The Not-So-Great State Fair of Texas....and other adventures in Dallas...

Samantha, her little (by age only) brother, and myself embarked on a mini-roadtrip to texas on Saturday morning. We were supposed to be seeing Samantha's beloved boys [The threesome that is Hanson], but due to an illness, their concert was cancelled....more on that in a bit....

   

Look at these cheerful faces...So excited to be roadtripping...Even if it was only to Texas for two days. It was a pleasant journey...minimal traffic [until we actually got to Dallas, of course] and with the exception of this little accident...there were limited delays.

Interesting thing about this accident...it must have occured less than a moment before we decided to take this exit in search of a gas station. We ended up having to turn around [driving the wrong direction on an off ramp] in order to get back on the interstate [by doing a really sharp U-turn...tire screeching included]. It was a sign of things to come...

Well, we arrived near the fair...and I use the word "near" with serious intent. It took us about 25 minutes to get to a place where we could park...and then we were asked to move about 100 feet down the line because we had parked in the non-marked "handicap" spots. grr. THEN...we "got" to take a tram to the actual fair entrance [or at least about a 1/3 mile from the entrance].

Dumbest tram ride, ever! At least there was a breeze?

After our long trek to the gate, we saw this lovely sign....It was a sad moment which only got more sad as the day went on (because we had to endure the non-so-great fair atmosphere without the reward of good music)

But hey, at least we didn't have to stay til 8:30 (thank you, Jesus). I might have actually injured someone.  Now, on to the good stuff...what did we eat at the fair?!?!

Well, don't get too excited...we didn't eat as much as one might think we would given our enviroment and my love of fair food. I will say this though, The GREAT State Fair of Oklahoma had MUCH better food.  We searched for what seemed like years to find a corndog...a CORNDOG...that's a staple fair food, right!?! We finally found one and I was a little happier...just look at my face.

And then there was the Fried Pineapple Upside Down Cake. It was tasty...but it was no Red Velvet Funnel Cake.

Then, we found some lunch...Sammy ate this tasty(?) chili dog and I enjoyed some delicious sweet ice tea [not pictured]...we also took time for a food court photo op....

Then, it was time for one of my favorite parts of the day...the people watching!! We met this lovely fashion -challenged lady while in the food court...poor thing.

Then later, we ran into this "Denim Hipster"... 

And last but not least, "Dreadlock dude"...These things were SO sick...I guess we should all admire his dedication?

We eventually got fed up with the heat and rude people and decided to leave. So we made the LONG journey back to the gate, so we could walk to the tram and ride to our parking spot...They gave us these seemingly innocent teas on the way out....hmm.."Two if by Tea"...how catcy...wait, whats that?...RUSH LIMBAUGH? TEA!?! What a genius trap. Way to go Texas, way to go.

Also, in exchange for some [phony] information, I got these rad Dallas Cowboy faux-ray-bans....Not too shabby, right?

Before heading back to the hotel, we made a few other stops....World Market...Where I found these delightful items...Giant Tootsie Pop and LOTR Pez set...[ignore how completely exhausted I look, please]...and this adorable little package of nutella...LOVE!

We also stopped by one of my new favorite places in Dallas, Good Records. It's kind of like a heaven on earth for a girl like me...I had to behave myself. I could spend hours in there looking through all of their vinyl....I managed to escape with only two purchases this time...

We discovered, on our way back to the hotel, that everything in Dallas is an adventure. We apparently took a wrong street while on our way back to the hotel and ended up in this....

Gross, right? 15-20 minutes and less than one mile later, we found a little patch of grass to escape the interstate [thank the Lord for SUVs] and made our way back to the hotel...we're all starting to get REALLY grouchy and hungry right about now. We went to the room, freshened up [a.k.a. washed our feet] and went out in search of a Which Wich...we never found it. We decided to settle on Popeye's and then a visit to Half Price Books...Here's my loot...

We made it back to the hotel (without incident...at this point we feared the interstate) and I look this obligitory hotel photo...woot...then we crashed.

We woke up, ate some breakfast at the always delicious Einstein's Bakery (Bagels...something like that)...I got the Spinach, Mushroom, and Swiss...it was HEAVENLY...

I guess it wasn't a horrible trip. It started off rocky, but once we were away from the fair our morale improved greatly. I'm glad I got away for a little while...and now, I get to enjoy an ENTIRE week without work [I love working at a college and I love Fall Break!]  Here's a tentative agenda (because you're dying to know)...

Monday: ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! [well, maybe a little cleaning and movie watching, but nothing requiring too much effort]
Tuesday: It's Nephew's 2nd Birthday!!! I can't believe he's going to be 2!
Wednesday: All-day(ish) Movie marathon!
Thursday: Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde with the MomLady and Friends
Friday: Coaster making party with some lovely ladies for the Cup Runneth Over Project

Until next time...

  Peace.

-M





Weekend Re-Cap...

This weekend turned out to be a lot of much needed fun with some of the greatest people in the world!

Friday:

 My friend Samantha and I took a little journey down to my old stomping grounds (Stillwater) to visit our friend Dustin. In typical Meagh and Sam fashion, we stopped for coffee beverages on the way out of town...

A Caramel Macchiato and A Pumpkin Spice Latte. Perfect roadtrip companions. :)

We got to Stillwater and I realized how much I miss being there. It's such a great place to be. Perhaps I'll be back there someday. Anyway...I got to give Dustin his apartment warming gift and I think he liked them (He didn't say otherwise). They were a very practical set of glasses that you could write your name on with chalk...so basically...kind of awesome, right?

This one says "D-Mo". There were also ones labeled "Giggle-snort", "Dustinov", and "Dustin".

We did a few of the Stillwater musts...Hideaway Pizza and the Stonewall...then we watched Hocus Pocus! I. LOVE. THAT. MOVIE....and it made me excited that Halloween is next month!!!

Saturday:

Moving on...I am a genius. Why, you ask? Well, because I registered to do the Out of the Darkness walk for the AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) on Saturday morning. It was a great cause, and I'm so happy that I was able to do it, but man..it was early. We had to leave Stillwater at 6:15 AM...AM!! But after some McDonald's coffee beverages (Starbucks in Stillwater wasn't even open yet!) we were good to go. We arrived at the walk site right on time....

Where was the walk, you might ask?!?  It was at my favorite place!

THE ZOO!!!!

"I love him. I miss him. He still talks to me"

It was a really great walk and a great way to remember and honor the people that have been lost to suicide. The little boy in the picture made me want to cry...his shirt was so sweet. I'm glad I got to support this cause.

 Look at the animals! I don't think i've ever been to the zoo that early. It was really fun. All the animals were active because it was about time for them to eat. AND I finally got to see the elephants! I'm not sure why I love the zoo so much, but it really is one of my favorite places on earth.

Once the AFSP walk was over, it was time for some last minutes errands in preparation for my AMAZING friend Elisabeth's birthday festivities! Somewhere along the way I cam across this really random assortment of figurines...they were animals made out of fruits and veggies. A flamingo made of watermelon, A skunk made of a red onion, A squirrel made of a Peanut...and....

A walrus made out of grapes!?!  Who thinks of this stuff??

Finally it was festivities time! I absolutely love celebrating the births of my friends and Elisabeth is one of the greatest people I know. She has such a sweetness about her and I am truely honored that I get to call her my friend!!

We ate at Bourbon Street and had less than stellar service from some dude who called himeself "Buddy Holly" (no, seriously...he did). We had a good group of people, if I do say so myself...

That elevator shot is one of my favorites of the weekend. Julie was there too! And I decided to wear Kenny's hipster glasses.

Sunday:

I rounded out the weekend by going to a movie with my best friend in the world, Wesley! He's also pretty amazing and I'm glad I have him in my life. Sadly, I don't have a picture of our movie adventure to add...so i'll just leave you with this one, which leaves me not wanting to touch anything....ever.

So, it was a wonderful weekend! I hope everyone else had a good one too!! Until next time...

  Peace.

-M

Weekend Round-up...I Need Coffee & A Massage...

I can't believe it's Monday already! Why do weekends seem to go so quickly?! One of life's unanswerable questions, I suppose.

I had a really fun weekend though! I will chronicle it in the photos below....enjoy!

FRIDAY

I had the honor of celebrating the birth of my dear friend Ashley! Along with her fantastic roomie, Elisabeth! It was a fun night! We had dinner at a restaraunt that none of us had been to before, and it was actually quite delicious.

The big-talking Host, Rico, was kind enough to take our picture! We all look a little strange in the eyes...but its okay.

After dinner we headed downtown where more fun was had.

 

The evening ended in us walking to our car in the rain. It was still a great night! I love these ladies!

SATURDAY

I, along with my church's youth group, took a little journey to Frontier City. I'm not gonna lie, I was really excited about spending a whole day outside in the sunshine...even in this crazy Oklahoma heat! I mean, look at that! I was all smiles, for serious.

I was less smiley once I actually go there and started sweating, but it's okay...I survived....Until my best friend tried to make me ride that horrifying ride pictured below...

Why would someone voluntarily get into a giant slingshot!? ah! No thank you! But I was going to take one for the team and ride it anyway...but...Luckily I got out of that it, thanks to the lovely Rachel... 

It's a fun story...maybe i'll tell you about it sometime...haha.

Apparently others look strangely on people who stand in line for rides at amusement parks while wearing a neck brace and ranting on about how she was injured riding the very ride they were all standing in line for...This girl is hilarious!. :)

After all of the standing in line (and really only riding a handful of rides) it was time to partake in what we all came to the park for...SWITCHFOOT!

I saw them a few years ago with The Goo Goo Dolls and they were great! They were even better this time!! Plus, I got to share the musical goodness with my favorite person in the entire world...Wes!

Just in case you are unaware, he's the best.

It was a long, hot, sweaty, crowded, but fun day...And by the end of it...

My feet and legs hurt so bad....to the point where I actually thought that aputation would be less painful...(yeah, i'm dramatic when i'm tired and sore). haha.

 

It made me realize that I'm not a youth anymore...I'm an adult and I get tired at 8:30. My feet hurt when I'm stomping about an amusement park with hundreds of children and youth. That's my life now....I'm cool with it.  It's a good thing busy weekends like this are rare for me. I'm not sure I couldn't handle it!

  Peace.

-M