Fanzine:“This is not our last goodbye…”
7/28/08—Pittsburgh Show—Burgettstown Star Pavilion
The adventure began when Susan and Samburusunset (Amy) arrived at CG5’s place in Wyomissing, PA on Sunday evening. An enjoyable dinner was had a local Italian joint and then we retired for the evening, looking forward to next morning’s road trip. Also, we were anxiously awaiting word from Dirty Martini to see if she would be joining us as she was not quite feeling up to par.
Well the next morning we heard from DM and unfortunately she was not up to the trip and she wished us well. We then hit the pike at about 9 AM and arrived at the hotel, or should I say motel at about noon. We wound up changing motels to a Howard Johnson’s Motor Lodge (circa 1950…ha!)…saved a few buckaroos. After check-in we picked up some sandwiches, etc. at the local gas station/quickie mart in preparation of an early arrival at the venue (after all, Stewart would be waiting for us and let us in early). I have to mention the doofy clerk at the store…she saw our pink Stewie-shirts and was like “oh, you’re wearing the same shirts” and we chimed in “yeah, we’re going to The Police concert” and she was like “are they a group?”…OMG, we asked her if she has ever heard of Sting “Deer in the headlights” stare…no frigin clue…so sad.
Anyway, so we were off to the venue and arrived there at about 2 PM. Desolate. It was in the middle of nowhere. Only a few guys at the entrance starting to put up traffic flags. So we drove in…all I can say is we were like it’s “Wally-World” (think Nat’l Lampoon’s Vacation) really…drove down a hill and there was nothing with the exception of one guy (ala John Candy)…we tried, semi-begged, to get in…no way…I think if we had rope and duct-tape in the trunk it might have been another story. We were told that the gates didn’t open until 5:30 (dang…no hopes of getting into the sound check), so we turned around and headed back to the metropolis of Burgettstown. A couple of wrong, right turns found us at the community park…we stopped and ate our lunch and then turned our attention to “arts and crafts” time. I had gotten some poster board and markers, so we made signs for the show—Thanking Stewart for the MSG tickets and telling Andy to look in the shoes (this will make more sense later). At about 4, we finished our signs, packed up and headed back to the venue. Also, while on the way Susan spotted what appeared to be “Luann’s” place of business…we stopped and she now has photographic evidence (ha!).
So we arrived, still too early, so we went to an empty lot about a quarter mile away to wait, along with about 20 other tailgaters. Then The Police arrived (great we're getting kicked out of the po-dunk parking lot with no where to go) and fortunately he let us know that the gates for the show were opening early. It was about 5. YAY! Finally! Drove over and parked without incident. We then went to “will call” as Amy and I needed to pick up the FRONT ROW Unitas auction tickets I had won. Get to the window and it didn’t open until 6, and the gates to the pavilion didn’t open until 6:30…a tad frustrating...plus is was a bit warm/humid out that added to the discomfort. Alas, we could hear some of the sound check—patience.
Finally got the tickets….woooo hoooooo…got in line and waited. We discussed whether or not we had packed up the signs OK and would get them in without any problem. Well…we should have folded them up and shoved them down our pants, cause the lady searching our bags made us throw them out…suck. So we went in and Amy and I picked up our autographed programs, and then we headed for our seats. Then it really hit me…OMG…that close. Me. Amy. And dear Susan was in the 4th row just behind us. We then kept our eye peeled for our “flag bearer”, Mairinpgh. And after awhile we saw her and all was well with flaggy. I should note that prior to the start of Elvis, one of The Police’s entourage was instructing photographers as to what they could do and they were right in front of us (blocking the view). She was very nice and spoke to Amy and I, letting us know the photographers would only be there for the first two songs of each group. OK. Well then we told her that our signs were taken and that they were to thank Stewart for the MSG tickets. Well she said she would let him know. Then after Elvis was done, Jeff comes out and talks to Amy and low and behold, Stewart wanted to be sure that “Flaggy” wasn’t taken. Awwwwww!
Another cute story. There was a young lady and her husband sitting next to me that had won a pair of Unitas tickets as well and they were there celebrating her birthday. She was so sweet. Well we told them both not to leave when Elvis was playing. She was persistent…why?...why?...we said, just stay…So then Elvis started to play Allison…and good old Stingo comes strutting out and she nearly faints. And he sang the first few lines to her directly, gently pointing at her. After he was done, I thought she was going to have a stroke. I should also note this is the time it was determined that Sting was definitely commando…hence Susan’s text message “Sting no underwear”!
Then it was gong time…pure joy…I was completely in the moment for the entire show. Eye contact and points from Stewart. Surreal. Plus Andy was quite flirtatious…lots of eye contact and smiles. Then it was over and it was time for the bows…that’s when the infamous “Krypton Balls” photo of Stewart was snapped and where Andy’s shoes come in. Dear Amy had procured a baby pair of pink “Chuck Taylor” sneaks for Andy. So she winged them up on stage and Stewart picked them up and handed them off to Andy. What Andy didn’t know was is that we put notes in each of the sneaks. Basically, we let him know that we had extra room for him back at HoJo’s (the motel) and room for him in the car, offering him a ride to Philly and we even gave him my cell number. So we then said our goodbyes to Mairinpgh and took flaggy as we were muling it to Philly, and hoofed it back to the motel. An interesting thing happened on the way back. We noticed the car in front of us driving erratically and suspected it was a drunk driver, so we called 911. It was funny, Susan is explaining to The Police, that we just left “The Police” concert…yadda, yadda…and after she hangs up the number dialed on her phone came up “SOS”…we were cracking up…”sending out an SOS…”. So we got back to the motel, I finally signed the flag…and we waited for Andy’s call.
7/29/08—Philly
So we awoke in the morning, checked out of motel, stopped and had a decent breakfast and headed back to CG5’s apartment. Arrived there about 1 PM, took showers, checked email…entered the Elvis Spectacle ticket contest, and headed to the hotel in Philly. All travel we smooth and like clockwork. Arrived at hotel…checked in…took a cab to Chickie & Pete’s for the pre-show festivities. Great to see everyone—Nancyrose, DM, Dive, Conroy, Donna, Gina, Sockii, Vespa, Schmaff, PoliceRule & Animal (sorry if I missed anyone). Good show, but I was dragging a bit from the traveling. Nice post show gathering at C&P as well. There was one moment of concern…Dive had the wrong ticket with her when we arrived at the stadium…luckily she had it, I believe it was in her car and she just needed to go get it. The following morning, Susan was up early and took the Boltbus back to NYC and Amy needed to get back to Baltimore…work. And I myself had to be back to work in the afternoon, but not before meeting Nancyrose, Gina and Kellie for a nice breakfast at the hotel.
Final Week. 8/4/08—Jones Beach 1
I arrived in Long Island on Sunday afternoon with my friend Maryann. Econolodge Hicksville-great location, on/off Wantaugh parkway. Received a message from Ludditelady that she arrived safely at the hotel. Spent part of the day Monday at the beach and then headed off to the venue at about 4 PM. While listening to the sound check in the parking lot, the gang started to trickle in…Conroy, Dive, Nancyrose, Kellie, Madgrad, Dietmar, DrummerDave & his wife, Charlie Arnold & Darlene, Susan, Ludditelady, Pluto & Meg, and more I’m sure (sorry if I forgot some of you). I had front row mezzanine seats and the show was wonderful. The venue was beautiful, right on the water. Before the sun went down there were two swans that were swimming on the right side of the stage that made there way around to the left side. Peaceful. I have to mention that this crowd was just not into “it”…when we stood up to dance, all you heard was “sit down”. I just don’t get it. So we all congregated in the parking lot post show waiting for the lot to clear out a bit. We all then headed to a diner for sustenance. Such gourmet items on the menu…it was all about sardine sandwiches and “red” jello—just ask Charlie Arnold & Darlene—ha!
8/5/08—Jones Beach 2
Same crowd assembled and Tamadude was now with us. This show was just unbelievable. Prosperity and the Universe were definitely in alignment for me. It was really funny, I kept running into my new Canadian friends—Bruce, Christine & Chris and this day was especially fortuitous. Well, Bruce and I were standing by the gate listening to the sound check and Christine & Chris came around after buying a single ticket at the box office. They said that a pair of front row seats had come up, but they only needed one so they didn’t buy them. I was like…WAAATTTHHHHHAAA…and calmly went and got my credit card and headed off to the box office. There was a woman ahead of me in line and I was praying that she wanted the lower cost tickets…yes, she did and didn’t even buy them. So there I stood and asked the ticket-guy what seats he had at the $220 cost, and he said “how many”…and I said “two”…and then the magic…”I’ve got two front row…doesn’t get any better than that”. I was like “duh” and like an idiot I asked him if they were on Andy or Sting’s side…he looked at me like “you’ve gotta be fucking crazy”…then I snapped out of it and handed over my credit card. Best money I’ve spent in a long time…really couldn’t afford it…but could have not afforded not to do it. Turns out the seats were center stage…as Conroy would say…..WOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Talk about being on cloud nine…and everyone was so thrilled for me and frankly in a bit of disbelief—how does this happen?…and it was only about an hour before show time. I should also mention that “Stingingintherain” (Ana) also had this good fortune and got front row seats about 15 minutes after me. Anyway, all I can say is I had the time of my life…from the surprise Elvii performance to connecting with Stewart again with points and smiles…and the looseness of the show…it was perfect. One funny moment came when the Elvii were on. Sting lunged right over top of me and my friend Maryann and we were laughing hysterically and Maryann said “look it’s Sting” and he said “I’m not Sting”. Plus when Stewart was singing his infamous line “What’s so funnnyyyyy about peace, love and unddderrrrrsttaaannnnndddiinnnnngggg” he was looking right at me and I got a picture of it. Too much! Then it was over…sat down and thought I’d have a convulsion! Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy doesn’t even begin to describe it. Post show diner festivities then commenced, followed by a return to the hotel to check out all of the pictures. Proceeded to post the “naked Stewart/Sting” photo as my new avatar…and watch Schmaff, Policerule, Amy, Susan & others go over the edge (ha!).
Postscript. Now I’m so thrilled to have audio and video of this show. I can hear may screams and actually see myself in the front row. It’s truly surreal and so frigin awesome!
8/6/08—NYC—Elvis Spectacle Taping—Apollo Theatre
In the morning my friend Maryann dropped me at the train and I proceeded on to meet Susan at her office to drop my suitcase with her. I had spoken to Conroy about tagging along with him to the Apollo as I didn’t want to go it alone. I didn’t win a ticket, but I thought I’d take a chance of getting in. If not, I’d hang in a Starbucks until the taping was done. So I dropped my bag with Susan, went over to MSG to get my ticket and Conroy met me there. It was funny… he told me he had to wait for a guy he was going to let keep luggage for…well I turn around and it’s “Bruce” one of my new Canadian friends…I ran into him everywhere throughout the week…it was a riot. So anyway we got together and made our way up to The Apollo. The ticket-winners checked in with Dave & Wendy (from TPT) and I then proceeded to chat with Dave and I was in!!!! He had an extra ticket. Wowza! Went and got in line right away. Conroy joined me. As it turns out, we were interviewed for Canadian Public TV and we ran into Derek Power and had the opportunity to thank him, Cynthia and Stewart.
Of course, the taping was fantastic. YAY! Can’t wait to see the final cut. My seat was originally in the second to last row, but then they moved us forward and I wound up in the 6th row on the aisle. I had a great vantage point of Stewart and Andy in the wings before the taping started and I was pointing at Stewart and he was smiling/laughing and pointed back…squeeeeeeee!!!!! It was clear that all of them were having fun, at least that’s the vibe I got. Also a star sighting for me was Matthew Modine in the lobby. So that was that. Back to Manhattan. Said goodbye to Conroy and the gang and met up with Susan. She graciously let me stay at her place, so we got a bite to eat and then just took it easy for the night in preparation for the MSG show.
8/7/08—MSG
This whole experience was just tops. The Nutters converged on the city. I met so many wonderful people and enjoyed every moment of it. One of the highlights (and anxious moments) was smuggling “Sally” into MSG. Dive bestowed this honor on me and I didn’t want to let anyone down. Bella was with me and all went well. Also, it helped when Chatchka gave me an additional bag to stuff her in. Well, between the bag and the flowers I had bought plus the flags I was in charge of distributing, I was a bit nervous upon entry –going through security, but it went off without a hitch. The show was so much fun. There was so much joy and love all around. It was truly an experience beyond compare. I could go on and on, but that really sums it up for me. I have such gratitude for it all, especially for all of the new, wonderful people that are part of my life. Thank you one and all, especially Stewart, Andy & Sting! It’s been a helluva ride.
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