least, I have done similar. I constantly do things like listen to theme park music and read theme park books and websites and such even when I’m not at the parks, although I would say that I’m a wider theme park enthusiast rather than solely an Alton Towers enthusiast. I’ve devised tons of hair-brained trip ideas in my head over the years that have completely imploded upon the slightest bit of contact with reality (as many of the threads I’ve made in the Trip Planning forum over the years evidence!). I’ve never Street Viewed the entire journey from my house to Alton Towers, or anything even vaguely close to that (seeing as I live a solid 120 mile drive from Alton Towers, that would be hours and hours of clicking!), but I’ve certainly Street Viewed my fair share of streets over the years, including some pretty random ones; I just like Street View!
I can also completely empathise with your hobby being a bit of a secret for you, because I’m pretty similar. My family know that theme parks are a big hobby of mine, but I rarely tend to tell people outside of my family that I’m into theme parks, partly because I’m scared of getting judged for it. I get the impression that I’m already viewed as a bit weird anyway, and I often don’t want to reveal anything that reinforces that view further.
In terms of your original question; despite what I said above, I feel that being an enthusiast has had a profoundly positive effect on my life. I feel this way for a couple of reasons:
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Slugjc
TS Member
It's good that mate thank you
I can see how it can give people a boost. I've been one meet in my time, around 9 years ago. And heard a couple people talk about how this forum and others have given them a boost, after finding it hard to relate to anyone at school etc. I think that's boss. What the internet surely was made to do. Community is a good thing.
Money and location don't really help me out theme park wise. Closest I have is flamingo land and naaa, it's too hard for to drive passed Eden camp. The wife won't do Blackpool, because it's Blackpool so not been there for a while I'm working on Europa park but other holidays are more attractive. Thorp park just look like a faff to get to. One day I will go.
I'm not getting to my 40s well. Never had a job I loved. Never been on good money. Pension pot is pityful. My difficulty with reading and writing is holding me back confidence wise.
It will all be well in the end.
I can see how it can give people a boost. I've been one meet in my time, around 9 years ago. And heard a couple people talk about how this forum and others have given them a boost, after finding it hard to relate to anyone at school etc. I think that's boss. What the internet surely was made to do. Community is a good thing.
Money and location don't really help me out theme park wise. Closest I have is flamingo land and naaa, it's too hard for to drive passed Eden camp. The wife won't do Blackpool, because it's Blackpool so not been there for a while I'm working on Europa park but other holidays are more attractive. Thorp park just look like a faff to get to. One day I will go.
I'm not getting to my 40s well. Never had a job I loved. Never been on good money. Pension pot is pityful. My difficulty with reading and writing is holding me back confidence wise.
It will all be well in the end.
GooseOnTheLoose
TS Member
Have faith in yourself and hold on. I think the passion you demonstrate is something to be admired, rather than ridiculed. As I said, some people may see it as odd because they don't get it, but it's much the same as any other enthusiasm.It's good that mate thank you
I can see how it can give people a boost. I've been one meet in my time, around 9 years ago. And heard a couple people talk about how this forum and others have given them a boost, after finding it hard to relate to anyone at school etc. I think that's boss. What the internet surely was made to do. Community is a good thing.
Money and location don't really help me out theme park wise. Closest I have is flamingo land and naaa, it's too hard for to drive passed Eden camp. The wife won't do Blackpool, because it's Blackpool so not been there for a while I'm working on Europa park but other holidays are more attractive. Thorp park just look like a faff to get to. One day I will go.
I'm not getting to my 40s well. Never had a job I loved. Never been on good money. Pension pot is pityful. My difficulty with reading and writing is holding me back confidence wise.
It will all be well in the end.
GooseOnTheLoose
TS Member
I'm really sorry to answer this, but all chips are double cooked. They need to be fried at a lower temperature first (about 140° C), let them dry out a bit and then dried again at a higher temperature (180° C) when ready to serve. It's the double cooking that crisps them up. In the same way that you par boil a potato before you put it in the oven to roast. Helps ensure thorough cooking and crispiness.How come chips can be cooked or triple cooked, but never double cooked?
When you buy frozen oven chips, they've already been part/pre fried at the lower temperature, same with ready meal ones.
As to why no one calls them double cooked? You've lost me!
Edit...topics shifted, post altered to fit shifting.
,
,
And chips and roast potatoes...I cook them once, and once alone, after making them from potatoes.
Bit weird I know, but there you are...all chips are not cooked twice, you just turn up the heat at the end to brown em.
,
,
And chips and roast potatoes...I cook them once, and once alone, after making them from potatoes.
Bit weird I know, but there you are...all chips are not cooked twice, you just turn up the heat at the end to brown em.
Last edited:
BarryZola
TS Member
Why has this song seemingly been forgotten? An absolute banger. Caught it in the middle of the night on some random radio station and I was taken back decades in time. Yes, I've had a few beers 
From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWEFNFsFrgE
From: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWEFNFsFrgE
Slugjc
TS Member
How odd.
I heard this banger this week. Not heard for decades. How does it not get air play
From: https://youtu.be/A7whxAXeWHU?si=sygPX6DNoteXn1i3
I heard this banger this week. Not heard for decades. How does it not get air play
From: https://youtu.be/A7whxAXeWHU?si=sygPX6DNoteXn1i3
pluk
TS Member
How odd.
I heard this banger this week. Not heard for decades. How does it not get air play
From: https://youtu.be/A7whxAXeWHU?si=sygPX6DNoteXn1i3
I love this track. The original isn't available on streaming, only a solo version by Diamond (ehich i make do with on my playlist), probably one of the reasons it's on the forgotten pile.
I thought I could manage all my pronouns and stuff, coming from a mixed and varied family, but those ****** geese, jeez...
All that collective noun ****... flock, gaggle, skein, team, wedge.
Even the little sods have their own collective brood.
Can you have a gaggle of goslings, or does it remain a brood?
I need to know for my Christmas cards.
All that collective noun ****... flock, gaggle, skein, team, wedge.
Even the little sods have their own collective brood.
Can you have a gaggle of goslings, or does it remain a brood?
I need to know for my Christmas cards.