Part I

My friend Carol/Trouble from Moosak and the etrain arrived at my house from CapeMay, NJ around 2:30 Saturday. We had a great evening catching up since our meeting at the Philly concert in May. We arose very early Sunday morning. Left the house around 7:30 am and headed to Norfolk, listening to Elliott CD's the entire time :grin:

We arrived in Norfolk around 10:30 am. We quickly found the Tazewell hotel. It was a beautiful old building and a wonderful choice for a place to stay. The folks there were VERY accommodating to us. They allowed us to check in several hrs. early and went out of their way to please us the entire stay. I love old buildings. They have so much more character. I was told that the Tazewell had the first elevator in Norfolk. It was tiny and the entrance to it was very small. I had Ricks # so gave him a call. They had gone out to breakfast so we were to meet up with them a bit later.

There was a knock at our door and there was Shatner/Cheryl, peppers/Patty and Rick. We all greeted each other with hugs as if we were long lost friends. We went downstairs and met with Nanasetta/Nancy, her wonderful #2, and Nana2160/Theresa. Wonderful, wonderful people. Meeting all the etrainers was for me, was just as dear to my heart as being able to hear Elliott that night.

We walked down to the waterfront for our photoshoot :rotfl: Nancy was the director and Rick and #2 were the photographers. Let me just say that Nancy is VERY bold....hahaha...she even tried her best to get us aboard a yacht,but that one just didn't work out.

Later, we were about to walk back to the hotel when Nancy received a call from Posttime/chancy. We were to meet her in front of the Norva as THE BUS HAD ARRIVED!!!!! We quickly walked to the venue, ignoring all traffic signals. We met chancy and her husband and were able to get a couple of photgraphs with the marquee and the bus. We saw Russell walking up the street towards the bus and said hello, but showed a little restraint since he was carrying food. We decided to leave to go post pictures, rest, and get ready for the main event, dinner and a show :grin:

Ooooh..this is great so far. Hmm..Russell with food eh? Did you happen to notice what kind of jeans he was wearing by any chance??

Part II

The Tazewell, Kelly's Backstage Tavern and The Norva were all very close. It was a wonderful set up and a BIG thanks to Theresa for all of her planning. It could not have been better.

We carried a basket full of snacks and gifts that everyone had gotten for Elliott and for the band, and carried it over to Kelly's. I heard that when they received it, they were very grateful, but were searching for beverages?? :rotfl: I believe there were about 55 etrainers present. It was an wonderful gathering and I enjoyed meeting each and everyone that I was able to talk to. We all had name tags, with our name and screen name. We were just getting started with hors d'ourves when one of the staff from kelly's came upstairs and said Elliott requests your presence Needless to say, I think we were all stunned and some of us may have let the food drop right out of our mouths. For me, it was like a dream.

We raced downstairs and were escorted into the Norva. Elliott and the band were just finishing up with their soundcheck. It really looked like the paparrazzi was there. The camera's were flashing all over. Elliott came down the ramp and greeted us. Then he posed for pictures, signed autographs and was just his amazing, kind, genuine self and went above and beyond anything that should be expected of him. It was very touching since we know he is exhausted, for him to give of his time and energy for us. I was able to get a fantastic wonderful hug and quickly told him I loved him and prayed for him. Rick and Carol snapped a quick picture. Elliott said thank you (him thanking me???) I thanked him for his time. How you express thankfulness for all the joy he has brough into my life??? I am truely in awe of this man. He is a gift and a miracle to my life.

more to come....

:1word: Great Recap Linda! it brings it all back again! each concert is just a crazy and exciting experience in itself ! I didn't think I could love Elliott any more than I already did, but guess what , I love him even more ! what an extraoridnary talent and human being ! :thud:

Part III

Okay, I am a big mess after writing that part. The tears are flowing. After Elliott left, I was able to talk to Josh and Russell and get pictures with them. They are just the nicest people, also just so willing to give of theirselves and never act like you are annoying them, even though you know sometimes they'd probably prefer being left alone.

We make our way back to Kelly's and try to continue with dinner. I had really lost my appetite for food. What I did taste was wonderful and many thanks to Theresa and Kelly's for a wonderful dinner.

We didn't know, but we had another surprise waiting. Rick had t-shirts made for ALL of us with our own special title as YamiNORFOLKers. What a wonderful gesture. Thanks Rick. I have never met so many wonderful people all in the same place at one time! I quickly threw on my shirt over top what I already had on and proudly wore it into the venue. I was really hoping we would all be standing together, but it was very difficult since the venue was SRO, everyone was being shuffled about trying to get close. I said somewhere else, my estimate for the crowd would be about 650-700 people on both floors. We saw Chris Richardson attending. He watched the show from the VIP section upstairs and seemd to be really loving it.

Josh's set was great and the crowd was really into it and gave him lots of applause and screams. I really love and appreciate his songwriting and he puts on a great show. I'm so happy he is touring with Elliott. I am eagerly looking forward to his CD. He's very funny and comfortable onstage. He dedicated Work That Body to Russell and said he'd be picturing Russell in his underwear as he was siinging. He gave MAJOR kudos to Elliott. He has toured with other bigger names before and said that Elliott sings circles around them. He announced his contract and that Elliott will be singing a duet with him on his CD. He also said that Elliott is a great kisser...how else do we think he was able to open for the second half of the tour? :rotfl:

more to come...

Part IV

By this tme, my feet were screaming!! We had been walking all day, and now standing in one spot on a concrete floor for hrs. We had gotten into the venue about 5:30-6:00, I think and didn't want to loose our positions, so just stood there until the show started. It's now about 8:30, I think and the are setting up for TLG. When they come out on stage, three girls push past us and tromp on my already aching feet. Apparently they are HUGE TLG fans and dance their butts off to their set and scream loudly the whole time. The one closest to me (and by close, I mean on my feet and ponytail hitting me in the face) dances and screams the loudest. TLG puts on a nice show, very energetic. Pictures of You sounded great. I loved Eli, the keyboard player who also played for Elliott on This Christmas, Movin On, etc... and was able to talk with him after the show. He's really good. The singer is high energy and they all seemed like good friends. I enjoyed listening to them. When their set was over the three girls moved......phewwww.......

coming up...THE MAIN EVENT

Part V

I know words are going to be inadequate for this part of the recap, so it's a little frustrating trying to convey what I felt. I have been lucky enough to attend two concerts during the summer tour. Innsbrook and Philly. I already know that what is to come is going to be extraordinary. I hear the familiar intro to Alright and the crowd goes WILD!!! Elliott comes running out on stage and it's a little overwhelming to know I am priveleged enough to hear this voice live again. He looks amazing wearing jeans, grey t-shirt and plaid shirt. He is soaked with sweat by the end of the first song. Even though we know he has to be exhaused, and know that he has been ill off and on this entire tour, he pours his entire soul into each song. I don't hink he holds back anything, ever. When he finished Alright the applause and shouts are deafening. It goes on and on. The crowd is showing so much love, it's unreal. They don't stop cheering even when he tries to talk. He looked slightly overwhelmed by the love and just giggled and bowed back at the crowd. This same reaction followed every song. He sang brilliantly, as usual. This was the first time I had ever heard him sing Free live as he didn't add it until the fall tour. I was speechless afterwards. Along with ASFY, it was the song of the night for me. Just absolutely amazing, I don't know what else to say.

The band was phenomenal. Better than ever. Their sound was tight and the new drummer, Glen, was just great!! When I can pull my eyes off of Elliott, which is not very often, Aaron is just a pleasure to watch. He is so into each song. I really enjoyed Sway as well. I had a little trouble hearing him, but when I did, he sounded amazing and was a great addition. He also looked to be having a great time on stage. I would have loved to have spoken to him afterwards, but didn't see him.

Elliott dedicated Take My Breath Away to "his ladies" :thud: I don't have to tell you about the hips in Sharing The Night Together. :thud: Elliott is confident on stage. I could stare at him all night. I didn't take pictures or videos this time. Partly because I am a lousy photographer, and partly because I just wanted to absorb every single thing that happened.

The crowd loved WFY and OW....before Elliott sang OW, he said we are working on our second hit. Let's do our very best to make that happen for him in anyway we can. He gives so much and I just want the world for him.

When Elliott finished Movin On....Sway dueted with Elliott on the ending, sounded GREAT.....he said thank you everyone and left. I was just hoping so much for ASFY, and was not disappointed. Everyone was sceaming and clapping and chanting El-li-ott!!!!! Over and over. Joonie and Elliott return to the stage. Elliott songs ASFY as brilliantly as I have ever heard him sing it. I hope someone captured it on video. Joonie had family members in the audience and was distracted for a moment near the end and messed up. You could tell he felt terrible. We didn't care and Elliott was smiling and laughing. When Joonie was walking off stage, Elliott said I love you Joonie. You could tell he didn't want him to feel badly. That's our man.

next, the conclusion.......

These are great details Linda! I remember thinking as they were setting up the stage that it takes a remarkable number of bottles of water and towels for Elliott to get through an hour set!! Imagine when he has more of a depth of material and sings for a couple of hours! He'll need a whole laundry cart full of towels! :rotfl:

(Oh and the product placement for the diet pepsi was amazing!)

Part VI

After the show, I was just overflowing with emotion. I was able to talk with Eli and Josh. I introduced myself to Josh and he said yes, I met you in Philly, right? He is also a very special person and you can understand why he and Elliott have become such close friends. Kindred spirits.....

We made our way to a rest/bar across from the Tazewell and just enjoy some time together since most of us would be leaving early in the morning. We were all very tired ( can you imagine how Elliott must feel? he does this almost everyday!) but I know that I hated to leave since this had been such a wonderful, wonderful night. I enjoyed every single moment I spent with the wonderful etrain family. I'll treasure the memories forever. We all hugged and said our goodbyes.This will go down as one of the most special nights of my life.

I also wanted to add that I met Brandon at Kelly's and then was able to talk with him a bit before the show started, and he is also one special person. He is a great friend to Elliott and also exhibits the same great qualities. Thank you Brandon for everything you have done and for arranging the special m&g..I'll never forget your kindness.

Thanks Theresa and Nancy for everything you did...Just amazing. Thank you Rick for the lovely gesture of buying is all t-shirts....your really a special person and thanks for snapping my pictures with Elliott. They are priceless to me.


:grouphug:

I DID notice the jeans, but not the designer. I feel ashamed :blush:

Linda your recap was wonderful. The whole event was a day I will remember for the rest of my life. The entire time was so special for me and my husband. He is almost as crazy as I am about Elliott, which is a good thing. I have been looking forward to meeting you for a long time along with the other etrainers that were there Sunday night. You are all such a special group of people. Elliott was absolutely amazing. His talent is beyond belief. Thanks for everything that everyone did to make this such a special event. I am still recovering two days later. I hurt in places that I didn't know I had!!!!

Once again thanks to everyone. We had a blast!!!

It was a pleasure to meet you, too!!!! What a night we had! I'll never forget it
:grouphug:

Thanks Carol. So great sharing my experience with you!!!!

Great re-cap, Linda!

What a wonderful recap---great you got to express your feelings to E and get that hug, etc.! How can you possibly make him understand the feelings he evokes...hope he does get it!

Oh, Linda - what a great recap - I felt like I was living it all over again. What a wonderful time we had. Only one thing to add - my #2 understands my obsession now!! He is finally converted!! :1word:

so great to meet you!! :hug: Wow, that's worth it all! Another Elliott convert :) I'll be reliving that night for ages......

Great recap Sista Linda! My wish is that we all can have a major rendezvous someday, somewhere and one of his concerts. That day will come, because we BELIEVE!

Linda...That is an awesome recap!!! It was a pleasure meeting you & all the other Etrainers. Unfortunately, the night flew by soooooooo darn fast I didn't get a chance to mingle and chat with everyone at Kelly's...Heck, who wanted to chat with a Nana, when Elliott beckoned for our presence???

Brandon...Thank you!!! I was absolutely clueless you were going to do that (Hopeful...But clueless) It just added the icing to the cake and made the whole gathering COMPLETE!!!

I will post more later...Very sadly...I have destroyed my low back from all the walking and standing this weekend (It's HE_ _ getting old!) I am finding it extremely hard to sit for any length of time. I went to my chiropractor first thing this morning...After 23 years of going to him...Today is the first time, it didn't help!!! VERY discouraging after such a FANTASTIC weekend!!!

I am so full of emotions...This weekend turned out BIGGER & BETTER than I ever dreamed it would!!! It was such an honor and a pleasure to organize such a phenominal Etrain reunion. It will be something none of us will ever forget any time soon! (Elliott...come back...I need something else to plan for!)

Hugs & Blessings to all of you!!!

Theresa

Theresa, how could I forget to thank you. In all the excitement, I just forgot. Everything was just absolutely perfect. Thank you so much for all your hard work. It was greatly appreciated. I can certainly understand the back think - hubby and I were wondering how everybody managed to stand for so long. Can't wait for the next one!! :1word:

What a fabulous recap! So, so nice to spend time with you and EVERY E-Trainer. What a weekend we had! I know it is one that I will never forget.

Fantastic recap, Linda! I really enjoyed it!

Linda...awesome recap...I am so lucky to have shared this with weekend with everyone.

I may not have been there in person, but boy, you all make me feel like I was front row center for every wonderful moment!! THANK you so much Linda for such a detailed, perfect recap, and so thrilled you had such a fabulous time!!! xoxo

thanks! the only thing that could have made it any better, was if you and every single other etrainer had been there!!!! Thanks so much to everyone for all the nice comments. It was my pleasure to share it...how could I not?

awwwwww, how sweet!! :grouphug: and that hug E is giving you...doesn't he give the best hugs ever??? ;)

the best!!!....no Hollywood hug there....bear hugs ;)

Thank You, Thank You, Linda. I cannot add anything else to your wonderful, detailed recap. Being somewhat new to the E-Train, I truly enjoyed meeting so many E-Trainers at the concert. The M&G was awesome. I never expected to get the opportunit to meet Elliott but thanks to Brandon, my dream came true. That experience will stay with me for the rest of my life. You would have never guessed that Elliott has been under the weather because he was so accomodating to everyone that wanted a picture and/or autograph. That's what I love about him. He hasn't forgotten where he came from and he is the same Elliott we got to know and love on AI. If I ever have another opportunity it will be icing on the cake. :awe:

Loved, loved, loved your recap. I noted the Pepsi product placement in Allentown as well. I was wondering to Chloe whether it was there in case Elliott needed a quick jolt of sugar, but then saw how perfectly balanced and centered the cans were. Had to be done on purpose!

Sounds like you had the weekend of a lifetime!

Thank you so much for the recap. I wish so much I could make it to another concert. They are just to far away. Etrainers are such an awesome group and I love sharing all your moments with Elliott.

Thanks for the comments Rick, cfans, agahlee, and MaryLee. MaryLee, I hope you are able to make another concert. Maybe if not on this tour, he'll be doing a tour for the next CD!!

I enjoyed meeting everyone SO much. It was as much of a highlight as seeing and hearing Elliott.

Great recap! Thanks, Sweetie!

thanks Angell!!! Written from the heart :) :awe:

aww Linda-

I had tears in my eyes reading your recap-- because i was
remembering how you felt when you met E in Philly! So glad you got to meet and spend time with him again-- it sounds like it was a very special time for all the e-trainers-- I am so thrilled for all of you. See you in NY!!

robyn

thanks Robyn. Can't wait to see you again :)

It was great meeting you Linda. All the recaps here already say it all. What a fantastic weekend. I can't wait to do it again. :grouphug:

Great recap! Totaly felt like i was there! I am at a loss for words right now! But thanks so much for sharing your day/night with us!

Thank you for the wonderful, detailed recap, Linda. It made me feel like I was there, too (how I wish I were!), or, at least, relive the Yaminoys' own amazing experience of meeting Elliott and seeing him in concert. :D

Ahh...that's a really nice, precious moment caught on camera in your siggy there. :)

Linda, great recap! I felt like I was also there :) I'm so happy you all had a great time. I hope one day we can all watch E together.

patty :grouphug: wandergirl, yamignonette, and MistyluvsE...I only wish that we could all be there and watch Elliott together :grouphug: