Closing Time

Semisonic - Closing Time

Day 10 of my 13th fair season.  154 consecutive days of state fair attendance.  The last time I missed a day of the Great Minnesota Get-Together, Bill Clinton was president, 9/11 hadn't happened yet and our biggest collective fear was this upcoming Y2K thing.  I was single and living alone and trying to burn up some vacation time by going to the fair every day with my brand new Kodak 2.1 mexapixel camera and posting the results on something called a "blog".  It was a fun way to amuse myself.  And then it just took on a life of its own.

Now I find myself married (thanks to the fair) with two famously stubborn basset hounds.  And a great life that's certainly more balanced than it was those many years ago.  And one that still needs a little more rebalancing.  

 

Closing time

Open all the doors and let you out into the world

 

Two nights ago I spent a perfect evening with my sweetie listening to the Jayhawks and Semisonic, followed by fireworks and a big blue moon dazzling in the sky.  

This is what going to the fair should be about.  This kind of moment.  

And so, with that revelation, I made the decision and yesterday was my last visit for the year.  The streak ends at 154 days...  I'm skipping town to spend a little time with my beautiful wife and hounds and to sip wine and nosh on s'mores by the shore of Lake Superior.  We found a little cabin that was available and allowed dogs, and that was it.  Booked it.  Gave away my remaining tickets and just spent my last day wandering around with my Mom. 

 

Closing time 

Time for you to go out to the places you will be from

 

So next year, having broken my streak, I can just start with a blank slate and do the fair any ol' which way I want to.  No blueprint or allotted days. And no streak to continue.  And I haven't really decided what to do about the blog or the pictures, but time will tell.

 

Closing time

 Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end

 

Hoist up a cold one if you're heading to the fair.  I'll be with you in spirit.  It's a little weird getting up early, packing the car, and driving away from my house so close the fair.  And heading up north where it's quiet and cool while a hundred thousand people parade through my neighborhood.  But we'll be home in a day and as soon as the trucks and equipment clear out, we'll head back to the fairgrounds to take our walks amid deserted streets, and Sammy and Maddy will find discarded scraps of pork chop bones and french fries and Elizabeth will be relieved that the sky glider is no longer gliding.  And then we'll walk back out through the entrance gates, down Midway Parkway to our little house, waiting for the leaves to fall and then the snow.  And then an even longer wait until next August, when something new will happen.

 

I know who I want to take me home.

I know who I want to take me home.

Take me home.

Comments

[Alison]

Cheers to you from a Fair fan and a fan of your photography, your story and your blog.

Congrats on a great run and thanks for sharing! I hope the countdown widget continues on your site, even if you don't make it through the gates on day 1.

-Alison