My baby girl's BD is fast approaching, she'll be 28. (eek, dear GOD how did that happen??). she's fighting the same financial battles as i am (and the rest of the planet) and our gift exchanges at christmas have become much more based on meeting needs rather than wants. i asked what she might like for her BD and she was so cute, she said, oh i GET stuff? well of course, it's your BD. and she said oh probably oil changes and petco cards. but then she mentioned that there is a short run of the ballet Cinderella put on the Pacific NW Ballet.
we've attended many ballets, theatre, operas together and it's like the perfect girl's day getaway. and all the reviews and photos of the ballet indicate it is pretty magnificent, i would LOVE for us to go!!! however, the price for the good seats are just too much ($88 a piece). there are less expensive seats available and by less i mean $41 each, in the front row of the second tier balcony. part of the whole spectacle is to be able to really SEE what's going on and seats that far back are really removed that element. (we both took dance when she was younger and performed in many a recital on various stages including the 5th Ave downtown).
so bottom line, i just can't afford it at this time. which kinda sux. but i can certainly provide her with "gifts" that will lessen HER financial burden just a bit. oh sure ballet is an emotional experience, uplifting, enthralling and a good for the soul, which should never be discounted, but it's either $200 when all is said and done for a 3 hour cultural event, OR something less than half of that for the more immediate needs car and pet care!
in any other realm i have no problem making this choice, it's just tougher when it's my kid, even tho she's a grown up and all that. sigh. i guess we'll skip the "mesmerizing theatrical spectacle" as the Seattle Times put it.
we've attended many ballets, theatre, operas together and it's like the perfect girl's day getaway. and all the reviews and photos of the ballet indicate it is pretty magnificent, i would LOVE for us to go!!! however, the price for the good seats are just too much ($88 a piece). there are less expensive seats available and by less i mean $41 each, in the front row of the second tier balcony. part of the whole spectacle is to be able to really SEE what's going on and seats that far back are really removed that element. (we both took dance when she was younger and performed in many a recital on various stages including the 5th Ave downtown).
so bottom line, i just can't afford it at this time. which kinda sux. but i can certainly provide her with "gifts" that will lessen HER financial burden just a bit. oh sure ballet is an emotional experience, uplifting, enthralling and a good for the soul, which should never be discounted, but it's either $200 when all is said and done for a 3 hour cultural event, OR something less than half of that for the more immediate needs car and pet care!
in any other realm i have no problem making this choice, it's just tougher when it's my kid, even tho she's a grown up and all that. sigh. i guess we'll skip the "mesmerizing theatrical spectacle" as the Seattle Times put it.