2012 in Review

2012 My Year in Review

I began 2012 knowing I was going to go to several concerts, in March and April. We had actually purchased some seats while at the last event, Canterbury Cathedral, while sitting on beds, and that particular event, we had purchased the tickets while in bed in Canada during the previous Tour. All one ongoing and continuous process, jumping from place to place, event to event.

Even with all the planning, we never finish the Tour, the week, even the day, without the amazement at the way things turn out.

I am ending 2012, having just concluded a late Fall/Early Winter Tour, that was not even on the planning horizon, one year ago, and wonder where I will be in one year.

I had a fair idea of where we were going, what we would be doing, where we would be staying, and the actuality was far more wondrous and spectacular. I will keep doing this as long as I have the opportunity. We keep planning for the End, and it keeps just out of our reach, which is fine, we will keep on going. We will stop when they stop. Lucky them, lucky us.

I went to 27 Moody Blues Concerts in 2012

I saw shows in 4 time zones, central, eastern, mountain and pacific. But all in one country, the USA.

27 concerts in 21 venues, 14 states. 15 in venues I had seen shows in previously, 12 new venues. 11 front row seats. Drove to 4 shows after working the day, to 3 different states than the one I lived in.

I flew 4 airplane segments, 4 airports, stayed in 13 hotels. 35 nights in hotels or away from home. Used 3 personal cars, one rental car. Drove almost 5000 miles, flew over 6000 miles.

South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, Arizona, California, Nevada. New York included Long Island and upstate, and the Canadian border.

Drove through North Carolina, Alabama, Delaware along the way.

Ate at Waffle House, Cracker Barrel, and various local diners and dives. I had chinese, mexican, New York deli, and southern cuisine. I did the occasional rinsing of clothing in hotel bathroom sinks. I even went shopping at various Malls around the country, and we know how much I am not a shopper.

So, to anyone who thought this all looked easy; this is what it takes.

Hundreds of hours on conference calls, emails, texts and instant messages. All while planning at least two future tours. So, when you stop and ask us how we do it, and we give you a blank stare, we are not being completely rude, we just have no single simple answer. And if we did, you are still not getting one.

Concert going is not a competition sport. I provide these statistics to show how hard we worked, how much pleasure we derived from our accomplishments. Some people may have gone to more, I doubt it, about the same amounts, from the faces I've seen. Some people traveled further, and some didn't have to travel very far at all. Some people paid more for their tickets than me, some paid less. Concert going is not about getting the front row every time, but getting one is great, do not get me wrong, but any seat is better than no seat, I am not staying home just because I do not have a ticket.

Concert going is also not a contact sport, but I got smacked upside my head at one show, and read about it on line, from someone who claimed they were the smacked one. I read another report from someone claiming to be sitting in the seat I was occupying, and adding a disclaimer that if someone else wrote that they were in that seat, they were lying. I read reports that were the opposite of my experience, that is fine, if you liked a show I didn't, or didn't like a show I did, neither one of us is wrong, just had different experiences, and I accept that, I am not calling anyone a LIAR. But I have been called one. I have met some fabulous people, and some not so fabulous people, and a few real lunatics. OK, mostly lunatics. I have been asked if this was my first concert, (no), have I ever met the Band, (yes) do they know me? Do they ever stop and talk to me? (yes and sometimes). My concert ticket buys me just that, time in a space, to enjoy a live performance. The Band owes me no more than that. No autographs, no recognition from the stage, no invasion of their private times. I am an integral part of the touring process, I am the audience. I play my part during the shows, they play their parts, and off stage, we go our separate ways, all as regular people. No expectations.

I have seen people run up to their bus, block it to prevent it leaving, and seen people try to get into their bus. I saw their bus drive right past one car that was covered with writing all over the windows about this Band. The bus honked, the person in the car was oblivious to the fact that their adored Band passed them right by on the highway, maybe the closest that person got to them that night. And no, I wasn't following the bus, it passed us by, and went on to the venue, saw them getting off, wasn't too hard to figure out who they were by then.

I have seen people try to touch or grab at their person while they are on stage. So not good, can cause injury. I have seen people's delusions pop during the concert, when the reality of the Band not being 25 years old hits, and hits hard.

Do I tell everything I have been up to? No.

See you all on the road.
　

Sorry it's a long one

Saturday December 15, 2012

Sorry, it's a long one

I wake up to the sounds of "UgH", "oof", "argg" and that was just from me. "Where the heck are we?" I ask, and get no answer, I take the ear plugs out of my ears and receive the same chorus of "Ugh" and "errgh" back, so the language of the day is caveman. I walk like a cave man into the bathroom, located where we left the bathroom the day before. Somehow I had forgotten that although the room looks similar to the room we vacated, we had arrived and retrashed another room, in another state, and in another time zone less than one day earlier. I walked into the bathroom, and couldnt find the commode, since in this room the commode is on the right, behind a door, and in the dark. Removing my ear plugs did nothing to improve the lighting. I tried removing my eyeshades, but they were never on. I also had difficulty opening the door, and was afraid I would be left behind. We were three ladies, who live in two different time zones, and had been in two other time zones since yesterday. We were up way to early for rock chicks, divas or rock stars, but we had a calling. We each flushed after our individual callings, and proceeded to untrash the hotel room, gather all belongings, pack one more time, and bath and dress, all at the same time. Since we grunted and limped our way through this, it took a while. I dressed my part, and strutted my way to the lobby to check out. We walked past several familiar faces last seen at yesterday's concert, they were watching for me to come out the elevators, but I wasn't giving autographs. Or they didn't recognize me without my spandex and high heels, I wonder how long did they wait there before they left, anyone? I was checked out by some fellow, and if he has a job, and knows about my little habit, is he the man for me? No, despite chidings from my room mates, No, not for me.

We find that although we were not following our usual precision, we were at the right place at the right time. In time to be almost run over by a large vehicle that really should know better than to back into me, because after all, I am Me, and because I think everyone knows me by now.

Off we go, far away from a place that holds nothing for me anymore, and we go in search of the last concert. This was a day I had dreaded for several months. The last show of the year, and I always worry that it will be my last show ever. I had suffered a devastating injury in between Tour segments 10 years ago, and missed the last concert with the original flautist, and while I can not regret what I could not do, I have had a lingering feeling of loss ever since that week. I don't want to miss a thing.

We weren't even on the road 20 minutes, when we ran into other hardened road warriors, headed in the same direction. So not coincidental, but one might think we coordinated this travelling together, we were such a unified group. My side of the windshield steamed up, and the cloudy whiteness spread like a fungal rash on a rank foot, acrossthe windshield, and along the side window, towards the back. I was accused of having a hot flash, and impure thoughts regarding someone in another vehicle, and I assured them that I was not having any such spells, and that any impure thoughts I might be having I was not only unaware of them, but that they certainly were not about any one on the road from California to Nevada this fine morning. I still insist that the steamy window was a psychic link from someone having impure thoughts of me, and I stand by my opinion, and I have proof I have admirers, they show up everywhere I go, and wink at me. Or have gas, or something in their eye, but they are there, every day.

We continue, out of the dry desert, past civilization. We could tell we were closer to LA for a while, the cars got smaller, brightly colored, faster and more expensive. We then entered the mountains. Gorgeous, undulating and folded, sharp shadows and clouds, palm trees disappearing, joshua trees appearing, and the horizon, melting into itself. The sky was blue with whispy clouds, interspersed with heavy grey clouds, precipitation visible, falling to the ground, and beams of sun casting light and dark shadows across the landscape. When we were at the tops of the hills, going down, we could see for miles, and it seemed we were on another world, and maybe we were. Snow had fallen in the higher elevations, and with the beams of light, gave a magical quality to this leg of the journey. We saw people stopped on the side of the road, playing with the snow, they see it so rarely here. I see too much of it at home, and was unimpressed with the snow part, but loved seeing it on these mountains. It was stunning.

We continued onwards, joining up with others going the same way, and finally get into town. I haven't been here in a few years, several new casinos rise into the air. We listen to the little man hidden in the machine, and turn right, stay inthe left lane, keep right, turn left, and you have reached your destination. And what do I see? Looming over me? Three familiar faces, and todays date. Everywhere I go, I can't escape my fate. We continue, arriving in style, like rock stars, or slightly better than rock stars who have to avoid certain annoyances, and enter through the service entrance. I can strut my way around, no one chasing me, No panic in my eyes as I stride away from any wild eyed, wild haired admirers. My admirers are a different lot, unlike my detractors.

So, I am undecided still about the event tonight. If I go, it will bethe last of the year, if I don't go, it will still be the last of the year. Will it be as good as last night? will I be let down, will I get delusional? Cross that line of no return, and enter the dark side? I hope not, I have seen what resides on the dark side, and want no part of that. So, I am handed a ticket, and get ready. I was glad to see where I was sitting, in a seat someone else had assured me was given to a non fan. I am not a non fan, so someones credible source is not credible at all.

Up to my room, and a spatula is used to spread on my face, and apply the spandex to the right places, which caused lumps in the other right places, I could shift around, and line everything up correctly. Animal print day, by popular request. I wore one print publically, and another print was worn privately. And I wore the romperstomper shoes again. I like being tall. I was getting a few looks, though. One problem I did have, was finding the shower on the right this time. I had expected to find the commode, and almost caused myself an injury, half squatted with spandex at my knees, before I realized that there was no bowl under me.

We get to the line up. Some people got there very early, in order to be first in line. I believe that one does not have to be first, just not last. There was some pushiness going on, and jumping the queue. Not good Moody Manners. In fact, there were several instances of bad Moody Manners seen. And I think I have a new personal stalker. I did have several people try to eavesdrop personal conversations. No respect for personal space.

There was a preshow Storytellers, and people pushed their way, stepping over others to get to the front row. I was about to step into the elevator, and I distinctly heard a female voice tell the usher to close the door, don't let her in. I am going to remember that. That was mean. I join up with my friends, the real ones, and we file into the sixth row. We do not think too highly of ourselves to sit so far back.

Once again, we were instructed to not video or audio record the session, as they wished it to remain special and intimate for us participants. Aos, no flash. Did the people gabbling and playing with their cameras follow this? Did they obey the wishes of the artists they paid so much money to hear? Not all of them. Somewhat disrespectful, I fear.

It was also announced that the show was being audio recorded that night.

Someone wants to let us all know she has been to more than one Concert, so we are asked to raise our hands for a concert countdown.. She drops hers at less than 30 lifetime. HA! This is # 27 this year for me. We then continue, many flabbergasted at the amount of hands still up at 100. HA! again, someone admits to over 250, I admit to 327. Said under 30 lifetime concerts lady, "what about seeing them in England, I did that, did anyone else her go there?" Yes we did, more than 20 times. She hung her head, she had no idea what some fans are capable of achieving. She also needed reminding that Concert Going is not a competition sport. A lot of people need reminding for that, and also it is not a combat sport. The man behind me told me I had not life. I chastised him. He ate his words a few minutes later during Storytellers.

And the Talent arrives. Yay for us. Yay for them. Some fun questions were asked. The Bass Player told us why he wasn't using the doubleneck. it is heavy, and his regular bass gives a cleaner sound, at least this is what he said. The drummer discussed bad banana dreams. The guitar player discussed his loss of table manners, as he eats in strange places at times. he also corrected some bad American English. It is "The Royal Albert Hall", and "Canterbury Cathedral" no the before it, he remarked it was just annoying to hear it incorrectly for an Englishman.

He then pointed out that some ladies in the audience tonight had been present at that "Canterbury Cathedral" concert with Ian Anderson, and he thanked theses ladies, nodded his head towards them, and hand gestured towards them, and said that their presence "Knocked me out." And thanked them again for being there. And that show was just one year ago. Lucky ladies, whomever they might be. ;-). Funny how he was able to look over the first few rows, to see us. And us, not waving any banners or glow sticks either, it was amazing we were noticed at all.

(We kept that to ourselves, don't like to brag we knock out Rock Stars)

So there, Mister You have no life. At least in my non life, I impress the man you paid to hear sing tonight.

And other things were said, including the Bass Player asking permission to announce a Fall 2013 Tour.

We File out, with people whom have never talked to me in all these years of concert going suddenly wanting to stop and talk. HMMMM. I need to run an errand, so Itake off my stilts, and run to my room. Yes, I had a room in the hotel, as did many other famous and non famous people.

I was able to return, skip the queue, and go back inside, where I held audience for my admirers and detractors one more time this year. I made my way into the actual venue one more time. I had noticed, that the people who needed to jump in line, and push others out of the way, and refuse entry into the elevator to others, were coveting and eyeing some empty seats in the front row, halfway down, in front of the center microphone stand. I could feel the insane burn of those eyes follow me as I sat in one of those seats. Sometimes you get what you deserve, and karma can be a bitch, and sometimes thing drop in your lap.

The stage is medium height, below my chin, without heels, and the microphones are set a few feet back. The floor seating is a dozen rows, center section, and two small side sections just past performers, with the stage curved, giving everyone a nice view if they had a floor seat, a real premium venue. The sides and rear were elevated, with the sides being boxes, looked like a great view from up there, but I was stuck with looking up at a microphone.

The Concert was slated to be a full two set show, with full roster of songs, any omissions were to be last minute, and not anticipated.

The Band came out, light footed, smiling, and began with power, and maintained it the entire evening. The Middle Man with the guitar was dancing from foot to foot, and we know what that means, and it does not mean a toilet break is needed.

How they can play night after night, year after year, and still make is sound fresh is one of their secrets, and part of their magic. I'd like to think I was part of it, just by being there. Anyone who opted out of going to this show due to dislike of seats, Venue, City, or fear of a limited set list due to its being in a casino lost out on THE BEST CONCERT of the Tour. Ok, I only saw 11 out of 18 shows this Tour, it was the Best I saw, and according to someone in the Band who shall remain nameless, with whom I talked with afterwards, in a non concert setting, it was the best they thought, also, if one of the actual musicians opinions count for anything.

Stand Out moments of the show? The beginning, middle and end, and all the twiddly bits in between.

Gemini Dream, no mystery verse.

Tuesday Afternoon The soaring "AH AH's before the time change were sung in their entirety by the guitar player. He had been opting out at times due to vocal strain and self preservation, During this tour, allowing the backup singers to take lead, since he sustained that injury almost two years ago. Thanks.

You and Me

The F word comes to mind as and adjective of high praise, awesome. Every night its a bit different, in length and twiddly bits, this one was a few neasures longer, and crunchy raunchy.

Peak Hour both up front got on their toes for the high notes "DO OO OO OO! Great guitar solo again.

Nervous LOVE IT Some great vocal adlibs by the bass player.

SIWL

The singer really got into it, with hand gestures, winking and smiling at certain people.

IKYOTS

The lost verse returned, but the last verse was lost. Still fun, and I didn't need the words taped to the floor in front of me to remember them. e lead singer who wrote the thing didn't, either. I sat right in front of him, mouthing along, didn't care, I wasn't singing, trying to make myself heard, or anything, just a fanwho loved the song, remembered when it was released, as I had been a fan, and concert goer long before then, and He looked at me and smiled, at the end. We did our exuberant joyous group standing at the key change, and that made him happy. At least I think so, based onthe evidence, which was a smale, and an off mic "thanks".

TSIYE

I love that song, the bass line, the keyboards, the guitar riffs, from opening to the climatic end, it moves me. Plus, I was a child when I first heard it, and always wanted to meet the man who was frightened for me, and my life, in vain.

YWD

Someone was so hoppity he was almost airborn, and never bothered to fasten that bottom button on his shirt.

ILS

lovely

TOSOL

Back in, no big vocal straining, and the militant minded glow stickers were there, a few scattered ones. dutifully waving back and forth, most not following the beat of the music. We can't all me perfect, but some of us try. I didn't wave one, was forbidden several years ago, when my sweaty hand lost grip, and took out several folks in the aaudience with my errant stick. Will do on occasion, when I feel moved. I didn't this concert.

Driftwood

beautiful

Higher and Higher

Fabulous. The guitar player was on fire all night, and when he played that sustain, it lasted 10 measures, the drummer was poised at his risers, to go back to his kit for his solo, and the guitar player looked at him, as they were awaiting the guitar riff signalling the cue, and he said to the Drummer, "sorry, its a long one." and the backing musicians and bass player had to play on a bit longer, WOW, what a great rendition.

IJAS

Fabulous, but I noticed that hte guitar player was several feet back and not as far over to the edge of the stage as usual. last time I saw that was in Port Chester the first, during a night of security risk, perhaps again? Some people do not listen to the lyrics, and do not Say it with love.

I did hear from a band member that sometimes, when seeing a doppelganger, they can cause to shudder.

NIWS

Oh my, like it was sung to me personally, and meant something. And the vocal flourish at the end, that was missing due to strain, was back tonight, and non yodeling.

Question

cooked

RMSS

I hate being that happy at the end. Just a bebopping away, and yes I do know what I look like when I do that.

The guitar player handed his neck out to my travel partner, and she took his offered pick, he said "Thank you both it was a pleasure seeing you here." I may never be the same again.

I did have doff my shoes again, and was asked to don them for dining, and had a hopping foot cramp, but I figured, most have seen me hopping in public before, and I needed to wash my feet before sleep, it was not requested but appreciated by my bed partner.

And that was that.
　

Time Travellers

Friday December 14, 2012

Time Travellers

Woke up in the usual position, on my side, ear plugs jammed in, yet the ringing in my ears remains. Still feeling a bit off from the show last night. Events are winding down, the end is in site, and I am reluctant to start the day. I need a promise from a reliable source that my Friday will be better. first, I had to find out it was Friday. Again, dining without the silver platter, but a fancy meal none the less, juice and coffee, a treat.

Showering, scraping off the layers of my naturally flawless complexion, and rinsing away the accumulated whatever from the past 24 hours is a chore, a difficult chore, that I had to be forced into doing, with the promise of new and better things awaiting down the road. With the precison timing of a European watch, we untrash the hotel room, packing enormous amounts of everything into our bags, put on our rock star strut just in case anyone is watching, and we check out of our lovely home away from home. Did you know that hotels require everyone to be out by a certain time? We were not the only ones leaving, and we dodge around the other vehicles and take off for parts unknown, where we hope we are not followed by itinerant musicians.

Driving along, we try to find a radio station that plays old people music, and we find religious, and spanish speaking stations, with the odd luck of getting old people music, a lot of Bon Jovi. We know older people, but hwe was a good substitiute. Drive Drive Drive Drive Drive. Cactuseseses, waving at me, I think they remember me from the last time I was through here. What are the chances of running into anyone we know, Right? We wave and continue onwards, and go, and go and go. We stop for fuel, at the AZ/ CA state line, and they had black commodes, very unusal, and a bit frightening.

We go on, continuing until the little man hidden in the GPS tells us we have reached our destination, we have no choice, we must stop here. There was a sign. Those Darn fellows and their friends are here as well. Might as well go in, we decide, and wouldn't you know, the first people we run into, are the folks we know, curiously smiling and waving at us, winking, like we shared some secret, or journeyed together. Suitcase in hand, sunglasses on indoors, and a rock star strut, rivaling the strut of an actual rock star, if I was walking in with a rock star.

Our room is nice, clean, and so far we have not had to ask"What is that smell?" We place our bags in the approximate same place as in the last hotel, take our places in the beds in the same arrangement, and get the room Rock and Roll trashed in less than 5 minutes. There is something wrong with us, it should have taken two minutes or less. Great bathroom, with a commode, white, on the right, in its own cubicle, again, as in Mesa, with poor lighting. I need to know, what am I doing wrong that I need bright light in the commode? A double sink, plenty of room for us to place our natural complexion appliances, a tub, so deep, I was afraid if I had gotten into it, I would have needed help getting out, and also there was a glass shower stall. Like being on display.

After giving the room its makeover, we take off to the casino. Visiting with friends, and catching up on things. It has been a few years since I have been this far West, and I was so glad to see some of the lovely people I had met over the years. Losing contact with so many, as we all go our separate ways, it is nice to see that the music still calls us. and we follow, or in my case, get there first, or at the same time, or shortly afterwards. And rarely, not getting there at all.

We also gained another hour in time, someplace around the black commode. Amazing, pee into blackness, and gain an hour.

We look at each other in shock, we are at the venue, and at the hotel, both at the same time, this hadn't happened at all this recent Tour, and we are at a loss to do, our precision timing and exact schedule is gone, we wander around each alone. I chose not to gamble, as my life is a gamble every day.

did I mention I was in California? I was across the entire continent just a short time ago, and now we are here, doing the same thing, in a different location, in different clothing, with some different people, and I hope a different concert tonight.

Spackle and Spandex to get ready. There is a certain snap to clothing when it has the right amount of spandex woven into it, and there is another Thwap sound when things do not line up correctly, and there were a few Twaps heard, with giggles, and cuss words as we primped ourselves up.

The Concert

Someone handed me a concert ticket I really had no idea where I would be sitting that night, and I was pleased with the location. Front row, two seats to the right of a certain bass player, so no annoying microphones blocking my view. I could also see one young drummer, a locally famous keyboard player, and someone standing in the middle. The older drummer, and the females were distant, but that was alright, as i had them as my primary focus the night before. I am an equal opportunity audience member, I love whomever I am in front of, and I love whomever is singing, and I love whomever is playing with their instrument.

The stage was higher, at my chin level, but I remedied that by wearing 6 inch heels, so that the stage was above my spandexed and supported bosom. Padded moveable seats, not bolted into the floor, and a concret smooth floor. I never wear heels, so this was an adventure into the land of the unknown. With my mangled right knee, my recent broken right great toe, and my left hip bursitis, achieving the correct rock star strut without breaking an ankle, or hitting my head on the stage was a feat to behold. So many present that didnt know who I was, or what I wastrying to do, may not have been as impressed as those who knew me, and my pimited mobility. Some might say that I was being impractical, but I actually was having fun, in between being terrified. And it was especially nice to be at eye level or taller than so many others. Looking up at people who are always looking down at you gets tiring.

Back to the Concert

WOW

A different Band show up. There were several familiar faces inthe audience from the night before, but mostly a fresh audience, many of whom had not heard the Band either this Tour, or This year, so all got a treat.

Gemini Dream, no mystery verse, sung perfectly.

We were in a Casino, 90 minute set, straight thru, with the usual deletions,

No Nervous Gypsies Saying it with Love, ther was no other side of life to investigate, and no one sat comfotably, nor did they drift wood.

The Lost Verse of IKYOTS remained lost.

NIWS

The Best all Tour, with a heat and a passion, that left me verklempt. Teary. A certain bass player appeared as he had the Vapors afterwards, also. usually he instills the Vapors, this time I think I gave them to him.

The fellow in the middle looked to his left, towards me a lot all night, and smiled, maybe had a crick in his neck? or Gas? Or was Glad to see me, to have me there? I know what I think, and I hope you do too.

RMSS, why people question that as the end? Such a fun happy way to leave the concert. Everyone was talking about the show on the way out, second best show I saw this Tour.

It had heat, fire, that kapow factor, and left me a bit emotional, a bit teary, in a good way. This is why I go to multiple shows, I want that great concert experience, and I found it tonight.

A very scary walk on my stilts to get to our meeting place, where a committee meeting was taking place. What to eat, where to sit, who sits were. I had a margarita and sat down. I waved good night to all who walked by, the ones I have been traveling with, and the ones I met along the way, and we go off to our room, and sleep.
　

Deja vu all over again

Thursday December 13, 2012
deja vu all over again
I wake up in roughly the same position I woke up in less than 2 weeks ago,  and with the same other people in their same positions. Suitcases in the same locations. One would think we make diva like requests when reserving hotel rooms, so that no matter where we are, we know were everything is. No, "where are we anyway?" is asked quite early in the day, as early as we could, with slow inching open of the curtain to let in small bits of light, to not shock our delicate systems. The view is interesting, sharply pointed brown mountains, chain stores and paved roadways. We were last near a major North/South interstate, now we are accessable near a major east/West interstate.  We take turns investigating the plumbing, and I know I needed a good dose of sudsing and rinsing, and repeating to wash off the jet lag.  I feel like I was at that 12-12-12 concert, with sore muscles, ringing ears, and the nagging feeling that I was near someone famous, who sings some song I can not recollect right now. since silver platter room service was not included, we find a place to partake of morning sustenance, and strong coffee, that did not live up to it's promise.  I needed a nap after all that caffeine, but also  needed to vacate the room, so I was stuck. We found a place to wander around for a few hours, I resisted temptation to spend money, as I was actually not tempted at all, and the lack of funds to pay for what I didn't need finalized my decision.
What does one do when one doesn't have access to a fluffy bed? and has nothing to do for a few hours? One finds a seat near a tree, and reads. And people watch. Amazing people here, of all sorts of shapes and sizes, some really tall, some not tall at all, some smilng, and some with a scowl as they go about their way, no noticing the lovely surroundings. They might be more accustomed to this  than I am, cacti and palm trees with Christmas decorations is new to me. I do not get out much. last December I saw Christmas in England, this Year, in the Southwest, amazing the places I go. So, a boring afternoon turned into an interesting afternoon. I even gave people directions, as if they new and trusted me to tell them the right thing.
On to the Show. Once again, I find myself in the vicinity of pensioner musicians in search of an audience, and how can I refuse? They follow me everywhere. The Evening arrived dark, and drippy, with a soft rain.  It rains how many days a year out here in Phoenix? and me without and umbrella, as seriously, who packs an umbrella on a trip to the desert? someone much more prepared than I, it seems. Or someone afraid of melting if they get too wet, or near a flame.
Flat, straight roads, flat, flat, without even a crack or pothole in the pavement to give the ride any excitement. The ride is longer than I expected, as the Metro area is one big sprawl, with no definition between cities, Scottsdale, Glendale, Tempe, Phoenix, Mesa, all the same to me. The Venue is a modern clean looking facility in a small plaza on a city street, the area not too dodgy, hotels, motels nearby, within walking distance, if one was prepared with an umbrella during a rain storm in the desert.  Once again, the Venue is following the practice, of keeping the patrons milling around in a limited lobby area, to purchase drinks and merchandise, with the lines extending outwards, snaking around; one makes new friends this way, squeezing past, to get to the restrooms.  Speaking of which, were extremely well lit, with modern, bowl like wash basins, but extremely dark at the stalls. Do they feel women do not need to see what they are doing in the cubicles? My eyes hurt as they contracted suddenly as I emerged from the dark stall to the bright washroom. And they continued to hurt as I viewed the audience for tonights musical revue and audio spectacular.
At first, I was gladdened to not be seeing the same faces as I had left behind, on the Atlantic Seaboard oh so many days ago, as I didn't wear my same face either. Did see a few familiar faces that I remember from other adventures to this area, and a few faces that I have seen all over the world, and those were the most friendly. I did see others that were decidedly not friendly, but familiar. Were they that surprised that I was here? and what were they doing there? Escaping my scrutiny? Didn't work, I saw you, and I saw you avoid my glance.  I saw ladies dressed in renaissance fair wear, and if anyone thought that was me, shame on you. I saw a few surgically altered faces, being a nurse I can spot non natural skin folds, and the tell tale scar hiding hair style gives it all away. I know, you wonder how I can appear in public looking like me, but luckily, I do not have to look at me, just like me. There was someone in the front row in dirty ill fitting clothes, and unwashed hair. Now the natural look is a lifestyle, one, I choose not to embrace, but since when did they run out of soap in Mesa?
 They finally let us into the venue itself, and I find my seat.
The hall itself is a large open modern facility, of pale wood, with a hard wood floor, making walking in heels a bit difficult, for those of us mobility challenged. The Stage is low, about bosom height, if one has my bosom, and enough foundation garments on to keep the bosom off the knee caps. The lights are higher up than usual, this being a more modern facility than some of the grand old theaters we have been in, and the Band is fairly close to the edge of the stage. I watch as people go to their seats, or to seats in wich they wish to seat, and made valliant attempts to stay in them for the entire show, despite sucurity asking tme to return to where they belong. I had a seat, not in the front row, in the second, but was so close to the stage, closer than some front row seats at some venues.  I am aware that there were a few complaints from back in the 7th or 9th row, that rude people were standing in the front, I can assure you that I was no ruder than normal, part of my new plan to be nicer to people, and since the folks on the stage have known me longer, and better than anyone else at the concert, including my anonymous room mates, I made an executive decision to be appropriate in the standing songs.  Also, there was one person that kept flinging heavy rings onto the stage at the guitar players feet, then retrieving them, doing this over and over, eventually the rings got lost in the strange fog of life. She was escorted away after a while. I worried for the less agile of these fellows, as they danced around; it took some of the fun out of the night worrying, but no one got hurt, thank goodness. One ring to rule them all? Some of the audience members did have a hobbitty look to them.

The Concert
The Show began, and the mix was off. There were no feed speakers for the front, and the hanging banks of speakers were quite high, and pointed out towards the audience at the mid and back of the venue, leaving the front and orchestra pit uncovered. The microphones were off for the first two verses of Gemini Dream, so unsure if any mystery verse occured, but at the spot where often one can chose which singer to listen to, both were singing the same song.
The mix remained off to my ears for the majority of the concert, but I didn't mind much, I had flown thousands of miles, paid for a ticket, lodgings etc, and expected something better, but I got what I paid for, a concert. From my seat, I could hear the unamplified vocals, and the guitar feeds from the Fender and marshall stage speakers, and the acoustic drums, not the digital cymbals, and little bass or keyboards, made for a different auditory experience. There didn't seem to be the wow factor, either, perhaps everyone is tired? or my menories of just a week ago are enhanced by the exaggeration of memory. Not that it was a bad concert, my brain was able to fill in the missing bits, and I enjoyed hearing the bits I usually miss, and to the general audience, it was a good show, just not the concert I expected, perhaps I expected too much, or had jet lag, either way, it was noticeable to some.
As I have said, if you want a good concert, be a good audience, and if you want a good audience, be a good Band.  There was effort, it fell a bit flat at times. But everyone tried.
There were some lyrical interpretive dancing, most of which was on display the first half, with hand gesturing that appears as if offerings were being made at some religious ceremony, very distracting, and I would have been upset, too if that was in front of me, taking something away from the night.
The missing verse of IKYOTS was in, for those who lack the courage, but No one knows its gonna happen, or feel it coming near.
We Drifted wood, and there was no other side of life to investigate.
NIWS was lovely, but no heat or heart, and Question was rushed. The whole concert felt rushed, like Atlantic City felt two weeks ago, but RMSS redeemed them in my eyes, as a certain bass player saw fit to bop me off the head with his headstock, always fun.
A trot along wet pavement, and a drive to our anonymous digs, the people of Phoenix do not know how to drive on wet pavement, and off to sleep, and even though we went to bed early, I bet we were awake longer than rock stars.
I still don't have a cold, and neither does anyone else, despite some lingering evidence, and we smelled nothing. Phoenix is remarkably odorless.

Oh No Let'sGo

Oh No Let's Go

Some days are just too full of the vicissitudes of life that make an observer like me wear a  grin with a devilish gleam in my eye. Some may even hear the chuckle of my inner dialog. Where do I begin? Running mundane errands, and able to splice my alternative life into it without trying? Having pleasant conversations with the people you meet around town?
I take a taxi to the bus. Boring? Ordinary? no, I got a luxury car ride, as the regular taxi cabs were shuttling people back and forth to the Mall, shopping, I find out that people would rather have curb service, than search out a parking spot. I am filing that away for the next time I am overwhelmed with the need to participate in a commercialistic ritualistic merchandise expedition. I actually rather enjoy the hunt for a parking spot, and the sitting in said spot waiting to see how many people ask me if I am vacating it. I like waiting for the right person, polite, slightly timid, deserving.  I dislike greed and entitlement, but back to what I was up to today.
The afternoon coach to the airport was devoid of anyone except me, and the driver, and I enjoy watching the sun set over the fuel dump and oil tanks, sorry I didn't snap a quick picture, one doesnt see this too often, not when home, these are the things I like when traveling, and I remind myself that I am officially back on the Tour, even if 2500 miles from anything important.  I hand over my trusty little suitcase to the uniformed and pleasant airline worker. I am making it a point to be extremely pleasant to all workers this week, saving my usual sourness for civilians, we shall see how this turns out. She reprints my boarding pass for me without my asking, and directs me towards security.
Well, it is Stupid People Fly Day in Boston. Why I don't check these things out ahead of time is beyond me. The girl in front of me keeps stopping short, and backing up, and swinging her duffel bag around, causing me to jump back, and swivel to avoid a black eye. While a black eye may improve my looks, I don't want one at this moment, and spoil the chances to get one while at a concert. I finally catch the eye of a TSA agent, who flinches as I nimbly sashay around Miss Duffel, and cut to the head of her queue. Miss Duffel is right behind me, with absolutely no respect for personal space, hitting my behind with her duffel.  Frontal and now posterior assault, and haven't even been offered a drink yet. Not that an arrogant 20 something female is my type.
I finally ditch my nemesis of the hour and get into a security line with a lovely lady much like me in front of me. We both have little netbooks, boots, and coats and scarfs to doff, arrange correctly into the bins provided, and we know how to stand in the little yellow footprint provided to await out turn to be irradiated. She admired my choice of matching hair and nail color, as I bemoan the broken nail I suffered at the hands of Miss Duffel. I make it through the full body scan without setting off alarms, either of the electrical or horrified nature, gather my cheap electronics, knock of purse and coat, and  my no animals products used in the making of these boots, pull myself back together, and make my way to the furthest gate possible, past a few questionable smelling food emporiums, and seek out a spot, with electrical supply. I glower at anyone coming near me, to save the other half of the spot for my anonymous travel partner.
 I am amazed at the type of people who chose a cut rate carrier.  Cheap luggage abounds, and also cheap cell phones. The kind that were given out for free several years ago, do they still work? I chose a plane because it will get me to where I need to go. I also used to choose cheap luggage until I found myself being paged at an airport, with an exploded and shrink wrapped bag awaiting me. Now I pack my cheap clothes into an expensive suitcase, use my iphone, fly on cheap carriers, to go to dubious locations and dodgy lodgings. Or not.
So, boarding the plane we find a lady in our seat, as she is unable to differentiate the letters "C" and"D". She is hustled into her own seat, and I proceed to practice trashing a hotel room by trashing my airplane seat. We have no one between us, so we take it over, bags, snacks, clothing items, head phones. I had planned to sleep this flight, exhausted myself so that sleep would come easily, but alas, we had satellite television, and the 12-12-12 concert was on, all my old friends, a veritable collection of skinny old Englishmen, not the ones I am fondest of, but fascinating me sufficiently enough to keep me captivated as we flew over Ohio, Illinois, Kansas, waving at all our friends on the ground.
My seat was broken, it stayed reclined, would not lock in its upright position, but  I managed to survive takeoff and the flight unscathed, until it was time to land. I was forced to sit in the trashed middle seat. The TV wasn't working, so I had to watch Paul McCartney on one set, and have my earphones plugged into another, probably breaking several federal regulations, but, Hey, its a Beatle, and I almost didn't notice the landing.
Off the plane, and there is a rule that mobility challenged people deplane last, so why was there a wheel chair blocking us? We had a desperate need to get to a bar for a drink. At Baggage claim, I decreed that our bags be first, and they were! Since I had checked in an hour earlier, this was proof that karma was working on our side, or that the airline was eager to rid itself of our rock star diva trashy behavior.
Another bus to the car rental desks, and after initialling the box to ok the rental, signing the line to ok initialling boxes, and initialling the signature line to initiate the signing process we are directed to a line of cars, and asked to chose one. I chose the red mustang convertable, but they wouldn't give it to us. We took whatever car the suitcases would fit into, and after another identification check, and a set of locks to rival the Panama Canal, or Alcatraz, we are off! We find our hotel, tucked away, and we tuck ourselves in for the night, just like rock stars, we need our sleep.
I did get my drink.

banned in Baltimore

Saturday December 1, 2012

Had been doing very well with the "What's that smell?" phrase of the week, only had to say it as we barrelled into Atlantic City last night. We had a thoroughly trashed hotel room, in the true rock and roll tradition, food wrappers, scattered clothing and unmentionables underfoot, and the required chorus of ow's, ouch's, ugh's, and oof's. I have it on good authority that prior to our awakening, that various tonsorial snorts and snores were heard, in the best tradition of the Anvil Chorus. Ah, the glamorous life, are you jealous yet? We just do not magically appear at each venue fresh and ready to go. It takes caffeine, and spandex, and a lead footed driver.

This is the first morning we oversleep, and have the most difficulty getting ready. Some of us needed a carrot dangled in front of use as enticement. I needed a bagel. Our numbers had slowly increased during the week, each one duly noted, and welcomed, with the last one arriving days later than expected. Thoroughly scolded by someone affecting a funny accent.

We say goodbye to November with sadness, as the events can never be relived again, the sounds heard, never heard in the same way again, meals eaten, secrets shared, all unexpected, and not even on our itinerary. And I got a new pair of black boots!

I apply my flawless natural complexion using expensive products found in jars, and expletives found in my mouth. Foundation garments and hopping about to get the right effect, making sure that nothing jiggles in the wrong places, since most jiggling body parts are usually in the wrong place, and off we go.

Waving goodbye to all my fans, friends and family, or perfect strangers looking at me oddly, we pack ourselves into the car. It is amazing what determined well dressed ladies can accomplish when the right carrot is dangled. Like origami cranes, we folded ourselves in just the right places to not show creases, and off we went, across several state lines again. They may be small states, but they are different ones, and we got to play the "what's that smell?" game while simultaneously playing "Where are we anyway?" would you be surprised if we ran into anyone we knew along the way?

Baltimore. Near the Capitol of the USA, but not quite the same. Where the Francis Scott Key wrote the words to "The Star Spangles Banner" and where I was called a streetwalker in 2008. AHH the good old days. There was a chance to purchase a photo with whatstheirfaces, but I declined, and bought a lesser priced seat, as I had been photo'd for free before, and figured others needed the opportunity more than I did. And really? I should charge for photos, it looks lucrative. But I keep doing it for free, alas, more missed chances to make a profit. Then I sat in the only row I ever sat in at this venue, the front row. I am ready to perform.

This was as perfect a concert as I hope to hear this past week. This is why I relentlessly and obsessively go to multiple concerts, I do not want to miss this. Was it perfect? no. but it sizzled from beginning to end, there were genuine smiles and off mic grunts and oohs during the show. I have been to many shows, I now the difference between a show smile, and a genuine smile, and tonight we got the real thing. People were quite pleased with their performances. There was no mystery verse in Gemini Dream, there was a sing a long in Question, and the audience was fabulous.

I remember that in 2008 I was glad I had made the trip to Baltimore, despite the rude greeting I had received from someone I reached out to, in friendship, and I was a bit leary, looking at all the business suits walking in. It was a rare audience member that I saw in obvious lack of undergarments; not too many hippies returning to their youth tonight. Or so I thought. These uptight politicians and business people rocked. Up, cheering and applauding at every opportunity. Like I say all the time, if you want a good concert, be a good audience. The concert was effortless, a joy. Did I mention it was a good concert?

IKYOTS

The standing was from the beginning, everyone was up. I noticed that the several layers of foundation garments under my skinpy dress were shifting. Really shifting. If I didnt get to the ladies soon,there would be a few less mysteries left in life to ponder. Especially upsetting for a couple of older men with guitars feet from me. I didn't want that on my conscious. But how could I sit? And TSIYE? No way. So, if anyone thought my gyrations were worse than normal, it was all deliberate, choreographed to keep my hosiery from hitting the floor. A knocked kneed trot through the audience to the ladies at half time followed.

Why do people congregate to the stage during half time? and Why do they dislike my getting back to my seat? And to the lady that asked? It is fabulous to sit here. And no, I do not worship anyone, they are not gods, they are people. And I am getting rather fond of them, will miss all this when it is over.

So, we leave this great place, where although I dressed the part, was not called a streetwalker this time, at least not to my face,. We continue onwards, towards home, remembering that that smell is in Delaware, and not New Jersey, and we go onwards, stopping only when we reached the breaking point, and a place without a bad smell. I play the princess, and wave to my constituents, wishing all a good night.

And I still do not have a cold, nor does someone else.
　

That City By the Sea They Call Atlantic

Friday November 30, 2012

That City by the Sea they Call Atlantic

I wake up, I have no idea where I am. The bathroom is gone, there is someone in my bed, and I am tring to remember what it was I had to do. Oh, yes, the last concert in November, the last concert in New Jersey, and the first time I have been to Caesars since 1999, funny, many of the same people are scheduled to appear there again. That happens to me so often, it has become the norm.

Showering is not an option, it is a mandate. And the daily chorus of oww, ooh, and oofs are augmented by nasty words your mother won't let me say near you. And it brings to mind that taking drugs while on a rock tour was once recreational, and gave you funny feelings, now it is by prescription, and takes all the funny feelings away. So now, smelling of sunshine, all polished and primped, we go off to the local food emporium, to sample the delights being offered this fine day. That rock star strut loses definition when the pills haven't kicked in yet, and you are carrying a plastic food shop bag. But I persevere, my days are numbered, there are more behind me than in front of me; what I had anticipated and planned for months has occurred, not in the planned way, and despite several changes mid point, we are still pleased with where things have ended up.

Some people whistle and hum throughout their day, some of us say bad words.

Some of us have no clue. What state are we in ? Confusion?disillusion? Disarray? Sometimes even Satellite Navigation can not help the situation. Whose Idea anyway was it to do all of this? They need a scolding. They should update us on these change in plans quicker than light speed. So we end up driving at light speed to get to where we were going. Finding a parking spot was exciting. We found out someone knows bad words. I am sure that the people in the security office manning the camera monitors found our run through the casino amusing. I hope we do not end up on YouTube. We arrive, exactly and precisely when we were needed to be there, and our entry cued the talent to take the stage. You would think that after all these years, I am now The VIP worth waiting for. And perhaps I am.

Atlantic City New Jersey.

Still there. And still attracting the same sorts of people. And other humanoids passing as humans. The Venue is an intimate setting, with a low stage, nearer my hips than waist, or the knee caps of a regular person. The Band is able to be placed close to the edge of the stage. Good for some, not for others. The Venue/ promoter added two rows to the front, seats that neither showed up as for sale, nor were given out as comps, and were empty, so the enterprising, the nimble, the quick, the human and humanoid, and the arthritic were able to sit right at the stage. There is a rumor that a certain Band member is not pleased with certain fans, I can assure you it isn't me, and you can not convince me otherwise. Someone still doesn't have a cold, and neither do I.

A typical heavily truncated casino set list, and less enthusiasm than the night before, but enough was around to get the job done.

Gemni Dream

No mystery verse

The Voice

standard

Slide Zone

ok

You and Me

Not as good as the Capitol first night, still the best concert so far this tour

Tuesday Adternoon

well received

There were no Nervous Gypsies Saying anything with Love

Peak Hour

I like the guitar solo

IKYOTS

There was no need to look to far to find anyone tonight

TSIYE

Folks, remember, if you want a lively concert, be a lively audience, Atlantic City was a bit disappointing.

YWD

ok, and no one really knows what my wildest dreams are

ILS

a little too long tonight. as if it were played a tad bit slower, or maybe it was a time distortion brought on by too darn much fog machine.

Once again there was no Other side of Life. Not that I was sorry, I had investigated enough already that day.

Higher and Higher

Some people were lower and lower, sitting in their seats

No one was sitting comfortably, must have been they were sitting on the missing Driftwood.

IJAS

OH, I think your more than that, at least I think you must be.

NIWS

Pulled that out of hiding again last night

Question

How some people managed to wedge themselves into a few inches of available space at the stage is always an amazing sight to behold

RMSS

If only, it might be a better way to get around.

In Conclusion, this ended my attending every Moody Blues concert in November 2012. I attended all but 1 concert in New Jersey in 2012, and I attended all but 1 concert in New York State in 2012, and I attended every concert in Pennsylvania in 2012. just off the top of my head.

As for being spoiled? I am not spoiled, I am still perfectly well, thank you very much. As for "Deserving" anything? My ticket to a concert buys me just that, a seat at a concert, no one in the Band owes me more than that, and anyone looking for more than that, may be better off staying home, watching a DVD. They are cheaper, can be placed on pause, and no one stands in front of you.