2002-01-24-2:13 a.m.

We went to the National Western Stock Show last night. Dimitri by selling the most Popcorn in his pack's fundraiser was invited to go.

The National Western Stock Show for those of you who don't know is basically the rodeo. We got to go see all the animals, got to see team roping, bareback riding, saddled bronc busting, steer wrestling, bull riding...etc.

One of the funnest events of the night is Mutton Bustin'. This is where they put a kid 5-7 years of age and under 55 pounds on the back of a sheep and he or she holds on for dear life. Two kids with their sheeps made it the length of the floor, made me wish I was 7 again.

Another event that I hadn't seen live was Bull Riding. Bull riders look extreme on TV, they look positively loony in real life. Watching it live is a completely different experience, those guys are nuts.

I have a lot of respect for cowboys (and girls). Especially the kids who raise and groom the competition cows and bulls and such. Those kids put an enormous amount of work into those animals.

I haven't been to the Stock Show since I was probably 10 years old. Since I've gone now, I'm pretty excited about going next year, it's actually a very enjoyable experience.

For more info about the National Western Stock Show, click here.

d.