Part I:
Tuesday morning I wake up in no particular hurry to get ready as I'm picking up dh around 3 pm to head to Columbia. Well, I hadn't checked my email the day before and there in my emails was from the radio station(the one promoting the concert) a message to call this am for free tix and backstage passes to Elliott! I called the station in a panic....I'd missed the dj that had messaged me! So, I emailed the dj and he emailed me back and said they'd be up by the Blue Note at 4pm and to be there so he could "hook me up!" OMG....the frenzy began. Running around like a chicken with my head cut off. It was close to noon. Close to 3 hr drive to concert. Called dh, and told him we HAD to leave early! He said ok..heehee. He knows better to fight with me on this one.


I had decided to go "sexay" as JackieB suggested so I was plannin on gettin all purty by doin my hair "curly." :rotfl: So, with electric rollers still intact out the door I head. Hubby was ready and waiting for my arrival. I found myself driving just a tad over the speed limit on the way to get dh...then I got behind these 2 semi's and can't get past them. I'm literally screaming in my car.....Get the **** out of my way you idiots, I'M ON A MISSION!" Yep, those were my exact words outloud. Finally got around them and was much more happy..lol.

Heeeheee....stopped at gas station with curlers still in. I think some peeps got a good laugh out of that one. I JUST DIDN'T CARE. I had to look purty for E. Picked up dh and he got a good laugh at the rollers too. Second gas station...rollers intact...heeheee. I just don't give a flyin you know what.

So, we finally get to the outskirts of Columbia and I take the rollers out. Makin sure I'm sexay! Put in my contacts, which I don't wear alot but thought this IS a special occasion. I keep thinkin sexay, sexay, sexay! :rotfl:

Well, we check into hotel. Dh needed a shower from work. I headed out the door to the Blue note at around 3:45...plenty of time since it was only like 2 blocks from the hotel. I'd gotten in touch with some other fans here and jockeyrep in particular had told me they had already been in the place and it was a dump. I'm thinkin, who the hell cares, it's ELLIOTT for goodness sakes! :rotfl: Bye dh...heading to the Blue Note! I got on the phone and called all the other etrainer's and gave them the heads up on the situation.

I get to the Blue Note and meet up with the jockeyrep and her friend I'd been talkin too. The radio van was up front. Caught the dj and asked about the back stage passes. He said he was working on that. What? You promised me u ***hole! He was nice...so I didn't have a tantrum. He said he'd let me know when things were gonna go down. So, jockeyrep and her friend and I went in the Blue Note to check it out. Ya, kinda a dive but not bad. Looked like an old theater. Had a balcony upstairs with "theater" seats in a row and then some that went out around the wall kinda above the stage. General admit tixs were downstairs. Stage was center with dance floor...bar...tables/chairs up by dance floor. Ya, I know, spending too much time on bull...heeheee. MaryLee and her friend show up too. Later along comes idoletc and sister. WooHoo. I'm trying to keep everyone straight, so forgive if I get peeps mixed up a bit. I don't remember tralalara being at the rehearsal...but I was totally zoned out or into E!

Well, as we were checking the place out and waiting to find out about the backstage passess the band comes out. THEY START REHEARSAL RIGHT THEN AND THERE WITH US IN THE ROOM. We kept waiting for someone to tell us to leave but that never occured. We all pretty much remained cool and sat in the back by the bar and swooned. Just the band started and Sway...then lo and behold THE MAN comes out. Well, I had been takin pics and vids anyways up to this point. I'm still kinda in shock that they just let up sit there and enjoy our little warm up concert!

So, there I am gettin all hot and bothered watchin the man warm up. They were having a blast...jumpin around....actin goofy....I caught some of this on vid. They were adjusting the sound. And after one song...Elliott said something like turn up the vocals on these front speakers. OMG, then he said something like it is all about me right? and then laughed. I got that on vid. He was NOT being cocky or nothing. He was being fun. And to be honest, I felt he was SPOT ON! It is about HIM and the VOICE for goodness sakes.(Well, mostly, cuz I luv the band members too...they are EXTREMELY TALENTED!) They adjusted it and I gave them the "thumbs up" from the back! The band does overpower his voice at times thus, my agreement with his teasin comment. I LOVE him. At one point, Russel and he did this jump in the air and twisted around. Tried to get a pic but it's all blurry.

After about an hour of warming up....E says it time to go talk to the PEEPS! YEH! Oh, prior to that I'd talked to the dj and he said the "back stage" pass was gonna happen right there when he was done! Wooooooohoooooooo! They had photos (free) of E....black and whites of his cd cover there for him to sign for us. He's like to me...Hey I know you...lol! Got's a big hug and a couple of pics that dh took which suck cuz of too much lighting.

Oooops forgot about the dh. When we were watching the rehearsal I called and told him I wasn't going NOWHERE and that he needed to come meet me there. I'm sure at this point he was :headsmack: He took off from the hotel without asking me directions so later he's calling...where is it...lol!

Well, we all get pics etc. Oh, got my cd signed too. Some of the others had his xmas cd and got it signed. The man was like, "hey, can I look at that, I haven't seen one yet." What? So, him and Russel were looking at it and the inserts right there in front of us. Towards the end, I said to Elliott, hey I want ya to meet the man that's been puttin up with my e-craziness the last couple years. He about tripped getting to my dh to shake his hand cuz of the floor being screwy. It was cute as hell tho and he just laughed.

Well, we're all discussing and wondering if they're just gonna let us stay in there til the concert...heehee. We decided to go outside cuz they said they'd be kickin us out eventually. So, there were park benches right out front so we sat and chilled for awhile. No line yet or nuttin. It's probably around 530 at that point. Doors open at 7. So, we're just chillin and here comes the Josh, Russell, Aaron (sp?). Crap, forgot I'd talked to Josh earlier, he was acting kinda sick...said he was on some meds for that. I asked if E was better and he said ya, he'd got a shot. Joked about me buyin him a beer tonight (cuz I told him that in a message on his myspace..lol). He remember me and my message. We were supposed to boogie to E too if my dh didn't mind...lol. Got pics with Josh, Russ, and Aaron at this point. Awwww, sweet guys, and Aaron is definitely a little flirt!

So, the line starts and we're right there like 4th in line. Jockeyrep is a RIOT! Now, I thought I was obsessed...but that girl right there....she's obsessed! :rotfl: Luv ya tho! We've got a plan, those who want to sit...up front table...we are heading to the front of the stage. More waiting. Met some wonderful girls there and made fast friends. Well, they finally let us in.......zooooooooooom we go to the stage. Small stage, u could literally reach up and touch whoever was up there if ya wanted :evillaugh:

Up comes Josh, still lookin a bit peakid. But sang wonderfully. Josh has got soul. Love his vocals. E he's not but I fluv him too. Just him and the guitarists. VERY NICE SET! He does that acapela at the end of Ain't No Sunshine....thud. Girls by us goin googoo...oh s***, I admit I was too. He's a hottie! I touched his shoe! So, he finishes up....next act to come. Out to get some "fresh air" I go.

Well, there is Eli right out front getting some "fresh air" too. We're standing pretty close to each other anyways so we just started shootin the s***. Told him luved him and the band at Chi town but didn't think much of the lead singer.... He told me he'd lost his voice or whatever and got a cortisone shot before that gig. Talked about this and that. He asked where I was from, etc. Talked about Elliott. He said Elliott IS really as nice as he seems. One of the other girls had questioned earlier wondering if E would eventually get a big head over his success. I told her I didn't think so. I said this to Eli and he said na, if he hasn't changed already he probably wouldn't. I'm standing there thinkin....damn he's cute!. Well, then we talked about their travels and such. He said they actually got to stay the night there in town cuz Wednesday they had the day off but had to head to TX. I joked and said...hmmm, I could be nosey and ask which hotel ur staying at. He looked at me with a s***ty grin. He asked me where I was stayin...I told him and then he said....maybe party later! OMG! I just about died! I'm thinkin.....if I was 20 yrs younger, them locals wouldn't hold a candle to me! :rotfl: Oh, forgot, he said Josh wasn't feeling good cuz he was a bit hung over...haahaa. And he said Josh had some funny stories he told them from the night before. I was like, about the "locals?" He's said yes... Me thinks Josh is a naughty boy...heehee. Awesome chat! I think we talked at least 20 minutes.

So, back in I go. TLG sounded better this time around. Boy, plenty of dirty looks comin my way as I would go back up front where all my peeps for the night were. We would save each other's "spots'' to go pee-pee or get beers. I guess one girl got somethin said to her so she piped back and said, I'm up there because I was here at 330, what time were u here! Good girl!

So, TLG comes on. Some girls are really into them. They asked the lead singer to show them his butt so he turns around. :rotfl: Some VERY funny stuff was talked about and happened but it's not appropriate here. So, I'm controlling myself cuz I really really really want to start chanting EL-LI-OT, EL-LI-OT before their set is finished. I'm bad....but it is Elliott I'm there to see at that point. Well, they finish. Much improved from Chi town. Time for pee, smoke, beer run again.

Oh, forgot to mention tour bus wasn't right by the venue. It was about 2 blocks away. We'd went there earlier with no "sightings." Jockeyrep had seen him around 1pm and he looked like he'd just got up so she didn't bother him. No shoes, etc. They said he was cute as heck and should have got a pic...dammit I would have!

Getting ready for THE MAN....part 2

BigEfan, I'm loving this recap :)

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT?????????????
Why did you STOP????????????????????
I am :rotfl: :rotfl:
More more!!!!

wooohooo....loving this....keep it comin!!!

I'm a tease ain't I? :rotfl: Be patient Chloe and others...it's a coming. I've got a problem with my vids and trying to fix that so I can post em. Figured that'd keep u kiddies occupied while I finish my recap! :rotfl:

I'm glad to see you made it home in one piece. It sounds like everything really worked well for ya. I want to thank you for telling me to come down to the Blue Note immediately. I met E and got autograph and all and it would of never happened without you. THANKS!

You are SOOOOO welcome! So glad we all got to meet up! And so glad you got your E experience to treasure for a lifetime! :awe:

Ok, phooey on the vid situation for right now......

Part II-ok, where'd I leave off...oh ya, after TLG had finished Eli...if you're reading this, ya have to know this is mostly all in fun and I fluv you!

Well now, talked to the dh for a few seconds in betweent sets. He was most impressed with Joshy boy. He's like....I really liked him and I want to get his cd. Ok...now that's a surprise coming from a metal head. Dh had told me previously he doesn't get into r/b....well, WTH...that's Josh. Oh, and he wasn't too impressed with TLG, said it was too loud. This is the group I'd figured he'd get into more but NO....haahaa. Funny crap I forgot about while the TLG was up as I was goin to get another beer. The couple sitting with my dh where sittin there. Dh made friends with the man...talkin about concerts they'd been too and stuff. Well, I standin there talkin to dh and the other guy while TLG is playin, then I notice the guys wife. She had her fingers in her ears!!!! I LMAO! Sorry, I guess it was just too loud or sumpin? I did enjoy their set tho.

Ok...so head back up front again for THE MAN....more dirty looks.... In a way, I was hopin one of them would say sumpin to me. They wouldn't have known what hit em at that point! What the heck, I was playin waitress for my peeps and gettin em soda and beers. I'm a good person aren't I? Dem girls had known I was up there all night, so why waste their frown power on me!

So, there I is...up front and center and here comes the band. Warmin up with "Alright" music. Oh, guess I forgot to describe the crowd. LOTS of young girls up on the dance floor....goin googooo over everyone. BUT, when it was E's turn, the place went WILD! I thought Chi town was LOUD and crazy, but I swear this was a more rowdy E crowd. Well, it is a college town. But still a mixture of all types as usual...young and older, men and women, etc.

Well, then out comes DA MAN! THE PLACE WAS ROARING!!!! I was purring...come to momma big boy! LOL! Well, dh was SUPPOSED to be on cam duty but the lil s*** said right before E comes on, u better take the cam...u know I'll screw it up. This is after my lengthy instructions on what to get, how to do, etc.
So, instead of just gettin my groove on I'm a tapin and takin pics. I swear to goodness....the next time I ain't even takin a cam!(I'm probably delusional on that but WTH!) Oh, I still enjoyed it and now have the vids to treasure foreva but....it does take some of fun out of it with the cam in hand. That's why y'all might get a little sea sick watchin some of the vids as there's some movin goin on...heehee.

Ok, back on track. E's a bit more scruffy lookin that he was in Chi town. Still lookin HAWT but not the same. I don't not fluv that jacket he had on. Luckily he "took it off" later! Nice lookin rear view in the jeans...cap on head. I'm thinkin....where's my curls E?....I brought mine! His was peeking out from that darn cap! Ya, he was shakin his bootay and gettin the girly screams. He was smilin and luvin it....the band was laughin too. His vocals were SPOT on as usual. He didn't sound or act sick that I could tell. I'm a nurse, I could have given him that shot in his u know what darnit! :rotfl: When oh when will these boys learn there are other people out here that are willing to accomodate there needs! LOL!

E's getting some MAJOR reactions from the crowd! I was lovin it. I was a bit worried at first cuz when I'd just called last week to get tix, the girl told me there was "plenty." They said it held like 800. All the reserved tix were sold out and I just don't see how 800 could have fit in there....I'm not that great of judge on that stuffy. But, the place was packed I thought. Ok, back on track again.

I'm not gonna give y'all a "blow by blow" account of all the songs, etc. I'll let the vids speak for me! But, the majority of the crowd was singin WFY and E was justa smilin cuz everyone kinda took over for him...lol! Proud moment! One thing I will mention, and dangit if can't remember which song it was on, but it was on one I wasn't videoing cuz I was totally into E.....and the man makes DIRECT EYE CONTACT with me and smiles! I'm like OMG! It lasted what seemed like an eternity and I about swooned to the floor right then and there! He played the usual's but did IILWF that he didn't do in Chi town. Another fan(Joanne) was hopin he'd sing that, so I was happy she got her wish! I'd commented on his myspace to pls not take STNT out of there set at The Blue Note....and he didn't! Yeh! Got's all the gyrating hip movement on vid....drool drool drool! lol! The girls went wild! Me included...heehee.

Well, of course he leaves after MO I believe.....oh some peeps up there were asking before if he'd be singing ASFY....I filled em in on my "insider" info heehee.

So, after they all leave the stage....some are still askin.....I start the crowd by yellin EL-LI-OTT....EL-LI-OTT! Everyone joined in........then after a longer than usual wait out he comes! ROAR GOES THE CROWD AGAIN! I'd been plannin on just takin pics for this one since I had most all of it vid from Chi town. Then my battery dies! I'm not a happy women this point! But, then THE VOICE starts with Joonie on keys of course and I just forget about the darn cam! Crowd joins in a bit...but I think they mostly remained quiet to hear THE VOICE! So, now officially 2 concerts within 2 weeks and I'm not dead yet.....emazing! LOL! Where's the next concert? heehee

Well, hooked up with dh after and he's wantin to get Josh's cd. Oh, dh got to talk to Josh uno on uno sometime thru the night. Dh had a funny joke/add from Geico on his cell and he shared it with Josh. Guess Josh laughed about that one. Dh was most impressed with Josh and E for the night. I guess I had kinda "ruined" E for him as he told me "I'd heard every song like how many times?" But at least he DID agree he was awesome LIVE! I got into a lil argument about who was better on STNT....he was sayin Dr Hook and I SET HIS BUTT STRAIGHT!

So, after the show, E of course said he was gonna meet peeps up front and sign, etc. Line went out the door and around the corner. Dh and I are just sittin on the bench chillin. And I'm tryin to decide what the heck I want to do. I was HUNGRY since I didn't take time to eat supper. Food? Elliott? Food? Elliott? Well, I decided to not be so darn greedy with E since for goodness sakes I sure got "mine" with all that went down in the afternoon! But in the back of my mind...I'm remembering what Eli said about partying...hmmm....hmmmm. Even told dh about that and he's like "I don't care.....I don't have to go to work tomorrow!" LOL!

Well, this would be a very good place to stop and make ya wonder what happened after that...heeheeeheeeeee

You are sooo WRONG for that one! lol....

What a TEASE!!!!! :rotfl:
I'm seeing him tonight & wanna know the details!!!!

What?????? Grrr!!! Where ARE you??

Part 3- which sorry guys is not nearly quite as entertaining as the first 2
But, a girl has to try to let the imaginations just run wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiild!

Let's see...left off at contemplating partying with the guys..heehee. Well, unfortunately the "wife, mom, angel, or dumbass" in me came out as we were sitting on the benches contemplating on what to do. Dh and I decided to head back to the hotel. Afterall, he was quite the sport and it was waaaay past his bed time as it was...lol.

So, off we go back to the hotel....order some pizza....and I can't remember where exactly my dh went one time, but I kept stalking the parking lot for any signs of any tour bus or van. Not, interested in the RV....well, that's a lie, Eli is on that one! Pizza arrived quickly. I'm a "big and beautiful" girl but I hadn't ate since like 2pm and it was now after midnight. A girl's gots to eat!

Kept hearin some ruckus in the hall....had to go check it out....could it be? Heck no, just some darn teenagers! :tantrum: Parking lot stalking continued for awhile....then I stalked the hotel for a bit checking out the floors. I was "this" close to hopin in the car and checkin out some of the nearby hotels...but dh would be :clubbed: So, I didn't...more :bawl: Oh well, dh and I had a good time, me thinks I had a better one but oh well. :evilgrin:

Next time, I will follow JackieB's advise, no dh's to E concerts.... (Not that I'd be more naughty or sumpin. ) :rotfl:

Love it! Thanks for sharing in such great Detail! :D

Ha-ha, so cute, but...no rendez-vousing at all? E didn't arrive as the pizza-delivery-boy and help you with the mouth-watering pizza? Soooo anti-climactic!

You are so ORNERY! GREAT recap!

Oh, I might get in a little trouble if I posted that here.... :rotfl: Sorry for the let down guys! :rotfl:

Oh and Chloe........THE HORSESHOE STRIKES AGAIN...LUV YA GIRL! :rocker:

I believe! I believe! :rocker: :rocker: :rocker:

:eyebrows: :rotfl:

Thanx for the soda, btw Big E! That WAS nice of you, considering you've never met me before! Never thought I'd see or hear from you again, so it's nice to be able to talk to someone who loves Elliot as much as I do, AND was at the same concert as I was! My hubby is just about sick of me talking about the concert and meeting E! :rotfl:

Thanks for the heads up, btw--didn't even know about his x-mas CD! Got it yesterday! Guess I'm not a very good fan, if I didn't know about the CD :( JK. Lovin "Let's Be Naughty," and "Warm Me Up"! That's just wrong...torturing our minds with ideas like that! :rotfl:

New E-train member!

Jen

:kaowelcome:

:welcome: to the :etrain:

:)

Happy u made to the Etrain and a big WELCOME! No prob about the soda...I'm nice like that. :rotfl: Glad u found out about the xmas cd...I'm totally loving Warm Me Up too! Well, the luv the whole cd but I'm biased like that. :elliottelliott:

Just a note....I hope no one was offended by my recap. I do tend to "animate" and "exaggerate" all in fun of course! If ya hadn't noticed, I like to spice things up a bit! :rotfl: Well, I never exaggerate of my love for E tho! :awe:

LOL I LOVED reading your recap!! Thanks for sharing! :o)

No way! I thought it was hilarious! I was just surprised at finding you on here--like I said, never thought I'd see or hear from you again! Joanne and I have been mutually obsessing about E through email. It's fun and harmless! How many of his concerts have you been to? How many times have you been able to meet and talk with him? The rest of his tour isn't anywhere near MO, so won't be seeing him again anytime soon I'm afraid :thatsucks:

Have you had a chance to upload any of your pics and videos yet? I only got a few songs, so now I'm wishing I would have been able to record the whole thing. Oh well!

Jen

Jen,
Look under the media thread...there u will find my pics and vids from Columbia as well as my ones from Chicago. This was only my 2nd concert...first was Chicago. Talked with him at both shows BUT Columbia took the cake with being able to watch rehearsal! I'm gonna upload Joanne pics when I get some time...she had some goodies! Been obsessed with him for almost 2 yrs now too! :elliottelliott: :fangirly:

Loved you recap. I have been in post-Elliott depression. I just relived the moments by watching all your videos. Thanks for putting them out there. I have never really followed the career of any singer before. I usually don't have any idea who's singing a song when I hear it on the radio, but I would recognize Elliott's voice in a heartbeat. Loved him since his first audition on AI. I was relieved to find other addicts. Maybe I'm not crazy (like my family thinks) after all.

Post-Elliott Depression. That's exactly what it is! You hit the nail right on the head. You're a genius. The initial show is followed by two to three days of jubilation, then the realization sets in that one is no longer counting down days to see him, and hence, comes down with PED.

As far as I know, only two things will bring relief:


1. The easiest remedy is as follows: Park yourself in the re-cap section and read all about other people's experiences at the show they went to last night, or the night before. Enjoy at the videos and photos they post. This takes the edge off.

2. Alternately, (and this method far exceeds the relief you'll get from #1 above) Quickly book yourself on a flight to one of the remaining shows on the tour. I realize this sounds extreme, but don't be embarrassed - we've all done it.

The real challenge comes when the tour is over. At that point you'll be clammoring for scraps of info here about when he may make an appearance on a televised Holiday Program, when the next video or song will be released, who will book him first: Leno, Letterman or the Today show . . . I'm afraid their really isn't a cure, but we're all here for you.

Love it Jackie and Mary Lee.....finally someone explains how we all feel.

LOL!

I haven't even seen him in concert yet, but am already worried about PED based on others experiences. The night following "my" concert (because yes he will be singing only to me) he's playing in a town about 3 hours away and I keep trying to figure out the logistics of getting to that one. AND then the following week he's playing about 2 1/2 hours away BUT I'm already signed up to chaperon the swim team at an out of town meet. So really, what would you rather do: go see E perform or spend a couple of nights with a room full of young teen-age girls and days being in an overheated chlorine stupor???

Then there's the Norva concert....Here I am wondering if there are any tickets left and if there's any possible way of horning in on this E-Train convention -- Norfolk really isn't that far away.....

Yes, I've got it bad and I have even been thoroughly exposed......

Oh good Lordy, how I know how you all feel! MaryLee hit the nail on the head fo sure with PED....I think we've now got a new disease to add to our eddiction! I'm kickin myself for not going to the Madison concert which was only a couple hrs away when we were up in Chicago. Thus, the Columbia show! Should have done all three dammit! :clubbed:

I too, am seriously considering the Norva as I would luv to meet so many of the members of this board! My dh would then officially label me insane. Not that he hasn't already. The dumbass told me the other day he's getting tired of my E talk and what peeps say on the boards! ARRRRGGGHHHH! I listen to his oh so boring plumbing talk.....so I asked him what the darn difference was? :rotfl: At least mine is a bit more exciting...to me at least! :fangirly:

So, that means I'm "normal" too?!?! :) I feel much better now! (Sigh of relief!)

Jen