Stuck in Traffic on I-65: Chuck Pace ©2006
The Day of the Big Race was upon us. We had plenty of time to psyche-up since there were no other events going on Saturday. John had the generator going in the Minnie Winnie (it didn't for half a day, and there was considerable concern, ...and heat!). With the Generator working, I put all my techie toys on their various chargers; cell phone/bluetooth modem, laptop computer, ZR70 mini DV camcorder and even my iPod mini. I checked my provisions, and my race readiness. Then came the boiled omelet breakfast I mentioned before, some Nascar TV on the Direct TV satellite, then a chance to go to the tents and buy some Racin' Merch. Both camcorder batteries were charged so I grabbed the the standard one and Jody, Rich and I marched off to Officially Licensed Merchandise land. Jody was amazed by the retail aspect of the whole thing, flabbergasted even. I was surprised to find a Wonderbread #26 trailer with Officially Licensed Ricky Bobby Merchandise, but not surprised to see that it was doing a booming business.

Card Stunt #1, Before the Racin' Chuck Pace© 2006
I got another 12 minutes of "video footage" including a golf cart ride up the leg-buster mega-hill that gets us to our gate for the racin'. Gate 7, Junior Johnson Terrace, about 18 stories up to our seats, 21 stories up to the top rows, and Suites. On the way back Rich, Jody and I had to stop and get some more bottled water. Rich offered to carry the video camera in the front pocket of his cooler, and somehow while putting it in I flipped the toggle on, and for the next 21 minutes and 24 seconds we captured the qwush, qwash, sound of the trek back to the campsite, and the next phase of our adventure. When it was tome to return to the track just before race time, i forgot to grab the blank tape I had ready to take, and having recorded (unwittingly, and unbeknownst to us ) the cooler pocket found that as we prepared for the Anthem and Fly over that I was at tape end! If I'd know then what I discovered on Sunday night when Jenni and I watched the tapes, I could've had 21 minutes and 24 seconds of the Race and events Well, live and learn, I guess.
Tuesday: So, yesterday at work I had an opportunity to catch up on Kay's online Journal, only to find out that she scooped me on my own video travesty tale just recounted here on the www! So Kay didn't just come to the Box to share her Cookie dough, Pecan/Walnut and Chocolate Chip pie (which was to die for, but did not cause me a headache), but to prequel me on my own story. Dang It!

Chuck Pace © 2006
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