Winterconcert - Page: 1 of 1

I remember saying, after missing the Ellis Island concert, that I'd never
chance another winter concert.

I did, however. Lowell. Providence. Concord. All without incident. But also
all not that far from the hills and lakes of snowy Maine.

This year, with so few Christmas concerts, all too long a drive for me, I'd
decided this was without question the first year since 2000 that I wouldn't be
seeing the Irish Tenors in December. And I had the good sense to stick to
my resolve until the week before Syracuse, when all reason deserted me.

Even though I decided not to go myself, I'd been trying to get good tickets
for three friends for six weeks or more. Finally, the week before Syracuse...
two seats in the eight row, left side. Wonderful! And then, two more tickets
became available...third row left. My resolve dissolved. I couldn't stand it and
decided I, too, was going to go.

The weather report? Sunny all week. Since I wouldn't have to worry about
canceled flights, I booked my non-refundable (all that was available) flight.
And I got a hotel reservation confirmed, just minutes from the venue!

Then the troubles began. The tickets, which were to be held at the box office,
arrived in the mail. Since my friends live nowhere near, this wasn't good.
What if I was unable (heaven forbid) to go at the last minute? But far worse,
two of the tickets turned out to be fourth row loge, instead of orchestra as
promised. That's eighteenth row, not at all what I had in mind.

Meanwhile (back at the ranch) the weather report was showing snow showers
for Friday. Still not a great worry.

And on the bright side, the box office said they could always re-print the
tickets and promised to try to find better tickets to replace those in the loge .
And they did replace them! Third row center!

At this point, everything had fallen together and I was thrilled to be going
to Syracuse.

Then the real problems began.

My flight would take me from Portland, Maine to Newark and from there
to Syracuse. And the weather report was beginning to show possible snow
for that area. Still no cause for panic.

But...by Wednesday the predictions threatened a nor'easter with 8 to 10
inches of snow in Newark, though just a dusting for Maine.

I was still hopeful and was all packed and ready to go.

Until the airline called. Sorry, they said, your flight has been canceled!
But don't worry, we've re-booked you by way of Cleveland...leaving Portland
at 2 and finally arriving in Syracuse at 9 PM.

Of course by now there was heavy snow in Maine and there's no doubt
the 2 PM flight will be canceled, too...even if the arrival time was early
enough for me to get to the concert.

So...here I am at home. Out the cost of a concert ticket and an airline ticket.

But worst of all, no Irish Tenors Christmas concert!

And I find one of my three friends is also snowbound!

The moral of the story is...if you've decided never to go to a winter concert..
stick to your guns!