Friday, August 20, 2010
Nora at the State Fair: Day 15
Posted by Nora Spitznogle on Fri, Aug 20, 2010 at 11:46 PM
A short trip through the Fair on Day 15
This will probably go down in history as my most frustrating day at the Indiana State Fair. 87% of it was my fault.
- Nora Spitznogle
I worked late again — I seem to need at least 50 hours to do my job on a smooth week. Leaving on time for the State Fair and an upcoming fundraiser and working extra at the Red Key threw me backwards. I was dark when I pulled out of work in a rush to squeeze in some State Fair in the 90 minutes I had between then and when I had to report for my 10:00 shift at the Red Key.
I grabbed my bag with the computer and camera but somehow left my purse at work. I didn’t realize it until I tried to enter my favorite gate and reached for the media pass. The pass has magical get-you—and-your-vehicle-on-the-grounds-even-when-the-infield-parking-is-full-to-the-great-unwashed-public powers. Otherwise you get flashlight waved to the pay parking lots. Which wouldn’t be so bad if you had your purse. And wallet. And cash.
I knew that I didn’t have enough time to drive back downtown or to the Red Key to cash a check. The idea that I was going to break my streak on Day 15 flashed before my pissed off eyes.
Then I remembered that I always have an emergency $20 bill in the car. It was tucked in the bag that held a flashlight and some tools and bungie cords and gloves and a granola bar. In a compartment in the back. I turned into the Deaf School and pulled over to retrieve the $20 while the parking folks were blowing on whistles and waving flashlights at me.
I got $15 in change and a few dirty looks but was waved to a space close to the entrance. I happily paid the $8 to get in to the Fairgrounds — I’d been feeling a little guilty about getting in for free the first 15 days.
It was now 9:00.
My plan was to get an ear of corn and ride the tram.
- Nora Spitznogle
The person right in front of me got the last ear of corn. In retrospect that might have been okay.
I wound up with a hamburger from a stand at the end of Main Street. It was good and only $3.00. With another $3 for a soda I was left with $1 to pay for my 75 cent tractor tram ride. That I intended on only taking for two stops, back to the gate for my car.
- Nora Spitznogle
The driver blew right by my stop. I asked the woman working on our section how long it would take to circle back around. She thought it would take about 15 minutes. I decided to stay on and ride all of the way around and people watch.
- Nora Spitznogle
We sat the regular stop near the main gate. And sat. And sat.
- Nora Spitznogle
A State Police trooper on a golf cart visited the section in front of me. Then the police van came. It is the policy that if something happens on the tram that everyone stays put. And I’m a good little citizen so I stayed put. And enjoyed hearing the Sugarland show leaking out of the Grandstand.
- Nora Spitznogle
- Nora Spitznogle
- Nora Spitznogle
- Nora Spitznogle
I made it back around and to my gate at 10:00 — the time I was supposed to be at work.
I look forward to tomorrow’s visit — it’s sure to be better.
Fair food consumed:
Hamburger
- Nora Spitznogle
Stuff I acquired:
Ticket stubs
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