We arrived in NC and found our hotel, the LaQuinta... a loverly little place (and I use the term loverly loosley). We met Rick at Shoney's for lunch, followed by a trek to the club. After all we didn't want to get lost later on... Well, for all you that were able to attend the last concert of the tour must have felt the way we did when we saw it! I could not believe it. The Baha was a shack! But it didn't matter were he was playing because I was going to get to see him again. We made a quick pilgrimage to the record shop where I bought my tickets, then it was back to the hotel. We watched the tube for a bit and then got ready...

Val, Heather and I left our lovely 'hovel away from home' around 7:15 PM. Guess what...we got lost!! We even got a brief glimpse of the real city as we got dumped right on the edge of town near Ericson Stadium (go Panthers). Luckily our little side trip only cost us a few minutes, and we arrived around 7:45 PM. We uttered the same version of 'wow' that we did earlier upon seeing the club. It was the sound of disbelief that Gary was going to play this small, wood-sided building in 'outland'. There was now a line of people and numerous "cars" (earlier it was desolate with the exception of the equipment trucks). It was a sea of black with a smattering of other colors. You, that were lucky enough to be there know what I mean. I'm in Goth land (lol). We parked, collected our things and disembarked. We walked around "the bus" to get to the front of the club and got in line. We were probably about 75th in line. My insides were screaming (I should have washed my hair earlier, we shouldn't have wasted the days driving around, we shouldn't have gotten lost). Bottom line: I will be way, way in the back (bummer). But, then my mind snapped back to reality and I realized that I was just happy to be there.

We stood behind a man that I knew was in my age bracket (he had gray hair). We chatted, and I found out that he did not have a ticket yet. He had driven from SC to be there. (As I later found out, most of the fans of Gary were from everywhere but North Carolina.) Two guys walked the line and handed out raffle tickets. We took our tickets and watched the masses. We were postinioned right in front of the bus.

Suddenly, the door to the bus opened and out came a man with a video camera. He walked the length of the group and videotaped the collection of humanoids. Only the real fans recognized him and shouted their pleasure upon seeing him. As he walked by me, the camera just inches from my face, I lifted my hand, waved and said "Hello, Ade". Heather waved and said hello to Dave (they were both members of Gary's band). This brief intermission of excitment was only topped when, moments later, the door to the bus opened again. An large group of people emerged from the bowels of the prevost. It was none other than the rest of the band, Gemma and Gary in shorts and a beige shirt. I did not notice what everyone else was wearing (didn't care). They crossed right in front of us, and Val yelled 'Woohoo'. I was too busy fumbling in my purse for the camera! By the time I got it and focused they were halfway across the parking lot. Valerie informed me that Gemma was lifting Gary's shirt and pinching his butt, being very playful. I got a few pictures but they were too far away by then, on their way to dinner across the street at Wendy's!! (As of this moment, I await Numanboys pix as he ran across the street and played paparazzi... Unfortunately last I heard, Numanboy said the roll of film was lost... oh well)

About 15 minutes later (around 8:40 or so) the doors opened, and people started moving inside. I walked in, rounded the corner towards the stage and realized that no one had claimed the left hand side of the stage. So therefore it became mine. Heather spotted Rick on the right side of the stage, so I went over to say hello. He had been there since about 5:30, and was not right up at the stage. I told him where we were and he stated that my hearing would be gone if I stayed there. I opted to stay anyway; I wasn't giving up my front row spot! So even getting there late, I still got right up front...(thanks to the powers that be). Now it was time to stand and wait again. I must say it was much more enjoyable standing inside in the dark coolness. There were various things to do: people watch, listen to music... One song was a remake of I Ran by A Flock of Seagulls; it brought the crowd to singing, especially Rick, PolarBear, Numanboy, Oasisfans, etc. There was a sea of arms waving through the air. There were also various lights, fog, and movie screens. One was showing Bela Lugosi and the brides of Dracula. Another screen showed some kind of anime with trolls, elf-like creatures and a nude woman (had to make heather cover her eyes...lol) and then it showed Barbarella.

Finally it was 10:00 pm and Switchblade Symphony came on. They were good, as good as when we saw them in DC. Although I think I liked them better in DC. Well then it was time for him...this part will be short and sweet:

What can I say....BUT awesome...fantastic...great wonderful....

They did place a bouncer type right in front..he was a big black man, and I mean big! I am sure they placed him there because out of nowhere Gemma appeared. She was one human away from me. I was just glad the bouncer wasn't in front of me. Gemma took great digital pictures all night (wish I could get copies). She sang along with Gary, blew kisses to Tina from SS, and waved to her on the other side of the stage. (I just loved Tina's pink rubber shorts.)

Anyway, my favorite part to this whole story is coming...when I finally got to meet the man himself!!!