Send this over to where it belongs! I'm just gonna write and it can be delete or scroll or read or put on the bottom of the birdcage . . .
This may be a recap or an impression . . . just my thoughts as I recover from the whirlwind travel across the country to see Adam.
Yeah. It was nuts. Living in SF area and deciding I HAD to see Adam doing the TOH performance. Hadn't, at the time, heard of any other US performances. So, I did the ridiculous thing. Bought cross-country flights to Orlando and reserved a non-refundable hotel room.
Fast forward to Friday. Flight cancelled due to weather. Frantic search for another. Finally arrived in Orlando at midnight. Oh - as an aside. DH became seriously ill and was hospitalized a week before. I was sure he'd be better. He was. Saturday, at Universal in Orlando, we rode every ride, visited every venue . . . at the end of the day he let me know "You made we walk 22,231 steps today!". Bless him. He's learned how to keep up.
We had a great time! Met many other Atoppers. On Sunday, there we were, walking thru the "Krusty the Clown" part of Universal; lost, and looking for Diagon Alley; and we heard voices! Atopian voices! In a crowd of thousands, we found one another! Shared laughter and sunscreen; knowing we'd meet up again in the evening.
I had this M&G. Oh - it wasn't a M&G; it was a "photo-op". We, the 30+ of us who were there, were reminded of this as we stood, wilting, in line at the appropriate time. Initially, my journey to Orlando had nothing to do with a M&G - but after seeing Tabernacle show, I felt I just HAD to find a way to be close enough to see 'his eyes' . . . so, late at night, just a few days beforehand, I let the dollars fly from my wallet, yet again.
Lots of instructions came from a lively British girl who I wondered might be Shoshanna - she looked the part. But she wasn't. When I had my 15 seconds with Adam, I erroneously began with a question to her - "Are you Shoshanna?' That took away about 8 seconds of the brief encounter. Adam was in shadow. I don't even remember his backwards hat. He said - "Glad to see you again!" -
- and I was talking; had a moment to pause for a very forgettable photo -
Then I said "I'll see you in Vegas!" - to which he replied "Hell, yeah!" - and as I left I raised my fist and said "Hell, yeah!" one more time.
My impression - from a moment in time - - -
He was congested. He was gorgeous. He smelled like fresh lime and flowers. He did not feel skinny when I put my arm around him. He felt like my son.
I thought my big $$$ would mean a place in front to see Adam perform. That's what I'm looking for. But this "M&G' - this 'photo-op" left all of us back in the real world once it was over. No front row. No good seats. Apparently, one member of our group was severely chastised for wanting to have Adam sign something. She and the 'British girl' had words, and the fan was threatened with arrest. Good heavens!
Later on, at the venue, I felt comfortable in a secure place, for 'VIP's,' at the back of the venue. Snagged Mardi Gras necklaces from the parade that passed by just before Adam performed.
The scorned member of our group was next to me. She was devastated. Makes me think of how the experience of the people next to you, at a M&G, or the people you think you know and will interact with - - - can change an experience, entirely, when Adam performs
I sensed Adam was 'congested' at our brief encounter. I don't remember much. It flew by. He was relaxed and seemed happy. But, I have to say, this is not the way AFL wants to see his fans. I'm sure of it. If he can't have time to interact, let's just let the thing go. He's being directed by people like the British Bossy Woman. BTW - - - she took all the photos; and in each and every one, the participants are off-center.
Back last May, at a radio show, I brought a picture from QAL - . Early on, 'they' said Adam's management would not allow him to sign anything. So, it's not about Adam - it's about what he's told he can and cannot do.
The Orlando crowd loved Adam. At the end of the performance, after briefly introducing the band, AFL left the stage. We all clapped and hooted, but I wasn't sure that anything more would take place. But Adam came back. Reintroduced the band, and just slayed IIHY!
I had never been to Florida. Learned the lessons of alligators and snakes. Adam's journey took me there. Now, back in the familiar territory of earthquakes and mudslides, it feels like a dream.
I'm very excited about the new music! As much as I love TOH, it's now two years old . . . a year ago released, two years ago conceived and recorded. I'm getting old, and I don't think about anything in my life as current or passe. I'm just into feeling good. I would be ecstatic over TOH being the 'next single' - it's my favorite song on the album - but I will sway in the wind and follow the fresh journey - led by the man who shocked me into music and life and possibilities and joy - and gave me color.