the ingredients

fanny packs are still acceptable in some places

The past few days I spent in Sandusky, Ohio at 'America's Roller Coast'. Cedar Point is a must for anyone who enjoys roller coasters. 17 Coasters and several thrill rides that put other coaster parks to shame. The ride took around seven and a half hours each way, including rest stops.

First day we got there around 2 pm. Originally planned on getting there around 330, since the directions said it was close to 8 hours and we figured an extra 30-45 minutes for rest stops. Check-in wasn't until 4 so pulling into the parking lot there was some serious consideration of hitting the bowling alley that we passed down the street. Luckily it never came to that as they let us check in then. Brief nap and trip to the arcade and it was on to the park for our 5pm-close tickets.

It doesn't really make sense to describe each of the rides here. If you are curious - theyr listed with pictures on Cedar Points page. If you are really curious then you should figure out when you can get there.

We did get to go mini-golfing both nights after our time in the park. I love to mini-golf and usually get to on my vacation week to the Jersey Shore. Since i took a short vacation this year, I had no chance to do so, and thus was very excited to get to mini-golf here. The course was pretty great and with 2 different 18 hole options, we didnt have to repeat. Alex took the trophy the first night and Leo took it the second. Overall I came in third. Lets not leave out the fact that despite my shaky back 9 I had 4 hole in ones (3 the first night within the first 4 holes) two of them being the first hole of each night. So even though I didnt win either night I still am pleased with that.

Days like those in the intense heat going from severe adrenaline rush to standing in line for 40 minutes really wear on you. Our full day (day 2) we had to leave the park around 4 and take a 30 minute nap before returning because we were all dragging. Its hard to be on your feet from 830 to 10 pm especially in this situation. Needless to say by the end of the trip I was/we all were very tired. I was so tired that I had two slightly delrious rest stop transactions. At the first rest stop I wanted an iced coffee but couldnt figure out exactly what that entailed and then after ordering it was planning on leaving to go to the car to get my wallet (cash was in my pocket) so i could come back and take out cash to pay Leo for gas. Had forgotten that even though i paid for my drink, I hadnt gotten it yet. About 3 hours later we stopped for dinner and I went to Popeyes. I do love their biscuits but decided that I was hungry enough for a meal and ordered the #5. My sister came from the bathroom and asked what I ordered which I proudly announced - the number 5. popcorn shrimp. As i finished saying that I remembered that I do not and have never enjoyed shrimp in any form and the #5 despite it very clearly showing that it was popcorn shrimp, was not the popcorn chicken i was hoping to receive. I then recalled the man repeating back to me 'number 5 popcorn shrimp, what side do you want?' It got worked out and i got something else.

So all in all - it was an amazing trip for a very very affordable amount. But I would suggest that if you plan on going that you do not go for anymore than 3 days or plan on taking more naps - otherwise you may suffer the same temporary loss of brain activity that I did.

I am going to post a facebook album tomorrow of the 20 or so pics I took on my Iphone. I will link it then. For now ill just include one.

p.s. - we counted fanny packs and mullets on our trip. day one between 5pm and 10 pm we counted 4 mullets and 59 fanny packs. day 2 we stopped counting around midday as we had already broken 100 fanny packs. i dont recall the total number of mullets but it was less than expected (apparently there was a nascar event this week which may have accounted for the lack of mullet presence).

i should be in bed already

thats about all that needs to be said. but alas theres things to be done.

may not post the next few days - heading to cedar point in sandusky, ohio. not planning on bringing my computer. will tweet photos - if you arent on twitter you can still check out my page twitter.com/pennooch.

see you soon.

if its good then ok

it seems like the menu of items we make for dinner in the summer, this one especially, gets cut back to about 4 things and 3 are made on the grill - the 4th is pasta. not complaining - just something i thought about recently.

one last time...

real or fake is sometimes better left unanswered

my sister got me this coffee as a post birthday gift while down the shore. the place is like a candy shop with series of different dispensers but theyr all full of coffee beans. you select which type and the place grinds them for your there and you get a bag of fresh grinded coffee. she got a blend of brazillian and columbian. im very excited

also - if you are up for a bit of mystery there is a youtube series running that im addicted to. updates come every few days and videos last about 45sec-2 minutes long. warning: not for those easily scared.

watch them in order. start with 'introduction'. shouldnt take more than 15 minutes to catch up.

watch here

atleast watch the intro. its 2 minutes long and explains what the series is about. if you are interested then watch the rest...its definitely worth it.

things are different on the other side

(above picture is my picture-of-the-day. one of the many barn buildings on the farm property that i work at. this place is just a horror movie set in waiting)

so after work today i headed home for a bit before going into the city to a (dive) bar to see a good friend of mine's band play a show. Rare chance since they are out of Boston and are not big enough to say them coming to philly is no big deal. I had seen them before but that was 2 years ago, and theyve definitely gotten their shit together in their performance, which i imagine is partially due to the lineup changes bringing in more enthusiastic/talented people. Above picture is of the opening band made up of 3 people, two men one woman, two keyboards, a mac laptop, alot of sythnesizers and beats and programmed loops, and the a dude with a drawn on (literally) moustache playing bass and guitar (not at once - he switched depending on the song). They were alot of fun.

My aunt bought me a carpet for my apt for my birthday which was unexpected (i shwed her one i liked while with her looking for a carpet for our office - i work for my aunt - and she said 'happy birthday).

Also, someone turned 22 today. Welcome to the club. Laugh now all you lot who are still young. Youll be here soon.

5 days until Cedar Point