Beecake Joy!
Current mood: thankful
*disclaimer* I am posting this late at night...I am dead tired, but I've been working on it all day long whenever I could get a few spare moments to jot down memories...so if I have misspelled a name or remember something incorrectly, or forgotten to include something, please let me know so I can fix it.
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I woke up this morning with a pounding headache, next to a man in a strange bed, wondering where I was. Before any of you get the wrong idea…let me back up a bit to fill in "the rest of the story."
After a mostly smooth, sometimes frustrating drive to Milton Keynes, Robert & I arrived at our hotel to find no parking spaces available. That was soon remedied and we checked in, gathered the things we needed for Collectormania and walked over to The Centre. As we walked up and down the aisles, I searched every face, looking for familiarity, wondering if I would recognize my friends from myspace. We made a couple purchases, including t-shirts for our boys from a man from Scotland. That was fun! I enjoyed chatting with him, and he was happy that I recognized his accent as he said that most Americans ask him if he's Irish. I giggled…little did he know that he was talking with someone who was so in love with all things Scottish that even just hearing the accent grabs my heart's full attention in the blink of an eye.
The Centre is the largest mall I have ever been in (except for the Mall of America in Minneapolis)! We walked and walked and walked until I thought my feet were gonna fall off. Robert and I were in a store, browsing, when three ladies walked up to us and one asked, "Are you Shirley?" and as soon as the words were coming out of her mouth I knew who she was. MIO! Such a sweet person standing there…hoping she had guessed right. I was so happy to see the faces of friends…there was Roby next to her and then Hiro (Beecake JP) next to her. It was a happy little reunion. Robert & I were just going to go get some Krispy Kreme donuts and coffee (an American treat that we first discovered when we were living in Mississippi) so we invited them along. Hiro even ate one with us. They are even better hot, Hiro…if you ever have the opportunity to have a fresh Krispy Kreme at one of their main stores…you will never forget the experience. Roby had a gift for me too, a bee necklace she had made for the Beecake Honey Bees. I love it! Thank you Roby!
We walked around a little while, looking for Elaine and Kirsty…but didn't find them. I was disappointed but knew we'd see them at the party that night. We parted ways, as the girls were ready to explore the booths and we were going to explore more of the mall. After much, much more walking, we finally headed back to our room. We were both so exhausted…and in need of a bit of rest before heading to the National Hockey Stadium for the Beecake gig...the event we came for. Soon we received a message from Roby letting us know they were in the queue and that there were plenty of parking spaces open for us. Parking? I hadn't planned on driving over, thinking that we could just walk over. However, looking at the map and seeing how everything was situated and how tired we were already, we decided to drive. It was good that we did.
When we arrived at the stadium, there was a line coming out of the building. A lady was explaining how the queue was working (we could stand in line to be near the front or we could go on into the sports bar and get warm and refreshed. I was looking at her, trying to figure out if I knew her, when she saw me and as soon as I saw the recognition in her eyes and her exclamation ("It's YOU!"), I knew it was Lisa!! YAY! She was just as bubbly and lovable as she had seemed on her myspace page. I truly enjoyed talking with her. I was sad that we were not at the front of the line with the others (Roby came back to find us and let us know where they were…I could then see them through the window), but it was fun to listen to Lisa and her friends. Lisa….your enthusiasm and sweet spirit is encouraging and comforting. People are comfortable in your presence. I am so glad I got to meet you.
It was a long wait at the door…and cold too! Brrr. My arms were aching with the weight of my backpack and the giftbag I had for the guys. Robert relieved me of part of my burden. Such a trooper…no one would have guessed that he was having trouble with his back & shoulder. We were standing outside for much longer than we expected. Apparently there had been trouble getting the sound issues worked out, but the crewmembers we met were kind and while it was a pain to wait so long, it was also entertaining. It was almost nine when we were finally let inside. I laughed to myself as we ascended the stairs with everyone else because I suddenly had this image of us as sheep, just following the herd, not knowing exactly where we are going…just following. Most people headed straight for the stage when we entered the room. I followed our friends and ended up standing behind Sandi and Kirsty, with Elaine to my right. Roby, Mio, and Hiro were also at the front, further to the left. Roby motioned for me to join her but I was sure that if we tried to move closer, there would be a riot because people were already filling in behind her and we'd have to move in front of them.
I hadn't known what to expect….but had hoped that there would be chairs for us to sit in, that I'd put my coat on mine to save my seat while we went to get drinks once we were in our "spot". However, it was standing only near the stage…so we stood…and waited…and waited. I had overheard someone saying that Beecake's portion of the evening was to start around 9:30. When that time came and went…I realized that this was going to be a bit of a challenge. Neither Robert nor I had consumed any food except for Krispy Kreme donuts (I only had one) since our noon meal. (*side note for Beecake* Some of those Whatchamacallits in the bag nearly met their demise as we waited…but we did restrain ourselves. LOL) We were both thirsty and the air was growing increasingly warmer. Soon I started to notice the music the DJ was playing so we danced in our places and sang along to the tunes we recognized. As the minutes ticked by, the crowd behind us grew and I started to wonder about safety issues. I know…that's dorky…but I'm just trying to share the whole experience. LOL! As the anticipation grew, so did the tension in the room as all eyes kept searching the doors for any signs of Beecake entering. I noticed a rather large man standing nearby who seemed like he'd be a security person. I don't know why, but his presence was calming, until I realized that if there should be trouble, he was there to protect the guys, not us. We were just faces in the multitude. I knew what was coming (fear), so I quickly put that fear to rest by praying for the safety of everyone there….that everyone could just enjoy Beecake's music and have a good time with nothing to mar the experience. I'll spare you the rest of the waiting…as it was a LOOOOONG wait. But there were a couple of funny moments, like whenever a particular crewmember had to cross the stage, he'd do a little dance and some of us would clap for him. LOL. I don't know who that guy was…but I was thankful for his ability to alleviate the tension in the room. Thank you…whoever you are.
Finally Beecake was introduced and the guys came out. I could hardly believe my eyes…that here I was…getting to see them and hear them play live! They were real and only a few feet away from me. It was a surreal experience, I tell ya! I was so thrilled to be there…and also very happy that Robert was there with me, enjoying Beecake too. I was so happy for Roby, as she was directly in front of Billy. I thought she was going to faint! Especially when he seemed to be singing directly to her on one of the songs! LOL!! I am so happy she had that experience.
Soon, though, our exhaustion started to catch up to us and the heat was becoming unbearable. "One more song and then we have to get out of this crowd," Robert said. But then another song would start and he'd say "just one more" again. I, too, wanted a break from the intense heat and the bodies that were closing in with every song. I had to stop myself from looking around behind me because every time I did, I realized that people were closing in and I was feeling a bit claustrophobic. At the same time, I still had that gift bag to give to the guys, and I was afraid if I didn't get it handed up to them right after they were done playing, that I wouldn't get another opportunity.
*side note* That reminds me, as we were standing there, waiting for Beecake to appear, I was looking around at the people around me. I know it's rude to stare, but there were some faces that looked so familiar to me…and I was trying to figure out if they were people I'd seen on myspace or someplace else. Especially one woman in particular. So, if you feel like I was staring at you, please forgive me. I was just trying to figure out where I'd seen you before.
I was relieved when Billy announced that the last of the songs was near. He was so fun to listen to, and I truly enjoyed every moment of watching the guys play their music. It's easy to see that they do enjoy playing together. So FUN! But it was this strange sense of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel when I realized we had stayed all the way to the end and soon we'd be free of the crowd. Then something completely unexpected happened. The guys started giving away their guitar picks. Rick threw one into the crowd and I can remember being surprised and a little disappointed that it was too far from me to have caught. Then it seemed that he looked right at me, searched for another pick, then he reached out and handed one straight to me! I was so shocked and deliriously happy! Thanks Rick!! I was still in shock when the guys made their exit…but not before I got that bag (which grew heavier the longer we had to hold it) to the guys. There was an incredible sense of accomplishment just seeing the gift I had for them be passed forward to Rick (thanks Sandi!). "WHEW! Mission Accomplished! Now *turning around*…lemme out! Lemme out!" ROFL! We quickly made our exit from the crowd and then I realized that I still had to find Lisa so that I could get a picture taken with her and I wanted to see the other girls again too and get more pics with them. So, we turned back around and found Roby, Hiro and Mio (who was so adorable in her state of awe as she had been given an autographed drawing from John and one of his drum sticks). We were all so excited!! And exhausted. Then someone (I think it was Roby?) pointed out that Rick was coming our way and I turned around and there he was! Sure enough, heading straight for us. He had a cd in his hand and explained that he wasn't sure how he was gonna find me out here. He was apologetic about not having the cds and t-shirts they had hoped to have for sale, explaining that their shipment had not arrived in time. There was more said but, honestly, I don't think I remember all of it (and I truly wish I did).
1) The music was loud and it was difficult to hear words clearly.
2) I was so amazed that he would give me a cd…that he remembered how important it was for me to have one to take home to our oldest son. (as a father of a teen himself, he had to know what kind of "hot water" we were in...LOL)
3) I always tend to get a bit lost when listening to someone speaking with a Scottish accent…not that they are too difficult for me to understand, mind you, but that just the sound of it is so soothing to my ears (and heart) that they could be saying mean and nasty things to me and I'd be likely to reply, "say it again, please." ROFL!! I asked him if it'd be okay to get a picture with him and he agreed. I was on cloud 9! I had given up hope of even being able to talk to any of the guys and here was Rick…giving me a gift and shaking Robert's hand and posing for a photo with us!
*squeeeeeeeeeee*
Ahem…pardon the fangirl moment…she pops out sometimes. ROFL!
But the fun didn't end there! I found Lisa and got to speak with her a wee bit more, give her the smile project letter I had for her and get a photo with her…and then John walks up! We greet one another with a hug and he shakes Robert's hand and asks me if I got the cd they brought for me. I said yes and then he asked if I wanted them to sign it. (do you really have to ask?) OF COURSE!! He took the cd in the back and I stood there in shock…then I said to Robert, "William's gonna die!" We both laughed, knowing that this simple act of kindness, wholly unexpected and heartily welcomed, would make up for the double whammy he got. Not only did he not get to attend the gig, but we also asked if we could borrow his Beecake shirt (that we'd given him for Christmas) so that Robert could match me (my idea…). I'm sure there was more said that I missed….see the reasons I listed above. LOL! Plainly…I was in such shock and so utterly giddy that I wondered how long my skin could hold me in one place! I was also so tired and so parched that I knew I needed to get some water soon or I may just faint because of that reason alone.
I felt like I was practically floating as I walked over to formally meet the rest of the Beecake fans from myspace…Kirsty, Jonathon, Sandi (and her daughter Vicki), and Elaine. What a lovely bunch of people! We didn't get to speak long but we all shared a common denominator....WE LOVE BEECAKE!!
Robert & I broke away to get something to drink, then joined the group again for more pictures together. Then we absolutely had to go. Both of us were so worn out. It was close to midnight. Our feet and knees were screaming from all the walking and standing in place for so long. My cheeks were hurting from smiling so much too! We knew it was time to go. As we walked out of there I couldn't contain myself and had to jump up and down a few times and skip a little bit. I felt like such a child…but I couldn't help it. It was a GOOD night!
It was good to have some time alone too. That's all you get about that…even "the wordy girl" needs some privacy! LOL!
Once I got my bearings this morning, realizing that I was in a hotel with my husband, and knowing the headache was due to dehydration, I found myself really wishing that I had my computer. I knew my body needed sleep but I couldn't make myself go back to sleep. My mind was whirling with all the memories. Sweet memories! And doubts…did it all really happen? Was it all a wonderful dream? How could I have been so blessed to have really lived that experience? And yet, there I was. Still in Milton Keynes. The purchases we had made and the gifts we'd been given were sitting there, waiting to be packed into our suitcase. But how could it be? It's still so hard to believe!
We got up, showered and dressed, then messaged Roby to find out if we were gonna meet for a meal. When it ended up that she couldn't meet with us then, we understood her reasons (you are too cute Roby! LOL) and decided that we really didn't feel like eating anyway, we were ready to get back on the road toward home. Only…when we left the hotel we remembered that we'd wanted to check out the Xscape building across the street and also Robert wanted to go back to the Collectormania to see if there was anything he'd missed seeing. Xscape was amazing!! They even have a real snow slope inside where people were skiing!! I know I am now in danger of turning this into a tourism commercial for Milton Keynes…but it's really a lovely city worthy of spending time in. We'd love to take the boys back sometime.
After even more walking around…we decided that maybe we should stop to eat something so we ended up at Pizza Hut. We'd been searching for Chinese but found none…(of course, until later, after we'd already eaten). Robert soon grew weary of all the crowds so we headed back to our truck…it was now about three hours past the time I thought we'd be leaving! Yikes.
On the way back east, I got a message from Roby that made me smile…and then we picked up our boys and went home.
It's good to be home. Good to be together again as a family. Good to have our own beds to sleep in and our old routines to fall back into. It was an amazing weekend….a dream really…and I am so very thankful for every person who made it so very special. Thank you Beecake! Thank you "HoneyBees"! Thank you Hang & Becca, for taking such good care of our dear ones so that this could even be possible.
My cup overflows. LOL…so do my laundry baskets...so I guess that is where I must begin again…
I'll try to get my pictures ready and posted tomorrow. Now it's time for some zzzzzzzz….
