last shall be first...

i've never quite understood the fascination with lotteries.

until now.

last night, i entered into a lottery to win front row seats to see wicked in new york city. for $25! that's a $100+ orchestra seat for $25! arrogantly, i thought i had a decent chance to win (although the other 60 people might beg to differ). i have no idea why i thought i was going to win; i just thought, "well, i showed up, i followed my friend's strategy (throw your name in the middle of the pack), and voila! out comes a ticket to sold-out broadway show."

i must admit, once the names started getting called, it was pretty exciting. some people were so casual about it all - "here! yes, that's me." one lady was on the phone and started shouting, "honey, i won! i won!" and really, i liked her from the moment i saw her chasing her toddler around and playing with him vs. scolding him to be quiet. so, i was glad she won.

waiting, waiting, certain my name would be called. after 12 names, i lost. incredulous! inconceivable! what made it so bitter was the very person BEHIND me in line won! and she had already seen it! hrumph! life is unfair.

once i got over the madness of the loss, i realized what an absolute amazing, unheard of thing this is. what kind of art performance gives the best seats in a lottery to last minute show-goers? it's art for the regular people. it's art that you could afford if you saved up a little every week from your paycheck. may i even call it justice, or the last shall be first?

there's something appealing about a system like this, where there is opportunity for everyone.

if only i had won. but i'll be back again.