Way back when in December, the three of us sat at the ready, waiting for the appointed time when the GBS tickets would go on sale. Five minutes later, three very happy people emailed each other the joyous news – the tickets had been ordered and we indeed should have good seats.
Push ahead to April when Columbine braves the NJ Turnpike on Greyhound. I picked her up on Monday night and the crazy lady agreed to attend school with me on Tuesday. I took the Zombie Columbine into the van, coffeed her up and she eventually was awake enough to tell off Carlito and Tevin. I put her to work babysitting the 5-year-old guest in my room in the afternoon and supervising the 4th graders who spent the day with me. (And you thought I taught Grade 5? – well mostly. I had twenty-seven 5th graders, three 4th graders and a kindergartener in a pear tree).
Neither of us could quite wait till the end of the school day when we hurried home to welcome Helenwheels back to Pennsylvania. Helen grew up not far from where I live and she was familiar with Pennsylvania’s GBS-friendly towns such as Doylestown, Allentown and Newfoundland. And phonetically at least, Mechanicsvile. When we pulled into the driveway, Helen had arrived and was chatting with Vic at the picnic table. We got our stuff together and drove down the Pennsy Turnpike to Harrisburg. Vic and I had been there two weeks ago to see the Cape Breton band, Beolach, at a different venue and had scoped out the Whitaker on our way back home. Very nice venue!
Our hunger was satisfied at the Eat ‘n’ Park at the east end of town and we drove a few more minutes to the venue, passed the bus and parked a block down the street. We saw Murrray get into the bus when we were a block away. What a breathtaking site when we entered the venue! It was gorgeous inside and liquid refreshment was flowing. Glenn was busy at the merch table as people crowded sound to ogle the latest tee shirts and other merch.
“ Anne?” a person behind me approached. Ah! Someone I recognized! It was Annette from Pittsburgh who had traveled to Harrisburg from the opposite end of the state. I had met Annette in Toronto, of all places, last year. You never know where you’ll meet GBS fans. Then Endi found us and shortly after that Dieter, Lynda, Marnie and Nova.
The theatre looked pretty full as we entered and took our seats in the FRONT ROW!!!!!!!!! Bonnie and her family were right behind us and Nova’s seat was right next to ours. Mike from Ottawa was on the end next to me. He was so anxious to see Great Big Sea and they hadn’t posted any Canadian dates, so he just made his way down here with friends and got his fix! Bonnie was behind us and she had brought the kids again. Abby was all of four and such a fan! And Bonnie's son, too! |
