Raptor Jo's Media Day Tale
Yea I know it's 2 days later, I had posted a TR on CB and just didn't get around to here til now. Let me 1st say that the anticipation of Media Day was as exciting as media day itself was. My oldest daughter and I drove up to Sandusky Wednesday night (the very 1st time it was dark the ENTIRE drive up there-no sun rise for me!) We drove to Battery Park to sneak a peek at WT from across the bay.
I know that I didn't sleep very well at all, besides the storms the excitement (I was actually terrified of riding WT) really was taking it's toll on me. I slept off and on and finally just got up and stayed up at 3:20am. My daughter and I arrived at CP at 5:17am to find a bunch of my GTTP buds registering. The weather at that point was rainy, windy, damp, ucky, Lucky for us I had my CP employee raingear and due to being a prepared Mom had a rain poncho for my kid. We immediately were told to go ride. We opted for the middle since we knew it wouldn't be as intense as the rest of the train. It is bad enough to be nervious about something but when setting up a camera for the media takes extra time you can't help but even get more nervious! I happened to loosen my "grip of death" to see what time it was and told my daughter it was 5:45am and we are riding a coaster! Upon hearing the 3-2-1 THAT was all it took, we went up the 1st spike and I immediately let go. What a rush! And I decided the BEST part of WT for me is definitely the 2nd trip up! Through out the day we met up with more GTTP'ers, I met some new ride ops (BEWARE of Jon-the KING of stapling!) and saw some farmiliar ones. I talked to tons of reporters (I only got on 1 news report but tons of newspapers apparently-I was too busy riding to stop and talk!) One reporter from Bowling Green took on ride pics of Jerry Fleming and I in the back seat. I have "great coaster hair" and the reporter asked me to let it down for the pics. OMG my hair was EVERYWHERE! When we shot thru the station it was all in front of me and when Jerry and I were doing our "screwing" (lol ;)) my hair literally twisted all around my face. The reporter mentioned sending the pic to the AP-now THAT would be too cool! :) The presentation and ribbon cutting was CHEESY (nice tie Dan! :)) what?? :)
and I can't wait to see the pics that Matt and I took from that same platform later that day! :)
Taking the time out to eat was fun, I know how Dan feels about Johnny Rockets but I have to admit the food was wonderful, especially the end of day "snacks." The atmosphere was nothing short of fun and the dancing was AWESOME! (hint here-if you eat in this place play "Love Shack", "YMCA" or "Respect" and you'll see what I'm talking about-btw-THEY will give you the nickels for the jukebox) By mid-day ("break time" for the media and us media whores) I had no idea how wiped out I already was (had 12 laps in by that time) until we all (my daughter, Matt, his sis Erica and myself) sat down to eat. Matt and Erica literally fell asleep in the booth, and I started to as well!
We all went out to our vechicles to "rest up" for the next batch of riding with the p.m. media crews. I was awoke by a very haunting sound and layed there thinking "man that sounds like Raptor!" and when I lifted my head up-there he was in all his glory-cycling-calling my name to ride!!! :)
Of course NO Raptor ride for me :(
We all went back into the park and talked with Bryan for a while as soon as WT was ready we jumped back on again. This is where is really started to be fun. Most of the people were pretty much gone at this po!nt, if there were 20 people on the trains I am maybe pushing it. We were told we could reride if we wanted MISTAKE! I did 2 rerides
and apparently THAT is my limit. I "pushed" that issue and almost paid dearly for it. Matt and I even got to reride in the front seat (hit the plunger!) 3x and during the 3rd run I told him I was "twisted out" and that was it for me. So 20 total laps. A # I am quite content with since it is probably more than most will get to ride it all season. We bid all the media and WT a fond "see ya" and headed back to Johnny Rockets for some caffeine and more food. This "meeting" seemed to be the most fun since we could "sum up" our day. It was Matt, Erica, Tony, Alex and I and someone by the name of Mr Kinzel who stopped by our table and asked how we liked the ride. THAT was a classic in itself and I wont even go there! (But I must mention here that Mr Kinzel saw me earlier in the day and still remembers me!) The excitement of my 2nd CP Media Day was finally winding down it was then I realized I still had a 2.75 hour drive home. Blech!
My WT editorial--LOVED it another 1st class coaster at my Utopia. Advise-HAVE to go with the majority here,
stick to the last 4 rows-trust me. The front seat is ok but the only "view" you get is the 1st spike, (ok shooting out of the station is cool too cause it looks like you're going to head right into DT) You get "screwed" in the front car (lol again)
but because you're in the front car you really don't "feel" it.
The prime 0 gravity and screwing is in the back-wait til you hit the top of the back spike during the 2nd shoot. AWESOME! LOVED that! Would wait hours JUST for that second! :)
The food/service and entertainment at Johnny Rockets was awesome too, I wouldn't hesitate going in there again. I had just a plain egg salad sandwich and fries what were yummy and I heard the shakes were 1st class too.
The entire "Media Day" was 14 hours long and really non stop fun, even at my most exhausting of moments it was a blast. I was honored to be invited and honored to brag to the press how awesome WT and CP is. Thanks to Bryan. Robin and Janice, who I am quite sure were far more exhausted than any of us were! The best line I heard all day was my kid saying "darn Mom you know alot of people, dont you?" :)
It was great seeing my GTTP buds, fellow GOCC'ers, and CP family, Matt (My oao PIC!) his sis Erica, Matt O, Tony, Joe E, Jeff P and Stephanie, Sparty and Dana, Brian, Dave Altoff, the Rockholds, Dan and Maria, Bryan. Robin, Janice, Bob Woz (who gave me hell for losing my sunglasses on WT-saying "you should know better Jo, didn't you tell people to secure loose articles when YOU were running Raptor?") Dan F, Ken, John H, Sandy W, (who wrote my name on my press pass as "Raptor Jo" :)
(without even asking!!!) Seth, Richey and I finally got to meet Kelly. I know there are some I have forgotten-forgive me!
One more day til Opening Day!
WOO HOO!
Raptor for me---none for you!!!! :)
Jo
2000 Raptor Crew
Gemini 100 "Survivor"
Next VP of GOCC?
2002 WT laps-20
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Cowboys dig cowgirls in trucks
Cowgirls dig cowboys in Wranglers! ;)
Bad news for you Jo.. Jon was only doing what they have been told to do this year. I do believe the word "staple" was even used in the training this year.
Get used to it people...
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June 11th, 2001 - Gemini 100
VertiGo Rides - 82 Farewell my good friend..
S&S WILL rise again....
*** This post was edited by Red Garter Rob 5/4/2002 1:06:42 PM ***
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