My great friend Jo surprised me with a ticket and hotel room for the July 24th show.  Perfect, because the summer theatre festival I played a part in was due to end the 23rd.  Whew!  That was nearly a conflict.  I couldn't wait to pack a bag and head west to the mid-state fair.   Then the shit hit the fan because I really do need new tires.  As a high school teacher who gets paid ten months out o…