Off The Clockin’ It

Since Adobe Premiere loves to take forever and a day to re-index files, I’m figuring this is the perfect time to post a new entry. As you may have read in the previous posts of Sunshine and Wipe Out, the crew took an off-the-clock trip the Busch Gardens for a preview of their Hallo-Scream event. When I used to live in Orlando, the one at Universal Studios was quite serious but I never made it out there. Since Wipeout had the $20 hookup, it was obviously time to make it happen.

I knew this event was pretty popular in some circles but I got to experience it firsthand—sitting in traffic right outside the entrance of the park. As we drove by full parking after full parking, I knew we were in store for some long lines. I killed time with Missy by updating her slang book and hip-hop hand gestures. Hopefully she doesn’t take me too seriously by trying out her new urban skills the next time she parties with the Wu-Tang Clan or the Woo-Tank-Clane as she cheerfully says it. That could get quite interesting.

We met up with Paco and his wife and headed straight to the candy shop. This candy was fresh, like it had been made minutes before we entered. My mouth watered as I grabbed a bag and went to town on the sour pears, gummy whales and of course numerous flavors of Jelly Bellies. I paid for my candy, took a photo op with two healthy nurses, and proceeded to an astonishing roller coaster humbly known as The Sheikra.

The walk to the ride consisted of the crew trying really hard to convince Wipeout’s friend, Julie, to ride the rollercoaster, and Missy screaming at everything that moved in the scare zones. Once we got to Sheikra, we split up because Julie wasn’t getting on the monster and Wipeout stayed back with her. The rest of us made our way to the line. I’ve learned that waiting in line, especially in a amusement park, is an art. No matter how long the line is, how fast it moves really depends on the company you are with. Luckily I was in line with Missy, Paco and his wife. We killed time playing the “What If” game and my childhood favorite, “To Save Your Pops,” which consists of creative scenarios you are willing to endure just to save a loved one’s life. When we got to the head of the line it seemed like the weather just got better. It was cooler and breezier up at top than way down below.

I’d been on the Sheikra once before but for some reason as I stood in line I couldn’t remember for the life of me the details of the ride. But once the car began its journey to the top of the roller coaster, my previous experience was slowly creeping back to me. When we hit the top and I saw the view I said out loud, “Oh I remember this now!” which was soon followed by an “Ohhhhh aaaaaaaarrrrrhhhhhhh!” That first drop is incredible.

After Sheikra, I spent the rest of the night laughing my head off at Missy. We all headed to two haunted houses and Missy was the victim in both of them. I watched characters run past us and straight to Missy as if they were getting notches on their scream quota. In one haunted house, I watched Missy seriously start running and ducking through it like she was in a classic 80s horror flick. She did everything but fall to the ground. I had a serious laughter headache when it was all said and done.

Everybody said their goodbyes. Then Wipe Out, Missy, Julie, and I took a 35-minute trek back to the vehicle.

Till Next Time,

Amon Focus