So I'm at the Texas State Fair yesterday, in Dallas

[jobycom]

and I'm walking buy a barker for some carnival game or other, and he's shouting out his spiel, and some guy yells out "It costs FIVE DOLLARS!"

The barker yells back "Five Dollars. Welcome to the Bush economy!"

This is in Dallas, home of the Yuppie Texan and future site of the George W Bush Presidential Library. Think he's got an image problem?

[midnight]

1. That is funny.

[prayin4rain]

2. i haven't been to the fair yet this year... how was it?? n/t

[jobycom]

4. I had a blast, mostly.

It seemed more expensive, but it was thriving. It was less crowded than when I went last year, and I heard a few people say that the overall numbers bear that out. But it was still crowded, lots of good entertainment on the Esplanade, and most of the same things you'd expect. I watched a Hawaiian dance group perform some modern takeoffs on traditional dances--I have no idea how original it was, but it was funny. And they have a garden-landscape theme, so that all over the west side they have small landscape displays from various companies that was interesting.

The new fried foods weren't as good. The winner this year was chicken-fried bacon--I'd have skipped that even if I wasn't vegetarian. They had a dish called "Fire and Ice" that was deep fried frozen pineapple with frozen strawberry sauce and whipped cream. Sounds better than it was. They had a deep fried banana split, but I didn't try it. I think they are running out of things to fry.

They had a baby llama in the "Children's Barn" that was one of the most adorable things I've seen in a while. He was born on September 26, they said, so I guess he was born at the fair. My nine year old got him to eat out of her hand, and by her expression, I don't think she'll forget that for a few decades.

I combined the trip with the Impressionists exhibit at the Kimbell and the Tut exhibit, so it was an expensive but exciting couple of days.

[prayin4rain]

9. wow cool thanks for the review!!! i can't wait to see king tut either!! n/t

[jobycom]

11. King Tut was cool, but a little bit like a Led Zepplin reunion tour.

Back in the 70s the big Tut tour had a lot more of the glitzy items, like the funeral mask, and it also had a lot more of the everyday stuff from his tomb. I remember wanted to become an Egyptologist after that exhibit, because of the way the museum had laid out the evidence of ancient Egyptian life. I remember learning how Tut would have eaten, how he slept, how he lived.

This was a very impressive collection of artifacts, and there were some of breathtaking beauty, and there was definitely a sense of history of Tut and his kingship, but at the same time, I felt like it was all geared towards popularity, rather than being as genuine an educational effort. Kind of like seeing Led Zepplin. If you saw them in the 70s, you saw the cutting edge of rock music creativity, and experienced first hand the genius of their work. If you saw them today, you'd see a replay of hits with historical significance and wonderful musical skill, but it would not be the same cutting edge cultural experience as back then.

That's how I felt here. It was an incredible display, but more of a greatest hits archeological exhibit, and less of a complete education on the archeological knowledge of King Tut. Even the brief historical summaries they offered seemed written to arouse interest and mystery, rather than inform.

Then again, maybe I've had too much education in history to step back and enjoy it. :) It was easily worth the time and money, but I wanted a lot more.

The Impressionists, though... Now that was worth it. My kids had to finally drag me out of it, as they got tired of my pointing out brush strokes of Van Gogh or abstract lighting techniques of Money--things I barely understand, anyway! They laughed at me at one point because I got so excited pointing out something in a Money painting of Venice that a security guard politely requested that I maintain a twelve inch perimeter around the painting. I suddenly realized I had been almost touching the canvas!

Anyway, two further reviews, and you don't even have to pay!

[prayin4rain]

12. awesome thanks again! I saw the Ramseys exhibit when I was in the 7th grade

and i was wondering if King Tut would be as good. I'm excited!

I want to go see the Impressionists too! Yeah! you've reminded me of three fun things I can plan on doing :)

[Red_Viking]

3. Longhorns FTW!

Sorry to threadjack, but I have to gloat just a little. While I hope the goodness lasts, I'm enjoying the #1 spot as much as I can.

Five dollars to play a carnival game. Agh! How much were the fried Twinkies? :P

[jobycom]

6. Wasn't that a game?

I didn't try the Twinkies this time. The "Elvis" was five bucks, as was the "Fire and Ice." Sodas were three bucks. We ate before we got there, and left hungry, having sampled only a couple of things. :)

I missed the second half of the Longhorns game, but even the first half was exciting. I had the idea at half time they had a good chance to win. They had brought OU under control and were moving the ball well. Missouri should be a great test.

[RadicalTexan]

7. Oklahoma State beat Missouri

in a surprise win Saturday night, taking a little pressure off us for Saturday's game against Mizzou here in Austin.

Ooooooh. Number one. Whoah.

Also, Brent Mooseburger can bite me.

[jobycom]

8. Yeah, but that makes them dangerous. They are out to prove something

and now Texas has already proven it. Dangerous game. Should be good!

[RadicalTexan]

5. I have been to every Texas State Fair since I can remember (which is about 1981)

with the exception of the years I lived abroad, 2001-2004.

I am going on Friday. Can't wait.

Also, Hook Em!

[DemoTex]

10. Don't let Lindsey Graham hear "It costs FIVE DOLLARS!"

Graham might think he means "five rugs for five dollars" and trample people to get to the front of the line.

:rofl:

[Flying Dream Blues]

13. I was there, too, Jobycom--didn't get to see much of the fair, but what a GREAT game!! nt