No Updates from Philly? Don't be silly!

[Schmaffy]

This is a book, so grab a cup of coffee and sit down. Better yet, print this out and read it in the bathroom.

Part I - Foreplay

My adventure begins when I left my house for Betsy's yesterday afternoon, all decked out in Stewartness. We hung out at her place for a while, and then got ready to leave for Philly. I say "got ready to leave" because we both sat in our respective running cars for a full five minutes thinking that the other one was going first. I was supposed to ride in Betsy's car and pull my car in her driveway, but she had to pull out of her driveway first. I was waiting for her to pull out, she thought I was going first, I thought she was just getting ready, etc. I see her sitting in her car taking pictures of herself, putting on lipstick, smoking…what the hell? Then she beeps at me and gives me a WTF hand gesture. I motion for her to go, she backs out of the driveway and takes off down the street leaving me in the dust. I'm thinking, "Shit, there goes my ride…" I pull into her driveway and hear her car scream into reverse to come back and pick me up. She says, and I quote, "Oops."

Damn, this was going to be a fun night!

That settled, we started the drive, with plans to pick up GinaSuperCat at her hostile hostel and then head to the Continental for the pre-meetup meetup. Well, Gina got held up at the bus station, so we headed to the Continental to meet Kellie and Nancyrose, who would not stand for the fact that Gina was staying in a hostel - so when Gina then arrived at the Continental (in combat boots, knee highs, and schoolgirl skirt) with FULL LUGGAGE, the first quote of the night I hear is her saying to the waitress, "This was NOT part of the plan."

We drank much champagne and ate much hummus, then headed out to the meetup at Chickie and Pete's, where we saw Donna, sockii, vespa, Dive, conroy, Pluto, Meg, animal, and half the rest of the free world. Conroy waited to WHOOOO until he was actually hugging me, blasting out my right eardrum in the process. Meg yelled at me for not putting down my shit fast enough to give her a "real hug".

So those of us who stayed at C&P drank more drinks, ate more food, and shot the shit for a while, until Amy, Laurie and Susan arrived with…THE FLAG. Now for the moment - the ceremonial handoff. Ahhhh….the Flag, complete with associated odors, is finally in my possession and I feel the weight of its mighty responsibility almost immediately. The bags. The pens. The flaking paint. I suddenly realize that I'm surrounded by all kinds of liquid, food, people…and suddenly the triple baggie doesn't seem so secure - Kellie offers her help - "Why don't I just keep that for a while…" and stuffs the Flag back in her bag. Fine by me!!! Nancyrose is tickled by the fact that I enhanced my amaretto sour with the emergency Seagram's 7 I had hidden in a flask in my purse. But this will be my last drink of the evening…it needs to count. I'm feeling the pressure and need to relax, but also need to keep a clear head for my responsibility. Betsy calls me a weirdo, and she's right. I'm wound up tighter than a steel guitar.

We eventually leave C&P via the wonderful, pseudo-psychedelic shuttle bus that is transporting us to the venue. It is blasting Police tunes. We fill the bus and sing along the whole trip. Our driver, Bob, tells us to just call him after the show and he'll pick us up and take us back to the bar. Fucking awesome.

I have the Flag back in my possession, and something happens when we get to the venue, my ticket is scanned, and we're finally in. After 8 1/2 months of waiting, this is it. This is FINALLY it. A zen-like calm comes over me. I am no longer stressed. The magnitude of the situation - second to last show, Flagbearer, one week before The End - hits me…and I'm OK with it. Surprisingly so. We take lots of group shots, with me in the middle with the Flag. This is so fucking surreal. Who ARE these people? How'd I get this ratty piece of cloth and why does everyone want to look at it? And what the hell am I doing at a Police concert? Unfuckingbelievable. I'm a teenager once again.

After wandering around for a while, Betsy, Kellie, Laurie, Gina, Nancy and I take the elevator up and head to the Cadillac Grill for one last drink. I decline, of course. No more liquids of any kind for me (I can just imagine myself saying during the show, "Excuse me, can you hold the Flag while I go pee?") Elvis will be on soon, and since I'm the only one who hasn't seen him before, I'm prompted to go to my seat ahead of the others. Deep breath. This is it! I salute Mission Control, and get lots of hugs and "Have a good show!"s from everyone. No worries. I. Am. Ready.

to be continued...

[samburusunset]

I made record time back to Baltimore and am back at work as well. Coworkers are glowering at me in an "Oh, so you decided to come back, did you??!" way. Hey, I took a personal day (yesterday any way)! Bite me! Left Laurie still snoozing at the hotel.

The show rocked (pre usual). I thought Pittsburgh was a tad better. But, this didn't disappoint. Crowd very responsive. Perhaps because we had to wait 9 months for this make-up

Demolition Man and Driven to Tears are my favs right now.

Stingo fucked up So Lonely right before the "Welcome to the Stewart Copeland Show." So, he kind of went around the block and started those couple of lines over. Stewart and Andy didn't miss a beat, though Kid in front of me was very happy to be there. He bounced up and down, took many pics and matched Stewart's moves in sync. We agreed he was awesome and incredible to watch while waiting for the boys to return for 1st encore. It's great to see such enthusiasm in fans.

Sooooo happy Schmaff finally had her flag bearer night. She did us Nutters proud. Multiple points from The Man and Jumbotron shots. Good job.

Good meet ups before and after. We're getting a little sad about the countdown. But we're gonna boogie until the very end


Have to add: Met Animal and Dan's parents. Thought perhaps Mrs. Animal might think twice next time she let's him go to a show with a bunch of Nutter Floozies!

[Maud138]

Come Schmaff,
TYPE!!!

[TheEqualizer]

[quote="Maud138"]Come Schmaff,
TYPE!!![/quote]

Yes, I know its hard to type when you have exploded into a billion pieces, but tough it out girl!!!

[luddite lady]

If I ever want to get packed and make it to Saratoga on time, I have to be disciplined and tear myself away from the computer NOW! I haven't read any of your book yet, my dear, but if ever get all that I have to do done today, I will sit back and savour ever word.
*returns to tearing hair out and doing laundry*

[Schmaffy]

Okay, okay!!! But you'll have to wait for this afternoon for Part III. This is hard work!!! I lost four of my fingers!!

Part II - The Act

I get to my seat. Fucking awesome. 4th row, Andy side. Elvis is on and is rocking the joint. Two stuffed shirts are sitting next to me, on the aisle seats. Everywhere I look I see Nutters. Amy, Laurie and Gina behind me and to the right, sockii, vespa, and plempty on Sting's side, conroy and Dive behind me to the left, Nancy and Kellie in the same row but over one section. I am surrounded by Nutter love. I many be the only one holding the Flag, but I'm certainly not alone…

After Elvis is done the stuffed shirts start to look curious when they realize I'm pointing at different people all over the venue, and they're pointing back at me. I tell them about the Flag. They are impressed. They very graciously agree to let me sneak into the aisle past them from time to time to give Stewart a better view. They also are understanding of the fact that I'll be holding the Flag up periodically, etc. Meg comes over and immediately tells them, "She's crazy. Don't listen to her. It's all a conspiracy, she made the whole thing up. I've never seen her before." Ha fucking ha. As I'm finishing the story, someone comes up and says, "Can I touch the Flag? Can I take your picture?" The stuffed shirts are incredulous.

Betsy arrives and starts prepping me for duty. "Don't be an asshat. Don't hold it too high. Don't hold it all the time. He can't see you if the house lights aren't on. Relax. What's wrong with you?" Madgrad's report that I was "trying to keep a clear head" was a polite translation of Betsy saying, "Have a drink and don't be such a pussy!" Minutes before gong, someone party fouls and I am now standing in an inch of beer. Standing with the Flag in a pool of liquid makes me feel like I'm standing in a puddle of gasoline with a lighted match. Kellie is literally ten people away. All I can think about is that I'm going to be the one who ruins the Flag one week before the end…I envision it dissolving on contact, like the Wicked Witch of the West. I hold it a little tighter, getting permanent grommet indentations on both of my thumbs and index fingers as a result.

This is it…Get Up Stand Up - the stage goes dark. I hear Gong-teasing. Stewart rises from beneath the stage - the backlight makes him look like he's on fire. I'M on fire. My face is hot. He reaches back and slams the Gong…

BOOM.



I scream. The lights are up. The Flag is up. Stewart is hot. The band is on fire. This is it, these are my Boys. My dream has come true and I'm transported back to my childhood…Hershey seems a million years in the past - and this is MY moment. MIAB continues, ends, and…no point. Hmmm. Stewart seems distracted. The next song…I dutifully hold the Flag up at the appropriate times. Stewart seems to be looking for it, but no contact yet. Second song ended. No point.

I begin to worry. Am I doing something wrong? Am I too short? Too far away? Too blocked by the people in front of me? Is he going to see me?

Am I going to be the first Flagbearer to not get pointed at????

Now I understand what all the fuss is about. I feel myself losing my grip a little and forgetting where I am. But hold on a minute - this isn't about me, it's about Stewart - showing HIM the love, not him showing the love to me. I'm here to see a show, and he's here to give me one. Point or don't point - this is MY show, and I'm going to enjoy every second of it. To hell with the Flag (please don't smite me, DM!). I continue to hold it up whenever possible, but it is no longer my primary purpose.

So of course, you know what happens next. The Boys break into WWIRD - and it's ROCKIN. Betsy is warning me when the house lights are about to go on. I go for broke and hold the Flag up over my head.

Bada bing!! Point!!

I WHOOOOOOOOOOOO. The people next to me say, "Did he just point at you?" Hell, yes!

Driven to Tears. Awesomely unbelievable. They’re actually rocking HARDER, if that's possible. The pressure is gone. I hold up the Flag.

Bada boom!! Point!!

The people next to me say, "Did you see that? He pointed at you again!"

I make eye contact with Kellie and hold up two fingers. She smiles and nods knowingly. Beatifically, some might say.

The rest of the show is a blur. I was in the zone - enjoying every second and craving more at the same time. Demo man kicked ass. Wrapped was stunning. Even DDDDDDDD was good, and it's not one of my favorites. Andy wandered into Idaho from time to time, but didn't stay overnight. The Boys kicked ass. There weren't any more points, but the Flag got some major Jumbotron love.

Then, my favorite song. CSLY. I'm stoked and ready. Regatta hits, and the people next to me motion to trade so I can be in the aisle. My line of sight is GREATLY improved. I get two massive points and am in complete bliss. I can feel Sting's bass line in my veins, and the hair on the back of my neck is standing up. I get goosebumps with every crack of the snare. I have become part of the music.

Then - it's over. I thank my seat neighbors profusely and start to go back to my seat when the woman says, "Why don't you just stay there the rest of the show?" I say, "Are you sure?" She says, "Of course - it means so much to you!" I resist the urge to hug her on the spot, and instead just graciously accept. So I stayed in the aisle holding the Flag through all of the first encores. I am in heaven. Then the boys leave the stage after EBYT. People start to leave. Security is relaxing. No one is seated. Andy comes out on stage and starts his schtick. I have an idea - and make my way to the dead front and center of the arena, sweet talk my way in, and stand directly in front of the drumkit, dangling the Flag over the rail.

Next to You starts. I'm surrounded by sound. I'm so close that all I can hear are stage monitors. And they're distorted - terribly. And Sting's words are mush. And I'm deaf. And I DON'T CARE. The flag is practically up Andy's nose, and 10 feet in front of Stewart. More points. More jumbotron love. Andy looks at the Flag and raises an eyebrow. Sting ignores it. Stewart knows it’s there and that's all that matters.

Then, the final bows. Stewart gives Peep Points galore and shows love to all the Nutters he can see. They leave the stage and the house lights come up. I stand there, dumbfounded. All of a sudden, just like that…it's over.

To be continued…

[TheEqualizer]

Love the Peep Points! I was telling someone about them the other day, and they just looked at me as if I were INSANE!

[jennym]

Keep Going!
This is beautiful! I'm all giggly and smiling ear to ear for you!
GREAT JOB!
CHEERS HONEY!

[Madgrad]

Schmaff, I'm getting a little verklempt over here. Beautiful stuff.

[Divemistress of the Dark]

Hey folks, I know this is sideways but I gotta go catch a plane! Someone resize and repost, will you?? Thanks!!!!

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7099/schmaffhm1.jpg

[samburusunset]

Awwwwww, Schmaff. Sooo happy for you. I was there and didn't see all the points.



(I'm a tad jealous. As you say, it's about showing love for Stewart, but it's a rush getting the love back. The big Peruvian flag in the house got more lovin' when I had Flaggie in Wheatland. The Man knew we were representin' and lovin' though .)

[IndyGirl]

Great story, Schmaffy! I like how you were able to make your way to the front for the last song.

[Lynne]

Yaaaaaay Schmaffy!!!!!

[BongoBoy]

Fun Eh ?

It's like a new drug....have you tried "Copelandium Flagawanna"?, its a super cool buzz man !

even when you come down ya feel good.

Glad you had an awesome freak out.

BB.

[policerule]

[quote="Schmaffy"]

Meg comes over and immediately tells them, "She's crazy. Don't listen to her. It's all a conspiracy, she made the whole thing up. I've never seen her before." Ha fucking ha. As I'm finishing the story, someone comes up and says, "Can I touch the Flag? Can I take your picture?" The stuffed shirts are incredulous. [quite]

Truth. Then we drank Dan's drink and blamed it on Meg.

[quote] Madgrad's report that I was "trying to keep a clear head" was a polite translation of Betsy saying, "Have a drink and don't be such a pussy!" [quote]


Geez, Schmaff....Am I that much of an asshole?




[quote] Minutes before gong, someone party fouls and I am now standing in an inch of beer. [quote]


My shoes still stink! The entire section smelled like beer and malt vinegar.


[quote]I make eye contact with Kellie and hold up two fingers. She smiles and nods knowingly. Beatifically, some might say. [quote]


Yeah... Kel is good at that.



[quote] Then, my favorite song. CSLY. [quote]


CSLY & Demo Man are awesome... love hearing them!


[quote]I have an idea - and make my way to the dead front and center of the arena, sweet talk my way in, and stand directly in front of the drumkit, dangling the Flag over the rail. [quote]


So that's where you were!



Thanks, Schmaff!


BTW... I posted pictures in the "Wachovia" thread.