Ransom Note

Fan Friday Presents Fan of the Week: Jenny “Sans” Rae

TGIFF (Thank God It’s Fan Friday) once again.  Remember to send in your fan of the week Fan of the Week Survey Blank to dafanswannaknow@gmail.com I promise all the cool fans are doing it. Now I present Sans Rae…

 

Name: Jenny “Sans” Rae

Birthday: July 12th

Location: Milwaukee, WI

Family:  2 parents who split time between Wisconsin and Arizona.  One older sister who just got married in California, so I guess I have a brother-in-law too.

Occupation: Network Application Specialist for Milwaukee County for time being.

Pets: none at the moment, although I still really want a dog…to bad the fansion doesn’t allow them

Pet Peeves:  
 1.) Missuse of grammar…specificially your vs. you’re and there vs. their vs. they’re.

      2.) People not pulling out far enough when making a left turn at a light so only one car gets to go when the light turns yellow

      3.) People that talk on cell phones when checking out at a store…seriously chances are your conversation is not that important to completely disrespect and ignore the person helping you

Hidden/Weird Talents:   Does injuring myself in random ways count? 

Proudest Accomplishment:  Graduating from college

Favorites

Television Shows: The Amazing Race, Survivor, Bones, V, Law & Order SVU, Parenthood, Friends, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Earth 2, Friday Night Lights

Foods: pizza, hamburgers, strawberries, lasagna

Sport/Hobby: Baseball (go BREWERS!!!), Football (go PACKERS!!) basketball (Fear the Deer! ) and college athletics (GO BADGERS!!!)

Non-Voldemort Music: Phil Vassar, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw…basically anything country.  I like Lady Gaga’s music even if she does scare the crap out of me.

Book: Harry Potter Series, Twilight Series, Anything by John Grisham, Dan Brown, and Michael Crichton, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and now I’m reading the Sword of Truth Series by Terry Goodkind (the first 2 are amazing so far)

Movie: Jurassic Park….I could list more but that’s still my all time favorite movie.

Color:   blue or teal

Holiday: 4^th of July, Christmas and New Years Eve

Adult Beverage: Spotted Cow, rum and coke, Alcoholic Butterbeer, Smirnoff

Vacation Destination: Orlando Florida, yes I am a Disney/Universal geek.

Quote/Motto for Life: “If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.” – JK Rowling said through Sirius Black in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

How do you spend your free time? 

Napping, watching sports, watching movies/tv, going out to dinner, walking

What animal best describes you? 

 Dog…for the most part I consider myself happy go lucky and laid back.

If you were stranded on a deserted island who is the 1 person you would want with you and why?

Probably the smartest person I know, my dad…he has a degree in architecture so he could build a shelter and he would kill all the bugs for me.

If you knew you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt?   

 I’d really like to open up a Ikea/Jamba Juice/Portillos.

Name 3 things on your “Bucket List”:

• Go to Australia/London
• See the Brewers win the World Series in person or the Packers win the SuperBowl or see the Olympics (a good sport..not synchronized swimming)
• Visit all 50 states

The Fans would be surprised to know that I

 … am a huge contradiction.  I feel like I rely on people (parents) too much, but I hate to ask for help and inconvenience other people, so I just don’t.

Free Style:  Tell us anything you think that Da Fans will wanna know.  

If I wasn’t such a creature of habit, I think I’d like to move somewhere other then Wisconsin.  I’m glad to have met all of you and it still blows my mind sometimes how all of us have come together and formed friendships.

Fan of the Week is Back: Jeremy

Name: Jeremy Bingaman

Birthday: December 16

Location: Des Moines (aka DeMo), Iowa

Family: Your basic family. I’m an only child from a divorced household. My mom remarried and has been with my step-father for 18 years now.

Occupation: Design Director for Saga Communications (radio company) also host of the “Saturday Night STAR Party on STAR 102.5/KSTZ. I design websites for radio stations around the country and host an all request call-in radio show.

Pets: 3 cats. But one keeps peeing on my furniture, so in future news, 2 cats.

Pet Peeves: Several.

1. I can’t stand to hear people chew their food. Grosses me out.
2. I don’t like backseat/front seat drivers.
3. Not sure this is a pet peeve, but it gives me the willies to snag my fingernails on something like fabric. Yeesh.

Hidden/Weird Talents: I can wiggle my eyes and my ears. I’m not proud of either. These don’t help me in life whatsoever.

Proudest Accomplishment: Helping raise more than $2,000,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network. I’ve visited the children’s hospitals several times and have been touched by so many stories and so many families. There are really some amazing kids out there. They are tough fighters.

Favorites

Television Shows: The Amazing Race, Chuck, Scrubs, The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family

Foods: Homemade macaroni and cheese, manicotti, potatoes

Sport/Hobby: Baseball and Football. I have recently grown to love the sport of roller derby as well.

Non-Voldemort Music: This changes a lot. Dave Matthews Band, Weezer, Matt Wertz, Prince, John Mayer, Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam. My favorite decade is 90s music. Specifically 90s R&B (Brandy, R.Kelly, Silk, etc) and 90s Alternative (Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Oasis).

Book: Assassination Vacation, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, The Harry Potter Series and Dan Brown’s books.

Movie: Titanic, Forrest Gump, Can’t Hardly Wait, The Goonies, The Hangover, Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally, Clueless

Color: I like a deep blue and a nice forest green (#003366 and #006600)-This Fan says thank you for specific colors

Holiday: Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day

Adult Beverage: Fat Tire beer and Makers Mark and Diet (thanks to Ellecc)

Vacation Destination: Seattle, Washington

Quote/Motto for Life: “I know it’s loud, but it’s all about being cool” and “Growin’ old, not quite growin’ up.”

How do you spend your free time?  I love going out to eat at local restaurants. I watch less TV than I used to. I like to read about social media and technology on various websites. Then, there’s napping. Lots and lots of napping.

What animal best describes you?  A koala bear. Except the whole eating leaves part.

If you were stranded on a deserted island who is the 1 person you would want with you and why? Kristen Bell. We would just make each other laugh the whole time.

If you knew you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt? Go back to school and get my degree in American History. After I get this radio and design phase out of my system, I want to go back and become an American History teacher. It was always my favorite subject in school and I have a true passion for it.

Name 3 things on your “Bucket List”:

• See Europe. Specifically England, France and Italy.
• Go to the Super Bowl/World Series
• Go bungee jumping

The Fans would be surprised to know that I … am a big American history nerd. I love reading books about the American Revolution. I secretly think that I was reincarnated from someone that lived in colonial times. My favorite presidents are Jefferson and Lincoln.

Free Style:  Tell us anything you think that Da Fans will wanna know. 
I scored a 34 on my ACT (I think it may have been a lucky day, ha!). I was my high school’s mascot for basketball. I scarred a little kid for life by taking my head off while he was watching. My dad is a drug enforcement agent. He does undercover work to bust drug dealers.

After a Lull Here at the Flog It’s Time to Let our Fajitas Fly!

First, I’ll accept a majority of the responsibility for the lack of flogging…but really other Fans could have rose to the occasion too.  We’ll get back to Fan of the Week this week hopefully…people send in your answers to dafanswannaknow@gmail.com! 

All the Fans who went to Nashville had a great time.  Our experience can best be summed up by a video made by the very talented Colleen. Enjoy.

Now, the residents of the Fansion MKE joined a slots league at our local casino WOO HOO 02(00) BONUS OR BUST.  Before you judge us based on J Rae’s outfits and the idea…it’s free to play and we can win A LOT of $$$.  While at our first week of competition we noticed a sign that said that Ingrid Michaelson was playing a week or so later.  We immediately knew we were coming to support the creator of The Fans’ theme song, and we called up Lisa and got our tickets. 

Now I thought to myself how funny would it be to give Ingrid a dvd of the video Colleen had made.  Sans ripped the video off youtube, and I made a cover and wrote a little explanation about what the song means to us.

Yesterday was show time. We went down to the casino for our general admission show and met a douche bag while waiting in line.  NO I did not bring you back a soda since you beat me in line and remember when I don’t KNOW you.  While waiting in line who should step outside to head to the buffet, but Ingrid Michaelson herself…. Hey would’ve been a great time to hand her the dvd but NOPE.  Sans was on another planet and failed big time on that one, so I now became in charge of getting her the dvd.  We made our way into our seats and got a table right up next to the stage on the side.  The show started and Ingrid was talking about how much food she ate and blah, blah, blah…I’m like perfect food talk she is gonna of course sing our song.  After lots of fun banter and one great performance after another the set was winding down and still no Mexican Food to be heard.  Finally, Ingrid made a comment about having a few songs left and what should I sing and I yelled “Mexican Food” and held up the dvd.  She said she wasn’t planning on singing it and she wanted to know what I had for her.  I told her we made a music video for the song and slide it across the stage to her.  Then she began to read the explanation aloud.  I was like oh dear we don’t need to read this aloud to the audience.  Then she agreed to perform it for the encore.  Some highlights of our conversation since we didn’t get it on video:

Ingrid: “You were at the New Orleans show?”  Us: “No”  Ingrid: “Oh they were like Tyrannosaurus Rexes”

Ingrid: “Oh, you say fu-juh-tas”

Ingrid: “Ewwww you want to make my fajita fly”

Then we got to enjoy  our theme song.  We were able to get video, mostly of the table since were so close and they were checking for video like nobody’s business.  You can hear Ingrid with background vocals from The Fans below.

 

Ingrid claims to have retired the song, but I say no way not when The Fans are in the audience.  All and all a great evening.  I highly recommend Ingrid live.  I only knew 2 of her songs…one being Mexican Food…and I walked away wanting to hear more.

Now that was a long flog.  Hope all The Fans are doing well across the country.  Until next time may your fajitas fly!

Let the Roadtrip Begin!

Da Fans are on their way!  In honor of the “fanunion” there will be no Fan of the Week.  Look for some possible updates from Nashville.

Ode to Mexican…Possible Fan Theme Song?

Thanks to Nicole Da Fans may  have found their theme song. Is this the theme song Da Fans have been searching for??? You decide. All I know for sure is it made me laugh on this Monday morning.

Countdown to Nashville…

In 4  days Da Fans will start to travel from all over the country to have their Nashville Fanunion!  Planes, trains (we lied there are no trains), and automobiles will bring us together for some well deserved  fun. Our host LC has many wonderful things planned.  On Friday’s agenda is breakfast at Pancake Pantry, “fanscaping” with waxing, manicures and pedicures, more food, some drinks, Civil Wars’ Concert, more drinks, and we’ll probably end the evening with some more food….no creps florentine….or fanuking.   As long as we have eachother and some snacks we’re bound to have a FANtastic time.   

See you soon ladies. Don’t forget to bring your “fanuniform” (TBD-J Rae will talk to Philly and we’ll let you know) for the “fanamily” portrait. 

Fan Friday Presents: Jeanette our Dalionqn *Silent N*

 

 

 

Name: Jeanette Nicole Baxter (long story)-D****

Birthday: 8…18…82…JDAY! *throws glitter & confetti*

Location: Blowing through the jasmine of my mind…

Family: Life before me: Mom. (Brother 1). Dad. (Sister. Brother 2.) BO-RING.

Theeennnn Mom + Dad = ME! And their lives were made exponentially awesome..

Occupation: Quality Assurance Tester/ Queen of Everything that encompasses Dopeness (weekends only)

Pets: None. I’m waiting until I have kids for that

Pet Peeves: Bad grammar, misspellings, gum popping, lying, teeth sucking, prejudice in any form, one-uppers, & know-it-alls.

Hidden/Weird Talent: I don’t think I have any hidden/weird talents. Unless you count the reading thing. Which to me? Is not weird.

Proudest Accomplishment: Meh, I guess graduating college? That sounds bad. I mean, I guess it should be something to be proud of, but I am waiting for the thing that makes me look back like “OMG I DID THAT?! I’M THE SHIT! *does the cabbage patch*” Hasn’t happened yet. J

With her BFF Jill

Favorites:

• Television Show: Law & Order: SVU, Glee, How I Met Your Mother, and Savannah (RIP the WB)
• Food: Pasta (I have an unhealthy amount of love for it, much to the detriment of my weight loss journey). Spinach. Sweet Peas. Anything that is red velvet.
• Sport/Hobby: Sport to play: Tennis // Sport to watch: Basketball/Football // Hobbies: reading, creative writing, styling on heauxs.
• Non-Voldemort Music: I am a music lover to the fullest extent. I listen to a bit of everything from Pop to R&B to (real) hip-hop to (real) jazz. Some of my fave artists are: Janet Jackson, her brother,  Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, India.Arie, Fiona Apple, Christina Aguilera, *NSYNC, P!NK, Michael McDonald, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Anita Baker, EnVogue, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, Kanye West (1^st 2 albums, plz)…I can go on & on, but I’ll stop here.
• Book: Their Eyes Were Watching God – Zora Neale Hurston
• Movie: Imitation of Life…close seconds Carmen: A HipHopera & From Justin to Kelly
• Color: Pink…it’s like red, but not quite.
• Holiday: J-DAY! Ask about me.
• Adult Beverage: This is bound to change by the time this is posted. Wine: Pinot Grigio these days. Beer: Stella Artois. Spirits: Maker’s & Diet, FTW.
• Vacation Destination: I really enjoy visiting NYC. Costa Rica was a dream as well.
• Quote/Motto for Life: Excuses are tools of incompetence used to build monuments of nothingness.

 

Fearless, with cape in hand

How do you spend your free time?

Travelling, making fun of people, reading, writing (lately), Tweeting, & saving the world…one booty shake at a time. 

What animal best describes you?

Lioness…natch.  

If you were stranded on a deserted island who is the 1 person you would want with you and why?

A tall, handsome, physically fit man…for the reason you’re thinking of course.  EXERCISE.

If you knew you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt?

Lots of things. Assuming that I would be great at these things since I’m not failing I’ll go with:

• Direct, produce, & star in a film about absolutely nothing
• Write a novel
• Record and release an album of random covers

Name 3 things on your “Bucket List”:

• Travel to (and spend time in) at least 1 country on all 7 continents
• Obtaining a job in publishing/literary arena
• Adopting a kid from America

The Fans would be surprised to know that I …

only like about 72% of them, am cordially nice to about 27%, and absolutely loathe that last 1%.

Free Style:  Tell us anything you think that Da Fans will wanna know.

OK. I want the fans to know two things.

Numero Uno: Gonna be getting mushy here for a sec, so go grab a Kleenex™. I’ll wait. *break dancing*

OH! You’re back. K, then… I think Da Fans will want to know how I’ve come to truly appreciate their presence in my life. It’s weird how we all came together because of ol’ Voldy, but have managed to form bonds outside of the whole “fandom”. I probably would have never crossed paths with any of y’all at any point in time, if I’m being completely honest. We kinda owe Voldy for making this happen. But since she has everything money can buy (AND US!), I say screw that, haha!

B) I am rad. That is all.

It’s a Party in the USA for Fan Friday: Congratulations Lindsay!

What up Fans?  I just wanted to extended a thank you to our traveling friends who kept us entertained with their European adventures.  Erin you need to find that sledding contraption and bring to MKE in the winter.  This week’s Fan of the Week is well deserved because <in Oprah Voice> of HER NEEEEEW JOOOOOOB!  Fan Friday presents Lindsay as our Fan of the Week.

Name: Lindsay Carter

Birthday: November 1

Location: My living room. Oh, Nashville.

Family: What about ‘em? They’re pretty awesome. Ummm…divorced parents, both remarried, brother Adam (junior in college), and step-sister Taylor (sophomore in HS). See photo (me, Adam, & the mom).

Occupation: Marketing/communications professional, currently job-searching; anyone have connectinos/contacts? NOT ANYMORE THIS FAN GOT A JOB!

Pets: Peeve 1 through Peeve 572 (see below)

Pet Peeves: Too many to list.  A few:

1. Loud eaters, especially ones that chew with his/her mouth open.

2. When people say words like draw/across/supposedly incorrectly.

3. People that won’t try anything new and are afraid of change.

Hidden/Weird Talents: I was bored in class in 1^st grade and learned to say the alphabet backwards; I’m a pro now. Um, I can tie a cherry stem into a knot…in my mouth. I’m also unusually good at packing cars for trips (that unexplainable high spatial cognition is good for SOMEthing).  I’m also psychic…sometimes. Once I guessed the final answer on Jeopardy before they even revealed the category; I mean…think about that…that is NUTS.  The following week I almost guessed it again; a contestant guessed the answer I predicted–it wasn’t correct. But STILL, right?!

Proudest Accomplishment: I was really excited when I got to pro-traveler status—there’s something about knowing how to travel and be most efficient…and not feel guilty about or question getting in the “Expert Traveler” lane at airport security.  Oh, and the 1^st time I cooked salmon, it was perfection.

Favorites:

• Television Show: Friends, Biggest Loser, Chelsea Lately.
• Food: Green vegetables (minus peppers), homemade or Chipotle’s guacamole, anything with pesto, Chipotle, hummus.
• Sport/Hobby: These are 2 very different “questions.” I love to watch football and love playing most any sport. As far as hobby, I love making/designing greeting cards and invitations. And writing.
• Non-Voldemort Music: Some of my old & new favorite singers/artists/voices are Alanis Morissette, One Republic, Shawn McDonald, Colbie Caillat, Lifehouse, Jars of Clay, Lady Antebellum, Sara Bareilles, Aerosmith, The Civil Wars, Sugarland, Pink, Michael Jackson, Jewel, Whitney Houston. The answer to this question can easily change daily for me.
• Book: Searching for God Knows What, The Shack, My Friend Leonard, The Grapes of Wrath, & any Malcolm Gladwell book.
• Movie: Crash, Shawshank Redemption, Best In Show, The Blind Side, Mona Lisa Smile, Rudy, The Hangover, Old School, Primal Fear.
• Color: A deep greenish blue, deep/dark purple, bright green (a dark lime).  I obviously have overly-descriptive issues.  Fans had a hard time matching colors
• Holiday: CHRISTMASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Adult Beverage: Vodka, a splash of tonic water, & fresh lemon, lime, or orange.
• Vacation Destination: The Caribbean, Italy, Sonoma CA, and on a lake with a boat with lots of friends & family.
• Quote/Motto for Life: It’s a Bible verse. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6

 

How do you spend your free time?  

With friends, going to shows, exploring new eateries in Nashville, enjoying the outdoors, planning, reading, surfin’ the net, watching tv, and making lists…lots of lists… 

What animal best describes you?  

I remember being at a sleepover back in the day and we all had to decide what animal each girl resembled. All of the girls decided on mouse for me; I guess ‘cause I’m nugget-size. I’d also say dog, because I like to be around people and would opt for play-time over sitting in a corner under a bed (*cough* cats). 

If you were stranded on a deserted island who is the 1 person you would want with you and why?

Jason Bourne. Duh.

If you knew you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt?

To start my own consulting business as an interior designer for commercial spaces like trendy restaurants/stores. And then, on the side, do homes as well. Also, to own my own unique card/gift-design company. (The answer to this could change tomorrow.)

Name 3 things on your “Bucket List”:

1. Go on a mission trip to Africa.
2. Surprise a friend or family member by having their favorite singer show up at a celebratory function and perform a song or two.
3. Have a drink, or five, with Chelsea Handler.

The Fans would be surprised to know that I ….

…don’t actually like Kelly Clarkson. I just pretend…to make friends with you fine people.

Free Style:  Tell us anything you think that Da Fans will wanna know.

That I’m really thankful for all the people I’ve met and friends I’ve made through “this thing.”

In addition: I was born in Texas, use to clog, applied to only 2 colleges, love the number 27, hate bacon, have never broken a bone, bruise easily, and think goat cheese tastes like the smell of a musty attic.  I also prefer water without ice, vegetables to fruit, and heels over flats.  My Grandpa Yoder grew up Amish. I still have an affinity for the culture.

Da Fans in Europe – Part 4 Hamburg

It was hard to leave Frankfurt….mostly because our hotel room was the size of a closet and we got stuck in the door. Only kidding. It was actually a nice hotel but Hamburg got the most votes in my informal “which city is better?” poll so we were all set to get the show on the road and check it out.

As we have been traveling each city has gotten progressively colder. Munich was delightful. I think it was 50+ degrees. Zurich was an extremely pleasant mid 40s and Frankfurt was colder. But Hamburg? Hamburg is where it gets bitter and mother nature reminds us that yes – it is still winter. We checked into our hotel and even though we are starting to feel the effects of the traveling – decided to get in a little sightseeing. We had no idea where to begin our tour of the city but Ally had a wonderful idea to get on a double-decker tourist bus so we would have a better idea of where we wanted to go the next day. Normally these buses let you hop on and off around the city so if you see something that you like you can just grab the next bus a few minutes later. Since it was already late in the day we didn’t have that option. So we were stuck with our tour guide as he showed us around the city. The first loop was a boring tour of mega-mansion houses that surrounded a nice lake. The guide didn’t speak to much English so I think we both kind of tuned out. I know that at one point I even dozed off. There are really only so many houses you can see before you get the picture.

Nice houses. Nice lake. Got it.

Then the tour got a little more interesting. Hamburg is a port city and has more waterways than Venice. Every street seems to cross a canal at some point. I am sure that in warmer weather it is delightful to stroll the streets.

Hamburg(er)

We passed through the major shopping district and noticed the largest Benetton we had ever seen. We passed the Rathaus, which is Hamburg’s city hall. We passed a very cute restaurant row and noted that it was only 3 blocks from our hotel. And then we got to the sex district. Yes, the sex district was a distinct part of the tour. We have seen our fair share of strip clubs this week but this area was just more in your face. Kind of reminiscent of Times Square in NY before it was Disneyfied – but as we would find out later not even Times Square was like this. Ally noted as were driving through that the main street of this area was exactly where KC would be playing her show the next day. I found this hysterically funny. Mostly because the day before @ the Neu-Isenburg show I was laughing as a woman was telling Shane – Parachute’s tour manager, that KC needed to be more self confident on stage and that the lead singer of Parachute needed to be less. Shane assured her that he would sit the both of them down and tell them. In my head I was laughing at the thought of being more self confident in a sex district. What? No one else sees the humor? OK – just me then.

This picture does not do it justice

Now that the bus tour was over we crashed for a little bit and then headed out to dinner. Dinner in Hamburg….any suggestions? Well, Chinese of course! Everywhere we looked we kept seeing Chinese restaurants so we asked the hotel concierge for a recommendation. He only had a Thai suggestion so we headed out. About 10 minutes into this walk we were freezing and ducked into the first little Asian food place that we saw. It was Sushi and Thai but somehow Ally ended up with sweet and sour chicken so it was all good. The place was really nice and post dinner we may have run back to our hotel because it was that cold. I did twitpic some great signs though. Has anyone managed a suggestion for S.L.U.T Hamburg? No? Me neither and we weren’t venturing inside to ask either.

The next morning we headed back out to sightsee on foot. Since we knew that we would be heading back to the sex district that night we didn’t need to go that way. We had coffee and waffles at the anti-Starbucks.

I'm a breakfast person and this one was good

We wandered around the shopping district and through all the waterway streets.

Fashionistas - notice something missing?

One of the many waterways

We toured the Rathaus and found out that Hamburg has 1.8 million people and is the second largest city in Germany. We took some pics.

The outside

The inside

We ran into some of the boys from Parachute and at this point noticed that our toes (ok, mostly me) were losing feeling. So we headed back to the hotel to get ready for the night….you know, in the sex district – with KC and Co. What? I didn’t mention that yet?

Based on previous shows we thought we would be there fairly early if we got there 3 hours early. We were wrong. The line was already about 40-50 people deep and within minutes of our arrival the line grew to several hundred and stretched all the way down the street. The German fans that we had met this tour were right up front and were very nice to let us stand with them. We also met a trio of Dutch fans and at some point realized that the group behind us in line were English fans. I love this. It is the power of music. Live music. And fun. Based on the conversations that I was overhearing it was not anyone’s first show. This was a great barometer for how good the show would be that night. Ally and I were done with our meet & greets so we just wanted to be front row. My feet were beginning to go numb again when BAM! the doors opened. It was mission accomplished! Front row was secured right in front of Cory, Jill and Kate. We had to hold on to some space because Sarah had her meet & greet that night and we wanted to make sure that she got to be right up front with us as well. Ally got pushed around and gave up some ground. But in her defense the woman who was pushing her was really, really pushy and really, really annoying – as we would learn later. I don’t think manners or common sense existed in her headspace. I suffered through Some & Any one last time. Ally and Anja delighted in it – they seriously sang every word and knew the dance moves. They should not be proud.

Parachute was great. I am thoroughly enjoying them this tour. They have great chemistry on stage and their songs are a lot catchier than I had first realized. The venue was small. Really just a large dance club. We realized very quickly that it was very warm and the air was not moving. We were all wondering how many people would pass out this show and worried about ourselves as well. Pretty much at this exact moment one of KC’s stage crew members tosses us a bottle of water out of the blue and a girl passes out. Awesome for us but not a good sign. Then it was time for the main act…..YAH!!! But uh-oh! Is someone missing? Hey Mr. DJ! Where are you? It was very odd for Ric not to be there. The show was definitely missing that little added extra. I asked Jill while she was onstage and she said he went home. Ally found out a few minutes later through the wonder of technology that he had gone home for a death in the family and we were bummed. We had a little fun planned for Seven Nation Army and wondered if it would be cut. The rest of the show was going great. The crowd was the best I had been a part of so far and we love hanging with the German fanclub. These guys are just Fun (yes, capital F). The crowd knew the songs word for word and were so energetic. KC ripped through song after song after song. As much as we were loving the fast passed ones the ballads were needed to beat the heat. I thought KC nailed Walking After Midnight. Then it was time for Save You. This is an Ally fave and as much as I love my favorites I love watching people enjoy their faves. This song should be a single in Germany because the ENTIRE crowd was singing along too. Then all of a sudden mid song the show stopped. KC ran off the stage. Mid Song. Mid Song. Mid Song. The entire band looked confused. They continued to play for a few more minutes then just stopped. The stage went dark. The band just stood there. We just stood there. Twiddle your thumbs time folks because there was nothing going on. Then BAM….the band breaks into How I Feel (1 of my top 5 KC songs) and KC comes running back on stage. The entire crowd just goes with it and we are back in business. When the song ends KC laughs and apologizes to the crowd. She could not hold it anymore and had to, just had to….go to the bathroom! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I mean what are you going to do but laugh. But not to let the crowd down she breaks back into Save You and it is as epic as ever.

Once again the show continues fantastically and Because of You is terrific. The crowd is belting it. Anja is having such a blast and sings something during Because of You that KC just has to laugh. Next up was The Promise and once again my group of fans starts belting. KC smiles again. Did I mention that the German Fan Club is Fun?

The Germany Fan Club!!

Before you know it…….HANG ON FOLKS – our train, the entire train! Has just boarded a ferry. The first level is the train. The second level is passenger cars. And as I type this we are sitting on the top level crossing some body of water. This is pretty cool. Alex mentioned to us that this would happen but I guess we forgot. Denmark here we come!

Yes, the train was ON the boat....super cool.

Where was I? Oh yeah, KC and Co were getting ready for the encore. The last show KC had replaced Sober for Maybe. Who was loving this move? Me! And tonight was no different. I was loving it. Already Gone just isn’t as powerful to me coming on the heals of Maybe so I was just waiting until Sever Nation Army time. Ally had found these fantastic rainbow mohawk wigs in a $ store € store and we wanted to really rock out for this one.  The song ust is not the same without the DJ Ric intro.  But we rocked our way through it.  We got a few laughs from Kate and Cory.  I don’t think KC cared.  The fans around us loved it and several people were taking our pics post show.   We kept them on during My Life Would Suck Without You and I agreed to stay for the entire song.  Every other show I just left at this point.

If we thought the heat inside the club was bad. Exiting the club was horrendous. I think every person we were with was praying a stampede would not happen. 1,000 people heading for 1 door that was located in front of the merch AND Parachute was trying to sell cds. Plus all the people outside who were trying to get inside now that it was just a club. Not my fave moment of the night. Post show we attempted to say hello to KC but she never came outside. It was snowing very heavily and maybe she was dancing the night away. We headed back into the sex district to grab some food and head out. This is where Alex, Ally and I got an eyeful. There were the club kids in no clothes. The transvestites in dresses and the other people. By other people I mean the men in gas masks. Not sure what kind of fetish they were in to but we didn’t want to find out. I think we may have stared a little too long though…so we quickened our pace. Uh sorry, no pics of that one. By the way, those men were going into the same club KC played…..creepy!

Safe and sound back at our hotel…..we passed out. Early train today for our last stop – Copenhangen.

4 Down, 1 to Go!

E and Ally