> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.vjarmy.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# One Last 2007 Story
- URL: https://www.vjarmy.com/one-last-2007-story/
- Published: 2007-12-31T16:46:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-02-08T16:47:16.000Z
- Description: An anecdote to end the year.
- Author: Dan Dickinson
- Tags: Anecdotes

In lieu of my traditional end of year posts, I instead offer an anecdote I offered a friend when summarizing my year, one that was left out of the [relevant post](https://www.vjarmy.com/last-train-to-astroland/):

> On September 9th, around 3 PM, I went on the Cyclone at Coney. It was the last day that Astroland was going to be in existence; I had already seen the Zipper get driven away. In an effort to get the ride finished sooner (always hate the lines!), I opted for the last car – which I would be sharing with someone else. Someone considerably larger than me.  
>  
> Sure enough, I had forgotten everything I had ever been told (NEVER RIDE THE LAST CAR) in a wave of nostalgia.  
>  
> The first 30 seconds were fantastic, even as my back was reeling and my chest was crunching into the bar as we free-fell over and over again. Then we hit a sharp turn and my seatmate slammed into me, nearly breaking my ribs. It wasn’t much fun anymore, it was just pain – so I braced myself to avoid a repeat, and held on for the remainder of the ride.  
>  
> I got off, collected my bag – cursing myself for deciding to lug all of my lenses and a monopod with me that day. It hurt enough to nearly bring me to tears, but not nearly enough to have me call an ambulance. At the same time – that was going to be my closing memory on Coney Island? I was livid in my pain – walked onto the beach, shot a 270° panorama, and hobbled to the train home.  
>  
> It would hurt to breathe for the next week, and the pain would continue for about three weeks – and I think it ended right around the time they announced that, surprise, Astroland will be open again next year!  
>  
> 2007 is all right there – the joy, the pain that makes you wince, the regret and the stupid dramatic twist at the end.  
>  
> Rollercoaster of a year, indeed.