|
I'm not sure how it works for our friends in England and other countries around the world. But in America when you speak of America's great Northwest it brings to mind nostalgic and hazy images of the past as well as the present. Images of the great Lewis and Clark expedition, riddled with adventure and intrigue, perhaps images of the Oregon Trail, a vital over-land blood vain that brought life and people to the wild, wild west. A trail actually 6 miles WIDE in places and wagon ruts encrusted so deep they remain etched in time in places you can still see today.
Yes, the Great Northwest! A place of Northern lights, starry crisp nights, and wondrous green sights.... and who can forget MY favorite, the northern Pacific ocean, I fish on it as much as I can in the summer and in the winter, who could forget going through a "Nor ester" the name of a kind of storm that even in England they have heard of. I was born and raised in Oregon, right at the end of the old Oregon Trail and I have come to love and even covet this vast Northwest wonderland. I have explored these states relentlessly and am proud to call The Great Northwest my home.
So with all that being said, you can imagine my curiosity one day, a long time ago, when I was going through the RCT2 forums and saw a new member with the name of RCTNorthwest had signed up. I had known about another member of the forums (who is still a member) who went by the screen name of wpnw and I knew the nw in his name stood for North West. But this was another member from the Northwest, who's work I had seen and admired for some time, who is an excellent outdoor photographer and has shared some stunning work with fellow members at RCT2.com.
After tracking RCTNorthwest posts for a while I was very impressed with him and took the time to get to know him a little better. I am glad I did! More then a "homeboy" it was soon apparent to several of us that we would gain a lot by convincing RCTNorthwest to become part of the staff and help out in the forums. He was better then we were hoping for, is still going full speed ahead, is now the Chief Mod of the forums and we've never looked back since.
His name is James. Some of you know him better then others but either way, come with us now on another E-View adventure as we continue down the "Meet the Staff", river ride. Please keep your hands and arms inside the boat, and join us now as we meet James, better known as RCTNorthwest.
| Boomer |
A real pleasure to have this E-View with you homeboy! Lets go ahead and jump right off into it. Tell us where you are from, some may not have heard of the great Northwest so give us a feel of where you are from exactly and what its like there. |
| RCTNorthWest |
"Good evening Boomer. First off, let say it’s a real honor to be with you here tonight. Lets see, I’m originally from the San Francisco Bay Area where I spent most of my school years. While I was in the service, we moved to San Diego, California for ten years before we moved to the small logging town of Sedro-Woolley, Washington about three years ago. After living in big cites for most of my life, it’s a nice change to live in a small town. It does mean a longer commute but in the end, it’s worth it. There is something about the small town life that just appeals to me. Every summer, the town hosts a “Logger Rodeo” over the 4th of July holiday week with all kinds of Logging events and a great rodeo. Other than that one week out of the year, it’s very quiet."
|
| Boomer |
(Laughing) After a party like that, as old as I am it would take me a year to get ready for the next one. You hear a lot about the rainforest and all the rain that happens there, About how much does it rain there in a years time? |
| RCTNorthWest |
"It would be easier to count the non-rain days. Seriously, it doesn’t rain as much as people think. During the winter and spring months we get our fair share of rain but during the summer, we see very little rain fall. Being from California, you take the sunny days for granted, but since we moved up here, I find myself really appreciating the sunny days more and take the time to see just how beautiful it is up here. I wouldn’t change it for the world."
|
| Boomer |
Nor would I James, nor would I! Are you married, do you have a family?
|
| RCTNorthWest |
"I’m very lucky to say that I have a wonderful family. My wife and I have been happily married for almost 17 years now and we have 3 wonderful children. My oldest son has graduated High School and is looking to be a fireman, my daughter is currently in high school with aspirations of being a musician and my youngest is in elementary school. All are doing well and my youngest is starting to get hooked on RCT. He still has a long way to go on his coasters (loves to use them helixes) but he’s getting there. His last coaster was 200’ tall, steep drop, and eight full large up helix turns and then the station. I forgot the g’s bit it was not pretty."
|
| Boomer |
So you have a fireman, a budding musician and a up and coming RCT peep killer in the family, sounds like that keeps you pretty busy. What do you do for a living?
|
| RCTNorthWest |
"After getting out of the service few years ago as an instructor and weapon systems operator, I accepted a job in the health insurance field as a Trainer / Auditor. It allows me to get back to my instructor skills which I have enjoyed doing for a number of years. What makes the job great though is having a wonderful team to work with along with a great boss. It just makes the day go by when you enjoy what you do. It’s just like the team we have here."
|
| Boomer |
Speaking of the team here, you put a lot of time in at this site and playing RCT. What other things do you like to do in your spare, leisure time?
|
| RCTNorthWest |
"Outside of my family, bowling is my true passion. I’ve been bowling now since I was around 8 yrs old and have had some great coaches over that time and up until 5 years ago; I maintained a solid 210 average for a number of years. Five years ago, I was getting burned out from the competition that I decided to take a few years off to re-evaluate what I wanted to do with the sport. After a three-year break, I started back up and one of the top bowlers in the state saw something in my game and worked with me to take me to the next level. For the last two seasons, I’ve averaged 233 and 230 and a paid entry to the Washington State finals for Team USA. My personal bests include ten - 300 games (two from this past season) and three 800 series with 854 being my best. I was also placed on the Skagit Valley All Star Team as the #2 bowler in the county. It’s amazing what you can do with hard work, dedication and a great teacher."
|
| Boomer |
That is an amazing story James; I never knew that about you. I do know that hard work and dedication is both keys to success in anything in life. I’m going to change gears here and head this E-view in another direction. What do you think has made RCT, both 1 and 2, the successes it was and is?
|
| RCTNorthWest |
"It touches all of us as roller coaster fans. It’s also a departure from all the 3rd person games that seem to come out now. The real advantages is it also allows us to experience the thrills of a real park threw the game. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing like going to a real park but when the real parks are so far away, this is the next best thing. This is also one of the few games that reaches the young and old. Just look at our members, the age difference goes from 13 to the really old guys like you and Scoop. "
|
| Boomer |
Old guys? Oh, you mean Scoop, yes he is very old (winks). What do you think is the single most thing RCT2 needs to make it better?
|
| RCTNorthWest |
"Without a doubt, remove the limits. I know that we are stuck with the limits due to the games coding, but it’s nice to dream. Without these limits, we would be able to use all these great scenery projects that our members are producing on a daily basis. I find myself spending way too much time in the SG just trying to select the objects and rides I think I will need. That is the one part of the game I hate."
|
| Boomer |
If you had a chance to talk to Chris Sawyer, face to face, what would you say to him?
|
| RCTNorthWest |
"I would thank him for staring this craze we call RCT. I know some people are upset with him and think he sold out, but I’m sure he has his reasons and that is his business and I respect that. I would also love to just sit down and talk about various parks and what inspired him to start this game."
|
| Boomer |
I am still in pursuit of a interview with Chris to set down and do just that. As Chief Moderator at RCT2.com what is the hardest things you find to deal with on the forums?
|
| RCTNorthWest |
"That’s a tough question. I guess it would have nothing to do with the staff or the members but with my own limitations. When I first started out at RCT2.com, I would read every post and provide as much feedback on structures and parks as I could. I really enjoyed looking at other members work and it sparked many ideas. Recently I moved to our new house and I lost my DSL connection and had to go back to my dial up modem. Because of this, I just don’t have the time to see all the posts and provide feedback. It seems that I’m more in a moderator mode now and at first I thought it would make my time even more limited but with the great staff we have now, I’ve realized that I don’t have to follow every post. Another reason for this is we have such great members that respect each other and treat everyone with a great level of maturity."
|
| Boomer |
And what do you get out of it, what's the pay-off for all your hard work? I know that cheapskate Boomer and he can't be paying you THAT much.
|
| RCTNorthWest |
"I don’t think of it as hard work. RCT2.com was the first site I really participated in and I knew I had found my home. Dave, McNewfie and yourself made me feel right at home from the very beginning and that there was no need to look any further. The members who provided encouragement, ideas and constructive criticism helped me in so many ways that I figure this is one way of giving back. It also has to do with the staff here. Everyone is so talented in his or her own way and everyone contributes to the success of the site. This makes my job as Chief Mod easy. As you know, when you don’t have to step in to resolve an issue, it isn’t work at all."
|
| Boomer |
(Boomer laughs) Okay, now this is purely hypothetical, but let's say that RCT2.com sent you and your family on an expense paid 1 week vacation to any amusement park in the United States, or your choice, for research and relaxation, where would you go?
|
| RCTNorthWest |
"Wow, that’s a great question. I think I would have to say Florida. Being a big Disney Fan, I would love to go to Disney World along with Universal Studios and all the other attractions that Florida has to offer. Last summer we spent a week and spent three days at Disneyland/California Adventures, one day at Six Flags Magic Mountain and then finished the trip at Paramount’s Great America. When we were planning this trip, my wife made the mistake of saying she would go on any coaster our youngest son went on. She didn’t think he would be tall enough to go on the big ones but little did she know that before we even started planning this trip, I measured him and he was just at the magical 54” mark. Let’s just say, she held up her end of the bargain and went on every coaster there was. There is one park though that I want to visit sometime in the near future and that would be Cedar Point. I have heard so many great things about CP and how it compares to SFMM that I need to see it for myself. The one ride I would love to experience at CP is without a doubt is Top Thrill Dragster. The roll over and drop would just blow my mind."
|
| Boomer |
What are your predictions for the future of RCT? Will there be an RCT3?
|
| RCTNorthWest |
"No, or at least not in the same style as RCT or RCT2. If there is a RCT3, I have a feeling it will be along the same lines as the other “theme park” games with unrealistic graphics and oversized objects. I really hope I’m wrong but with the current look of WW, I see it going in this direction. Even if RCT3 does go in this style, I’m happy with the current game and will keep it and continue to play it for a long time."
|
| Boomer |
Do you have any Sports interest? Any teams or games you particularly like?
|
| RCTNorthWest |
"NASCAR is something that if I had the money, I would love to do. My brother got me hooked a number of years ago when I experienced my first Indy Car race. Over the years, my love for tracing has now evolved to NASCAR. If there was a ticket I could get my hands on, would be the night race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Short track racing is by far the best form of racing due to the close side by side racing with all the banging and bumping that goes on. As far as my favorite driver, Rusty Wallace is at the top of the list. He has been around for a number of years and is always a contender to win a race."
|
| Boomer |
What is your favorite RCT park you have ever seen?
|
| RCTNorthWest |
"That is a tough question as there have been so many great parks that it’s hard to keep track of them all. There is one that stands out above all others in my opinion and that is Glasshouse Gardens by Kai. I have always been a big fan of glass and this park showed just what could be done with that medium. The amount of detail and color that was put into Glasshouse Gardens to this day still amazes me. This is one of those parks that you can look at time and time again and see something new each time."
|
| Boomer |
What is the best work that you think you have done as far as RCT parks or rides go?
|
| RCTNorthWest |
"I’ve only completed 2 parks with RCT2 and I’m proud of both of them. Skagit River features some of my favorite structures including the Convention Center, RCTNW Designs Fabrication Facility and the Skagit River Grand Hotel however; Paradise Bay still holds my favorite structure, The Paradise Bay Resort Hotel. Paradise Bay also features an 18-hole golf course and water park. As to what is my favorite, I think Skagit River only because it contained all original coasters. I still think my best work is still to come as I now have the privilege of working alongside some of the best park makers out there with the RCT Masters. As most of you know, I’m working on a group project with RCT Flame, The Riddler and Ice Dragon, which I hope will take me to the next level. This is just the start as I hope to work with many other RCTM members soon."
|
| Boomer |
It looks like our time is about up James, what a real pleasure it has been having you drop by for this visit. You are a real inspiration to myself and the staff here at RCT2.com and I don't know what we would do without you. Thanks for taking the time to share a little of your life with us and for giving so much to RCT, both the game and the site.
|
| RCTNorthWest |
"Thanks Boomer. It really means a lot to hear that from you. You have this way of making everyone feel at ease around you and I think I can speak for our members and say that you are the heart and soul of RCT2.com. Thank you my friend."
|
James has left the house! Even though it was getting late, after interviewing someone named RCTNorthwest, I just had to walk outside and take a look at the dark Northwest sky and breath deep the fir scented evening breeze. The stars twinkled softly against the black velvet backdrop of space, stretching out endlessly from the tops of the softly swaying pine trees into the abyss or infinity and beyond.
I had taken one last long breath of the fresh mountain air and had my hand on the door about ready to go back inside when I stopped dead in my tracks and my eyes opened wide in amazement, spreading as if magically across the starry sky appeared the Aurora Borealis, colors rolled and intertwined as if caught in some kind of forgotten VooDoo dance. I stood still in amazement as I watched the heavens display a mighty spectacular light show that will never be matched at Disneyland or any other man made amusement park on the face of the planet.
The Northern lights! What a beautiful and yet somehow haunting display of one of natures most beautiful gifts to mankind. I stood frozen for a moment in time as the light patterns whirled and swirled their complex and beautiful electric patterns. Even after it had faded away into the far reaches of the atmosphere I stood transfixed, I thought to myself, James is a very lucky man to live out here in the Great Northwest and so am I. Slowly, betraying my age I opened the door and went in the house headed for the comfort of my warm bed.
Left behind the colorful patterns reemerged for only a moment and if Boomer would have only waited one more minute he would have seen a very strange sight. For a moment, only a moment, the lights spelled out a name, If only Boomer had of been there he would of got Goosebumps when for that one brief moment across the black northern sky were the words... RCTNorthwest! Then they faded to stardust and in the twinkling of an eye disappeared into the vast distance of black space, then only a shooting star and Boomers soft snores disturbed the Northwestern night and in the Great Northwest... all is well!
---Boomer--- |