After a nice sleep on the hard floor of my cousin Matt's apartment, Matt's wife Melissa woke me up to get ready to head out to the airport. Matt had worked late, so it proves how much he loves me that he drug himself out of bed early just to take me to KCI. What a lovely drive to KCI in rush hour traffic! Matt and I had a nice discussion. Usually he picks on me for liking Clay and by the end of the drive, without me even saying anything, he wanted to beat up anyone who picked on Clay. I arrived at KCI two hours before my flight and had no problem checking in my 2 suitcases (one was shoes ... no I am not kidding!) and took my burberry bag and purse to the terminal. I tried to call Beverly to see where she was. She was going to her boss's house. Her boss was flying to LA on the same flight for other reasons. I finished an entire book while I waited for Beverly and her boss to show up. A flight left for Denver and then it was just me and some people who obviously didn't listen to the "Don't leave any of your belongings/luggage unattended" message. Alas, Beverly showed up and we squealed like the fangirls we are and talked about how much we missed Clay.My phone rang as we were getting in lines to board. It was Audra. She was already on the plane, about 50 feet from the door and we kept losing our connection. Hilarious! I boarded ahead of Beverly and found Audra. As soon as I dropped my things on the empty seat, we had to hug! We hadn't seen each other since Kansas City JNT 05 last November. Finally we prepared for take off. We knew the others were in route as well. A little over 3 hours, a Southwest packaged snack pack and gross cup of coffee later, we were finally in LA. I watched some clack on Audra's laptop on the way there until the battery died. We got off the plane, headed toward baggage claim and saw Lauren holding up a sign for Audra that said "STLClaycrazy". We also found out due to some sort of a power problem (or something) Sarah, who was supposed to have been at LAX before us, was in Las Vegas. While Audra and Lauren tried to find out what was going on with Sarah's flight and find Carolyn, Beverly and I took her boss with us to get the rental van. We found the van, dropped her boss off and headed back to pick up everyone. Audra called and said she found Sarah.It took us driving around the LAX terminal area twice to get to where the rest of our group was standing. Thank goodness Beverly was driving! We packed all the luggage in and headed to the hotel using directions from the general manager there. Before we got to the hotel, we realized it was getting late and we hadn't had lunch. Lauren had been craving Jack in the Box and there was one on the way. I had never had anything there before. Not too bad! We all ordered and sat down, but not before Carolyn tried to pay with her Canadian money. Bwah! The cashier looked confused.My cell phone rang. Clay was singing "Right Here Waiting" to everyone and I saw on my caller ID it was Clandy (ILClaymate). She said Clay was sick and cancelled his KTLA interview and I really thought she was joking. Why? She was laughing! I think all of the people in the eating establishment thought something was wrong with me because I practically yelled "You're lying!" I told the girls what Clandy said and we started worrying. We didn't fly halfway across the country and in Carolyn's case, over the border, to miss this opportunity.We packed it back into the van and made it to the hotel. Now, the hotel was just gorgeous! Here was the view from our room.
After a quick call to Virgin, we found out that there were nearly 50 people already in line to get wrist bands.We decided quickly to shower, grab any clothes we would need for the next day and head to Virgin. Everyone showered and Johanna (Clayharmony) met up with us at 7 p.m. We all packed into the van and I rode with Johanna. We stopped to get gas in her car and at a drug store for snacks and chairs. Audra and Lauren bought pink soccer chairs and Sarah got a UCLA chair. We headed on past Rodeo Drive and to our destination. We parked at the Kodak's parking garage and set up our place in line. Bev and I went across the street for supper with Johanna at the Hamburger Hamlet. Not at all a fast food place and wonderful food. We had a nice talk and then headed back to the line. Johanna headed home and we sat in line so the others could go eat.I got to meet plenty of people. Some I had seen at previous Clay gatherings, concerts and parties. People slowed down and asked what we were waiting for. We proudly told them Clay would be there tomorrow to sign autographs. People were amazed that we were there already. Virgin played Clay songs for us while they were still open, had a sign promoting the appearance ...
(I took this pic while laying on the sidewalk.)
and Clay posters everywhere!
Time wore on and we talked and talked and listened to Clay. Sleep was out of the question for me since I had nothing to lay on but my burberry bag and Hollywood Blvd.
Tuesday September 26th
People can be idiots. Someone drove by and threw eggs at some people in line. Then there was the guy in the 80's pants and fake black leather USA jacket. He carried a display for an energy drink and talked to it. Then he talked to some of the people in line who didn't hear a thing since they were asleep. Thankfully he didn't come near us.
Most people were asleep, but not us.
All the Clay fans took turns going in groups to the bathroom, so we wouldn't be alone. And wouldn't you know it? Starbucks and The Coffee Bean were closed! We had to wait until 6:30 for more caffeine. Since it was readily available and we were together, Bev and I posed with our boyfriend.
To be continued ....
