Just flew back from MN. and am completely shell-shocked. I
feel blessed. I decided to fly out Fri at 4pm due to info
on love4oneanother about ticket availability at the door.
(thanks more than I can say to those who posted the info)
By 6:45 I was on a plane (fare $250 which is amazing itself
considering notice) By 10:00 I was at Paisley thinking I
would just see what was up. It was my first time there and
it was easy to find. I walked right in, paid my $20 and the
show began.



I could not believe my timing. Everyone was just milling
around. The artist moved among the crowd as well as
Clinton, members of the Time, and MTV vj Ananda Lewis, the
Grahams. Unbelievable easy going vibe. Some people were
really dressed for the event thinking this was the main
taping. But for the most part everyone was really casual
which was good since I just stepped off the plane in jeans
and leather. The Time performance was taped and I stood
next to the Artist while he watched. WOW. I also ran into
Lewis and got to tell her what a super job she did on the
Chris Rock show. She was very personable and down-to-earth.
Others can give a set list I hope as my mind is a blurr.



The Artist invited everyone back to the "real show tomorrow
night." After the music, the Artist filmed Morris Day
shots for the pay per view. Apparently a stunt double swung
onto the stage on a rope earlier, so they shot Morris
preparing to swing and shot of him landing on the stage.
It interesting to see the Artist in role of director. Very
focused but laughing as well. Day kept in light as he stood
on top of a ladder pretending to swing off of it and joked
with the crowd/the Artist about getting paid more to do
this.



After, I headed to see if I could find a phone to call a
cab and was told by some production people that cabs were
hard to come by. Thought I'd see if i could bum a ride from
the last remaining attendees, but instead was offered a
ride by a person with the production crew which was so cool
because it happened to be in the same vehicle with Maceo
Parker and his agent. They were very gracious. So ended
Friday night.



After 3 hours of sleep and a trip to the mall, I was back
at Paisley around 6pm. It was COLD but spirits were high.
I was in the middle of the pack with some great people.
I'd love to list their names but I can't remember them.
A real sweetie with an Explorer parked close to the line
let people take turns warming up in her vehicle. The crowd
was expecting to be let in at 9. By 10 people were getting
a bit ugly. Chants were heard and when the news crews arrived
many were more concerned about warming up next to the
lights than getting on the news.



By 11, the festive mood turned more to survival. By 11:30,
a rep said it was too full and the crowd would not be
getting in. Several people left the "huddle" and I found
myself about 25 back from the gate. At midnight, 10 people
were let in and I was not going anywhere. At 12:20 another
10 were let in and I was number 8! I think the rest were
let in later, but I am not sure. I paid my $100 at the door
where they gave out Rave Calendars and headed to the
bathroom. Somehow I came out not looking that bad,
considering.



Perhaps you will see me at on the tape. I have long curly
brown hair and I was wearing a long red dress with a
floor-length long-sleeved black velvet jacket and a great
symbol necklace. Many people were frustrated by the wait
and planned to complain, but once inside I think everyone
forgot about the cold. I did. The show was beyond amazing.



It started a few minutes after I got in. The Artist played
for awhile then left the stage. I went to get water and
found myself standing right next to Lenny Kravitz and the
Artist as they prepared to pass through the crowd to go on
stage. I could not believe my luck. As the body guards
made way through the crowd, I ended up kind of pushed up to
front and center maybe two back to watch. So Lucky! Set
list report will hopefully come from someone else because
my brain is fried(or perhaps frozen-



Metalic and paper confetti, purple feathers and I think
some kind of snow fell on us throughout the show and well
as purple and gold symbol/2000 balloons. There was no real
count down but there was a count up- 1,2,3,4,5,6,7... then
the Artist played 1999 and the VIP section ran up on stage
to dance. Also at some point, the Artist crowd surfed over
to his piano and back. I was too short to touch, but I saw
him floating above me. It was a nice view .



At the end the Artist played "Baby Knows" off Rave and just
when we thought it was over, he called Johnny Lang up on
stage "to get a piece of it". WOW. They played extended
version of Baby Know melody with just killer guitar. What a
trip. I went and picked up a cool black long sleeve t-shirt
with blue writing that said Rave unto the year 2000 and
symbol on left sleeve ($15). They also had black polos($30)
and a black jacket ($200) with the same writing available.



I hung out with "Michigan"- a guy I met in line who didn't
even know about the taping but showed up for a concert-
for a bit but nothing more happened. So, we headed to
Perkins for some breakfast at around 6 am. I flew out of
MN and back to Rapid City, SD Sunday night. Thanks much to
the production guy for the ride Friday and the water table
for letting me stash my jacket. Also much love to those who
stood in line with me. I hope you all got in. And a big
"Hey, I made it!" to my Central High School students who
were actually going to try to raise money for me to bid
on the VH1 auction.