Tour of the East Coast

The Landscape is Changing

2009-10-12T21:08:00.003-04:00

Oh my goodness... What a crazy last few months this has been for me... First, I want to apologise for not updating this blog since August. There has been so much going on here since I came back from my Tour. I appreciate all of your patience with me.

As most of you know, I was really sick when I came home from my trips to Boston, AC, and NYC in August. I was "supposedly" bit my a tick which caused paniac and fear, because I had that bulls-eye rash they tell you to look out for. Well, I went to the doctors and was given an anti-biotic to get that critter out of me. Yay, fun! I don't think so!

Well, late August came and I left for my vacation in Hilton Head Island, SC and went to my last Depeche Mode show in Atlanta in Sept. I was still not feeling that great, but the show made me feel so much better. I had the absolute time of my life at that show. It was just so amazing. I have to say that was the BEST Depeche Mode I have ever seen. I've seen a lot of shows, but that show was definitely my favourite.

So, I came back from the show and I made a life changing decision. I decided that I am going to move down South. Yep, I decided that I will move to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

So fast forward two weeks from when I came home... I was literally without a voice since the concert and well, when you are moving and have to make all these phone calls, it's not really going well, as I had planned. For an example, I call the electric company and attempt to tell them that my service needs to be shut off on the 30th of September as I am moving. Well, on the 15th of September, I have no power. I call PP&L still barely without a voice and ask them why the power is out... Their answer, "Well, you called us and told us to turn it off on the 15th." Ummm, what?? I did not and I preceed to them this and their reply, "Well, the person who took your call, put in your notes that they had a hard time understanding you and thought you said to turn it off on the 15th." UGH! I had a hard time understanding the person I talked to as well, but we won't go there! So then they proceed to tell me that it takes 24-48 hours to get it turned back on! Maybe it was a good thing that my voice wasn't that great, because I would have ripped them a new, well, you get the point.

Now it's move day... 25.Sept.2009... The Budget moving is packed and my car is packed and my mum and I head down South at 6.30am. We originally wanted to leave at 2am, but when you don't go to bed until the time you wanted to leave, it really wouldn't have been a great idea to drive without any sleep. So, 14 hours later, we reached my destination.

I am officially down here now... You know, I think the reason I lost my voice is because I left it down here and I knew when I came back, I would have to remember where I lost it and try to get it back. It's now almost a month and a half later and well, my voice still isn't to where it should be, however, it is MUCH better than what it was. Hoping for some kind of miracle come this Wednesday, as I have a job interview with the local radio stations down here and with this type of voice, I'm not really sure how well it will go over with the Operations Manager. I am convinced though that this is my new voice and I'll just have to deal with it. The muttley laugh though, is hysterical and people get a kick out of it. So, who knows.

Now you are asking me what happens from here... Well, I am going through Depeche Mode withdrawl. They just started up the tour again in Mexico after a few weeks off and are now heading down to South America. I read reviews and see pictures and videos from these concerts and it makes me miss them even more. I need my DM fix. Is this is so wrong? I am very grateful that I got to see them 5x this tour, don't get me wrong, but I just have that need and want for more, more, more This tour was so amazing, so maybe that's why I want to see more of it.

Hopefully come November that will change... but for now, I will just have to get my fix through my friends and YouTube updates. I know it's not the same as the real thing, but living it through other peoples eyes, which also makes me happy, and to see others enjoy themselves, is really great.

For now I will close and since now I am hooked up to the internet again, I will be able to update this now. YAY! Hope all is well with you all. Thank you all for your notes of concern during this little intermission. It was all appreciated!

Till next time... See you!

And so it goes...

2009-08-18T13:39:00.002-04:00

Hey all...

Again, my apologies for not keeping this blog updated. A lot of stuff has happened since I came back from my little mini-tour. I came home from my last show and basically felt like crap. I wasn't feeling to well on Tuesday, the night of the last NYC show, but I just thought it was my allergies kicking me. I was majorly stuffed up, achy, hoarse, and basically exhausted. So, didn't really think anything else of it.

Well, it is now almost 3 weeks later and well, for starters, my voice is back to normal. Phew! However, there is another problem... I am still not feeling great. I was over my mum's house yesterday for lunch. We were sitting in the kitchen, just talking. She then says to me, "OMG, what is that red rash on your arm?" I was like, "Huh?" I didn't see anything at first, but then she pointed out on my left arm, the outer part of it, was about a quarter size rash that had a bulls-eye with it! She totally lost it! She was like, "OMG, that's a tick bite. You must have Lymes again!" I told her not to panic! Um, yeah, well, that didn't go over too well.

She then told me that I need to go see a doctor ASAP. Which, yes, I understand that I do, but uh, there's a problem. As most of you know, I am currently unemployed and I do not have health benefits. I can't see my PCP, if I don't have health insurance.

So, I go upstairs to her computer room and start GOOGLE searching every FREE clinic that is in Montgomery County. I called one place up which I found and have seen some news reports on them. Well, when I call, the lady tells me, "I'm sorry, we are no longer accepting new patients. We are very overwhelmed at the moment as a lot of people are unemployed and uninsured. We won't be able to accept new patients until the end of September, IF THAT!"

UGH!! So, she did give me other numbers in the area to call. So, I proceed to call each one. Each one I was told would be a free clinic or maybe a small price to pay. Well, one clinic I called said that it would cost $150 just to walk in the door. That does not cover seeing the doctor or if you have to get any tests done. Okay, no way! That one was out! Called another one, they are not accepting new patients either. Others too, had a fees to pay. Um, so much for being called a "FREE CLINIC!!"

However, good news, somewhat, I did call one clinic that a friend of mine from church told me about, as she goes there, too. Well, I called at 2pm yesterday and no one called back. Again, I called early this morning, no one called back. I called back a 3rd time and finally got someone on the phone. They can take me, but not until 27.August at 2pm. She told me to get there early and expect the wait time to be about 2-3 hours or more. WHOA! I did book the appointment, though.

In the meantime, my mum called my PCP and made an appointment for me to go there tonight at 6pm. Yes, it is out of pocket, but it is the cheapest price out of all the places I've called. So, that's where I will go tonight.

The rash today looks a little better than it did yesterday. It's still reddish in colour, however, it has faded a little bit. The swelling has gone done a little, as well. Last night around 10pm, my arm looked like it was totally bloated. It hurt like the dickens, too. So, I couldn't figure out what was going on. I couldn't really sleep, because of the pain.

So it will be interesting to see what happens tonight. I've just had no energy really, so that's why I haven't had the chance to update this blog. I hope you will all understand. I'll keep you posted in what happens tonight!

Thanks again everyone! Thanks for all your personal messages, too and the feedback. It's great to see people enjoying my posts. Sorry this one is not so happy, but it will be okay. Everything will work out! :-)

Thanks again!

Suffer Well

2009-08-16T23:05:00.004-04:00

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to let you all know that I haven't forgotten to update my blog here. Since I've been home, I've been feeling severely under the weather. I thought it was just exhaustion getting the best of me, but honestly, it's my allergies, and they have literally knocked me out cold. I am finally getting my voice back, too. So, bare with me... I will get this blog updated with my latest comments and stuff in what's been going on... Okay?

Thanks for your patience!

Let me take you on a trip....

2009-08-07T13:38:00.002-04:00

Greetings all... Wow! Keeping up with this blog is harder than I thought! Ha! I'm so sorry for my lack of updates this past week. It has been a whirlwind of week, to say the least. I must say though, this whole "Tour of the East Coast" has been so worth it in so many ways. Gosh! I don't even know where to begin or where to end. Just think though, it's not even over yet. I have one more show to go to in September.... Now, here's the real exciting part, it may not even be over after that either. Okay, first off, let me start off by writing about the New York City trip and the concerts at Madison Square Garden (MSG). Everything happened so fast the first day up in New York. My friend (Abbi) and I took the train from Hamilton, New Jersey up to Penn Station. We finally got to the hotel where I'd be staying with another friend of mine (Judy). We dropped off our stuff and headed off to Stout where we would meet some fellow Modies. Well, we ended up meeting a friend of mine there, (HI COLETTE) but it was very short and brief unfortunately, because by then, all 3 of us we were starving. So, we headed off to Tir Ni Nog right down the street from MSG. We thought we would meet with other Modies there as well, but found out, they already left to go see Peanut Butter & Jelly, as we started calling them. (PB&J = Peter Bjorn & John - the opening act for Depeche Mode). Which was fine by us, because the three of us, didn't really care to see them again and we needed to eat. So, we got a table and ordered our food. By this time it was like a little after 8pm when we finally got our food. I think Judy and I scarfed down our cheeseburger and fries so fast. I got a text from my friend Sal, (HI SAL), who around 8.30pm told me that PB&J just finished up their set. We payed our bills and walked fast to MSG. It was a good thing we left when we did, because DM went on stage about 5 minutes after we got there. They went on early! Which I had a feeling that they would! Okay, so the show started... My heart was racing once again. I LOVE seeing DM perform at MSG. Now that Dave considers NYC his hometown now, it just is special to see him putting on a show for his new adopted hometown. He was in his element once again. My gosh! Yes, I know I saw 2 shows prior to these next 2 shows I was seeing here at the Garden, but I must say about this show and the next night... Dave looked and sounded absolutely FREAKING AMAZING!!! He is just so beautiful and I am just amazed how he sounds these days and how he looks. He is in the absolute best shape of his life and his voice is on top! WOW! After the 1st or 2nd song, Dave said to the crowd, "Good evening, NYC! It's so great to be back home again!" The crowd went INSANE!!! Can you blame them? I tried so hard to take pictures at the first show, I honestly did. I had floor seats, which meant the pictures would have been amazing. However, this girl I was sitting next to, she on purpose, bumped my arm EVERY SINGLE time I took a picture. Seriously! I was livid! It wasn't like I was taking a picture every single minute, but she just felt the need to bump my arm, so needless to say, each picture turned out to be a blurry mess. Oh well, I still had the next night to take pictures, so I just enjoyed the show. During the first intermission it was funny... a security guard who was a few feet away from me said to me, "How many shows have you seen?" I told him that I've seen DM over 20 times, but I've honestly lost count. He then says, "You know every single word, every scream, and every single dance move of that guy! Nice!" LOL That was too funny. It just made me smile! I think Dave would be proud of me! Well, the show, of course, was incredible. After the first 2 shows I saw of this tour, the set lists were cut short because, as I found out later, Mansfield (MA) and Atlantic City (AC) had curfews at 11pm. Yup! Sad, but true, especially for AC. I mean, it's a casino town and they have a curfew for concerts to end at 11pm. Um, yeah, okay, whatever. I knew for sure that the guys being in NYC would not be cutting their set list short. There was no possible way they could do that. Well, they did not. They played every single song on the set list. I was sooooooooo excited, because I finally got to hear "Waiting for the Night" (Bare Version.) Yes, I have seen this song performed many times before live, but this one was extra special, because Dave and Martin were doing it acoustically and using the cat walk, which failed to make an appearance at the Mansfield & AC show. Which, I understood why though because of the stage set up and size. The first show at the Garden was just completely amazing. The energy was just so amazing that night. I danced and sang my heart out that night. I think I sang the loudest I ever sang in my life. I honestly can't carry a tune if it were to save my life, but I honestly didn't care. I was in all my glory singing along with Dave and the "SOLD OUT" crowd! It was amazing!!!! After the show was over, there was an After-Party at Rebel. MATAN, you organised an amazing event. That party was amazing. Thanks again for the invite! We had a blast! The next day/night I was really feeling like crap. My allergies were kicking into high gear all day and my voice was crazy! However, I sucked it up of course, and well, the show was just as incredible as the first night. I felt bad for Dave in the beginning, because his voice sounded a little hoarse also. I mean, I know I was hoarse, because I honestly don't do this for a living and every night. I was not surprised he was either, because he sang his heart out the night before. Okay, listen... I swear, I did not get Dave hoarse ! It wasn't me!! LOL Well, after the 2nd song, his voice popped back to normal and he sounded incredible once again. Me on the other hand, was back to singing back up vocals to him and just having the time of my life. I even got to see my Italian friends who sat a row behind me (hello ANDREA & INGREID) and I also saw at the AC show. They came prepared with their signs which made it onto the screen during the AC show. Well, the 2nd night was another freaking incredible show. Oh my goodness! Yes, I got pictures, too. I didn't take too many, as I wanted to enjoy the show as much as possible. The highlight of the show came when they sang "Miles Away... (The Truth Is)" Oh yes! I knew they would do some songs differently the 2nd night, but I did not expect to hear this one. It was such a great surprise and sounded awesome to hear live. So, the show ended and I was on such a high. I didn't want it to end. However, when I started walking out of the show to meet up again with Abbi & Judy, (since our seats were different) I felt very faint. I met up with the girls and told them to go on to the after party without me. I just couldn't do it. Crazy, I know and so not like me to miss such a fun party. I got back to the hotel room and I literally passed out. My head hit the pillow and that was the end for me. I think the traveling finally caught up to me. I don't care though, because it was so worth it! Honestly! I would do this all over again, if given the chance. It is now Friday, I came home on Wednesday, and I am still recovering. My voice is finally back to normal, well, somewhat, and my allergies, well, they are better now, but still stuffy. Ah, it's okay. I had the best week of my entire life. I've seen Depeche Mode many, many times before. This tour and this adventure, has been the best one ever, I must say. It will be something I will never forget and hold onto for the rest of my life. The places I've been, the people I met up with, you all made it so special for me. Thank you. Now I know this "Tour of the East Coast" is not over yet. I am still going to the show in September in Atlanta, GA. Oh yes! That will be my next trip. THEN... drum roll please... I have been invited to go to some shows over in Europe! Yep! That's right folks. Looks like this "Tour of the East Coast" will be heading overseas in November! This is still in the works, but it's looking pretty definite! Okay, well, I am going to end this for now... I will post the set lists for each show... I will update more later... Thank you for everyone for checking this blog out... I will be updating as much as I can, so check back often! Till next time....

Trip to Atlantic City, NJ

2009-08-02T17:20:00.003-04:00

This is my 2nd post... This one is about the Atlantic City show...

I left Boston, MA at 9:10am on 1.Aug.2009. Oh wow! It's a good thing I had a strong cup of coffee before I left, because I really needed that for this trip!! Left 10 minutes later than I had wanted to, but so it goes....

All was great traffic wise up until I reach the Bronx, again! Nope! It wasn't the rain this time, I think I saw more cars on a highway that I've ever seen in my entire life or so I thought, and trust me, it wouldn't just end there. Oh no! FINALLY when I got onto the Garden State Parkway (GSP) to get to Atlantic City, I thought, this is a million times worse than the Bronx!! The GSP was literally PACKED!! I mean, bumper-to-bumper traffic and not moving one bit. This is now around 2:30pm. I know the time, because I stopped and got gas. I waited 15 minutes in line just to get gas, then waited another 10 minutes, because some IDIOT pulled out of the wait line, and took their LITTLE car right into my spot where I was next in line to go. Yep, the guy pulled right up to go to my spot as I was about to pull in... That middle finger was so lovely to see... No, it wasn't me giving it, it was the NY driver! Yeah, nice one, buddy!

Anyways, got my gas, left to get back onto the (GSP) and still not move an inch! I only had like 89 miles to go until I got to AC, (which really should have only taken me about 1hr 15 min, maybe a little less) but I thought I better fill up now, as I don't think I will make it to AC with this much traffic with the gas that I had left. If the traffic wasn't bad, I would have made it, but I didn't think I was going anywhere fast.

Well I was right, as it took me about 3 and a 1/2 hours to get to Atlantic City. No joke people! It was horrendous. I couldn't believe it. Now I know this is Summertime and people go down to the shore and to Atlantic City, but this late in the afternoon?? Really??

It was just insane...

My one friend kept texting me updates about what was going on at The Borgata as she was already there. It was 5.30pm and they were letting people line up already! They weren't supposed to do that until 6pm. Somehow I finally got out of the traffic jam and just floored it. 80 mph and people were still passing me! Ha! I guess I wasn't the only one who was frustrated with the traffic.

Okay, so I got there at exactly 6pm. I parked my car, ran to get in line, and well I was fine. Got my place in line and it was all good. I was right up front amazingly enough. I was sweating like I just ran the NY Marathon! Well, literally I did the NY Marathon in the Bronx and the parkway only drove it instead of run! Maybe I should have just parked my car on the parkway and run to AC. I would have probably gotten there a lot faster!

Now, onto the show... I think I forgot to mention this in my last post, the opening band, Peter Bjorn and John really were horrible the night before. Sorry, just my honest opinion here! However, at this show, I really liked them. They sounded really great!! Shocking!

Okay, so around 9:10pm, Depeche Mode came on. Wahoo!! Another really great performance. This show was incredible, too. The audience participation in this one was PHENOMENAL!! Sorry to the Boston fans, but AC took the cake on that one! Dave was just eating it all up! I mean, he was so full of smiles and got the crowd was so into it and everyone was just singing and dancing along with Dave. It was awesome!

Well, again, they didn't play 2 songs! They didn't play "StrangeLove" and they didn't play, "Waiting for the Night." This REALLY was shocking as yes, it was around 11pm, but this Atlantic City. AC does not have a curfew. It's like Las Vegas, the city that doesn't sleep! Well, I don't get it, but um, okay.

Like I said, the show was fantastic in every way possible! More great photos were taken as well. I will post my two favourite ones and the others are also on my Facebook page. This time there were more than 110+ photos taken, so I can't upload all of them on here! :( So sorry!!

I cannot wait to get these shows downloaded, so I can hear them myself! YAY!!

It's off to the New York City shows tomorrow and Tuesday.

It's only 6pm here, but I am about to fall asleep as I type this. I am so EXHAUSTED!! It's a great exhaustion though and yes, oh, so worth it!! My voice is slowly coming back! That will all change again, I am sure by tomorrow! So for now, this is my voice and I hope you enjoyed my updates!

Till next time....

Trip to Mansfield, MA

2009-08-02T16:11:00.003-04:00

Hello everyone, These last few days have been so hectic. I wanted to update this blog right after the Mansfield (Boston), MA show, but I was seriously so exhausted after the show, I went back to the hotel room and literally just crashed! Okay... So, I left here on Friday, 31.July.2009 at 6am. Yep, I managed to get up at 4am!! Shocking, I know! I packed my car up, said good-bye to the kids (my cats Sterling and Wellington), tanked up on full tank of gas, put the address in my GPS, plugged my I-Pod in, and away I went. My drive up North was an eventful one. Everything was great, until I reached the Bronx (New York!) Goodness gracious! Talk about heavy downpours!! WOW! I literally thought I was going to float away into the Hudson! It came down in buckets!! Traffic wasn't too bad, honestly. Typical rush hour traffic, however, it's a good thing I left when I did, because I did avoid most of the heavy rush hour traffic anyway and that was my goal. Okay... So I saved my text messages that I was sending to a friend of mine, as I was driving. Okay, before you start yelling and screaming at me for doing that as I drive, they were very short messages. Honest! LOL AHEM!! Here we go: *Remember, the total trip mileage was 306 getting up there* 7:50am - 200 miles to go (I think I was in the Bronx by then when I sent this out) 8:40am - Now in Connecticut (CT) 9:38am - Passed Yale University 9:40am - Passed a Friendly's Restaurant... YIPPIE!! (inside joke) 9:58am - 100 miles to go 10:36am - Now in Rhode Island (RI) 10:51am - My foot was falling asleep at the wheel (uh, yeah, not really a good thing to happen, but I couldn't put my car on cruise control, because there was too much traffic) 10:58am - Grass Mowing Ahead sign (Ha, thought that was cute! Thanks RI Highway people for letting me know that!) 11:15am - Massachusetts welcomes me (Awww... my little welcoming committee! I thought that was so special to see a sign welcoming me into the state....) 11:32am - I have finally reached my destination of Mansfield, MA. YAY!! I called my friend up to tell him that I had arrived and he said was on his way. So, I went into the restaurant we were all meeting at, as it started to rain! The restaurant we went to was called: Mangia Bene located at: 20 South Main Street, Mansfield, MA 02048 website: http://www.mangiabeneonline.com/ The reason I am giving this restaurant a plug here, is because the salad I had was amazing and well, the guy who is the owner of the place and I started talking. (His picture is on their website) Yeah, I know, typically me, just start talking to anyone! So we were talking and he asked me where I am from. I told him Philadelphia, because for those of you who know where I live, it's like, "Where's that?" Since it's CLOSE enough to Philly, kind-of-sort-of - 45 minutes away!) He said, "Oh, what part of Philly?" So that's when I told him about the town I live in and why I tell him I'm from Philly. I also told him also that I grew up in Willow Grove. He was flabbergasted! He said his wife was born and raised in Hatboro. I couldn't believe it. I was 300 miles away from home and here is telling me his wife grew up in Hatboro. Small world. He then asks me what am I doing all the way up here for. I told him I am seeing Depeche Mode at the Comcast Center. He was like, "Oh my gosh, my wife LOVES Depeche Mode! I was going to buy her tickets for the show, but she didn't want to go..." Hmmm.... yeah, okay! So anyway... everyone started showing up for lunch and it was such a great time. The owner, whose Italian accent just melted my heart, (yes, you all know me and how I am with accents... sigh...) told his wife about me and she came over and we started to talk. After that, we all sat around the table and talked and even had some cherry wine that I brought up with me! Mmmmm... my favourite! Okay, so I left lunch a little early, so I could go back to my hotel room and freshen up a little. I had to, I mean, being in the car for 5 and 1/2 hours, ugh! Fun stuff! Well, on my way to meet my friends at the Hotel they were staying at, Mother Nature had something else in store for me.... Ahhh, yes, more heavy rain! I seriously thought the dark clouds that have been hovering over me these past 2 months had followed me to MA and was going to make my life miserable up there, too. I thought, "HECK NO, I am seeing DM tonight and I am going to have the best time of my life! Come hell or high water, (literally that saying almost came true as it was very HIGH water!) I said to self, "SELF... this dark cloud must leave me, right now... God, please just make the rain go away!!" Well, by the time I reached the Hotel where my friend was waiting for me, the heavens opened up and maybe it drizzled a little after that! YAY!!! Okay, so off we went to the show... Now for the show... OMG! WOW!! I must say that show, out of all the shows I've been to, that one would definitely have to be my favourite one! It was absolutely awesome! (do I sound like a valley girl??? Oh my!! YIKES...) No, I do not have the set list in what songs they played, but I will say this, I did not know that Mansfield has an 11 o'clock curfew, so they show was over at 11pm on the dot. They did not sing the song I was so looking for to hearing, "Waiting for the Night." Yes, I have seen that song many times live, but this one I was so looking forward to it, because Dave and Martin were going to see it together and it was going to be an acoustic version. Darn it! Oh well! I think they didn't play another song either, but it's escaping me at the moment. All in all, it was an awesome concert! Dave looked absolutely beautiful and INCREDIBLE, as always!!!! His vocals that night, were out of this world!! His dancing, oh yes, his wonderful dancing, yes, I LOVE his dancing! Can you tell?? Well, you could NEVER tell that he has a bum leg! Seriously! He moved around on that stage like I've never seen him move before! He was just fantastic! Martin looked great, as always, too. I need to get me some of that glitter he uses. I LOVE that stuff. Fletch was in the dark most of the night, so it was hard to get some pictures of him. I wanted to get some of him, because he had his groove on that night. Seriously, Fletch RARELY dances, but he was behind those keyboards and dancing his heart out! It was so cute to watch him! So all in all, was great to meet up with some friends there and had a really awesome time at the show!

Pictures to follow!

Thanks to all who made it possible!!!!

PS. Ugh, okay, this is frustrating! I didn't know that I have to upload every single picture for it to show up on here! E-gads! That will take forever as there are over 60 photos I took! So, I did take my 2 favourite ones from there and put them on here. I have the full album on my Facebook page! Sorry guys! If I find a way to post all of them, I will, but I can't post 60+ photos!

The Day Before...

2009-07-30T17:34:00.000-04:00

Yes, it is the day before...

Remember that list I was telling you all about yesterday? Well, I really feel sorry for Santa at Christmas time, because he has all those lists to check. I just have one list and I'm loosing my mind. YIKES! Santa man, I have more respect for you more than ever now! Sorry for giving you such havoc each and every year! :-)

Okay, I think I got this camera thing worked out. Notice how I said, "I THINK?" So, hopefully I'll be getting some up close shots of everything. Now if I can just remember to pack the darn thing and stop playing with it, I'll be fine.

I've only gotten a total of 12 hours of sleep this whole week. Tonight, will be an early night for sure, as I have to be out of here by 6am, no later than that.

I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who have checked this page out. I hope I can bring you all the excitement, as it happens. I don't have a laptop computer unfortunately, but trust me, I will find a way to get this blog updated after every show and everything in between. :-) Till then....

Take care everyone... See you when I see you...

Is it time yet??

2009-07-29T14:33:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone...

Well, it's the day after I created this blog and I thank you all for your personal messages I received. Wow! All your positive energies are really great! Thank you! You guys rock!

It is now Wednesday and my head is already starting to spin like that Chuckie doll. There is so much to do, in so little time. I have made a list of what to take with me, etc, but do you ever get that feeling where you look your list over and over and it looks good, but then you start doubting yourself saying, "I am forgetting something, I know I am, but what is it?" I seriously would forget my head if it weren't attached to me. Knowing me, I will finally reach my destination and I will be like, "Oh darn it! That's what I forgot!" So, I will have to turn around. go back and get it... okay, did you really think I would do that? Ha!

So anyway, so it goes... I am getting very excited. I can't wait to meet up with everyone at the shows. We are going to have soooo much fun. I feel like a kid at Christmas! I am so giddy! Yes, I've been to many Depeche Mode shows before, but after 20, I've honestly lost count. Each one I go to, always feels like the first time I am going.

Oh here's a little tidbit for you... I put in my fancy shamancy GPS unit (my traveling buddy, Tom-Tom for those of you who don't know what a GPS unit is) the address of the restaurant I am going to first to meet up with some fellow Modies. (Shout out to Jen & Mike... HI GUYS!! Forgive me, as I know there are others going to be there, too, but I uh, forget their names already!! LOL)

Total trip miles: 305 miles (uh, yeah, that's one way, people!!)
Total trip time: 5 hours 5 minutes

Realistically, I should be there in about 5 hrs and 25 min, if I am lucky!

I will be leaving here at 6am! Bring on the coffee!!! YAY!!

Okay, that's it from me for now... I must now pack my overnight bag now, as I am heading down to my brother's house. My mum leaves for Florida tomorrow and I have to drive her to the airport tomorrow morning.

Till next time folks.... Have a great day! :-)

Welcome Friends!

2009-07-28T16:08:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone, Thank you all very much for stopping by and checking out my new blog! Okay, I must make a disclaimer here before I continue writing. I have never done a blog in my entire life. I had one on a MySpace account, but ha, you can see how far that got me and well, this one looks much easier to do. Besides, I am not on MySpace anymore either, so well, that explains a lot! Okay, so I just wanted to welcome you all to my blog. In the next couple of days and weeks, you will be reading all about my "Tour of the East Coast" as I am calling it, and all the adventures I will be on, during this amazing tour! For those that who don't have a clue as to what I am talking about, well, my favourite band in the world, Depeche Mode, is touring the summer in the United States. I've been very fortunate, in this tough economy with being unemployed and such, to score tickets for 5 (five) shows of this "Tour of the Universe." Thank you to those who made it all possible for me to go these shows!

First stop of this tour will be this Friday, 31.July.2009 up in Boston, Massachusetts. Now, it's not actually in the city of Boston itself, it's in a town called Mansfield, MA.

Second stop, will be Saturday, 01.August.2009, in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

After getting much needed sleep on Sunday with a day off from traveling, I hope to sleep, but who knows if I will be sleeping at all with all this excitement...

Sorry, off topic... Focus, Michelle, focus! See, Depeche Mode has that kind of effect on me. I loose my train of thought! Where were we now? Oh right....

Third stop of this tour will be Monday, 03.August.2009 and Tuesday, 04.August.209, with the two shows up in New York City!

A couple weeks off for me and then it's off and touring again

Fourth stop and 5th show in Atlanta, Georgia.

You still with me here? Okay, just checking...

The show in Atlanta will be my last show that I will be attending. Trust me, if I could go to every show, I definitely would, or if I could go to more shows than just the 5, I would.

I do not have a laptop computer, so I have to figure out a way to post my daily entries on here and also publish my photos on here as well. Heck, I am still trying to figure out how to get my new, brand spanking new, digital camera to work. I should just follow the advise of my friend who explained how to use it best. She said, "Just point and shoot."

Simple enough... right?

So, that's the scoop! I just wanted to give you an introduction as to what to expect on here. Hope you all will join me on this little adventure of mine. Feel free to comment on these posts as they happen... Um, I think you will be able to do that, right? Ha, see, what do I know...

Bare with me as I get the hang of it all.... You will laugh, you will cry, and you will say at the same time, what on earth is this woman doing? Ha! So yeah!

Let the adventures begin!

Till next time Modies and for those of you who are not Modies and you are reading this anyway, welcome! Thank you!

Michelle McFerran

aka

Dutchie101 (on the DMMB)