Spent last Sat. evening out at the Delaware County Fair to catch the tractor
pull.  It is one of those family traditions that 99% of the country just don't
understand.  Much in the same way people attend monster truck rallies,
professional wrestling, my family would go to tractor pulls.  This year was no
different as my parents, my brother and his gf along with myself made it out
to catch the show.  I was trying to think how would blog this up while sitting
on a narrow metal bleacher cramped in behind the rest of the local rurals and
their families.   How would I describe the scene?  It is a curious mixture of
young and old, all of whom would probably never wear a suit except for the day
they get married and the day they are buried.

The night air was curiously cool for a mid-July evening, which is a welcome
change from the typical muggy and hot nights in past years.  I guess there is
something primal cheering as a super-charged or blown motor come roaring by at
110+ decibels.  The smell of diesel fuel and alcohol encrichment fumes fill
the stands as each tractor and truck roars by.  Like our NASCAR watching
cousins, you watch to see the race, but you also wait for the accidents...when
pull watching, you watch to see who goes the furthest, but you also secretly
wait for an engine or blower to give out in a flash of sparks and smoke.  And
it never fails for someone to make the "that sounded expensive" comment after
an engine gives out.

My cousin Tiffany was at the pull as well to celebrate her new found freedom
of a divorce that was granted the day before.  I won't delve into the details,
but I'm happy for her.  She deserves much better than what her ex-husband was
giving to her.  Her advice to me was to never get married before 25.  I
suppose there is a lot of wisdom associated with that.  Another friend of mine
going through her divorce told me never to marry your first love.  I guess
there is something to be said for experience before marrying.  At my current
rate, I'll have to wait till I'm about 110 before I can safely get married. 
Unfortunately, the advice wasn't free, as my cousin accidently hit one of my
tickle spots and decided it is fun to make her cousin squirm.  I hope she had
a nice hangover Sun. morning as punishment. ,)  Shoutout to you Tiffany (may
your happiness continue).