Illinois State Fair 2009

Yesterday, Steve and Bob, and Kevin and I went to the state fair. We drove in Steve's SUV, which was pretty nice, since those vehicles have large spaces for each passenger. I can understand why they are popular...even though they are immensely fuel inefficient. I guess people also cannot be asked to sit too close to other passengers, in this country, as well.

So, the four of us arrive at the fair. Kevin said he wanted to look at the farm animals. Much to my surprise, I wanted to see them, too. I'm not usually very interested in livestock, but the thought of petting a horse or a goat made me smile inside. We walk around the livestock area of the fair and we didn't see too much in the way of farm animals. Where were they? It was the running theory that since it was late in the evening (around 7:00pm), the animals were put away for the day. Bob and I did find a horse in a stable. We stroked his face and the horse tried to lick my hand. I wasn't for that at all. After the horse experience, we eventually did find sheep, goats, and pigs. I used Steve's camera to take a few pictures of a baby goat with little horns. It was simply adorable.

After the farm animals, we all decided to eat the fair equivalent of dinner. I bought this giant turkey drumstick for $6. That was a special treat. This piece of meat was huge. I think it was worth every dollar.

Once dinner was done, it was not time for the rides. I bought the first batch of ride tickets, and we were all off to the bumper-cars. Unlike the King's Island bumper car experience, these bumper cars could actually go fast and ram other passengers with some force. The ride was fun. After that Kevin, Bob, and I went on the tilt-a-whirl. While the ride was operating, Kevin and I would shift our weight to get our car spinning with great force. My head hurt because I kept hitting it on the inside on exposed metal. The head-ache was worth it.

Then I went on the space capsule by myself. This was one of those situations in which the wait for the ride was scarier than the actual duration itself. I was actually quite relaxed. I could see Kevin and Steve watching me from the ground. I waved.

Then we all went on the octopus ride. That one is always a classic. Unfortunately I began to feel nauseous. Why? I think it was because I woke up really early for a Saturday, ran on the high school track, and didn't drink enough water. Whatever the reason I realized that if the ride continue to operate I would have completely hurled only after a few more rotations. Bob felt the same way, too.

Once we were done with that ride, we all finished the day on the gondola Ferris wheel. This was a particularly awesome experience because a fireworks display was going off right next to the Ferris wheel. It was almost like we all had a close-up experience of the fireworks. It was pretty awesome. Unfortunately, my nausea was really acute on this ride, too. I really thought I would have to hang my head over the side of the gondola and empty my stomach. That didn't happen. I was extremely grateful for that nonoccurence.

On the drive back to Urbana, I depleted a water bottle by myself. I continued to feel nauseous, so I sipped carefully. I filled up the bottle when we arrived at Steve's house. I drank that bottle again. Then, when Kevin and I got home to his house, I cleaned myself up and drank two more glasses of water. Maybe I really was dehydrated.

I go to bed and try to sleep. It is now 3am and I only half-slept. So I got up and tried to relieve myself. This was particularly difficult, not because I was constipated, but because I was still nauseous! WTF? I eventually go, and I drank some more water. I finally entered sleep when I went back to bed this time. As I am re-reading this update, I have a sneaky suspicion that my nausea might have been caused by food poisoning. Maybe that tasty turkey drumstick was contaminated somehow. Who knows?

But...I did have fun at the fair. The rides were fun. The animals were cute. I think we all might be heading to King's Island again this year, too. I was under the impression that was a once-every-two-year trip, not an annual one. I'll see what happens in the future.

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