Nashville, TN

Well, it’s been almost a week, and I vaguely recall promising pictures. So here goes…

…and proof that there were carnies…(was there ever any doubt?)

…and…

..funnel cake.

Told you.

I’d also mention what the answer to yesterday’s trivia question was, but I don’t think anyone cares.

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…

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.

This one’s for the demographic that has been searching low and praying high for a local children’s biblical musical, free to the public, and conveniently located about one mile in between your pick of two main exits off 65.

That’s right, your prayers are answered.

Otter Creek Church of Christ is producing “Go Go Jonah!”, a children’s musical, tonight on their campus for one night only. Free and open to the public, and conveniently located about 1 mile north of Concord Road exit, or about 1 mile south of Old Hickory Boulevard exit off 65 on Franklin Road in Brentwood. Come and enjoy as the children of Otter Creek chronicle an important providential event in the life of a biblical hero named Jonah. Starring…….my niece JBelle!

Ok, so she’s probably not the star. But she will be to me.

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.

Last night was the first time I ever went to Movies in the Park. It is held at Centennial Park in the amphitheater. I got there a little late, just as the sun was setting, and the movie had already started. I didn’t expect that half the population of Nashville would be there, but I’m pretty sure they were. I had to park almost 1/2 a mile a way. I was very lucky to have found my two friends that I was meeting there. If it weren’t for the Ben & Jerry’s stand landmark they gave me, and the fact that they were sitting right on the outskirts of the crowd, I would have resolved to sit alone.

The movie last night was Singin’ in the Rain, and I realized as I watched, that I had never seen this movie before. I was somehow shocked at my own lack of classic pop-cultural depth. I knew I had seen the play - a high school version - some 15 years ago, but the plot was a brand new concept to me. Also, who knew Gene Kelly was hot. Yes, yes he was.

Next week is the last night of Movies in the Park. Get there early. Bring a blanket and a little spending cash for pizza, drinks and/or ice cream.