Sunday, October 23: Inflation at the State Fair
After a brief break to clog my arteries with fair fare, we're back!
The North Carolina State Fair has been a cherished event for as long as I can remember, and I’m here to report that it’s not the same fair I thought I remembered. The crowds are still there (bigger than expected even), the rides are still super sketchy (waiting to hear solid figures on how many near-death experiences were had), and the giant pumpkin is still a highlight (1217 pounds btw).
But beneath a thin veneer of familiarity, the fair itself was noticeably different. Games that used to cost $5 to play now cost $10, fried candy bars that used to be $3 are now $6, even the prices for parking just to walk around the fair have gone up. It’s clear that people were desperate to find the nostalgia of years past. But on top of inflated prices, this year’s state fair was also lacking a central piece of entertainment, as this year’s annual pig races were cancelled after the announcer, Dennis Cook, retired. I tried to communicate my availability to fill in, and I’m confident in my abilities to bring joy and excitement to the track, but I haven’t been given the opportunity yet. Stay tuned for more updates on the porcine racers.
Side Items
Brits Are Moving On to Their Newest Mistake: Like a middle schooler desperate for their first relationship, the formerly powerful British empire is scraping the bottom of the barrel to find their next leader. Will it be Rishi Sunak? Will it be Boris Johnson? Can either of them help fix this dumpster fire? Probably not, but I’ll be damned if they don’t elect a new leader this week
Liverpool’s Latest Woes: I’m so glad you all get to join me on the frustrating journey of supporting/following Liverpool Football Club. Yesterday the Reds took on last-place Nottingham Forrest, a town known more for Robin Hood’s exploits than for their football talent. Needless to say Liverpool squandered countless opportunities on their way to losing 1-0.
Say Goodbye to Twitter: Or at least Twitter as we know it. The social media giant is on the verge of being purchased by the world’s wealthiest fedora aficionado, as the deadline for Tesla’s C.E.O. to complete an acquisition is this Friday. It was fun while it lasted, but it seems inevitable that those with too much money will get their greedy little fingers on everything we once found enjoyment in