WAY BACK WEDNESDAY

In 1985 my grandmother decided that I needed to be more cultured. So she bought 4 tickets to go see the musical Cats. I invited my best friend Cullen. He was big into theater and I knew he would love this over my other two friends I had on payroll. So Grandma and Grandpa picked us up at my house (where this picture was taken) and hauled us to the theater house. She was very excited because we were on the FRONT row. WOW>...What she didn't realize is that we were on the FRONT row of the balcony. My grandfather was proud of himself because he had packed binoculars for us just in case. Not just ANY theater binoculars on a stick ~ nope... he had World War 2 surplus army binoculars. They weighed like 15 pounds. They were powerful. We could see any detail on stage from the costumes, set design, and at one point cullen exclaimed..."I can see armpit hair!" (probably one of the reasons for the need for culture). I remember my arm cramping at half way through the play from holding the binoculars during my turn. There is a scene towards the end where all the cats crowd around then run to the front of the stage. Well I had the binoculars and wasn't expecting that. Everything was in focus and then rushing right at me. So I yelled "INCOMING" and ducked down under the railing. I thought Cullen was going to fall out of his seat laughing so hard. My grandmother was less than pleased. I had emailed Cullen this picture several months ago and he replied. "I am never able to watch Cats without the overwhelming need to duck and cover! ~Thanks Trace"

The entire car ride home my grandmother was quiet as cullen, my grandfather and I discussed the amazing binoculars and the clarity at which we could see everything.