The Matterhorn

The Matterhorn, also known as Matterhorn Bobsleds, is a pair of intertwined roller coasters at Disneyland Park in in Anaheim, California. It is modeled after the Matterhorn, a mountain in the Swiss Alps. It is the first known tubular steel continuous-track roller coaster. Disney used forced perspective to make the mountain appear larger than it actually is. Opening on June 14, 1959, it was the first roller coaster built at any Disneyland Park. The ride has 2 sides, the left side (the Tomorrowland side), and the right side (the Fantasyland side). It is said that the Tomorrowland side is more intense and fast and the Fantasyland side is more smooth at tame. In 1978, to better theme the ride, Disney introduced the Yeti (or Abominable Snowman) to the ride where he appears first in the dark after the riders leave the lifthill, then a few seconds later he can be seen by both sides as the bobsleds enter the main track. Later on they encounter him one last time but can only be seen by the specific side they're on. In 2015, the Matterhorn was temporarily shut down and a new Yeti was introduced to the ride, this one moving a lot more than the previous and being more territorial and defensive and having a different roar than the last. The ride ends as the sleds splash down into a small pool similar to Splash Mountain, but the water is mainly used as a braking mechanism, and cools down the brake pads mounted underneath the cars.

In 1956, 2 years before construction for the Matterhorn began, Disney was in a pinch for he was having trouble attracting guests to the park so he thought he needed a thrilling ride in the park. At the time, Disney was shooting a movie called "Third Man on the Mountain" in Switzerland where the real Matterhorn is, and Disney sent a postcard with a picture of the mountain to his lead imagineer with only 2 words saying: "Build This".

by bmhorton April 05, 2022

Avicii

Tim Bergling was a Swedish DJ. He began remixing songs at the age of 16 and rose to fame after his release of "Levels". His most successful release was "Wake Me Up" which was a collab with singer Aloe Blacc that topped the music markets in Europe and hit #4 in the United States. He tragically passed away via suicide in 2018 at the age of 28 due to mental and physical health complications.

I was so sad when Avicii died that I almost became a raging alcoholic

by bmhorton September 06, 2022

Real Salt Lake

An MLS team (Major League Soccer) team based in the Sandy neighborhood of Salt Lake City, UT. They first joined MLS as an expansion team in the 2005 season. The first goal in the team's history was scored by Jason Kreis against the LA Galaxy. In 2007, he was asked by owner Dave Checketts to retire and be the head coach of the team. They opened their new stadium (Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy Utah) on October 9, 2008. In 2009, RSL beats the Colorado Rapids 3-0 to clinch a playoff birth. They upset the Colombus Crew in the Easter Conference semifinals 4-2 and the Chicago Fire 0-0 (5-4 on penalties) in the finals. They then play the LA Galaxy in the MLS cup final. The match took place at Qwest Field (now known as Lumen Field home of the Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Sounders FC) on November 22, 2009. Mike Magee scores early for the Galaxy but in the second half, Robbie Findley scores for RSL to tie. The match continues through OT to a penalty kick shootout. Robbie Russell scores the game winning penalty causing RSL to win 5-4 on penalties. They also made an appearance at the 2013 MLS cup final at Sporting Kansas City but lost in penalties

Guy #1: Did you see Real Salt Lake upset the LA Galaxy last night?
Guy#2: I was blown away

Guy#1: Yeah I'm sure Nick Rimando's back still hurts from carrying the team

by bmhorton March 09, 2021

The Blues Brothers

The Blues Brothers is a musical comedy film written and directed by John Landis. The story consists of ex-convict and paroled Jake Blues and his blood brother Elwood, who are sent out on a "mission from God" to help gather money for an orphanage. While watching James Brown perform at a Baptist Church, Jake gets an epiphany to get their old blues band back together to raise the money. Elwood is skeptical with the idea at first but agrees. They perform at various locations with the Chicago Police Department, the "Illinois Nazis", a country band called "The Good Ol' Boys", and a mystery woman in pursuit for crimes committed by the group.

The Blues Brothers Brothers cast and crew:

John Belushi as Jake Blues
Dan Aykroyd as Elwood Blues

Carrie Fisher as the Mystery Woman (Jake's ex fiance who wants to kill him for leaving her at the altar)
Henry Gibson as the leader of the Illnois Nazis
John Candy as Jake's parole officer who is assisting the CPD in the capture of Jake and Elwood

The film also stars major Blues musicians such as James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, and Aretha Franklin

by bmhorton August 24, 2022