Back when I was studying physics and possibly thinking about making a career of it, the one thing I really wanted to do was design roller coasters. It seemed like the most fun pracitcal application of physics out there. So, whenever I see some kind of science show that focuses on theme park design, I'm riveted.
That happened tonight as I was watching Daily Planet. They had a whole segment on the newest ride to open at Walt Disney World. It's called Expedition Everest. It's a totally insane roller coaster. It sits in and around the biggest artificial mountain that Disney has ever made. It's Disney's first roller coaster that goes both forwards and backwards. They use special switch tracks so, when you go down backwards, it's not along the same route. And, it boasts the largest animatronic Disney has ever made - a giant yeti that growls and swipes at the coaster.
So the vibrations of the roller coaster don't shake apart the mountain, the roller coaster and the mountain are actually two seperate, intertwined structers, with the support beams coming as close as 10 cm to each other. In order for the yeti to move as fast as they need it to, the hydraulics pack the same punch as the jet engines on a 747. I couldn't help but be amazed.
I read once that Disney's Imagineers (the R&D division of Disney that builds theme park rides) don't get the same amount of press as they did back in 1955 when Disneyland first opened. However, in the whole theme park industry, the Imagineers are still regarded as the best of the best.
I was watching CSI. The plot revolved around rival street teams for rap stars. Street teams are the guys who hang posters, hand out stickers, and do the grunt work for the promotions people. Anyway, a gang war wound up breaking out between these street teams.
That just got me thinking. Radio stations employ street teams, too. And again, they hand banner, hand out stickers, and do the grunt work for the promotions people. It's never erupted into gang wars, though. I mean, you'll never find the Big Earl street team gunning down the CISN street team.
It'd make radio a hell of a lot more interesting, though.
Quick recap on all the DC comics characters getting movies:
Superman - Comes out this summer
Womder Woman - Currently being worked on by Joss Whedon (Buffy, Firefly) and Joel Silver (The Matrix Trilogy, V for Vendetta)
The Flash - Being written and directed by David S. Goyer (the Blade trilogy)
Well, we can add another one to the list this day...DC's Captain Marvel, who's better known by the name of his comic, Shazam!
It's going to be directed by Peter Segal, who gave us the last trilogy of Adam Sandler comedies: Anger Management, 50 First Dates, The Longest Yard.
The script is being written by screenwriting legend William Goldmam. (The Princess Bride is always the first that comes to mind.)
As one mentioned, the premise behind Shazam! is ripe for comedy, but I hope they don't make it a comedy.
For those who don't read comics...8 year old Billy Batson says the magic word, "Shazam!" and turns into the adult superhero Captain Marvel. Yup, and 8 year old trapped in a grown-up superhero's body.
So, for those who don't care, our Queen just turned 80 years old. To celebrate, Buckingham Palace released 80 facts about Queen Elizabeth II. Here's a few that pertain to Canada specifically:
- The Queen has gotten a number of animals as gifts over the years. Canada's given her two beavers. (I'll pause while you crack your own dirty joke.)
- The Queen has visited Canada 23 times
- And, as is befitting our head of state, the Queen is fully fluent in French.
And, one quick moment to point out that Winnie the Pooh has gotten a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Pooh-bear celebrates his 80th birthday this year.
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