Bryan

Do you ever not enter a drawing because you don’t think you’ll win? Here’s what happened to me. “The Book of Mormon” was high on my must-see list, but it seemed way over my budget. Even the cheapest balcony seats were impossible to get. My hope was revived when an in-person ticket lottery was announced — only 24 orchestra seats sold before every show at just $25 each. I missed the first two nights, but was determined to go every day until I won. I left my car for my next trip downtown. At the light rail stop, I found a penny on the ground right in front of me. I shared the “good news” with my friend, who laughed it off. The crowd waiting this time numbered several hundred. I even recognized many faces from the day before. I was definitely not alone in my quest to see this show. As we all anxiously waited for the drawing to begin, I leaned over to my friend and said, “I’ll be the second name drawn.” Of course, he chuckled again. First name drawn was Melissa. Second name drawn was (drum roll, please) … Bryan! I got two center orchestra seats in the front row for $50 – seats that are normally $125 each. It was both an unbelievable and awe-inspiring night of theatre and a little luck. We wanted to share my story because many people wonder who wins. Plus, we hope the theatre lovers, like us at MHOTC, don’t give up and keep tryin’ — you just might be lucky, too. For all the details on the ticket lottery, click here. Good luck!

There’s no way around it, my parents are old. My father is in his late-70s and my mother is a few years behind. And, no, 70 is not the new 40. There is not a weekly visit that goes by that I don’t give a tutorial on the remote control, iPad and Smart TV.

That’s not to say I don’t know any “senior citizens” who are young and vivacious, like my 70-something twin neighbors — click here. It’s just that, unfortunately, my parents do not fall into that category. And, trust me, they’re not offended by the term “old.” My father almost swallowing his tiny hearing aids, thinking they were pills, always provides amusement at family gatherings. Or the fact that whenever the phone rings on the TV one of them inevitably answers the phone. “Hello? Hello?” (If you can’t tell, my family has a good sense of humor about it all.) [Read more…] about Bryan Blathers: Are Senior Discounts Really Worth It?