Although I'm often known as loquatious in my description of things, I've never had the discipline to do a very in depth summary of a concert . Although, I've tried in the past, I've decided to stick to random impressions. I bused it to downtown st.Paul where I met up with my friend at a pre determined location. My friend Denise and I had time to kill before we picked up Sarah at her place, so we stopped and ate at a good Italian joint called DeMori's. I had their signature lasagna and we both had raspberry cheesecake for dessert. It was still a bit too early, so we went back to her place and visited with her dad whom she lives with. We then headed out to Sarah's place. We stopped at a local Walgreens to pick up a couple of items so we wouldn't be too early. We found Sarah's place just fine. because Denise had made a dry run out to Sarah's address two days previously so there would be no hitches the day of. We got Sarah at 5:00 and proceeded to our concert venue- the X Cel Energy Center where CW goes to every other year. (alternating with Minneapolis for that honor) We found a parking spot right near the venue . Sarah gave me a couple of fan forum buttons -MC and Susan- which I proudly pinned to my MEAV shirt. I wore MEAV to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of CW's existence. We had fun chatting about the gals and our other concert experiences. Sarah had bought a ticket to get in the door but she got to share my other M&G pass because my friend is not into m&Gs...too shy I guess. She just likes the music. I know the part of not being an M&G person is foreign to us...but to each her own. Anyway, Sarah and I found the line up spot for the M&G . We had met up with a few other hard core CWazies too- the other Sarah, a fellow named Noah..and one other I can't remember off hand. There were about 20 of us altogether. The CW management had all us herded through in about 20 minutes tops, I think . I wasn't even able to give the gals the gifts I gave them directly, as I had to surrender them to the venue security folks. I can only trust our ladies actually got them . I clasped Lynn's and MC's hands- Lynn I welcomed back and MC I welcomed into the CW family. I gave Susan and Mairead N. hugs because I was more familiar with them. Our Fairy Fiddler commented that she liked my MEAV shirt and Susan duly noted the "old school" signifigance of it. Sarah and I had toyed with the idea of "stage-dooring" after the show, but the large size of the stadium and the cool temps dissuaded us from doing so in the end. As far as the concert itself, I can only say that it was well worth the expense and rigmarole that went into it. I won't repeat the song breakdowns which a few more "verbose" people than I did so well. I will say, though, that the CW-BEST OF format rocked. I was singing along to most of the songs and I'm sure that was seen and acknowledged more than once by the ladies. One note, though...we all know that our Fairy Fiddler is a high energy person- this is well established - but she was in extra high octane form that night. Mairead played her instrument like a mad, possessed she demon on a mission.
BTW....Mairead's Act 1 dress is now tied for my 2nd fave CW dress ever! Those who know me best here can fill in those blanks . All the gals had gorgeous dresses and performed at their usual high level. at intermission, Sarah found a seat by Noah and Sarah right behind me and Denise. This made the 2nd half more fun. This is a funny part- towards the end of the show sarah was worried that she might cry during YRMU. But as it turned out, she was just fine and I'm the one who wept.
After the show, we had a tricky time finding the car because the X Cel Center makes you go out a different way out than when you came in. After about a half hour of searching, we finally found the car to our relief. The 3 of us just laughed it off. It made more sense for Denise to drop me home first because she lives closer to Sarah than to me. This gave sarah an opportunity to meet Snuggles. They took a shining to each other right away.( Snuggles has always been a ladies' cat)
Although there were glitches and minor disappointments along the way, it was a wonderful afternoon and evening of experiences I will never forget. The CW gals were great, and I was in the company of a couple of cool ladies with whom I feel very comfortable. I wouldn't trade that night for anything.
.....addendum .... I was four rows back center stage .
