Extra Ticket = Extra Entertainment

I will do just about anything for entertainment these days - what is wrong with me??

I am going to see Wilco again – this time they are coming to Salt Lake City. The concert sold out really quickly and luckily I was able to get 4 tickets on the first day. I figured Debbie could find someone to go with her, but it turns out that nobody else really likes Wilco enough to go. So, we asked around and most of our friends either can’t go or want more than 1 ticket.

So, I decided to check out craigslist and see what they were going for. I paid $28 each for the tickets and most of the listings had tickets for sale for at least double or even up to $100 for 1 ticket!! So, I could either choose to try and sell the ticket to some jerk that had $100 or just sell it to someone who wanted to go really bad. You might think I am stupid for selling it for less in this economy, but I went with option B. So here is what my listing said:

I have 1 EXTRA ticket for WILCO at Red Butte Gardens

I have 4 tickets to Wilco and only need 3. I will accept the best offer. Please email me your offer and/or sob story of why you need to go to this show and I will let you know.

Here are some of the emails I got. It starts out boring and then picks up some steam…


"$50 what your ad advertises.
Sent from my iPhone" – What does this even mean, there is no sob story, are you just bragging that you have an iPhone and I don’t??… yawn!


"Yes I am interested, how much are you willing to sell for." – But WHY are you interested?? Are you dying and this is your last wish, do you want to propose to your girlfriend at the show, did you try out for the band and almost make it?? I need to be entertained!!

"Do you still have that ticket available? I am flying into SLC on Monday next week and would love to see the show." – zzzZZZZZzzzzzzZZZzzzz...C’mon people!!

"I would love to see the show but have little money for entertainment lately. I am however a licensed massage therapist of 8 years. If you or anyone you know could use some therapy I would love to share my trade… and have an office in Murray. Thanks. Hope to hear back from you." – Getting warmer, but still boring…

"You see, my situation starts wayyy back in 1984 (the year i was born), or maybe even 1976 (the year my oldest brother was born), depends how you look at it. But Wilco wasn't even a band at that point? I know. But we were siblings at that point. And we have been ever since. And I'd like to think we'll remain so for forever. That's where you come in. My brother (now 32) has seen Wilco perform live 6-maybe 7-times. And, while attempting to discuss this with me recently he became rather frustrated at his lack of appropriate words and my lack of understanding (he's got a masters degree in creative writing so he's got reason to be frustrated) and, after some thought, said — 'you just don't understand me as a person if you haven't seen them live.' I froze. Was this the end of everything we'd been building for the last 23 years? Were all of his instructional mix cds and you know, changing my diapers and motivational sit-downs for not? It all came down to this? See Wilco or say goodbye to my brother forever? I guess what I'm trying to say is that I need to see Wilco Live. For me, for my brother, for my mother, for the world. What I'm also trying to say is that I work hard but I don't have tons of money, you know. So like, whatever you're willing to do for me as far as saving my family, would be great. I mean, $50 is reasonable. I could do that. Because everyone else is asking for more and I just don't have more. Did you already sell this ticket? Did I just spill my soul for nothing? Please let me know. I'm sorry this is so long but I felt it necessary to include a few details" – Now this is what I am talking about!! Now we’re getting somewhere!!

AND THE WINNER IS…

"Hello-

I will buy that ticket for $40, because my story is worth 10 bucks.

NOW for my sob story portion of the e mail:

I live in Japan which is great-but day after day I am subjected to AWFUL J-POP boy bands. Please see the attached you tube vid for an example. It will change your life. This was number 1 on the charts a month or so ago:

Check It Out Here

Between that and the karaoke culture here I am in serious need of Wilco...STAT. Anyway, I will be coming home to Utah this Thurs. I have never been able to see Wilco because they were always sold out in Chicago (where I previously lived)...To add to it, my friend who doesn't live in Utah anymore will be in town for just a few days with his new wife that I haven't had a chance to meet and they have tickets (yay) but didn't get me one (boo)

So you have the opportunity to supply me with a ticket to see Wilco and my long lost friend. Either that or I'll have to wait for them not to be cool anymore and go on a never-ending tour of Japan (You get points if you know my "This is Spinal Tap" reference) and will cry myself to sleep at night to the sounds of this youtube clip."

--HURRAY!! Now this is what I am talking about! Great story, offered me less than $50, included precious YouTube link and made a Spinal Tap reference. How am I not friends with this chic already?? She is coming over to pick up the ticket on Saturday - maybe I will get a picture and put it on the blog... or not.