THE HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE

[irishrose1969]

Ok I tried this before but it kicked me out. So I have to split it up I guess. You learn new things everyday.

If I post and it continues, just be patient. I will try to write this to capture the true emotion of my journey to see MY HERO SC.

I arrive at GC at 9 am on Wednesday, the store actually opens at 10. While waiting for the store to open. I decide to get out my video camera and get film of the ROCK WALK which has all the greats of music and their handprints and autographs. Some of our legends and the bands of today and past are on this area in front of the store. If you have been there, you know what I speak of. For those who do not. Its amazing to see and a true emotional experience knowing the great creators of music are honored in such a place.

The doors open and I go inside to talk to the staff and introduce myself and state I have traveled from NM to see the Instore of SC. The staff show me the posters of Stewart all over the lower section of the store advertising this event. I become emotional realizing I am just hours away from something I have dreamed of since childhood. I go upstairs to the drum dept and wack a few drums and chat with the staff some more. Getting some info on what will happen tomorrow while I wait for my hotel room to become available at noon. I leave and come back to GC at 8 am the next day to find I am the only one in line and will continue the rest in another post.

[English-lion]

Happily waiting

[georgygirl]

Amazing episodes...

[irishrose1969]

Contining....
10 am, store opens and the staff greets me and says we knew you would be the first one here. I reply on the err of caution with all the advertising I was afraid there would be a line, so I came early. I go inside and begin to play the keyboards for a few minutes. Then a guy wearing a baseball jersey comes in with Green Tube socks (equalizer) and he introduces himself. We exchange hugs and head upstairs to the drum dept later to be joined by Laz. He is wearing a Police shirt from the Fan club show in Canada. We sit and talk a bit and later Mike from FALLOUT shows up and we all talk a bit and over the course of the morning/ early afternoon various people start showing up from Tama, Paiste, Remo and Vater. I start getting excited and almost emotional again. Mike puts in a video of Police gig from 1980 and we watch for a bit. Then Mike puts these boxes on this riser. They say FOR STEWART COPELAND I jump up and we ask is this REALLY Stewarts kit? Mike says yes, from the Grammys. The boxes sit for a bit and we go back to watching the video. My day keeps getting better. Wow. Can't believe what I am seeing or what I just heard. The thought alone of Stewart's kit being set up and the thought of him possibly playing it makes my heart race. Giving me chill bumps. I am all ready for my video camera to come out now. A moment of SC on the drums live...OMG I would do anything for that. I tell EQ and Laz that I am so happy to be here and experience this. I have waited almost my lifetime for this. The day gets better..continuing on..next post.

[English-lion]

[georgygirl]

[quote]Then a guy wearing a baseball jersey comes in with Green Tube socks (equalizer) and he introduces himself. [/quote]

Cool moment.

Very touchy experience.

Keep it up!

[kimmy]

IH.........

I love hearing about all the pre stuff.... (whether it be signing or concerts....)

Carry on....... (Please)

Kimmy

[georgygirl]

Keep it up, keep it up (ad infinitum)

[irishrose1969]

Mike comes out from back and starts to unpack the boxes of Stewart's drum kit. I ask if I can take photos and he says yeah no problem shoot away. Honestly I could have used up all my battery and SD card on these photos, but I wanted to be able to take photos later on..so.

He opens the boxes and unwraps this GORGEOUS BLUE KICK DRUM OR BASS DRUM TO SOME out of her box. She is magnificent and powerful..a beast caged, waiting for the Almighty Stewart to set her free. I touch her gently and whisper oh you gorgeous thing..you are real and mighty. Sing for me baby. I tap her gently and the feel is incredible and sound that comes from her is amazing. I shake knowing I just touched his kit.
I take more photos of the set up and I get more excited thinking that wow, this is Stewart's kit. The emotional bond Stewart has with this kit and for what it serves and the fact he played it at the Grammys and here it is in front of my very eyes. I get emotional again and chill bumps cover me.
Mike gets out the Octobans and I get real excited, as this is the sound that really defines uniqueness in his playing for me at least. Also, his rim clicks, echo delay lines...beautiful. Another signature of SC. Hoo Ya. I absolutely love the sound those Octobans make and knowing this kit is ready to play makes the day even better. more to come..sorry I don't want to have to type it over. Arms and wrists are sore enough.

[English-lion]

[quote="irishrose1969"]
wow, this is Stewart's kit. The emotional bond Stewart has with this kit and for what it serves and the fact he played it at the Grammys and here it is in front of my very eyes. I get emotional again and chill bumps cover me.
[/quote]


I love reading this

[irishrose1969]

Mike continues the Drum kit setup and the fact it is refered to as CHARIOT OF FIRE for a reason. She is the MOST AMAZING THING ON THIS PLANET. Waiting like a stealth, quietly for the Almighty SC to unleash her from the cage...and unweld her weapon upon us. Fiercely and ferociously. I can't believe this moment. The day is so wonderful.

Three o clock hits and we are escorted downstairs by Mike and in proper order. We talk to other seekers and hear their interesting stories they share to pass the time. They have a PA set up playing I believe Message in A Box and the New CD... I have my Vaters in hand, twirling My sticks and "KEEPING THE BEAT WITH THE RHYTMATIST" AS MY POSTER IS TITLED APPROPRIATELY. A young lady comes downstars who I believe is with GC and she has this professional video camera and begins to interview people standing in line.She starts interviewing me first off. I explain my story that I have been a fan since I was 8 and I drove from NM. She asked some questions and I answered them. I did a air drum demo for her on my lap per her request and she proceeded down the line to interview others.

6:45 comes and this black car approaches..and flips a U turn in front of me and my Visable poster. Its Stewart and his PR person. He has to see my poster. He waves at us and they proceed to back parking area.

Then 7 comes and the event people tell us it s time and set us up near the entrance of the store and inform us painfully that we are not allowed to film or take pictures of the signing. I was upset and dismayed of this news. We were promised by Tama and other people they would let us get pics. Hmm. That was the only bad thing that happened all day
Here I am in the biggest moment of my life and can't get pictures...Oh hell no I am thinking. There is something wrong and I hope this changes quickly.

Standing by the entrance to get ready to go in I say a silent prayer that all goes well. Continuing again sorry.

[English-lion]

[quote="irishrose1969"]Mike continues the Drum kit setup and the fact it is refered to as CHARIOT OF FIRE for a reason. She is the MOST AMAZING THING ON THIS PLANET. Waiting like a stealth, quietly for the Almighty SC to unleash her from the cage...and unweld her weapon upon us. Fiercely and ferociously. I can't believe this moment. The day is so wonderful.[/quote]

Type faster (just kidding ) I'm enjoying the ride I'm right there with you

[irishrose1969]

get out your tissues...seriously..before going any further..quick.GC staff escort us inside and we have to check merchandise...like my Green striped (in spirit of Tube socks representing) SC Vater sticks we go in and we wait by the stairwell to be called upstairs. I look at EQ and Laz and I begin to shake and cry. I am all ok Shannon, come on now..hold it together girl. Not now. Oh god, not good. I step down to EQ and he gives me this hug and support and Laz smiles at me and hugs me as well. I said this is the best moment of my life in a teary voice. Choking back tears and fighting to compose myself. (crying just sitting here typing this now..ugh) We are told to go upstairs. I frantically reach in my pocket for my tissue and mirror to check to make sure I am not a makeup mess.

Holy cow...there are all these press photographers. I did not know that there would be so many of them. Now I am really nervous, Shaking and a crying emotional mess. Trying to compose myself and looking for Stewart. Praying I get myself together in time to see him and speak to him. He has not been brought out yet. Ok I think. I have a moment to get myself together. I see my Drum dept friends (I forget names but she had blonde hair in a pony tail, one of the mgrs I think, and a black studded belt, black jeans and GC shirt on) She stands with me and puts her arm around me and asks if I am ok and gets me a new tissue. She says I am so happy for you and hugs me and gives me support. I get to crying again..damnit. Recompose myself again for the millionth time in 5 minutes. I am sure most people were thinking why the hell is she crying..give me a break.Whatever. Then I check myself and They bring out STEWART. He walks past me and I have this Huge smile on my face as he walks past. I am ok I tell myself. They begin to take pictures of him in front of the drum kit. They are all Stewart, look here and over here Stewart. Smile Stewart. It was quite amazing. Then he Unleashes a few playful punches of the KICK DRUM *bass drum* and hits the Toms and Snare. No Octobans...darn it. Ahh. Oh well. will continue again for last page of this wonderful moment.

[policerule]

we're listening....

[English-lion]

irishrose I wasn't even there. I'm getting nervous and a bit teary eyed