I GOT BACKSTAGE!!!!!!!!

I got backstage! Really and truly!

Mike and I took Mallory to see CSN because I read a rock magazine article on Stephen Stills which said he was losing his hearing, and suffering from severe tinnitus. He could lose his hearing, and I thought we better take Mal to see CSN while they can still perform together.

The 3 of us went on Saturday night to The Greek Theatre. The last time we saw CSN play was 10 years ago, so it was great to be there and to see and hear them perform. I love that they came from different bands and formed CSN, and CSNY. Their music is diverse because they each have distinct styles. Their harmony is amazing, and so are their lyrics. Stills writes the best songs. They surprised us and played some of The Stones music and The Grateful Dead's, and they also played music from Still's band before CSN, The Buffalo Springfield. My favorite songs of the night were Rock and Roll Woman, and Southern Cross.

We were some of the last to leave because Mike stood in line to buy Mallory a shirt. The next thing I know I see people wearing blue stickers lining up along a railing and entering a building.

I immediately said, "They're going backstage and I move to go with them. Mallory was so surprised and kept saying, "Where are you going?" I told her to come on, they are going back stage, and to let's go. She hung back and then I saw Jan! I recognized Jan and said, "That's Jan. Come on!" She still wouldn't really come with me, and I said, "That's David's wife! That's Jan!"

The next thing I know, I'm in line, and Mike and Mallory are lingering behind me, and all I can think is, 'I'm going in, with or without them. I'm going." And I did. I got in.

I shuffled my way in with a group of people, but I could hear Jan saying as I walked passed her, "Now who is this? I don't think she's suppose to be here." When I got in I just kept walking. I saw CSN in the next room, standing there talking. I kept going until I was within 20 feet of them. It was crazy. I felt like I was in a dream, and I just kept walking toward them, even though I could hear Jan saying, "How did you get in here? Are you suppose to be here? I don't think she's suppose to be here."

Finally, I kind of came to my senses, and turned back around , and she asked me the same thing again. It didn't even dawn on me to lie to her. I told her, "No, I'm not and that I had followed a group of people in wanting to know where they were going." She kind of laughed at me and she shook my hand, and I told her to tell David, I love him!" Then I had to leave. Mike and Mallory were waiting for me and were incredulous.

Then the shock wore off, and I had to scream, and tell them I saw them, I saw CSN, I was 20 feet away! (I felt just like Lucy when she kissed Bill Holden!) They couldn't believe it, and Mallory acted like I was crazy and that she didn't even know who I was, which was even funnier to me than anything because she got to see a glimpse of me out of Mom mode, as a young me.

Mike couldn't believe it, and I made him feel my heart because it was pounding so wildly. "Can't you just feel it pounding?"

Afterward, I was immediately filled with regret. I don't know why I didn't get down on my knees and plead and beg to let me meet them. I don't know why I didn't just shout it out that I've been singing their songs since I was 10 years old. I wish I would have thought of this when I was shaking Jan's hand, but I didn't. It all felt like a dream.

All I know is that it was thrilling, exciting and fun. It felt like I was 16 years old!