Hi All!

Some of you know that I was scheduled to go to the concert in Sacramento, CA and for reasons beyond my control, it just didn't happen.

I was crestfallen, but felt I would see Elliott when he went solo.

While I was at lunch today, I was telling a workmate of mine about what happened, and "HOW I FELT LIKE DRIVING TO SAN JOSE WITHOUT A TICKET. (Big talk, right??)

I said I could meet up with fellow Etrainers and have a good time. Of course I was just b.s.'ing, but my work colleague, said, "YEAH, YOU SHOULD JUST DRIVE DOWN AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

The next thing you know I'm getting the address to the Sonoma Chicken Place where all of the other Etrainers have agreed to meet, and then I'm driving to San Jose!!!!

When I got to the restaurant, I met Mike, his wife Cathy, Gogo, Nanab, PilatesMom and Felisha our Banner Captain. I was enjoying myself and thought this is perfect. Now, I've had a chance to meet some of my fellow Etrain "rydahs."

Felisha brought out the banner, I signed it, and I felt that I had accomplished what I had set out to do. But just one second!!!!!

I AM ENCOURAGED TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY TICKETS LEFT AT THE TICKET WINDOW. What the heck, right?

OMG!! For face value, I got a ticket in Section 128...which is stage left of the IDOLS....ROW 4!! I had a great seat!!! People around me were saying they had purchased their tickets on E-BAY for over $300. I was asked, "YOU TOO?"....and I had to say, "No, I just walked up and bought my ticket. for $80.

I was very happy because if I had been on the floor level below me, I may not have been able to see as well as I did.

Anyway the concert begins and Mandisa comes out looking gorgeous.

Tonight she dedicated her song to one of the band members. I guess she's moved on from Ruben?? Mandisa was better in person, a force. I thoroughly enjoyed her set.

Lisa is truly a gifted musician. She was very comfortable on stage playing the keyboards and singing Elton John. I predict that Lisa will surface in the future and make it big, just might take a couple of years. But, way better than Diana Digarmo.

I was so looking forward to Paris and she did not disappoint. She was wearing straight long hair tonight, with Elliott green and black on. She sang Midnight Train to Georgia, and is the only one I heard sing off-key. Still love yah Paris!!

Bucky came out with a dramatic entrance when he sang Superstition. Of course, he and Kellie did the number from Grease, but I was sort of distracted by the fake - O wig that they had Kellie wear. I would prefer they just let her wear her hair as it is. Kellie's face looked a little puffier than I recall, but I wish I still had her figure.

INTERMISSION

Everyone is right about Chris. He is mesmerizing. I will have video and digital shots of he and Elliott, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. I liked him a lot and I will definitely consider buying his CD.

Finally Elliott!!! It's amazing to have seen him on television, followed him through recaps, and then finally SEE HIM ON STAGE!! He really is good, and we all know that already. What I loved, was seeing how much he WAS ENJOYING HIMSELF. Singing, smiling, waving and dancing.

I loved all of his songs. The only one that I had trouble hearing was MMFL because people were screaming and applauding. Oh well, three out of four ain't bad!!

Next came Kat, and she sang three songs!! Guys she sounded good tonight. She still isn't my number one, but I enjoyed Kat. She HAS HER CAST OFF NOW, so she was also dancing around and having fun. She was stunning, if a bit out of place, in a black evening gown cut down to her navel, but I'm learning that's her 'signature' look. Her hair looked normal and beautiful. NO SCARY SEXY HAIR.

Taylor did his thang....for the troops. He danced and played tambourine. I don't even recall if he played the harmonica. I'm not sure if Taylor was "on" tonight. It was pretty much as expected.

Group song, finale over, audience clapping, time to go home. But, WAIT!, someone had a surprise for me I could not have imagined. (I am going to meet Elliott in a post-conference Meet & Greet !! )

Tune in for part deuux tomorrow....digital photos and video clips!!

Thanks everyone who encouraged me to meet my fellow Etrainers. Thanks to you, I went to a concert without a ticket, and truly lived in the moment.

More tomorrow!!

Sk8888

Thanks for that lovely review - I'm glad you managed to get a ticket and had such a great time. Look forward to reading the second part of your story :)

What a great story? You went for it. That's great. :D

Oh Shelley, SO glad you got to get a ticket! And, a good seat, too!!!! I'm so happy for you!

:glomp:

GOOD FOR YOU, SHELLY! YOU WENT ON FAITH AND IT PAID OFF! :yes:

GOOD FOR YOU!!! I'm so happy it worked out so well for you. Can't wait for you to continue the story. :woohoo: :woohoo:

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SKATES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Thanks for the recap, Shelley. I'm glad you got to watch the concert and to meet Mike and his wife Cathy, Gogo, Felisha and, of course, the idols! :) Can't wait for part 2 and your pics.

SK888 hon, I am sooooooo glad you decided to take that chance!! To see him perform live, well, there is nothing like it hon, and to do that AND meet some WONDERFUL fellow E-Trainers..well, what a perfect day!!! I couldn't be happier for you hon!!!!!!!

Isn't E AMAZING???

;)

xxoo
:etrain: :allabord:

I can't wait for part 2!

AWESOME sk8888! What a great time you had....all out of a 'Why not?" moment!! :woohoo:

Great recap! Looking foward to the pictures ...AND video? Woman, you spoil us! :glomp:

What a great story! So glad for you!

I love your story, a lot of times those spur of the moment things work out better than if you had planned for months. Good for you! :)

For sure, it worked out that way for me, and perhaps I can encourage others to take a chance and see Elliott and the other Idols by just walking up to the concert venue and buying tickets.

I'm playing with my digital camera now, so stay tuned.

Sk8888

IT WAS NICE TO MEET YOU LAST NIGHT......
WHAT A GREAT STORY :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

I'm sorry but I have had that song in my head all day....

Do you know the way to San Jose..... :music:

Yup, I believe she does. :D

sorry to miss the Chicken coop meet up.

but it was fun to see you guys in person!!!!


I was a screaming idiot when Elliott came on stage. I was in row 18, in the middle. I LOST my bag of marbles when i first saw him. I couldn't help screaming, I thought people near me were going to smack me.

Wow SK, aren't you oh-so glad you went? Sounds like you had an awsome time and a great seat to boot!

Loved your recap and can't wait to see your pictures!

Hi All!!

Sorry for the delay in posting video. I'm in consultation with Mike to get some tech support.

But, I have fairly good to awesome video of Chris singing, "Whole Lotta Love," the incredible duet with Elliott and Chris on "Savin' Me," and a full length video clip of Taylor dancing, playing harmonica and the tambourine.

Be sure to check back every now and then.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Sk8888

Great recap. Thanks for posting. I'm glad that everything worked out so well for you and that you had such an E-mazing day and night.

RealityMom,

This one's for you!! Sk8888


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Db0OBke3wU

Wow SK888 I didn't know you were a tech guru. I know now who to talk too.

OMG, she's gonna flip again. Way to go Shell!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????? :blink:

How on earth?? :blink:

Holy Mother of Mary! :blink:

I had to watch it at least 10 times...Just to make SURE he was saying my name. I am stunned...literally in shock. :blink:

What can I say? All I have is Thank You & that is no where NEAR enough! :glomp:

OK, I am bawlin again..I will post later, once I am composed.

GOD Bless YOU SK8888! THANK YOU! :glomp: :wub:

It was my pleasure. It was THE ONLY thing I remembered to do when I got in that room.

The rest of my best layed plans went bye-bye.

Sk8888

p.s. He remembered talking to you the night before.

This calls for a group hug. :grouphug:

Told ya she was going to flip again.

And I know all too well about best layed plans going right out the window. Oh well, not much we can do about it but rejoice in the good things that happened this week!

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

OK, so 2 days later I feel well composed enough to hopefully express my gratiutde to SK8888 AND Emjay as effectively as possible. To have been given the opportunity to SPEAK on the phone to Ace was absolutely amazing. Never in a million years would I have even considered that a possiblility...much less have it actually happen because an ETrain/Chat family member thought of me when she had HER moment with Ace. Emjay, I WILL repay you, somehow, someway, but for now all I have is my eternal THANKS, APPRECIATION & LOVE for your thooughtfullness. Same goes for you SK8888! Who THINKS to have an Idol record a personal message for a somone they know from a fan forum, when, AGAIN, it is THEIR personal time & once in a lifetime experience? People like SK8888, that is who! Someone who is thoughful, kind & completely generous with her heart & soul!

I still don't feel as though I have expressed my gratitude as best I can, but I still am recovering from the unexpected blessings, not only from speaking to & receiving a message from Ace, but from the unexpected kindness & generosity from my ETrain family! I love my ETrain family ...I truly do. Someday ladies,(emjay & sk8888), I pray to have the opportunity to make you feel the way you made me feel!

And, as I AM realitymom, I shall conclude in my signature style (cause I LOVE these emoticons)...

:omg: :woohoo: :glomp: :loveu: :banana: :bearhug: :dance:


:valentine: :bunny: :wub: :etrain: :allaboard: :grouphug:



Edited because this post deserves to be typo free, & ya'll know I couldn't do it the first time around, OR the 2nd...UGH ! :poke:

yeah for you RM..... :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:
WE DO BELIEVE IN MAGIC ON THE ETRAIN...... :etrain: :etrain:

You know, I just kept thinking about how you missed out on the Ohio show at the last minute and we were all devistated for you. Then when you decided to go to the St. Fair instead of another Idol concert, I just thought well, if she can't meet Ace, maybe she can at least talk to him. I know what an amazing feeling that is because my friends did that for me in April, asking Elliott to talk to me on the phone, a moment I'll never forget.

RM, you can repay me simply by telling Elliott all the things I forgot to, when you meet him in October, and thank him for bringing all of us together. I love the E-Train! :D :glomp:

P.S. How many times have you watched that video now? :P

:etrain: :etrain: :etrain:

I aint tellin!!!! :P

Edited to add:

LOVE your new siggy!!! :rocker:

whoa!!!!

1st.. sk8888 awesome story. I love spontaniety. I'm so happy you made the decision to go and had a great time. Those Idol kids have yet to disappoint. :D I was really sad when you told us that you weren't going to be able to go.... but I had a feeling that you would get there.. I just knew it! Congrats!:flower4u:


RM--- I don't even know what to say! I can only imagine how many times you have watched that video. Even I had to watch it like 4 times. I got all giddy.. so I'm sure you almost peed your pants. I LOVE IT!

I know this is kind of like old news.. but Work has been crazy and my computer has been acting up a bit. :pullhair:
Anyways... Happiness and congrats all the way around. I can't believe how awesome you guys are sometimes. I feel so out of the loop lately.. but I know that I can always come back and lighten my mood whenever I need to.
I seriously love you guys. really really hard. :bearhug:
oh yeah... and I miss you all a ton.