State Fair memories made

at least a month ago, Weird Al Yankovic performed at the State Fair Coliseum. my brother is a huge fan.
I have to admit, i liked Weird Al enough when i was 8 or 9, but other than Amish Paradise and the American Pie/Star Wars parody, i haven't kept up with his work.
still, i was really excited for my brother when he told me that dad had gotten tickets for them plus one of bro's friends. i knew he'd have lots of fun, and was impressed by the fact that dad actually bought the tickets for them.
but then.
mom called me one day to ask if i had plans that night...because it seems that my bro's friend had said he could go, but in fact had to visit his grandmother that weekend. great.
so they had an extra ticket.
the concert was to be on a thursday night, and i knew i had to work the next morning, and estimated that i wouldn't get home until 11 pm at the earliest. so i tried to shuffle out of saying yes, encouraging mom to brainstorm. there had to be some other high-school guy who liked Weird Al! i really didn't want to admit to anyone i knew that i would be going to the Weird Al state fair concert.
but then.
mom pulled out the big guns, saying, "well, he said you're his first choice for someone to invite."
well, geez, i can't say no to that.
it was actually a really fun time. so weird to hang out w/ my bro as a sophomore.

at the concert, we had great floor seats, in folding chairs. i was tired from our state fair gallivanting, and had propped my feet up on the seat in front of me. dad noticed, of course.
"you know, you can't do that. i'm sure someone will be sitting there."

"yeah, dad, i know. but right now, the whole row's empty, so i think it'll be fine."

"well, yeah, but security doesn't like it." looking around furtively, "if they see you, they'll probably come talk to you."

"okay. i'm willing to risk it."

a bit later, still pre-show, my brother was talking about how cool the concert would be, and out of nowhere, dad starts talking about how "a person" could make a lot of money by videotaping it. he laid down his theory about how there are digital cameras all over the coliseum, and the guards can't possibly be aware of who is snapping pictures and who is recording.
my brother and i looked at each other silently, then back at our dad.
"dad, that's illegal."

"I know, but you could make a LOT of money!" he was smiling, eyebrows raised, looking like a 12-year-old.

"wow, dad. this from the man who warned me against putting my feet on the seat in front of me."

and yeah, the concert was awesome. and i'm not ashamed to tell you that.