July 5, 2013 San Diego, Ca. Viejas Arena

[jkmaletic]

Thanks guys for all the kind words.

What a whirlwind day. I woke up with an unexplained stomach ache (which I guess was suppressed nervousness looking back) that finally left me around 2pm. We were to meet at the venue for the Meet and Greet no later than 5:30. We got there around 5. We had to wait until 5:40 or so until "Justin" came and got us and gave us our passes and explained the rules. While waiting we could hear "Second Hand News" being sound checked. We got inside and they led us down to the first few rows to gather to meet Mick. Mick came shortly thereafter and said a few things, then he led us up onstage. He talked about never being in this particular venue before, John McVie being thrifty, and a few other things. He then said we were going to take some pictures in front of the drum set. So we sort of formed a line and I told Kim (my now fiancee) that I wanted to go last. She asked why and I said so we could soak up being on stage as long as we could (which was really part of the truth). So she agreed. When it was approaching our turn I got in front of her and she said she wanted to go first and I said, no - I'd really like to. She was like, alright? So I began walking towards Mick, but then I told him, "one second please". I then turned to Kim, told her I'd been wanting to do this for over 20 years and that I couldn't think of a better place to do it." I then pulled the box with the ring in it out of my pocket, got on bended knee and asked, "Will you marry me, Kim?" Her face was a mix of shock, surprise, and happiness all at once. She kind of laughed and said "Yes!" Mick was surprised of course, as was everyone else. I remember him saying, "well this is special" and "this is a first!" Then his two guys Justin and Robert asked me to do it AGAIN so they could get better pictures and I was like, "Oh no- I have to act now!" So I did, and I just remember flashes going off. When I got up I was a little light-headed from the experience, like I just got off a roller coaster ride. Kim said she felt like she was gonna faint for a second. Mick was very, very gracious and hugged us both and said congratulations. He then said, "Now I KNOW you'll want this to be a group photo!" (versus individual shots) After the pictures I thanked Mick and told him Fleetwood Mac was my favorite band and this meant the world. Everyone clapped as we left the stage and went back down to the seating area.

[Samantha]

Originally Posted by jkmaletic

Thanks guys for all the kind words.

What a whirlwind day. I woke up with an unexplained stomach ache (which I guess was surpressed nervousness looking back) that finally left me around 2pm. We were to meet at the venue for the Meet and Greet no later than 5:30. We got there around 5. We had to wait until 5:40 or so until "Justin" came and got us and gave us our passes and explained the rules. While waiting we could hear "Second Hand News" being sound checked. We got inside and they led us down to the first few rows to gather to meet Mick. Mick came shortly thereafter and said a few things, then he led us up onstage. He talked about never being in this particular venue before, John McVie being thrifty, and a few other things. He then said we were going to take some pictures in front of the drum set. So we sort of formed a line and I told Kim (my now fiancee) that I wanted to go last. She asked why and I said so we could soak up being on stage as long as we could (which was really part of the truth). So she agreed. When it was approaching our turn I got in front of her and she said she wanted to go first and I said, no - I'd really like to. She was like, alright? So I began walking towards Mick, but then I told him, "one second please". I then turned to Kim, told her I'd been wanting to do this for over 20 years and that I couldn't think of a better place to do it." I then pulled the box with the ring in it out of my pocket, got on bended knee and asked, "Will you marry me, Kim?" Her face was a mix of shock, surprise, and happiness all at once. She kind of laughed and said "Yes!" Mick was surprised of course, as was everyone else. I remember him saying, "well this is special" and "this is a first!" Then his two guys Justin and Robert asked me to do it AGAIN so they could get better pictures and I was like, "Oh no- I have to act now!" So I did, and I just remember flashes going off. When I got up I was a little light-headed from the experience, like I just got off a roller coaster ride. Kim said she felt like she was gonna faint for a second. Mick was very, very gracious and hugged us both and said congratulations. He then said, "Now I KNOW you'll want this to be a group photo!" (versus individual shots) After the pictures I thanked Mick and told him Fleetwood Mac was my favorite band and this meant the world. Everyone clapped as we left the stage and went back down to the seating area.

That's awesome, congratulations to both of you!

[jkmaletic]

Continued...

So we sat back down and Mick started the Q&A part and signing things. We had him sign our passes and tickets. I asked him, "During Stevie's In Your Dreams documentary there was a scene (New Orleans) where she literally went over to your drum set and began banging on the stem of your cymbals (sp?) to show you how she wanted you to play that part. Does she always get that "Hands on" when you guys do songs together?" He immediately answered, "Only in front of a camera." then he kind of laughed and said, "Well, not necessarily, but she does know what she wants her songs to sound like." He later mentioned if Stevie thinks something sounded off as far as her own vocals go during the tour, she won't talk for 2 days to get her voice in better shape. (Must be hard for her, being the yak-attacker she is. Ha ha!) Someone asked if he had a favorite venue, and he said not really, but the shows that they have family attending are always special. Someone asked about Christine being involved in the London show and he said that was probably going to happen. It was a very laid-back and nice experience. Worth the money and I recommend anyone do it if they have the means.

[jkmaletic]

Oh- another note -
When I was on stage I noticed how short the height Stevie's mic was at. I mean, I know that she's small, but I remember thinking if I had to talk into her mic I'd have to bend down a good 4-5 inches.

As far as the show went, it was another great one. Stage was about the same height as the Anaheim show - 5 feet or so. Our seats were 4th row center, a little closer to Stevie's side. We had a great time. I know this will probably sound crazy, but at the beginning of the show Stevie looked at Kim and I and smiled like, there's those two again. I could be wrong, but people have asked me over and over if I think she recognizes us, and I used to deny it. Now I think there's probably some truth to that. Stevie dedicated Landslide to a few named friends and San Diego, which was nice. In the closing remarks she mentioned San Diego being the place she was when she realized they really were going to "make it".

The only slightly annoying thing I noticed at both this show and the Anaheim one was the bald security dude who obviously works for the band that scopes out cute, young chicks from different parts of the venue up to Lindsey's area down in front. I mean, good for them and all, they're obviously thrilled. But what's the reason for it? I told myself that it's (hopefully) just that Fleetwood Mac wants hot, younger people down in front to have a good time so they can go back and spread the word about what a great band they are.... I guess.

As far as this venue goes, it was ok. Negatives were the bathrooms were outside the venue and the climb up the stairs to exit is a little much. I didn't have a problem because I do stairs evey day as part of my work out. But it would definitley be challenging for those in poor shape.

So, I'm happy to be the first person to ever get engaged on a Fleetwood Mac stage, in front of the man himself. It couldn't have gone better.

Jamie

[WildHearted]

Originally Posted by jkmaletic

The only slightly annoying thing I noticed at both this show and the Anaheim one was the bald security dude who obviously works for the band that scopes out cute, young chicks from different parts of the venue up to Lindsey's area down in front. I mean, good for them and all, they're obviously thrilled. But what's the reason for it? I told myself that it's (hopefully) just that Fleetwood Mac wants hot, younger people down in front to have a good time so they can go back and spread the word about what a great band they are.... I guess.

Yeah, this happened in Atlanta and apparently a bunch of other shows too. I agree that it's really annoying. I don't know - I'm not really a fan of the whole "moving people up" thing in concerts, unless it's a situation where there are actually empty rows or something. But letting people come up to the stage from far back in the arena just because they're young & attractive is kind of gross. I mean, it's great for the people that get to go up and I'd never begrudge them of it because it's not their fault if they get asked (and who would turn it down?) but in general it kind of skeeves me out and I do have to wonder what the purpose of it is from the band/security perspective.

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by WildHearted

Yeah, this happened in Atlanta and apparently a bunch of other shows too. I agree that it's really annoying. I don't know - I'm not really a fan of the whole "moving people up" thing in concerts, unless it's a situation where there are actually empty rows or something. But letting people come up to the stage from far back in the arena just because they're young & attractive is kind of gross. I mean, it's great for the people that get to go up and I'd never begrudge them of it because it's not their fault if they get asked (and who would turn it down?) but in general it kind of skeeves me out and I do have to wonder what the purpose of it is from the band/security perspective.

I agree...it's kind of lame. This was my second show and we were super close...but to the side (which I prefer) and some woman behind me said they picked attractive people to do that. I thought whoever picked them had really, really bad taste as they were not very cute at all.

Great show though! I liked it better than the Hollywood Bowl.

[HelloMonster]

Originally Posted by WildHearted

Yeah, this happened in Atlanta and apparently a bunch of other shows too. I agree that it's really annoying. I don't know - I'm not really a fan of the whole "moving people up" thing in concerts, unless it's a situation where there are actually empty rows or something. But letting people come up to the stage from far back in the arena just because they're young & attractive is kind of gross. I mean, it's great for the people that get to go up and I'd never begrudge them of it because it's not their fault if they get asked (and who would turn it down?) but in general it kind of skeeves me out and I do have to wonder what the purpose of it is from the band/security perspective.

He was always very kind and helpful to my boyfriend and I. He recognized us and brought us up to the stage 3 times. We weren't the "cute girls" and he never flirted with me. We just thought he liked how much we loved the band, by seeing them so often and dressing up 3/5 shows. He always made sure we weren't blocking or upsetting anybody with our presence (like my hat, and my SO being 6'2), and stood up for us when a ticket checker lady tried to give us trouble. We owe a lot to him for helping making our experiences even more outstanding, not that they weren't already amazing. He directly helped make this summer a very special one, one we certainly won't be forgetting any time soon.

[WildHearted]

Originally Posted by HelloMonster

He was always very kind and helpful to my boyfriend and I. He recognized us and brought us up to the stage 3 times. We weren't the "cute girls" and he never flirted with me. We just thought he liked how much we loved the band, by seeing them so often and dressing up 3/5 shows. He always made sure we weren't blocking or upsetting anybody with our presence (like my hat, and my SO being 6'2), and stood up for us when a ticket checker lady tried to give us trouble. We owe a lot to him for helping making our experiences even more outstanding, not that they weren't already amazing. He directly helped make this summer a very special one, one we certainly won't be forgetting any time soon.

Like I said, I don't begrudge the people that get pulled up from. That's amazing for you and I'm glad you had good experiences.

But 9/10 they pull up groups of young, cute girls, and it's a little weird, is all. And I say this AS a young, (relatively) cute girl.

[bombaysaffires]

Originally Posted by WildHearted

But 9/10 they pull up groups of young, cute girls, and it's a little weird, is all. And I say this AS a young, (relatively) cute girl.

It IS kinda gross, it's the kind of thing bands like Van Halen and Motley Crue et al would do in the 80s and then get bjs from them backstage or whatever. Presumably that isn't the case nowadays with the Mac (though who knows) and given Stevie's response to that chick on video ("not gonna happen").

Maybe LB just likes that guitar-god experience of having all the screaming fans around him.

[jkmaletic]

The end part of "Sara"..

http://www.youtube.com/edit?ns=1&video_id=FsVSxh0c1zI

[vivfox]

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