The two times I got to meet a TMNT

When I was a kid my parents took me to the James Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, PA to meet a real Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I couldn't really be more excited. I was going to get to see a live Ninja Turtle. I so hoped it would be Michelangelo because he was always my favorite, but any Turtle would do. My Mom, Dad, Sister, and I all went and stood in line. The Art Museum is actually an old prison that was repurposed once a more modern jail was built. It's very cool looking from the outside. We stood in line for a long time and eventually got to go into this little area not really in the museum. I walked in and my heart was kind of broken. Deep down I knew it was too good to be true. I didn't really think that there was a real TMNT within 20 minutes of my house, but this guy wasn't even trying. I mean come on... I can see the strap holding his shell up. I smiled for my photo and my sister did the same and we went home.

Six months to a year later my parents spent a ton of cash (and money was always tight) and took us to see the TMNT Coming out of Our Shells Tour. From our nose bleed seats I was convinced those guys were the real Turtles. That night is still a very found memory of my childhood. My Dad tried to talk me into getting the program as my souvenir at the concert ($10). I insisted on getting a pair of (practice) nunchucks ($20). I still have them. If you've never heard of this tour check it out here.

Close to twenty years after meeting Raphael at the art museum I saw this mask at the costume shop in the same town. I wonder if they removed the headband because there wasn't much call for Ninja Turtles anymore or if they had four different headbands.