I just got home from my very first ever real live rodeo in TX. Not at all what I was expecting. Some friends of my son had extra tickets. WOW...the images I had in my mind...outside in the hot sun...sitting on hard wooden bleachers...dust and dirt flying. Country music and racist people...I started to stay home...damn was I wrong.

It was inside a huge air-conditioned dome. Cowboys were from Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, US, and some other countries. Black, white, Mexican, etc. And they were HOT!!!!

They played some country music (I think I actually heard my first ever country RAP song ) but mostly R&B and even rap. Gap Band, Rhianna, Salt & Pepa, Imma Be by the Black Eyed Peas...I could not believe it.

And those freakin' bulls were HUGE. And I didn't know these guys won millions of dollars doing this. Damn. All the jewelry stalls were selling goth stuff and black crosses. And so many people had on goth clothing--crosses, glitter shirts, boots with jewel crosses...blinging all over...I was like WHERE AM I??? In an alternate universe? Cowboy chic crossed with emo?

I had a blast. They had a carnival too and I had a funnel cake. Haven't had one in 10 years. That's how long it's been since I went to a carnival. It was sooooo good.

Things are never like what they show on TV...

[Edited 9/4/10 21:18pm]

dance4me3121 said:

Thats Great that you had a good time! I do not like watching bullriding.I went to one a few years ago and it sucked.A bunch of rednecks shouting yeeee hawwwww. I did meet a girl that night though. Glad u enjoyfd it

That's why I didn't want to go. I was sure I was going to regret it. But my son's girlfriend begged me. I was very pleasantly surprised. I didn't want to leave.

CHIC0 said:

I am now broadening my horizons.

noimageatall said:

I just got home from my very first ever real live rodeo in TX. Not at all what I was expecting. Some friends of my son had extra tickets. WOW...the images I had in my mind...outside in the hot sun...sitting on hard wooden bleachers...dust and dirt flying. Country music and racist people...I started to stay home...damn was I wrong.

To be honest, I think your description there (except for there being racists of course) sounds pretty ideal! That's the genuine old style rodeo that I would both hope and expect to see, especially if I was in Texas. I'm sure the new style is more fun for those who have sat through countless old rodeos but for those of us who just want a genuine taste of history, hard bleachers and burning sun would more than welcome.

Sounds like you had an awesome time.

I love when my assumptions are proven wrong and I get to experience something brand new!

Congratulations on having your preconceived notions shattered.

CHIC0 said:

I say no to waxed cowboys.

Assumptions always seem 2 be a bad move.

I love the rodeo.

Graycap23 said:

Assumptions always seem 2 be a bad move.

I love the rodeo.

I know, Gray...but who knew rodeo lovers were emo?

PunkMistress said:

Sounds like you had an awesome time.

I love when my assumptions are proven wrong and I get to experience something brand new!

Me too. We all have them about certain things, people, situations and it's wonderful to be surprised and to see something new.

Graycap23 said:

Assumptions always seem 2 be a bad move.

I love the rodeo.

Especially about Texas. There are exceptions to all the stereotypes. And in my 30 years living here I've had VERY few encounters with the type of people you described in your initial post. I've definitely encountered more racists travelling up North.

The only rodeo I've ever been to is the cowboys of color rodeo that happpens annually. It's off the chain. My homegirl met her husband there.

You should check out this museum if you come up this way http://www.cowboysofcolor.org/about.php

The black rodeo finals are in Mesquite (a suburb of Dallas) on 10/30 http://cowboysofcolorrode...index.html

Noimy, are you going to the State Fair? You should consider coming for the State Fair Classic which is a football game between Grambling and Prairie View A&M. Lots of fun. And food

Also, every year, they State Fair brings a broadway play for a 3-week run during the fair. This year they have Shrek the Musical. Last year it was the broadway cast of Mary Poppins. And I've seen The Color Purple and the Lion King. So it's not just pig races and fried snickers.

http://www.bigtex.com/sft/

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...ir_Classic

[Edited 9/5/10 9:17am]

SCNDLS said:

Graycap23 said:

Assumptions always seem 2 be a bad move.

I love the rodeo.

Especially about Texas. There are exceptions to all the stereotypes. And in my 30 years living here I've had VERY few encounters with the type of people you described in your initial post. I've definitely encountered more racists travelling up North.

The only rodeo I've ever been to is the cowboys of color rodeo that happpens annually. It's off the chain. My homegirl met her husband there.

Noimy, are you going to the State Fair? You should consider coming for the State Fair Classic which is a football game between Grambling and Prairie View A&M. Lots of fun. And food

http://www.bigtex.com/sft/

You should check out this museum if you come up this way http://www.cowboysofcolor.org/about.php

The finals are in Mesquite (a suburb of Dallas) on 10/30 http://cowboysofcolorrode...index.html

[Edited 9/5/10 9:07am]

You are right, SCNDLS. But I was also going by what some people told me who lived here before. I had three friends tell me to 'be careful' because there were many racist people here. I commented to my son the other day that coming here from Chicago was a breath of fresh air. Everyone I've encountered here, from store & movie clerks to the people on base to neighbors to the manager at H.E.B...most of the people here are so friendly and helpful and just plain nice. In Chicago you are lucky to get a 'Hello' and a smile from anyone.

I'm sure there are exceptions but I haven't met them yet. I would love to come to the State Fair. I'll check out the links and plan something.

Efan said:

CHIC0 said:

I say no to waxed cowboys.

maybe he's follically challenged. you shouldn't discriminate!!

so if he wanted to lasso your ass, you'd say no?

noimageatall said:

SCNDLS said:

Especially about Texas. There are exceptions to all the stereotypes. And in my 30 years living here I've had VERY few encounters with the type of people you described in your initial post. I've definitely encountered more racists travelling up North.

The only rodeo I've ever been to is the cowboys of color rodeo that happpens annually. It's off the chain. My homegirl met her husband there.

Noimy, are you going to the State Fair? You should consider coming for the State Fair Classic which is a football game between Grambling and Prairie View A&M. Lots of fun. And food

http://www.bigtex.com/sft/

You should check out this museum if you come up this way http://www.cowboysofcolor.org/about.php

The finals are in Mesquite (a suburb of Dallas) on 10/30 http://cowboysofcolorrode...index.html

[Edited 9/5/10 9:07am]

You are right, SCNDLS. But I was also going by what some people told me who lived here before. I had three friends tell me to 'be careful' because there were many racist people here. I commented to my son the other day that coming here from Chicago was a breath of fresh air. Everyone I've encountered here, from store & movie clerks to the people on base to neighbors to the manager at H.E.B...most of the people here are so friendly and helpful and just plain nice. In Chicago you are lucky to get a 'Hello' and a smile from anyone.

I'm sure there are exceptions but I haven't met them yet. I would love to come to the State Fair. I'll check out the links and plan something.

I've never met friendlier people ANYWHERE. Just going about your day you will constantly encounter pleasant people and get a smile from folks. When I was in NYC in April people kept asking me and my friend where we were from cuz we seemed so damn happy.

Speaking of stereotypes, when I went to the gunshow a while back, I was scurrrrred that I would run into all these crazy militia, racist mofos. Not saying they weren't there, but EVERYONE was super nice to me. And the salesguys the time to show me different guns and give me lots of info that would help a "lil lady" pick the best piece to put in her purse. Then the lil white lady selling roasted pecans showered my with baby, sugah, and dahlin' you coulda bought me for a penny.

SCNDLS said:

noimageatall said:

You are right, SCNDLS. But I was also going by what some people told me who lived here before. I had three friends tell me to 'be careful' because there were many racist people here. I commented to my son the other day that coming here from Chicago was a breath of fresh air. Everyone I've encountered here, from store & movie clerks to the people on base to neighbors to the manager at H.E.B...most of the people here are so friendly and helpful and just plain nice. In Chicago you are lucky to get a 'Hello' and a smile from anyone.

I'm sure there are exceptions but I haven't met them yet. I would love to come to the State Fair. I'll check out the links and plan something.

I've never met friendlier people ANYWHERE. Just going about your day you will constantly encounter pleasant people and get a smile from folks. When I was in NYC in April people kept asking me and my friend where we were from cuz we seemed so damn happy.

Speaking of stereotypes, when I went to the gunshow a while back, I was scurrrrred that I would run into all these crazy militia, racist mofos. Not saying they weren't there, but EVERYONE was super nice to me. And the salesguys the time to show me different guns and give me lots of info that would help a "lil lady" pick the best piece to put in her purse. Then the lil white lady selling roasted pecans showered my with baby, sugah, and dahlin' you coulda bought me for a penny.

I would have thought the same thing about the gun shows. I swear, girl...they're gonna have me wearing cowboy boots before I leave here.

(although it will probably be the black goth ones with the sequin crosses)

noimageatall said:

SCNDLS said:

I've never met friendlier people ANYWHERE. Just going about your day you will constantly encounter pleasant people and get a smile from folks. When I was in NYC in April people kept asking me and my friend where we were from cuz we seemed so damn happy.

Speaking of stereotypes, when I went to the gunshow a while back, I was scurrrrred that I would run into all these crazy militia, racist mofos. Not saying they weren't there, but EVERYONE was super nice to me. And the salesguys the time to show me different guns and give me lots of info that would help a "lil lady" pick the best piece to put in her purse. Then the lil white lady selling roasted pecans showered my with baby, sugah, and dahlin' you coulda bought me for a penny.

I would have thought the same thing about the gun shows. I swear, girl...they're gonna have me wearing cowboy boots before I leave here.

(although it will probably be the black goth ones with the sequin crosses)

Ummm, that's not a requirement. I've NEVER owned a pair of cowboy boots or a cowboy hat.

Here's a good article about the Bill Picket rodeo circuit. http://www.billpickettrod...070206.pdf

Graycap23 said:

Assumptions always seem 2 be a bad move.

I love the rodeo.

hence my sig line

SCNDLS said:

noimageatall said:

I would have thought the same thing about the gun shows. I swear, girl...they're gonna have me wearing cowboy boots before I leave here.

(although it will probably be the black goth ones with the sequin crosses)

Ummm, that's not a requirement. I've NEVER owned a pair of cowboy boots or a cowboy hat.

Here's a good article about the Bill Picket rodeo circuit. http://www.billpickettrod...070206.pdf

I stop at the hat.

Thanks for the link.

It was really fun watching little kids riding sheep. They only had to hold on to their necks and those sheep were running like crazy. The announcer said, "Something is wrong here. You can't whip your kids in Walmart but you can bring them here and let them ride and fall off sheep."

They had a hypnotist show too. I stayed to watch and I thought it was a bunch of bull.

Mach said:

Graycap23 said:

Assumptions always seem 2 be a bad move.

I love the rodeo.

hence my sig line

4 sho.

SCNDLS said:

noimageatall said:

I would have thought the same thing about the gun shows. I swear, girl...they're gonna have me wearing cowboy boots before I leave here.

(although it will probably be the black goth ones with the sequin crosses)

Ummm, that's not a requirement. I've NEVER owned a pair of cowboy boots or a cowboy hat.

Here's a good article about the Bill Picket rodeo circuit. http://www.billpickettrod...070206.pdf

See my avatar. lol..........

Has no one ever wondered why a guy named RODEOSchro is a huge Prince fan. In fact, the Second Funkiest White Man in America?

Glad you enjoyed the show!

Bill Pickett was one of the baddest men that ever lived.

He took down steers by jumping on them at top speed, collaring them, and then biting their lip until they went down.

Total badass.

RodeoSchro said:

Has no one ever wondered why a guy named RODEOSchro is a huge Prince fan. In fact, the Second Funkiest White Man in America?

Glad you enjoyed the show!

Now that you mention it...

But I swear I probably would have fallen over the railing if they'd blasted "Sexy MF" or "Darling Nikki" when the bull came out of the gate. I mean, Salt & Papa was bad enough.

Graycap23 said:

SCNDLS said:

Ummm, that's not a requirement. I've NEVER owned a pair of cowboy boots or a cowboy hat.

Here's a good article about the Bill Picket rodeo circuit. http://www.billpickettrod...070206.pdf

See my avatar. lol..........

Boots are sexy on men tho

My problem wit 'em is I don't wear jeans and I think they look dumb with skirts. Only Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette are allowed to wear cowboy boots with a skirt/dress.

RodeoSchro said:

Has no one ever wondered why a guy named RODEOSchro is a huge Prince fan. In fact, the Second Funkiest White Man in America?

Glad you enjoyed the show!

Do/did you rodeo?

SCNDLS said:

noimageatall said:

You are right, SCNDLS. But I was also going by what some people told me who lived here before. I had three friends tell me to 'be careful' because there were many racist people here. I commented to my son the other day that coming here from Chicago was a breath of fresh air. Everyone I've encountered here, from store & movie clerks to the people on base to neighbors to the manager at H.E.B...most of the people here are so friendly and helpful and just plain nice. In Chicago you are lucky to get a 'Hello' and a smile from anyone.

I'm sure there are exceptions but I haven't met them yet. I would love to come to the State Fair. I'll check out the links and plan something.

I've never met friendlier people ANYWHERE. Just going about your day you will constantly encounter pleasant people and get a smile from folks. When I was in NYC in April people kept asking me and my friend where we were from cuz we seemed so damn happy.

Speaking of stereotypes, when I went to the gunshow a while back, I was scurrrrred that I would run into all these crazy militia, racist mofos. Not saying they weren't there, but EVERYONE was super nice to me. And the salesguys the time to show me different guns and give me lots of info that would help a "lil lady" pick the best piece to put in her purse. Then the lil white lady selling roasted pecans showered my with baby, sugah, and dahlin' you coulda bought me for a penny.

Now, THAT would scare me away!

.

[Edited 9/5/10 13:56pm]

SCNDLS said:

RodeoSchro said:

Has no one ever wondered why a guy named RODEOSchro is a huge Prince fan. In fact, the Second Funkiest White Man in America?

Glad you enjoyed the show!

Do/did you rodeo?

No, I've been a volunteer at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for 23 years.

SCNDLS said:

Graycap23 said:

See my avatar. lol..........

Boots are sexy on men tho

My problem wit 'em is I don't wear jeans and I think they look dumb with skirts. Only Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette are allowed to wear cowboy boots with a skirt/dress.

I saw girls and women with bootie shorts on and cowboy boots. Mini-skirts and cowboy boots. Saw one girl in a sequin dress and cowboy boots. Now I know why. When I got home my feet were black from the dust at the carnival and the animal show. Dumb ass me wearing sandals.