Just a City Girl

Last week, we went to our annual county fair.  This is a yearly tradition for us that dates back to before we even lived in this county.  There's something about a hot, sticky night, gyros and funnel cakes, and seeing live animals up close that just makes for a perfect summer night. 

While there, I experienced something that I have never experienced before-a demolition derby.  Being raised fairly close to the city of Pittsburgh, a night out for us was to see some theater, eat out at a nice restaurant by the river, or ride the incline to Mt. Washington.  It was not going to a demolition derby.  Marrying a car guy (have I ever mentioned that Remodel Man has an addiction to cars???), you would think I would have been taken to one by this point, but Remodel Man loves cars...not the demolition of them. 

Remodel Man thought it would be cool to see this, so we trudged over to the derby arena.  I was at first fasincated, then horrified, and then sad.  My fascination stemmed from the "rules" of the "game."  I asked a million questions of Remodel Man, attempting to whisper them so none of the country folk would think me daft.   I was fascinated by the firefighters (most likely volunteers) who stood guard and put out car fires.  The derby began and the horror of it hit me fully.  "Those poor cars!" I'd gasp.  I shrieked and covered my eyes (peeking through my fingers, of course) and worried about these cars and their drivers.  At one point, a car rode up over another and landed on its driver side.  The crowd cheered; I felt sick.  I just kept saying to  Remodel Man, "This is horrible!  What a horrible thing to do!"  Then, as one by one the cars were pushed to the side and only a couple remained, I felt so sad.  I know cars have no souls, they are not human, etc., but I am sentimental.  I was traumatized when I sold the very first car I ever owned.  Then, when my second car was totalled in an accident (not my fault), I was so sad to say goodbye.  And I've seen and teared up to Herb.ie Fully Lo.aded far more times than I'd like to admit.  I just couldn't help think of all the memories people had of these cars that were smashing one another to bits. 

I just didn't get it.  But I looked around the stands to see smiling faces and hear the cheering of the crowds.  They loved it.  And I still don't get it.  I guess I am just a city girl through and through. 

Comments

[Martial Arts Mom]

Maybe they were cheering because these cars proved themselves to be more of the "Christine" persuasion than the "Herbie" persuasion! LOL Seriously, I have sentimental attachment to inanimate objects, too. (Wow, that sounds dirty, doesn't it? LOL - I don't mean it THAT way.) But I cried when I took my first car to the junkyard and when I traded my other one in for my current car. It does sound silly - unless it's happening to you!

[amber]

I grew up going to them. I guess when you are little you don't question it. As an adult I think it dangerous and just wasteful. I think these types of things could only have developed in America. Who, speaking in broad generalizations, love to take risks and are well...wasteful.

I love sumer nights and county fairs.

[amber]

I grew up going to them. I guess when you are little you don't question it. As an adult I think it dangerous and just wasteful. I think these types of things could only have developed in America. Who, speaking in broad generalizations, love to take risks and are well...wasteful.

I love sumer nights and county fairs.