Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Fearless

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Nico waiting for his turn on the Free Bird at the South Florida Fair, Jan 24, 2017


February 1, 2017


My eight-year-old son, Nico is fearless. I know what you're thinking, “dude, what 8 year old kid isn’t fearless? They don’t under stand the concept of danger!” However while you read that line, and as I sit here and think, I'm going to try and convince you that my statement is accurate! 

I’m already smiling because I am reminiscing about that day last week when my son saw how scary that amusement ride was and it didn’t phase him. Me on the other hand, well, my heart still pounds when I think about it now as when I did when I was 8.

At the fair there is a large beast of steal and lights that is built by mortal men. This ride isn't fixed anywhere particular. Once the ride is done over a week or a weekend, it is torn down only to be rebuilt again at the next fair. 

This steal frame rises high above the black asphalt casting a shadow of fear for those who aim to aviod it. It truly is a monster. The steal legs jettison out from the side like a kraken! Those beams are mounted into the ground with large stakes that are jagged with teeth for a firm grip underneath the surface of the earth. Those spikes keep the circular steal from toppling over while it shakes, rattles, and rolls those who dare to ride it. On the inside of the steal is a track where a long and large capacity car welcomes people who dare to step inside.  The straps and bar alone are scary enough because the it basically says, without a word being spoken, "strap in, so you don't fall out and die." 

Once the "all is clear" is given by the assisting attendant, who was just strapping down willing participants, another person activates the machine. The large tracks inside begin to rock back and forth like a washing machine agitator with the use of it's massive hydraulic pumps. The sound is menacing and the roar shouts to those on the ride and those spectators watching 'It's alive."  Victor Frankenstein eat your heart out. 

The momentum sways the people back and forth. The riders sequel with anticipation of the complete loop! As it builds speed the car launches forward. Then gravity pulls it back down.  The teeth of the machine catches it and like a catapult, lurches forward, again. But it only climbs half way up the loop before it plummets backwards up the other half. It does this until it has enough speed to propel it into a complete circle over and over again! It's called, the Superloop but for some reason they called this Superloop, the Free Bird!

Sure, I have been on scary rides and crazier roller coasters in my lifetime but this ride holds a special place of fear in my heart.  It just instilled some sort of fear within me ever since I was a little boy. Back when I was a child I thought my brother was crazy for riding it and that fear has stayed with me ever since. Now I feel the same about my daredevil, son.

I stood in line with him so he wouldn’t be alone while he waited for his turn. I was prepared to whisk him out of line anytime he gave me the word that he wanted to go. I feel like a fool for not being a willing participant with my son. I took notice of a group of boys behind me who were irrelevant of my fear. I also marveled at their indifference to the ride as these teenage boys we simply talking about girls, complaining about their Snap Chat and they tossed in an occasional curse word.  But their cussing was not because they gave a single thought to this beast. 

I began to feel guilty as hell that I decided that I wouldn’t ride it and chose to let my son go at it alone. About the only time in my life I never sacrificed anything for either of them.  My bad feeling was compounded knowing that my youngest son, who stood stoically beside me, wanted to ride the Free Bird just as badly. However Christopher, couldn't ride the Free Bird because he didn't reach the required height of 48 inches. He fell just 2 inches under. Next year will be his year.

The person operating the ride was also acting as a DJ changing the music that had high intensity base. The music couldn't drive out my thinking and I couldn’t figure out if the base was moving my beating heart 3 inches to the left or right of my chest or if it was just my fear.


The metal structure was littered with LED lights that shimmed to the music. My son watched the ride go around and the lights gave him a twinkle in his eyes.  He wasn’t going to be denied. My son over came fear and rode a ride that I hadn’t dared to try in all my life. He was fearless in a way that made me proud. Maybe next year when Christopher grows 2 more inches so will my courage and we can all ride together.  I want to be fearless to.




Captain Imperfecto. A blurry pic I took during training first week if January, 2017


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