Looking up from the foyer of the Disney Concert Hall.

Sing Out: I'd been wanting to see Chanticleer for years. But I somehow always missed the opportunity. And I almost missed this one. They played in Los Angeles only one evening, Tuesday, Dec. 21. But the tickets had been sold out for days.

The ticket reservations agent suggested that I come back at 6 p.m. that evening, as subscribers who couldn't use their tickets would return or exchange them at the box office.

So as darkness fell, I took my place in line with well-dressed people in black, many of them my parents' age, but also many in their 20's and 30's. I waited for almost two hours, my hopes waning by the minute. I was the sixth person in line, and the first four got tickets (at $55 a piece), and the fifth person decided to bail out with only 15 minutes until curtain call.

With 10 minutes to spare, a kind man in his 40's, who was in line before me, walked up to me, handed me a ticket and said, "Here. Merry Christmas."

Me (incredulous): You're giving me this ticket?!

Man (smiling): Yes.

Me: (still disbelieving) You're GIVING me this ticket?

Man: Yes.

Me (almost hugging him but maintaining composure): Thank you! Oh my God. Holy (expletive)! Oh, excuse me. Thank you - Merry Christmas.

And I ran inside. I sat on a side balcony with a clear and close view of the stage. And I heard a beautiful, candle-lit a cappella concert with three encores, ending with a soul-shivering "Silent Night." I wish I could show you a photo of the inside of the concert hall - but a very stern usher forbade me to snap a picture).

Running Update: I ran only 12 miles on Saturday, instead of my scheduled 15, as I woke up late. Average pace was 9:42/mile, which was about where I wanted it to be. I was already late to meet a friend afterwards, so I didn't stretch. Bad, bad idea.

The next day, I ran 3.2 miles with P., who had returned from running both the Walt Disney World Marathon and Half-Marathon the previous week (and PR'ed in both!). We ran at a 9:15/mile pace. Again, I didn't stretch.

Within a few hours, my right knee was stiff and hurt pretty fiercely. I knew the problem so much wasn't my knee, but my tight right hip. Aaargh. Taking a bikrim yoga class this evening - hope it helps. And a Tylenol. Tomorrow I've got 8-9 miles of intervals. Knees, don't quit on me now .....