As we were setting out our delectables and accessories (a message in a bottle and Rice Krispies to hear the din over) we heard the thruming and banging of drums and tinkle and snizzle of cymbals along with a thumping bass. "Do you suppose that's the boys," we pondered. Tail gate setting up went out the window as we sprinted over to the fence by the stadium. We peeked between posts that weren't covered with black nylon. In the distance we saw a bobbing silver head and the occasional flash of a stick and a waivering cymbal. The boys were indeed doing their sound check. We heard the instrumental parts of Truth Hits over and over and over and well, you get the idea. When the music stopped we'd scream "Stewart!" but realized he had his earplugs in. D'oh! Anyway people took turns peeking through the fence and talking about how cool it was to hear the sound check. They were dabbling in Message as I went back to my TG set up. Lots of people from the TPT.com and SC.net sites started showing up. Among them were Donna, Arecev, Schmaffy, Bella, Moeh, Plutonic, Rik 2D, 01skinsfan, JohnnyO, MJLU20, Impasqualli, Vince Flamacue (and others I have to check my notes on and come back and edit). Donna gave me the flag. I was officially on duty.
Great party. Met lots of nice folks and found out how to work my new $30 Wal Mart grill.
Finally went into the stadium. Fiction Plane was good. They're getting better with every show. They were doing the M&G by the "blue and white striped thingy" as Joe called it and we headed back but the line got too long and we bolted when we heard Bob Marley. I think O1Skinsfan's daughter became a FP fan tonight. She got her picture taken with the three of them and she was beaming. Pretty cool for a young teen!
When I went back to my seat I told the couple at the end of my row the endearing tale of our beloved flag of Copelandia and asked if I might sit on the aisle to facilitate viewing by The Man. They were having none of it. They had gotten those tickets especially because her husband's tall and blah, blah, blah. What ever. So I took my regular seat (middle of row 12, section B). The view was great. My neighbors we *nice* people. I told them the tale of the flag and they thought it was neat. There wasn't anyone in front of me yet so my view was even better. More flag visibility - YAY! So, enter Stewart......gonnnnnnnnggggg.....Message in a botttttle etc, etc The lights are bright and I'm holding the flag in front of me (in a non-asshat fashion) and I'm bopping along and sending out SOS's. The song is being wrapped up and low and behold A POINT FROM THE MAN!!
Of course I do what any sane person would do, I jump up and down and squeal. And I gave him a thumbs up. The nice people next to me were happy that he acknowledged our little green friend. Around the end of Synch. a family with 3 kids shows in row 11 right in front of me. What is the first thing the little darlings do?? That's right. They stand on the seats totally obscuring my view of The Man and vice versa. "This is NOT happening!" My nice neighbors see my distress and offer to switch places with me. Phew! Flaggy is visible again! The rest of the show goes on without a hitch. Andy was very animated tonight. Making faces and doing a mock, "Who me?" when Sting did the "Welcome to the Andy Summers show." Sting and Andy were ferocious tonight. Real tight and sounding great. Stingo's voice cracked a couple of times (more than I've heard in the past) but he'd compensate in the next verse.
Stewart, well, what can I say that hasn't already been said? He was fucking stupendous. He's even better every time I see him. Can anyone verify that he actually only has 2 arms and 2 legs? Because I'd swear he's got 4 of each. How can he humanly do what he does? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Absolutely incredible. What a gift!
So, at the end of the 2nd encore, he stands at the kit facing the audience with arms raised. They do a little bow like they're leaving (heh, heh).
I've got Lil' Green raised and he cocks his upraised wrist and points at 'us.' <More squeals> They come back on to finish up. After hammering away (I mean like jackhammers!!!!) on Next to You they take their bows and we get the final point from The Man. <More squeals>
Whew! What a night! Makes me tired just watching them!
NancyRose's friend Denise and I locate each other and go out to my car where I do the official wrapping of the flag in it's triple baggies. I then pass the flag to her and wish it godspeed to it's next destination in Toronto. The Official Flag of Copelandia is going in the plane with Denise, not the baggage hold. I'm happy to say I've had the experience of flag duty. I'm so glad Hershey was able to be worked into the schedule.
As much as I felt honored to be the link between us and Stewart for the evening, it's an awful lot of STRESS! Thanks Dirty Martini and Moeskido!
To summarize, we had 3 points and Bella says there was a Jumbotron shot of The Flag! HOW FLASH IS THAT????
CHA!
Thanks for the report on your great evening. Hershey's Kisses for all!... 
Excellent report!
