[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement:
Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor
of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users'
privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your
privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket
to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we
also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.
Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your
contribution is not tax-deductible.)
PayPal Acct: 
Feedback: 
Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):
| [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ] |
[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]
Date Posted: 01:14:22 02/18/20 Tue
Author: Anonymous
Subject: Lord above me knows I love you…
I just had to see you baby, then my heart began to sing. Although, I did at one-point muse/wish about a Valentine’s Day concert in my backyard, Oregon was not, at first blush, far off my dream. But, I ain’t gonna lie, it was a drive, albeit pretty and completely worth it – I would always travel night and day to see and hear Chris. I have now started a petition to change Valentine’s Day to the 15th, well not really, but this was my best Valentine’s Boxing Day ever (made up holiday). I think Seven Feathers Casino is pretty great and I like the non-smoking entrance and every staff person was great. I didn’t stay there, though, so I can’t speak to the rooms. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it when I bought a ticket, but I didn’t try to book a room until about a month beforehand. Naturally, all the rooms were sold out. If you go the morning of at 6:00 a.m., you may get one if there are cancellations. SIX A.freakin’.M.! Like musicians, and as Chris has noted, I find it a cold piece to know that there are two sixes in a day. Anyway, I went on Airbnb and found a cabin not far away. It was really lovely and serene. So much of my Valentine’s Day was not romantic, but mainly I spent it driving from Washington to Oregon trying to get to Chris.
The day of the concert I enjoyed the peacefulness of the cabin. No TV, but there was Wi-Fi and I was lazy, read, gazed out of windows and, finally, explored a little bit. I went to the casino to see how long the drive was and then I went to Myrtle Creek. Not for any particular reason, except that was the exit I took by chance, when I saw a restaurant sign. I went to El Azteca and it was great and friendly service and I talked to a guy about his truck – which I find is always a good conversation starter for gentlemen who have trucks. He was an older man with his wife and I am not uncomfortable by myself, but I do love hearing about people. Anyway, he got a good deal on his truck and it hasn’t given him any trouble, his previous truck just went and went until it didn’t. He had a good dad joke about whether his wife would make it back from the restroom without a map. I laughed, sometimes it’s not the content, but how it’s told: no malice, friendly and loving of his spouse. Plus, they were tolerant and friendly toward a tourist who probably (well not probably) looked a little city-fied in a sweater dress and over-the-knee boots, amongst the comfortable plaid shirts, jeans and baseball caps. Sometimes, I think I can blend it, but I didn’t that day, for sure. As an aside, the next day I was talking with a security guy, when I went back to the casino to get my car (long, sad story that does not involve drinking and I won’t bore you with it). He picked me up and as we returned, he said his wife was from Myrtle Creek, but currently they live more toward the casino. I had said I saw two signs for Mexican restaurants, but chose El Azteca for the name, but I observed that it was a small town for two Mexican restaurants. Well, in the Douglas County annual contest for the petty trophy, the husband and wife divorced, so the ex-husband opened one just down the street from El Azteca. Well, mister a trophy, and pettiness, ain’t gonna keep you warm at night. (In case you don’t know I’m joking, no such contest exists, but it should.) I don’t know how she got custody of El Azteca. Although, it was by accident, I stand by my decision to support the ex-wife’s establishment.
I returned for the concert and was there pretty early and thought about eating, but it was busy and I went to the non-smoking place. Since the line was so long I decided to sit down and weigh the pros and cons of a line. I have little tolerance for lines and will forgo many things and not stand in line. I’m afraid I inadvertently stalked Herschel, who was in line, and I was sitting uncomfortably close when I kind of noticed. Sorry Herschel, that was not my intent. I went in for the concert and did not do the line and another very nice security person said how much she liked my dress and how pretty I looked. It helped, because none of my pals were with me, and I’m never sure whether a dress works on me or not. It was sincere and sweet. Thank you sweet lord baby Jesus for providing yet another hype woman in my time of need. I had an excellent seat and when a couple came to sit down, the guy sort of manspread all over. But, he didn’t really mean to and was just a tall, big guy. Although, he also took a couple of important calls (before the show) and I think was the guy shouting about people sitting down later, even though he was being all cool beforehand, like “well, I think I know one of his songs” to his wife who appeared excited to be there. Never be too cool for school and be excited about entertainment would be my advice no one asked for. Before all of that, though, I went and got water and boldly (for me) took a pic of the setlist. I sent it to my friends who could not be there, but I didn’t look at it, because I still wanted it to be a surprise. However, after the fact, here it is:
American Boy
Somebody’s Cryin’
Doing the Best that I can/Don’t leave me on my own (in the audience)
Big Wide WW
Wicked Game
Go Walking Down There
Pretty Woman
Ring of Fire
Solitary Man (OMG!!! OMG!!!!)
Two Hearts
Forever Young
Only the Lonely
Dancin’ (melting)
I’ll Go Crazy
Can’t Help Falling in Love
Speak of the Devil
Blue Hotel
SF Days
Notice the Ring
BDABBT
Can’t Do a Thing (Wow, just wow)
Other songs, in smaller font, at the bottom that I deduce may, or may not, be thrown in:
The Way Things Really Are
Put Out Your Hand/Live it Up
Great Balls of Fire/I forgot to remember to forget
I realize I went between proper uppercase, and not, at the beginning of words, but transcribing is hard y’all.
Clearly, over the years, I’ve attended many, many concerts. But, I know I don’t hold the record for concerts attended, although I want to win that petty trophy in Douglas County, yet I’m not moving there to ever compete. Beginning with American Boy is a great start, but I’ve also been at shows with Dancin’ as a start and that wins me over more. Although, as a non-musician, bar the 7th grade recorder career that never took off, Chris knows what he’s doing and what works best. Since I wrote a long time back about prom, I’ve read where fans say Chris has said at meet and greets, let’s pose like prom. Maybe I’m prescient, but regardless I would say that “damn it” we should have had a time machine to wear our matching attire to prom. Chris had a black sparkly suit and I a black sparkly dress. In true peacock fashion, however, Chris was more sparkly. I wasn’t much of a prom attender, but mine would maybe have been too low-cut and like many of my school days, I would have been kicked out. So, no regrets about a time machine and I simply loved watching Chris and listening. The band was phenomenal too, naturally.
When Chris was talking he said “Oregone” and a couple people shouted “Oregun.” I guess Oregonians can call him out, but I’ve heard it how he said it too. When he started Wicked Game a couple rushed up front to dance. Ummm… I kind of felt like, nobody needs to see that, with the butt rubbing and so on. Although, another part of me said, well R. Kelly, the renowned philosopher wrote ain’t nuthin’ wrong with a little bump and grind. But, c’mon, look where that got him and in general philosophers may not have the best lives. Vis-à-vis Socrates and poison and points of view. Also, R. Kelly will hopefully go to jail. Still love is a wonderful thing and maybe it wasn’t all lust. Plus Chris was gracious and thanked them for dancing. After Wicked Game, they immediately went into Go Walking Down There, then he stopped the song and said come on up. I did not hesitate, nor did many others. That’s where I stayed for the rest of the concert. While I didn’t go with a traditional red frock for Valentine’s Day from that perspective that may be where Chris and band could see that I was wearing some red. But, I was pretty careful and my dress was not Hollywood/movie premiere low-cut. Like I said at one point, a man yelled about sitting down and that he paid $75 (?) whole dollars for his ticket. Chris couldn’t quite hear and joked a little, but not in a mean way. I sort of looked around then and did see that so, so many were up front. Kind of a lost cause by then. On the plus side, I didn’t use my seat and he could manspread all the space he wanted. A couple of drunk ladies came up front and pushed some people around saying a similar thing about paying for ticket so they get to come up front and take a picture. They pushed one lady into me and I felt bad for her, but after sloshing beers around they went back again. But, it didn’t look like anyone was mean to them in return.
So, Chris did not stick to the setlist and I’m trying to remember which ones he did not do. But, he did switch instruments with Roly and took over the bass, while Roly used his guitar to sing Killing the Blues. Chris was so complementary about Roly, the song, told us to really listen to the incredible lyrics, how many tremendous artists have covered it and that Roly won a Grammy. Oh man, that song just gets me and Roly’s voice is perfect for it. Thanks baby for sharing the spotlight. He moved up Forgot to Remember to Forget, yet another one I love and the premise is very relatable, you try and forget, but your heart remembers. He dedicated I’ll Go Crazy to Ron Thompson, who had just passed away. He had a great story about him riding a bike onstage with one hand, instrument in the other, and then jumping off without missing a beat and killing the song. I’m so sorry to them all for the loss. Usually during Notice the Ring, I do watch Rafael, but being right up front and near where the shirt and tie come off and the shirtsleeves up had me mesmerized. Can’t Do A Thing (To Stop Me) was an incredible, sublime, floating on air ending. Despite the guy yelling, I did my usual listening to the people talk while exiting and in the ladies’ room, all had an incredible time. No one had a bad thing to say, of course. Least of all me and I should have been quickly on my way to my car and cabin. It’s still a long, sad story I won’t go into.
The next day, I got my car and did an excellent clutch start. A useful skill learned from my ne’er-do-well friends, my uncle wasn’t the only one who had some, but he had more. It was a very pretty drive and my friend decided to come along last minute, unfortunately that meant an expensive ticket for her. We were meeting up in Lincoln City, unfortunately she got a little lost and we got to the concert a about 10 minutes late. It was still extremely wonderful and it was worth it to have friend time. So, I can’t tell you how he said Oregon, if at all. There are parts of Washington where the local vernacular is “Warshington” and hmmm…
He stuck more with the setlist and Spirit Mountain had less space in front, the security also kept people in seats. Not that you couldn’t stand during certain songs to dance, which I did. Someone was shouting out “Blue Spanish Sky” he started it, seemed to consider and looked into the audience, if he looked my way, my face all “yes please.” During Only the Lonely as he looks down at his guitar, I stared at his profile, reminiscent of a classic, handsome Roman profile was what went through my head. He again dedicated I’ll Go Crazy to Ron Thompson and this time Kenney told a story. You could tell Kenney loved his pal. Chris explained a little more about not ever dedicating songs and why it was important to him this time. He did say that people ask all the time for anniversaries, birthdays etc. but that he’d spend the entire time dedicating songs if he set that precedence.
Again, super fun, but we had a less matching outfits, except for sparky. I think it was more fun if that was possible. Notice the Ring is so strong and Rafael is awesome and how he and Kenney synch up is magic. While I think everyone notices that Chris wears a ring, I also noticed he has a cool bracelet I haven’t seen before. It looks like a woven, colorful one. That man can work an accessory.
I can see why songs come in and out, but I feel extremely fortunate to hear Solitary Man live. It’s not a song I would have guessed I’d feel such and attachment to until Chris sang it. This night he ended with The Way Things Really Are and how he wrote it to describe the end of a relationship and all the items you come across – that I imagine seem mundane in daily life, but are profound in the break. Anyway, I love it and Chris wins my heart time and time again, through his artistry, depth of emotion and kindness to people. I can see that he truly wants everyone to have the best time. He never calls it in or half-asses anything.
After, my friend and I went to dinner. Later Chris, Doug, Roly, Scotty and Rafael came in to eat too. So obvs he’s stalking me. 😊 He was gracious to people who asked for pictures. I figured they wanted to enjoy their dinner, so we just kept eating ours to and catching up. Although, I did eavesdrop on a couple, a little. She was a little drunk, but nice. Although, she complimented my outfit and asked my friend if she was a healthcare worker. My friend just laughed and said, I guess they do like scrubs in a way. She’s very nice. Later we laughed about it, they left. I wished I had said “Yes, on my thrice monthly outings out of the facility she’s my faithful companion and carries the heavy duty, just in case, meds.” That’s not to say the woman was unkind either, she had just had a few.
Anyway, remember the gifts I never give to Chris, because I’m awkward, don’t have it with me at the right moment, and would never do the leave it on the stage thing? Like I’ve said before, some I’ve given away to others, but one I have always held onto for him and I had it! I also had it in Las Vegas, but the airline had a delayed/cancelled flight and saturated the bags of everyone. I had to dry out almost everything. So I had some fancy wrapping, but it didn’t survive, except for the box it was originally shipped in. At that time, I moved it back to that box, but didn’t give it to Chris. Well, I had it with me and told myself “Anon1001, it’s now or never!” I still almost didn’t, but they were done eating, so before we left I went over and gave it to Chris in a Christmas bag, but in the box. As I was growing up and now, we had a phrase for that style of gift wrap that's not and I figured growing up in Stockton, he probably had some phrase, or practice, comparable to that and wouldn’t mind. So being not at all composed, I said “here” or something eloquent like that. He said “for me?” and I said “blerg, I mean yes.” Then I said that I just wanted to say hi and thanks for a great show to everyone. Honestly, they were all really gracious. I’m afraid I was just bumbling and shy and maybe a little nervous, probably because of Doug. He was like a coiled panther, ready to jump in case my personal healthcare worker didn’t pull out my meds fast enough. All jokes aside, I appreciate that he’s a professional and alert. But, I didn’t do much more than thanks. Chris complimented my dress and said thanks for attending shows. I wanted to say “This old thing, that I scoured to find and got, at last, from Dress The Population and bought especially for seeing you in Las Vegas?” Why thank you kind sir.” And maybe throw in this type of laugh: https://giphy.com/gifs/NaqKVYY8j1AGs/html5 But, his speaking voice is just as melting as his singing voice and again I was more like. https://giphy.com/gifs/TCLGV11Q0ZtC0/html5 I have no idea about his relationship status, like us all, so I would never be disrespectful by giving my phone number or something intimate, if you’re wondering about the gift. It was more related to something he mentioned about his mom once, that is perhaps a useful item. Maybe he’ll never use it, or think “wha?!?” But, I’m glad I finally gave it to him and thanked all the band who were there. What was super-hilarious though was that I did not tell my friend anything, other than hang on a minute as we were getting ready to leave. They she said, “What? Did you give him the bill?” I had to laugh and say “NO!” Although, I wish I had the guts to do that. We had already paid though, but I’m sure Chris got a good laugh too when he heard her.
So another long story long about my best Valentine’s weekend ever with someone who’s sustained my ardor and admiration longer than anyone else. I’m glad I went and made it home and found a serene cabin for a couple nights and saw my friend for fun and laughs. Excuse typos, run on sentences and so on. If I don't just write it or start to edit, I'll never get it posted.
[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]
Replies:
- Videos from Saturday night -- Anonymous, 07:18:35 02/18/20 Tue
- More -- Anonymous, 15:20:46 02/19/20 Wed
- To Anon 1001 -- Anonymous, 21:04:44 02/20/20 Thu
- How kind... -- Anonymous, 08:18:43 02/21/20 Fri
- Dang... -- Anonymous, 10:48:56 04/03/20 Fri
- Lean on me -- Anonymous, 01:19:38 04/04/20 Sat
- How kind... -- Anonymous, 08:18:43 02/21/20 Fri