3.26.13 Great fan videos! More news.

❤❤❤ Wonderful ❤❤❤ pic.twitter.com/qQWqYwpipY

Want to say how thrilled I am for dear, dear Albiku – no one ‘deserved’such a meeting more.

Can’t compete with her epic Helsinki recap, but, if it’s not too late, I’dlike to add one of my own.

On Bobo’s kind recommendation, I booked into a lovely hotel which happened to be right next door to Adam’s-  in a very central but quiet pedestrianized street, where  the only cars were taxis and limos for hotel guests. Everyone was asking me if I’d seen him. Have to say, guys, I would make the world’s worst roving reporter with no internet phone, not even a camera.

On the day of the concert, PostFestum, Lilly and Tillyfilly made impromptu plans to meet at my hotel before going for lunch. As we walked passed Adam’s hotel, I told them that I would be too shy and inhibited ever to try to talk to Adam and would probably run a mile if I saw him close up.

Minutes later I didfind myself running – but certainly not away from Adam!!! When screams told us that Adam was about to leave the hotel, my inhibitions were cast to the winds and I ran across the road like a mad woman while my Atop companions stood their ground in the most mature and dignified fashion. (Actually, I pulled down my woolly hat and wrapped my scarf around myface in case I ended up in the background of a YouTube vid – LOL – but Romewasn’t built in a day)…

I had such a good view of him as he signed autographs….he is beautiful…the kind of face you’d look at in the street, and remember, even if he were a stranger. He looked smaller (just more humanly scaled) and more delicate somehow than I’d imagined and I was left with the impression of gentle manner and movement. He was thanking people and his speaking voice was musical; he was so happy and healthy and smiling.

We had a delicious, very amusing and very long lunch; I must thank Lilly and Tilly for…er… completing some aspects of my education……<

Timing is all! – (as Albiku will vouch) and on our return, we saw the band as they were getting into cars to go to the arena. Just remember thinking that Tommy’s hair was in really nice condition…LOL.

The Finnberts we met at the Namu dinner the previous night were so welcoming and inclusive - and gloriously enthusiastic about all things Adam. (The Finns are also physically beautiful people – I recognised Sauli’s distinctive bone structure everywhere).  It was amazing how our little Atop group all gelled immediately – Bobo, Betty and her charming husband, PostFestum, Albiku and her lovely boyfriend, Daydreamer and her daughter - I felt I’d known (and loved) them forever.

More Atoppers joined us the next night at The Tiger, after the concert, and our booth was full of new friendships that already felt well-established and rooted in fertile common ground. Have to say a huge thank you to PostFestum - the most thoughtful,capable and generous of hosts.…great job, my new old friend!

I got back to my room at 4.30am and my taxi for the airport came at 5.45am! - the only direct flight I could get that day. My lovely bed was left untouched…..I was almost desperate to get into it. In three nights Islept a total of about eight hours.

Oh…and the concert….

Someone once described poetry as words that reach us via the heart, not the head….and so it is with his live performance.  He was so captivating- assured and relaxed and funny – and the sound was excellent where I was, balanced and clear as a bell. I sat close– but would have loved to have been in the midst of that incredible sea of swaying bodies.  It was my seventh time seeing Adam live and he gets better every time; from a few hundred people in Birmingham, UK, in November 2010, to THIS!  His costumes worked so well – still wish he’d get some braces for his trousers but I’m growing to love his little baggy bottom….Have to admit I’d not really been too sure about either the Vajayjays or Terrance and Johnny – but they were all fabulous…almost stole the show with their hugely fun and energetic  KickinIn. The audience didn’t lose energy at all while waiting for Adam to change –and that’s some achievement. Clever Adam!

I’m thrilled that I witnessed the WAG era and so glad it was the glorious Helsinki one – both for the man and for the Atoppers I met;  they are all even better in real life!!..