in all fair-ness

In all fairness, I didn't tell him...

One night last week we were supposed to have a meeting at work, but when I found out it was cancelled I asked Blaine if he wanted to go to the fair.  When he agreed I decided I would slip out of work a few minutes early in hopes of picking up Blaine and leaving the house earlier, which would allow us to miss some of the traffic, get to the fair earlier, and ultimately get home earlier (afterall it was a weeknight).  Well, when I pulled into the driveway I realized Blaine was not home.  I called him on his cell and said, "Ummm....where are you?!" in a slightly impatient tone.  He said, "Sportsmans Warehouse," and asked me why I was home already.  I then realized I neglected to tell him my meeting was cancelled.  Therefore, it would be wrong to be upset about him not being home, because in his mind, he was just using his time wisely.

In all fairness, I am bigger older now... 

Getting older means gaining new perspective.  Gone are the days when the long lines of traffic leading to the fairgrounds add to the excitement and anticipation of what lies beyond the entrance.  Those were the days when you would talk about who else you might see while you're there, the rides you would ride, the games you would play and how much food you would eat.  Now, the things that come to mind while sitting in those long lines of traffic are: where will you park, what will you eat and how many pounds that might pack on, how much it will all cost, whether you are dressed appropriately for the weather, if you might get home at a reasonable hour since you have to work tomorrow, and for me, how I will sanitize my hands before I eat.

In all fairness, he came through...

Once Blaine got home from Sportsmans Warehouse we got in the car and headed towards the fair.  We were a few miles from the fairgrounds when we encountered significant traffic.  So while we were sitting there in line Blaine told me he arranged parking for us.  Still slightly miffed by the fact that he wasn't at home and ready to go when I got there (yes, I realize it is my fault for not telling him about the cancelled meeting) I told him it didn't matter because everyone could park for free in the fairgrounds lot.  As we finally made our way to where we could see the fair entrance the frighteningly long lines to the entrance Blaine pointed in the direction of the lot where he arranged our parking.  I pulled into the lot and quickly realized we had hit the fair parking jackpot.  We ended up in a lot that backed up to several rides and we were able to walk right into the fair, rather than wait in what appeared to be the longest line I've ever seen.

In all fairness, it wasn't completely terrible...

As if we didn't have enough potentially artery clogging options to choose from, the "food" vendors at the fair this year decided to add  this little gem to the assortment of unhealthy choices:  the Doughnut Burger. 

Yes, this means instead of regular hamburger buns, doughnuts would be the "bread" of choice for hamburgers this year at the fair.  And the doughnut of choice...none other than Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.  And yes, my husband was dying to have one.  Er go: this expression... while he patiently waited for his special treat  (actually, this was not his initial expression...he was slightly embarrassed by the fact that I was taking his picture, so this is the one taken after I told him to "look excited"):

And proof that he ate it is right here, the first bite.  He was so pleased with the taste of this fair masterpiece, he let out a "hell yeah" (quietly) as if he had just conquered a difficult task.

and look closely at the "bun"

So, just so I could say I tried it, I took a bite.  Here is my critique:  If you went to Waffle House and ordered a hamburger patty and mixed it with an assortment of other ingredients and sprinkled all of them with sugar, you have mastered the flavors of the Doughnut Burger.

In all fairness, it is fungus made in a caboose.

While Blaine's plan was to indulge in the Doughnut Burger, my food of choice was fried mushrooms.  It took quite a bit of searching and walking in a few circles before we finally found a vendor selling these little fried hunks of goodness. 

For those of you who detest mushrooms, this does not excite you I'm sure.  (I have a theory about people who like mushrooms; therefore, I also have a theory about those of you who do not like mushrooms...so I can only let you in on that secret if you actually like them, too.) 

After Blaine got this shot of me holding my coveted fair fried mushrooms I dug right in...only to be somewhat disappointed.  They were not nearly as good as I remember them being.  I chalk my disappoinment up to the fact that either the food was never that good and I've gotten older and now have the wisdom to realize it, or that it's because it was fungus cooked in a caboose.

In all fairness, young or old, good food or bad mediocre food, the South Carolina State Fair is definitely a great way to kick off the fall season.