The concert

at last... a few minutes to recall the Ashlee Simpson concert....the days have slipped by and the memory has faded somewhat..(thank God) but i think i can recall the majority of the event...

the concert took place at the beautiful Borgata in the lovely atlantic city...if you ever get a chance to visit AC do not leave without seeing the Borgata...it is a beautiful casino with absolutley phenomenal light fixtures...anyway...the concert

Elyssa, Gigi and I..at the concert

we were there early...for nothing more than to wait in line...standing..for hours...we watched all the little girls dressed like ashlee walking by to take their place in the line....we waited and chatted...then finally..after what seemd like an eternity..the doors open...squeals of delight rise up from the crowd...we also cheer...for we are going inside...to comfortable seats...

we are herded like cattle through the doors...my breath is taken from me...no..not because of the beauty..the serenity..the loveliness..the majesty...the immensenss...not for any of those reasons...it is because..and this is the most unbelievable thing EVER...there were NO seats...one big open room.....and i have to say it again because i can hardly believe it myself...NO SEATS!!!! there in the front of the room is a stage...surrounded by carpet...and..NO seats...and the stage...ah...the stage...it is nothing more than a stage for a high school...for mame or grease to be performed...a high school stage...not even a college or university...just a high school stage...hardly seems appropriate for the MEGA star that Ashlee claims to be but...whatever...we are there because my daughter LOVES Ashlee Simpson...Elyssa is so happy that it makes everything that takes place worth while...keep in mind that i am not complaining... merely.. venting if you will....
ok...back to the concert...
where were we
herded
no seats
stage
ah yes..there we were
the stage
small...ashlee size i guess
standing was first come first serve...and we were early so we were VERY close to the stage...toe to toe with everyone around us..elyssa is thrilled beyond belief...once again i have to say...it makes me happy...i was so glad to be there with her..

we wait in the crowd for over an hour...standing there...smashed in...

FINALLY...the band comes out..but not Ashlee and her band...some guys that ashlee found in some bar in the hills of tennessee or the backwoods of south carolina....just a band no one ever heard of...ok...i can stand this...it should not be too long before the Ash makes her appearance..
the band..plays..and plays...and plays some more...then they are done...they clear the stage and ask the audience if they are ready for ASHLEE....screams errupt....even i am excited now...it will just be minutes..then ashlee will be here....right??

WRONGO buckaroo..

another band...this one from some bar in texas..oh god...

remember...we are standing..there are no seats...we have been standing for hours...and hours...toe to toe with the crowd around us...breathing was difficult...my legs were killing me...my back was having spasms and my feet were completely numb...but the happiness on E's face made it all disappear...

this band played...and played..and played some more..then...they declare the next song will be the last..and...
"Who is ready for Ashlee to come out?"
YEAH!!!!!!!! the crowd cheers...
silly us
for they have but one more song in them..
or so they tell us..
then
another
and
another....
each time promising that this will be the last song...then the great and powerful ashlee simpson will arrive...by now she is like the friggin wizard of oz...we know she exists for we have heard the tales...but ...where could she be????
at long last...they play their last song...FOR REAL!!!
they clear the stage..
ashlee's band sets up...
then
no one
just the equipment..
no people
but wait...who is that...CHEERS!!!!
oh...just a stage boy...doing a "sound check"...he leaves
again
empty stage
another stage boy
another "sound check"
this goes on a few times
it is a tease or a delay or a diversion...whatever it is...i am annoyed...

then
oh my god
it is almost 10:30
and
the crowd goes wild
cheers...screams...the floor shakes as the crowd jumps up and down..

there she is
finally...at long last...
ASHLEE SIMPSON
close enough to spit my gum and HIT her with it...believe me...i am thinking about it..because all i can picture is her in her room saying
as she stomps her foot
"i don't want to go out yet"
"you're not the boss of me"
"i'm gonna do what i wanna do"

all i want is one good slap...then i will be happy :)
but i look at Elyssa who is jumping along with everyone else...she is singing...and dancing...and she is so so so so happy...i start dancing and having a great time just because she is having the best time of her life....

then the concert is over...it was not long at all...i mean the Ashlee part of the concert..but...whatever

we leave...herded like cattle again...there is ONE way out...with 2 escalators running..and thousands of people leaving...ok...i am no mathmatician..but somehow that does not seem right... i am a mother and the mother in me always comes out..but..what if there was a fire...we would have surely all perished...not something i want remembered about me....dying at the ashlee simpson concert...

anyway...in spite of EVERYTHING...we had a good time..and Elyssa was very happy