The Cyclone Edition

8 Track Layouts for Thomas the Train TrackMaster Sets

2016-06-05T13:13:00.000-04:00

Between his birthday and Christmas, my son received seven Thomas the Train Trackmaster sets and expansions. I’ve had fun trying to come up with different and fun track layout configurations. Here are eight using the sets listed below. Three of the sets came with engines and he got an additional three as separate gifts.

The sets and prices are listed below:

Shipwreck rails: http://amzn.to/1Ri6RPl ($45)
Thomas the Train TrackMaster Hazard Tracks Expansion Pack http://amzn.to/1oDfPxC ($7)
Thomas The Train - TrackMaster Race Set http://amzn.to/1Ri730T ($11)
Thomas the Train TrackMaster Tunnel Expansion Pack http://amzn.to/219kGYy ($11)
Thomas The Train - TrackMaster Water Tower Starter Set http://amzn.to/1VzgCKd ($13)
Thomas the Train TrackMaster Criss-Cross Junction http://amzn.to/1oDgter ($11)
Thomas The Train - TrackMaster 2-in-1 Track Builder Set http://amzn.to/219lfBr ($24)

Total estimated cost: $122

What Thomas the Train TrackMaster layout is your favorite? Let me know!

Kentucky Kingdom Storm Chaser VIdeo

2016-04-30T22:49:00.001-04:00

Kentucky Kingdom's new roller coaster, Storm Chaser, is now open and is a huge hit. Check out the videos below:

50 Legendary Roller Coasters That No Longer Exist

2016-04-19T22:18:00.001-04:00

If you could resurrect any deceased roller coaster which one would it be?

There are currently over 4,000 operating roller coasters on the planet today. But did you know there have also been well over 3,000 coasters built throughout history that no longer exist? Countless historic scream machines are nameless, long since forgotten, having left no proof of ever terrorizing its riders, not even a photograph. While others, even after a hundred years, are still praised with regard and reverence.

If a roller coaster is “legendary” why is it torn down and removed in the first place? If it was such a special ride, why does it no longer exist?

50 LEGENDARY ROLLER COASTERS THAT NO LONGER EXIST explains what goes into the tough decision to remove a multi-million dollar attraction and which roller coasters in history were the most notorious.

50 Legendary Roller Coasters That No Longer Exist is the latest book by Nick Weisenberger and you can download the Kindle version for free between 4/21/16 - 4/25/16.

Thomas the Train Shipwreck Rails Troubleshooting Guide

2016-02-08T22:05:00.001-05:00

My son got this really cool Thomas the Train TrackMaster Shipwreck Rails Set. The blue, battery powered Thomas the Tank engine train climbs a lightly supported track over three feet in the air before falling into a catch-wagon that spirals down a forty-five degree drop where it releases Thomas to continue safely on his way. Really, a genius little toy. It was really fun to watch and worked great at first, that is until he accidentally knocked it over a few times. Then the catch-wagon mechanism stopped working. Being the good dad and engineer that I am, I decided to crack open the toy to see what it looked inside. If I could figure out how the Shipwreck Rails set worked, I could try to fix it myself.

After removing the plastic mast from the base and unscrewing the thirteen screws, the mast popped open into two pieces. Unfortunately, the components inside all shifted so I wasn’t able to see exactly how it was put together before. I would have to figure it out myself with a little trial and error.

The main problem with why the Shipwreck Rails Set wasn’t working propoerly is as I thought - the rope that connects the catch-wagon to the spring had jumped the pulley at the top of the mast. All I had to do was put the string back through the pulley and then figure out exactly how the string looped over the top and bottom pulleys. Easier said than done.

I can’t find any instructions or manuals on the internet of how to fix the mast and strings so I created my own video to help other dads out. Check it out below:

I hope this guide has taught you potentially how to fix your Trackmaster shipwreck rails set. Buy your own set here. I can’t wait to see what future Thomas Trackmaster sets they come out with next.

Printable Super Bowl Squares 2016

2016-01-29T22:00:00.004-05:00

Match-ups for the 50th Super Bowl are set which means it's time to download your Super Bowl Squares 2016 Excel template for office pools. Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos will play the Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 on Sunday, February 7th at 6:30pm. To make the big game even more fun start a football office pool using our printable Super Bowl spreadsheet. Fill in the squares, watch the game, laugh at the commercials, and see who wins and maybe make a little money at the same time, or help. If you’re a fan of a team that like mine (the Factory of Sadness) that will never make it to the championship (or playoffs for that matter), then playing Super Bowl Squares will make watching the game more exciting and gives you something to actually root for. Others may be torn between cheering for their favorite team and cheering for their squares.

Download the Super Bowl spreadsheet for free, simply click the link below.
http://excelspreadsheetshelp.blogspot.com/2016/01/super-bowl-squares-2016-excel-template.html

2015 NCAA College Football Pool Pick Em Spreadsheet for Office Pools

2015-12-13T20:38:00.001-05:00

The 2015 NCAA college football bowl season is here again which means it’s time to make your picks and predictions about who you think will win each game. One of the best times of the holiday season is gathering around the TV and rooting for your Alma mater or hometown football team. This year has the added bonus of not just single bowl games but the second year of a four team playoff to determine the national champion.

Grab the 2015 NCAA College Football Pool Pick Em Spreadsheet for Office Pools here.

See how to use the bowl prediction pool Excel file below:

Printable 2015 Super Bowl Squares Template

2015-01-19T20:00:00.002-05:00

The 2015 Super Bowl is in two weeks which means it's time to download a printable Super Bowl Squares template.

Down the printable 2015 Super Bowl Squares template here.

How the Harry Potter Ride Works

2014-06-02T22:50:00.000-04:00

The best theme park ride in the world is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Universal's Island of Adventure theme park in Orlando, Florida. It's also the most technologically advanced ride ever built. If you want to know exactly how the Harry Potter ride works then you've got to check out this extremely detailed guide. It's called Secrets of the Forbidden Journey: The unofficial guide to the ultimate theme park attraction.This book explains how the ride uses a G2 RoboCoaster system with a KUKA made robotic arm on a transport, how the effects are done, how the attraction came to be, and more interesting stuff. If you're into theme parks and behind the scenes type stuff then this book is for you!

RollerCoaster Tycoon 4 Mobile is here

2014-03-17T22:27:00.001-04:00

RollerCoaster Tycoon 4 Mobile version was announced after years and years and years. Disappointingly, it's only a mobile versions (and only i-things at that). Fans were really hoping for an RCT1 or 2 style game. Seriously, they could take the EXACT SAME GAME, add a few extra rides and features, release that and fans would go crazy. Instead, go look at their Facebook or YouTube comments. They're getting railroaded.

Find out more about RollerCoaster Tycoon 4 Mobile.

2014 NCAA Tournament Bracket in Excel

2014-03-16T22:17:00.001-04:00

It's time to get your 2014 NCAA Tournament Brackets! March Madness is here and I've got the perfect Excel brackets for you to use. Instructions are included but they're pretty straightforward and easy to use. The pool manager has a really awesome macro that loads in all the brackets automatically.

Get the 2014 March Madness Excel brackets here.
Who do you have in the Final Four on your spreadsheet?

The 50 Most Terrifying Roller Coasters Ever Built

2014-03-12T22:22:00.000-04:00

Despite this being the busiest I've ever been in my life with the least amount of free time I've still been able to finish and publish two books (with two more in the works). Earlier I finished Once I was Adopted, a children's picture book about adopting our dog Conan told through fun rhymes. Now I've published The 50 Most Terrifying Roller Coasters Ever Built. From initial idea to publication was about four weeks. I used an Excel spreadsheet, macro, and outsourced work to a virtual assistant in order to complete it so quickly.

So what's it about? Mega roller coasters of today reach heights of over 400 feet and speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. Roller coasters towering taller than a certain height are terrifying for many individuals but it would be boring to simply make a list of the world’s tallest coasters. As a result, most of the bone-chilling machines in this list do not use sheer height to terrify, but instead prey on our fears and emotions in other, more creative ways. One element alone may not make a ride terrifying but the sum of all of its parts does. What factors make a roller coaster terrifying? Height, speed, inversions, backwards segments, unique track elements, darkness, and unexpected surprises all contribute to making your head spin and your knees tremble.

What are my next book ideas? One is about Excel spreadsheets and the other focuses on a specific theme park attraction.

Once I was Adopted

2014-01-28T23:15:00.002-05:00

Once I was Adopted is the adoption story of our dog Conan. It’s a children’s picture book on Kindle. Teach your children to read and the joys of adopting a dog and caring for a pet at the same time. Here are a few pictures of Conan along with a few quotes from the book:

Before I was adopted

I had no room to run

there was no one to love me

and I never had any fun.

Once I was adopted

I moved to a new town

I loved my family so much

I was the happiest dog around.

Printable SuperBowl Squares 2014

2014-01-20T21:10:00.000-05:00

If your favorite NFL team is a factory of sadness, run by the three stooges, or you just don't care about football, then you may not be looking forward to the Super Bowl. Well, you can make watching the big game more exciting by playing Super Bowl Squares. Learn how to play Super Bowl Squares by watching this quick video tutorial:

There are two versions of the game included in this spreadsheet. If you're old fashioned you can use the printable version, just print it off and write everything down with a pen, otherwise use the Excel version.

Download the 2014 Super Bowl Squares Template.

2013 College Football Bowl Prediction Pool Manager Excel

2013-12-09T19:39:00.002-05:00

I've created a 2013 College Football Bowl Prediction Pool Manager Excel file that is now available to download for free. There are two files: the college bowl pool manager and the player entry form. The spreadsheet contains the complete 2013 NCAA CFB bowl schedule including the time and TV station for every single bowl game. I also added the football helmets for every team so those players who don’t really follow college football can pick a winner based on which helmet design they like better!

Check out the Football Bowl Prediction Pool Manager here.

Baby Item Checklist

2013-10-27T17:05:00.000-04:00

As you know, we're expecting our first child soon. The baby's room is finally finished, all painted, furniture installed, shelves stocked with baby books and decorated. There's been so many things to do, so to keep it all organized I made an Excel spreadsheet. There's actually four different sheets with lists like Things to do before/after the baby is born, what to pack for the hospital, and a registry checklist. I've made a blank template of my Baby item checklist available to download for free for you new parents reading this.

Also, I recently signed up for Amazon Mom. I was excited when I purchased 234 diapers worth $50 for only $10! Then I was a little bit sad because I realized this is my life now. For those that don’t know, Amazon Mom (a subset of the awesome Amazon Prime) is a free membership program created especially for parents and caretakers of small children. By signing up now you can take advantage of three months of FREE Two-Day Shipping, 20% off diapers and wipes, and other promotions geared toward new parents.

All My Friends Are Dead

2013-10-24T19:18:00.000-04:00

All Mr Friends Are Dead is one of the most bizarre children's books you'll ever read. It goes something like this: If you're a dinosaur, all of your friends are dead. If you're a pirate, all of your friends have scurvy. If you're a tree, all of your friends are end tables.

And don't forget to check out the sequel, All My Friends Are Still Dead.

Best Breaking Bad Finale Tweets

2013-09-29T23:39:00.003-04:00

Breaking Bad, the best show on television, has sadly come to an end. Here are some of the best Tweets, Facebook comments, and memes about the Breaking Bad series finale. (Spoiler alerts obviously).

@deantrippe Not sure I should've let my son stay up for the Breaking Bad finale. He's loved the show so much, but he has kindergarten in the morning.
@BadAstronomer I’m thinking about finally watching Breaking Bad. Is tonight a good night to start? Did I miss much?
Friend 1: SPOILER ALERT: Walt turns himself in and has to do 100 hours of community service with the DARE program. So lame.
Friend 2 Reply: Even that ending would have been better than the dexter finale
"Watching Breaking Bad finale is like saying goodbye to an old friend. A meth dealing, murdering, psycho old friend, but old friend anyway."
Breaking Bad spoiler: TOO MANY COMMERCIALS
I found someone who wasn't totally satisfied with the Breaking Bad finale. pic.twitter.com/HUMmP456gV
@MrAlanSpencer “Breaking Bad” was basically about what happens if you underpay your teachers and don’t allow healthcare reform. #BreakingObama
Granted that was the first Breaking Bad episode I've ever seen but I didn't think it was that funny
I would start smoking crystal meth for another season of Breaking Bad
The biggest thing left unanswered on Breaking Bad is why Jimmy Kimmel on Talking Bad
Breaking Bad Spoiler: If you're not caught up on Breaking Bad it's your own fault if someone spoils it for you
Skylar gets lung cancer from so much smoking, starts cooking meth. Breaking Bad 2: Skysenberg
‏@bobpowers1 We didn't see a doctor check Walt's pulse, look at someone in the room and shake his head no. GREAT, ANOTHER AMBIGUOUS ENDING.
‏I can't believe Breaking Bad ends with a big choreographed dance number featuring the whole cast I did not see that coming.
The finale of #BreakingBad did what #DexterFinale couldn't do, ie. have an ending that wasn't absolutely retarded involving loggers.
Walt didn't leave any money to Holly because she'd just put it in her mouth. She's a baby
It was all a cautionary tale about artificial sweeteners

Best Cleveland Browns Tweets

2013-09-18T22:06:00.000-04:00

In a shocking move (well kind-of but not really) the Cleveland Browns traded away their best player, 3rd round pick Trent Richardson, to the Colts, signaling they are already giving up on this season after an 0-2. Fans took to Twitter to vent their frustrations with the #factoryofsadness and below are my favorite funny Tweets about the Browns.

@ESPN_Colin: The Browns offense, and this was inconceivable a day ago, just got less interesting.
@_Happy_Gilmore: Cleveland Browns fall for the old "Trade us your best player and we'll give you the winning Powerball numbers" trick.
@Kris10Guy: Being a Browns fan is like sticking your hand in a blender & hoping for the best when you already know the outcome
@ShooterMcGavin: BREAKING: The remainder of Cleveland Browns games will be aired on Comedy Central
@SportsNation: "HEY! We're still better than the Jaguars, you guys" - Browns management
@TheFakeESPN: Willis McGahee hears Browns interested, calls Saul Goodman from Breaking Bad to see if he knows a guy that can help him disappear.
@dmansworld474: Your move, Jacksonville. #browns #jags
@HubbuchNYP: Great news, Browns fans! You’re going to have a lot of high picks in a deep draft. Horrible news, Browns fans! Mike Lombardi is picking.
@TBone971: Guys who are still Browns: Oneil Cousins, Buster Skrine, Greg Little. Guys who aren't #Browns : Trent Richardson.
@TheFakeESPN: Browns trade Trent Richardson to Colts, marking the biggest release from captivity in Cleveland since Amanda Berry.
‏@FunSkipBayless BREAKING: Trent Richardson just broke his own 40yrd dash record and all of Usain Bolt's world records, when he ran out of Browns facilities.
@datageneral: The @Browns had to trade Trent Richardson because he didn't fit into their system of being terrible at football.
@HJonesin: The browns just traded Joe Haden for a plate of nachos and a 2007 #witness tee shirt

@Cole4X_mas21 Cleveland browns even clearing cap room to get Lebron in 2014!

Download a 2013 NFL Helmet schedule spreadsheet

2013 NCAA Helmet Schedule Excel

2013-08-26T22:52:00.000-04:00

I finished putting together the 2013 NCAA Helmet Schedule Excel file, just in time for the start of the college football season! All eleven of the conferences are accounted for including every team.

Download the 2013 NCAA Helmet Schedule Excel file here.

2013 NFL Schedule in Excel

2013-07-25T22:33:00.000-04:00

On my Excel Spreadsheets Help blog I you can now download the 2013 NFL Schedule in Excel with helmet logos. This is a great spreadsheet for you fantasy football fans. Speaking of which, if you love fantasy football like I do, I thought I'd let you know about Fantasy Football Commissioner on CBSSports.com. It's where serious players go in order to step up the competition - and the fun.

CBSSports.com has been running fantasy leagues for almost 20 years, so you know it's reliable. Plus, the Commissioner game is jam-packed with over 1,000 customization options, in-depth news coverage and a top-notch mobile app. You don't just have to take my word for it. In the last couple years CBSSports.com has won awards for having the best fantasy game, league manager, mobile app and player rankings.

This is simply the best way to experience Fantasy Football with a group of your friends. Commissioner lets you easily setup a league and customize it anyway your league sees fit - the draft, schedule, scoring system, transaction rules, and just about anything else your league could ever want. Commissioner also gives your league incredible trash-talking tools including a league message board, a chat room, and even lets you post your own news stories with pictures and videos.

Since we're talking about football here, I'm also incredibly excited for Madden NFL 25 Anniversary Edition. I absolutely cannot wait for this to be released on August 27th, 2013! Each Anniversary Edition game includes a special code giving you the opportunity to unlock a special, 2013 regular season (17 weeks) trial of NFL Sunday Ticket on computer, tablet, and mobile devices. How cool is that? I’ve got mine pre-ordered - do you?

Observation Wheels Now Published

2013-07-23T22:45:00.002-04:00

To go along with my new website about observation wheels I have published a new book called Observation Wheels: Guide to the World's Largest Ferris Wheels. Check out the description and a preview on Amazon.com:

It's a boy!

2013-05-27T20:10:00.002-04:00

My wife created some clever pictures to announce our baby on Facebook.

The Adventures of Our Suitcase

2013-05-14T20:03:00.000-04:00

Our suitcase had quite the adventure when we went on our Disney cruise last month. If you don't know, when staying at a Disney resort they send you a ribbon in the mail to attach to your suitcase so you don't have to worry about picking it up at baggage claim in the airport. We checked our suitcase at the Columbus airport at 11:30am Wednesday morning (our flight was at 1:30pm). We didn’t see it again until two minutes after we entered our room at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge resort around 5:00pm. We had to wake up at 7:30am on Thursday because they picked up our suitcase at 8am to take to the cruise ship. The bus didn’t come to pick us up until 11:45am. We didn’t see our suitcase again until it appeared outside our stateroom on the boat at 5:00pm. We were a little bit worried because for this drop off because we had already set sail and still had not gotten our bag and it seemed as if every other room in our hallway had gotten theirs already. But the largest amount of time we would go without seeing our luggage was yet to come. We were informed we had to have our bag packed, tagged, and outside of our stateroom by 10:30pm on Saturday night. Our flight didn’t leave until 12:30 Sunday afternoon. We didn’t lay eyes on our suitcase again until standing at the baggage claim in Columbus at 5:30pm on Sunday night!

On one hand, it’s nice not to have to carry the suitcase everyone but on the other it is almost more stressful wondering if the bag is going to make it to the correct destination on time - there is almost no room for error in this system!

GateKeeper Media Day

2013-05-09T22:53:00.001-04:00

A few quick photos from media day for Cedar Point's GateKeeper:

Disney Cruise Montage Video

2013-04-28T21:54:00.000-04:00

We went on a cruise ot the Bahamas aboard the Disney Dream last week. Below is the video montage I put together. Would love to hear what you think about it!