This adventure started right after Steve and I got back from my January birthday weekend in Vegas. I knew we were going back, but never dreamed I’d be buying tickets a week after I got home. Steve does not have as much vacation TIME as I do and had not recovered from my antics in January, so I went ahead and booked this trip for myself. With the money “saved” from him not going on this Vegas trip, we were able to get front row floor seats for the Atlanta, Georgia show on October 19, but I digress.
Everyone kept asking me “What are you going to do to top January?” My response was “well, January cannot be topped, I am not even going to try; however, I will be open to respond to any opportunity that may present itself.” I did knit 2 more HATS, made a few signs, etc.
Finally the week comes that I get to fly out……….and we get word that Rod cancelled the Wednesday July 31st show during/or after sound check. That was scary and upsetting for many, many different reasons. No word as of when I flew out on Friday if he was really OK and going to be able to perform on Saturday and Sunday. The cancellation coming around sound check really had me worried that something was dreadfully wrong with our dear Rod.
I got to Vegas, checked in and went straight to Caesars to see what I could find out. I do not have a smart phone nor did I bring a computer, so I was sailing by phone or in person. Word was the shows were going on as planned. Yea!!! I met a delightful woman working in the gift shop who is mad about David Palmer. I had brought along some photos should I run into any of the band members and be able to get their autographs. David had been kind enough to have signed for me in the past so I gave her the photo of him I brought along….She was happy to have it and ecstatic on Sunday when she told me he signed it and it was at home in a frame.
I had a quick bite to eat and headed back to the room to take a nap, so that I would be ready to meet my new and reunite with old friends at the Fanfest party on Friday night. The party was a lot of fun to say the least. I cannot express how great it was to get to meet everyone there ( I am not going to name you as I know I would leave out someone) A special thanks goes out for the green yarn delivery from Scotland via Wales to me in Vegas; Rod Fans are amazing people. Mike Gregor, it was fantastic to see you live and in person after 12 years. Vic Vega put on a great show for us and got us geared up for the weekend ahead. I was up 24 hours straight excluding the 2 hour nap; that was hard at 52 years old and I would only do this for a family emergency or Rod gathering, simple as that.
Visited with some new friends on Saturday during the day and at dinner, had a call from Jane Mellor Bexson (yes Jane I did get to deliver that hug!!), and now I will get on to telling you about the shows.
Rod starts the night with “This Old Heart” and I can tell 20 seconds into it he is in a great mood, feeling well, and it was going to be a great night. Saturday was his 50th show in Vegas, and I could have fainted when he sang “Every Picture Tells a Story”, followed by “I’d Rather Go Blind”. Then comes Ruby nailing “Chain of Fools”. At this point I am remembering that my doctor told me to monitor my blood pressure on this trip as I have been having some problems with it being elevated. So much for keeping it under control. “Forever Young” still had the drum section which I love. You would think I could have gotten some great pics during the sit down set, but alas photography does not come easy for me. Yea for “Can’t Stop Me Now”.
So Rod comes out singing “You’re In My Heart”, and as he gets closer to the aisle where I am standing, he sees the new Celtic HAT and smiles. I motioned as to ask permission to toss it to him. He smiled REALLY big and nodded yes, I pitched it underhanded and it was a perfect throw and catch. He held it to his face as to kiss or sniff it (LOL it think I might have sprayed it with perfume, I cannot remember) and motioned to me to come up on stage…….er um…….he had to do this twice because I was frozen in place and could not believe this was happening……. See below for the video It was taken by Joan Pezzollo who is a longtime fan, but new to our crazy sub world of Rod Stewart. Joan did an amazing job of capturing many of the special moments over the weekend. I think I can speak for all of us, we are very grateful to Joan. After a few seconds on stage with Rod, he motions to Maria Beatriz Melossi to come up and she brings a Celtic scarf, we “dress” Rod on stage with the scarf. Then Rod starts pointing to all the Celtic jerseys to come up and there we are lined up on the stage with a few other fans too. Rod got a new Celtic cowboy hat from Connie Meaders which he wore on Sunday night too. I wanted to take a step, turn around, and look at everyone, but no way was I going to lose my place next to Rod. Then I think we all get a little tap on the back that our turn to stand out in the crowd was over. I cannot help but believe we made Rod proud and with that we all left the stage. I got back to my seat and the man next to me was so very excited. He took some great pictures and emailed them to me. It took me 5 minutes to put my email addy in his phone, I was shaking SO badly. I must say, that it is a good thing for both Rod and I that he didn’t have on the new pastel paisley jacket that I am in love with; as this part of the story might have had a totally different ending…….In fact I believe he was tipped off because he didn’t wear it Saturday or Sunday. I understand Penny was there on Saturday, I am sure she now has my picture on file. Hate that I didn’t get to meet her.