Hi everyone.... Well, it was exactly one week ago today that I touched Jon twice!!! But I'm getting ahead of myself, so....... first things first!
Karen and Kristen
I met Michele Smith (MJB from topix) and her mom Monday evening for dinner and a tour of my King of Prussia Mall. They drove down from their small PA town (near the NY border) and then we ventured in to Philadelphia the next day (3/23) for my very first full Bon Jovi concert! While MJB and her mom had the VIP package, front row seats, backstage tour, etc., I was on the floor in Section 5 with my very best bud, and Jovi supporter, Kristen! (You'll meet her for the Hershey show!) It was a fun filled night with a great set list -- Blood on Blood opener, my Circle favorite Superman, a great rendition of Bad Medicine/Roadhouse Blues, and as much as I wish Richie would "Lay his hands on me" (sorry Robyn... we can share!) his solo of Lay your hands on Me was wonderful! So happy Jon did Hallelujah and those maracass were shaking on Keep the Faith... We got Runaway that night, too! But the greatest night that week has to have been Wednesday, March 24th! A last minute decision to get a pit ticket (there were about four unsold tickets) for that night was an idea planted in my head by Joelle (WIJovifan from Topix). She got to touch Jon two times at a recent concert in Fargo, ND (I believe) - and when she learned there were a few pit tickets left, she got me thinking! I'm so glad I just couldn't let a sweet girl from Wisconsin roam around Philly by herself (lol!).... So I picked up Joelle at the airport at 10:30 a.m. (thank goodness she was the only girl on the sidewalk with a blue jacket and blue bag).... we toured some Philly historic sights (Liberty Bell), had a cheesesteak at Pat's, found our way to the Rocky statue and "ran" up the Art Museum steps! Met a couple of other Backstage friends at their hotel so we could change into our "slutty" attire -- Michelle Turner (DMamturner), DiamonodRing (I forget her actual name), and DeeDee (Goinghometonj) and her daughter.... dinner at Chickie & Petes, listened to most of the WMMR free concert on the car radio in the parking lot of the Wachovia Center, drinks at the AT&T Pavillion bar, and off to our awesome seats!!! I was two seats away from Joelle (the lady next to her wouldn't change seats with me... whatever!), but the lady next to me was very nice (Jenn -- she and I ventured into the men's room for our preshow bathroom break with the blessing of the Wachovia staff) and I had another fanclub member from Germany on the other side of me... We met a man in the row in front of ours who kept claiming he was "Richie's cousin" but
I think that was just his "pick up line" as security was keeping quite an eye on him... They brought Richie's mom out with a few other friends and family right before the opening and she was standing directly behind me with what looked like one of her friends, or maybe an Aunt of Richie's? There was a tall blond woman, like an assistant or something, with her.... she looked so happy and proud! The opening to the show (they play This is Our House) is a bit long, but it sure builds up the excitement! The rest is history! They opened with Happy Now, played Captain Crash which was a surprise to me, so glad they played Sleep When I'm Dead (that's my new theme song!), Richie did Homebound Train in a nice tight tshirt! -- Bed of Roses! Aaaaah! Jon comes out right behind us while Richie is playing, and then they let us go up to the edge of the circle after he passes -- I got the fingertip touch during that -- and ladies -- when he laid down on the floor at one point -- I thought I'd melt! I was standing right next to Matt during BOR -- he seemed like he was in a bad mood.... scanning the crowd intently, etc. -- I wanted to say something like, "bet you hate when he does stuff like that" when he laid down, but I didn't. I wish I had asked him about where our seats will be for NY -- but he had those ear things in his ears anyway.... I got to rub the back of Jon's leg as he was finishing Loves the Only Rule (nice, tight muscle!) And another surprise that night was Only Lonely.
Who knows -- maybe it was the seats, but the second night was so much better for me than the first night! Jon and the band all seemed like they were having a lot more fun, too. Maybe they were still on an adrenaline rush from doing that "free" show at 5:00pm that night? I thought Jon seemed tired on Tuesday night.... and Richie supposedly had a cold so he didn't do as many of the harmony parts as he ususally does, and may explain the gum chewing throughout both shows! The "mom" in me wanted him to get rid of that gum! I would have helped in anyway possible, too!
All I can say is that the Pit or Circle or Circle Side is probably worth every penny spent! The shows left me wanting more.... and wishing it were "May" already! I can't wait to share the next round of shows with all of you! The concerts are incredible -- but I'm looking forward to meeting you all even more! So, get those bags packed! It'll be here before you know it! I got my itinerary for NYC today -- hope you did, too! I'm going to try and add a few photos here and that video link... !
I think that was just his "pick up line" as security was keeping quite an eye on him... They brought Richie's mom out with a few other friends and family right before the opening and she was standing directly behind me with what looked like one of her friends, or maybe an Aunt of Richie's? There was a tall blond woman, like an assistant or something, with her.... she looked so happy and proud! The opening to the show (they play This is Our House) is a bit long, but it sure builds up the excitement! The rest is history! They opened with Happy Now, played Captain Crash which was a surprise to me, so glad they played Sleep When I'm Dead (that's my new theme song!), Richie did Homebound Train in a nice tight tshirt! -- Bed of Roses! Aaaaah! Jon comes out right behind us while Richie is playing, and then they let us go up to the edge of the circle after he passes -- I got the fingertip touch during that -- and ladies -- when he laid down on the floor at one point -- I thought I'd melt! I was standing right next to Matt during BOR -- he seemed like he was in a bad mood.... scanning the crowd intently, etc. -- I wanted to say something like, "bet you hate when he does stuff like that" when he laid down, but I didn't. I wish I had asked him about where our seats will be for NY -- but he had those ear things in his ears anyway.... I got to rub the back of Jon's leg as he was finishing Loves the Only Rule (nice, tight muscle!) And another surprise that night was Only Lonely.Who knows -- maybe it was the seats, but the second night was so much better for me than the first night! Jon and the band all seemed like they were having a lot more fun, too. Maybe they were still on an adrenaline rush from doing that "free" show at 5:00pm that night? I thought Jon seemed tired on Tuesday night.... and Richie supposedly had a cold so he didn't do as many of the harmony parts as he ususally does, and may explain the gum chewing throughout both shows! The "mom" in me wanted him to get rid of that gum! I would have helped in anyway possible, too!
All I can say is that the Pit or Circle or Circle Side is probably worth every penny spent! The shows left me wanting more.... and wishing it were "May" already! I can't wait to share the next round of shows with all of you! The concerts are incredible -- but I'm looking forward to meeting you all even more! So, get those bags packed! It'll be here before you know it! I got my itinerary for NYC today -- hope you did, too! I'm going to try and add a few photos here and that video link... !
Karen and Kristen
Oops, I thought I put a post up at work but its not here.
ReplyDeleteWell done Karen, great review and love the pics. Especially love the Asset shot! LOL.
Oooooohh Karen - fab photos. Thanks for "putting us there"!
ReplyDeleteYep, any ASSet shot is a goodie!!!!!1
ReplyDeleteLove the Richie MIL stalking too - top work!!!
Get on side any way you can girlfriend!!
Robyn will be spitting tacks though!!!
Maybe you could have asked her the 'vodka jelly snake length" question.....