There’s a Plot Afoot

Nice chaps! But seriously, when did bullriders start wearing helmets? Isn’t that a nanny state kind of thing?

TJ: I promised that, once I followed the breadcrumbs over here, that I wouldn’t go back. Really. And I’ve been pretty good about it. But in a moment of weakness, as the coffee was brewing I went ahead and peeked.

It’s awful – they’re dabbling in food pron, and really really layme “funny” food pron.

@Dodgerblue: Imagine running the ball against an NFL defense without pads. That’s rodeo. I’ve been in one of the trainer’s rooms sponsored by the Justin boot company to see guys get taped up and treated. Some riders wear QB-style flack jackets for broken or bruised ribs. Those with facial fractures (jaws, cheekbones) wear helmets with face masks.

I used to go to a couple of rodeos a year. Saw Dwight Yokam at the New Mexico state fair rodeo for $4 when he was just starting out.

@redmanlaw: I used to go to rodeos when I was a kid. I liked the steer roping event and the barrel racing. Yeah, steer roping is kind of tough on the steer, but all the same it’s better than being ground up into hamburgers.

@Dodgerblue: You’re up early for Pacific time zone. Jet lagged much?

@SanFranLefty: It’s getting better. I stayed up until 9:30 last night before crawling into bed.

The thing I miss most about my hometown is the annual livestock show and rodeo. It’s huge and so much fun. When I was a kid, I used to love going around the arena where all the 4H kids were showing their livestock. There were rows and rows and rows of cows, sheep, goats, fowl, etc. The rodeo was so exciting, especially because it was held in the ‘Dome. I loved all of the events with the exception of calf roping and any kid that was winning the calf scramble. Although the reminder at the end of the scramble that the kid would take the calf home and raise him to bring back next year for the show eased my mind that maybe the kid would make it up to the poor thing for twisting his neck like that. But mostly the scramble was so much fun to watch when the kids leaped and grabbed nothing but air. Bull riding is the most exciting. The crowd really gets into it. Although I learned later that most of them were rooting for the cowboy. Weird.

That reminds me. I’ve heard there’s a gay rodeo held somewhere around these parts. I should look it up.

@TJ/ Jamie Sommers /TJ: Remember that the International Gay Rodeo Association and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act have the same acronym, as I found out one day on the google.

@redmanlaw: So if you go to a casino on Indian land and bet on who wins the bronco riding competition at the gay rodeo championships, does it count double?

@Dodgerblue: Maybe we can get Catt to set a line on it.

@TJ/ Jamie Sommers /TJ: I’m not sure it’s held there every year, but the gay rodeo was in OKC when I was living there. The gay bars were a hoot and a half when the rodeo was in town.

@peggynooner: Peeking’s permitted. Even I cheat a look every so often. Although I can’t remember the last time.

If you’d like a glimpse of Silver-Age Wonkette, visit Pareene’s running list of the Top 30 Hacks at Salon. He pays a lot closer attention than I do.

@redmanlaw: Ha! Isn’t that great?

@Mistress Cynica: I found it. See below.

@Dodgerblue: I’ll find out in February. The Roadrunner Regional Rodeo will be held on the Gila River Indian Community, next door to one of their casinos.