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VincentUlyssis · 12-04-2010, 08:03 AM

Alright, I'll fill you in on a secret. I received a set of sticks from Neil at the end of his drum solo at Jones Beach 2008? 2009? Can't remember right now. It was the Snakes and Arrows Tour. Anyway, I purchased a front row seat. got lucky...it was on stub hub or e-bay or something for about $700 maybe, a lot of money for me but I like it up close when I can swing it, anyhow again, I decided to make a sign that would get his attention. Now I'll state that although I have an autographed official R-30 set of Andrew M series photos of each member of the band (oops this isn't a band forum!) and sticks, and photos of a meet and greet, I don't really care about autographs and such. Like if i were one of those people who recognizes Neil on the street I would never ask for him to sign a napkin. I'd rather "buy it the right way." it would be great to sit down to a Macallan but I wouldn't have the nerve to dare to ask.

On with the story...
I made a sign on florescent yellow or orange oaktag-forget which, and write in French "May I have your sticks Neil, please? Vincent" I figured if I was up there I might as well try. At the gate my brother and I saw people with signs getting confiscated. I was ready to throw it away rather than be publicly embarrassed, but my brother Joe convinced me to roll it up in my pants leg, which I did and nervously limped into the arena. I waited for opportune times to display it, and really didn't want to annoy anyone behind me, but I'm sure that it could have for a moment. After the solo the "Praetorian" -not Michael, but a distinct looking fellow along the lines of a "Michael" handed me the sticks only if "I gave him the sign." maybe it was blocking a camera or something. I hope not. i would have wanted to get sticks at the cost of pissing of the crew, and possibly Mr. Neil!

I don't know if he'd respond to "Homeless, Need Stick." Homelessness would not be a joking matter to him, just sayin'.

Perhaps:

"Help, I'm Stickless!"

"Me gustaria "un stick." Por favor?"

"I'm not a "stick" in the mud."
may I please have one?"

***nettiesaur*** · 12-04-2010, 02:51 PM

(12-04-2010 08:03 AM)VincentUlyssis Wrote: "I'm not a "stick" in the mud."
may I please have one?"

I like this one!

***Neilbubbachuck*** · 12-04-2010, 05:14 PM

True that was kind of thoughtless on my part. How bout "Lost my leg, Need a Stick"?

***Mufasa*** · 12-04-2010, 05:17 PM

(12-04-2010 05:14 PM)Neilbubbachuck Wrote: True that was kind of thoughtless on my part. How bout "Lost my leg, Need a Stick"?

PERFECT!!!

***Neilbubbachuck*** · 12-04-2010, 05:20 PM

(12-04-2010 05:17 PM)Mufasa Wrote:
(12-04-2010 05:14 PM)Neilbubbachuck Wrote: True that was kind of thoughtless on my part. How bout "Lost my leg, Need a Stick"?
PERFECT!!!

lol

Rey · 12-04-2010, 05:26 PM

Great story, Vincent. I made a sign once and brought it to the concert too since I was in the fourth row. It said "Even broken sticks accepted here", but I never did hold it up. Like you, I just felt it would block the view of people behind me, and I felt too embarrassed to hold it up, so I forgot about it under my chair. When they threw out the shirts, I jumped for one, had it in my hand but then fell backwards into the row behind me (all 6' 5" and 250 pounds of me). I'm sure they would have rather had a sign blocking their view than that! I never did get the shirt, one of the other dozen of hands that also grabbed for it got it instead.

(12-04-2010 08:03 AM)VincentUlyssis Wrote: Alright, I'll fill you in on a secret. I received a set of sticks from Neil at the end of his drum solo at Jones Beach 2008? 2009? Can't remember right now. It was the Snakes and Arrows Tour. Anyway, I purchased a front row seat. got lucky...it was on stub hub or e-bay or something for about $700 maybe, a lot of money for me but I like it up close when I can swing it, anyhow again, I decided to make a sign that would get his attention. Now I'll state that although I have an autographed official R-30 set of Andrew M series photos of each member of the band (oops this isn't a band forum!) and sticks, and photos of a meet and greet, I don't really care about autographs and such. Like if i were one of those people who recognizes Neil on the street I would never ask for him to sign a napkin. I'd rather "buy it the right way." it would be great to sit down to a Macallan but I wouldn't have the nerve to dare to ask.

On with the story...
I made a sign on florescent yellow or orange oaktag-forget which, and write in French "May I have your sticks Neil, please? Vincent" I figured if I was up there I might as well try. At the gate my brother and I saw people with signs getting confiscated. I was ready to throw it away rather than be publicly embarrassed, but my brother Joe convinced me to roll it up in my pants leg, which I did and nervously limped into the arena. I waited for opportune times to display it, and really didn't want to annoy anyone behind me, but I'm sure that it could have for a moment. After the solo the "Praetorian" -not Michael, but a distinct looking fellow along the lines of a "Michael" handed me the sticks only if "I gave him the sign." maybe it was blocking a camera or something. I hope not. i would have wanted to get sticks at the cost of pissing of the crew, and possibly Mr. Neil!

I don't know if he'd respond to "Homeless, Need Stick." Homelessness would not be a joking matter to him, just sayin'.

Perhaps:

"Help, I'm Stickless!"

"Me gustaria "un stick." Por favor?"

"I'm not a "stick" in the mud."
may I please have one?"

ForceTen · 12-04-2010, 07:35 PM

I'm the guy who's always up in the nose bleed section of concerts and games. I've never tried to shift seats even after the concert starts to try and get a better one that's unoccupied. Difficult for swag to get shot that far up....

***Boomer*** · 12-04-2010, 09:36 PM

Iremmb theinneapolis how...some guy in a clown outfit was shooting tshirts into the audience..they aimed one right at me but the darn thing hit the walkway beam about ten feet in front of me.

Otherwise, I think me and Force are sittin in the same cheap seats.

ePhilosopher9 · 12-04-2010, 11:21 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBt5ZmoRtI4&feature=fvst

VincentUlyssis · 12-05-2010, 07:44 AM

Yeah, I used to get "alright seats" and watch most of the concert through binoculars. Then one year...R-30...I said "I work hard and I'm tired of watching concerts far away. I want to be close. I want to make eye contact with all three, which I have on several occasions. I want them to KNOW that I was touched, influenced and inspired by them....and if possible to know who I am. I think I made that clear with some of the crazy persistent stuff I've done like continual letter writing, sending The Macallan through the mail and giving to RUSH crew to deliver, getting to meet and greets, sending small gifts of significance. Now I suppose all of that was a bit much considering I've never done that before, but it was a manifestation of my intense gratitude. I look back (I don't do these things now-I've "matured.") and wonder if I wasted my time, my money, effort, energy...and sometimes I feel a bit silly, especially that other people I knew thought I was crazy. Even RUSH fans told me "don't write Neil or send hims gifts, I hear he doesn't like it" (wrote me once) or "don't waste your time, you'll never get a stick." (got one once) I think for me it was part of a crazy mid-life-like crisis and an opportunity to be crazy, spontaneous...like "I Love You Man" dudes at the end of the Time Machine tour. Except, I'm not a "revering" fan, all wide eyed and ga ga over meetings. More like a grateful fellow, happy to see you as if you just lent me a set of jumper cables to wake up my dead car. So that's how Igot into finding better seats. this year, my son and I went in about 15th row or something. It was great, but could not match my aggressive back stage and begging in French for sticks routines!

Anyhow, it's my hope someday to share a toast (of the finest wine) with my three friends (or one) though realize it's probably not going to happen.