We took the boys to the Ringling Bros. circus today at the Frank Erwin Center. It was enjoyable and especially fun to see the boys' excitement over their first circus. Never mind that we were in section 78, row 12; starting in row 13 they include binoculars and oxygen masks.
It started at 1:30 in the afternoon and by now it should be no surprise to you that we were driving up to the doors at 1:30 in the afternoon. Of course, there's no parking that close to the center at 1:30 in the afternoon so Chuck asked if I'd jump out and get the tickets while he and the boys parked the car. (Advance purchase for us means buying the tickets for a 1:30 show at 1:30.)
We took the boys to the Ringling Bros. circus today at the Frank Erwin Center. It was enjoyable and especially fun to see the boys' excitement over their first circus. Never mind that we were in section 78, row 12; starting in row 13 they include binoculars and oxygen masks.
It started at 1:30 in the afternoon and by now it should be no surprise to you that we were driving up to the doors at 1:30 in the afternoon. Of course, there's no parking that close to the center at 1:30 in the afternoon so Chuck asked if I'd jump out and get the tickets while he and the boys parked the car. (Advance purchase for us means buying the tickets for a 1:30 show at 1:30.)
"Sure," I agree, "give me the cash."
Chuck hands over his wallet - good man.
"Got your phone?" He always asks me that.
"No, but..." I reach to the back seat, grab my phone, and open the door and stick my right leg out just as the policeman directs our line of traffic to move.
Chuck moves and my toes (in flip-flops, mind you) are bouncing along the pavement for a few feet as I try to stop myself from sliding out the door.
"Wait!"
"Dad,” panic from the backseat, "you shouldn't go when mommy's hanging out the door!"
"I didn't know she had the door open!"
"Do you want me to get out, or not!"
Yes, no, yes, no....BEEP! BEEP!
"Stay in I'll let you out up there!"
Chuck drives the car "up there" and I get out with an exaggerated "I'm opening the door now...I'm sticking my leg out the door now...."
On the way to the box office, a girl handing out flyers asks, with a smile, "Are you going to the circus?"
Before I had a chance to reply she shoved her flyer into my hands. I muttered a hurried "Thanks" and kept walking. I figured it was a coupon but when I looked at it, discovered it was actually a piece from PETA talking about how slavery is still alive and well at Ringling Bros.
And I'm on my way to by 4 tickets to the show.
Has she never seen "Wild Kingdom?" Animals have it rough in the wild. And the thing is, they don't have big, human sized brains to let it bother them when they are in captivity. These circus animals are probably better fed and cared for than many children in Austin.
What about a new cause. Call it PETE: People for the Ethical Treatment of Each other.
Oh, wait. Someone already started that one. His name is Jesus.