It's terrifying, it's nauseating, it's...the CEDAR POINT POST!

Alright, so I said I'd make a (long overdue) post about Cedar Point. So here it is:

I had a great time!

The highlights of the park were the Top Thrill Dragster, and the Millenium Force. I'd said the Power Tower and the Skyhawk were the third and fourth place contenders, althought they weren't true roller coasters.

The Top Thrill Dragster was just that. A launch at 120mph STRAIGHT up 420-something feet, and then straight back down with a little corkscrew action thrown in there. Pure terror before the launch, absolute euphoria upon reaching the top. Not to mention, being able to see miles into the lake and the horizon at the top of it all made me want to 'PRAISE JESUS!' LOL!
The Millenium Force is number one for true roller coaster style. It is a mass of hard twists of metal, taking you down a 320 ft hill at 94 mph. Not to mention, the trolley up the hill was quick and smoooth. It was a great ride that did not snap you around too much, was smooth, quick, and quiet. Top Notch.
The Power Tower....Truly one of the scariest rides of the park. You sit in a seat (with a harness) that is attatched to a trolly on the side of this huge tower. You face outward from the tower, and this thing takes you slowly up the side of the tower. When will it drop you? Nobody knows! It is enough to make your hands start to sweat about 1/3 of the way up. Once you drop, it is the best sensation! It kept its 'Holy Shit' factor at a solid 11 on a 1-10 scale without losing that rank upon riding it over and over again.
The Skyhawk was similar to the old pirate ship, except if you fed it steroids. The shear noise this ride generated was enough to make you pee yourself a little. It had the breath of a chained monster waiting for its chance to break out. Like the pirate ship, it is a swing type, except is went higher, and expanded on more of a circular plane. typical pirate ships took you a little less than 90 degrees from the resting position. The Skyhawk took you about 110 degrees from resting position. Doesn't sound like much, but just imagine if the pirate ship went out of control and just kept getting higher and higher, until the point where you are sitting up, but your stomach is facing the ground. That's a good time.
Last but not least, the scariest ride of the park crept along at a nauseating 5 mph, and just barely scraped past the tree tops. That's right, I'm talking about the terrifying thriller that are the sky trollies, as seen at Hershey Park. You know them, the little 4 person cars that creep along on a suspended cable, intending to give its riders an unobstructed view of theme park awe. But these jankey, ill-kept cars jostle and clank as they move their way in a straight line to point B. You dangle helplessly, bracing yourself for the fall to your death 50 feet below when the cable decides to give, or when the car decides to unhook itself from its line of death. A solid 20 on the 1-10 scale of Horror.

Prior to the trip, James and I stopped off at a Rite Aid and picked up some generic Drememine (sp). I was afraid the side effects would leave me fogged, but they didn't too bad. At one point I did become soo drowsy, I thought I was going to collapse. That could have been from the lack of sleep the night before, and the fact that we did more walking than riding on the first day. I'm just glad that James took over as the coaster nazi. He was definitely the driving force that kept us going! Thanks, James!
The ride back was long. We stopped off somewhere in western PA and had ourselves a picnic lunch. Nat and I slept most of the way (which was good for James and Kurt who were the drivers)! Inside joke, lol!!

That was about it. I loved it! I can't wait to do it again! James gets major props for hooking us up with the ride and the hotel! Thanks, Coaster Nazi!!

Thanks for reading this post about Cedar Point, have a Great Day!!

Ummm, what just happened?

Today I woke up and now I feel like I forgot a lot of things. I couldn't get to sleep last night, and once I did, I woke up at 8am this morning.
I *think* I am suppose to head to class tonite, even though I am not officially signed up yet. I'm looking forward to that, and I hope I have enough energy for it tonite.

Today I went through a few old letters, and became distraught and justified at the same time. My memory is terrible these days, and throwing letters out would erase the fragments associated with that time. It's like a piece of the puzzle that I should keep in order to remind myself that I was even working on a puzzle.
I can't remember more than two days without the assistance of other minds. Oddly enough, my long term memory is in better shape, and extends well into times before I knew how to speak. I am grateful for that.

I meditate a lot these days. Well, for the past couple years. I also like doing rain chants. For whatever reason, they seem to work.

Thor and I decided the other day that we need to go camping...this weekend. I haven't gone camping yet this year, and that makes me sad. I love camping. I love fires. I love being outside in the woods. It's been a while since I have gone camping in the fall, too, which makes it more interesting.

I want to go up to Hburg and visit everyone up there. I haven't really hung out with R and M recently, with the exception of a few hours once we got back from Cedar Point (which was awesome; I will have to do a post about it later 'cuz I forgot to do one at all). I like hanging out and talking with 'doze guys.

So yea, his is a blah post. It's a blah day. And I am feeling blah right now. I think I have something big and fun to work on today, too. If anything, I got a couple of sleeves to tweak before we go to ink. That should keep my mind moving. Yeh, man.
until later......>.>>>>>..>...Boink.

timeTimEtImeTImETiMeblah.

Well now, it might be time for an update!

First, I'd like to say how beautiful the nights have been recently. I came home from, well, wherever it was that I was, and watched a clear, moon-lit sky be consumed by a dark nothing which was a thunderstorm. One side of the sky was dark and lightning, the other side was completely clear. I sat on the grass and watched the moon turn from orange to black. Very awesome, creepy, etc.

On to the meat...My language class was cancelled, and I was kind of bummed. I went over to Joppa hall to say Hey to an old instructor, and somehow managed perfect timing to catch her right before her class. She invited me to stay for a bit since I had left HCC with a higher level of art instruction and the class she was teaching was only level 2. I chilled, watched them do their homework critiques, and Gina (instructor) invited me to stay and draw from the model. I hadn't expected all this. I stayed, and drew from the model, and it was awesome. I hadn't done it in so long, I was actually kind of nervous that I had lost my touch.
Gina kept asking me if I was coming back to the studio, and I told her about my other class cancelling. We basically agreed that it was a sign.

Hmm, vat else? Mmmmm, Ben is more addicted to mopeds than I had ever thought I was, which is awesome. The RR has proven itself roadworthy, and has been the daily rider for those who have participated on HC rides.

I had a dream last night that was beautiful...well, the sequence of events lead me to feel something beautiful. I woke up believing my dream for a split second, then about cried when I realized I had woke up. That dream was a tease. I can usually tell when my dreams are foreshadowing a possible event, and when they are just there because my mind likes to pretend stuff so that my heart feels better. This one was a 'it will be alright just as long as you stay asleep.' I would give anything to make it last.

On the flip side, I am glad at least one person was able to change themselves for better, even if it took a disaster to change their opinion. They were able to show a great sincerity, and a humble heart and honest words were enough to change a disappointed heart. You know who you are, way to go! I am proud...just don't let it happen again. BTW, Y.M.A.B. ;oP

So, Fall is good. I hope I do not stray far from this path, as it seems this is where I am supposed to be. I am glad I made it, and I am glad I have the best people with me to share it.

Horizons

The sea at rest, like placid glass of sparkling sapphire against a curtain of brilliant gold. It surely is a wandering mind's paradise.
Wandering minds, though, have to be careful of falling into deceptive waters.

What do you make of all you see around you?
Truth, or fiction?
Beyond what you see, what do you make of all you feel?
Again, truth...or fiction?

I have learned that there is no hope for a few out there. Even for those few that deep waters has failed to stop my heart from caring.

I wish you could understand. I wish you would take that back. I really do.
What advantage would it have for you?
...None.
You are what you hate. You are what your big words mask in the face of the world. You have no soul, no essence to bring you light. You live off crooked smiles, co-dependence, and manipulation between your hallow self. How I wish you wouldn't.
I'd give my life to make you see. Is it worth it?

Today, I live well, but you have no concern. Have you ever wondered why they betray you? Do you ever wonder why they go crazy? Do you ever wonder why they leave you?

Maybe they see right through you. Maybe they try to help you see, but you have no sight. Maybe they try to help you feel, but you have no touch. You feed off the senses of others. When all the chances are gone, they are wrought with despair, and your greedy hunger swallows them whole.
They never left you. You left them.
Stop blaming others. Stop branding them with words that are void of context. Defeat your ignorance, open the gates, and let the beams consume you.


No, what am I saying. Nothing, nothing. You are truly lost, and sometimes I wish my heart could give up on you once and for all.
Then I could be as you are...

The Crying Harp

You know, I felt the need to type another post because the other one is so beautifully incoherent. So here is another wonderfully incoherent post.

I am back in the gray valley, floating in the mist of a cold rain. I am so many places at once. I feel the heartache of Autumn, the desolation of Winter, the apprehension of Spring, the failure of Summer; Back into Autumn. I ask the forgiveness of Time, afraid to be condemned, assured that I will carry that hopelessness for a long time. I am currently reminded of a beautiful sorrow which cannot be relieved, which cannot be denied.

Ahh, how passionate those moments of complete and utter isolation were. I thought a mountain top would be the perfect place to speak to the Heavens, who knew a bottomless ocean was more fitting.
Cold and alone, desperate, tragic, and solemn; Yet, the innocence still remained preserved.

There is nothing I can do now. It is nothing but a dream. Dare I be tempted by the illusion, into the well I will fall.

I'll always miss that place, until I am unable to forget its despair. Good riddance, my beautiful ruiner.

Effect of the Cause.

And where was I, this day, what is not so long ago?
Frail, skinny;
Invisible.

It's funny what they say about all things happening for a reason. I feel it is a good reason, but I haven't quite reached that understanding. Maybe I won't. Not in this lifetime.
and I don't have much time.

There is an answer that looms in the untouchable realm. Unto which is sought, there, it will not be found. The simplest rule, and always the first rule.

Happiness though, mistaken for elevation in joyful emotion, is nothing more than an accepted neutrality in the Great Balance. Much like the Yin and Yang. A darkness is a precursor to morning, and morning a precursor to darkness. Once you go beyond the obvious acceptance of that cycle, you reach a level where they mean nothing. Morning is neither celebrated nor despised. Darkness is neither happiness nor sadness. They are what they are. Once that is contemplated to the point where it becomes a feeling rather than thought, it is truly happiness...it's an amazing transformation of...something. It's the unknown energy. The greatest of all the intangibles.

My grip is weak, at best, and I find myself developing an internal arrhythmia to the essential being. I know there is a place where these thoughts become complacent. I experience it often, yet like a daily pilgrimage, I travel the same miles to feel it. It's all there so that I will not become a captive to idle days.

I know I am well...at least in comparison to all I was. I find it hard to believe there are such things as malicious, resentful people. I could easily ruin myself contemplating that idea for too long. I don't carry those seeds. Somehow, I do without.
Still, there is that question. If only they realized that my eyes are mirrors to their own, maybe the answer would be a little clearer. The concept of misunderstanding still remains, and I question its role in that which has challenged me.

This means nothing to you, those who read this. It is merely a memoir from the mass eating the back of my head. Goodnight.

Barely a Ripple

I woke up one day and the world began to spin and sing with so many colours. There were stripes and dots and pastels, streamers and noises and sights. There was energy and whirlwinds that were so uplifting. There were familiar songs, and familiar smells. There was joy and comfort and all things unseen.

And they thought I was crazy. They thought I was making it up.

Anyways, it's funny how history repeats itself. At least I can sit back and watch it in this round. I feel relieved to know that I was right. And now Ryan knows.

On a completely unrelated note, I had a dream about Becki a few weeks ago. What a bizarre dream. We were in a room, much like an attic, except finished off with hardwood floors, a big window, and a bunch of old beds. It kinda reminded me of an old orphanage or finishing school, even if I have never seen one.
Well, I looked over my shoulder and saw her standing there. In absolute awe, I asked Becki if she was really dead. She replied with, "Yes, and so are you..." I became afraid once I heard her say that. Immediately, she finished off with, "Well, technically, you're half dead [or halfway dead]," in a matter-of-fact sort of tone, then made a gesture like she used to do when explaining something to me.
She seemed somewhat jolly, even though it felt like I disturbed her in a way.
She walked off into another room, and I walked out of the room we were in, and found myself in a dimly lit hallway. I was still in shock at seeing her and at what she said, so I forced myself to wake up (in a panic).

I don't know what to make of that dream, or if I should even think about it.

On another unrelated topic...get ready for it, it's a moped update...The Red Rocket has finally come back to life. All I have to do is get the damn wiring straightened out, and I'll be ready to take 'er on its maiden voyage.
Officially, I have 3 running mopeds. The Snark has finally shown its displeasure with me but giving me hard starts. I think I have an idea as to what is going on, so that should be cake. Number 2 is still rawking and rolling, although I would like to do a complete engine tear down and give it a good cleaning. I have finally mastered the gearbox, now all I have to do is tackle the crankcase. That should be easy, but I was warned about the random shims that might come flying out to eat my face. Hopefully, it won't be bad...*crosses fingers*

That's it, that's all I got for tonite. Go away, stop reading this, you are only wasting your time.