My LA experience

[WelshWitchPMD]

PART ONE

Well, I had purchased my plane ticket to LA back in April. I did not have a ticket for the show on Friday night. I was a little scared to go to LA alone but if I didn’t I mostly likely would never go. After weighing the pros and cons I decided to go. I did change my hotel from the Beverly Hilton to the Hyatt downtown. I had heard that downtown was not the best area to stay in but I wanted to be near the arena. The move was to be a most beneficial move I would discover later. So, I pack my bags on Thursday night and try to get as much sleep as I can.
My journey to LA began early in the AM from Providence, RI on Friday July 11, 2003. My regular airport ride was not available so I took a cab. When the driver came to get me he said “Gee, when they told me to go to this address I did not know that I was picking up a movie star.� LOL It was kind of an appropriate line considering that I was going LA. I get to the airport OK and head to the Southwest terminal.
I go through security and they look at my bag like what is in here? I tell them that I have a lot of change in there. They hand check it really quick and then just look at me and say OK. I then proceed to the gate and there I meet up with a very nice couple that was also going to LA for the same amount of time. They told me that they were going to a wedding in Beverly Hills and were very excited. I then tell them the reason that I was headed out to LA. The woman told me that her brother had just seen them on Ft Lauderdale and said that they were very good. I tell them that I was at that show, too. They then ask me if I go to all the shows. I just tell them that I go to ones mostly on the weekends. They seemed to think that it was great that I just go and travel all over to see them.
I see that our plane stops in Phoenix and then goes on to LA from there. After 5 and half long hours we land in PHX. I can now use my cell phone. I make a call to Ticketmaster. I wanted to see what was available for the show that night. Well, the operator tells me that Floor 3 Row 2 seat 7 was the best seat that she had. I was like what was that again? Yep, I had heard correctly Floor second row in front of Lindsey! So, I just give out all of my info on the plane. Thankfully most people got off in PHX and the rest did not board yet.
The people then start to get on the plane. I lady sits over near me. We start to talk a bit and I tell her the reason that I am going to LA and she is also going to the concert. I tell her that I just scored a second row seat. I was ecstatic about my seat. She was happy for me.
After about an hour we land in LA. Well, as soon as the plane lands I am coughing and have some difficulty breathing. I knew that I needed to take it easy this weekend and try not to run around a lot. Well, I then head out to get my luggage and then look for the Super shuttle to take me to my hotel. After about a half hour stopping at every airline terminal we then headed for downtown LA.
We stop at my hotel and I head off to the lobby to check in. I get my key and head on up to my room. I toss in my bags in and I just sit on the bed in total shock of my second row seat in LA. I could not even call anyone back home to tell them about my ticket. I am just sitting there rapidly chanting “Oh My god�, Oh My God� about 20 times.

[GardenStateGirlie]

You have the most fanfreakingtastic luck I swear....gawd...send some of that my way girl!!!!

[darklinensuit]

You scared me when you mentioned coughing. I thought that this was going to end with you having to give up the great seat due to illness. I'm glad that's not the way the story headed!!!!

- Jake

[WelshWitchPMD]

PART TWO

I headed out to Macy’s and did a bit of shopping. I got an outfit that looked more appropriate for a concert on the Sunset Strip in the 80’s hair band era then a Mac concert. I still kept the outfit anyway. LOL I go downstairs to the bar and get a quick bite to eat. I then head up again and get already for my magical night. I had to try and get my disposable camera hidden in my purse. I go to the lobby, catch a cab and go to the will call window. I then stare at my ticket in disbelief. I was then told to go to the VIP entrance. After about a half hour wait we were let in to the arena. We had to go through security. I handed the guy my bag and he looked at it for about 2 seconds and gave it back to me. I go to get some soda and then to my seat. Well, I spilled a bit of the soda on my ticket in about 5 seconds after I got to my seat. It was OK no damage was done. I really kind of made a mess near my seat. I was afraid that I was going to be thrown out already.
I met a few different fans before the show. I met a girl who was sitting in front of me and she asks me “haven’t I seen you at a show before�? I laugh and say yes it was Las Vegas. So we chatted for a bit about Vegas and stuff. I am sorry but I did not get her name but I know that she was from New Mexico. Then I met a gentleman who was in front row. He was from either New York or New Jersey and had been to about the same amount of shows that I had been to. I am sorry but I did not get his name either. I am do apologize to anyone that I did meet and did not get their name. I was a little out of it.
I then see a girl with pretty long dark curly hair. She was taking her front row seat. I then realize that it was Tiffany (EnchantedSLN) from some of the message boards and mailing lists. I went over to say hello. She was very lucky to get her seats from the fan club. She was with her friend Anita who is also on some boards and lists. I am sorry but I don’t think that I formally introduced myself to her. I had received an email earlier in the day from Stephanie (Gypsysara) on the Ledge. She said that she scored Floor 2 Row 2!! I see a girl go enter her seat from my end of the row. I think to myself “I bet that’s Stephanie.� Sure enough she seems to be sitting in the area where she said her ticket was located. I say to myself hey I am going to ask so I did and it was her. We talked for a bit and she was just so nice and one of the few real people that I met in LA. I am sorry but I don’t mean to offend anyone from the LA area but I did not have a good experience with some people out there.


More to come later...

[WelshWitchPMD]

Sorry, but I will post the rest tomorrow night. I am so tired right now!! I figured that at least you can get a start on reading a bit but there is much more

[gypsysara]

It was great to meet you too Pattie. Ah, I dont belong here in LA. Its pretty fake if you ask me. LOL! Sorry to hear the air bothered you, Im not surprised though. Sometimes I think we breathe maple syrup gone wrong. Im glad you decided to come out! Continue your tale, Im intrigued! And PM me your snail addy, Ill send you copies of the good photos!

[WelshWitchPMD]

PART THREE

OK now at about 8:20PM the lights start to dim. After about 5 more minutes of waiting the crickets start. I was so excited! Again I am not going over the set list because it was the same. After about the 4th song the guy next me on my right says ‘Well, I think that I am going to take my seat now�. I was like OK whatever to myself. I was there standing and dancing and at about half way through the show the same %$#@ guy next me says� Are you EVER going to sit down? I just give a look and it was a “if looks could kill� kind of look. He says, “that’s rude�. I don’t say one word because if I do I would have done something really horrible. I have a bad temper and if you PO me at a Fleetwood Mac concert WATCH OUT!!! I was on a roller coaster between being mad a just leaving the show crying. Well, I was NOT going to give this #@#& the satisfaction of leaving so I just stood. I had earplugs in and I really could not hear myself talk. I know that I was saying some not very nice things under my breath. I did sit a bit thru Beautiful Child then I got up and said HA HA. He was kind of young too and was with a girl. They acted like two geriatric patients.
I was informed that only the first row could rush the stage. I was crushed because I wanted to get Lindsey’s autograph at some point. I did not even bring anything from home because I had no idea that I would be so close. I figured that I would settle for a ticket anyway.
Well, lets just that there were quite a cast of characters at the show. There was a man with two women at the concert. One of the ladies was on the phone more then watching the show. They seemed more concerned about showing their friends the seats that they were in instead of enjoying the show. There were two other women who looked like they might be in the entertainment industry but not in TV, Movies or Music if you know what I mean.
Lets see if I can think of some highlights. Yes, Stevie had on boots but they looked like ankle boots instead of the normal ones. I kind of like these new ones. I was just there singing and dancing trying to have a good time. Basically it was the same show. I just love ‘Come�. I get really into it. Lindsey was on fire as usual. About half way thru the show he was heading towards my end of the stage. He was playing the guitar (I can’t remember what song it was) and he is looking my way and squinting at me. Then he smiles with a little laugh. I am thinking that he must think that I really am I strange girl. Why can’t I be closer to him? Well, after Go Your Own Way. The other guy that was with the two women had climbed over the seat to front row. He asked me why I looked so unhappy. I told him what happened. He tells me that I am kind of ‘hot’ and should be happy. I asked him how he got up to the front without getting kicked out. He said that he knows people. I tell him I wanted to be in the front. He then helps over the chair and I tumble over it. LOL Glad that the band was still backstage. Then the band comes out for Goodbye Baby. I am looking for another sharpie and one of my other concert tickets for him to sign. I had given my ticket to the girl in the front row from NM hoping to get him to sign it. Well, Lindsey did not come around again after that. Oh well, I figured I will get something more worthwhile at another time. The guy that helps me over keeps telling me that I am ‘hot’ and that I now owe him. OK whatever.
I run into Stephanie again and we chat a bit. I decide to see if the person that I had met earlier on the tour was there tonight. Well, I ask a really dumb security guard. I just said to myself to forget it anyway. The girl from NM did not get Lindsey to sign my ticket because he does not go over in front of Stevie’s area. Ok so I head out to a hotel where I think that they might be staying. I wanted to go to that area anyway. Well, I did not like this place it was too loud and crowded. I left about an hour later. They could have been at just about anyplace in LA. I go back to my hotel and eat the Kit Kat bar that I got at the gift shop earlier that day.
I am kicking myself for not checking for better seats for the next nights show. The box office clerk told me that night that the best seats for both nights had been released already. I really don’t want to sit in that 22nd row seat with those rude people. If I had a bad experience with people in the 2nd row imagine what the 22nd row would be like. No, I will just stay in and rest I was having trouble breathing anyway. Maybe I can catch Jason Alexander in The Producers, yeah maybe that’s an idea.

[WelshWitchPMD]

PART FOUR

Ok Saturday morning I get up and head downstairs for breakfast. I asked the waiter jokingly if that was California orange juice? Yes, he says. Ok then. I liked it. The breakfast was good, too. I go back to my room. Hmm what will I do today?
Maybe I will take a tour. I decide to see the concierge. He tells me about a tour through Hollywood and the stars homes, etc. Ok sounds good to me.
The shuttle takes me to the tour operator. There they tell me that nobody is going on the Hollywood tour at this time. He asks me if I want to go to the museum. I tell him NO I do not. Ok then how about the beach he asks. You will go to Venice Beach and then we will pick you up at 2:30 and take you on the Hollywood tour. You will be back to the hotel at 5:30PM. Ok so I decide to do this tour. I loaded up my sun block and I was all set.
I walk around Venice Beach and I really do not like it that much. I can’t find a good place to have lunch. I ended up with just a salad at a place called HOTTOO. I believe that Teriyaki was their specialty but I did not want that. We were picked up and then drove through Santa Monica. That looked pretty nice from what I could see of it.
We went near the Bel-Air area and saw some stars homes. I was really not that impressed with them. We even drove by the restroom where George Michael had been caught in the act. We drove by Rodeo Drive. Big deal I did not care for it that much. We went to Farmers Market. It was just a outdoor mall but it was pretty cool. I saw a chocolate store and they wanted $2.50 for a tiny piece of chocolate. No thanks. We did stop in Hollywood. We had a half hour to look around. Not much time at all. I was going to try and find the Fleetwood Mac star but I did not have time. I looked around at a gift shop. I got a deal on a tote bag. We headed back and I was so tired that I did not want to move.

[EnchantedSLN]

Originally posted by WelshWitchPMD
PART TWO

She was taking her front row seat. I then realize that it was Tiffany (EnchantedSLN) from some of the message boards and mailing lists. I went over to say hello.

Pattie, it was lovely to meet you in LA though I'm sorry that we only spoke for a minute. I would have liked to chat for a bit longer after the show. It sounds like you had a great time your first trip out to Los Angeles despite a certain few individuals, and I'm glad you didn't let the loser next to you ruin your night at the concert!

Be Well,
Tiff

[WelshWitchPMD]

PART FIVE

Ok It is now about 10 minutes before 6PM and I call Ticketmaster just for the fun of it. Ok the lady on the phone says that they stopped selling the tickets at 4PM. I could go to the box office because what see had might not be what they would still have. I ask her what she had. Floor 2 Row 2. OH My I have to get down there ASAP! I fly downstairs and catch a cab. Thankfully I was only 3 blocks from the arena. I am running though to get to the box office. I can hear the Six Million Dollar Man theme in my head as I am running to the window. I get there and nobody is there. I ask the clerk what is available and that ticket was GONE!! The best seat available was FLOOR 2 ROW 1 SEAT 12!!!! I am going nuts!! I was all confused. I hope that I can use my CC. Yep I can!! I got it and I stared at it. Oh My I can’t believe it. Now, I have to head back to the hotel and get ready for the show. I got on the cab from HELL. He had no clue where he was going. I was getting very aggravated. I finally got back and just paid him for the 3 block rate. I never got ready so fast. I had my black Stevie- esque shirt and my flowered skirt that I put on. I cannot even believe it!! I had been saying that I was going to get front row in LA right after the dates were announced. I could not even get that in Worcester, Ma. I wanted to get there in time before they all rushed the stage.
I go there right though the VIP entrance. I go through security and the lady says WOW this is a heavy purse. I say yes I have change in it. She looks at me like I have 8 heads. OK well, I get in with my 80 ton purse. LOL Yep I always get stopped at the airport with that bag. I can’t wait to get to my seat. My heart is pounding like crazy. There I was walking to my seat in the front row. WOW. A dream comes true!! My seat was right in front of Stevie!! Ok here is the weird part. I did not want to be in front of her. I wanted to be in front of LINDSEY!!! I am so nervous because I wanted a spot in front of him. I as soon as the lights dimmed I got up in front of the stage. I did want to be in the area where he comes down to let people play his guitar. I did not want to touch it OR him so I stood right in front of him between the monitors. I hear the crickets and that’s it I am going nuts! Again I will just point out highlights. I noticed that Micks drum had what looked like a cartoon of Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Speak no Evil on the front of it.
When the lights hit Stevie’s dress a certain way I could see through it. LOL Just her tights. There was a girl 2 over to the left of me. She was not shy and was making eye contact and waving her hands in front of Lindsey. I was so mad at myself because I cannot do that. When Stevie did her Say You Will dance I still could not do it in front of her. I was not right in front of her but still. I am too shy.
OK I am not shy when I hear Come. Sorry! I was one step away from doing a striptease. I am so glad that Stevie is not on the stage for that. I am also glad that Lindsey closes his eyes for that song because I would hide under my seat. Just too embarrassing.
Ok the really weird thing about where I was standing was the sound. It sounded like Lindsey was singing in my ear and Stevie sounded like she was on the other side of the arena. It was a wild experience.
Oh then it happened. This will be something that I will never ever forget. It was before Landslide. Lindsey moved over to be closer to Stevie. It all happened so fast. Well, he looked over and saw me and then his face just lights up and then he points to me. I think he said Hey. He looked as if to say WOW you are here AGAIN and NOW you are in the FRONT!!! Even Stevie kind of looked and smiled. I really think that she had no clue. I just was like in shock that he pointed me right out. I put my hand over my chest and had the look that I will describe like this. Do you know when there is a show like the Oscars and they have all 5 of the nominees all on the same screen before they announce the winner? Well at that moment the winner finds out she just has this look of all of these emotions and kind of gasps and puts her hand up to her chest or face. Well, that was me and everyone near me turned to look at me. They had this kind of like WOW look on their face. I never felt so great!! It was worth the whole trip. I had an ear to ear smile on my face the rest of the show.
I do remember that during Tusk Lindsey and Stevie did that swing dance for a longer time. They looked like 2 school kids at play,
Well, after Go Your Own Way nobody near me had anything to have him sign so he kind of just left after touching a few hands way on the right side of me. I was not too happy.
I will get it after Goodbye Baby. Well after that song there were a vocal bunch of people to my left with what looked like voodoo dolls. He picked them up and said thanks. Then he starts to leave and I yell Lindsey and he looks down at the ticket and signs it. Now, I guess that I was supposed to hold the ticket for him as he signed it but dumb a$$ that I am did not hold it correctly. Well, he looks at it and kinds of makes a face and says “ohh that’s not good�. “ Oh well at least you got it.� I wanted to say well I have about 10 more that you could try. LOL No I am not rude and would never say that. The only part that I was disappointment about was the fact that when he signed it he did not look at me.
Well, Lindsey I am sure that I will see you again and I will bring an article or picture that is more exciting then a stupid ticket.
After the show I met a nice lady and we started taking. I tell her that I am from RI and she asks my name and I tell her. She says yes you are from the Ledge. So I met an anonymous Ledgie.
I was really thirsty after the show. I was disappointed that the concessions were closed. I asked an employee if anything was open. I told her that I just needed water. She asked me if I had a dollar and she got it from the employee vending machine. That was nice of her to do. I walked around outside of the arena for a while. This long haired blonde guy is walking toward with his arms outstretched. I am thinking to myself Do I know him? He says to me “What no hugs today�? I just look at him and shake my head. Then he walks away and says “oh chicken’, The sad thing was that he was kind of cute. I was tired and I just went back to my hotel and to bed.

[gldstwmn]

You lucky, lucky girl. Glad you had a good time. Hope to run into you at one of these shows some time.

[gypsysara]

Great for you Pattie! Im stoked for you on the Saturday night thing! I should have gone, but Im sooo happy for you! Awesome!

edit: PS, you should have come over to me during night 1, people were just hopping over the seats from row 2 to row 1, which made me happy I had more room in row 2 to boogie, cause it was packed up front. Next time Ill go down and get you!

[Livia]

Do you know when there is a show like the Oscars and they have all 5 of the nominees all on the same screen before they announce the winner? Well at that moment the winner finds out she just has this look of all of these emotions and kind of gasps and puts her hand up to her chest or face. Well, that was me and everyone near me turned to look at me. They had this kind of like WOW look on their face. I never felt so great!! It was worth the whole trip.

OMG, Pattie!!! What a GREAT story, I'm so happy for you! Don't you just love that Mac magic? And yes, I know that feeling, right after my "1/2 hour hand-holding" with LB in Nashville! You know, I got a bootleg CD of that concert and you can actually hear me saying, "Wow, that was a LONG one!" and another person saying, "That WAS a long one!"

What's LB gonna think now when he sees you AGAIN in Phoenix? LOL

[WelshWitchPMD]

Originally posted by Livia

What's LB gonna think now when he sees you AGAIN in Phoenix? LOL

I don't know I think that he will just look at me and laugh.
He is probably looking for me at other shows now.LOL I wish that I could touch his hand but I am a bit behind the 8 ball. LOL Maybe at my like 20th show I will get the chance.