For those unfamiliar, it was being backstage, all day, at your favorite soap opera; it wasn’t a show geared to an audience. Heck, they were lucky to get the film in the can, but it was a glorious day for me, and almost balanced out the birthday when my parents went to visit my brothers at Scout Camp, and left me alone.

I make a small income, but any disposable income tends to go more toward trips and concerts rather than actual material goods. My rationale for this is that any “stuff” that I buy will only last so long, whereas the fantastic memories of the trip or concert will last forever (or until age-related dementia kicks in). I’ve regretted a lot of purchases over the years, but have never regretted a penny that I spent on the Paris trip, or the James Brown concert, or any of the other trips and concerts upon which I’ve spent money over the years.

So I suppose I’m using this same rationale for kids. I’m sure over the years I’ll spend a hell of a lot more than $250 on toys and whatnot. And maybe only one of those toys will wind up being the cherished toy that winds up sticking around past adolescence. So, why not spend the $250 on something that will give your kid an awesome childhood memory, and will also provide some SERIOUS behavioural ammunition (”If you don’t stop sassing me, I’m selling your ticket!”) for months prior to the concert?