cornerofmadness

It was the 11th annual hot dog festival in Huntington WV which is about 65 miles from me. Just follow the Ohio River south, literally. Rt 2 is glued to the river's edge. I wasn't sure I'd make it since it was a slow kinda crappy morning but it was a very good day.

I wanted to stop at Hillbilly Hot Dogs but it was SO packed both on the way down and the way back that I couldn't. I've only been down town twice and somehow never quite this way (well I did once but I think I was so nervous about finding the place the first time I missed everything). I spotted this beauty on the way. Too bad I don't teach at Marshall... Also who knew we had snooty Apartment complexes in Huntington where you only have to say I live in The Frederick and everyone knows.

I didn't know it was also the regatta because I wasn't paying attention to the website but I got SO lucky. I went to the little municipal parking lot and found nothing (it's a bitch to park downtown Huntington) and was thinking I was in a parking garage last time where is it...oh there, right across the street. I not only got in but found a spot 4 cars in (It was full when I left).

There were more than just hot dogs, various vendors, LOTS of dog rescues and of course the downtown businesses themselves. But let's get to the dogs. I had Stewart’s Hot Dogs which I had to have because it's been in business since the 30s. You can't argue with that success. I got their last dog (who runs out before 1:30? They had to truck in more). Midway Drive-In Hot Dogs, also there from the 30s. Then there was Sam’s Hot Dogs and then with the longest line surprisingly was the more organic one, WV Hot Dogs (theirs had a snappy skin and was actually my least favorite probably because it was the healthiest). I skipped the one from Sheets gas station because I was just too hot. Naturally I got through four freaking chili dogs before I spilled chili on me, like a HUGE big bunch. I tried to wash it out in a dog drinking station.

Speaking of dogs, there were plenty. There were dog shows, wiener dog races and about a half dozen animal shelter sponsors. SO many dogs up for adoption. I loved the chocolate lab but I am the definition of the wrong lifestyle to own a dog. There were also cats. One was Burmese in part, that dark chocolately fur but with a gray tabby striped under coat and blue eyes. I almost brought him home. Mentioned that to the parents on the phone and Dad flipped out. In not uncertain terms am I welcome back home with the cats if I get a second one. I'm pretty sure mom and I both were staring at our respective phones while he freaked the fuck out.

There was a great car show too. I took plenty of pictures here it was just easier to link to my FB again.

There was amateur wrestling too. I took pictures but maybe I'll save those for tomorrow or something. To my surprise, not only is there a huge movie theatre on the river there is a big book store, Empire Books and they even sell used library books here. It was cool but I didn't buy anything. i DID like that they supported a ton of local authors. That is a nice nice thing to see.

I decided to go see what the regatta had going on. More car show. Lots of noisy boat races that didn't interest me. I decided to go to the mall and that was the only other hiccup in the day outside of me trashing my favorite pagan shirt (which of course is cream colored). MY GPS must have been smoking weed while I was out eating hot dogs. I plugged in Books a million and it gets me up on the high way but with a hitch.

It tells me to go right. I do then realize it wanted me on I-64. That was a left hand ramp. I fix that and then it goes 46 miles to your destination. Oh what the hell, Gareth? I don't want to go to CHARLESTON you dumb Garmin. I get off in Barboursville (just a few miles down) which is where the mall is but I got off one exit too soon as it turns out. THe GPS tried to get me there (I plugged in Macy's at this point knowing that's in the mall too). It took me into a cemetery. Then an Apartment complex. Then a health center. I finally ask an idiot at Exxon who couldn't really tell me.

I give up, get on the highway again and see the exit. Mall Road being a clue. I get off and realize I know where this is. This is where it I go once I get off Rt 2 (my usual route to the mall). Gareth is still insisting I'm going the wrong way and wants me to Turn. Around. Now. and go right. Dude, no, I know where I am. See there's Lady Godiva's strip club? It's just down the street. I was in the parking lot and it was still insisting I was wrong. Head desk.

Macy's was set up SO weird, changed from last time. The plus sizes were broken up all over. I really wanted a shirt to replace my chili stained disaster. I didn't find one. I did go to Books a million. I didn't realize they had T-Shirts now. There were several I wanted or could have gotten for friends but either a) they don't know the size of the average geek or b) the average geeks bought them out and all that was left were smalls and mediums (most likely but restock already!). I loved that there were tons of people in there. I love seeing book stores still being relevant. What I did forget was BAM matches Amazon's prices online (which B&N doesn't. This is why I'm with BAM, that and there is no shipping charges for members) but in the store it is full freaking price. I was all excited that they had Vinland Saga but I didn't buy #5 because it was 25 freaking dollars. I did buy the latest Black Butler and tried out two new ones Seraph of the End and Chaika: COffin Princess. I considered Karneval but it had NO blurb. Maybe I'll try it now that I read it on GR. Who puts out a book with no cover blurb? I would like to read All You Need is Kill. Got a frozen hot chocolate and headed for home. The weird thing is that I've been asking them to update my email online for 2 years. Today when I used the card, it did it. WTF BAM?

Now here's something freaky. On my friend Rain's FB post about going beading, her cousin said 'I'm going to the hot dog festival' and I don't know why I said it I said ME TOO. I never looked back at the post since it's a drive down there. I got back home and Rain had said 'CoM go talk to my cousin, she's nice' and her cousin had posted 'I'm the girl in the batman shades' but I didn't see these posts until I came home. I TALKED to her by sheer chance because I saw her and two cuties talking about the Avengers in the cooling station and I saw her batman earrings and she had a kitten. I complimented her on the earrings and boy did I want to jump into that geek conversation but I behaved. Had I known it was her, I would have.

It was hot (90+) but it was a fun day.

#‎radicalselfloveJuly‬ Day 25 write a love letter. Hmmm that's a busman's holiday for someone who writes what I do. Go read something I've written for that.

ANd last but not least Happy Birthday to sholio!