italianchef

I voted for ACE because they are alive, well, and active. I'm not who or what GOCC is and The Banana Splits live only on Boomerang and the memories of middle aged folks like me.

Hi my name is Italian Chef and I am a KI Addict. My addiction to KI caused me to ruin my career, lose my family, and care about nothing but my next KI fix. Now I am at KIA and trying to take control of my life. OK - bad joke.

C'mon now Chef. You know me! I am the creator of the topic and a staff member. You Might be a KI addict if you... can't stand a topic having the P in KI! Captain Nemo, Thank you for changing the topic. I am a KI Addict, but I am also a stickler for accuracy. So much so that I am working on an article tonight with some conflict. The Restaurateur that I interviewed today for my article is not a native speaker of English and he is a very nice guy with a very nice family. Neither he nor any of his relatives have the King's grammar. My heart tells me to alter their quotes to correct their grammar. But the AP Stylebook tells me that I am not supposed to do it. Hence, I must follow my professional ethics and not my heart. Anyway, thanks for changing the post to make it more accurate. Best regards, Italian Chef PS - You might be a KI Addict if you are bragging to your four-year old son that kiddie coasters are less than a month away.

I'll leave how it's done to the KICentral Staff. Maybe at random would be the most fair way. Otherwise, it would be a popularity contest.

I think that KI Central should have a member of month and that person should be highlighted. What do the rest of you think? Best regards, Italian Chef

What a sad sign of the times. The economy sucks and I can only imagine what will happen in the coming months.

Thank you for the post. The pictures of the animals are outstanding. By coincidence, we were planning to visit the Cincinnati Zoo today, but I was given a freelance assignment - so I have a story to cover today. Until I find a new full-time job, I need every penny I can get. Best regards, Italian Chef

Is there anyone the originator of the post or the KI Central staff can change the topic name to "KI addict"?

The first coaster I ever rode was a kiddie coaster at either the Queens or Dutchess County Fair when I was a small boy. And the first real coaster I rode when I was a teenager at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey.

It does seem like we will have a GREAT year with entertainment. I'm glad that the skating show is coming back. Last year my friend Mary Oyaya (Jedi Master Luminara Unduli from STAR WARS Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith) went to Kings Island with me. This is what she looks like in costume: http://www.starwars.com/databank/character...duli/index.html She was really impresed with the skating show and wanted to meet the skaters, but was turned down because she didn't give enough notice. Looking back now, I am wondering why she didn't use a Jedi mind trick on the skaters' handlers. May the Force Be with You, Italian Chef

Thank you. Though I seldom go to Church, out of laziness more than anything else, I am religious enough to pray every night and appreciate other folks' prayers.

Good question! I'd like to know.

Yes, I had a lawyer. The judge's decision was OUTRAGEOUS. The lawsuit was over a relative's will. And the judge allowed my greedy, rich, opponent to do something that the Will didn't. The judge over-stepped his authority. I could appeal, but lack the money. So I got screwed out of my inheritence. And after losing my job in January, you can only imagine how unhappy I am. On a positive note, I really do like my temp job and hope that it'll go full-time.

Like most of you, I cannot wait until Kings Island re-opens next month. Here is my question. Which ride do you want to experience first? I cannot list them in the poll because there are way too many. I'll go first. If I am with my son, I want to ride Fairly Odd Coaster first. If my son is not with me, I want to ride Flight of Fear first. Best regards, Italian Chef

Mecca of the Mouse? I didn't know that Mickey was Middle Eastern. Should we now call him Sheik Mickey or Sultan Mickey?

Hooray! I will be there unless the weather gets in the way.

August 2008 issue of Cincinnati Parent Magazine will feature my story which includes th Great Wolf Lodge. And yes - it does remind me of Disney's Wilderness Lodge also. Best regards, Italian Chef

Lawsuits are tricky. Last year I sued someone who denied me property that I was due - and I lost!

According to my profile, I joined Septermber 8, 2003. Before that I was a member of the now defunct PKIUnlmited. Best regards, Italian Chef

I am wondering how long CF will keep SDATHC. If the 10-year tradition holds, until 2012. If not, when will it go and what will replace it??

Nope. no stock in GWL, CF, or any of the other entertainment venues that I write about. The only stocks that I own are in my IRA. Ironically, people think that I am much wealthier than I am because of how often my family goes out. Heck, I was laid off in January and start a temp job tomorrow. I am NOT wealthy and have been hit hard by my layoff and the recession. Keep in mind that I am a freelance writer, which means: 1. I am getting paid to write about the places that I am having fun at. 2. Most entertainment venues offer discounts to the media - and that means me. 3. I get to write off many expenses on my taxes. The same place that people spend money on for fun are business expenses for me. Now that I gave away my secret, I will probably face much more competition on the entertainment writing front. Happy Easter, Italian Chef

Chan's Asian Wok 8221 Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason, OH 45040 513-770-6788 The food, prices, and service are excellent. Get on Exit 19 and drive to the Kroger in the strip mall. The 2 shops are mighty close to each other. Happy Easter! Italian Chef

As previously stated, I change Congo Falls back to Amazon Falls. And I'd change Flight of Fear to Asteroid Field and film a short sci fi film, starring me and Paula Dean, for the film. Also, I'd change Bubba Gump to Cajun Charles' Cafe; the Kings Island and Miami Valley Railroad to Nino Infosino Railroad, LaRosa's Pizza to Papa Charles Pizza & Pasta, SOB to Big Wooden Coaster, and TR:TR to Treasure Huntress. Happy Easter, Italian Chef

I have never visited Cedar Fair. Geography, family, and a lack fo time have prevented it. But I plan to visit when my son is old enough. Best regards, Italian Chef

To celebrate Little Chef's upcoming 4th birthday and write an article, we went to the Great Wolf Lodge yesterday (3/22). We arrived early to pre-registed and then had lunch at Critters Bar & Grill and were done by 12 p.m. Since our room wasn't ready yet, we then played at Northenr Light Arcade, where we won 500 tickets. Though Little Chef isn't quite 4 yet, he loves kiddie games and won a small amount of tickets. After our room was ready, I carried all of our things in alone. It took 2 trips. Due to the nature of my article, we stayed in the Loft Fireplace Suite, the nicest room Mrs. Chef and I have ever stayed at in our lives! It has two floors (or levels) with a staircase, a fireplace, 3 queen sized beds, 1.5 bathrooms, 3 televisions, a balcony, a microwave, a refrigerator, and a Nintendo. After unpacking, we headed to Bear Track Landing (the 79,000 sq. ft. indoor water park) and spent most our time at Fort Mackenzie and the other kiddie areas to make Little Chef happy. By the time we were done, it was dinner time. So we cleaned up and then ate at The Loose Moose Cottage which offers and excellent buffet, unless you are trying to lose weight and can't resist good food. Little Chef wanted to return to the water park after dinner, so I went alone with him so that Mrs. Chef could rest. We played in the kiddle areas for over and hour and then left to see "Rythm of Nature", the animatronic musical at The Great Clock Tower at 8 p.m. Following the show, I purchase pizza for Little Chef and chicken wings for Mrs. Chef because my son was hungry and likes company when he eats. I dropped off Little Chef and the food with Mrs. Chef. Then I went back to Bear Track Landing to enjoy some BIG rides on my own. I rode Hydro Plunge (the water coaster), both slides at Totem Towers, the lazy river; relaxed in the hot-tub type pool; and did both obstacle courses that look like lilly pads. Then I went to Buckhorn Exchange to purchase clothes for Little Chef and Mrs. Chef. After that I went back to my room, showered, and shared a bottle of imported Moscato with Mrs. Chef after Little Chef went to sleep. *** I woke up early this morning to exercise at Iron Horse Fitness Center. Then I purchased breakfast for my family at Starbuck's and we ate in our room. I began loading the car, but stopped short so that we could make a last visit to the water park at 10 a.m. Mrs. Chef hung out with Little Chef for 30 minutes. During that time I rode Coyote Cannon (the toilet bowl water slide) and all 3 slides from Alberta Falls. We returned to our room, cleaned up, finished loading the car, and then checked out after that. Before leaving the Great Wolf Lodge, we visited Northern Lights Arcade one last time. *** On the way home we stopped by Chan's Asian Wok on Exit 19, in the same strip mall as Kroger. This restaurant has the best Chinese food I've ever eaten in Greater Cincinnati. I recommend it. HAPPY EASTER!!! Italian Chef