A Visit to the Alameda County Fairgrounds

“The universe is winding down.  Why shouldn’t we?”
-Woody Allen,
as heard in his 2009 film WHATEVER WORKS

Diary Notes/Photos June 29, 1988

The day was planned for a visit to the Alameda County Fairgrounds.   I went over to mom’s house.   She was waiting for John and Sherri to appear with the baby (Holly).   I asked her to snap a photo of me but it came out blurry because she failed to press the shutter button lightly for the lens to focus.   I became impatient and she got a bit upset with me.   I know…it was silly.   I was saved by the bell as her trim line phone rang to save the day.

Ashley was already at mom’s house, having spent the night.   She was being a very cooperative model for my camera today.   She was overly excited about going to the County Fair, too.   She was acting like ‘goody two shoes’.

Holly was looking a little surprised at all of the commotion.  I don’t believe she knew what was happening.   She was just going along for the ride.   Of course she was very observant with me taking pictures of her.   She needs to grow some hair.

John and Sherri arrived and they allowed me to document their arrival with a Polaroid photo as well.

I was excited about going to the Fairgrounds with them.   It made for a fun family outing.   Mom took another photo of me on her couch.   Her new family room furniture had just arrived yesterday and I was taking advantage of the new comforts.

We arrived in Pleasanton quickly.   John did the driving and the first thing Ashley wanted to do was ride the pony.   The pony’s name was MARY LEGS.   I couldn’t figure out how someone would come up with a name like that one.   Ashley seemed to enjoy the ride.   I only wish they had big horses for an adult to ride.   I felt a little jealous.   I wanted to go horseback riding.


I did manage to go down one of the slides with Ashley and my mom was holding my camera and snapped me at the bottom of the slide.  
“How embarrassing is that? No one can EVER see that picture.   I’ll have to hide it in a book that no one would ever open.”
Mom laughed.  

I took a couple more snap shots of Ashley on some of the rides.   She was definitely getting all of the enjoyment of the day.   Sherri looked exhausted.  Holly didn’t know what was going on.   She was too young to go on any rides.  She wasn’t even 3-months old yet.

I think John was starting to feel tired too.   He seemed to snap out of it after a while.

Once we returned back at mom’s house in Alameda we found comfort once again on her new family room furniture.   John was relieved to be home.   It’s not easy with a baby and a very active, fun-loving little girl that has an endless amount of energy.

I sometimes wondered what Holly might be thinking at this infant stage when I would take her picture.  Her eyes always had that look of ‘alarm’.  

Ashley, on the other hand, was happy to continue to allow me to take photos of her.   When she had her Grandma’s night shirt she allowed me to take a smashingly good one of her.  I think that was my favorite.  Earth tones seem to be her color.

It was a fun-filled day.   I know I had a good time.  Family time keeps my mind away from this non-relationship phase and the doldrums of my Pacific Bell work week.  Ugh…

“When all else fails…we don’t.”
-as heard while watching the 2009 film
GI JOE: The Rise of Cobra