AAAAAAARRRRRRUGHA Americans!
To all my friends, Linda, Lizzytysh, eeey, tom.d.stiller, and all other Americans. Happy Fourth of July to you and your country.
Godzilla
From Your Friend
Thank you, Godzilla! I normally prefer staying home on major holidays, but I'll be braving the anticipated record numbers on the highway. Got 3 free tickets to the Daytona NASCAR races. Will go on Saturday afternoon. Races start at 7 or 8 pm [gates open at 3 pm]. Afterward, they have the jet fly-bys, with the one that drops out of formation to signify and commemorate the lost one[s]. I always cry with these things. THEN, come the fireworks, and they are reportedly MAGNIFICENT. My supervisor gave me the tickets and she's gone a number of times. Tickets are approx $100/each. They were given to her. Parking is $15-$20! I knew these were high-dollar events, but now I know why I was likely to NEVER have gone! So, I'm looking forward to experiencing the madness.
~ and for good reason, Coco! I wasn't!!!My racing experience was limited to drag/stock car while a young teenager, and then a "track"[?] race, wherein I first lay[?]/laid[?] eyes on a Ferrari, when it would drive fast around the track between races.
However, when Dale, Sr. died I mourned, as well. He brought so much to the world of racing [like Ali to boxing; Jordan and Magic to basketball; etc.] and died so young, so tragically, so unnecessarily. Not having a favourite [for obvious reasons], I aligned myself with Dale, Jr. [his son] for Saturday's race. He obviously "needs" me
attentive in the stands ~ in that, the only two times I left the stands [the restroom once and to return my rented binoculars the second], he had been in the lead, and when I returned, he wasn't even on the scoreboard of the top 9! He regained to first after the first time, but with the second, he only got back to 7th place, as it was so near the end of the race. Many there wanted him to win, and he was favoured, having won the Busch race the night before, staying in the lead for all 100 laps. That was not how it was to go for the 160-lap, Pepsi 400 race that I attended. For so many laps, it goes a lot faster than I thought it would. Only had two Caution lights. There's more strategy in driving than I'd have imagined. If I go again, I'd be interested in having/renting a scanner [which allows you to tune in to the drivers speaking to their pits crews]. Would I go again? You betcha!
I loved it! We were on the back stretch [which the track pumps up by calling it the Super Stretch 
] ~ however, I'd gladly sit there again. Up high, so view was great. "The action" [that would be spinouts and crashes 
] apparently, for whatever reason, generally happens there ~ one of each when I was there. With the height, I could see everything, yet not be inhaling exhaust fumes for 4 hours. Wearing earplugs filtered out the low roar, and made hearing the announcer's higher tones easier than when I wasn't wearing them ! The planes taking off at the Daytona Airport, behind the stands where we sat, were awesomely loud and exciting. Any close-up views could be seen [including the camera from inside the cars ~ a way-cool perspective, I must say] on the screen out in front of us on the in-field. I was told that one of the great things is that everyone there is happy and having a good time [albeit some significantly under the influence
]. I found that to be true, with everyone willing to talk to everyone, discuss their favourites, make their predictions, talk about past races and experiences, etc. It was a very friendly, upbeat, and high-energy atmosphere, with no ill-will between fans, no matter who you wanted to win [unlike some other sports, i.e. football].The two things I didn't like were the "French Fries" being listed on the price board as "American Fries." I commented on it and the person I was with said he didn't blame them. I agreed [thinking he meant France's position on Iraq] and he replied, "See if we ever help them again." Realizing that we were on opposite sides of the issue, I clarified that I didn't blame France for not supporting us in the war!
The second time we were at odds was during the opening "ceremonies"/announcements/etc. when the announcer said, "May G~d bless America!!!" to which I [rather loudly ~ both he and those around me heard] responded, "and may G~d bless every single, other country in the entire world!!!" He was a bit in disbelief that I had done that, but he got another chance to believe it, when the announcer said it again a bit later, and so did I. I've just never understood how it is that so many people are deluded into thinking that we have a special "in" with G~d!
The fireworks were magnificent! Sometimes coming from both ends of the track, it was difficult to keep up, but the greatest display was from the one end. Glorious! The weather turned out to be great. It turns out that Michigan has a major track [Detroit Speedway], where they don't use the "restrictor"[?] plates, which serve to cut speeds in half! So, instead of going 180 mph like I saw, it would be closer to 360 mph! OMG!!! I normally don't care for "big crowd" things, and I surprized myself by not just enjoying it as a "new experience," but actually loving the experience itself! Hey.....the ways we find out who and what we're all about, eh
? What next...... !?!Thanks for asking about it! By the way, I love your chick graphic!
~ Lizzytysh
Hi Lizzytysh,
This is an interesting description you have written! I have never been to any race. You made it come alive for me. I have read that NASCAR is the most popular sport/spectacle in the U.S. That more people attend these races than football, baseball, basketball, and ice hockey combined.
Sounds like you had a great time and I can just see you saying "God bless every single other country in the entire world"!!! Although, Lizzytysh, it was the Fourth of July, so perhaps we can overlook the "God Bless America" announcment. Did you eat any American Fries?
The fireworks did sound marvelous too in your account. I suppose the great thing about the fireworks was that everyone had a seat with a good view!!!
And Lizzytysh, I had to laugh when you said you liked my chick graphic. It's a duck!
This is an interesting description you have written! I have never been to any race. You made it come alive for me. I have read that NASCAR is the most popular sport/spectacle in the U.S. That more people attend these races than football, baseball, basketball, and ice hockey combined.
Sounds like you had a great time and I can just see you saying "God bless every single other country in the entire world"!!!
Although, Lizzytysh, it was the Fourth of July, so perhaps we can overlook the "God Bless America" announcment. Did you eat any American Fries? The fireworks did sound marvelous too in your account. I suppose the great thing about the fireworks was that everyone had a seat with a good view!!!
And Lizzytysh, I had to laugh when you said you liked my chick graphic. It's a duck!
~ Yeah, I had a feeling you'd call me on it. I thought it looked like a duckling, a very cute one at that, but I couldn't think of what it was called ~ that's what happens when I stay late to finish a post, and I'm due 50 miles away for an appointment. [Duckling also wouldn't have had the double entendre that chick did, so I just went for it .] I kept thinking about that beak, while I was driving and it finally came to me, that's a duckling! NO! I did not eat any American Fries....though had they been reasonable in their calling of them, I probably would have, just to acknowledge their good sense in leaving them with their original, "American" name of French Fries. Oh woe is me with all this nationalism! I ate, instead, a hot dog [immediately!] ~ an event is not an event unless I have one. Even if they had real "meat" in them, I'd still have one, despite being vegetarian. It takes me all the way back to kid'dom, with the first bite. Of course, at the inflated $3.50, I was non-plussed when I, just having loaded it up with mustard and ketchup [the only condiments available, and then only by reaching way up to get to them], dropped it to the ground. I gathered it up with napkins and returned it to them. Even though we offered to pay for another, they gave me the second one free. I set everything else down while I condimented that one. I then had one piece of cheese pizza at another $3.50! I loooooove pizza and had no intention of attending anything like this race, without having whatever I wanted! Then, I had one Budweiser [though there may have been other, "better" beers, this was the one associated with Dale, Sr. and Jr.]. That was $4 or $5 [can't remember]. After that, I drank the water and organic apples I had brought with me.
Yes, that gas'ing up thing is pretty crucial. The rookie who won "topped off" his tank much earlier, banking on its giving him enough gas to finish the race with no more pitstops. However, another favoured driver ran out of gas at the end. Dale, Jr. stopped to refuel while I was returning my binoculars and that's when he just couldn't get further back into the running than 7th. I found it ironic that, at one point, Dale had asked for 4 new tires, but his pit crew would only give him two. When I heard that, I thought, "Dang! Who's running this show, anyway!?!" I'd have loved to have had the scanner for that conversation. I wondered if profanity enters into it
. I got that information from the Sunday paper, as I quite in shock , found myself reading the Sports section and every related article on the race ! Now reading about Serena and Venus is one thing [which I did, poor Venus with her abdominal injury], but NASCAR!?! I had always wondered what is the big deal about that!?! People in this area are extremely into it. At least now I understand something as to why. I think it's just a powerful combination of so many factors, the sound, the smell, the speed, the visuals, the goodwill, all of it.
I'm glad I gave you a sense of the experience
. If you ever get a chance to go, go for it. If you're ever this direction, let me know. I'd like to go to the one in Talladaga, as much because of the name as the race ~ such a great name. The Daytona 500 will be [sometime ~ I'm not that good yet ]. I had never heard that about NASCAR and the totals of people attending, but I'm not surprized. I loved it that we got slowed way down in traffic, as it gave much more time for looking at people.I know what you mean about the "Fourth of July" and "God Bless America" ~ and there's a small, still part of me that tries, really tries, for that good, ol' American thing I used to enjoy so much when I was younger. But as I watch and listen, I hear "Land of Plenty," "Democracy," "The Future," "Everybody Knows," and Leonard's other words that relate. When the fly-by happened, the jets BOOMED after they passed. When the sheer hardness of this airborne steel cut through the softness of the evening light, I thought of how it must have been to be an Iraqi citizen just a few months ago. When the fireworks blasted up into the sky to "the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there.....," I cried, but not with the pride and innocence I once did. As I watched the "no bad seat" ~ so true ~ fireworks, I imagined myself as a little girl, who would sit with her family on 4th of July, watching the sky and how it appeared so remarkably similar. I then imagined myself as a young girl and how, my greatest wish during those times was that my boyfriend was with me watching them. I contrasted my state of mind of those times and my wishes, to my state of mind now, and what I wish for. I cried for everything that the words to the song are really saying, on both sides of the glass. I then simply enjoyed the fireworks for the beauty they have as intricasies of light and colour against the dark sky. The white ones have always been my favourite, as they are so starlight, starbright-like. I wish G~d would bless America, but not in the way so many do. For whatever reason, I've been thinking you were from the U.S. Now, it appears maybe you're not [just the way you referred to "the U.S."].
Oh, we got to park free by the way, in a regular lot, with shuttle busses. It was such an easy process. Some places on the main road charged $50 for parking. We got out and onto I-95 North, within 10 minutes, when it was over. Unbelievably smooth.
Godzilla ~ If you'd been around, I'd have given you one of the free tickets I had, if you'd had any interest in going.....simply for your 4th of July wishes to us all! Coco ~ if I get anymore, and you are around, what a trip that would be. Then, you could see for yourself, au gratis!
~ Lizzytysh
I don't think there is anything wrong with saying "God Bless America" after all we are Americans, this is our country and we were celebrating our birthday, Independance Day. It is not as if anyone who is saying it has any special connection to God or are saying not to bless any other country in the world. Granted we are very blessed, and I like when I hear the President or anyone say "continue" to Bless America. To me it is a way of thanking God and giving Him the credit for what we have. But if the world is not added to every blessing it is no problem in my way of thinking because everyone has the same opportunity to ask God for a blessing, and it is all up to God anyway.
The french fry bit is more of a joke than anything. I love Mc Donalds french fries and will order them that way. Old habits are hard to break. We have american fries already anyhow, they are sliced round and fried in less fat.
The french fry bit is more of a joke than anything. I love Mc Donalds french fries and will order them that way. Old habits are hard to break. We have american fries already anyhow, they are sliced round and fried in less fat.
Linda
Good response, Linda. It's true that on such an occasion, it falls quite within the normalcy of things to say. I just wish that just once someone in such a public-speaking realm would call for blessings all round. "Blessings on the house," so to speak. The nerve-endings remain bared with this one regarding the war. Perhaps a tad oversensitive. Perhaps not.
Unfortunately, on the French Fries, it's not a joke. Listed on the official, menu board at an event like that, it's a reflection of the widespread stance of many Americans regarding France's lack of support for the U.S. with the Iraq war. Had they been our American Fries, I'd have gotten some. I prefer them, anyway, as a preparation for potatoes.
I'm thinking we may have reversed the terminology, after our country's independence from your country, Paula .
Unfortunately, on the French Fries, it's not a joke. Listed on the official, menu board at an event like that, it's a reflection of the widespread stance of many Americans regarding France's lack of support for the U.S. with the Iraq war. Had they been our American Fries, I'd have gotten some. I prefer them, anyway, as a preparation for potatoes.
I'm thinking we may have reversed the terminology, after our country's independence from your country, Paula
.Hi Linda it was not egg butties really it is the chip butties which I am addicted to and I know you clean living americans probably won't appreciate chip butties. A buttie is just a sandwich. You get a bag of chips from the chip shop get a fresh loaf from the bakers cut the bread into slices, apply butter liberally put hot chips covered in vinegar on the bread so the butter melts then eat and let the butter dribble down your chin. Add a gerkin or pickled onion for an optional extra just to make the chip buttie more exotic. The best meal in the world - in my opinion.
Lizzie I was just watching a programme on the telly about the war of independance it was very interesting. I think in Britian we have a bit of a love/hate relationship with France.
The best meal in the world - in my opinion.Lizzie I was just watching a programme on the telly about the war of independance it was very interesting. I think in Britian we have a bit of a love/hate relationship with France.