Well time goes quickly when you are having fun. Isn't that always the way. Why can't the bad stuff, the boring times, the difficult times moves quicker and those good times move nice and slow so that you can appreciate them and enjoy each and every second. That's often how I feel about Clay's concerts and other things too. They come they go and then they are over and you not even sure what you just watched. I guess that is why so many of us go to more than one. You go to the first one and you are just sort of in a trance and a bit overwhelmed, then the next to actually really hear it and see Clay and then again to actually see everything else that is happening on the stage. The other times are all just gravy. I like gravy too!! I don't very often get the gravy in person; that's where clack comes in, but I do like it. So with this in mind.... last week in Chicago I sat watching the JNT05 and loved it and was moved, but I think I may have missed the little things. So... I will get to see the little things in 2 weeks when I actually get to go to DC and Baltimore shows and not only see and hear once again but enjoy what is a truly great holiday message. I think I may have been a bit preoccupied in Chicago too. I had a meet and greet and was looking forward to meeting Clay. I was having a bit of hard time concentrating. I heard all the notes and saw the socks (couldn't miss them they were right in front of me) and enjoyed every minute; but somehow it was still all a blur. I almost wanted to scream out, "SLOW DOWN". But I breathed a sigh of relief when I found out where the local theatre group was from, Palatine; my home town. I thought that one guy looked familiar; I think I see him every week in the grocery store. I was relieved because I now had something to talk to Clay about in the meet and greet. I think that "what can I say and not look like a complete idiot" idea was floating around my head all day long. I will never be disappointed about living in Palatine again; (still miss living in my fantastic Chicago neighborhood a bit). Once the show was over we were taken down to the dungeons of the Chicago Theater to wait in line for our meet and greet with Clay. Jerome spelled out the rules; very logical they all were and then we waited. It was nice to chat with the other "meeters" in line. All had a different story and as I discovered the same "what can I say and not look a fool" thought going thru their minds. Nick came out and tried to tell us that we had to leave cuz the room was too crowded; not a single one of us fell for that one. Better luck next time Nick. Once Clay arrived all of us were so hot (get your minds out of the gutter folks). It was so warm down there in the theatre dungeon we were all sweating. Not something that us Chicagoans are use to experiencing in late November. I was about 6th in line so got to see the "format" and was ready to go. We exchanged hellos and Merry Christmases and he asked my name and then where I lived.... Palatine I announced with a sigh of relief. Oh so you were one of those people cheering. Of course I said and he then leaned in and asked where exactly is that. I guess the members of the theatre group had not given him that info. Well it's 35 miles NW of downtown Chicago. At this point he is starting to sign my picture. I had given him a black leather jacket picture I had taken in Indy this summer. He starts signing and his silver pen runs out of ink at KAR. He has a bit of an oops look, but since I'm anal and prepared (girl scouts I guess) I pull out picture #2 of him from the same concert in his 70's white. Out comes the black sharpie and all is good. I tell him I really enjoyed the show and that I'm looking forward to seeing to again. He looks up and asks where I'm going... DC and Baltimore I respond. To which he says "oh you are really going to like those shows" I can't help wondering "was I not suppose to like the one I just saw"? But actually I wonder if he knows my 3 show theory... because I may really actually "like those shows" because I may really "see" them better this time around. A quick picture with Clay and another handshake and a "see you in December" from Clay and once again a great moment (well at least I thought it was) was quickly over. Following Jerome's rule #4 I quickly grab my stuff off the table and I'm out of there. Leaving the venue thru the door that leads to Clay's bus gave me another strange insight. As the door opens and you walk out the crowd gathered there lunges forward in hopes that it's Clay. The look of diappointment that it's just somebody; well actually nobody is chilling as is the cold Chicago night (especially after sweating to death in the dungeon). That sudden lunge they all did before they realized it wasn't Clay.. that must be a bit of a yikes everynight when Clay does walk out to the buses; especially when people are so close like that. Well I enjoyed Chicago for many reasons, great show, great friends to see it with and a picture, a few words and great memories that will remind me of meeting Clay, but I'm definately looking forward to DC and Baltimore for what they will offer as well. This time I may actually really see the show. 15 days and counting... which I'm sure will go slower than molasses; it's just the way it goes... Karen