A love/hate relationship

I have a love/hate relationship with Rose Festival. I look forward to it every year, but I also dread it at the same time.

Things I love:
Watching the ships come in. They are so huge, but so graceful. I also love how all the sailors stand along the perimeter of the ship while it docks.

The rides in the Fun Center. Okay, it isn't called the Fun Center anymore...something like the Waterfront Village...but I grew up with the name Fun Center and I am a creature of habit. Sorry Anny and Christina...it is just what I call it!

Parades, especially the Grand Floral Parade. I used to be in the parade for years in high school so it has a special place in my heart. Plus I took Zan for years when he was a baby. My dad used to work for KOIN TV, which televises it every year, so I used to always get to sit in the VIP section, which was GREAT! I could show up a hour before it started and see the whole thing with great seats. Plus we were right at the beginning (and also where the TV cameras were) so we always got to hear the bands and see all the cool stuff the floats did. Everyone was still fresh and excited...not tired and sweaty...

Things I hate:
Traffic! Between the bridges going up and the influx of people coming downtown...traffic is horrible!

Crazy women dressing like....ummmm..."desperate" women and throwing themselves at the sailors. Don't they realize that EVERY sailor tells EVERY woman that she is the most beautiful woman in all the stops they have ever taken. I mean come on! Why are women so dumb sometimes.

The MAX. Normally I can squeak into a seat on the MAX on my way home...but not during Rose Festival! Everyone, including their mother, uncle, cousins, and kids are on the MAX ALL THE TIME, which leaves no space for the little working people like me. I miss the quiet rides with other "workers" where everyone just sits in their chair and reads a book or listens to headphones. The Rose Festival patrons are high on life and LOUD. No naps for me on the train. Plus when the ships come in it totally screws up the MAX because they go over one of the bridges that gets raised. Last year our driver was playing a game he called, "Beat the ships". Unfortunately, we lost and were stuck downtown for 30 minutes.

Last of all, I hate how much money everything costs. Especially the Fun Center (aka Waterfrong Village). When I was younger the only thing you had to buy was some food, which was AS ridiculously priced and some rides. They used to have a braclet for $15 which let you ride all night. Now it costs $5 just to walk around on the grass! What a rip-off!