Photo of the Day (9/26/07)

by Jamie Rhein on

The cadence of life in China, Taiwan and Singapore in the mornings is something I miss. I have no idea if this shot by Rob Webster in our Gadling photo pool was taken in Beijing at the Temple of Heaven in the morning, but from the warmth of the light, I assume so. The parks are where you find people, often older people, doing Tai chi and ballroom dancing (complete with music) . There is such joy and relaxation when the sun first comes up that it is hard to imagine one would ever have a bad day if start your mornings off with a stroll.

I’d love to see what the kite at the end of the string looked like. By the size of the spool, I bet it’s huge. Check out Rob’s other shots of China. They’re wonderful. If you’d like your photos to be considered for a Photo of the Day, post them at Gadling’s Photo Pool on Flickr.

Jam on Stage with Roger Daltry at Rock’n’Roll Camp

by Neil Woodburn on

Let’s be honest here; is there anything on this planet more exciting than Rock’n’Roll Fantasy Camp?

How about Rock’n’Roll Fantasy Camp with Roger Daltry?

The Who frontman recently announced that he will be joining Joe Walsh, Slash, Vince Neil and a hodgepodge of other rock and roll royalty for the 10th annual event to be held this November in Las Vegas.

The concept is simple. Spend five days at camp with these legends and learn all of their rock star tips–like how to wildly swing a microphone in the air, for example. Then, on the final day, take the stage and perform alongside your idols as women tear off their shirts and throw their underwear at you. Or something like that.

Camp kicks off November 17th in Las Vegas, February 14th in Hollywood, and May 22nd in London. All you need is just $9,499 and you’re free to jam away to “Baba O’Riley” with the man himself.

Geauga Lake Amusement Park Bites the Dust

by Jamie Rhein on

Here are is an amusement park I’ve never been to, but I am sad it is closing. Partly because it holds memories for my husband’s family, and partly because it is an indication of how history does change things. It’s an era gone by.

Geauga Lake, at least the ride section, has seen its last season. Waterparks, like malls that look like small towns, are in in the U.S. (I don’t quite get why people don’t go to a real small town to shop instead of a mall that looks like a town. Pet peeve.)

Wild Water Kingdom that adjoins Geauga Lake has grown and grown in the past few years as the crowds on the coasters have diminished. Too bad. Founded in 1888, Geauga Lake is one of the oldest amusement parks in the United States. It started out as a place for picnics. In 1889, when a steam carousel was added, its role as an amusement park to entertain the masses was on it’s way. In its 100th year attendance was high, but Cedar Point, also in northern Ohio, has been competition it couldn’t keep up with. From what my relatives have said, Geauga Lake was a perfect place to go with kids because lines were not long and the rides were just the right size for the younger set.

I’m wondering what will happen to all the rides? Once when I was writing an article on Christmas light displays in Ohio, I interviewed a man who had bought the huge wooden soldiers from Coney Island (Ohio’s Coney Island) in an auction. Coney Island closed as a major amusement park in the early 70s and Kings Island became home to some of its rides. This photo is from Geauga Lake Today. If you go to the site, you’ll find a gallery of vintage postcard shots.

400 Pound Plus Pumpkins and a Carving Knife

by Jamie Rhein on

Gus Smithhisler carves pumpkins like nobody’s business. I saw him at work this past Saturday at Jack Hanna’s Fall Fest at the Columbus Zoo where Gus was turning the most enormous pumpkins into animal art. Being ever so on my toes, I grabbed his card and contact information.

Gus has emailed me back to let me know of his upcoming engagements. If you get a chance to see him at work, don’t miss it. Since fall is officially here, consider this a fall festival kick off. Gus is appearing at a few festivals in addition to his Las Vegas gig. By the way, if you go to his Web site, you’ll see his handy work. He started out a few years ago at the Indiana State Fair and his business keeps growing.

If you do see Gus, he may give you some pumpkin seeds so you can grow your own monsters at home. The photo is from last year’s zoo event. Gus’s daughter helps him from time to time.

Calling All Cubists

by Brett Atkinson on

Is that what you call someome who is a whiz at solving a Rubik’s Cube? Either way the best on the planet at working out those challenging little cubes of coloured plastic will be heading to Budapest for the 2007 World Rubik’s Cube Championship on October 5.

It’s fitting the Hungarian capital will host the event as the devilish device was let loose on the world by Hungarian Erno Rubik in 1980.

Other crazes to emerge in the decade that taste forgot were Milli Vanilli and Cabbage Patch Kids, but neither has had the staying power of the Rubik’s Cube.

With world championship contenders aiming for a time of under 10 seconds – the world record of 9.86 seconds is held by Thibaut Jacquinot of France – it promises to be quite a show.

Thanks to Toni Blay on Flickr for the pic.