This is a True Story...

I usually make it a habit to avoid airshows like the plague. They're crowded, getting in and out of them is a major butt-pain, and now, after having to do visual recognition quizzes in training, I've developed an new kind of aversion. I wasn't the only one whose dreams were invaded by MiG-29s and Blackhawk helicoptors the night before a quiz. I made an exception a few years ago, when I went to the Offutt airshow. I just bought my new camera (the good one) and rented a mondo zoom lens to take pictures of the Thunderbirds.

As I was waiting for a ride off base, I sat on a bench next to an older woman and a little boy who was her grandson. The kid looked like he was probably about three years old. He was fascinated by the camera and wanted me to take his picture. There was no film in the camera, but I "took" his picture. He was delighted. Then he sidled up next to me and wanted to look at the back of the camera. He seemed a little confused and his grandma said he'd never seen a film camera before. I tried to explain that I didn't have "that type" of camera and that we couldn't see the pictures until later. He didn't get it.

It was kind of like a burning clown--sad, but funny.