June 4: Recital Tickets

Have you ever stood in line at a dance studio to buy recital tickets on a Friday at 4 in the afternoon? Me either...until today. Yes, with my daughter's first dance recital just around the corner, today was the official opening of the box office for tickets. See, each dancer in a class participating in the show drew a number and that number determined when that dancer's family could arrive at the studio to buy tickets. Great process, huh? Then again, they're teaching dance there, not efficiency. Anyway, we got number 48 meaning that we were in the first group of families to buy tickets (1-50) and the frenzy for us would begin sharply at 4 pm EST. If we did not arrive by 4, we would be forced to the end of the line regardless of our number. Yes, we actually were expected to stand in line while waiting. So, after losing a series of Rock-Paper-Scissors to my wife, I was the chosen one who would represent at this ticket event. After arriving, before 4 of course, I was ushered inside the doors with the other early birds where I sat for 15 minutes until the big hand hit 12 and the little hand hit 4. At this point, the group is told to get in line in numerical order. What? Apparently, in preparation for this fun, we were supposed to memorize the face and number of every other person before us in order to know where to jump into line. I have to admit, while waiting, I found the reoccurring complaints about the high ticket prices a little humorous, as my wife and I had recently had that same conversation. Finally, it was my turn. The whole time I'm thinking I buy my tickets and when we get to the show we find an open seat. But, no, we were actually buying our specific seats. No wonder it's such a production! I quickly grabbed the best seats available and bolted from the place as quickly as possible. Funny, it just didn't have the same luster as waiting in line for U2 tickets 20 years ago....I must be getting old.