Big Hats, Black Eyed Susan's, and Betting

I can officially mark another thing off my list. Charlie and I, along with over 100,000 other people, attended the middle jewel of the triple crown-Preakness. We have all viewed the "Pomp and Circumstance" that surrounds The Derby, Preakness, and Belmont as the TV portrays it. Ladies with fancy hats, flowers neatly woven and placed on the winning horse, and owners and their families celebrating after a win. I finally had my chance to see this in person. But I would get to see so much more...

Charlie and I took public transportation to the race to avoid a parking nightmare. We rode the Light Rail and then caught a shuttle bus to the track. There were a few other ladies in their sundresses and hats, but the majority of the people on the bus were college students heading for the infield. I had been warned about the infield from people at work but nothing would fully prepare me. From the loud conversations and the beer bong being passed from the front to the back of the bus, it was obvious that they had all been drinking for a while. The girl in front of us was slightly lit, and looked at us and asked, "Are you going to Preakness? I really need to pee!" We would all soon realized just how bad she had to pee. As we exited the bus and shuffled along with the crowd, we saw that same girl barely squatting behind the bus stop. Should I mention that the bus stop shield is clear and she might as well have been standing out in the middle of the road. Big mistake on her part. Two cops watched this unfold and I am sure that she now has a pretty hefty ticket in her hand or she enjoyed a view from a jail cell. This would be the prelude for what was to come.

The Pimlico race track is pretty much surrounded by projects and the local people were opportunist and knew how to make a buck. You could pay $50 dollars to park in their "secure locations" or pay one of the many young boys or girls with shopping carts to push your coolers, chairs, and cases of beer to the infield entrance as it was quite a walk from there to where the shuttle buses dropped us off. Loud drunk people, traffic, and then PETA protesting the race...it was crazy. We unfortunately had to enter with the infield crowd to make it to our seats at the "top of the stretch". As we exited the tunnel into the infield I was shocked. Drunk, college students everywhere. Idiots running across the tops of the portolettes while being pelted with beers cans. People passing out and stumbling as they walked. My nerves where on edge until we reached our nice secluded section. I had a "black eyed susan", the official drink of preakness. We sat back and took it all in. We had a great view of the race track and I learned a lot about how to make a bet from the people around us. They take this betting seriously. One guy had print outs of stats while another group was discussing their strategy. I will have to admit, it made the races a lot more fun when you had some money riding on it. Charlie and I were not excessive with our betting, which is good since we did not win. Probably more fun than anything was watching the emergency crews drive in front of our stands with the numersous drunk people as everyone sang "na na na, na na na, hey hey, good bye". The weather was beautiful and possibly we were a part of history, provided Big Brown wins Belmont. It was a lot a fun and I am so glad I finally got to wear my big hat to a race. But just like that time I went to Talladega...I have done it once and I am now completely satisfied that I don't have to do it again. Go Big Brown!!!!

Um excuse me...Don't be alarmed, but there is a shark behind you!

It has been a long time since I have had a sleep over in which I brought my sleeping bag and pillow and stayed up all night talking. Okay, so maybe I didn't stay up talking but every time I woke to change positions, I would catch something out of the corner of my eye and be reminded that I was not alone. Possibly that was because I was sleeping in a room with a large tank full of patrolling sharks. My good friend Charlie drove up to join me and about 30-40 other people for a shark sleepover. We arrived at the Baltimore Aquarium around 5:30 on Friday night. We met with our tour guide, Al, who has been working at the aquarium for 25 years. We were then treated to one of my favorite meals, lasagna and cheese cake. After shopping for my ornament we headed over to the dolphin show where we had reserved front row seating. That was great if you didn't mind being in the "splash zone". After enjoying the dolphin show we all divided up into smaller groups with our tour guides and got to see the aquarium from an insider's perspective. Al provided us with many fun facts about the aquarium as we meandered through restricted halls and stairwells. We got to see where they prepare the food to feed the animals in the entire aquarium. They actually have recipes posted on the wall for each group of animals. We also saw the labs and veterinarian rooms where they treat the animals and also do necropsies. We saw where they receive the sharks and also guide them into the water. We walked along the cat walk just a few feet above the sharks careful not to drop anything into the water. I couldn't help but hear "dunah, dunah, dunah" (my impression of jaws). We were then treated to the new 4-D Immersion Theater. It was so realistic you felt like the waves were spraying water into your face. Literally! You never knew what to expect. From mist on your face, to wind, to the feeling that something is nibbling at your ankles while you watch rats scurry across the screen. It was a lot of fun. By this time, the aquarium had closed and we had free reign to it all. Al guided us along each exhibit and gave interesting tidbits about the fish and animals. We got to learn about what goes on behind the scenes. One of my favorite things was going into the rain forest. With minimal light, Al had to guide us with a flash light. Of course this was not so that we could see. This was so he could spot the massive toads along the way and avoid stepping on them. Little frogs are cute, but if I every came across one of these two pound plus toads in my yard, I would definitely scream and run. We had snack to tie us over until morning and also got to do a craft project. We learned about how they catch and track sharks and also why surfers are often targets. I will definitely always remember "yum yum yellow". Apparently, sharks like the color yellow. No yellow bathing suit for me. We then gathered up our sleeping bags, changed into our pajamas and headed to where we would be sleeping for the night. The floor wasn't that bad...a little hard but totally worth it to lay back and watch these sharks slowly glide past us. Sometimes you felt like they stopped and looked at you as if to say, "you look yummy". I woke up early and made Charlie get up with me. We headed down for coffee and breakfast. Others soon joined us. We finished off the morning visiting the dolphins and touring the frog exhibit. After playing a quick round of shark jeopardy between the three groups (which "Al's Pals" won) we were dismissed. What an awesome night. As Charlie and I walked backed to my condo, a little dishevelled with our sleeping bags and pillows, I couldn't help but wonder if the people we passed thought we were homeless. I do know one thing. If you carry your own sleeping bag and pillow on the streets, no one asks you for change. Hum...something to remember.


As if our weekend could not get any better, it did. We went to Canton Square and walked around the artsy area before dining at Nacho Mamas. Now when you think Mexican, I am sure that the last thing that comes to mind are velvet Elvis' and hubcaps. But that was the decor and the food was delicious. I particularly like the use of the hubcaps for a plate or to sip your margaritas from. After eating only a small portion of the gargantuan meals they serve, it was time for some ROLLER DERBY!! Just like it used to be on TV with women on roller skates knocking each other down. From their tacky outfits to their names like Flo Shizzle and Cindy LopHer, it was so much fun. I found myself rooting for the Junkyard Dolls and waiting for a close-line, an elbow or for a domino effect fall. By the time Charlie and I had figured out the rules, it was all over. I may be a new fan. Sunday we had brunch at my new favorite Irish pub. Doesn't have a pub feel at all. It is actually on old bank that they converted into a restaurant. It is very beautiful and full of history. We walked down to the harbor and enjoyed the sun shine and endless people watching.


Yes, I am still enjoying the city life. The traffic is not that bad and neither are the people. Work is very busy but makes the time pass quickly. I can't wait for more adventures. Hopefully will make it to Preakness. I have always wanted to wear a big hat and sip mimosas. Oh, and there is that whole placing a bet on a horse. Will keep you posted.