Nashville, TN

Here’s a few words and incomplete sentences (in no particular order) that come to mind when I think back on my trip to the Wilson County Fair on Saturday night:

Carnies

Funnel cake (that was a given)

Rain

Mullets

Demolition Derby

Racist remark made over loudspeaker at demolition derby

Crowd roars in celebration of racist remark

My jaw dropping in shock at racist remark

“I was expecting the demolition derby to be more like Monster Truck Rally”, to which I was told, “then it would have been called Monster Truck Rally”

getting told.

Smallest woman ever rip-off

Seeing ‘smallest woman ever’ in the funnel cake line. (I want my dollar back)

Biggest console ever

Talking biggest-console-ever: “Aaagghh…I’m scary Console Man…” (you had to be there)

Good company

Lots of laughing

digestive pain from funnel cake

motion sickness

Side trip to Lebanon square to visit the Yeddie Head. Yup, still there.

I can hardly wait for the state fair in a couple of weeks! If it’s half as good as the Wilson Count fair AND half as hot, I’m already as good as there.

Anybody else want to share highlights from YOUR trip to the fair? Please proceed in the comments section…

Last night I got to live like a true Nashvillian and enjoy the perks of living in THE Music City.

I went to a free street concert hosted by Capitol Records on Music Row. They had literally blocked off the stretch of Demonbreun from Tin Roof to the roundabout, set up a stage, and set Dirks Bentley loose on us. It was awesome.

I think people who don’t live in Nashville think that people who live in Nashville do this all the time. That this is just what happens on any and every given week night. Yah - the stars just come out and set up their lights and sounds system and just start jamming. Well, I’m here to tell you…they sorta do.

And that is reason #57 why I heart my hometown.

Two words. Funnel cake.

That’s really all you  need to know, right?

Oh, and where to get it. Right. The Wilson County fair is alive and kickin’ this week through Saturday the 25th. I know it’s hot folks, but come on. Funnel cake.

I’ve never been to this particular fair, but I’ve heard good things. I’ve heard it’s clean - which is something uniquely worth making the 40 mile one-way trip out to Lebanon to verify. I normally regard Lebanon about as likely a place to visit as the middle-eastern country of the same name, so the very fact that I am not only planning to go on Saturday, but also recommending it to you, is an historical record indeed.

Again. Funnel cake.

I’m actually not a fan of rollercoasters, or isolated heights in general, so my interest in this fair has nothing to do with the traditional mode of entertainment normally sought at a county fair. I, instead, am drawn to the opportunity to capture the nostalgia of such an event on my super sweet Canon 30D. That’s all. Oh, and funnel cake.

So if you’re interested - come on out on Saturday and try to find me. It shouldn’t be too hard. I will be the one (a) not on a ride, (b) taking pictures with the most beautiful camera in existence, and (c) eating funnel cake. It’s like Where’s Waldo, only I’m giving away clues. And possible a funnel cake, if you find me.

Or if you can’t come on Saturday, there’s always tonight, Wednesday night, Thursday night, and Friday night. All nights sell funnel cake. (because I know that was your next question).

Where: James E. Ward Agricultural Center, 945 Baddour Parkway, Lebanon

When: August 17 - 25

How much: Kids $3 (under 5, free); Adults $6

Why: funnel cake.

The Nashville Predators are hosting a Save our Team rally today at the Sommet Center.

Get on out there for food, fun, and fan-slaving. And while you’re out there, don’t be afraid to chain yourself to the team as the proverbial wrecking ball falls in full swing down the center of our crumbling hopes of keeping the Preds in town. I, unfortunately, cannot make it. Although I would have no problem chaining myself to this. Or this.

Alright, during yesterday’s comments regarding “where are all the single people?” (answer: not in Nashville), I noticed a little snarkiness over one of our local Dining Experience du jours.

I have to ask: what exactly is everyone’s beef with Cabana?

No, I’m not a regular who sits at the 5:00 bar, sweeping in and ordering up, “Tony! My regular!”

Yes, I’ve eaten there once or twice. It was good. A little more than I like to drop on one meal, but tasty. A fine, casual, breezy dining encounter.

Dare I ask again, what’s your beef with Cabana? Seriously, if there is a reason I need to dislike this place, just let me know what it is. I can be persuaded…even bribed. But as it stands, I’d recommend it to people I like.

I need to know so I’m gonna do a quick poll:

Best barbecue in Nashville?

I have a few in mind, and have a new partial-fav. But as always, I want to hear from you.

Call me co-dependent.

Another Fourth of July come and gone. I didn’t do anything big this year - no cookouts, no traveling, no major family get-togethers. It was just like a bonus Saturday, two days before Saturday. I made M&M pancakes - my specialty, and then laid out at the pool with a friend. Then I took my roommate by a townhouse I am considering buying. I did some light shopping which I decided to call pre-major-life-decision-(buying a house and signing my life away)-shopping. After that happens, I doubt I’ll be doing much ‘dropping by the mall to pick up those $60 shoes I’ve had my eye on.’ But I’m excited about it.

After church, my friends and I walked down one of the Brentwood biking trails that leads to Crockett Park. Crockett Park always gives a pretty decent fireworks show on the Fourth. It’s a nice alternative to fighting the crowds downtown, though I bet the downtown firecrackers are a bit more spectacular. These were very nice though, and I as I sat and watched them go off above me, my mind drifted from thoughts on war and freedom, to my grandfather who fought in WWII, to my dad who served in the air force, and then on to some random thought about life and how blessed I am to be sitting there enjoying this beautiful light show.

And then bugs started biting me and sweat started dripping, and the grass and allergens got into my sinuses, and thus the magic was over.

How do you describe to someone how or why you love Nashville?

I was talking with a girl I just met who moved here from Arizona just a couple of weeks ago. She loved her previous town and said she really wants to love Nashville, but she’s not sure yet why she should.

I understand these things take time. A city usually has to grow on you. Like a long-time friend, it will have it’s flaws, but you will love them despite their flaws because you know their heart and you have built a history with them.

I tried offering to her some of Nashville’s finer cultural points as reasons she will love this city. But honestly, if felt so shallow. There are so many reasons to love this place, and yet I couldn’t really word it in a meaningful way.

What would you have said?