A Fine Taste Advent: Day 15

I love it when corporations get all warm and fuzzy.  Especially when they do it about our favorite state.

PS Willa actually once was assigned, at nerd camp, to write an essay.  The prompt was “write about a place that is important to you.”  Topics came in from the favorite chair of someone’s beloved grandfather to the place where someone first fell in love.  Willa wrote an essay entitled “The Eighth Wonder of the Modern World: Target.”  She was 14 at the time, but stands by the sentiment today.

- The Taste Testers

Liveblogging the Minnesota State Fair

My first attempt at a liveblog failed for several reasons.  

Firstly, do you honestly think that someone on my income owns a device capable of live blogging?  Please. 

Secondly, I failed to post what I did write (in that up-to-date method of “scribbling on a pad of paper) for a full week after the event.  Apparently, the concepts a bit beyond me.

As I have mentioned before – both in 2/3 of my daily conversations and even here on this fine blog – I am a lover of State Fairs.   In fact, when discussing it not on a blog, I think the precise phrase I use is “this kind of shit.” 

Of all State Fairs, there is one that rules supreme, one whose glory goes uncapped, one which boldly dares to put on sticks what has never been fried before: the wonder, the glory, the sheer pig-headed American-fest known as the Minnesota State Fair. 

There are some, namely people from Wisconsin who would argue with me.  This is because people from Wisconsin are wrong.  One need look no further than to the fact that they regularly make cheese-wedge hats to see the truth of my accusation.  Besides, does the Wisconsin State Fair have a song?

The Fair Song

I think not.  (Actually, I could be wrong.  I am writing this in a car with no internet.  But still, even if I am 100% wrong about the song-thing I still stick to my guns on the cheese-hat point.) 

So to begin:

Things we would go to this week, if we lived in…

DC

“The Honor of Your Company Is Requested: President Lincoln’s Inaugural Ball” Exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Lincoln’s second inaugural ball was held in the building that now houses the museum. Cool. What? We’re American history dorks.

Wisconsin

Anyone who knows anything about State Fairs (and I like to think I can count myself in that category) knows that no one takes them more seriously than the Lake States. In fact, depending how early in the morning I can get up, and how fast I can drive across Iowa, I should hopefully make it in time to live-blog the last day of Minnesota’s legendary fair. But if you can’t wait to virtually eat cheese curds with me, then get in line and get your own at Minnesota’s strongest competitor, Wisconsin. If you can’t decide what day to get out there, I would recommend Thursday, because I’m honestly considering buying a plane ticket just so I don’t have to miss this.

Munich

Go to the BMW Museum and check out the temporary exhibit on the BMW concept cars. There are seven. All concept cars. So hot.

In Nerdy Podcasts This Week…

So you know which ones are worth a listen this weekend…