You KNOW that Bubba's on here...

[VincentUlyssis]

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.