All's fair in love and cholesterol.

I've learned something: everyone should see a movie at a drive-in and go to the fair at least once a summer.

Having already done the former (with a double feature of Better Off Dead and One Crazy Summer!), I felt that I had to get the latter done, at some point.

Learning that I'd have to pay for parking (and my car only barely qualifies as drivable right now due to a mistake I made that night at the drive-in, but never mind), I instead decided to take the shuttle to the fair. It was a city bus, which I hadn't ridden in a long time. It was actually nice letting someone else do the driving while I took a nap (or saw the scenery; the ride was a flexible one).

When I got there, there were people, of course, but also animals. I saw a couple of cows being walked (and I was careful to check my shoes for any presents).

Even with the attractions, my main goal at the fair was chowing down on something - anything - deep-fried. I got that wish with one stand's 'Deep Fried Bacon Cheddar Mashed Potatoes'. They were pretty hot, at first, so I just broke off the skin drippings and dipped that in the side of ranch dressing. Eventually, I dove into the balls. Still pretty warm, and a little loose in my hands, but damn if they weren't delicious. I really want more of that 'Deep Fried Paradise' feeling.

I planned to partake of another meal, but nothing caught my fancy; most of the stuff available wasn't all that rare. I just felt like walking around after that. There were carnival games galore, but I wasn't interested. I'd planned on riding a burlap sack down a giant slide, but that seemed to not be around. Even if I hadn't just eaten, sideshow attractions like a 29-inch woman and a half-snake, half-girl were better ignored than experienced.

I didn't turn my nose up at everything, though: a buffalo was carved (or chainsawed) by a purported 'Wizard of Wood' and there was an interesting bit of audience participation with 'Sam and the Giant Wheel'.

On my way back to the entrance, I passed through a barn housing a number of animals, both feathered (chickens, peacocks, geese) and furry (rabbits, guinea pigs). Cute though they were, I couldn't help but feel sorry for them. I certainly wouldn't want to be stuck in a cage, ripe for the gawking.

Still, like I said, going to the fair is something we should all experience once a summer. Here's hoping my life is more in order when I go back next year.