StringGrrl sees the World

From our recent trip to Cedar Point StringGirl gets ready for her first roller coaster ride on board the Gemini!

The Raptor greets guests as soon as they enter On the shores of Lake Erie, lies what many think is the best amusement park in the US. While many might assume the title belongs to the Disney Empire, Cedar Point is the home of the best roller coasters in the world. The Iron Dragon sweeps in over the pond Without relying on the gimmickry of name brand movies and major character contracts titles, Cedar Point rides rely on masterful design and execution of roller coaster to maintain its place in the hearts and minds of the worlds coaster enthusiasts. In fact the American Coaster Enthusiasts were at Cedar Point that weekend when they placed a marker commemorating the work of Roller Coaster designer Ron Toomer , who was responsible for the landmark rides the Mine Ride, the Corkscrew, Gemini, and Iron Dragon. As well as the Magnum XL-200 which was one of the first coasters to break the 200 foot height barrier. The Mean Streak in the background ...

StringGirl made her way over to Livonia for the "Great Designs in Steel" conference along with the Self-proclaimed-die-expert. At the conference she learned more than most imaginary characters will ever know about High strength steel and it's impact on design, manufacture and performance. Presentations on the Chevy Sonic illustrated how HSS and AHSS are taking new vehicles to unparalleled performance in crash and structural integrity of cars. She saw how Ford is using hydroforming of HSS to reinvent vehicle architecture and safety. Other presentations demonstrated how safer vehicles is making the job of emergency first responders more difficult. As HSS and AHSS content make crash intrusion more avoidable, passenger extrication is made near impossible for many fire departments. There is little support for the emergency responders  in their job if they find a victim trapped in a late model vehicle built from these advanced materials. It proved a very enlightening day on ...

The Detroit Film Theatre is a great venue for this Live performance Motown 1962: America is still far from integrated. Just about everything in the US is produced "separate but equal", but on West Grand Boulevard in Detroit a small black owned record label had the audacity to bring 5 girls from Inkster Michigan into the living rooms and dance halls of America. "Now that I can Dance" is the true stroy of the Marvellettes as told by Katherine "Kat" Anderson one of the founding members who dropped out of high school to pursue a recording career with Motown. A perfect story line for this youth theater company to perform. many of Mosaics principals are themselves the samd age as those girls who helped kickstart the Motown parade of stars. One fact learned during the show is that the Marvellettes posted Motown's first ever Pop charts No. 1 song. EVER! Mosaic young artist prepare to support the cast by volunteering behind the scenes More than ju...

StringGirl brings Amber to lunch at Frau Urban's place in Pfaffenhofen. Frau Urban of the Urbanus Brewing family serves lunch daily in her Brauhaus restaurant. Frau Urbans Brauhaus is located in the Hauptplatz just across from the fountains you can see in the left background of this shot. This view is from the Rathaus toward the meeting house. Hotel Mullerbrau is to the right and Frau Urbans is to the left.  Chief cook, Bartender, and bottle washer. Frau Urban greets everybody (including the "Deine  Amerikaner Freund") offers them their beverage and takes their order. Usually some meat with potato as you expect in Germany. Spatzle, Knoedle, Kartoffel with Saurbraten, Rindbraten or something of the like is what to expect here.  The Self-Proclaimed-Die-Expert and Otto prepare for another homecooked meal from Frau Urban.  Frau Urban runs the restaurant on her own. Of all the times I have been here have never seen anybody else assisting her or working in t...