UPgrade ... My New Favorite Word
Monday, July 13, 2009 at 03:44PM 
It used to be elastic. My favorite word, that is. As a concept, I still like elastic. But as a new favorite word, I am definitely going with "upgrade" until something even better comes along.
Many weeks ago Erica, Audrey, TG, and I made a momentous decision: we would travel to Atlanta in early July and be present at the only Il Divo concert of the group's current North American tour to take place in a city we could comfortably reach by car.
It would happen at the historic Fox Theatre, a nearly 5,000-seat venue I last visited approximately 37 years ago when my beloved Uncle Don took me there to see Song Of The South.
*Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah*
We bought the best seats we could afford. Those would be nearly to the back wall, four and a half inches below the point where altitude sickness begins to be a very real threat. But we were happy. Ecstatic, actually! We have been avid Il Divo fans for three of the five years they have been in existence. We have all their CDs and can't decide which is our favorite. So this was a big deal; savvy?
David assured me that we would not be disappointed.
Problem was, the weeks melted away until it was the week of the concert. Only two days away from the concert, as a matter of fact. TG, Erica, and I were all set to leave around Noon on The Day. We would make it to the lovely home of my darling cousin, Donna -- who graciously offered to put up with us up for the night -- in time to change before setting out for the Fox. Audrey would drive solo, meet us at Donna's, and we'd all ride downtown together.
But why go to all that trouble if we had no tickets? Two days before the concert, Erica got on the phone to the online ticket seller. She gave him the business. He assured her that our tickets would arrive via FedEx Overnight the next day. When they didn't, I got on the phone to the ticket seller. I used the words "consumer fraud" at least once.
After admitting that our tickets had in fact never been sent -- because he had never in fact had them to send in the first place -- "David" mollified me by swearing that they would be waiting for us at the Fox Theatre's will-call window the next night, in plenty of time for us to be seated for the show.
"David," I said. "Do not let me and my husband and one daughter drive to Atlanta from Columbia, and another daughter drive to Atlanta from Knoxville, and all of us show up at the Fox Theatre, apoplectic at the prospect of seeing Il Divo in person for the first time, only to discover that you have been less than truthful and less than honest."
I may have mentioned the word "lawyer." I don't really remember but I would not rule out the distinct possibility.
David assured me that we would not be disappointed. "I'll even get you a few rows closer than the seats you bought," he promised.
"Uh huh," I said. Don't mess with me, buddy.
The next day -- the day of the concert -- arrived. It was mid-morning and I was packing, preparing to leave. TG was doing the same. Erica was not yet home from her half-day of work. My cell phone rang. Oh, looky! It's David the ticket shyster seller. I was afraid to answer; I thought he was going to say there would be no tickets at the Fox Theatre's will-call window after all, and that he was crediting our bank card the price of the four tickets, and that we should go ahead and unpack.
But that's not what he said.
"Jennifer, hey, how you doing?" David began. I told him I was hanging in there. And that's when he said it. "Listen, Jennifer, I got you four seats together. Got you a nice upgrade, too. You'll be in the orchestra section, main floor, twelve rows from the stage. Killer tickets. I hope you guys enjoy the show."
And he did. And we were. And they were. And we most certainly did.
I'd try to describe the evening but I don't have the words.
All day TG and I managed to keep the news of our special tickets a secret from Erica and Audrey, who found out when we were halfway to the stage on the main floor of the Fox and still hadn't reached our seats. "Mom!" Erica began shouting (because the event was sold out and there was quite a din). "Where are we going?" She demanded.
"To our seats twelve rows from the front, darling," I squealed. "We've been, like, totally upgraded." My third child might have hyperventilated a little but she managed to stay on her feet. Audrey freaked out somewhat (around the edges) too. It was a moment.
The boys were divine. If you get a chance to hear them in person, you should go. I'd try to describe the experience but I don't have the words. Just believe me when I say, it was fantastic to have "An Evening With Il Divo."
Back home again, it was time to celebrate the Fourth of July with assorted family and friends. My mother turned 72 on June 25th and we hadn't yet had a proper birthday party for her. In addition, Javier the Chihuahua was about to turn 10 (70 in dog years) on July 10th, so we decided to celebrate him too. I do believe that qualifies as an upgraded birthday party: Our beloved nation, our dear mother and grandmother, and our darling little old doggie.
Andrew was home for a few days before leaving for Omaha, Nebraska, where he's attending a six-week tech school at Offutt Air Force Base before beginning his third year of Bible college. His girlfriend, Miss Nicole Bramlett of Hoschton, Georgia (perilously near Braselton), joined us. Here are the pictures.
Reader Comments (10)
I'm jealous that you got to see them and of your upgrade! Hooray - glad you had fun!
So glad ya'll got to go. I know how much it means to all of you!
So glad everything worked out for you. Weren't they just fabulous. I got to go to all 3 Florida concerts and that weekend is one I will never forget.
Not only did you get an upgrade, you got a FREE upgrade! Is there anything better? :)
Glad you guys had such a great time.
@ Mari ... it was all the more wonderful for being so unexpected!
@ Lyn ... it did mean SO much. You know how much we like them. Best part was, they did not disappoint. Not even a little.
@ Lisa ... WOW ... all three Florida concerts? You must have been walking on air! They were truly incredible. Better than I would have expected, and my expectations were very high. It was a delightful experience.
@ Kev ... EXACTLY! A FREE upgrade! That is the only way to go. Hasn't happened to me like that, ever before. I mean, I've never even been upgraded on a plane flight or anything. Never expected to see the boys so up-close and personal. All kinds of awesome.
It was just totally awesome! It was an upgrade like stainless steel appliances as opposed to white...or hardwood floors instead of carpeting...or crown moulding instead of plain angles.
@ Audrey ... it was like ordering a small vanilla cone and getting a large hot fudge sundae with three maraschino cherries on top. For the same price. And Johnny Depp to share it with.
Il Divo are brilliant, I have been two four concerts but the last one we sat right at the side of the stage circle at the front. wow.Shook hands with them all and had loads of smiles from them all. They are truly amazing, fab voices and hey, not bad to look at either. lol. Chris uk
@ Chris ... no, not bad to look at! But I'm so glad they're not all about their good looks, but they're all about the beautiful singing. They really love what they do and it shows. I'm so happy for you, that you were able to sit so close and shake hands and get special smiles! What a treat. That's what I want to do next time I get to hear them!
NOTE: the following comment was left by my good friend Jay, of www.thedeppeffect.com, on my post Gum Drop. It wasn't her fault; I think my web site can be a mite confusing for comment-leavers! So I moved it over to this post because it's where it belongs.
As you were.
Good grief! Sounds as if you would NOT have got your tickets if you hadn't threatened the guy with legal action! I simply do not know how people can be that brazenly dishonest!
So glad you got your upgrade! Well done, my friend! ;)
@ Jay ... You know, I never thought of it in exactly those terms, but I'd bet the ranch you're right. If I hadn't gotten worked up, maybe David would have thought I wasn't serious about wanting what we'd paid for! Honestly, why must we twist people's arms just to get them to do their JOB? At any rate, it al worked out beautifully!