MJ Guitars
So after the Hard Rock Cafe meeting, I spoke with both Nadia and Curry and they assured me that we need to meet at MJ Guitars early. Something like 11 am. Realize, that was no easy thing to do with 3 women (me, Susan and Beth) sharing a room and being absolutely exhausted from so many crazy things. Somehow we managed it (Maybe I went into Boss mode - haha I probably did - just to get us out the door!) and grabbed a taxi and headed to MJ Guitars. Of course I think it was then that Susan realized "Oh sh-t I forgot to bring Cristy's gift for Matthias she sent to me." More on that later.
No sign of Curry or Nadia of course! I think they went shopping or something...And MJ Guitars was pretty quiet so Beth went off shopping and Susan and I went to find some kind of food for our tummies. We came very close to going to McDonald's (yuck!) because unlike France - there isn't a croissant shop at every 20 meters!
Matthias had not shown up yet and the girls and boys were all grabbing t-shirts to buy, plecs and of course wondering what things we could and could not touch. I loved the atmosphere and just seeing the energy rise as more and more people showed up. I didn't end up buying anything - sorry Matthias - I would of happily walked away with a guitar but I think some alarms would of gone off. I talked to Stefan (really cool guy) and roamed a bit until I found a chair. This must of been the most comfy chair ever, I sat in it and my body basically said "oh you're not moving from here!" It was next to the stage and just in a perfect spot, out of the major fan traffic and so forth. I think I could of taken a nap in that chair.
After hanging out for a bit, I believe I finally saw Curry and Nadia (as well as so many others...don't think I forgot about you folks!) and things were getting really busy. Lots more people were showing up and so did Matthias so that caused a stir. Unfortunately, the pastry things we had for brekkie didn't really fill us up enough and we decided to grab some food at the restaurant next door and make plans for the rest of the day. What time to get to the Olympiahalle and what do we do about Cristy's gift sitting in our hotel room? Delphine and her friend from Singapore joined us.
After some really good food we decided that it was best that Susan and I head back to the hotel and get Cristy's gift and then get back to MJ Guitars to give it to him as soon as we could. As always things took longer than expected - the taxi drivers liked taking us the long way - but we were wise on the way back! By the time we got to MJ Guitars things were winding down (the show was over) so Delphine (our ride to the Olympiahalle) texted me and said "Sorry we are going now!" And off they went before we were able to get back. It was a big dilemma for fans, what do you do? Go to MJ Guitars or go wait in the queue to be up front at the concert?
I think the stars were aligned just right because just as we were getting there, Matthias, Pawel and James were still there but you could tell they were about to leave. So I snatched the gift from Susan's hands and did some pushing and shoving and met up with Pawel who was just about to head out the door. We talked a brief moment and I gave him one of the gift bags from the Hard Rock Cafe (I am not sure if he recognized me) and he mentioned the Hard Rock Cafe and how they had sent a message to us (I guess it never made it - I never got a message anyways) that they weren't going to make it. (That's a story for another day.)
Then after some "nice nice" talk to the security guard that was guarding the backroom of MJ's shop, he let me know he was about to come out and I could give the gift then. A few moments later I am face to face with Matthias shoving this gift bag in his hand and making sure he heard me, "This is from Cristy in Colorado" he smiled and acknowledged it as he took it and said a big thank you with his MJ happy smile. Mission accomplished! Karma achieved - Cristy it came very close that we were not going to head back to get it for you!
Then I wandered over and saw that James was still there as well taking photos with people and wearing one of the elf hats from the meeting. (Yeah those elf hats were my idea - I found a website with instructions on how to make them and then Beth decided it was what she was going to do and got most of them done with some elf helpers!) Please understand at this point - I was more than just tired, I was exhausted. I was having trouble sleeping from the overnight flight up until that point - pretty much 6 days with 2 or 3 hours of sleep maximum - the expression Running on Empty (great song) comes to mind. When I got to James I couldn't resist sarcasm and basically said to him "So what happened to you last night - you were supposed to be at the Hard Rock Cafe?" Hahah, I must of said it harsher than intended I remember hearing a bunch of people laugh and go "ooooh oohhhh."
James then signals me over to him and immediately apologized and said he didn't go because he was sick for the last 4 days. He looked like how I felt after my trip to France a couple of weeks earlier. You could tell he wasn't feeling good but as a true professional he was still there meeting fans until the last minute. We talked a little while and I mentioned the M&M's to him (the ones in the gift bags) and it was totally adorable but he said he won't eat them. Just like talking to a 3 year old "Nope, not gonna!" Drummers I swear.
Well, at that point I was being honest and I had already discussed it with Susan on the way back to MJ Guitars - there was just no way that I could make the made running dash to the front of the stage. I wouldn't make it. I fall when I'm NOT exhausted, but I knowing how tired I was - I just didn't see how I could make it to the front to see him at the show. Too many things against me - first too many ahead of me in the queue and then that "RUN FORREST RUN" to the stage. So I told him, "Well I don't think I'm going to make it this time - I just don't see how I'll get to the front at this point." He then asked me for something to write on - and the only thing I had were those hearts (the ones you see of photos at the show) so I handed him one and next thing you know I am writing my name on it so that he could put me on his guest list.
Speechless...just speechless (and now that many of you have met me - you know I am seldom without words). I was so very surprised, it was incredible. My brain is screaming at me "No way" and then as I stare at the heart with my name on it - it tells me "Yes way."
Moving on towards embarrassing moment #34508602333 - after thanking him (ever feel like "Thank you" just isn't enough to say sometimes? It's a strange feeling - you either repeat it several times - like I did or you try to compensate somehow). Before leaving Canada I had purchased a pink feather boa - as pink as James' hair. My original plan was that I would throw it up to him on stage at the end of the show just for a laugh - but with my brain not registering to itself "hey you're on his guest list" I decided to give it to him at MJ Guitars. In the moment that he put it around his neck I was probably as pink as that stupid feather boa - and he proclaimed it to be "This is getting silly." I thanked him about 10 more times and then it was time to go, guest list or not there was a queue to line up in. I was secretly hoping that he left the feather thing at MJ Guitars - but nooooo he took it with him (there are photos showing so!). So I apologize to everyone who got their photo taken with James wearing the elf hat AND the pink feather thing - I've never been one for fashion but that's definitely not going to be a new trend. My thanks to James for being a good sport with all the silly things the fans give him. He said he doesn't get rid of the stuff fans give him - but I'm betting that pink thing is long gone. Well okay I'm hoping.
I wanted to stay until the guys in the band left, but the theme of my trip was there just wasn't any time - I swear I think this is how rock stars feel - one city after another until they all seem the same. But at least they have their private jets and people to worry about their schedules for them. That sounds great to me.
I said goodbye to the remaining stragglers that I recognized from the night before. Everyone looking quite happy I will say. Met up with Susan and then Catarina from Sweden on the way out and we made a mad dash for a taxi to bring us to the Olympiahalle.

