August 24, 2001

9:41pm

Day 2: TGIF

Today was just a tad disappointing in terms of my photojournalism. I took lots of pictures of great stuff (or so I thought), but a good majority of it didn't turn out. But, that's what makes it kind of fun, I suppose--the waiting, the hunt... Every so often you capture a moment, a slice of time and it's something competely real. Grandparents, kids, lovers... There is so much positive juice in the air... Just positive juice.

The picture doesn't do this scene justice. I sat and watched while about 20 people (obviously, not all pictured here) tried to move this section of bleachers for the KSTP broadcasting booth. You know that old gag where you get a group picture, and then the photographer says, "Okay, now everyone move just a little bit to your left..." (and then the group kind of shuffles over to the left)... "too far... now just a tad bit to the right..." (and then the group kind of shuffles a bit to the right)... "not quite... just a smidge back to the left..." It was like that, endlessly back and forth. I love idiots.

Here's a mean bunch of firefighters. They forced this poor woman to Riverdance...

This little dude was just running around the fountains and getting soaking wet... The fountains are a great to watch the difference between kids and adults. Every kid has the same impulse (and, if permitted, they indulge). The adults? Yes. They restrain themselves. Absolutely. They may be hot, tired, and sore, but they restrain themselves. There's a lesson to be learned here at the fountains. Just watch.

I like finding guys like this at the fair. He just looked so natural sitting on this old time tractor. I shall call him Oliver. As I watched him, I notice Oliver was a student of the human condition. I will wear suspenders some day.

Up at Heritage Square they had an antique fire department water pumper. The kids would pump the water and it would shoot straight up in the air from the tank. Again, the picture doesn't give you the complete view, but it was fun to watch.

Limp Bisquick...

Okay, this one might be in contention for the best T-shirt. Dazed and Confused. I always think to myself about guys like this: When he got up this morning, when he put on those faded blue jeans and reached into the dresser for a shirt--did he consciously select this shirt to be ironic? Is he making a statement? Or... is he just dazed and confused?

I call this one "Yellow Seafood"...

This is one of two sweethearts playing around. The girl was sitting, sort of, in the inflatable chair and she kept falling over. Each time, though, her beau would extend a hand and 'right' her. What I like best was the fact that they were completely oblivious to everyone else around--just like they were goofing around in their own living room. And, after all, isn't that what it's all about? The State Fair should be everyone's living room. The picture's a bit blurry, but the looks on their faces says so much. This couple will make it. I predict that.

Members of the evil "Horti-CULT". Perhaps you've probably seen them in their flowing white robes, trying to sell farm-fresh eggs at the airport...

Updated 08/24/01, bjl