Excess or Acceptable?

Hi Samaria,

If you get the chance to go to 8 shows instead of 3 - just go for it. You´ll have the time of your life. Europe´s live performances are so great and highly enjoyable. It never gets old or repetitive.

I´ve attended a total of 13 Europe concerts in my life so far. I saw them twice on the OOTW-Tour in ´89, three times on the PIP-Tour in ´92 and 8 more times this time around from August 2004 to March 2005. Starting with a headlining gig at an outdoor festival in Switzerland in August, continuing with shows in Nürnberg, Stuttgart, Munich (all in Germany) and Milano, Italy in Oct./Nov. and finishing off with gigs in Pratteln, Switzerland, Pordenone, Italy and Bolzano, Italy in March.

And I repeat - it doesn´t get old. I highly recommend you to go to all the shows possible.

Just in case you didn´t read this in other threads ´til now. After the gigs stay at the venues or wait at the area where the busses are parked. There´s a big chance to meet the guys at some point for an autograph, a picture or a quick chat. They´re all very nice and down to earth guys.

I wish you all the best for your "tour". Have a great time and when you´re back tell us all about it.

Greetz,
sixx
[rockon

Hi Suzy, Hi Rasikh,

It's very reassuring to have such positive feedback and such sincere encouragement in my endeavors as a Europe fan. As I previously mentioned you other members here are awesome!

Suzy, I wished I had been there to accompany you. I'd love to visit Sweden and my mothers family is from Norway and many are still there. My mom has traveled there with two of my sisters, but she forgot to invite. Somehow I imagine that was intentional!
But I am happy that you met some lovely people and I am glad for you that you shall be seeing them again soon. In London no less!

I identify with you completely about the (hush hush) advancement in age issue. Where does the time go that suddenly we're close to middle aged? It frightens me but I've not yet figured out exactly how to slow the hands of time. I'd jump on the clock and prevent the hands from moving, if only I knew which was THE clock. O-well, I guess I shall continue to get older!

Rasikh,

Last night I was on the phone talking to a girlfriend back East about these venerated musicians. I told her that I was plagued by this quandry as to how many shows I ought to attend and she asked if there woulfd be any out on her side of the country. I said a little hesitantly, as I knew the reaction in advance, and when I told her she heightened her inveigle disposition and said, "Well then hop in your car ang move on down the highway Girlfriend"!

The shows were almost the same that you will be attending. So, now it might increase from 3 to 8? Oh boy, I find I'm feeling most impetuous. It woould however make up for the last 20 years of not having seen them. I'll keep you posted on that perplexing question of yes or no.

Again, thank you all so much for the uplifting inspirational comments. Maybe I'm overly encouraged but that certainly supercedes by far feeling discouraged. Thank everyone!

Be well and I shall return sooner than even I think ,I'd imagine. I'm developing an addiction to checking in !

Samaria

I am going to the following shows.


Jaxx in Virginia

Troc at Philly

BB KING at NYC

Starland Ballroom in NJ(10 minutes from my place)



Crocodile at Allentown
It would be cool if you come join us. It will be blast.

Hi Samaria,



I know just how you feel.
I'm 38 (don't know how it happend so fast, but there it is... ) and I made my "Europe debute" last summer. I didn't know anyone who wanted to go with me, so I went from Sweden to Norway all by myself. Just as you say it felt a bit awkward at first, but once the music began... WOW!

I have spent about 3 years on this forum now and made some amazing friends here. Most of them I met in London for the Europe gig in November last year. We had such a good time! I had no idea you could make such wonderful friends over the internet. Love it!
Another girl, from France, came to Sweden last year and I met with her and her husband. Then we met in London and one month ago in Paris when I was there on a businesstrip. Music really connects people huh?!

The best thing of all - In exactly one months time I will just have landed in London and will meet these wonderful people again. To see the band is just a bonus - And what a great one...

Have fun!!
Suzy

Hello Stein-Vidar,

Thank you for such a prompt reply. Though I have never traveled to Spain myself, I do believe it would be fair to say that a monumental difference exists between Spain and Wyoming/Montana. I was signifigantly off course on that one, Whoops!

In this area of the United States there are several Indian reservations designated by the government. Indian art and jewelry and decor prevail for the most part. Perhaps that contributed to my thinking this could possibly have been near the filming location.

Thank you again,
Samaria

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Written by: Samaria 17/04/2005 22.29
Incidentally, do any of you know where the Cherokee video was filmed? Much of the surrounding territory here resembles that of the landscaping in the video. I'd be interested to learn where it was filmed.

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The video was filmed in the fall of 1987 in Almeira, Spain.

Hi Rasikh and Dimi,

How fantastic to open the thread and receive such encouragement! You guys are wonderful, and I loved the Joe Doe comment again. You're terribly funny.

Rasikh,

I wondered which venues back East you were planning to attend? I looked over their schedule this morning and I too was thinking (hypothetically) that it would be plausible to attend from Baltimore to Allentown.

As I was doubting the whole California adventure, I realistically don't think I would, but it was fun to imagine doing so.

Both of you do have a point. The 80's were all about excess and indulgence and entering into the 90's we saw the decade of decadence. And I've revered this group longer than any other and so I should seize the opportunity.

It is so amusing to me to suddenly become so innundated with the rememberance of so many Joe Doe and Europe things. I probably should not admit to this, but I hope I'll be forgiven if I sound like a conscienceless criminal.

When I was 14 a relative had come to visit. I was sitting in my room and I saw their vehicle parked out in our driveway. I was listening to my Europe cassette and daydreaming about those mysterious and intriguing men.

As I focused in more on the car, I realized it was a Jeep Cherokee. Well now, wasn't that a coincidence, as Cherokee was playing on my stereo. That's when the evil notion was implanted within my mind.

I walked very quietly past the living room and I carefully opened the door to the outside. I went to the far side of this vehicle and with much precaution so as not to cause too much damage, I pried the metal Cherokee emblem off of the side of the car. Ooops!

I snuck back in the house and feigned innocence when I was later questioned about it. As I was consumed with my adoration of this band I fooled no one. The sun rose and set with Europe and anyone who knew me knew it. Regardless, at the time I imagined I was mighty clever!

I still have that thing in this cardboard box filled with my Europe memorabillia. Aren't I a naughty one indeed!

That is just one of the hundreds I have been reminiscent about in the last few days. Oh, I feel such an onslaught of energy and happiness from thinking about all of these things that once ruled supreme in my world. It's crazy but awesome.

I hope I in no way came across as being arrogant in saying I was concerned I would be 'noticed'. I thought about how that might sound after the fact and narcisism was not what I wanted to project.

I seriously doubt that anyone but myself would be aware of my presence. It is just such a bizarre arena to try and reinstate yourself in when isolation has so long been the name of the game. However, I shall take your advice and have the time of my life! Thank you for the reassurance.

Incidentally, do any of you know where the Cherokee video was filmed? Much of the surrounding territory here resembles that of the landscaping in the video. I'd be interested to learn where it was filmed.

Be well everyone and thank you for your responses!

Have a lovely day and I'll check in again soon.

Samaria

Sam we don't mind long messages. It's all good. But I think if you can go to all the shows possible. I am going to 5 Europe shows in East Coast of the states. EVEN thought I have finals that week. lol. But I guess it will be worth it. Can't wait. I went to see 3 KISS shows last year. AMAZING. Now I regret not going to more. Dimi did you see them at Melbourne Stadium? I have the dvd. Great stuff.

TOTALLY acceptable!

Im fully in support of you going to ALL their shows Samaria!
Until just last year I too had not had the chance to experience EUROPE live but after I did, it was my wish to attend every gig thereafter! You will understand this from the first moment the band hit the stage, all the way through to the encore performance when you will feel your eyes well-up with tears when you hear those opening chords to "...Countdown".
Unfortunately I didnt have the opportunity to follow them to another town as I was only in Sweden for the festival for 3 days.

PLEASE go to all the gigs - you will NOT be disappointed!

You could look at it this way if youre feeling challenged by the "EXCESS or ACCEPTABLE" conundrum...
The 80's were all about EXCESS, so now with the return of one of the HUGEST acts of the 80's, why would taking each and every opportunity to see them NOT be ACCEPTABLE!?

You GO girl!!!

Go see Joe Doe at the show!

Dimi

I realize that this is my fourth post in only a couple of days, however, this has become a most enjoyable distraction amidst a cloud of chaos! I'm so happy to have found this forum!

I was making arrangements to travel to California to see this band when it occured to me the most logical beginning point would be to confirm the days of the shows. Admittedly I find myself more than a little preoccupied on occassion. Ooops!

After viewing the 'tour' section here I was surprised to see that a show was scheduled in San Diego in between Anaheim and Los Angeles. That seemed rather like geographical ping-pong. But I am not a travel guide so I will not discount whatever rationale is behing the routing.

The conflict I have personalized from this is that I now want very much to attend all three shows instead of the original two. And I was thinking that was excessive as it was.

I am going to attend all by my little lonesome and I have a preconceived notion that I shall feel self-conscious until the music begins. You know what I mean, when you go somewhere and see that one individual who just does not blend and they appear to know it? I've deemed it a foregone conclusion that I shall be that oddity.

Do not misunderstand, this plausible reality will not persuade me to refrain from being there. No way, not possible after having waited nearly twenty years for this. But, as oppossed to subjecting myself to discomfrt twice I now know there is a possibility to make three times the charm!

Is that far too extreme? In essence I could justify going as I will have nothing else 'imperative' to occupy my time. I have no pressing commitments for the duration of my three day California vacation. Aside from the shows, of course.

I know that if I were to be sitting in my hotel on a Saturday, in Los Angeles, I'd feel deprived of witnessing greatness just a couple more hours journey down the road. Contemplating that knowledge is not sitting well with me. It's such a silly dilemma.

I know that 'women' follow bands from here to there all the time and somehow that behavior is acceptable for them. If they choose that for themselves I think it is refreshing to be so open about your adoration. But I do not know anyone,I'm a 32 year old Mommy working to become a paramedic, and I feel like I am too old to be so enthralled as to go three times in a row.

Is there anybody out there who has any input? Maybe the 'other Karen' being a single female herself would like to make a new friend so neither one of us need go alone? I talk incessantly and I am a happiness enthusiast, but I am friendly and I'd feel a whole lot less ridiculous if I was not so obviously alone at consecutive performances. Need an acquaintance anybody?

Yes, I realize that this is a message board and we are all virtual strangers so to say 'would you like to get together for the show' might seem not a terribly precautious thing to do. But, we gather and converse here to revel in our appreciation of this band so at least the foundation is on solid ground.

Again, I apologize for writing to this extent. I only want to convey my thoughts and ask my questions. I'll await feedback, but please don't delay too long as the shows are very near.

Thank you for tolerating my insecurities! Be well!

Samaria