Counting Down to Change

     I flexed my fingers. The clock on the screen was counting down. These were old muscles, the ones that got me great seats for rock concerts back in the day: U2, Bonnie Raitt, Crosby Stills & Nash, the Allman Bros. I don't like Ticketmaster, but I knew it would be faster than talking with someone on the phone.

     The clock came to 0:00. The screen blinked, a wheely-thing spun for 30 seconds, and then the button came up that said “Purchase Tickets”. Two minutes later, I had them. 

     I've been to lots of concerts, mostly the Grateful Dead (ok, now I'm out of the closet – but what an awesome closet). These days I'm pretty choosy. I don't want to see a performer that sounds like s/he is sticking to the packaged goods. I want some improvisation, some in-the-moment, elevating, unpredictable beam of light into a way of being that has nothing to do with our every-dayness.  

     Sounds kind of religious, I guess. I prefer the word “spiritual”. Music can do that. So can certain people. 

     And that is what brought me back to Ticketmaster yesterday morning. Now I gleefully have in my hot little hands two tickets to the sold out appearance of His Holiness the 14^th Dalai Lama of Tibet at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. His topic: “A Force for Good.” 

     What has changed? Me? Absolutely, and still at it. The world? Yes. I believe so. And still at it.

     Now, if only I can get tickets to see the Pope...