twodoebs

Sweet Kati and I celebrated "our nation's birthday" by trekking out to Coney Island to watch the 90th installment of the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest.



This was our second year there (although we missed Gilles and Toko this year) and--while we had a blast--we were disappointed with the performance of Four-time world champion Takeru Kobayashi, who didn't even come CLOSE to his world record of 54 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. A new world record WAS set, however, in the women's division, which was very exciting.



While we were there, we--of COURSE--took the opportunity to ride on the world famous Cyclone roller coaster. There's a little quote about the Cyclone that I enjoy passing along: "Like most everything about Coney Island, the Cyclone is infused with a certain edgy magic. . . . the thrill of the Cyclone is its hint of greater hazard, of ANARCHY. Coney Island is no Disney World; if Micky Mouse shows up here, I'll mug him myself" (Roberts, M. and Palitz, W, "Brooklyn: A State of Mind," p. 67, Workman Publishing Company, Inc. 2001). I can't explain how true this is. Today, however, it was even MORE pronounced 'cause right after our train left the station and started to go up the first hill, it stalled. Hangin' out there, midway up the track, the "hint of greater hazard" takes on a WHOLE new meaning!