My kids went to the fair last week. Isabelle, my youngest, was able to talk Andrew into riding the Super Shot with her. It's the ride that takes you up really high and then just drops straight down. A great way to lose your cookies. Anyway, when they were strapped in and beginning the slow ascent, Isabelle decided that she didn't want to ride this thing anymore. She started crying, Andrew tried to stop the ride, and the carnie who presses the start button couldn't help. She was going to have to see the Super Shot through. Andrew said he almost cried just looking at her. She was very sad.

I see my life like the Super Shot. Sometimes you get on thinking this will be fun or good. It always starts like that. And then circumstances or people are not what you thought they would be. I've been strapped in to so many unpleasant rides. Even now. But the carnival guy won't let me off. It's not his fault. He just travels with the fair. He probably had a bad reaction to childhood immunizations or something. His story is for another day.

I wish I could just enjoy the Super Shot. You know, find the good. The comfortable padding, the view from way up there before I drop, the rush. But I know I'll be sick when I get off, so I get caught up in thinking ahead. Dreading the inevitable.

I hate the Super Shot.