Welcome, Jimmy

[your choice of name did add to 'some' kind of impression, but then some just have that type of humour, right

?] and Undertow

and Svennybenny

and Shankly

and Davih

and Wugwell

and Lorri

and, again, Tarin

... and everyone else now posting here, on other pages, and in different threads and sections...

. My tendency to welcome newcomers has been made fun of in the past, yet other Forum members started joining me in doing that, so the need has not felt so great. At this very moment, however, the need has never felt greater. I've been part of the present problem and I prefer to be part of the solution.

Welcome to all Leonard Cohen fans

!!! It's flat-out impossible to assess your level of 'devotion,' and now that issue has for me faded into irrelevancy. Going forward seems a whole lot more important now. We might as well presume that you
are a loyal fan, no matter from whence you arrived... or, if you've only recently discovered Leonard, that you soon will be and will remain so.
This could have been a
very effective way to assess how many Leonard Cohen people are really out there. As Tom has noted in another thread, this is an exceedingly good sign. As you have suggested, Jimmy, I am going to take the positive view and try taking this at face value. What do I have to lose? What happens is what will happen. The rancor, animosity, and acrimony aren't doing anyone any good... and certainly not Leonard or his management. Do they not already have enough to focus on trying to pull this tour together, select female back-up singers, and practice? Do any of them need our creating still another issue for them to deal with?
A couple weeks ago, no one had a clue of what was to come, with that generous offer, and we were all just anxiously awaiting the tour news. The one thing I know for sure is that I will need to be arranging for more than a domestic flight. Lucky you Canadians who will see Leonard on your home turf. There are tons of Canadian fans, so the multiple venues there make a whole lot of sense. The Europeans have demonstrated more discerning taste with their embracing of Leonard, far moreso than the American folk have managed. So, the festival appearances there make sense, in that context. Hopefully, Leonard will return for some smaller-venue appearances in the winter, when Heather's legs will be white. Perhaps, one day, he'll even be able to do something in the U.S., even though it's not appearing that way. Have ticket, will travel, for me, though.
For years, many have been saying, "If only Leonard would tour again, I'd go anywhere I had to, to see him!" Now, the miracle has come and we have that chance. So much better to do it with smooth feelings of healing than the ripped shreds of pain. I look forward to sitting next to whoever it is I'm sat next to... and hopefully we will both have paid straight-up prices for our tickets. Don't think for a minute, though that, as the commercial says about one's American Express card, I'll be leaving home without my binoculars. Never know when they might come in handy.
I apologize to anyone whose feelings I hurt with anything I've said. I tried to be reasonable in my presentation, but I may not been successful in that. Panic and fear have never been the best motivators for constructive action, exchange, or communication.
Here's hoping for the best for all of us. I'm concerned that I may be at work when actual ticket booking begins. I may be at the phone, but I may not. So, I'm shifting some concerns, even as we speak. I also have limited time to book overseas flights and try to find a deal I can afford. These are very real, real-life concerns. Oh, and then a hotel, yes. Well, I have much more to focus on than the tickets. For one thing, there's a nominating process going on here that's very dear to my heart.
So, all that said, I sincerely wish everyone well.
~ Lizzy