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Post by cheezey on Oct 13, 2009 23:30:01 GMT -4
We are waiting ever so patiently! ;D
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Post by grammahcac on Oct 13, 2009 23:32:42 GMT -4
I'm really, really tired, but y'all deserve to know how the night went after being my cheerleaders for all these weeks. I love you guys!! My boss drove my crazy this afternoon, dragging his feet getting things completed so I could finish my work. Cripes, didn't he know I had important places to be? The drive to Gurnee Mills went very smoothly thanks to our new GPS. Boy are those things handy. I especially appreciate the little arrows that show you which way to turn. That way I don't have to figure out which is right and which is left. Sad, but true. Right, Donna? When I got to the mall I got to meet Sarah's twin boys. Adorable. And Jason had signed their little t-shirts. I met a bunch of new women, but I can tell you about that later. We got busy Street Teaming.....passing out handbills to let people know about the concert. It was in a very dead part of the mall, so people had to be sorta herded in the right direction. Lots of people recognized Jason from American Idol. My favorite interaction was with a couple (Kurt and Paige) who told me that they had come specifically for the concert. Kurt said, "Are you one of Jason Castro's Street Teamers?" A guy in the know. He took lots of pictures with a great looking camera, so I hope I get to see them posted somewhere. Okay, the concert! When I got there April told me that Jason had been at the mall since 4:00. Fragile actually saw him arrive, and talked to him outside. Neat. But even though he had been there since 4:00, he came out late!! The girls had told me which door he would come out of, so I hung out at that side of the stage. April had wanted me to sit in front, but I told her that I would probably want to stand. I was kind of selfish, and stood by myself. I didn't want any interruptions. Well, when Jason walked out, I wasn't prepared to see him three dimensional. I have only seen him "flat", and it was a shock to my system. I know that that sounds silly, and I can't really explain it, but, wow! it just hit me. He is all kinds of gorgeous in person. All kinds. He started with That's What I'm Here For, and I am not sure that I breathed the whole song. He is very magnetic in person, and I couldn't take my eyes off of that beautiful face. He sounded really good, although where I was standing, the sound system made it a little difficult to understand him when he was talking. Love Uncompromised was next, and he rocked it out. Then he sang what was probably my favorite song of the night, All Wrapped Up. How cute! He said before he sang it, that it would be out on his, I think he said, "record" in January. While he was singing this song, it was the first time that I actually took my eyes off his face and noticed what he was wearing. Ever-present blue jeans and brown shirt. Boots. Top of hair pulled back with dreads hanging down the sides. Sarah said later that it is what he wore at Minneapolis last night. HeeHee! After that song, he asked the crowd how many knew him from American Idol, and proceeded to sing Over the Rainbow. And then, RQ, he did say the next song was a song about grace!! While he was singing It's Alright With Me, the tears started coming to my eyes. I was just so happy to be there hearing him sing that song in his beautiful voice. Don't worry, I didn't make a fool out of myself. The tears didn't actually run down my cheeks, but almost!! There was a little banter next about the website. Didn't catch all of it, but he ended by saying, "I'm really kind of a funny guy." Did I mention yet how cute he is? Then he sang "Let's Just Fall in Love Again". It is really delightful, especially in person! It was the first time that I really looked around at the crowd, and I saw a cute, little blond singing all the words. She was really grooving!! Oh, also, lots of clapping. Such a joyful song. He did ask everyone to call their radio stations to request that they play it. It was also while I was looking around that I saw a chickie standing on the steps behind him, with a camera pointed at the PANTZ!elebenty-oneelebenty-one!. I don't know who she was, but I'd love to get hold of those photos!! He ended with Hallelujah. He really does go someplace else when he sings that song. Nicely balanced concert. He's really getting the whole performance thing down. Once he was done playing, the dreads came down. I didn't see him do it, but they starting flying all over. That is about all I can manage tonight. I will write more on the meet and greet tomorrow. Until then, all I can say is squeeeeee!elebenty-one! And did I see something about the video being out? Double squeeeeee!elebenty-one!!
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Post by fragile on Oct 13, 2009 23:40:43 GMT -4
Fabulous concert! Jason is really coming into his own. First photo was upon his arrival and I gave him some Wisconsin cheese curds. Second one was after the show and meet and greet and he was quite exhausted. i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll36/jlewing/JasonandJanet2.jpg[/img] Also great to get together with all the Jason fans especially my old AI concert pal kQQky.
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Post by fragile on Oct 13, 2009 23:45:25 GMT -4
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Post by cheezey on Oct 13, 2009 23:57:30 GMT -4
Thank you Gramma & Fragile! It sounds like a fabulous time by all. I can wait to hear more tomorrow. ;D Night night!
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Post by fragile on Oct 14, 2009 0:04:23 GMT -4
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Post by fragile on Oct 14, 2009 0:05:04 GMT -4
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Post by Halo on Oct 14, 2009 6:30:46 GMT -4
Gramma - I was able to find you here after all ;D Love love your recap! I was laughing reading the three rather then flat-dimensional Jason haha and I can completely understand your egocentric-self. I would do EXACTLY the same! Nice photos fragile. He does look exhausted in the second one. YOu, on the other hand, looks thrilled
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Post by grammahcac on Oct 14, 2009 6:37:08 GMT -4
Wow, fragile, you got some beautiful photos!!Ladies, we can expect more from her. She had her tripod set up and also took video. Everything should be spectacular!! Thank you, fragile, from all of us who have never mastered the camera.
Where were we? Oh, yes. After the concert. The Street Team was asked to wait patiently (?), while all the new fans stood in line for the Meet and Greet. Some of the Street Teamers grabbed clipboards to sign people up for Jason's Mailing List, but I just wanted to soak it all in. I parked myself by a big security guard. He was standing about five feet in front and to the side of Jason. From this vantage point I could see all the people walk up to meet Jason. It was the highlight (well there were many highlights) of the night. Jason is just such a natural with people. He really is interested in them and gives each one a special moment. There was alot of, "How's it goin'?" He put everyone at ease. Well most people. He was patient and signed everything that people put in front of him, smiling all the while, looking up at everyone and engaging them in conversation. He is very, very good at this, and I think that it will serve him well, and gain him many fans. I saw people that I had handed out handbills to, and that was very gratifying. Two little girls walked up with just the biggest, shyest grins you can imagine. He signed lots of big posters and CD's (the single? I never did check out what it was. Something in a CD case.) Amberscape's daughter showed it to me after he had signed it. Very cute. He signed stuffed animals and purses and I don't know what all. He was very gracious, thanking everyone for coming to see him.
When everyone was through grizabella and I slipped in at the end. Bella got the movie soundtrack signed for Mariana. That was very sweet of her. And then I was standing in front of Jason. I had rehearsed what I was going to say, something really brilliant, but then I was looking into those gorgeous eyes, and my mind was mush. I was clutching my Shine Your Light Weekend book, and I kind of stammered something really snappy like, "Um, um, Jason I attended the service Weekend in Rockwall last summer........." He piped right in with, "Would you like me to sign your book?" I gratefully offered it to him and said, "That would be wonderful." And he signed it! No touchy. He was across the table from me. I think he recognized me as the lady that was staring at him all night by the security guard. He looked very, very weary at this point. Then some had individual pictures taken with him, but I did not. We had many group photos taken with him, so maybe one of those will show up here. When they were done, I said to kQQky, "Wow, you got to have your arm around him all that time." I can't remember who was on the other side. Anyway, he was right there, and I said, "Can I have a hug?", and he hugged me!!! Yay, yay, yay!! If I wouldn't have asked, I would have regretted it. Nice hug I must say. Nice and warm and gentle. Dreads are soft!! Then he was off with the security people. I hope he got a good night sleep, because he really looked tired by the end of the night.
One of my favorite memories of the night was just before Jason left the table, all these big security guys stood in front of him for autographs. My buddy, T.L., said that it was for his fiance, who really liked him. T.L. was a hoot. Asked me if I wanted to be deputized. I said, "Heck, yes, if it would get me closer to him!"
Anyway that was my wonderful experience. Now I have to jump in the shower and do it all over again. Darn!! I feel really blessed with having these opportunities, because I know so many of you do not have the option of meeting him up close and personal. But, please, if at all possible, DO IT!! Magic!
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Post by wvapeachez on Oct 14, 2009 6:53:22 GMT -4
Wow, fragile, you got some beautiful photos!!Ladies, we can expect more from her. She had her tripod set up and also took video. Everything should be spectacular!! Thank you, fragile, from all of us who have never mastered the camera. Where were we? Oh, yes. After the concert. The Street Team was asked to wait patiently (?), while all the new fans stood in line for the Meet and Greet. Some of the Street Teamers grabbed clipboards to sign people up for Jason's Mailing List, but I just wanted to soak it all in. I parked myself by a big security guard. He was standing about five feet in front and to the side of Jason. From this vantage point I could see all the people walk up to meet Jason. It was the highlight (well there were many highlights) of the night. Jason is just such a natural with people. He really is interested in them and gives each one a special moment. There was alot of, "How's it goin'?" He put everyone at ease. Well most people. He was patient and signed everything that people put in front of him, smiling all the while, looking up at everyone and engaging them in conversation. He is very, very good at this, and I think that it will serve him well, and gain him many fans. I saw people that I had handed out handbills to, and that was very gratifying. Two little girls walked up with just the biggest, shyest grins you can imagine. He signed lots of big posters and CD's (the single? I never did check out what it was. Something in a CD case.) Amberscape's daughter showed it to me after he had signed it. Very cute. He signed stuffed animals and purses and I don't know what all. He was very gracious, thanking everyone for coming to see him. When everyone was through grizabella and I slipped in at the end. Bella got the movie soundtrack signed for Mariana. That was very sweet of her. And then I was standing in front of Jason. I had rehearsed what I was going to say, something really brilliant, but then I was looking into those gorgeous eyes, and my mind was mush. I was clutching my Shine Your Light Weekend book, and I kind of stammered something really snappy like, "Um, um, Jason I attended the service Weekend in Rockwall last summer........." He piped right in with, "Would you like me to sign your book?" I gratefully offered it to him and said, "That would be wonderful." And he signed it! No touchy. He was across the table from me. I think he recognized me as the lady that was staring at him all night by the security guard. He looked very, very weary at this point. Then some had individual pictures taken with him, but I did not. We had many group photos taken with him, so maybe one of those will show up here. When they were done, I said to kQQky, "Wow, you got to have your arm around him all that time." I can't remember who was on the other side. Anyway, he was right there, and I said, "Can I have a hug?", and he hugged me!!! Yay, yay, yay!! If I wouldn't have asked, I would have regretted it. Nice hug I must say. Nice and warm and gentle. Dreads are soft!! Then he was off with the security people. I hope he got a good night sleep, because he really looked tired by the end of the night. One of my favorite memories of the night was just before Jason left the table, all these big security guys stood in front of him for autographs. My buddy, T.L., said that it was for his fiance, who really liked him. T.L. was a hoot. Asked me if I wanted to be deputized. I said, "Heck, yes, if it would get me closer to him!" Anyway that was my wonderful experience. Now I have to jump in the shower and do it all over again. Darn!! I feel really blessed with having these opportunities, because I know so many of you do not have the option of meeting him up close and personal. But, please, if at all possible, DO IT!! Magic! I NEVER GET TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT HOW JASON HAS HAD AN EFFECT ON SOMEBODY'S LIFE ..HOW WONDERFUL...JUMPING IN THE SHOWER MYSELF...SEE YA IN LANSING....
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Post by Floridamom on Oct 14, 2009 8:03:15 GMT -4
Gramma and Fragile, how wonderful! Thank you both for sharing. I'm so happy for your, Marcie. I have to get to work and have no time or else I would tell you how so very happy I am for you! I think you know.
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kiersten67
supah dreads
It was worth the wait!
Posts: 1,379
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Post by kiersten67 on Oct 14, 2009 8:06:38 GMT -4
Gramma...your wrote the sweetest, most heartfelt recap. I loved it....Jason really does touch everyone he meets. I"m so glad you got the HUG!!
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Post by Donna on Oct 14, 2009 8:37:52 GMT -4
Gramma and Fragile, thanks for the recaps. I hope I didn't bother you by calling you last night Marcie! I was just so excited for you. Glad you got the book signed, too. Have fun today, get a picture and a hug! Oh, and I get perfectly what you said about seeing him "3 dimensional". So used to seeing him in pics, and then he is in front of you in all his beauty (both inside and out).
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Post by lovinlifeinma on Oct 14, 2009 9:40:35 GMT -4
Marcie and Fragile, great stories and pics! And Jason sang 7 songs...how awesome is that?!?! And Marcie, I am so happy that you got a hug! I have met Jason twice, and both times I was too shy to ask for one, and I regret it to this day. So good for you!!
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Post by linklove09 on Oct 14, 2009 9:54:24 GMT -4
Oh I'm so jealous.... I couldn't go because I had a stupid midterm I had to take:( I will catch Jason next time. Love everyone's recaps. Its true, he does touch everone he meets. I met him last year on the idol tour and he was great. Agreed to take pic then signed some stuff. I wish I was more engaging, I just stood there staring and couldn't even tell him something significant. He did all the asking. Love him!
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Post by Same Cage on Oct 14, 2009 10:12:17 GMT -4
Gramma! Yay!elebenty-one! I'm so happy you got to finally see Jason in person. I loved your recap. I felt like I was standing right there with you and T.L. Enjoy tonight, too!
Fragile, your pictures are great! Thank you for sharing. You can really tell how tired he was by the end of the night by comparing the afternoon pictures with the night ones. Yikes! Poor guy! I hope he has a couple of days off soon.
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Post by Trudy on Oct 14, 2009 11:10:38 GMT -4
wow!!!gramma,thanks for all the details!!glad that you had a good day and had a hug with jason! that's precious memory! and if i get a hug from jason,i probably won't have shower that day....hahaha..i'd like to have it linger for another day! Fragile,thank you so much for the pics,they are stunning!!!both you and jason look great in these pics!
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Post by magnolia on Oct 14, 2009 12:10:03 GMT -4
Yay Gramma! Awesome recap and you're gonna do it AGAIN - whoop for you! I am just laughing over your comment about seeing Jason 3-dimensional - something about that turns me into a stammering pile of mush-o. I am always thinking that some kid who is young enough to be my kid should not have that kind of effect on me I've met Jason twice now and haven't yet thought of anything brilliant or memorable to say! It is really hard to think of something original and snappy in the few seconds you have in front of him and if I ever do think of anything like that, I am quite sure it will just fly right out of my head the minute I am there. Fragile, wow you are gorgeous. I nominate you as the poster child for Jason's fans - I hope he thinks we are all as good-looking as you!
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Post by pamer on Oct 14, 2009 14:32:23 GMT -4
Yay Gramma! Awesome recap and you're gonna do it AGAIN - whoop for you! I am just laughing over your comment about seeing Jason 3-dimensional - something about that turns me into a stammering pile of mush-o. I am always thinking that some kid who is young enough to be my kid should not have that kind of effect on me I've met Jason twice now and haven't yet thought of anything brilliant or memorable to say! It is really hard to think of something original and snappy in the few seconds you have in front of him and if I ever do think of anything like that, I am quite sure it will just fly right out of my head the minute I am there. Fragile, wow you are gorgeous. I nominate you as the poster child for Jason's fans - I hope he thinks we are all as good-looking as you! I second the nomination! I had thought the same thing...and you got your arm around the boy for a while, huh? Thanks for the great pictures....The tired one got an "awww" out of me...he did look done in! Marcie....you're account explained why I had memory loss after my one meet and greet in KC....my brain couldn't acknowledge the 3 dimensional rea person in front of me after so many flat pictures. I, too, would have done what you did...find a spot and selfishly keep my moment uninterrupted! And you're going again...you lucky woman!!! He was sick as a dog when I met him and still as gracioius as you recount!! Made eye contact, had real answers to my attempt at conversation....
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Post by jc4eva on Oct 14, 2009 15:35:15 GMT -4
I'm really, really tired, but y'all deserve to know how the night went after being my cheerleaders for all these weeks. I love you guys!! My boss drove my crazy this afternoon, dragging his feet getting things completed so I could finish my work. Cripes, didn't he know I had important places to be? The drive to Gurnee Mills went very smoothly thanks to our new GPS. Boy are those things handy. I especially appreciate the little arrows that show you which way to turn. That way I don't have to figure out which is right and which is left. Sad, but true. Right, Donna? When I got to the mall I got to meet Sarah's twin boys. Adorable. And Jason had signed their little t-shirts. I met a bunch of new women, but I can tell you about that later. We got busy Street Teaming.....passing out handbills to let people know about the concert. It was in a very dead part of the mall, so people had to be sorta herded in the right direction. Lots of people recognized Jason from American Idol. My favorite interaction was with a couple (Kurt and Paige) who told me that they had come specifically for the concert. Kurt said, "Are you one of Jason Castro's Street Teamers?" A guy in the know. He took lots of pictures with a great looking camera, so I hope I get to see them posted somewhere. Okay, the concert! When I got there April told me that Jason had been at the mall since 4:00. Fragile actually saw him arrive, and talked to him outside. Neat. But even though he had been there since 4:00, he came out late!! The girls had told me which door he would come out of, so I hung out at that side of the stage. April had wanted me to sit in front, but I told her that I would probably want to stand. I was kind of selfish, and stood by myself. I didn't want any interruptions. Well, when Jason walked out, I wasn't prepared to see him three dimensional. I have only seen him "flat", and it was a shock to my system. I know that that sounds silly, and I can't really explain it, but, wow! it just hit me. He is all kinds of gorgeous in person. All kinds. He started with That's What I'm Here For, and I am not sure that I breathed the whole song. He is very magnetic in person, and I couldn't take my eyes off of that beautiful face. He sounded really good, although where I was standing, the sound system made it a little difficult to understand him when he was talking. Love Uncompromised was next, and he rocked it out. Then he sang what was probably my favorite song of the night, All Wrapped Up. How cute! He said before he sang it, that it would be out on his, I think he said, "record" in January. While he was singing this song, it was the first time that I actually took my eyes off his face and noticed what he was wearing. Ever-present blue jeans and brown shirt. Boots. Top of hair pulled back with dreads hanging down the sides. Sarah said later that it is what he wore at Minneapolis last night. HeeHee! After that song, he asked the crowd how many knew him from American Idol, and proceeded to sing Over the Rainbow. And then, RQ, he did say the next song was a song about grace!! While he was singing It's Alright With Me, the tears started coming to my eyes. I was just so happy to be there hearing him sing that song in his beautiful voice. Don't worry, I didn't make a fool out of myself. The tears didn't actually run down my cheeks, but almost!! There was a little banter next about the website. Didn't catch all of it, but he ended by saying, "I'm really kind of a funny guy." Did I mention yet how cute he is? Then he sang "Let's Just Fall in Love Again". It is really delightful, especially in person! It was the first time that I really looked around at the crowd, and I saw a cute, little blond singing all the words. She was really grooving!! Oh, also, lots of clapping. Such a joyful song. He did ask everyone to call their radio stations to request that they play it. It was also while I was looking around that I saw a chickie standing on the steps behind him, with a camera pointed at the PANTZ!elebenty-oneelebenty-one!. I don't know who she was, but I'd love to get hold of those photos!! He ended with Hallelujah. He really does go someplace else when he sings that song. Nicely balanced concert. He's really getting the whole performance thing down. Once he was done playing, the dreads came down. I didn't see him do it, but they starting flying all over. That is about all I can manage tonight. I will write more on the meet and greet tomorrow. Until then, all I can say is squeeeeee!elebenty-one! And did I see something about the video being out? Double squeeeeee!elebenty-one!! Aaawww Gramma I am soooo happy for you. So happy that you had that experience with Jason. And so happy that you decided to take it all in as you could. Saw your photo on Twitter and I was so happy to see you there standing so beautiful in front of Jason with your red shurt. Luv that color on you....Congratulations.
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