kevincrossman – Page 8

December 11, 2012

Top 5 Disney Roller Coasters

5. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – Disneyland Paris

Big Thunder features an excellent use of hiding the track and incorporating the coaster cars into the storyline for the attraction, with the cars being part of a mine train. The track is similar in the Disneyland and Magic Kingdom variants, but the Disneyland Paris version by far the best. Taking the place of Tom Sawyer Island within Disneyland Paris’ Frontierland, the guests board the coaster and go under the river to travel on an island in the middle of the river. There are some great experiences when you coast on track hanging over the water. The finale takes you back under the river through a dark and thrilling tunnel.

4. Space Mountain – Disneyland

Far smoother than the version at Walt Disney World, this version also has 2×2 seating that is more friendly to families. The twists and turns in the dark are thrilling as is the energetic musical score by Michael Giacchino.

3. Space Mountain: Mission 2 – Disneyland Paris

This version shares little in common with the domestic predecessors. The guests “take off” via linear induction launch and then you plunge into the darkness of the mountain. This version is wilder than the other Space Mountains too, with three three inversions. Also features music by Michael Giacchino.

2. Calif Screamin’ – Disney California Adventure

Whereas most Disney coasters try to hide the track with rock work or darkness, the exposed structure of California Screamin’ sets a wonderful backdrop for Paradise Pier. The design follows the wooden coasters of the era it celebrates, but thanks to steel track technology, this is a smooth and thrilling coaster. Over 6000 feet, by far the longest Disney coaster (by over 1000 feet), this is the only coaster at the Disneyland Resort with an inversion.

1. Expedition Everest – Disney’s Animal Kingdom

For the summit of our list, this one seems to be the Disney coaster that everyone can agree on (it ranked at the peak coaster by each member of our family). Plenty of thrills with a g-force inducing backwards section as well as a gigantic drop. But it also appeals to those who avoid inversions. It also includes the pinnacle of Disney place-making, as they’ve created an entire Hymalayan town of Serka Zong surrounding the attraction. The queue tells the story of past expeditions who experienced the mythical Yeti and is quite beautiful too. While it’s disappointing that the attractions animatronic Yeti has been motionless for many years, it’s still a thrilling encounter on one of Disney’s best attractions ever.

December 9, 2012

The Facebook Sign’s Dirty Little Secret

During my evening commute, I travel from Willow Road in Menlo Park and turn east to head home across the Dumbarton Bridge. As such, I pass Facebook’s headquarters every day on my commute. The campus has recently become famous for it’s large “Like” logo sign. There’s not a week that goes by when I don’t see someone out front taking a photo. In fact, some weeks it seems like we see someone every single day. This past weekend we went past it twice and sure enough there were people taking photos. So, this sign has sort of become a minor tourist destination.

But the Facebook sign has a dirty little secret. A very, very dirty secret.

As those in Bay Area may be familiar, Facebook’s campus was originally constructed by 1990’s industry darlings Sun Microsystems. But, after Sun fell on hard times and was acquired by Oracle in 2010, most of the campus was abandoned. Facebook began leasing the property in 2011 and all references to Sun were erased.

All of which is mildly interesting Silicon Valley lore but is actually more important at explaining the dirty secret of the Facebook sign.

sun

Seems there’s still a little bit of Sun Microsystems left behind on the old campus after all.

November 30, 2012

Top 10 Nirvana Songs

nirvana I’ve been listening ot a lot of Nirvana this week, after getting Bruce Pavitt’s ibook Experiencing Nirvana about Nirvana’s 1989 European tour. So, I thought I’d share my favorite Nirvana songs. BTW – I have this tshirt from back in the day but it doesn’t fit as well as it used to.

1. “Sappy“

Orginally released as a hidden track on the No Alternative compilation under the name “Verse Chorus Verse” the song is more properly known today as “Sappy.” This version was recorded during the In Utero sessions and features an excellent guitar solo from Kurt Cobain. Lots of Nirvana songs had female protagonists, including this one.

2. “You Know You’re Right“

The last song ever recorded by this great band is also one of their best. Finally released after much to-do in 2002, after previously only heard on bootlegs and during Hole’s Unplugged performance. Sadly, there would be no more songs for Nirvana.

3. “About a Girl“

A very melodic song from the band’s first album and the song that caused major labels to see the potential in the band. A sort of twisted love song.

4. “Smells Like Teen Spirit“

There’s a reason this song changed the music industry. I don’t like this song because it is trendy, but because it is actually a great song.

5. “Heart-Shaped Box“

Another quiet/loud heavy song with melodic underpinnings.

6. “In Bloom“

Great rolling bass line from Krist Novoselic and I also enjoy Dave Grohl’s drum fills. Easily the first or second best music video from the band.

7. “Come as You Are“

The first time I heard Nevermind was at a CD store where you could listen to the CDs before purchasing (CD Warehouse, oh how we miss you…). This was the third track on the CD and after about 30 seconds in I knew I had to puchase the CD. “No I don’t have a gun” lyrics are a little tough, though.

8. “Aneurysm“

Completely under-appreciated track from the group’s rarities compilation Incesticide. The song rocks hard and by my reading is an ode to heroin.

9. “Where Did You Sleep Last Night“

A Leadbelly classic that the group performed Unplugged. Maybe Cobain’s best vocal performance.

10. “All Apologies“

One of the hits from In Utero probably sounded better in the Unplugged version. Lyrics reflect Cobain’s tortured persona.

Honorable Mention: “School”, “Negative Creep”, “Mr. Moustache”, “Breed”, “Lithium”, “Stay Away”, “Something in the Way”, “Aero Zeppelin”, “Serve the Servants”, “Rape Me”, “Dumb”

November 20, 2012

One of These Songs is the Song of the Year 2012

Every year I tease my traditional January 1st posting where I post my most-listened to songs of the year. This year, we’re teasing five solid entrants, one of which will most likely be the song of the year.

Gotye featuring Kimbra “Somebody That I Used To Know”

I blogged about this song in January and was pleased to see it became the monster hit I wished it would become. I had no idea how big the song actually got. As in probably “too big.” I don’t listen to this song very much anymore.

Madonna “Beautiful Killer”

Don’t look for this as a single, or even as a track on the regular album version of Madonna’s 2012 album MDNA. Instead, it’s a bonus song on the deluxe version of the album. It’s really a shame, since I think the throbbling synth hook, lyrics, and Madonna’s singing are all great. It’s nice to see Madonna being a little less obvious with her song lyrics these days, too: “Can’t really talk with a gun in my mouth /Â Maybe that’s what you’ve been dreaming about.” Uh, huh.

The video below includes an intro featuring music from her Bond theme “Die Another Day,” which is kind of appropriate given the subject matter.

Mark Foster, A-Trak, and Kimbra “Warrior”

This song from Foster the People frontman Mark Foster was produced for Converse and later appeared on Kimbra’s US release of her previously issued album Vows. It takes some elements from Foster’s hit “Houdini” (my top song for 2011, by the way). Kimbra does a great job with the song – I wish more of her songs were in this style.

Soundgarden “Live to Rise”

I really, really miss Audioslave, the supergroup that Chris Cornell formed after Soundgarden broke up. But, now that Cornell is back together with Soundgarden as long as they produce killer tracks like this one maybe I can live without Audioslave. This was featured in the end-credits of The Avengers and is easily the best rock track of the year.

Metric “Youth Without Youth”

The first single from the group’s Synthetica album, the song features some great guitar riffs and a great siren sound in the music bed. Some nice synth vocals to go along with Emily Haines’ always-strong delivery.

November 1, 2012

Giants World Series Parade Photos

I missed the 2010 World Series parade for the San Francisco Giants, but I really regretted it. So, when the Giants won the Series again this year I knew I had to attend. It was really spectacular to see the basically every single person walking around in Giants colors. Despite my initial thoughts that there was no way they’d hold the parade on Halloween it actually turned out really well. Even the people working in stores and restaurants had their Giants colors on (or, were wearing costumes).

That said, the experience actually watching the parade left something to be desired. Julie and I arrive an hour or so early but there were already huge crowds. By the time the players were going down Market Street in the parade it was really crowded and there was hardly any room to see anything. But, it was still fun since there was so much energy and goodwill in the city.

: Two Giants Fans

: Giants Colors

: Gamer Babes. Look at the Clean Street

: Dave Flemming and Duane Kuiper

: Nancy Pelosi

: Golden Gate Bridge Float

: Orlando Cepeda

: Willie Mays

: Brandon Belt

: Look at the Confetti

: Matt Cain and Family

: Hunter Pence

: Brian Wilson Hiding

: Barry Zito

: Smile!

: Zito Has to be the Happiest Giant

October 27, 2012

Top Disney Attraction Posters

One of the things about the Disney Parks that I love are the attraction posters. These were important in the early days of Disneyland, used as a way to promote attractions throughout the park. To this day, there are still attraction posters in the tunnels under the railroad tracks leading to Town Square on Main Street USA. This is my list of favorite attraction posters, and you’ll definitely notice there’s an aethetic that I like. In fact, there’s only one in the entire list that departs from the original 1950s style.

A great place to see many of these posters is in the Pizza Port restaurant in Tomorrowland at Disneyland. It’s actually kind of an ironic decorating choice; what says “tomorrow” better than posters from the 1950s?

Disney has released an incredible coffee table book about attraction posters called Poster Art of the Disney Parks. It’s a large sized book and focuses on presenting the posters in a way that speaks for themselves, rather than a whole lot of text describing the process. Well worth getting.

16. Autopia – 1955 (Bjorn Aronson)

The promise of the open road with dad and son. Too bad the actual ride has the car riding on a track so you can’t really steer off the road. The 1950’s design is pronounced in this poster and does set the tone for many future classic posters.

autopia

15. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride – 2008 (Danny Handke)

Several nods to the “cult appeal” of this Fantasyland classic, especially since it was produced so recently. Why are Mr. Toad’s eyes like that? Hmm… There are absolutely no drug references in this poster.

14. Skyway – 1956 (Bjorn Aronson)

If there’s a single ride I could bring back to Disneyland this is it. I love the bucket ride! I want to see Disneyland from the air, too! Sadly, it’s no longer available. But, we do have this great poster from pioneering artist Bjorn Aronson.

skyway

13. Soarin’ Over California – 2010 (Greg Maletic)

The first of the “retro” posters that Disney put together to relaunch Disney California Adventure earlier this year. Â The flat color style fits in fabulously with some of the classic posters from the 1950s. It’s clear Maletic has studied from Disney poster pioneers Aronson and Hartley.

soarin

12. Silly Sympony Swings – 2010 (Greg Maletic)

I like the red color on the skin of the riders in this one, which creates a nice contrast with the blue sky and the color of the attraction. Mickey’s treatment is quite nice here, too.

11. People Mover – 1967 (Ken Chapman)

Kudos to Goodyear for sponsoring the centerpiece of 1967’s New Tomorrowland. Of course, there’s nothing “new” about this poster style, which looks like it would fit in place if the attraction launched a decade earlier.

10. Mickey’s Fun Wheel – 2010 (Greg Maletic)

I like how many of the new DCA posters include a tagline. The mimicking of the lights in the letters of FUN WHEEL is also a great design choice.

9. Monorail – 1961 (Paul Hartley)

This design was later used at Walt Disney World where they replaced the Matterhorn with the Contemporary Hotel.

8. Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room – 1963 (Paul Hartley)

Is the show supposed to be funny or is it maybe a little bit dangerous? This poster perfectly sets up the tension of the attraction.

7. Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse – 1962 (Paul Hartley)

Proving I’m not including just my favorite attractions in this list. I never much cared for this attraction, and much prefer the Tarzan’s Treehouse remodel, but this incredible poster simply must be included. Great nod to the Jungle Cruise too.

6. Grizzly River Run – 2010 (Greg Maletic)

The saddest part of DCA’s relaunch was a deemphasis of the park’s former icon, Grizzly Peak. Fortunately, this poster restores it’s prominence.

5. Monorail Mark VII – 2008 (Scot Drake)

The only poster with a different design style. Though, at its heart, there’s still a strong sentimental quality to this poster that was created when the very retro designed Mark VII monorail cars debuted. Plus, a nice inclusion of Space Mountain and the Submarine rides, too.

4. Fantasyland / Dumbo – 1955 (Bjorn Aronson)

Strong and robust color choices from this classic. Technically a nod to three attractions, it’s clear Dumbo gets top billing. Pink Elephant… get it?

3. Jungle River / Adventureland – 1955 (Bjorn Aronson)

I’m not sure if the Jungle Cruise attraction was ever called the “Jungle River,” but this is a classic nonetheless. Â Spot the kid with the cowboy hat shooting at the hippo.

2. Matterhorn Bobsleds – 1959 (Paul Hartley)

Very strong design with 1959’s E-ticket attraction. Bold use of darker colors are a contrast with the more typical pastel colors normally used in the posters. And doesn’t it look like an exciting ride?

1. Red Car Trolley – 2010 (Greg Maletic)

I simply love this poster, since it tells you everthing you need to know about the new Disney California Adventure. A great sense of nostalgia for the park’s “main street” entrance area, Buena Vista Street. The Red Car Trolley isn’t really a great mode of transportation (you can walk faster than it moves), but the use of this vehicle gives the street a kinetic energy. You could easily see a Disneyland poster that replaces the trolley with a train and the Carthay Circle Theater with a castle.

October 7, 2012

Election-Season Pandering I Can Get Behind

Ever since the Mac was introduced in 1984, I’d been closely following Apple in the news. At the time, it was quite a big deal that Steve Jobs and the company had set up a cutting edge factory in Fremont to produce the Mac. It turns out that since demand was not as great as expected the factory ended up costing Apple a bunch of money. They ultimately abandoned the factory.

When I moved to Fremont in 1995 I always thought I’d try to find the factory but this dream was never realized. Until yesterday.

As it turns out, that very factory has been in the news lately. Seems that Fremont’s Vice-Mayor and current candidate for Mayor Anu Natarajan was leading the City Council to declare the factory site an historical location. This seemed timely, not just for Natarajan’s tight battle for Mayor but also of course on the first anniversary of Steve Jobs’ dead on October 5. Unfortunately, as reported by the Mercury-News, the efforts to grant historical landmark status were stymied by the rules indicating a location had to be more than 50 years old before that status could be granted. Which, in the tech industry, might as well be ancient history. Heck, new new iPhone is more powerful than the laptop computers Apple was making less than ten years ago – and a factory that produced Macs almost thirty years ago isn’t old enough? Ironic.

As for the City Council’s efforts, this is clear and obvious political pandering. But, you know what, I actually don’t fault them a single bit for this. In fact, I support it. For a city with a reputation of “there’s no ‘there’ there”, it would be nice to point out that Fremont does have a history that doesn’t involve suburban sprawl or green-energy punchlines in Presidential debates.

The news article was useful in providing the location for the factory and yesterday I was mere blocks away for Quinn’s baseball game. So, I drove over to 48233 Warm Springs Blvd to snap shots of the facility. You can compare the entrance today to the archival footage in the video below.

August 25, 2012

A Fun Morning at Disney California Adventure

We had a great time on our last trip to Disneyland earlier this month, mostly because we finally got to experience the “reimagined” Disney California Adventure (DCA) park that has been under construction in one fashion or another since 2007. The improvements in the park are truly spectacular and now the resort truly has two destination parks worthy of the Disney name. We visited the park over the course of our five-day / four night trip to Southern California, and we enjoyed numerous sights and sounds including the breathtaking Buena Vista Street entrance area to DCA and our favorite attractions across the esplanade at Disneyland park.

This post highlights a fortunate set of events that allowed us to ride nearly all of DCA’s E-Ticket attractions in quick succession before lunchtime on a single day.

DCA Best Kept Secret - DCA Today — DCA's Best Kept Secret - DCA Today

I arrived at the DCA gates shortly after 7:00 am to wait for the park’s general opening at 8:00 am (the park does open at 7:00 am for guest of Disney’s three hotels). The plan was for me to get to the front of the line at one of the turnstiles so I’d have a good spot in the the FastPass line for Radiator Springs Racers, DCA’s headliner attraction. The way Disney operates DCA is that even though the park doesn’t officially open to the general public until 8:00 they do let people into Bunena Vista Street at 7:30. This allows guests to pick up a Starbucks coffee at the Fiddler Fifer and Practical CafÃ© and Bakery or to rent strollers or lockers. It also allowed me to enter the FastPass line for Radiator Springs Racers and to get a good spot since was at the front of the turnstiles.

At around 7:45, Julie and the boys entered the park and handed me their tickets so I could get FastPasses for the entire party. Meanwhile, they waited at “rope drop” to ride Soarin’ Over California. At 8:00 the park opened and the “hotel guest” FastPass line and the “general admission” FastPass line for Radiator Springs Racers merged. Shortly after 8:15 am I approached the FastPass machines to get our passes.

In addition to FastPasses for Radiator Springs Racers at 10:30 am I also was presented with two “surprise FastPasses” for California Screamin’, DCA’s thrilling roller coaster. Earlier in the trip we got surprise FastPasses for the Little Mermaid ride but that attraction never has much of a line so getting FastPasses for Screamin‘ was really a score. Even better, we received two of these and each one was good for “up to six people”. So we could all ride twice (well, Riley didn’t ride because he doesn’t like coasters with inversions).

We immediately walked over to Paradise Pier and entered the shorter-than-average 20 minute line for Toy Story Midway Mania, then used our FastPasses to ride California Screamin’ twice. It was already getting hot so we walked over to Cars Land and rode Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree before getting some refreshments at the Cozy Cone Hotel.

It was almost time for our Radiator Springs Racers FastPasses and were hanging out in Cars Land when my iPhone buzzed. It was a push notification from Twitter that the DCA Today account had tweeted: “Are you feeling bug sized today? First 10 Guests in the park to find us will receive a special surprise!” This was surely a reference to A Bug’s Land, the themed area right next to where we were standing. So, we rushed over and met the DCA Today people right outside the gates of A Bug’s Land – mere steps from where we started. We presented ourselves and as a reward for finding the team we were presented with four FastPasses for any ride in the park (except for Radiator Springs Racers). After signing some paperwork and getting our photo taken we were on our way.

We headed straight for Radiator Springs Racers, and experienced what is perhaps the greatest theme park attraction ever built (at $200m it’s likely the most expensive). Such a great, fun ride! It’s even fun just hanging out and watching the other riders and gazing at the spectacular rock work. Everything you’ve heard about Cars Land is true – it’s maybe the best themed area of any Disney park.

At this point we decided to use our free FastPasses before lunch. Quinn wanted to ride Goofy’s Sky School, a wild-mouse coaster, so I took him to ride it. Julie and Riley decided to ride Soarin‘ instead. Â We met back at our favorite restaurant location in either park, the Paradise Garden area of Paradise Pier that features the Paradise Garden Grille (love the kabobs!) and Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta (love the flatbread pizza!).

Thanks to some planning and little bit of good luck we had seven ride experiences on some of DCA’s best attractions before 11:30 in the morning! Thank you to Apple and Twitter for high-tech alerting systems! A big thanks to the DCA Today team too. They do giveaways like this it seems nearly every day, so be sure to check in frequently with what I like to call “DCA’s Best Kept Secret” – the DCA Today crew.

August 18, 2012

Mercury News Road Trip Scavenger Hunt

Once again we participated in theÂ Mercury News’ road trip scavenger hunt. The idea is to collect all the items and have a photo of a member of your party in the photo with the items of note. We did this back in 2010 but were not successful in finding all the items. This year we got all 20 items, plus the two bonus items (pending judging from the Mercury News judges of course). Â Julie and I took most of them on our road-trip up to Seattle before taking the Disney Cruise to Alaska. The only item we didn’t find was the funny mailbox so it was very easy to find one of those at Disneyland last week.

1. Tree with a trunk at least as twice as wide as you (or a member of your traveling party)
Victoria BC, in front of Parliament

2. Fully loaded roof rack
near Kelso WA

3. Church steeple
Ketchikan, AK

4. Town motto printed on a sign or archway
Ketchikan, AK

5. Clown
Medford, OR

6. Funny or elaborate mailbox
Anaheim CA

7. Election sign
Skagway, AK

8. Abandoned building
Skagway, AK

9. Someone (not in your travel group) consulting a paper map
Skagway, AK

10. Train or cable car not on tracks
Skagway, AK

11. Statue made of wood
Redding, CA

111

12. Hat or headgear worn in the region you’re visiting
Skagway, AK

13. A sign that is intentionally or unintentionally funny
Weed, CA (this sign is both intentionally AND unintentionally funny)

14. Lion, real or not
Disney Cruise Line – Alaska Inside Passage

15. Member(s) of traveling party in the water
Disney Cruise Line – Alaska Inside Passage

16. Musical instrument
Victoria, BC Street Piano

17. Restaurant sign advertising the “best” whatever
Ketchikan, AK – Best Pizza in Town (at Mexican Restaurant)

18. Motel/hotel ice machine
Seattle, WA

19. Roadside stand
Woodland WA

20. Something unusual that is not on the list
Seattle, CA – Gum wall

21. Foreign Bonus: A building mural that is not graffiti
Victoria BC, Chinatown

211

22. Foreign Bonus: McDonald’s, Starbucks, or other U.S.-based franchise with a sign or part of menu in a foreign language
Victoria BC, Starbucks (a sign and a menu)

August 12, 2012

Camp Royaneh Photos

Here are some photos from Quinn’s Webelos Adventure Camp week at Camp Royaneh. These were taken by the camp photographer.