It was August 24^th, the PBS night of magic.  We had just finished seeing the guys, and we were waiting to go into the taping area.  Mary had just received her present of the Il Volo welcome sign.  A few moments later, Michelle wheeled out this beautifully framed picture signed by Gianluca, Piero, and Ignazio!  She said they would be auctioning it off on ebay next week.  Wow, I thought, so cool!  I wonder who will bid on it?  I wonder how much it will go for?  The auction was up for 10 days – wow, that seemed like a long time?  Guess they wanted everyone to have ample time to bid – and save up for it!  Finally, the 10^th day came – it was Monday, September 12^th! 

 

Lorna was seated at her computer.  Anxiously waiting… She got an email with the latest bid; it was $615!  Twenty-one minutes to go.  I’m not sure if I’m the highest bidder, she thought.  I better add a little more to it, just in case!  Ok, I’m the highest bidder now!  She waited and waited…finally, she watched the seconds count down.  Three, two, one, zero!  Ok, did she get it?  She dared not look again.  Ding!  Her email just went off.  YES!  She WON!  It was hers for $620!

I am sitting here now with Lorna, the excited winner of the signed picture of Il Volo from the Una Notte
Magica in Firenze.

Me:  So, Lorna, tell me, when you saw Michelle wheel out the signed picture, what did you think?

Lorna:  OMG that’s too gorgeous. I would really love to have that to look at day after day in my own home! But I was leery about the price.

 

Me:  So, what changed your mind?

Lorna:  I had just come into a small pile of money and thought, why not? When will I ever have a second chance?

 

Me:  That’s a true Ilvolover!   When you finally got the link to the picture on ebay, what did you think of the initial bid suggestion?

Lorna:  It did seem a little high, but it was one-of-a-kind, so…. I started thinking of ways I could afford it. Just like I afforded my trip to Italy!

 

Me:  Bidding on items on ebay can be nail-biting, what were you feeling during the bidding process?

    Lorna:  I checked every day, sometimes several times a day. There were very few bids. Didn’t ever think I’d really get it, though.

  I checked back several times and my bid was remaining the high bid. The last time I looked there were 21 minutes left so I kicked it up a bit and won!

 

Me:  Did you set a price limit for yourself, saying you won’t go higher than a certain amount?

Lorna:  Yeah, well, my Il Volove got the best of me.

 

Me:   When you got the notification that you won, what did you think?

Lorna: I was just beyond thrilled that I had actually won the auction.  Sure, it will put some other bills on the back burner, but we must consider what is MOST important in life!

 

Me:  After you knew you won, did you know how long it would be before you got it?

Lorna:  I’m driving out there on Monday, September 19th to pick it up!

 

Me:  Well, Lorna, where are you going to put this new prized possession?

Lorna:  I have the perfect spot for it on a large wall in my living room. Now I can say buongiorno, buonasera, and buonanotte, to the guys everyday!

 

And, there you have it folks – Il Volo,

possibly worth more than life, itself!