July

About a month ago, my wife saw a commercial for the Nitro World Games. We are Nitro Circus fans in our family, especially Seth, so she decided to buy tickets. It was a competition featuring rollerblading, skateboarding, BMX, and FMX, or freestyle motocross. They are judged on stunts that they perform as they launch themselves over huge ramps. 

We bought VIP seats because it said we would get to walk around the exhibition floor and see the stunt equipment before the event. We were also hoping some of the competitors would be there to sign autographs. We got there early to line up in the VIP line, which we assumed would just have a few people. We realized we were not that important when we discovered there were hundreds lined up already in the VIP line. It was about 100 degrees outside, and we were melting. When they let us in, we were able to get down to the floor level and walk around the different ramps. No competitors were there to sign autographs, but Seth was able to get a picture with the Monster drink girls who were dressed in tight, black, leather crop tops. 

They ushered everyone to the floor after the “VIP” hour was over. Seth was a little disappointed that he did not get to see his favorite motocross rider, Josh Sheehan. We had to go through a tunnel under the stadium to get out the other side and find our seats. The air in the tunnel was about 10 degrees cooler than outside, so we stopped and decided to sit there for the next hour until the show started. We were chatting and looking at our phones to find out who was competing in the different events. I watched as Travis Pastrana — a motorsports competitor and stunt performer who has won championships and X Games gold medals in several events — walked by. I was waiting for Seth to say something, but he had not been looking up. Here is Seth’s version of what happened: 

“I got to go to the Nitro World Games and while we were sitting, waiting in a tunnel, all of the sudden, the world-famous Travis Pastrana walked by, and I did not notice him. But my dad did, so he told me. Then I chased him and yelled his name, and I was able to meet him and get his signature and a picture. Then we watched the Nitro World Games and saw the first-ever double front flip on a motorcycle.” 

I don’t know who was more excited about meeting Travis Pastrana, my wife or Seth. It was a fun competition to see, and we had a great time. We were hot, starving, and thirsty when the night was over, so we stopped at a restaurant to relax. Seth was slaphappy after all the excitement, and while looking at the wine list, he asked our waiter for their finest glass of lemonade to celebrate.

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