Hold Your Horses

So yesterday was spent at the horse tracks. My parents should be so proud — I've become quite the gambler. And — all modesty aside, I am pretty darn proud of myself for going. Let me just tell you why.

The Geelong Cup was yesterday. It's treated as a national holiday in Geelong, with many places closing for the day. It's apparently quite a big deal and a formal affair. I had to ask numerous people if it was okay that I didn't dress up. Every answer was, "No you'll be fine, they'll be all sorts." Just what I wanted to be, at the bottom of 'all sorts.' 

In order to get there I had to take a bus into Geelong and then walk 3 miles. Not bad. I only started feeling a little uneasy when I saw busloads of people in formal wear, feathers and hats. It was such a big occasion, all the ladies [and I use the term loosely] went to go get their hair done. It was probably just my paranoia, but I was feeling a bit out of place. I probably only saw ten people [out of thousands] in jeans. Halfway through, I realized I did bring dresses with me. I was better off anyway. It was windy as hell and I wasn't walking 3 miles in a dress. 

Anyway, I was there and I wasn't going back. First thing I saw was Fashion on the Fairway. Anybody could get a number and walk down the runway. The hats and feathers were crazy/ridiculous. I think the prize was a grand or so if they won. After the show I immediately headed towards the bar and got a beer for each hand, thus feeling much more comfortable. I somehow managed to plant myself on the grass right by the finish line. I watched a few races and also watched tons of people make idiots out of themselves, which made it totally worth it. 

I decided I had had enough and was ready to trek back, but on my way out somebody stopped me and asked me to take their picture. I didn't know what to say, so I just went with it and took the picture. It took her a minute, but then she said, "Did I just ask a random person to take our picture?" 

"Ummm, yeah, you did."

Anyway, we started talking and then I hung out with them the rest of the day. They were fun and I was glad I ran into them. 

I think in the end, my betting landed me in the red, but from my previous winnings, I believe I'm about even. So my life as a gambler lives on. Next is the Melbourne Cup, 'the celebration that stops a nation.' I'm not sure if I'll be able to make it, but I'll have to definitely consider.