Didn't take a lot of pictures; been to Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney and Newcastle before, and they were really strict about photos at the Ed show.
In Brisbane, I got to spend a lot of time with my friend from Scotland, Craig... He came to see Eddie with me for one show, and seemed to enjoy it. It's rare to find that special friend with whom you can completely be yourself, and who makes you laugh... Always have to go through withdrawals after seeing Craig... :)
Here is the gang in Brisbane...
On the day off, Tanya and I drove to Mt. Tambourine. Craig had told us of a crystal shop there, but most stores were closed by 4pm when we got there.... but we finally found the crystal shop, and of course, it was open... found a great ball with a green stone with ruby spots in it...
In Canberra, my fan clubs were in the front row center, and so Tanya sat with me... At one point, she timidly yelled out "Immortality" and Ed didn't look like he heard... Later, after the break, he said he was going to try something that "someone up here requested", and strummed the first couple notes... Tanya screamed out, "Fuck MEEEE!" and literally climbed on my lap! Too funny! Ed smiled... :)
Next was Newcastle, which was Rob's home turf. He knew Mark Richards quite well, the famous surfer whom Eddie idolized, and who is now a good friend. At the Newcastle show, Eddie told a story about Mark, and went on to say that Mark kept him supplied with MR stickers, which his daughters loved; and how they stuck them everywhere, even the commode!
So the next day, I mentioned I wanted to go to MR's store to buy some stickers. The guys wanted to drive up the coast, but it was almost 4pm and the store would be closed at 5pm and wouldn't open the next day until after we had to leave for Sydney... so they agreed to go by there first. We drove past and made a U turn to park, and someone said that Smitty (Ed's tour manager) was in the shop. Sure enough, we walked in, and there was Ed's bodyguard and Smitty, and Ed in the corner, hair in a ponytail with a cap down low, looking at clothes and trying to be inconspicuous in that conspicuous way of his... We didn't want to bother him, so went to the back and chatted with MR for a while (what a nice guy!)... As we were leaving, MR was back helping Ed, and said to Rob, "did you say hello to Ed?" So Rob chatted with him a while, and I was standing behind him listening (although I didn't really hear a word, my heart was racing), but it was the first time I had run into Ed in a somewhat natural setting, so I was determined to say hello.... when Rob turned to leave, Ed saw me, and nodded, and said, Oh, hello, recognizing me. So I held up my MR stickers and said, "I just came in to get my MR stickers for my commode..." And he laughed, then I said goodbye and walked out... At least I didn't freeze up!
Afterwards, we drove up to this famous surfing beach...
Andrew, Tanya, Rob...
The Sydney shows were all great, and at the first one, I had the front row of the balcony, so I decided to film a bit, very surreptitiously... One of the kids who seems to be at every PJ show, is Hin, who always wears a blond mullet wig.... Ed had seen him at all the Aussie shows, so he got him up on stage, and proceeded to give him a "haircut"...
A slice of heaven that is EJ Barnes and Eddie singing together (John Doe's Golden State)... followed by a story about Mark Richards, and then Growin' Up by Springsteen.
The second night, I got day of show releases in the 10th row, but they were fantastic, because there was an aisle in front of the row, and it was elevated, so it was a perfect view... At the end, I said half jokingly, that I was going to get those seats tomorrow... And sure enough, after trying all day for tickets, at 5pm, I pulled up not only that same row, but the EXACT same seats! Freaky!
Amy had come for the 3 Sydney shows, and brought some flavored vodka... my first exposure. I don't drink hard liquor, but we managed to finish 3 bottles in 3 days!
Then off home, after 3 weeks of being away, and I was ready!
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