Day Eleven: Del Mar Fair: The Sequel

6/22/13, 11:07 AM PDT

Owwwww. Ow, ow, ow, ow, my neck hurts. It's an indescribable pain, it's not searing or unbearable, but it's not exactly pleasant either. And it doesn't hurt to move it. I just can't move it as fast as before, nor can I turn my head as far. But it'll wear out eventually. This is the second time I've landed on my neck, and it's pretty similar to last time.

Maybe third time's the charm and I'll die the next time I land on my neck. Hopefully, I'm wrong, but just to be safe, I'll be taking it pretty easy during parkour from now on. Probably going to be limiting the number of flips I do because they're impractical in the real world.

Alright. Time to write now. Be back in a bit.



Same day, 1:43 PM PDT

So my computer blue screened on me, which reminded me to finally clean out the dust filters that clogged up the fans. Haven't done that in about five, six months? Even though Darren recommended that I clean it out once a month. I try to remember, but it's hard to stick to a schedule when I have so much to do.

Speaking of "so much to do", I better start my summer assignments soon, or at least planning out the reading/outline schedule. Plus, I have to get writing on this week's blog entry, have to start my new short film script, have to get supplies together to build the remote control car that I want to make, oh boy oh boy better get off video games and back to work.



Same day, 6:22 PM PDT

Getting really into writing my script. Got the basic outline down, just filling in a lot of the details. Also, looking up a bunch of intros/music in spy movies/games, notably the intro to Skyfall, Casino Royale,  and Snake Eater so that I get a feel of what spy music and Bond intros look like.

And yep, it's gonna be a spy movie. But don't take it too seriously, it's not meant to be dramatic, serious action. Trying to make it a bit outrageous. Plus, it'll be my first real short film, which means zero-budget. Gonna have to cut costs a bit, and by a bit, I mean gonna be pretty much using household materials since I have absolutely no money.

Or, I could get a job. Dad's been encouraging me to apply for a part-time job at Target, which I'm considering just to fund my film without pissing off my parents by straining their wallets.

Back to writing. Wait no. I lied. Headed to the Del Mar Fair again so my family can watch Big Time Rush perform live while I roam the fair again. Awwww yeah.



Same day, 8:15 PM PDT

Fair again. Pretty much all by myself since the family's watching the concert. Seeing as I'm incredibly thrifty, I've decided not to spend any money and instead just people watch, which in itself is plenty interesting. Noticing the kinds of people that hang around each area. Obviously, the majority of teenagers spend their time where the rides are, with a small handful near the food stands. Female teenagers especially, I've noticed near the photo booth, although there's a bit of diversity there too. Adults, they're a bit more varied, but I've noticed that the "tougher looking" adults with wifebeaters and tattoos are usually around the games areas, with their wives and girlfriends. The more "average" adults are pretty varied in terms of location. The men tend to be near food or occasionally shops, while the women tend to be around shops mostly. Not stereotyping, just an observation.

Group and couple interaction's interesting as well. All-male groups of three or more are all around the rides, obviously. Haven't noticed any male groups any place else. Mixed groups too, mostly around the rides, but I saw one around the shop area. Female groups... They're everywhere. Couples are interesting too. Teenage couples, just like in school, tend to hold hands while staying as far apart as physically possible, maybe to further showcase that they're in a relationship. Adults are closer together when holding hands.

I've also noticed that while roaming the area, not a single games stand employee approached me to try their games. Maybe because I was alone, maybe because I look like a serial killer, not sure which. Speaking of looking like a murderer, I've noticed that the guard at the center of the fair's been looking at me suspiciously. Then again, I circled that guy like 50 times, so he probably thinks I'm a pickpocket or something. Don't know why since I look like the nerdiest thing ever with my half-bowl cut hair, my cloth shoulder bag, and my "Dunder Mifflin" shirt, but hey, criminals come in all shapes and sizes.

Haven't made my way to the kid area yet in the center of the racetrack, so I will be there shortly. After buying some food, probably.



Same day, 8:54 PM PDT

Rode the skyride thingy that goes over the entire park. Alone. Even though I have a fear of heights.

It was surprisingly relaxing, even though I was dangling my feet in the air. Took a bunch of pictures. One girl looked back up at me as I took a picture of the fair below me, which was pretty awkward. God, I'm brimming with awkwardness.

See her? A bit below and to the right of the center of the picture,
next to the stroller, looking right at me? Yep. Awkward.

Anyway, visited the children's area. One word describes it all.

Asian. Asian kids, followed by Asian parents EVERYWHERE. Of course, I'm not complaining, but WOW. The density of it surprised me.

ASIAN. ALL OF IT. Not complaining, of course.

Now currently in the arcade area of the fair, or whatever you call the main room. It's filled with board and video game, and TV game show info, along with a handful of arcade games. They had an auction corner where they were selling off a bunch of guitars signed by people that performed last year.

Switchfoot and Cobra Starship's somewhere there too.

One was signed by Cody Simpson, which may or may not interest a few of you. I probably know who you are if you're willing to bid on such an item.

Current bid? 400 dollars.

A group of people were playing giant Jenga, which was ridiculously entertaining, especially with commentary from black people. I managed to catch the game during its last few turns, where the majority of the tower was already a wireframe in essence. A lady managed to pull out a block after 15 minutes of Jenga setup, which was ridiculously tense. She pulled it out and the crowd cheered in celebration. The black people gave a huge "Boo-yah!" which cracked me up.

Lady in question. Note the black guy to the
left of her in the maroon shirt.

Then, the next guy went. He was in a very, very tight spot. Half the tower was balancing on one center block, he'd have to be a master Jenga player (Jengaer? Jengær?) to top that.

Of course, he wasn't. And it tipped over. But not after 3 minutes of hilarious black guy commentary. They were easily the loudest people in the crowd that gathered to watch this giant Jenga game, but every time people laughed, they shushed them forcefully, which was ridiculously funny.

Also, guy gave me two tickets on my way out of the thing. Don't know what I can ride with two tickets, but whatever, free stuff is free.



Same day, 9:42 PM PDT

Bought some food. Cheeseburger from Grantburger. It was decent, but incredibly hot. Like scalding hot, I've never had a burger burn my tongue before today.

Sat alone at a picnic table while eating, which was interesting because every other table was stuffed to the gills. But I'm not complaining, it was pretty peaceful.

Then, went around to go look for the cheapest drink around. Decided to buy it at this fish and chips stand, which sold bread bowls with soup. Reminds me of Panera and how Kayla tried to sneak it in.

Back on topic, the drink. It was a three dollar drink. Wait, no. No it wasn't. Let me rephrase that, it was a three dollar cup of ice. Because I only got three sips out of that cup before I hit ice. I mean come on, you fair food sellers already pull outrageous prices on the most ridiculous meals and you make thousands of dollars in profit every year, yet you still have to resort to scamming people with ice cups?

DAMN IT, I'M STILL THIRSTY.

You sicken me. You sicken me like the probably undercooked burger that I just ate, because I'm feeling a bit sick to my stomach and the California Health Inspection didn't exactly review your stand, Grantburger, if that's even your real name.



Same day, 10:18 PM PDT

What is this now, the third hour of roaming the fair? Pretty tired. And there's still no sign of the concert being over.

Now looking at the less visited areas of the mall. Just looked at their mineral and gem exhibit. Asked one of the exhibitors a bunch of questions on gem purity, hardness, and techniques of how they cut gems because why not, I mean more knowledge, right? Turns out, the guy gave me a mini-lesson on how to cut gems with a machine thing, which was pretty cool.

Phone's pretty low on battery now. Gonna go explore some more while using my backup battery, I guess.



Same day, 11:01 PM PDT

Went to the Student Showcase in the fair as they finally left the concert. They had some very nice artwork on display.

Ooh, pretty.

This one was my favorite though.

Who's that Pokémon?

They also had what I think is the winning robot from the FIRST Robotics tournament they had this year, which I took part in last year. Well, somewhat. I kind of did CAD designs, helped out in judging the website, and wrote two blog posts for the site, but other than that, I didn't do much.

Hello, Frisbeebot.

Oh, and apparently, they have a bunch of yearbooks on display and gave them all rankings. Did you know we were second place? Well, technically, second place but tied with a hell of a lot of other schools.

Not bad, huh?

This is one of the schools we tied with.

HOLY CRAP, THERE'S A GODDAMN WOLF ON THE COVER.

And then there's Scripps.

I don't know how Scripps Ranch's yearbook beat ours, I believe that our yearbook was superior in every aspect.

Well... maybe the font change on the "H" was a little strange. But that's a minor complaint.

Also, bwahahaha, my Scripps friends, I know what your yearbook photos look like.



Same day, 11:45 PM PDT

Finally in the car, headed home. Traffic's slow to a crawl, so I'm taking the time to update this.

Reached 11,628 steps today, which is pretty good.

Wooper's feelin' pretty good right now.

Also, apparently maxed out my Watts in the Pokéwalker, probably because I haven't sent Wooper to the DS in years.

Probably should go do that now.

Also, dad says I should have gone to the concert because quote "there were a million hot chicks up in this." How the hell my dad picked up that vocabulary, I'm not sure. But it led to a conversation on what I'm looking for in a girl, which I hate talking about with my parents because they judge me harshly about being "too picky." I'm sorry if I have high standards because I take dating seriously, mom and dad.

But they did bring up a point. I haven't dated anyone since high school started and I'm already a Junior. Maybe I should try to get a girlfriend now. Maybe.

So, anyone interested in dating me? Send in your application via Facebook, complete with resume, past job experience, and an essay describing why you want to be my girlfriend (500 words maximum). Many will enter, few will win, valid only to citizens or permanent residents of the United States and its territories.

HAH. Just kidding. As if I'd be selective enough to need applications for someone to be my girlfriend and to have geographical restrictions. I'm not selective at all. In fact, the more appropriate term would probably be "desperate." Haha, yes indeed.

*quietly weeps*

"Don't worry, Michael. I'll always be here for you."

Aww, thanks, robot frisbee thrower.





RFotD: Online dating research reveals that women are most concerned about a potential partner’s height, while men are more concerned about the weight of a possible date. Men even just an inch under the average height and women more than 20 pounds overweight have a tougher time getting a date. Well damn it.

SGAT: None really.