Puyallup Fair

It is at a fair that man can be drunk forever on liquor, love, or fights; at a fair that your front pocket can be picked by a trotting horse looking for sugar, and your hind pocket by a thief looking for his fortune.
-- E. B. White

Saturday, September 22, 2001
Two years ago: Epinions
Three years ago: Event Horizon

To the fair! This happened, or, that is, we decided to go, because Jack's daughter H---- got a free ticket at school. I think the terrorist attacks have hurt attendance, so they are papering the house. I'd seen that by buying tickets ahead of time at Safeway, we could get a bit of a discount and a free ride to the fair from some of the Metro Park-and-Ride. Thus, we wouldn't have to pay for parking at the fairgrounds!

We drove south, looking for the Federal Way PnR. Surely it was near the freeway exit? We knew the address. But somehow, we couldn't see it. Argh! And of course, we were pushing it on the timing, and if we missed the bus we'd have to wait an hour. I held up very well under Jack directing my driving, and we drove down the hill into the valley and looked for Auburn. We had a bit more time until the bus was due to arrive at that Park and ride, and that would be the last stop before the fair -- a shorter trip.

"This all looks so different now!" said Jack. Well, it has been twenty years since he drove delivery trucks in this valley. What was fields or auto wrecking yards is now strip malls. We found the park and ride, and waited for the free shuttle, along with many other folks. good thing there was a metro supervisor, and an extra bus came along, or we'd have been very disgruntled.

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We hopped off the the bus and entered the grounds. This fair is a commercial enterprise, not for charity or anything, and it's not the state or county fair. The formal name for the group that puts it on is the Western Washington Fair Association. I guess they wanted to promote their region.

Our first stop was the hall with all the vendors. I was in the market for jewelry cleaner; I'd regretted not buying some at the West Seattle street fair when we'd first moved to our new place. I'm wearing my engagement ring most of the time, now, and it needs cleaning.

We perused the home arts (handcrafts and cooking) and art show. I liked looking at the quilts and slices of cake, but the art and photography weren't my thing. It's just not unique enough; I could see an art show anywhere.

I managed to buy some sunscreen (forgotten at home, and I needed it!). We wandered by the political booths and ran into Jacqueline Passey, former chair of Vikingcon. She's now devoted to the Libertarian Party and has gafiated from sf fandom. Jack shares some views with the party, but doesn't want to be a registered Libertarian. He did change his address for voter registration, though.

Jack, H--- and I all had scones, and I bought a box of taffy. It just seems like it tastes better when freshly made! Jack and I split a big onion burger, apparently a traditional fair favorite (like the scones).

Non-food-wise, Jack went on the old wooden rollercoaster and took some digital video, and H--- spent some of her money on the lame-ass games. I guess she enjoyed them, but I don't understand it!

The only animal exhibits we visited were "Animals of the world," which is exotic animals raised locally. They had yaks, Scottish Highland cattle, pygmy goats, and so on. Jack got quite close to a llama, but didn't get spat upon.

H--- and I visited the Venus Experience exhibit, which was some sort of marketing tool. They had odd aromatherapy things to sniff, and textures to stick your hand in and touch, all to make it a sensual experience. H---- and I had our digital picture taken together (see above). We ended up with a coupon for one dollar off a Venus razor. Hmmph.

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By this time, Jack was getting warm and dehydrated, and the fair was getting quite crowded, so we left. I don't know if taking the bus was a good idea, or not; it was quite stuffy and hot on the ride to auburn. Did this mode of transport add more stress than it was worth?

Shortly after we got home, H--- asked me for a ride to the library. She'd finished the book she'd been reading, and it was overdue. (I'd suggested some time ago that she could renew it online, but...) So I dragged myself from the couch. Library trips should be encouraged, I think!

I was pleased to find that a book I'd requested was on hold for me! Albion's Seed had been mentioned on the Heyerlist, both for explaining oldfashioned concepts of honor that are significant in the book we are reading, and for explaining the conflicts in American culture between individual liberty, and making others do what we want.

This was my first time requesting a book from another branch online and picking it up. What fun! and no having to write it down and remember it. I want to make a habit of this.

Plus, we found out that H--- didn't owe any fines because it was a youth book. Seattle Public Library wisely wants to encourage younger readers!

For dinner, we had chicken soup, with leftover potatoes and canned chicken, but with fresh parsely. very tasty!

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I went to the fair with Jack when we were first dating. I like the quote that I used then, so I'll use it again!