nite.lights

Hurricane, Lakeside Amusement Park After considerable thought, I am still not sure what the function of this stand is in its current state. To be honest, I am still not sure if there even ever was a “Hurricane” ride. There are no signs of an actual ride existing - other than this stand, of course. And given that each letter of the sign on this stand is burned out, my doubts seem completely warranted. If there was, in fact, once a “Hurricane” ride, and it was taken down due to public health concerns or budget cuts or probably public health concerns, actually, why does its stand still exist?  Here’s what I imagine to have happened: Lakeside Ride Planner: We don’t have the Hurricane anymore. We don’t need that stand or sign anymore. Lakeside Beautification Coordinator: Sure. You’re right. We don’t need it. People hate neon lights and pretty, old ticket stands. LRR: You don’t have to be sarcastic and passive aggressive. Functionally, the stand holds no purpose. LBC: Functionally, you’re an asshole. LRR: Great. I’m going to turn off the sign to save energy but leave the stand and the other lights. Make sure to lock up when you leave. LBC: I’ll lock up when your mom leaves. LRR: (Already gone.) LBC: *Weeps* … Ultimately, whatever the reason, I’m glad the stand remains. Side-bar: I used to think that it was really cool that a hurricane was named after me. For a while, I considered using “Hurricane Andrew” as my boxing or rap moniker but abandoned the name when neither or those career paths panned out. As I’ve grown though, I have reevaluated how cool having a hurricane named after you actually is. I am almost positive that people named “Katrina” or “9/11” are not reviling in the fact that they share their name with tragedy.

Hurricane, Lakeside Amusement Park

After considerable thought, I am still not sure what the function of this stand is in its current state. To be honest, I am still not sure if there even ever was a “Hurricane” ride. There are no signs of an actual ride existing - other than this stand, of course. And given that each letter of the sign on this stand is burned out, my doubts seem completely warranted. If there was, in fact, once a “Hurricane” ride, and it was taken down due to public health concerns or budget cuts or probably public health concerns, actually, why does its stand still exist? 

Here’s what I imagine to have happened:

Lakeside Ride Planner: We don’t have the Hurricane anymore. We don’t need that stand or sign anymore.

Lakeside Beautification Coordinator: Sure. You’re right. We don’t need it. People hate neon lights and pretty, old ticket stands.

LRR: You don’t have to be sarcastic and passive aggressive. Functionally, the stand holds no purpose.

LBC: Functionally, you’re an asshole.

LRR: Great. I’m going to turn off the sign to save energy but leave the stand and the other lights. Make sure to lock up when you leave.

LBC: I’ll lock up when your mom leaves.

LRR: (Already gone.)

LBC: *Weeps*

…

Ultimately, whatever the reason, I’m glad the stand remains.

Side-bar: I used to think that it was really cool that a hurricane was named after me. For a while, I considered using “Hurricane Andrew” as my boxing or rap moniker but abandoned the name when neither or those career paths panned out. As I’ve grown though, I have reevaluated how cool having a hurricane named after you actually is. I am almost positive that people named “Katrina” or “9/11” are not reviling in the fact that they share their name with tragedy.

25 July 2009