I never used to like potato chips

coleslaw. baked potatoes. mashed potatoes. peanut butter. Pregnant? I think not. But oddly enough, I found my hand buried in a giant bag of chips - yes chips - in between my state fair of Texas ventures.

The past two weekends have been consumed by bright lights, fried food, out of the woods Texans, & coors light. After this trecherous work week, I would hope this weekend could be one to relax, but alas, freinds from college are flying in Friday afternoon.

I recall the happenings of the fair from last year. We made our way through the Martin Luther King & Malcolm X Boulevard part of town, and after paying the overindulged native behind the counter $15, security turned us loose inside.

There's a giant in the middle of all the madness. They call him Big Tex and he speaks such silly mumbo jumbo, that only the finest of sports radio stations can make entertaining. Fletcher's famous corn dogs to the right, the midway a mile straight ahead, and pigs, cows & cars to the right. In between all this turmoil is an array of fried foods, intended only for those who can truly put it down, as it leaves the rest of us toiletside the next day. But don't be afraid to try some. Two weeks prior to the opening of this Texas marvel, newspapers hype up this yearly event, and more importantly, organize apanel of judges to award the current year's fried food winners - they'll base it on categories such as creativity & most tasty. This years finalists included deep fried frozen margaritas, fried beer, fried texas caviar & a fried s'mores pop tart. The winner made a conspicuous combination of Frito's, chili, cheese & spices, battered up, fried, and servedwith sour cream. Yes, this is the famous southern amalgamation known as Frito Pie. Us Yankees would be puzzled by such a dish, so after much convincing, I tried the gut-wrenching invention at last year's fair, which had quickly made me sick. But I must say, when you fry it, its a whole different story. Fried Beer for creativity, fair enough, but as we put this ravioli shell filled with warm beer in our mouths, all three of us spit it out. Repulsive.

The first visit was me and my two girlfriends... a much needed recipe for disaster. They're hungover, and I'm ready to aboard a heading-spinning aparatus. Michelle's never been on a roller coaster, but Natalie & I love. We make her. Hours of giggling, drinking, yelling, dancing amount to an awesome Sunday.

The second visit entailed the out-of-towners... the other attorney in the family & her relaxed husband. A UT graduate, the Red River Rivalry was a must see - and might I say I've become a longhorn fan myself... The game wasn't as exciting as last years - Texas is #21, OU # 8, and McCoy & Shipley no more; so Texas lost. I couldn't bear the heat on the 50 yard line much longer, so I left the Cotton Bowl to escape the family for a bit, and put down a few Coors Lights.

The Rueda family was beat, but mr. persistent convinced them to go on a few rides. So that we did, parted our ways, stayed a little bit longer and taxied it home..