Saturday, September 8, 2007

Voting News


Just returned from the WNC State Fair and at the Democratic booth they were holding a straw poll for the primary. Our lot is not in keeping with Western North Carolinian Dems, it seems. Hillary had more votes than the rest of the candidates combined by a long shot. Edwards was next, Obama third. I cast the lone vote for Dennis.

In other State Fair news, I was reminded that I am really in the South, as the Sons of the Confederacy were well represented. Fair food seems to be the same across regions, however: funnel cakes, Sno-Kones and corn dogs. Which is weird, when you think about it. Here's the place we're promoting our region's agriculture ... wouldn't it make sense to have a regional diet based on that agriculture represented?

And have I mentioned that my son has discovered thrill rides this summer and can't get enough of them -- nor can they be dangerous enough? What happened to my shy kid who wouldn't even go on the kiddy rides two years ago? Now he's happy if he's barely strapped into a contraption hanging upside-down as far up in the sky as he can get while twirling in strange formations.

12 comments:

Terri said...

My kids did the same thing - I think it is some developmental process of becoming an independent person by overcoming fears. They also wanted to watch "horror" movies (most of which I despise).

They were both in middle school. Now one is out of high school, the other a sophmore, and the thrill ride and horror movie phenom is over. (at least for them)....

Jane R said...

The rides are always harder on the Mom!

Hey, I may go West for a bit during Fall Break to hide out in the mountains and write, but if so I'll go to Asheville for a day. Write me off-blog if you're going to be around. I haven't made plans yet but I'm going to in the next few weeks.

Yes, we do live in the South. It's not the Deep South, so it's mild in comparison to other states, but it does strike one in the Asheville area because it's like being in Berkeley Southeast and then all of a sudden you're no longer in the city and you're driving on the edge of town and there's a Confederate flag on the car (truck) in front of you.

pj said...

Yup. Fair food is definitely the same everywhere. My son had his first corndog this summer and he was very impressed. He doesn't do thrill rides yet, though. Can't wait for that.

Hillary. Y'know, much as I'd love a woman to be president, she's not the one I'd choose.

Diane M. Roth said...

I love the fair, but I'm not good on the Midway. My brother hates scary rides too (always has) but his kids love them! so, I'm with you.

Anonymous said...

I am so jealous! I love fried dough and corn dogs. The rides - not so much.

Am disappointed in Obama's showing. Surprised with Edwards' showing - I though most N Carolinians weren't so crazy about him. The whole thing is fascinating.

Wormwood's Doxy said...

LJ---doesn't your son have Asperger's? I ask because one of my best friend's son does, and he's a thrill ride junkie. Apparently, the shaking and twirling does something to settle his brain and make him less anxious. She used to schedule regular trips to local amusement parks to get him his roller-coaster fix...

Don't know who to support this time---I'm not wowed by any of them and it won't matter, because I'll vote Dem no matter what, and it will already be decided by the time they get to us.

(Sorry position for a former political scientist to take, isn't it?)

lauraj said...

Doxy, interesting about your friend's kid. Yeah, my guy is not asperger's but somewhere down the same spectrum, as they say. I was thinking, as he twirled over my head with a grin from ear to ear, that it reminded me of the hours and hours of therapy I used to take him to. Lots of spinning. I always thought it was weird, but it definitely helped him.

Yeah, I just can't get really worked up about any of the candidates. I was about Obama for a while, but he seems slicker by the minute. Hillary is not my vote-getter either because of her Iraq votes and her divisiveness (per Jan). I love Dennis, but I think he has about the equivalent of a snow ball's chance in hell. So, like Doxy, I'll pull the dem lever whoever is there. How's that for enthusiasm?

Diane M. Roth said...

I'm kind of sad about Obama though. I really liked his first book, before he became a phenom, Dreams from my Father. Maybe it's the "Will succcess spoil Rock Hunter" phenomenon.

lauraj said...

Hey Jane ... I can't find your off-blog address. I've probably looked at it five times and not seen it. Give me a hint and I'll go looking again. I'd love to see you when you're this way! Adele W. has an art show at my place of work which will be up then, too. (Not that you need to travel here to see her work, but just so you know ...)

Kirstin said...

Just was thinking about you; came by to say hi.

episcopalifem said...

That sounds like it was fun.

I'm not much for rides, but my kids like them, especially my daughgter - that one has no fear.

June Butler said...

I feel very left out, because I have never been to a state fair. But I did love the movie.

"I's a grand night for singing,
The moon is flying high...."

Someone else is flying high, too.