Saturday, March 11, 2006

Love Rollercoaster

Say it ain't so?! I heard on the radio today that a crucial part of my childhood memory is going to erased to make way for a resort. The powers that be, have decided to close the Myrtle Beach Pavilion, and this season will be its last. A piece of history is to be bulldozed over into a pile of rubble next year. The Pavilion ,; located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has welcomed tourists with an old time carnival feel for over 50 years. During that time it has become a vital part of Myrtle Beach's history. I remember when I was a growing up our family used to take a trip to Myrtle Beach every summer. We always stopped at the Pavilion to ride one of the oldest wooden roller coasters still in operation, The Swamp Fox. The thought of future generations being deprived of whiplash and queasy stomachs, just makes me a bit sad.

One ride, called the Avalanche, pushed the limits of centrifugal force to the maximum. The ride operators would always play Beach Music through the speakers; they were partial to the song, Love Rollercoaster, by the Ohio Players. There was nothing like having music booming in your ears, the wind blowing through your hair, and smelling the scent of popcorn and cotton candy as it wafted through the warm summer breeze.

I met my first summer love at the Pavilion and now it's leaving, giving way to progress...er, Capitalism. It was probably bought out by Japanese investors. Well, I guess I'll just have to rely on memories and polaroids to recapture the innocence and freedom of summer days spent at the Pavilion.

What's next, the Boardwalk?

"Life's a beach, and then they ruin it."



Here's a joke for you.

A couple had a baby and they named him, "Odd". Upon hearing the name all the staff in the nursery snickered. And when the baby got older and went to school he was teased unmercifully. All throughout his life he was teased about his name.

One night when he was 58 years old he turned to his wife and said, "I've had enough teasing, when I die all I want on my tombstone is the day I was born and the day I died...nothing else!"

About 10 years later he died and his wife kept his wishes. She bought him a beautiful marble head stone and put only the date he was born and the date he died on it.

But his efforts were all in vain because every time someone would pass by his grave they would take one look at his head stone and ask, "Isn't that odd?" ;D


Have a mighty fine week gentle people.
Moni

6 comments:

Scott said...

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of such an important part of your history. There is an old Eagles song called The Last Resort that strikes a similar chord that you should listen to if you haven't already. It's not one of their more popular tunes. The line I remember most is, "They call it paradise, I don't know why. You call someplace paradise, kiss it goodbye."

Moni said...

Very appropriate lyrics, and it's exactly how I feel. I think I'll dig out my Eagles cd, pop it into the cd player and drown my sorrows in a pint of Haagan Das. I'm kidding, I'm not touching the Haagan Das, it's satan's fruit...yummy wicked. Ha! ;)

On a postitive note; I have the day off, and here I sit at the computer...damn!

~ta~
;)

Okie said...

groan

regarding the joke

That reminded me of a Randy Rogers Band song "They Call It The Hill Country"
The chorus goes something like:

They call it the hill country
I call it beautiful
I'd call it progress if it could be saved
They call it the hill country
I call it home
What will they call it when it's leveled and paved?

"Progress" sucks.

Moni said...

Welcome Okie, you don't like my joke? I'm hurt. ;P

Yes progress does suck, it sucks on ice.

"They paved paradise and put up a parking lot." Right then, I'll stop with the song lyrics.

Blue Skies said...

It is sad when something that reminds you of the innocent and happy days is just going to disappear like it never existed. Take comfort in the thought that when you close your eyes, you will journey back to those days. Material things can go away, but thoughts, memories and emotions will always remain in the heart.

I like your joke :)

Moni said...

Welcome Blue, and that's a sweet way of putting it. I'll take that advise. :)