hrrytraver
Posts: 1270
Registered: 7/16/2005
Rank: Platinum Critic
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 4/21/2007 12:20:38 PM
ok y'all-
i'm curious about ACE. i think a few of you are members, and a good few of you have been around lots of ACErs.
so, please discuss. does ACE deserve it's image as a nerd herd of fat, homosexual, socially-impaired, unpleasant types whose considerable posteriors barely fit into PTC divided-bench trains and whose man-boobs barely permit arrow-development OTSRs to close safely on them?
ever since i was a kid i have this image of ACE being kind of like a gay hell's angels...sort of eccentric nomads who gypsy around the USA (and elsewhere) like dead-heads, mono-chromatically living for coasters and not much else. it's actually not a bad image, so don't feel that i'm saying that hairy, portly males bonding on coasters is a bad thing at all. i'm simply curious for a discussion.
what are the fees like for membership? is it worth it? what are the perks? is it in fact a fine organization worthy of respect? would you recommend it to fans of coasters generally?
any funny/interesting stories about ACE?
please share. i don't think i've ever seen a topic about ACE on here.
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BobFunland
Posts: 7962
Registered: 8/9/2001
Rank: Site Moderator
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4/21/2007 1:58:33 PM
Funny: they waste a lot of your money
Truth: most organizations do, though
Funny: there are a lot of fat, annoying, asshole ACErs
Truth: most of America is this way
Funny: their PR director left a few years ago after it was discovered he worked in gay porn
Truth: well... that is the truth
If for nothing else, buy it for a couple of the discounts (not sure if any apply near you, PKD may still do the half-off admission that Carowinds says they will do this year) and the magazine (which comes very late. I think the last one I got was Fall 06)
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Google Search TPC BEFORE you create that new thread
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Axman
Posts: 1055
Registered: 10/4/2003
Rank: Platinum Critic
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 4/21/2007 2:00:48 PM
ACErs are not a nerd herd of fat, homosexual, socially-impaired, unpleasant people.
We are just people who love rollercoasters! I don't necesarily speak for everyone here, but we are not gay, we are not nerds, we are not socialy impared, and we are not unpleasent. Or at least, not moreso than any other person.
I love the news letters and magazines I get for being a member, and I get all of mine on time. 
ACE has gained that reputain over years simply having banqurts at all of the official meetings.
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CF Fan Boy
"Six Flags Magic Mountian.............oh boy."
Message updated 4/21/2007 8:06:17 PM by Axman
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Hercules
Posts: 4037
Registered: 10/13/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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4/21/2007 6:39:21 PM
^ With a post like that, I'm sure you are doing the ACEr's of the world proud.
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Axman
Posts: 1055
Registered: 10/4/2003
Rank: Platinum Critic
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4/21/2007 8:06:32 PM
Why wouldn't they?
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Timberman
Posts: 845
Registered: 9/21/2004
Rank: Gold Critic
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4/21/2007 8:10:24 PM
I have the same sort of love/hate relationship with ACE that I have with the NRA. Yet whereas I put up with the NRA's crap because they continue to be reasonably effectual, I put up with ACE's crap because, although largely ineffectual and irrelevent, it still has a philosophical core with which I strongly identify. ACE was principally responsible for indoctrinating me into the wooden coaster mindset, and for that, I will always be grateful. Hrrytraver's description of the typical ACEr is accurate as far as it goes, but they also have some first-class writers, photographers, and organizers, and they even have a few friendly, articulate, and outgoing folks whose indefatigability and zeal can make a day at the park more even fun than it otherwise might have been.
Lately, ACE has been weakened by internecine warfare and a gradual decline of the "Wood is King," preservationist mindset that I find to be its most charmingly anachronistic trait. Without a doubt, however, it has an institutional memory and collective experience and knowledge that remain unsurpassed. It also provides a healthy outlet for the OCD that seems to be the defining characteristic of its members.
Practically speaking, ACE produces the best roller coaster glossy magazine in circulation, and in addition to its Cons and buffets, it offers members neat benefits like media days and the opportunity to participate in all sorts of coaster-related filmings, premiers, and anniversary events. I also find that membership in ACE is a sure-fire conversation starter on those occasions where small-talk is necessary with the general population.
Bottom line, I remain a committed if occasionally self-concious ACEr and continue to recommend it, especially to those whose love of coasters predates the first Batman installation.
Message updated 4/21/2007 8:14:02 PM by Timberman
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Swimace
Posts: 5916
Registered: 8/28/2003
Rank: Platinum Critic
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4/21/2007 8:13:34 PM
^
Axman, you're a trip.
I thought about joining ACE but it just hasn't seemed worth the money since my schedule is really tight and I don't think I could make many of the events.
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Axman
Posts: 1055
Registered: 10/4/2003
Rank: Platinum Critic
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4/21/2007 10:42:05 PM
^ Is that good or bad?
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B&MRULES!
Posts: 319
Registered: 11/16/2006
Rank: Silver Critic
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4/21/2007 10:43:59 PM
How much is the membership?
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BobFunland
Posts: 7962
Registered: 8/9/2001
Rank: Site Moderator
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4/21/2007 11:33:15 PM
How does google work?
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coaster05
Posts: 6207
Registered: 2/29/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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4/22/2007 12:12:35 AM
Quote:
B&MRULES! said:
How much is the membership? |
Would it even occur to you to just check the ACE website?
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Aug 24 2006 A new level of fanboydom by MRC.
"True but my niece isn't going to get any more out of Disney they she dose out of Story land. Not to mention Story land has more rides and is on the same lever customer service wise."
Coaster Count-286
Wood-78
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Horizons12
Posts: 4860
Registered: 8/16/2002
Rank: Extragalactic Invader
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4/22/2007 12:24:12 AM
Even though I understand that discounts come along with being an ACE member, I'm too damn cheap to fork over 60 bucks a year to join up.
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hrrytraver
Posts: 1270
Registered: 7/16/2005
Rank: Platinum Critic
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4/22/2007 11:44:02 AM
Quote:
bobf:
Funny: their PR director left a few years ago after it was discovered he worked in gay porn
Truth: well... that is the truth |
Quote:
Timberman said:
I have the same sort of love/hate relationship with ACE that I have with the NRA. Yet whereas I put up with the NRA's crap because they continue to be reasonably effectual, I put up with ACE's crap because, although largely ineffectual and irrelevent, it still has a philosophical core with which I strongly identify. |
i wonder if the parallels between ACE and the NRA begin and end with timberman's love/hate feelings.
who's the PR director of the NRA?
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Timberman
Posts: 845
Registered: 9/21/2004
Rank: Gold Critic
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4/22/2007 1:35:55 PM
^ Unless you know something I don't, I expect that would be the least of our worries at the NRA. As for GUN porn . . . well that's another matter.
Message updated 4/22/2007 1:37:04 PM by Timberman
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larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
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4/22/2007 11:09:41 PM
never been a member
have nothing against members
I had no idea that "roller coasting" was a hobby that gays seem to enjoy
I love the fact that they try to save coasters, and am grateful that I have ridden Leap the Dips at Lakemont
I wanted to join ACE when I was younger to meet people with a similar interest in roller coasters
The web has allowed me to get to know and meet these enthusiasts
I have heard that their magazine is a good with nice photography
Pictures don't do much for me
So, I personally don't think I need ACE.
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My signature has been hijacked!
Poop happens! That's why man invented toilet paper.
Message updated 4/22/2007 11:10:56 PM by larrygator
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hrrytraver
Posts: 1270
Registered: 7/16/2005
Rank: Platinum Critic
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4/23/2007 1:09:00 AM
i was just thinking about the expression "enthusiast". it's kind of funny, because i can't think of too many times i've heard that expression for a person of specified zeal aside from references to fans of roller coasters. i've heard words such as "buff" or "connoisseur" or "afficionado" more than "enthusiast" to describe obsessive "hobbyists".
it almost seems unique that ACE decided on that name amongst so many possible names for thier cause. in some ways i always found the expression "coaster enthusiast" to be a bit mild sounding, as if it were for people "enthused" by coasters, rather than riders of coasters.
however all that was dispelled by this wikpedia entry...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enthusiasm
the greek word "enthousiasmos" means something similar to divine possession, which does seem appropriate to some of my relationship to coasters.
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larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
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4/23/2007 10:43:58 AM
Google enthusiast link
As a Google enthusiast, I decided to Google the word enthusiast. Car enthusiast is one that is quite popular even if not at the top for Google.
Message updated 4/23/2007 1:21:22 PM by larrygator
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hrrytraver
Posts: 1270
Registered: 7/16/2005
Rank: Platinum Critic
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4/23/2007 11:59:50 AM
^there are indeed many proper "enthusiasts", more than i'd have thought.
but don't you think "coaster buff's cabal" (CBC) would have have nice ring to it? or "coaster freaks of america"?
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coaster05
Posts: 6207
Registered: 2/29/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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4/23/2007 2:16:18 PM
I prefer "Coasterdork" when referring to myself and others.
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hrrytraver
Posts: 1270
Registered: 7/16/2005
Rank: Platinum Critic
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4/23/2007 2:24:38 PM
^it rings true, it's to the point.
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larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
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4/23/2007 3:50:07 PM
^^that's only because Coaster Freak could be abbreviated as CF, and you don't want anyone to confuse you with a Cedar Fair Fanboy.
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coaster05
Posts: 6207
Registered: 2/29/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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4/23/2007 5:43:49 PM
^Very Nice. I don't mind being a dork but a CF fanboy would be way to much.
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