Woke up at 10:00 A.M.

Was supposed to head out to the Knox's to watch a couple of the kids while ol' Mom was away, but one of 'em woke up sick, so el Mommy stayed home.  Ended up headin' into town to take care of some errands.  Mailed some tax form and then headed to the bank to pick up some checks and deposit some moolah.

On the way into town, I got a phone call from the sick little girl askin' me if I would come help her do some chores!  ha!  Of course.  Went out to the farm and helped feed the goats and feed the cows.  The boys are out in Washington, D.C., so the ladies are responsible for keepin' up the farm.

Was rewarded with some amazing strawberry-rhubarb pie and ice cream.  Pretty hard to beat.  Didn't stay long, as I had a VERY meeting to take care of!

So I left there and went to look at a motorcycle!!!

A 1984 VF500 Interceptor.  One of the first crotch-rockets.

Red, white, and blue.  Not great shape.  Not terrible shape.  Maybe a 5 out of 10.  Faded black engine.  A rip in the seat.  Dry-rotted front tire.  Been laid down.  Some rust on the frame from where the battery dripped acid.  But when I rode it, I fell in love with it.  It's fast.  Andy likes fast.

He was askin' $1100.

Nope.  Headed to the bank with 10 minutes to spare.  Pulled out some cash.  Went back tonight and offered him $800.  He said $850.  Nope.  He said $825.  I said that would work.

But I didn't have a $5.  So I picked it up for $820.  Sweet action.

Rode it back to the airport.  I looooove motorcycles.  A lot.  Came back and headed out to Humboldt.  It's race night!  The last two weeks have been canceled, but tonight was lookin' pretty!  So I headed up the road 10 miles to Humboldt and headed for the racetrack.  My first time!

I drove around for 10 minutes before finding it.  Middle of the country.  Middle of nowhere.  But I finally saw it, and, wow, so I found out what the people do here.  Just what I was lookin' for.

Tons of cars...er, wait...trucks.  I pull up to park.  "Silly Boys, Trucks are for Girls" emblazened on the back of one truck.  I think I'm in love.  No, seriously, would it be wrong to camp out and just wait for her to return?  Please be under 40.

Headed into the track.  $9.

And right as I walk in, the cars were off.  I love it.

It's hard to describe, but I'll see what I can do...picture this.  Over 1,000 people.  The working class.  The race-car class.  Bib overalls.  Boots.  Chicks in camo jackets.  One cute girl in a bright orange hunting jacket.  Lots of facial hair.  On the guys, not girls.  Moustaches, beards, and beer.  The America not often seen.  Miles away from any thought of LA, New York, responsibility, or work.  They've been working all week long for this Friday night.  It's week-end time!!!

And lots of cars.  I think it was a 1/4-mile track, and at one point, we had 22 cars out there.  22 cars!  Some races only had around eight, but it was a blast.  Loud engines, dirt in the air, people everywhere.

Right up my alley.  I've learned that I can pull off many sectors of life...I could shave, clean up, and be a professional businessman.  I could.  I've got the mind to do it.  Or I could grow out the hair, grow the stache, and be a south-eastern Kansas dirt-track racer.  I could.  I've got the passion to do it.  And I'm not goin' to lie.  I love this stuff.  I love the down-home, drivin'-for-fun (pay-out is only $250 or $500 for winning), red-neck way of life.  People just out havin' a good time.  I love it.

Actually, at one point, I sat there thinking...I think I have one particular streak in me from my mom's side.  Her side is a bit more rough-and-tough.  A bit more like this.  I could see her side of the family coming out and watching me race!  And lovin' it!  Quite fun, really.

Nothing is perfect, granted.  Girls had their young kids in tow.  The people were drinking.  And I saw one young girl and guy fighting in front of us all...and her kids.  But it's real.  And I like real.

Stayed there from a little after 8:00 until the races were over at at 10:35.  A lot of fun.  The only thing that could make it better?  If Hammer were here.  And if either Hammer or I were driving one of the cars.  Or if Hammer and I were slammin'...no, um, bumpin'...no, um, nudging...no, um, rubbin'...yeah, rubbin' our own cars into each other.  Needless to say, Days of Thunder are 3 were rollin' through my mind pretty heavily.

Saw one car flip.  That's always exciting.

Did I tell ya I love this stuff?

Came back wired and ended up goin' out again.  Got home at 2:00 A.M.  Ended up talking to a friend until 4:00 A.M.  This has got to stop!

A pretty fun day.