" I Wanna Be Where The Bands Are"

Monday, I spend all day chatting (no school for then kids due to a snowstorm) online to everyone while we anxiously await the official press release about the Convention Hall shows in Asbury Park, NJ. Later that evening details of the ticket sale spread thoughout the online community. Tickets will go on sale Tuesday at 10 AM through Ticketmaster.

Tuesday, a work day for me. I am lucky enough to have a phone at work and in between coding programs I keep dialing..busy signals...all morning. By noon I have resigned myself that it is a bad karma day for tickets for Mary-Ellen this time around. However I get home and read about single tickets available throughout the afternoon. Yep, I start dialing again. Still no luck. Rich comes home from work and drives me nuts by hitting the redial button..could it get any worse?

I wrote a post to the LTD being very philosophical about the whole thing. "Bad ticket karma today = good ticket karma this summer"

" Darkness on the Edge of Town"

"I had also heard about the 10 AM Tuesday sale, and upon arriving at a client's office at 9:15 AM, I promptly told them that I had a "conference call" at 9:45 and that I would go to my car for privacy. Forty-five minutes later, I gave up, partially due to frustration, partially due to the fact I had to work. Not before calling my office manager & warning her of what could be a significant cell phone bill;-) I tried to call periodically during the day on Wednesday and Thursday, to no avail. I also had a heavy workload all week, including Friday, so I pretty much concluded that I wasn't going."

"My Beautiful Reward"

Wednesday at work, I get a note from Rich telling me someone has a ticket for me if I want to go. A Greek god from Ohio drops a ticket from the heavens - it's mine. I actually thought about it for a couple of hours ;-) "You'll regret it if you don't come Mary-Ellen" and "You have to come". "The weather is nice at the shore" "Don't you want to meet the person who sent you those postcards?" "You can stay at Zap's place (he won't mind)" OK I'll go ;-) My heart beats a little stronger.

It's no fun driving alone so I asked my official designated "Bad Boy" (this is where John comes in) if he would like to come along. I spend the evening trying to get another single ticket for Friday night (there were singles dropped here and there throughout the day)

Thursday, I keep trying to get a ticket for John. I spoke to a very nice TM rep in South Carolina. Nick, the rep and I had a nice discussion about the Sopranos - 'So Mary-Ellen, who do you think is the one who rats on Tony?"

Getting home from work about 4PM, I have a note from John - no he's not going to go. Two hours later another note - he's coming with me. Woo hoo! I grab a selection of tapes for the drive, get directions and pack my bags - I'm going to see Bruce on the Jersey shore for the first time !!!

"Have Love, Will Travel"

6 PM Thursday - I send a note to M-E saying I couldn't go: 'Geez, what am I going to regret more - missing the concert or the 12 hour round trip w/ you???;))) DA$M!!' I leave my client, drive home, and while driving, decide, WHY NOT!! I leave a message for Friday's client, saying I'd see them Monday. I get home send another message to M-E and tell her to pick me up on her way down. Ticket or no ticket, I wasn't going to miss out on this EVENT"

"Promised Land"

7AM- The bags are loaded, I got a full tank of gas and I head out, driving directions in hand to pick up John in Massachusetts.

8:30 AM - I meet Hobo and Duchess, wonder dogs of Hudson Mass. John loads his stuff in the car, and we head for the shore;-)

""It's chicken feathers!" At least that's what we thought at first as we approached the exit from the Mass. Pike. We were following two empty chicken trucks. Turns out it was snow;-) It was probably at this time that we both (silently) realized this trip was going to be a hoot, if nothing else.

Our travel conversation ranges from John's weekend in Montreal (I'll let you ask him, but apparently it involved 2 sets of blondes- - here I was thinking he preferred redheads;-), should we make a detour to the Foxwoods casino along the way and how great my driving was. (Periodically, John would fidget and double-check that the seatbelt was securely fastened).

We were moving along at good rate (those lessons at the Mario Andretti School of Driving finally paid off) and before we knew it we were in Connecticut, then New York. The closer we drove to our destination the more giggly I got. After getting through the Bronx, over the George Washington Bridge and into NJ we stopped for gas. I was more giggly and the on-ramp to the NJ Turnpike at the Vince Lombardi rest area (Hi Sheila!) attacked my car (well really Rich's car).

As we drove through the Asbury Park toll booth (way cool huh?) , we knew we really close. The sun was shining brightly as we drove into Asbury Park, past the Palace taking a second to wave to Tillie, past Madam Marie's and the Stone Pony. At 1:15 we parked at Convention Hall. We were here!

Our official greeter and nice guy extroidnaire was there also. Joe Lewin took the time to pose for a picture with John and we were off to find Eve the keeper of the list for the drop line to get John on the list then some lunch. On the boardwalk the line was already big - John got #109. We said hello to Hal who was working hard to be in that front row - like he says you have to work for it. John and I finally met Jeanne (gives good hug) Coleman and Norma her road trip mate. I also ran into Frank who is not online but someone I see at every show.

Soaking in the atmosphere of the boardwalk I still can't believe I am here and yes I'm going to see Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in just a few hours. Thanks to my Greek god, Chris ( and to Soosh for pushing me over the edge) I will be there inside Convention Hall for my first show on the shore ever!

Soon, we see Mike G and I get to meet the Boston troubadour (have guitars will travel) Billy who will provide our post show entertainment at Golddiggers. I finally got to meet Demetra from Canada who came to the show with Jeff (who has let his hair grow since I last saw him at the Tracks release party - looking good Jeff!). No Chris, Soosh or Zap to be seen and we are all hungry. Mike leads us to Vic's for pizza (yum, yum).

A walk along the boardwalk is up next for John and I when we return from lunch. Rich and I never took the time when we visited the AP with the kids a couple of years ago. What can I say about it now? Sure it looks like hell, but I can picture how it was 30 years ago with summer crowds of teenagers hanging out. It truly is (was) a very romantic place - I suppose I should bring my husband some time;-). I hope the past glory of the place can come back through redevelopment, the location is beautiful.

By now the wind is starting to get cold, but I am warmed by meeting so many, many folks I have not met before (Chris, Steven (Spidey), Jeanne, Tonto, Phyllis, Sue and renewing acquaintances I have not see in quite sometime ( Zap, Soosh, Flynn, Dave, Christy, Brian, Bobby, Kolorful Kathy and more). John still doe not have a ticket, but the grin on his face says it all - he is da$m happy anyway. the spirit of adventure is strong! (As was the cold wind)!

A radio station is giving away a ticket to the show. I am sent to the car to listen and find out how to win the ticket. Just my luck, the station (the Point, best rock of the 80's and 90's is more like a dance music station) and I had to sit though one of those generic Backstreet Boys/N'Sync/the hot boy group of the moment song before I find out what you have t do to get the ticket. The drop line is a buzz when I tell them you have to find the "the Point Mystery Man" and tell him "I want my Bruce ticket". A roar from the front of the line - someone has found the mystery man.

Lowell arrives and holds court in Ho Jo's. Ever obedient I follow, I have not seen Lowell for quite some time. John is still in the drop line. But my Greek god has arrived and I must attend to his needs;-) We sit and chat for a while inside Ho Jo's and I even get to meet the famous Mon(ica) - not THAT one - the other one!

Before I know it the time has passed and it is time to go into Convention Hall. I hand John my keys to the car, give him a "see ya later hon" kiss and take my place in line next to Chris. I still can't believe I am here in line about to walk into the door to see Bruce and the band! Thanks to Chris I have a very special memory to keep in my heart - my first Jersey shore Springsteen show

"Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out"

"Well, technically, the street sign right outside Convention Hall says 'Fifth Ave.', but it was still a freeze-out. Brrrrrr. Standing in the drop line, chatting up several others, met some interesting people. the 2 sisters from Yucksville, NJ, just outside Newark, who got demoted from 12 & 13 on the drop list to 110 & 111 because they missed a few roll calls in the morning. They weren't exactly pleased with Eve, who, while she won't be making any appearances on Touched by an Angel, was trying her best to keep a cold, impatient line of 300 people in order. Then the woman who was by herself, sitting on a bucket. She'd gone to Thursday's show and was blown away. She described the stage setup, the small-ness of the Hall, and how unbelievable it was to see them in such a place. then there was the 22 year-old kid who'd never seen Bruce before, and had just gotten online. I tried to explain the whole newsgroup concept, but he wasn't grasping it. He was quite receptive to some bootleg recommendations, and confirmed for me that the record shop in Belmar is still open (I'd stopped there in 1990 during a very brief visit to the shore). Even saw Bob Zimmerman in the ticket-holder line and went over to say hi.

All too quickly, the sun was going down, falling behind half-completed condos (reminiscent of Beirut), that have stood that way for over 10 years, from what I heard. Soon, the chilly breeze in the sun became the brisk wind at dusk, people were getting antsy, especially watching the ticket-holder lines gpoing inside. Interestingly enough, people were starting tom gather on the sand below the boardwalk, staking their place with a blanket or a chair. I looked for anyone who I might have though to be 'RangrFan', but saw no one. Waht did I think RangrFan would look like? I have NO idea".

"Prove it All Night"

Convention Hall is like a high school gym. Chris and I find our seats (thanks again Chris). We are in the reserved bleachers. I'm not good at estimating distance, but I'll say it again - It's a f~king high school gym! Think back to those high school dances you went to - you remember, the ones where you would a have few beers out in the pines before going in to listen to the local band do "Midnight Rambler", "Locomotive Breath" and that song by Mountain whose title escapes me now. Well this is ** THE LOCAL BAND ** and I'm not going to be hearing "Midnight Rambler" tonight.

From the moment I sat down I was shaking. Looking around me I saw my friends everywhere - on the floor, in the rows behind us, across from us - everywhere. It was truly magic. I got to meet Mike (Stsof Phil) and even saw Melissa Ethridge on the way to ladies room;-)

Chris was directly in the seat in front of me. The show began - I trembled. I'm sure if you saw me I was beaming (Hi Carl!) from ear to ear. I have asthma and excitement can trigger me. I had to take four puffs from my inhaler that evening. I will leave the show set list and comments to others - I'm still on cloud nine and don't plan on coming down. I remember melting into my seat a number of times, having Chris turn around to see how I was doing with the same grin on his face a number of times and me hollering "Tramps Like Us!" with the entire crowd. It was a special evening - for those of you have not had the pleasure of seeing Bruce with the band yet - imagine being in one of those fine audience bootlegs out there and multiply that by 1000%

I am convinced "For You" was played because as Bruce was driving in, he could not miss the car with New Hampshire plates on the street ;-) I only wish Matt Orel had stuck around for Friday night - I had the needle ready for the piercing as soon as I saw Bruce sitting at the piano for "The Promise"

"Light of Day"

"Well, as most people know, there were basically no tickets 'dropped' on Friday, and I didn't get in. However, having planned to NOT get in, I was pretty content to listen to the show from outside. The sound during the first hour was ok, but when a pair of exit doors were opened about an hour into the show, not only could I watch inside (my view was mostly of Clarence), but the sound was downright great, better than at the Carrier Dome in January 1985. Other than the brisk wind and some chatty women (I know that's redundant..), I had no problems standing out there for the show. Hearing (but not seeing) Bruce describe how a certain song wasn't on Tracks but would be coming out soon on the sampler, I immediately knew it was The Promise, I yelled it out, and the reaction outsdie by about half of the 3-400 people out there was amazement. 'He's playing the Promise?' 'Wow' Wow indeed!"

"The Iceman"

Well! I can only imagine what it's like when Rich is around after a Bruce show! M-E was beyond delirious as she walked out of the Convention Hall. We got to her car and Mary-Ellen recited the set list to Rich over the phone (and thanks to this little phenomenon called the internet, the set list was posted for all the world to see within 20 minutes of the final notes being played), and then handed the phone to me - like, what am I gonna say to the lonely husband 300 miles away, "Gee Rich, M-E told me how there's always great sex after a Bruce show, soooo, we gotta run, bye"? I chit-chat w/ Rich while M-E composes herself, then those infamous parting words from one loving spouse to the other, truly a "Hallmark" moment if I've ever seen one: "Honey, don't forget to have the ice cubes ready when I get home".

"Spirit in the Night"

Wow! After the show, I meet up with a frozen but happy John who never did get in (there was no ticket drop that night). We headed for the car where I called Rich with the set list I think I was still giggling ;-). Next up was the post show Mayor Mike arranged at Golddiggers - a bar behind the Stone Pony.

We gathered for drinking, singing and talking. John and I met lots of new faces we only knew as screen names before. "Glad to meet you Rich" was heard a couple of times - I think I managed to correct everyone, but if I didn't ... this summer when I am on the road with the real Rich I will introduce him as John, My Lover Man.

"Seaside Bar Song"

Songs to be more specific. We headed over to Goldiggers, where Billy was getting ready to entertain the post-concert crowd, and entertain he did, with a little help from his friends, including Rob on guitar & Phyllis, who certainly knows her alternate versions of Thunder Road. Billy probably starting playing around 11pm, and at 1:30am, M-E & I were in disbelief at the time. We helped close the place up at 2am, headed outside and said goodbye to any & all.

Billy entertained us with many tunes accompanied by maracas and tambourine and later by Rob on guitar. You might not want to invite me to these get togethers later this summer once I learn how to play the accordion I bought. I still don't think I have a good idea of the roll call at goldiggers (might be those Coors Lights), but I do remember learning Kolorful Kathy's sister (Pat) got the Born to Run poster at the last KACF auction, I finally met Kevin K, master of the LTD, I met another Chris, a Rob, Phyllis.. I know I am leaving people out and I must apologize. As tacky as it may sound we need name tags for the summer;-)

I don't think I have closed a bar since I was 23, but we closed the bar that night. I said my good byes to my Greek god (thank you, thank you, thank you). After gratefully declining Zap's offer and giving and receiving hugs and kisses all around, John and I went to find a hotel for the night.

"Memory Motel"

The original plan was to crash on the floor at Zapper's place for a few hours of rest before turning around and driving home Saturday morning. The sleeping bags were in the trunk and we were basically just "wingin' it", as if you haven't figured that out yet. Most of the crowd staying at Zap's place were staying until Sunday (there was yet another night to go for them - John Eddie), and had been there since Wednesday or Thursday. We heard we missed out on some fabulous cheesesteaks prepared by Soosh. But, M-E had a gallon of pure maple syrup straight from the hinterlands of northern New England for StZapper to either pour over himself and have his many love slaves lick to their heart's content, or for french toast Saturday morning.

Anyway, the subject of where to stay that night came up several times during the day. Joe Lewin graciously offered his place, saying it was closer than Zap's. Jeanne mentioned the hotel she & Norma were staying at. We had discussed staying at a local hotel, skipping the post-post-concert gathering at Zapper's house (and missing out on that maple syrup!). After standing outside for way too long, my back was killing me and I was quite pleased when M-E mentioned she'd prefer just to go get a room. At some point during the day, M-E got directions from Jeanne to the hotel she was staying at. However, at 2:15am, after the day we'd just had, the precision of those direction had eroded, and now they were just vague reference points. Was it Rte. 35 or Rte. 36? East or West? North or South? Being the adventurous sorts that we are, we hopped in the car, basically looking for anything at this point.

Cruising through Neptune, I spotted a place just off the main road. The Neptune Motor Inn. Or was it the Neptune Motor Lodge? We pull into the parking lot, look at the building, see that there are a few other cars in the lot, note that it was getting close to 3am, and decided this was the place for us. We wake up the night clerk, who graciously takes our $58 for room 107. Now should that be 2 adults one bed or 2 adults 2 beds? hmmmn I could tell what she was thinking, but hey, I'm only one guy - I can't please everybody. We enter the room, and it was colder than the boardwalk. As in, "we don't turn on the heat during winter because it's the Jersey shore and we don't often get people staying here in March at 3am" kind of cold."

Within minutes, we were ready to.....well, let's just list the other song titles (all from Tracks) that we considered to describe this paragraph: "Give the Girl a Kiss", "Bring on the Night", "So Young and in Love", "A Hard Man is Good to Find", "I Wanna Be With You", "My Love Will Not Let You Down", "This Hard Man", "Man on Top", "When You Need Me", "The Honeymooners", "Lucky Man", "My Lover Man", "When the Lights Go Out", "Happy" or "Back in Your Arms". Looking back on that night now, the one song that most accurately describes our stay in that no-tell motel would have to be "Shut out the Light". :)

"Restless Nights"

"More like sleepless morning. I claim ignorance as to my sleeping habits, but M-E sawed enough wood to build a boardwalk from Atlantic City to Portland Maine. We decided on 7am to wake up, and M-E set the alarm on the TV. I'm awake at 6am or so, listening to Ms. Lumber Yard, thinking of all the fun I had last night, listening to the show, meeting oh so many people from the AOL & RMAS boards, having a great time in Goldiggers. Finally the alarm goes off, but M-E doesn't seem to hear it. I wait a few more minutes, then it's off to the frozen tundra they call a bathroom."

I'd like to remind Mr. Joyce that a real gentleman does not kiss and tell. We had one heck of a great time thanks to Chris (I owe you my life for this one night), Soosh ( what can I say? You are my guardian angel), Zap (who has the most magnetic smile and biggest heart of anyone I know) and oh yeah to Rich, for kicking me out of the house for the night ;-)

"Car Wash" (Part I)