If you’re already afraid of rollercoasters, don’t read this…

But if you’re not afraid - check, check, check, check it out.

This is a computer simulation of a “winged” rollercoaster that was just built at Thorpe Park in London (yes, sorry, it's not near Richmond - but it's cool and I wanted to write about it!!).  It’s called The Swarm and its debut is coming up soon!  …That is if they can fix the whole passengers-arms-coming-off thing.

Computer simulation of The Swarm

The coaster seats up to 28 riders at a time and propels them on a (self-described) "flight through apocalyptic devastation on Europe's tallest winged rollercoaster" with their arms and legs dangling freely.  Get this, it (only) gets up to 62 miles per hour, but includes an inverted 127-foot drop and close encounters with several walled structures to make passengers feel like they are about to crash (so a mix between Alpengeist and a more extreme Big Bad Wolf). Ok, cool:  go on.

Apparently when they tested the coaster with crash test dummies, a lot came back without arms AND/OR legs. Say whaaaaaat? Is this a typical problem to run into post-construction?  Shouldn’t they get all the physics worked out during the design phase?  At least physics that say at some point during the ride passengers are exposed to forces capable of ripping off limbs?

Pics of damaged dummies (heh)

So the crash test dummies must’ve just been big ol’ p****s, because the ride’s designers decided to go ahead do some test runs with human beings – specifically former British fighter pilots.  REALLY? How many waivers and disclaimers did those pilots have to sign before getting on that thing?  Would you agree to be a guinea pig?  …I might.

Anyway, the pilots all came back with arms and legs still attached.  Hooraaaay.  However, they called the ride “gut-wrenching” when it came to “the near-crash”.  The team leader of The Blades (a stunt pilot organization) told The Metro (a London newspaper) that even as a pilot accustomed to G-force, the ride was a bit much and the near-crash was “eye-watering” because passengers really felt like they were about to crash.

So I’ve been watching these videos over and over (fighting motion sickness along the way) trying to figure out how this ride is capable of dismembering test dummies.  Compared to a lot of other modern-day coasters, it seems pretty run-of-the-mill IMO.  Thoughts?

Check out a test run here

Oo! PS - According to a Yahoo.com article about The Swarm, someone in California is trying to build the world’s first “zero-gravity” coaster!  It gon’ imitate simulators NASA uses to train astronauts ya'll!

Read an article about it here!

A Very Dub Step Christmas

REPRESENT VIRGINIA!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

(to find on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Jo76w0KyDw)

Cannot wait to see this...don't know what I'm gonna do til then...

I want to read this novel first - bc even the author says that this movie is an awesome adaptation of his story!

Check out "We Need to Talk About Kevin"

My brother's name is Kevin...coincidence?...or inspiration? (Juuuuust kidding Kev :) Love yoooou)

PS - Here's another one that may even help you learn French

The 1st RVA Musicfest

Slight delay on this one.  Lot of information, not a lot of time to focus on it.

On Sunday September 11^th, Richmond made history by having its first all hipster music festival J Ok, maybe that’s a stretch, but it definitely had a target audience in mind.  The 1^st (Annual? Will it happen again? Can it even be called “annual” the first time around?) RVA Musicfest took place in Shockoe Bottom on 18^th Street between Main and Broad, with the main stage being on 18^th and Grace St., while a 2^nd stage was on Franklin between 18^th and 19^th St.

Officially, the event took place on Saturday September 10^th as well as Sunday September 11^th.  However, Saturday was filled with “Showcases” at local bars and clubs, and I’m sure each has its own amazing review, but I only went to three of them and they all added up to a pretty typical night in RVA if you ask me, so let’s focus on the important biz.

Sunday was where (when?) it was at.  The headlining bands were Girl Talk, Best Coast and The Trillions (I’m gonna go ahead and throw No BS! Brass Band in there, too.  They’re a personal local fav of mine.)

The gates opened at 2:00 with the first act, The Climbers, going on at 3:00 on the main stage.  Local band Proverbial was the first band to play on the 2^nd stage at 3:30.  The crowds were thin when I arrived around 4:00.

The streets may have been closed, but the bars were open.  McCormack’s (in collaboration with WRIR 97.3 FM Richmond Independent Radio) even had a special set-up in their upstairs section where fans could sit in on interviews with the bands after they played.

Tents from local spots like the Camel and Republic were set-up with contests, prizes, and promotions while a blimp floated above Tiki Bob’s Cantina in the (approximate) center of the madness. (lots of free cigs were given away surprisingly – if you weren’t in attendance, you missed out cancer lovers).

The masses started to gather around 5:00.  By the time the 7:00 bands went on, you were officially standing in a crowd no matter where you went.  But it still wasn’t bad compared to other festivals/concerts/whatever.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or just aren’t into this kinda music J) you knew one thing to expect from this concert:  Girl Talk would equal pandemonium.  And oh how it did.  This is where the crowds stopped and the mob began.  That guy is a never ending party, and everyone wants in.  And by never-ending party, in this case, I mean an hour and 5 minutes of dance, sweat, props and every song you’ve heard at a party since you were a teenager (or younger in some cases).

http://rvamusicfest.com/mediaarchive/pdf/webRMFspreads_revised2.pdf

PICTURES TO COME SOON

Oh... MY god...

http://cocoperez.com/2011-10-19-patrizia-reggiani-rejects-parole-in-maurizio-gucci-murder-because-shed-have-to-work
I understand if rich people want to flaunt it that they're rich, but this lady is not rich.  She was mooching off someone else's prosperity...and then had him killed.  That's the first sign of worthlessness.  But to get a chance for freedom and turn it down because it means you'll have to work? And to admit that to a parole board? I thought caricatures of people like this only existed in TV and movies...how many ways are there to say worthless??

Plan 9 nooooooooooo

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/news/2011/oct/19/plan-9-music-files-for-bankruptcy-ar-1394114/
But at least they'll (hopefully) continue operating.

....AAAAAHHH kinda movies

Ok, this was supposed to be posted going into Labor Day weekend so everyone could celebrate in true American style with some blood n’ guts, but womp womp, oh well.  J  There are a lot of horror movies that have come out (or are coming out) this year that look per-retty inneresting.  Check out a few of them below.

Apollo 18 - WOW
Official Apollo Trailer


Primal (Australian Zombie Movie)

Grave Encouters (Trite, but not overdone)



Don't forget to check out the blogs below for info on a freaky new  Val Kilmer horror movie and, of course, Kevin Smith's new masterpiece.