'you're that guy!'

Last night was Tori's Lawrence, KS show - and it was amazing! Heather, Michael, Nancy, and I drove down late morning (we were running behind schedule, thanks to me and my organizational skills). I showed off my rapping skills for everyone in the car and gave them a taste of what a male Lil' Kim would sound like.

At 5 p.m. we got to the venue because we had VIP tickets. Heather and I had platinum and Michael and Nancy had gold. What does this mean? Well, we get to view a portion of Tori's sound check (she checked Spark and Concertina - which she goofed up on a bit - but was still very good), you get a goody bag that has the tour program and no hassle merchandise shopping. For Heather and I we also got to have a meet and greet with Tori. It was so nice. The VIP people were fantastic. They were friendly, didn't make us feel rushed and were totally laid back. John Evans wife (Ali?) was really cool too.

While waiting to talk with Tori in a side room, we all chatted about the protesters. John Evans and Dan Phelps walked through to go see them and came back a short while later. It seemed awkward at times because people were opening their heart up and everyone was five feet away.


When it was my turn I couldn't shut up. I'm a talker. I told her (the usual, I'm sure she hears it all the time) how much her music meant to me, especially during the death of my father. I went on to tell her how bad ass her show at the Vic was in Chicago. She said it needed to be done. I told her I was glad I caught Me and A Gun on video so everyone could see. her eyes got big, "You're that guy?!"
"Yes!"
"Ali, come here - this is the guy who filmed the You Tube video." She helped up the poster flat and said to me, "Did you know it was #2 most viewed?"
I said, "Yes, did you know it has over 175,000 views?"
It was funny in a way. Then we talked about the importance of that performance. How she was glad one of the dolls (Pip) could portray it in that way - not as a victim when Tori sings it. But in a way where she is taking a stand against rape and violence. She went on to say how she was glad it made people upset and uncomfortable because we have all become so conditioned and comfortable with rape. We've become numb to it. We wrapped it up after a couple high-fives and hugs and I quickly asked, "where is Not David Bowie?!"
She smiled and said, "We are practicing - it will come!"


The show was so good. It was my first Clyde show. My favorites were Little Amsterdam and Girl Disappearing, it was gorgeous.

Mother Revolution was amazing, strong and powerful. I felt it fit very nicely since the protesters were outside earlier. Caught A Lite Sneeze was really strong as well.



Frog On My Toe was a nice surprise and Mother was beautiful.

Virginia, Fairytale and Code Red together rocked! I was hoping to get one more encore, but she ended at 11 p.m. Jupiter was lovely as always. I never get tired of it.


I think the crowd was good for the most part. You'll run into rowdy people everywhere you go, but this show wasn't bad. What was bad was the drive home. All I wanted was a Diet Coke from McDonald's (and maybe a $1 double cheeseburger), but we passed the only open one in between Lawrence and Omaha. I still made it, thanks to a couple Lil' Kim songs.


Thank you Heather for the kick ass photos.