It's a beautiful life!

Adventure in Wonderland

I spent yesterday testing my mettle at Paramount Wonderland and I have to say that although I had a fun time, some of those rides offer way more thrill than I need.

We took the GO bus to Wonderland and I was very impressed. (My 1^st time on the GO) Anyone who has taken the TTC before can appreciate the drastic difference. It was like being bumped up to business class.

Anyway, back to my adventure in Wonderland…so, the bus ride was quick and comfortable and the park admission was a bargain since we got half-priced tickets. The weather was lovely (une journee ensoleille) and I was ready to face my fear(s)!

I was entertained on EVERY single ride and by “entertained” I mean that I could not stop screaming at the top of my lungs for the duration of the ride. (except Thunder Run which wasn’t scary or maybe by that time I was all screamed out) At times the screaming was in delight, but more often it was due to a pre-conceived fear that was exacerbated by an overdose of adrenaline. It was always the falling forward that freaked me out. I was fine if I couldn’t see the drop ahead but as soon as I saw it, the stomach turning sensation came over me. I kept on going in spite of it and I exited each ride with a head rush and a little more confidence. I had my fearless Virginie with me so it wasn’t so bad. (I chose to watch from the ground while she was dangled upside down on JetScream) Didn’t someone say that you have to face your fears in order to get over them? Well, face it I did and gotten over it I may have. I’ll still scream my head off on those rides but it won’t be ‘excessive and disproportionate to the situation’.

“It was quite a wild ride” – That’s a headline from today’s Boston Globe which accurately sums up my day at Wonderland! However, it refers to Danica Patrick, who made racing history with 4^th at the Indianapolis 500 yesterday. I welcome a challenge and I admire those who make the most of it. She is now the highest-finishing female driver there, bettering Janet Guthrie's 9th in ‘78. She also became first woman to lead a lap in the 89-yr history of the race (she took the lead on Lap 190.) Good for her! I have a new appreciation for the gall that it takes to compete in racing thanks to my personal history-making experience of free-wheeling at high speeds, through sharp turns and extended moments of zero-gravity.

posted by S.M. @ 1:44 pm