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Funny Concert stories!


Alsgalpal

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I want to hear the totally cool stories from concerts you all have, I missed out big time on the tour this year, hopefully next time around, but I want to hear about this years stories!!! biggrin.gif
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Here are some reviews I wrote a while back - I cannot find the Cleveland Review tho! That was one of the best - front row center...

 

My Indy Review:

 

Well, I got into Indy about 4pm and heard from bardan almost immediately. Bardan, his friend Brian, NewWorldMan, and his girlfriend Denise met me at the hotel bar at the Omni. We had a couple of drinks and then proceeded to go to the Beer Sellar. Heard from RC (she was running late due to some plumming problems going on at her house). We went to pick up RC and met another friend of bardan's there in the hotel parking lot. His friends dad offered me 2 brownies and they were the best brownies I have ever had in my life :-)

 

So we head to the venue, the line of traffic is horrible. We finally make it to our parking place and start to head into the venue. I have to pick up my front row ticket at willcall and am afraid to sell my 11th row until I have that front row in hand. Got the front row, couldn't sell my 11th row, so lost that $. Oh well....

 

I part company with bardan and RC and them and head down to Row A. WTF? There is about 15 people already standing right at the barrier with 5 minutes left before showtime. I asked the security guy why all these people were allowed in the front row and he said "Oh, it's great! We let the first three rows down here with this wristband and you all can stand right at the stage!" **** THAT! I had front row! Why am I standing virtually 2nd or 3rd row??? ****ed up. If I had bought that ticket for $500 like I did Cleveland, I would be PISSED OFF. I was a little pissed, especially seeing non-fans who obviously won tickets standing there (an old lady like 65 years old who obviously didn't even know who Rush was standing right against the barrier). So the show started.

 

These guys just absolutely kicked ass in Indy. This was in my opinion the best show yet. The venue was PACKED with people, even the lawn, Geddy was absolutely amazing, moving like lightening, nailing every note with his trademark perfection - I absolutely love watching Geddy play - his hands move like lightening and he is entertaining by nature. Alex was also on, but didn't seem to be enjoying himself the first half of the show.

 

At the intermission, I went to use the bathroom, came back and WTF? All of a sudden there isn't 20 people down there in the pit, but about 40!?!?! So now I am standing equivalent to 3rd row. Security apparently let more people in there, people who did not have front row or second row. Really pissed me off, and I think that venue handled that very very poorly. I was disppointed, as it really didn't seem like front row to me at this point.

 

By second half, Alex was into it too and they looked like they were having a kick ass time up there. Seeing Geddy and Alex that close, I have to say - they do not look and act like they are 52 years old. They looked healthy, vigorous, and happy and full of energy. An absolute great show.

 

Geddy*********(edited for spoiler content--Big T)

 

I had an envelope that I carried in to the venue with me - a happy anniversary card with a present for them inside - that I was going to try to give to the security guy during the break to put up on stage, but those assholes standing up against the barrier weren't going to budge, so I waited until after the show and things started clearing out. I asked the security guy in front of me if he would put this on the stage for me for the crew to get - he did and a crew member picked it up. I hope they do somehow get it, because the contents were very special. I guess I will never know, so....

 

After the show we hung out in the parking lot and waited for traffic to clear a little bit, RC met some new "Rushchic" members to be and we finally headed out - getting out was actually pretty quick and problem-free.

 

We headed to the Omni again, but the bar was closing. The bartender asked us if we wanted to go to a bar down the street with her and some friends so we headed over there, drank a couple more with ghostrider and his friend and RC, and headed back to go to sleep after an excellent, but long day.

 

RC and Ghostrider were heading up to Chicago today for tonight's show - I wish I could have made that one... Ok, was this spoiler free enough? So much I want to say about the actual show, because the really nailed some of these songs to the point it damn near brought tears to my eyes, but I don't want to ruin it for everyone...

 

 

 

My Columbus Review

 

Well, my wife and I left at about 2pm to head up to Columbus. I was pretty pumped because it was looking like my Meet & Greet was coming through. I wasn't getting my hope up until I had it in my hands, but was still excited in the back of my mind. 2:30pm comes and they guy calls my cell phone. "I am so sorry, man - I put in the request and they are doing no more 'spot giveaway' Meet & Greets. FUUUCCCKKKK! So that sucked, but I got over it.

 

We got to the venue around 4pm and picked up our VIP tickets (I finally broke down and got 4 of them the day before and ended up taking an old friend of mine and his wife who I had not seen in 7 years who was an avid fan and concert goier in the 80's with me).

 

So I park by the Will call/Box Office and am walking up and (DAVEY THIS IS FOR YOU) I see a girl with a starman tatoo on her arm. I immediately recognized her from Nashville and the whole parking lot thing with Davey. I told her Davey was looking for her to thank her and she was like "Oh, man, now thats cool". Yeah, she was already baked... hahah....But was just kinda funny seeing her again. She said the boys had rolled around at about 2pm but hadn't done soundcheck yet. My wife just gave me a "Who the **** is that?" look... BTW Davey, she will be in Cleveland and Indy too...

 

So we got our VIP tickets, I asked the girl if there were any Meet & Greets left for me and nope, there were none, so at this point no chance...

 

So we headed over to BW3's where there were a few RT people already. We sat with Relaxed Jack and his friend Chris (?). We had a couple of beers, and in walks bardan with his friend Bam Bam - (Don't remember seeing BJ yet, did he come in with you guys?). Then Audient and his girlfriend came and sat with us at our table and I introduced myself. He is a really great guy and I wish I could have talked to him some more. I got to meet TheAMan also and a ton of others - all great people. I then went for a preshow "ride", (TY GR! I OWE YOU!) while Relaxed_Jack and his friend and Audient and his girlfriend kept my wife company while I was gone. Came back about 10 minutes later and got my wife and headed to the venue around 6:15. We hit the VIP Lounge inside the venue (no big deal at all on that perk), had another beer and headed to our seats. It was almost 7:30 at this point, and the place only looked 1/2 full which was depressing, but man in those last 5-10 minutes it became PACKED. That place was unbelievably full when all was said and done.

 

The boys were about 7-10 minutes late in kicking off the show - and they were ON. They nailed every song perfectly, and they just seemed to be a LOT more into the performance than they were in Nashville. Well, at this point, I still had one Row Q ticket left that I was unable to sell before the show, so I used it to get down to where bardan, BJ, and Bam Bam were sitting. Those were actually very decent seats! I ended up ditching my wife and friends for about 3 songs before me and bardan headed out to take a leak. I returned to my VIP box and my wife was like "Man, if it is a lot closer down there, you are welcome to go back down if you want!" What a kick ass wife I have. I didn't think I should ditch them again, so I stayed in the VIP box... For about 1/2 of one song.... Then went back down to the lower area and stood with Dan again until the Encore.

 

The show kicked ass, the people from RT were great and my wife and I enjoyed hanging with them, particularly . Oh, and the rant? Was about a sheep driving the bus instead of a goat or something and how does a goat keep receipts? I mean, a sheep, well that's obvious that he can keep receipts, but a goat? How? ... The rants are a funny thing, it seems the closer you are to the stage, the harder it is to hear them...

 

Had a great time, this was my wife's first Rush show, and she loved it, which kicked ass. We parked in VIP to get out fast and it worked - we were off the premises and on the highway in 10 mins flat. Got back to Cinci around 1:15am and passed out in bed...

 

 

Vegas Review

 

OK, so I arrive in Vegas on Tuesday and have to work on Tuesday, Wed., and Thurs morning, which sucked. All I could think about was RUSH coming on Saturday.

 

So Thursday I am supposed to pick up Ghostgirl at the airport, so I gamble in the afternoon and leave the MGM at about 5:15 to pick up the rental car and get Ghostgirl. She arrives and we get her to her room and decide on Mexican for dinner. We headed over to The Orleans and had dinner at Don Miguels, had some drinks and bullshitted for a while - had a great time. We decided to play some slots and did that for a while and decided that Ghostgirl needed to drive the strip at night. So we started almost at the beginning (Tropicana by the MGM/Excalibur, etc) and headed North on the strip so she could see all the huge hotels and casinos (she hadn't been the Vegas ever). So we did that, I dropped her off at her hotel and we agreed on 8:30 to leave for our desert drive the next morning.

 

She calls my cell at 8:20 and I am already in the bar having coffee and playing some video poker. So she comes there (to Zuris), she ate breakfast, I grabbed some necessary thinga for the drive from my hotel room and we headed south on I-15... We arrive in Baker, CA, she takes some pictures of the world's largest thermometer and we grab Burger King and fill up on gas. We decide that we should first head south into the heart of the Mojave on an un-named road with no cars or anything, eat our food and take all necessary substances for our desert drive So we head south and do that and head back to Baker, CA and catch 127 North into Death Valley area. We drove through some really cool areas (She has like 80+ pictures of this trip - she will post as soon as she can I imagine) and took our time. We got to 190 and decided too many cars (yeah, like one every 3 miles, but that isn't the desolation drive we wanted!) so I turn around, we catch 127 all the way back down in Shoshone and take a no-name road where there isnt a single car forever. We kept heading down into Death valley from 4000 feet to our final destination of 282 feet below sea level and stop there - it is hotter than ****. We walk to a boardwalk to the lowest point on Earth (or is it lowest in US?) and read all the signs about it and there is the cool oasis - water - in the middle of the desert - apparently it is water 1 million+ years old that migrates to that location - but it is SALT water, so you cant drink it - imagine how the settlers and **** felt thinking they found all this water in the middle of the desert where they are so thirsty, they run to it and can't even drink it! HA! Sucks to be them!

 

So we keep driving, take some REALLY ass-backwards roads and ended up stopping and climing the rest of this mountain to get a panoramic view of Death Valley and the desert from WAY high up - it will be a COOL picture for you all. We stopped for ice cream in Furnace Creek where it was probably 120 degrees and ate it outside (just despite the heat damnit!)... So anyway, we are getting close to Vegas (2 hours away) after a 12 hour journey and GG's cell starts ringing and mine starts ringing - FINALLY CELL SERVICE AGAIN! Earthshine is calling GG and they are meeting! Better get back to Vegas!

 

So we bolt back to Vegas and meet in the MGM Keno area! KEN! CYGNUS! DIGITAL MAN! EARTHSHINE! Was so cool to see these people face to face finally!!! Ken is tired from a LOOONGG ass drive and heads back to his room. Me, Cygnus, Digital Man, Earthshine, Ghostgirl, and Digital Man's wife (she is SO COOL man) head to Zuri's to do some late night drinking We drank and talked and drank and drank and talked until 4am rolled around, having a great time, and I was crashing so I headed to my room (they stayed another 1/2 hour or so I believe).

 

Saturday.... THE DAY OF THE SHOW IS HERE FINALLY!!!!!!

 

I return the rental car at around 9am and there is Ghostgirl in my hotel eating breakfast LOL She woke up with the sun, couldn't sleep (she had less sleep than me). I told her I was returning the rental and I would be back. I did that, headed back to the MGM and met Ghostgirl at the Video Poker machines. So I am playing Video Poker, she wants to ride the roller coaster at New York New York and my cell starts buzzing in my pants

 

"Hello?"

"Is this RushRevisited?"

"You bet man! Who is this?"

"#73"

<pause while I transcribe that to binary >

 

Yep! 1-0-0-1-0-0-1 called! HA! That was very cool because GG and I both chat with him and PM and stuff for many months, he is a VERY cool guy who we were trying to get to come to Vegas (his work schedule didn't allow it) and he is one of few who I have not ever talked to on the phone or anything. So that was cool - he was calling to see how we were doing, tell us have fun at the show, etc... VERY cool phone call.

 

So me and GG head to New York New York and meet Digital Man/wife (OK, I admit it, I cannot remember her name now, isn't that horrible? Cause she was so cool, I should remember!!!), and EARTHSHINE. So this was cool - Earthshine is funnier than crap - super guy and Digital Man and his wife are sooo cool too. We had lunch at the ESPN Zone and I decided I was gonna go gamble a bit while they rode the roller coaster, and we decided to meet at Zuri's at 4:30-5pm...

 

(To Be Continued)

Ok, So 4:30 rolls around, I am still gambling and GG calls. We meet at the Zuri's area and as GG and I are walking we see a ton of people standing by Zuris! Rushchic, Ken, Ken's brother Kevin, Earthshine, Digital Man and his wife, Cygnus. I hear "Rush Revisited" behind me and turn around BIG-T CAME!!!!! I was so happy, that was soooo cool that you came man! No one knew he was coming all the way from the East coast so it was a total surprise!! So that was really awesome, because I didn't think I would be able to meet him this tour. I hear my "name" again behind me - DAVEY!!!!!!! but no hot 18 year old students? Here now comes Pedro2112 and his wife! Moonstar! TYLER!!!!! Dequiv (FUNNY/NICE guy!) !!! I am missing some very cool people because I just don't know their screen names, but a bunch of other great people from here too!

 

We decide to head to a bigger bar in the MGM that can accomodate all of of (Zuri's was packed with its usual Saturday night crowd as well as Rush fans, so no seating left already!). We headed over there and sat and had drinks and there is Ghostrider and his wife too ! We drink for a while and head for the Grand Arena, where RUSH is going to be ****ING JAMMING in 45 minutes, I have an awesome buzz going and we make our way to the floor seats that I thought kinda sucked. We get down there and actually the seats end up not being as far away as I imagined them to be. The only thing that was bad is I felt there was not as large enough of a slope going down to the stage (the venue is used for boxing matches also though). So we decided we liked our seats, look at our watches and 5 minutes left!

 

This was very cool for me to see them in an arena instead of an ampitheater, because arenas was all they did (as far as I know) when I would go in the 80's and early 90's.

 

So.... Jerry Stiller... and BAM... Rush is on stage and everyone is going ****ing nuts. The Medley just absolutely ROCKED. I knew at about mid-medley that this was going to be an unbelievable show. TYLER, to whom I am forever indebted to, had a ticket in section A as well as next to us and he was unbelievably generous to us and let me and Ghostgirl go down to that seat for a few songs each. We each used a different usher (3 ways to get up there). I never made it to the seat. I decided to keep walking down the aisle and and see how long I could stand as close as possible I made it to about the 7th row and got to stand there on Geddy's side for a couple of songs before the usher ushed me away So I decided my time down there was taking WAY too much from TYLER - again, unbelievable generosity from this guy) and I went back up there. You already know the setlist, so I won't rattle every one off and tell you my feel on it. I can put it very simply. THEY ****ING ROCKED THAT NIGHT. Everything sounded just perfect (and LOUD), there seemed to be some new video I do not remember, particularly during the Feedback songs with their faces inlaid with tie die/psychadelic features. I am not totally sure if it is new or not, but a lot of the videos I did not remember seeing - but I am usually too busy watching them play with unparalleled talent to watch the monitors and the big screen.

 

So they rocked. "Half time" came and Earthshine came up to sit with us in our seats instead of his (again the slope thing I mentioned) because he felt he had a better view with ours. The second half was just as good as the first if not better - the crowd was rejuvinated and into it and you could tell that ALL of them were having a good time that night. Alex's Rant.... Hard to hear every word for me (I have had a hard time at all 5 shows) but he was talking like a pirate and ****

 

So I ditch at the end of Limelight (enccore) and get in line for the new Neil Peart book for me and Ghostgirl. First location - sold out... I am like thinking Phuck, this isn't good... I go to the next one and they have a few left. I grabbed 2 and waited for GG and Earthshine to come up... And I waited.... Never saw them so I finally headed back to the bar and they were luckily there (you dickheads ) - I was afraid I would end up with 2 books

 

Me and Ghostgirl go down adn grab McDonalds, I decide to gamble and go to sleep so I could get up for my morning flight home. Ghostgirl heads back to the bar for another late night out with the RT people and I head up to my room.

 

And that's all she wrote, folks... Flight home sucked balls with a fat guy farting in the seat next to me for 3 1/2 hours, no food served, but hey - I had Neil's new book to read VERY good so far.

 

 

Scranton Review

 

Well, I woke up Saturday morning and drove to Dayton, Ohio for my flight to Phili at 10:30. I got a call from my wife saying my daughter had fallen off the couch, hit her mouth on the coffee table and needed stitches. So that sucked, I was worried about her the whole flight til I knew she was OK. I landed in Phili and went to baggage claim to find Pixey - about 20 mins passed after her flight landed and no Pixey. I called RF and asked what she was wearing, etc, he told me, still couldn't find Pixey... I asked a airport worker and she said that terminal E was a different area. I booked over to her area and found her - she had a horrible flight and didn't want to fly back - I told her don't worry, we get to see RUSH 3rd row tonight, she was psyched and we headed over to get the rental car. Very cool to finally meet Pixey!

 

I started to call DW and no answer. Finally she called back, said she was in a hotel, said she fell asleep and needed about an hour to get ready. By now it was closing in on 1:30, so we headed to her hotel and waited in the parking lot. I called her again and she said 20 mins more so we waited some more, went up to her room for a few, then went to the parking lot and waited for Kubla Ken and his brother to show up. After taking I-76 the wrong way into NJ, (Thanks, Mapblast!) we finally found our way to the main interstate heading up to Scranton. We were running ridiculously late at this point and ETA to Scranton was looking like 5:30 or so, which really sucked because I wanted to get up there by 4pm to meet everyone at Ruby Tuesdays. Very very rushed, which sucked. We finally arrived at Ruby Tuesdays and saw 1-0-0-1-0-0-1 at the bar. This was so cool because I hve talked to him since before we were at RT and had never met him or even seen a picture. For the record, 1-0-0-1-0-0-1 and his brother (Genetic Blend here now) are the most down to earth, decent guys I have ever met. I cannot put into words how nice these two people are and it sucked that we didn't have more time to BS and have more beers together. We traded boots and went back into Ruby Tuesdays. I called Xana Dew from my phone and he was sitting 3 people down eating a burger. This was a nother bummer on the time thing - we had only 1 hour before we had to leave for the show and we had not eaten all day, so again, I did not have near enough time to talk to Xana Dew - I was really looking forward to having a beer with him and talking - from the few minutes I spoke to him he seriously seems like a great guy. We WILL hook up again and have a beer together Xana!

 

So 1-0-0-1, Genetic Blend, Pixey, and me sat down at a table (Kubla Ken, DW, Kevin sat at another table) and we ordered food/drinks. So 1-0 and I are looking for BB&B who was going to meet us there - but we were soooo late getting there! We looked around and I even asked a guy who looked like him at the bar but no BB&B Major disappointment here, but that changed later.

 

We finsihed eating and headed out to the venue (it was now past 6:30 and the show started at 7:30). DW decided to go with Ken and his brother to the venue, they parked in a different lot and I never saw them until after the show. So we arrived at the venue, a parking lot in a weed field with Nazi security screaming at people to get out of their cars and go to the venue. so 1-0, Pixey, Genetic Blend and I headed for the long trek down to the venue. We headed in and went to our respectuve seats. me and Pixey had kick ass 3rd row seats in front of Alex and there were a couple of empty chairs in row 2 in front of us, so a perfect view.

 

The show kicked off and immeidately you knew that Alex and Geddy were cold (was like 50 degrees). Alex was blwing into his hands and shivering, an hour into the show you could see Geddy's breath as he sang. The boys were HOT in Scranton. I kid you not, out of all shows I have attended this tour, I think they were at their best in Scranton so far (yes, SCRANTON!). They just absolutely rocked. Intermission came and I found 1-0 and Genetic Blend and we headed ot the porto-lets and beer stand.

 

1-0 bought me a beer while I waited in the portolet line (Thanks for that beer!!!). We heard the cricket chirp and knew it was time to head back down. 1-0 had not seen a show this tour yet and thought they sounded great, thought theree were some good surprises in the set list. He said to me "Now if they play Between the Wheels I will probably **** my pants". I played it off like "Yeah, that would be cool if they had put that in the setlist" When they played it I tried to look up and find him, but didn't see him - I knew he was very happy tho

 

So the show absolutely rocked, no changes in setlist, but they were just ON. They were having a fun time you could tell also. Alex kept looking into the camera REAL close and bobbing back and forth (but the big screen had turned him off by then but he didn't realize it). Neil was having a good time too, you could tell. All of them were having a good night, despite the cold.

 

The show ended and Pixey and I sat and waited for things to clear out. As we started to walk out of the venue, I heard my name called. I turned around and it's BB&B!!! BB&B is a SUPER nice guy. I had no idea what to expect and was very excited to see him there. It was just chance luck that he found me! So BB&B came with me and Pixey to find the car and his friends were going to meet him at Ruby Tuesdays. So we start the hunt for the car. We finally realized that it was in a lower "lot" and made our way down there. 1-0-1 and his brother were still nota t their car either so I checked my cell phone - 9 missed calls. Apparently they were lost too - so we sat and about 1 minute later here they come - they made the exact same mistake as us and were hunting for their car in the upper lot(s). We sat around a few and talked, Jim and his bro got to meet BB&B and we finally headed off back to Ruby Tuesdays. We got their and called Ken, Kevin and DW to let them know Ruby Tuesdays was closed. They came up and we decided to just go to a plaza on the turnpike or something. BB&B had to go, which sucked, but I cannot say how happy I was that I got to meet him. He is a very decent guy, has a big smile on his face a lot - so this was awesome to finally meet him.

 

We headed out to find the plaza, pulled in and Ken and his bro and DW zipped past us in the plaza - never saw them again. 1-0, GB, Pixey and I decided to get coffee and crap junk food and hit the road. We said our goodbyes to 1-0 and GB and me and Pixey hit the road. We had time to kill, adn since now DW was with Ken adn Kevin we had no hotel or anything to even clean up in the sink which sucked. We drove around to kill some time, returned the rental and headed back to the airport. Pixey and I sat outside the airport and had coffee and cigarettes outside and I got to talk to Pixey more. Pixey is a great girl. We never seemed to struggle for conversation or anything and before we knew it it was time for her to get her boarding pass. So I went with her to her security gate, said our goodbyes and I headed over to US Air. Ihad a couple hours to kill so I fell asleep at my gate until the plane boarded. Only about 7-10 people on my flight, so I sprawled out across the seats, went to sleep and never heard us even take off. I woke up as we were landing and was back home by 11am.

 

I had a great time, the boys were ON, man. They sounded so great. It was awesome to meet Pixey, 1-0-0-1, his brother (Genetic Blend), BB&B, Xanadew, and everyone else who was there! Very glad I went!

 

 

 

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QUOTE (Alsgalpal @ Aug 28 2004, 04:32 PM)
WOW!!! Great post, RR!!! Love it! Hopefully I can be included in some stories sometime... biggrin.gif

You'd better!!

 

Yeah I need to find my Cleveland one - ES may have it - had to leave front row during the rant to pee it was so bad it was hurting LOL

 

Nashville review I need to find too biggrin.gif

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On the hold your fire tour I got a peek inside the Rush tour bus. Well, there were three of them and I walked inside one them. The band wasn't in there but at least I got a peek. I know that's not a real exciting story. wink.gif

 

I have a picture somewhere of the tour bus and it had a wizard on the back of it. Does anyone remember the tour bus that I am talking about? I will look for the picture and scan it sometimes, it looked really neato.

 

I am looking forward to more rush stories, I know most of you have a lot better stories than I do. joker.gif

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The BSG Chronicles

 

My West Palm Beach Experience

 

My Story... and I'm Sticking To It

Well, just let me begin at the beginning....

 

It was a cool October night in 1963 when the BSG family was "blessed" with a new, bouncing boy. Daddy BSG took the term quite literally, and so tried to bounce young BSG, much like a basketball, thus explaining so much...............

 

What?........... Oh, skip a bit? Ok.

 

Anything Can Happen

I had secured seats for the Tampa show on the first half hour of the farcical pre-sale, and thought I had done pretty well. I was unable to get seats in the Orchestra section, but resigned myself to seeing the boys from a seat about 25-30 rows back. This was still better than the vast majority of shows I had attended in my lifetime.

 

I had vacillated about adding the West Palm show, but the more time I spent chatting with Rush fans, the more certain I became that going to this show was a moral imperative. When the opportunity came up to purchase $10 lawn seats, this was "an offer I couldn't refuse". So, I summoned up the courage, enumerated my talking points, and placed a phone call to my spousal-unit. My end of the conversation went something like this: (BTW, yes I'm a big, fat cat.gif )

 

"Um, hon? I've been talking with some of my friends and we're all meeting in West Palm for the Rush concert and I know I'm already going to see them in Tampa but some of my friends can only make it to West Palm and today they have this special on $10 tickets so I thought I could work half a day Thursday half a day Friday and I can make up those hours and I promise I will be a saint until then help with all the housework and................"

 

"What's that?.............."

 

"Oh........... OK I can go???"

 

"And you have no problem with that?" (Who are you and what have you done with my wife? Never mind, let's just leave well-enough alone, shall we?! icon_really_happy_guy.gif )

 

Nice.

 

So I hop online, purchase a $10 ticket, just before they are all gone. COOL! 653.gif

 

Couple weeks pass, anticipation builds. Then one day on RT, I encounter a thread by ES-335, offering a free "third row" WPB ticket to the first one to respond. Cool!!!

 

The only problem? I was too late. Vaportours had already responded and claimed the ticket. (Dangnation!!! That accursed VT has ALL the luck!! Meet and Greets out the yin-yang, front row seats every concert, and the bastahd shows up without a seat a half-hour before every show!!!!!! mad.gif rofl3.gif ) Shi-ite!!!

 

So, I respond to the topic as only a Gig Stubborn Guy can "VT, have I told you lately how much you SUCK? rofl3.gif "

 

Eventually, VT graciously bowed out, which I was not expecting, and the ticket fell to me.

 

So, much thanks and praise to ES-335, for hooking me up, to Vaportours, and to Todem, who made the delivery. And also to Chipper, for not "allowing" VT to go without him. icon_really_happy_guy.gif

 

I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy! (Wayne's World Bow)

 

Working Man, Irie

The long-awaited Rush Holiday dawned bright, with scattered clouds, and afternoon rain in the forecast. I didn't actually look at the forecast, but this is the same forecast for EVERY summer day in Florida, so it was a safe bet to assume it was a given. I donned my usual Working Man costume of business casual and ugly shoes, then set off to pretend as if I belonged in an office building, when I knew quite well, my place was in an amphitheater in West Palm Beach. How can a person be expected to be productive when 4 months (since buying the Tampa tickets), 12 years (since my last REAL rock concert), and 14 years (since seeing the boys) of waiting were finally coming to an end? I fiddled around a bit, made the shortest client phone call of my life, then suited up for "battle": Shorts, Starman T, and tennis shoes. SEEEEE ya!

 

We Travel a Road to Redemption

Before embarking, I saw fit to fortify the BSG family truckster with an adequate supply of essentials. My first stop: ABC Fine Wines and Spirits, locations at every other intersection in Florida. While there I hunted for a touch of Irish Whiskey to offer to ES and VT as a thank you for their Good Deeds. (Todem got Cuervo Gold.) I thought of McCallen (sp?), apparently a favorite libation of a certain Mr. Peart. I searched throughout the whiskey shelves, to no avail. Then I spotted the locked case. Uh oh! Glanced at price tag: $384. Ummm............ Can I show my gratitude in a different way? Guys?

 

Hit the Turnpike, cruise control at 74, settle down for 3 hour drive. On the way, I spotted a vehicle with windows declaring "Viva Madonna". I guessed they were either going to a Madonna concert, or going to stalk her at her Palm Beach mansion. Whatever, either that or the Material Goil was having another open-house orgy ("Now serving number 2112, please step forward." rofl3.gif )

 

Got a phone call from my fellow resident lemming. Thanks, Jack for keeping me company on the long drive. Now where were you at 1:30 am when I REALLY needed you for the drive back? biggrin.gif

 

Next call, Todem.

 

"Where you at?"

 

"Pulling into the parking lot, dude!!"

 

Serendipity, my good man, serendipity.

 

Met some great folks, Todem, his bro-in-law, Steakman, Dewman. assorted "better half's", Q, Mark, overdose2112, and his young posse. So many faces, so quickly they passed. (Pictures to come.)

 

All The World's a Stage

Lit up with anticipation

We arrive at the launching site

 

Nice venue, easy access (if you get there early enough). Very briefly met Rich (very cool) other very cool folks (Aren't ALL Rush fans cool?) On the way into venue, I needed to get rid of the lawn ticket that I had. Found a young couple who needed 2 and couldn't believe I was just giving it away. By that point, the $10 was immaterial, as I sought to repay some of the "Good Karma" which caused ES's ticket to come my way. I only hope that my "generosity" did not cause a divorce, since I only had the ONE ticket! tongue.gif

 

Go into venue (here's my ticket, Mr. Security Dude, I belong here in the front section....) Searching for seat, my seat is row C. I count off I, H, (you know the rest) ....... wait a minute.... There's no seats in front of me?

 

FRONT ROW BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On the extreme right (appropriate for me tongue.gif ). Holy crapola! Geddy's keyboards are 10 feet away!!

 

To put this in perspective, the closest I've ever been at ANY concert has been about 25 rows back.

 

Excitement so dense

you could cut it with a knife

 

Opening film, first selection, air guitar!!!!!

 

(Sorry, neighbor is my air-Lerxst interfering with your air-Peart? Let me do an air-Geddy while you switch to air-Alex.) IT'S ALL GOOD!!!!!

 

The show absolutely frickin' rocked!! I don't want to go into the setlist, as it's all been said, and given the boys' unparalled precision and consistency, every song was a gem, every nmight they played! Besides, some of our European Rush pals may still be unspoiled.

 

I've never been close enough to watch the interplay between the boys. Lerxst making his goofy faces, forcing Neil to look away lest he crack up and lose his focus, or God forbid, a beat (never!). Geddy's intense concentration as he co-ordinates his myriad tasks. Simply awesome! We got one, and only one visit from Lerxst, on this side of the stage. (Darnitall!) My only complaint, I'm sure.

 

Undoubtedly my favorite moment was when Neil ran out, Geddy casually walked over, and Lerxst strolled onstage, tearing into the opening riffs of my new personal favorite Rush release.

 

Made several new Rush-friends, including a Peruvian young man, in Florida for family vacation and his first RUSH experience. A disabled gentleman and his Cuban companion (high-fives all night). Mark, Steakman's brother, who was right behind me (sorry if I blocked your view of the entire stage.) tongue.gif

 

Have I mentioned Rush fans are the BEST?................

 

A Starry Highway Traced on the Map of the Sky

Left before encore finished. Hated to do so, but with a 3 hour drive ahead of me and Tampa on the horizon, I thought it prudent to avoid the hour or two it would take to exit venue, if I held out to the bitter end. Got out smooth as poop through a goose (as "they" say) and was soon in the Golden Arches drive-thru purchasing the LARGEST coffee Ronald offers. (Three hour drive, remember?)

 

Trying to get onto the Florida turnpike in unfamiliar territory, I missed the lane change. Some kind-hearted souls let me merge in front of them. And me in a minivan, no less. They must have been Rush fans leaving the show, I'm convinced.

 

Hot lashings of Ludwig Van's 9th served to keep me awake (Ode to Joy! Freuden!!!!).

 

The full moon was my only companion as I wheeled my way back to the Home and Hearth of the BSG Family Manor.

 

Stay tuned................

 

Peace, y'all! bsg.gif

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The BSG Chronicles

 

Tampa Ampa

 

Disclaimer

 

The previous high standards of great and epic concert experience postings compel me to give full measure of respect to the sights and sounds experienced.

 

Umm.........................this is long.

 

Drawn Like Moths We Drift Into The City

Woke up the morning after my West Palm Beach experience to the heinous news that my son, with whom I've been planning his conversion from rap music for four months, will be unable to accompany me to Tampa. Do mindless power-mad bureaucrats understand the "healing hand, a secret touch on the heart" of good music and a shared father/son experience? (Kill them all.)

 

With regrets, and far-fetched hopes of STILL somehow convincing the bureacratic bi-otch to allow him to catch a ride with his uncle, later in the day, I depart for Tampa.

 

I arrived in the city, picked up a friend from the airport, and embarked on a small adventure. As I'm from Orlando, I don't know Tampa so well, so I made a wrong turn. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it.) Got a nice view of the 275 bay bridge to St. Pete, westbound, and then eastbound five minutes later. Ooops!

 

It's My Turn to Drive

I do my first reconnoiter (sp) of the Tampa Ampa and Hard Rock logistics. Notice a few back ways into both facilities, buy a tourist-y map (don't care how dorky I look reading it). The information proves quite valuable.

 

With the notion of hanging for a few hours at my brother's pool in St. Pete, I drop off my friend at her destination, then head west for another inspection of the 275 bridge (looks good, all structural joints seem pretty smooth).

 

Rather than enjoying the aforementioned facilities, what does a Big Stubborn Guy do but plug into his message board? Just that. So busy playing on RT, I keep revising my gotta-get-the-heck-outta-here-before-RUSH-hour time. First 3, then 3:30, finally 4 before I depart to do that follow up inspection of THAT DARN BRIDGE.

 

Driven To The Edge of A Deep, Dark Hole

I merge into...............a parking lot, a slowly moving gelatinous mass of motorists and metal. ARRRRGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good thing I had just taken my blood-pressure pill a few minutes ago.

 

Whyohwhyohwhyohwhy did I take so much time on the message board?

 

...See More of the People and the Places That Surround Me Now

I finally pull into the Hard Rock parking lot. Head towards the casino, spot the Kiss outfits, this must be the place. Lots of Rush folks here. Searching, searching, greeting folks like a "long-awaited friend". I either overheard someone say "Madman Mike" or recognized him. Great!! I caught Mike before he left for his meet and greet. Quick "hey!" and he's outta there.

 

Such a whirling mass of cool, happy, excited people. "Good to meet you. Are you here for the Life Changing Experience, as well?"

 

I meet. I greet. I talk to total strangers, swap war stories. The only admission price to this great club is an appreciation for great music. I walk around the bar, hoping to be recognized from my profile pic. The board names, and "real world" names are jumbled up in a primordial alphabet soup in my brain. I can extract bits and pieces-

 

Niagararoy, nice to meet you, remember Winghouse, North OBT.

 

The Analog Snowdog, Analog Trail, good to meet ya.

 

Q, Q's wife, Michelle good to see you guys again after West Palm.

 

Steakman and Dewman, you guys are the s.h.i.t! (That's a compliment, according to my son's crowd.)

 

Rushchic thanks for everything you do. Xana Dew, nice to meet ya, too. (And RC, I DON'T CARE if I look like a dork trying to point to you in a crowded amphitheater! )

 

Gary! My bruthr (presto) from another muthr!! Glad to meet, I thought I might miss ya this time.

 

SCREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You got the right handle, my man!!!!! Fits you like a glove. Let's party again next tour, by all means. Just be sure and bring enough bail money. icon_really_happy_guy.gif

 

Tide Pools, I could have been talking to you half the night for all I know, but didn't recall your name or "handle" at the time. Nice to "meet" you. (Same goes for anyone else who I accosted in my happy, no not really drunk, way.)

 

Madman Mike!!! Hate to ruin your rep, but you seem quite level-headed and very cool. See ya next time fur shur, dude!

 

Easy69, I just HAD to meet a biker chick to expand my horizons, at the risk of repeating myself, nice to meet ya.

 

Luckycharmscat, great handle! Meant to ask you about that, time flies! Nice to meet you and yours!

 

TampaRushFan, ditto re: meeting you. PLC, I'm sure we met, I'm sure it was a pleasure. If not, never mind.

 

To the gent in the Rushtour t-shirt in the back row of OR2, I just had to say hey! Thanks for flying the colors! Was your handle something-something 2112?

 

Well, I hear the orchestra trying to get me off the stage, so I finally want to acknowledge my manager Shecky Weinrib for this award and to the members of the Academy..............

 

"He said 'members'! Uh Huh Uh hu huh huh."

"Shut up, Beavis!" (Slap!)

 

I Set The Wheels In Motion, Turn Up All The Machines

My first bio-brother arrives, quick turn around the dance floor for quickie intros, "this is my brother, this is.................., etc." Then it's off to the venue. Followed a car with THE vanity Florida tag of ALL vanity tags, simply "RUSH". Tim is his name and he tried for 12 years to acquire that tag. Hats off to you, my new pal. Photo to come.

 

My second brother arrives from Orlando 15 minutes later, without my son, alas and takes a still-open spot directly across the little driveway. Serendipity. Time for a couple chilled Killian's (Gary, you missed out.) Then off to the hang-glider roofed new venue.

 

Gotta sell my extra seat, hard to get rid of just one. It seems to be a buyer's market. Rebuff a couple offers, take a reduced price, which breaks my heart. If only I had known sooner. Bureaucratic bi-otch!!!!!

 

A couple wrong turns later, and me and my bro's are in our seats, about 30 rows back, I guess. Still great seats, but nothing like WPB (sigh). Budman and Steakman, you are correct. Front row spoils you for any other ticket.

 

The show itself? What can I say that hasn't already been said? I may do a spoiler review of the show, but not today.

 

Gary, the reason I kept trying to call you was that there were about four or five empty seats next to me, after the father and his 10-year old son left, and it was absolutely breaking my heart. I wanted you and 1 of your buds to "come on down", as they say on "The Price Is Right". Were you with just one person, or more than one? Anyhoo, c'est la vie.

 

The boys, of course were tight, for old farts, or by ANY standards!! They were en fuego!

 

Stayed for the entire experience this time, unlike WPB, and joined the cattle drive outta there. How many rock fans can you yell "hepp! cattle!" and be immediately answered by a dozen laughs and "moos"? Did I mention Rush fans are the best?

 

Freeze This Moment A Little Bit Longer

Gotta get back to the Hard Rock, gotta share with the Rush bois and goils! Some lunatic in a "Mini Cooper on steroids" cut me off and yelled some anti-Bush crap!!! No doubt a Kerry supporter! Hey, BP:

 

BUSH RULES!

 

At the HR, Rushchic "holds court" as all the RT folk come by to say hey! (And kiss her donkey, I presume.)

 

Christine, SO COOL YOU MADE IT!!!

 

Group photos are attempted, some successfully, some not so much. (Folks, let's post 'em, and sound off on who's who.) I'm on the far left of the big group photo. Black starman t-shirt goatee and horizontally-enhanced physique. Drinks are shared, and exhausted farewells are given.

 

But, ya know, as long as we have the band, and our board, we'll never be alone. (Cue the schmaltzy music.)

 

One more westbound "inspection" of the dreaded bridge to crash on my brother's sofa. Up in the morning, to check "my board".

 

Which brings us to the moment.

 

Time Stand Still

I'm not looking back

But I want to look around me now

See more of the people

And the places that surround me now

 

Freeze this moment a little bit longer

Make each sensation a little bit stronger

Experience slips away...

 

Wifey, I'm coming home to you!

 

My Rush friends will continue to share good times with me, and we'll swap stories, insults and jokes. And my Rush obsession will become merely a HUGE part of my life again. I feel as if I have been given a fresh opportunity to look around, enjoy fine music, the company of good folks.

 

I won't let THIS experience slip away.

 

Peace. (Through superior firepower, of course.)

 

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QUOTE (SCREAM @ Aug 28 2004, 09:26 PM)
http://img4.photobucket.com/albums/0703/Scream/Xpressions/Fast/th_highfive.gif Excellent job my brotha, great read! Tampa was a great time!! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/Scream/Xpressions/Fast/rockon.gif

Scream!! Hope you enjoyed RCMH dude! 2.gif 2.gif 2.gif

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QUOTE (Snowdog @ Aug 28 2004, 09:27 PM)
Scream!! Hope you enjoyed RCMH dude! 2.gif 2.gif 2.gif

What's up Snowdog, "enjoyed" doesn't begin to describe the time I had at those 2 shows. Not just the shows. the overall atmosphere with SO MANY Rush fans gathered. It went by WAY too fast. I'm still abuzz from it a week later. trink39.gif

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QUOTE (SCREAM @ Aug 28 2004, 09:37 PM)
QUOTE (Snowdog @ Aug 28 2004, 09:27 PM)
Scream!! Hope you enjoyed RCMH dude! 2.gif  2.gif  2.gif

What's up Snowdog, "enjoyed" doesn't begin to describe the time I had at those 2 shows. Not just the shows. the overall atmosphere with SO MANY Rush fans gathered. It went by WAY too fast. I'm still abuzz from it a week later. trink39.gif

Very cool, my Rush brutha! Glad you enjoyed it! 1022.gif

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QUOTE (RushRevisited @ Aug 28 2004, 11:32 PM)
lol bsg i am drunk as f*ck and cant read anything but started and looks funny have to remember tomorow

Been there.

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QUOTE (Kerry_2004 @ Aug 29 2004, 12:35 AM)
QUOTE (RushRevisited @ Aug 28 2004, 11:32 PM)
lol bsg i am drunk as f*ck and cant read anything but started and looks funny have to remember tomorow

Been there.

lol will post pics on the non rush area

before got throw in pool fully clothed and bday girl jumped in naked tho hjahaaa

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When I saw Rush in May of 1994 with my third older sister Tania and my brother in law/her husband Bryan, I went to the show with a bad sore throat which I worsened to the point I had to go to the hospital the next day. Also at that gig, I started a "WE WANT RUSH" chant after I heard the booing of Candlebox from people and my sister jokingly said "Terrence you created a MONSTER!".

Three years later at the Tweeter Center on the TFE tour on June 23, 1997, my second older sister Tina went with me and she spoiled me(bought me T-shirt which I still have and in good condition and program which I lost). During Animate, I almost got blindsided by some drunk assholes whilst watching the show and Tina was like "TERRENCE" and I was like huh, she went "LOOK OUT!" and I saw and I jumped like a grasshopper out of the way or I would have had my teeth knocked out by two dumb drunk spectators.

Third Rush show was relatively quiet FIVE YEARS LATER on July 13, 2004 at Tweeter Center with brother in law Bryan.

Then two years later on August 12, 2004, I was a half hour late meeting up with my best friend Dennis to see our lads at The Tweeter Center in Boston as I had to say goodbye to my mom before I flew back to South Carolina a few days later(I didn't cry cos I knew I'd see her again and she didn't as well) and one of my old friends from High School Andrea who was getting married(I paide her a visit as a consolation prize to turning down wedding attendance due to geographical and financial problems on my part). Anyhow, I met up with Dennis and off to Rush we went and I enjoyed Rush for the FOURTH TIME and it was Dennis' first Rush gig and he loved it! During intermission, after buying fried dough and water, we saw some college aged girls all begging us for our fried dough so we, being kind-hearted softies that we are, gave the women a piece. Then when it started to thunderstorm during Mystic Rhythms, we ran for underneath the ampitheater podium so we wouldn't get drenched(me especially as I had my T-shirt and program in a plastic Rush bag). After we got back and before I said farewell to Dennis I gave him my extra copy of Rush in Rio on CD as I bought another one earlier that day. Then the next day, I got in touch with my other best friend Danielle(whom I was friends with from college) and had her laughing with a Rush related message leaving her directions to get to my grandfather's house the next night in a pirate voice saying "ARGH, this is your lovely pirate from The Temples of Syrinx, TERRENCE whose gifts of life are down below HAR HAR!". She called me back laughing hysterically and said laughing "Terrence, when don't you reference Rush or Pink Floyd?" and I said "hardly ever, har!".

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