Saturday, June 11, 2005

Scalzi's Weekend Assignment

Weekend Assignment #63: Recount a notable amusement park experience. No, it doesn't have to be about getting sick on that rollercoaster... although (heh) those usually are pretty good. It can be any sort of memorable moment: cute, scary, funny, nice, whatever.

Extra Credit: What's the scariest amusement park ride you've ever been on?

A notable amusement park experience, huh? How about working for the International Association of Amusement Parks for a year? My first job after graduating from college. I was the editorial assistant.  I put out the monthly newsletter and helped coordinate the yearly convention.  I should have collected combat pay.

At the convention, I could have used some napalm to keep these jokers at a distance.  "Hi, I'm the guy who invented the gismo on the goofy ride that makes the thingy go up and down and around so you feel like throwing up. Wanna have sex?"

I should have known. Within weeks of starting my job, I discovered that the executive director, who was married, was doing it with the assistant to his assistant, who was also married, and she was doing it with one of the board members, who was, of course, married, too.

These people made the freak show attractions seem normal. 

Extra credit -- scariest ride? I just remember that the word "Devil" was in the name. It turned and twisted, then shot up, around, and spun down so hard I snapped something my neck. Ow. Only regular roller coasters for me anymore. I also do well at the shooting gallery and the weight guessing place. Something about my height, they've never guessed me within twenty pounds. Ever. Since high school. I have always looked a lot lighter than I am. It must be the shoes.

 

 

 

 

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gotta get me a pair of those shoes .
Stopped going on fairground rides after a girl had an unfortunate accident of the toilet variety in the carriage above me on the big wheel a few years back .....well when ya gotta go ya gotta go i guess !

Anonymous said...

Why am I not surprised that you do well at the shooting gallery, LOL?
Sam

Anonymous said...

    This is priceless..... Sounds like my first full time job, almost thirtyyears ago.    I had asked one of the salesman, who had a great voice, to sing at my wedding, and while we were discussing my musical choices, he asked me to go to the local motel with him.  After I married, he would call my desk on a regular basis to ask if my husband would be out of town that weekend.  Oh, and then there was the man who would come up behind me, and ask " Wanna play Robin Hood ?" while he grabbed onto the strap of my bra and snapped it against my back.  Can you imagine this happening today ?  Not unless he wanted a broken arm.    Tina  http://journals.aol.com/onemoretina/Ridealongwithme/entries/1567