Where's your first cue?

My first cue was a Palmer.
It had lots of inlays and mother of pearl.
It was purchased in 1974 or '75 for about $100.00 As I recall, the cue was
one of their more expensive cues. It weighed 21 ounces and won many matches
for me. Unfortunately, it was replaced by a younger, better looking and
better playing cue by Joss in 1983. One day a neighborhood kid asked me if
I had a cheap cue that he might buy. His maximum price was $35.00. That
was in 1985. I sold him my old Palmer and he still has it today. He
offered to sell it back to me for the $35.00. I told him (he is about 35
years old now) it was probably worth a lot more than that but that I would
buy it back. He hasn't been in the neighborhood since. :-)
My Joss East cue, was returned to Danny Janes in 1998 for a makeover and was
returned to me looking like a brand new cue.
In the meantime, I purchased two Moore cues (Mark Moore) and sold one. This
past year I went to a tournament in Kalamazoo where Mr. Wright (from
Illinois) a cue distributor, took pity on me and allowed me to hit some
balls with virtually every cue in his display. (He had DOZENS). This
experience let me to liking the hit of an Ernie Martinez cue, which
eventually led me to liking the hit of a Bender cue. Unfortunately I never
bought a cue from him, but that experience gave me a whole different
perspective on cues. Don't ever pass on an opportunity like this. THANKS
Mr. Wright!
There is a special cue waiting for your game right now. You have to find
it. It may already be made or it simply needs to be created by a cue maker
with your input in mind. The cue maker might even be on this newsgroup
waiting for you to ask just the right question. Cue sticks are like
automobiles. There is one that will fit you perfectly, at least it will be
perfect for you RIGHT NOW. Your body, muscles and taste will change as you
age. The cue you are playing your best pool with today will likely be
replaced with a different one as you gain experience, knowledge and age. :-)
My Bender cue is getting its final touches as we speak. I feel like I felt
when I was anticipating my date with the love of my life. God, it feels
good to be young! Love can do that for you. A good friend owns many
different sticks that are not common in our area and I borrowed his Bender
cue and fell in love all over again. Please don't tell my wife. She is
very jealous of my cues.

Photo credit: carlopool.com