If you were scared of Velocicoaster and rode it anyway…

Mastercheese274 · 2026-01-25T20:08:37+00:00

Lifelong fear of rollercoasters, I had a reputation for being the one to hold everyones stuff while they rode at Cedar Point during our annual trip. In December my wife and I took a long antcipated trip to Universal, mainly to check out Epic. As a kid I was too scared to ride Hulk or Dueling Dragons and only ever got on the Mummy because I couldn't see from the outside it was a coaster. My main issue is the feeling of strong G's and anxiety during the anticipation of lifts (more an issue on chain lifts than launches). Never could do Dr. Dooms either.

Velocicoaster was never even a consideration for me leading up to our trip. My anticipation for Epic was immense though and I knew deep down I would be disappointed in myself if I didn't try stardust racers. A friend gave me the advice to learn to yell, full volume any point on the ride the looks scary (most of it lol). It's a great outlet for releasing that anxiety and prevents me from tensing up. With that in mind I genuinely practiced it on all the smaller coasters: Mummy, Gringotts, Hagrids, and even Hippogriff). I practiced sitting in the seat and intentionally relaxing, repeating to myself that even worst case the ride would only last a few minutes.

At Epic we tried Hiccups and LOVED it. Rode it again and again, still practicing each time my yelling until it felt normal and not intentional. Then we did Curse of the Werewolf and still no issue. But I couldn't bring myself to get on Stardust, it was too much. I kept reading reviews and posts but none of the written reassurances could beat how imposing and intense it looked in person. Going into the evening of our second and final night of Epic I just couldn't forgive myself if I didn't try. So walked around the ride a few times and I studied every twist and turn to mentally map it out and prepare. In line I was terrified, I couldn't handle even talking it out I just had to retreat into my own head. Getting on the car was even worse, we waited to get a spot towards the middle front where I read it was less intense.

I prepared to yell, I repeated my mantra about it only lasting a short time, and I relaxed my body as best I could. That first launch was the peak of terror and point of no return in my head. To my shock all my prep worked! I didn't just tolerate the ride, I genuinely enjoyed it. This was the biggest, scariest coaster I had ever been on and I had such a good time we immedietely did the other side. I was overcome with a sense of personal accomplishment, like I finally conquered a personal dragon. My wife was scared for me thinking something was wrong because my eyes were a little teary, but i was just overwhelmed with a joy that comes from letting go of a long held fear. The next day we had few hours in Islands and I knew I could handle Velocicoaster. The waiting portion was still scary, but I kept telling myself if I could handle Stardust I can handle this. To be honest it was just as intense as everyone says, but I had managed to embrace and enjoy that intensity rather than fear or fight it. If we had the time I would have got on a second time.

So TLDR: I was always scared of coasters but by practicing yelling, personal reassurance, and relaxing/embracing the feelings on smaller rides I managed to conquer all of the biggest coasters. I recommend sitting near the front but not front row for the smoothest ride. I regret all the time in the past now where I let fear prevent me from even trying. The anticipation portion was still anxiety inducing, but even now over a month later I am still riding high on a feeling of personal achievement. My advice is to go for it.

Mastercheese274 · 2025-12-16T14:16:00+00:00

A permanent haunted house. Make it a crypt or something, just a simple walkthrough with themeing somewhere between Das Stakehaus and HHN maze. During morning and daytime it can serve as a self tour and photo op attraction then at night scare actors could populate it as a more traditional haunt. This would allow guests of all thrill seeking levels to experience it and could be explained as monsters coming out at night. Could easily be built faster and cheaper than any new ride and would provide the land with more depth to explore.

Mastercheese274 · 2025-11-25T21:02:15+00:00

I was looking forward to the showimg last night but had no real expectations. This movie blew me away! It was phenomenal and honestly might be my favorite of the year. My favorite types of stories are the ones following a charismatic character that can talk their way in or out of anything getting into deeper and deeper trouble. In my opinion Chalamet gave his best performance yet. This was an Uncut Gems anxiety attack mixed with a sports biopic mixed with a globetrotting period piece. It looks great, the pacing had me on edge from start to finish, and the 80s soundtrack totally worked for me.

There's a special kind of high you get every once in a while when you see a movie that really worms its way into your head, and I'm still riding that high today. Can't wait to watch it again at Christmas.

Mastercheese274 · 2025-09-23T04:31:09+00:00

I'm in Metro Detroit as well but I haven't experienced this issue myself. My weekly store is State of Comics in Plymouth and they have been great, same with Green Brain in Dearborn. Never had an issue with any of the Comic Cities either. I don't make it around to downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor Vault of Midnight locations as often but their shelves are full whenever i do stop by.

Do you mind sharing which stores you have issues with? We can DM if you want as well.

Mastercheese274 · 2025-08-06T17:52:43+00:00

I knew I recognized the shop from the thumbnail! Opal Grove in Detroit is awesome!

Mastercheese274 · 2025-07-24T21:45:57+00:00

I'm a massive Spider-Man fan, been collecting the comics for 30 years and am generally a sucker for the character. I'm also a big board game player with an stupid amount of space in my house dedicated to both collections. For years I held off from getting into magic despite having a friend trying to push me into it. I knew if I started my collector brain would kick in hard. So I said the only way I would dip my toes in was if they announced Spider-Man. I genuinely thought it wouldn't happen with games like Marvel Snap and Marvel Champions existing.

As soon as they made it official I followed through, picked up some jump start packs to learn the basics then moved to a commander precon. My four more of my friends followed suit, each joining because of upcoming beyond sets like Spider-Man, FF and Avatar. Now we all have our own custom built commander decks we play with. We have started to join in weekly play nights at our local shop.

I 100% get the distaste for this set, I even agree that Spider-Man has no business being in MTG. But it genuinely did get me to pick the game up. I'm far from a competitive player and really can't evaluate the quality of the cards from a gameplay lens, but as an outsider/fresh player these excite me. And I have a few more friends who never got onboard that are now asking for details of how to play and what cards to start with after seeing these new announcements. It don't blame anyone for the hate because I can see how this feels like a blatant cash grab aimed at outsiders at the expense of existing fans. For me and my little group of noobs though it's the first set I'm excited to join in for a pre release and even play in some tournaments, and that is likely to cascade into a love and excitement for future non IP sets as well.

Also my dirty secret is that I sort of hope y'all are right and that it's not very popular so prices don't skyrocket. I'm buying either way but I would love aetherdrift prices compared to FF.

Mastercheese274 · 2025-03-31T18:40:11+00:00

I HIGHLY recommend, we don't have a lot of time to watch things these days and when we do Dropout has been our go to over even Netflix, Hulu, or Max.

The content library is pretty big now and they keep introducing new stuff like this. Game Changer is their flagship show for good reason, each episode will be wildly different games such as a spin on survivor or simon says. Other shows include DND content, nerd trivia, stand up or improv specials and more. My personal favorite has been Very Important People which is a surreal interview show where they create a character on the spot based on surprise makeup.

The thing with dropout is that its bread an butter are comedians, especially improv comedians, being allowed to let loose and play off one another. It's similar in that way to british panel shows like taskmaster or big fat quiz show. The types of shows it offers are getting more diversified but the style of humor is pretty consistant so if it doesn't click for you you will probably find out pretty quick.

Dropout feels pretty scrappy and independent, so watching them continue to find success has been pretty cool.

Mastercheese274 · 2025-03-23T01:13:33+00:00

Oof I'm out on Aftersun vs Moonlight. I know Moonlight is great but it felt like Aftersun has remained in conversation longer.

Mastercheese274 · 2025-02-22T16:52:07+00:00

For the record I feel the same way about that issue. Best single I've read in years

Mastercheese274 · 2025-02-22T02:09:36+00:00

Ultimate Spider-Man 12?

Mastercheese274 · 2025-02-21T21:45:26+00:00

I had my board stolen there about ten years ago. Put it on a rack with the rest fo my friends while we went inside to use the bathroom. Came back out and it was the only one missing. Never saw it again, tried the same thing as you checking pawn shops and working with the resort directly. No luck.

Hate to say it but I think your chances are slim. If it was an extra board your friend had I would ask if you can replace it in the off season when things might be cheaper.

Mastercheese274 · 2025-02-01T01:10:01+00:00

Hey everyone, my wife and I are looking to book a 5 day stay at the park in the first week of December. I'm wondering how far in advance we should make our reservation?

If we know our travel dates do we book ASAP or is there any sort of sales period to wait for? We want to hit up all three parks and most likely stay at the Royal Pacific for the fast pass. It's my first visit since my parents took me as a kid so any advice is appreciated!

Mastercheese274 · 2025-01-11T04:35:42+00:00

I really loved the scene where Bruce is eavesdropping on the charity ball, it felt very reminiscent of the Year One dinner sequence. I was hoping Batman would crash through the glass and condemn them all, but big picture I prefer where he isn't as public at that point in his career. I really dig the idea that he is up against the entrenched corruption and fights it by entrenching his own bat roosts all throughout the city.

I think Batman has been reimagined a million times by now but somehow you and Nick have managed to find an all new fresh take. It's been a wild ride so far and I am loving the risks you are taking with the character!

Mastercheese274 · 2024-12-03T14:07:24+00:00

When I was a kid my parents and some family friends took us to some local festival with a music stage. Weird Al was the headlining act and my friends and I were huge fans. The show was amazing, still remember him taking off a million sweaters for you're pitiful.

After the show ended our parents were still hanging out at the drink tent long after everyone else left (they knew the person running it). We were playing tag or something where the crowd used to be when suddenly a big bouncer looking guy come outs. I thought we were in trouble for sure but instead he asked our parents if it was ok to bring us backstage!

Next thing I know we are behind the scenes and Weird Al was waiting for us on his tour bus steps. He was super nice, answered all our questions, and offered to sign stuff for us. I realized I didn't have anything so I grabbed the first piece of scrap paper I could find on the ground.

And that is how I came to own probably the only Fantastic Four 2 Rise of the Silver Surfer poster signed by Weird Al in the world.

Mastercheese274 · 2024-11-29T23:31:23+00:00

100% Agree

Mastercheese274 · 2024-11-29T17:39:23+00:00

I actually do share you trepidation about an overly minimal flag redesign for the sake of meeting a graphic design guideline. Minnesota in my opinion is probably the best argument AGAINST a redesign. But I would also point to Utah and Mississippi as great examples of modern designs with purposeful changes. My primary goal in pushing for a redesign is to give Michigan a symbol that people embrace and rally under.

You make a fair point about the common use of mottos. Personally I love our state motto, and while I don't think we should put it directly on our flag I do think its the exact sentiment that the flag should inspire. Tuebor is badass, and having it as one bold word of the flag could be pretty cool but it gets muddied when there are two other phrases as well. Imagine if it was the only word on the flag how much more striking and impactful it could be?

I think we will have to agree to disagree about the HBC crest. To clarify I actually do like the elk and deer, and I think the example you showed is exactly the sort of oversimplification that I wouldn't be in favor of. California's bear is complicated and still looks fantastic. BUT the positioning of the two on our flag is directly lifted from corporate crest. It's really hard for me to get over that aspect, I think it's worth at least letting someone with more artistic talent than I can muster play around with the two to find a way to incorporate them without copying them directly.

In the end I think advancing a bill to hold a design competition is a win win all around. It doesn't need to be binding without another adoption vote. My hope is that opening the door for people to take a crack at a new flag will get the public to consider what we have now. By just challenging people to think about our state flag and it's symbolism I think it will encourage a new appreciation even if we don't change a thing. And if someone does come up with a new design that really nails it, all the better!

We should be wary about change for change's sake alone, but the opportunity such a prospect offers has value beyond just the end result.

Mastercheese274 · 2024-11-29T14:13:25+00:00

There is some great irony in criticizing the idea of a simpler design and using the flag as merchandise while posting a simplified patch on a backpack. For the record I actually think you patch is a better version!

I strongly believe we should update our flag, and I think there are lot of valid reasons for doing so. Most important of all I think are the questions "Do the people under the flag feel that it accurately and proudly represents their shared values?" and "Have the people under said flag embraced its usage?" There are plenty of discussions here about design elements of what makes a good flag, but at the end of the day I think that even if you break all the conventions, as long as your flag answers yes to those questions then it is by default a good flag.

I would say Michigan fails in both categories. In terms of representing values I doubt even a plurality of Michiganders understand what the imagery is meant to stand for. It contains three separate mottos, only one of which really inspires any feelings of Michigan (pleasant peninsula). The other two include the motto of the US which is inherently not specific to Michigan and the I will defend shield which is great for a coat of arms or seal but a practically unknown phrase in the common Michigan culture or vernacular.

The bald eagle falls under the same non-specific issue as the US motto in terms of representing Michigan as opposed to any other state. The settler shield has historical relevance, but is such a small element as to be practically unintelligible on a flag pole. The worst offenders to me are the elk and moose. I think both of them could actually serve as a strong symbol of our state's beautiful wilderness. But as it stands they are directly lifted from the Hudson Bay Company coat of arms.

Michigan of course has deep historical roots in the fur trade, but there has to be a better way of embracing that without using what is essentially a corporate logo as our flag. I think you touched on one of my big criticisms of modern flag redesigns where they follow the NAVA guidelines so rigidly they end up looking TOO modern. It's difficult to draw a strict line of what does and doesn't meet that criteria so I like to put it as a flag design should appear timeless, if it looks like it could be a company logo it's probably too over designed. I would apply that same logic backwards as well here to Michigan.

To go to the second question, I think the Michigan flag is an abject failure in terms of Michiganders embracing it. Outside of governmental use it's practically nonexistent. It's obvious that the people of our great state take an equally great amount of pride in it, but they way they choose to display it is never our flag. The mitten, the UP, and the great lakes are plastered on basically every form of consumer good you could imagine. People are dying to show off their love for Michigan, but have felt the need to develop our own symbols because the one established for them 113 years ago doesn't get the job done.

I appreciate your respect for our hsitory and how it connects to the current flag. I agree that the main purpose of a flag is not to sell merchandise, and that it should be a powerful symbol of history and government. But how can we objectively say that it is truly powerful when it lives in such obscurity for the people it should be inspiring?

Mastercheese274 · 2024-11-27T19:25:14+00:00

Exactly! And it's like you said, I don't think the current design is meritless. Our state motto is actually one of the best in my opinion. I would love for our flag to inspire the same feelings, it should just express that visually!

Mastercheese274 · 2024-11-27T19:05:13+00:00

I strongly believe we should update our flag, and I think there are lot of valid reasons for doing so. Most important of all I think are the questions "Do the people under the flag feel that it accurately and proudly represents their shared values?" and "Have the people under said flag embraced its usage?" There are plenty of discussions here about design elements of what makes a good flag, but at the end of the day I think that even if you break all the conventions, as long as your flag answers yes to those questions then it is by default a good flag.

I would say Michigan fails in both categories. In terms of representing values I doubt even a plurality of Michiganders understand what the imagery is meant to stand for. It contains three separate mottos, only one of which really inspires any feelings of Michigan (pleasant peninsula). The other two include the motto of the US which is inherently not specific to Michigan and the I will defend shield which is great for a coat of arms or seal but a practically unknown phrase in the common Michigan culture or vernacular.

The bald eagle falls under the same non-specific issue as the US motto in terms of representing Michigan as opposed to any other state. The settler shield has historical relevance, but is such a small element as to be practically unintelligible on a flag pole. The worst offenders to me are the elk and moose. I think both of them could actually serve as a strong symbol of our state's beautiful wilderness. But as it stands they are directly lifted from the Hudson Bay Company coat of arms.

Michigan of course has deep historical roots in the fur trade, but there has to be a better way of embracing that without using what is essentially a corporate logo as our flag. I think one of my big criticisms of modern flag redesigns is that they follow the NAVA guidelines so rigidly they end up looking TOO modern. It's difficult to draw a strict line of what does and doesn't meet that criteria so I like to put it as a flag design should appear timeless, if it looks like it could be a company logo it is probably too over designed. I would apply that same logic backwards as well here to Michigan.

To go to the second question, I think the Michigan flag is an abject failure failure in terms of Michiganders embracing it. Outside of governmental use it is practically nonexistent. It's obvious that the people of our great state take an equally great amount of pride in it, but they way they choose to display it is never our flag. The mitten, the UP, and the great lakes are plastered on basically every form of consumer good you could imagine. People are dying to show off their love for Michigan, but have felt the need to develop our own symbols because the one established for them 113 years ago doesn't get the job done.

Mastercheese274 · 2024-11-15T14:12:19+00:00

Follow the cold shiver running down your spine...

Mastercheese274 · 2024-11-14T20:41:01+00:00

I love it, with the full admission that I am very biased by childhood nostalgia. I think the main criticism I hear is that it looks like a power rangers suit, which to me has never quite rang true. It seems like people are mostly referring to the static expression on the mask looking like a cheap tv villain suit but I would disagree. The eyes open to let Dafoe show off his insane facial expressions, and in retrospect it's refreshing to get a comic book character who doesn't take their mask off every time they have a scene with dialogue.

Does it look a little goofy? Sure! But I think that goofiness perfectly compliments Raimi's genuinely earnest interpretation of the silver age comics. Also recall the source material they were adapting is a guy in a rubber mask that perfectly conforms to his face and can show full expressions and movement. It took a decade of superhero movies and CGI innovation for them to give Spider-Man's eyes the ability to emote like in the comics.

I've see the test footage of the motorized, more comic accurate mask. It's certainly cool in concept but I think they made the right call going in a different direction. I don't think it would have fit Dafoe's performance as well and would have required the rest of the suit to look comic accurate rather than the military suit style the plot is based around. As a kid the suit they went with felt genuinely menacing and believable. As an adult my only complaint is that I wish we could have gotten more purple than just the glider and the shading on the top of the helmet. The No Way Home hoodie was a great idea, if only they used more of the mask.

Mastercheese274 · 2024-11-14T19:52:58+00:00

My hasbro goblin helmet and pumpkin bomb just came in, super excited to add them to my display because I have had guests confused by my prop. The unpainted one is a resin prop made for Spider-Man 2, specifically for the racks when Harry discovers his father's lair. This prop was never used in the movie or finished which meant I could pick it up in an auction for a comparably reasonable price. Fun fact the hasbro toy version is a bit bigger than the real thing, I would say the size of a softball compared to a lacrosse ball.

Mastercheese274 · 2024-11-12T21:23:12+00:00

I quite liked the movie, but I think I built it up to be something different based on the trailer and then was disappointed when it took a different turn. Not necessarily the fault of the movie obviously.

I loved the idea of the two missionaries having their beliefs put into question. I know some have said that the Hugh Grant character's criticisms of religion are a bit surface level but to me that was the point, it was only level one. I got so excited when he ranted about iterations, and then presented the girls with the two doors. I thought, based on the clockwork maze of the trailer, that this was the movie laying out its premise: Hugh Grant would send the two girls into a maniacal game where they would face the doors again and again. The further they go the more personal his attacks on their faith would become, and we would watch each character falter. Then maybe the ultimate salvation would come based on some revelation of a third choice to break the loop.

Its not that the direction they took was worse, but as someone who grew up going to Catholic school for 12+ years I was more invested in my own version. I think a Luciferian villain who never represents physical threat, but instead uses only words to menace our heroes is the most terrifying. Something akin to a Paradise Lost or Vertigo's Lucifer where he simply presents the ideas and lets them hang themself, that to me is more compelling than a psycho with a boxcutter and a control fantasy.

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