Time for a review:
So, after leaving my dad's house in Sparta, IL, off we drove to the 7PM show. I acted extremely excited, as my friend Shane wondered just what was wrong with me as he put his misspelled Al sign in the back seat. I eagerly counted down the blocks left until we reached the Pageant. We finally got there as loads of Al fans poured into the building. I was so happy that we were finally there. It was time to see Al! It was time for--
--a trip to the gas station so my mom could go to the bathroom before the show.

;;
Buuut, then we managed to get ourselves a parking space and get going. I was as giddy as a schoolgirl. Being the only Al fan I knew of where I lived, it was great to see so many aloholics like myself. I took the digicam just in case I saw someone before I went inside. I ran up to the tour bus and watched as Ruben jumped back inside the bus.
So, there me and my friend waited, knowing that eventually we'd get autographs from at least one person. Al was already in the building (I'm guessing Bermuda was, too), so we waited on the rest of the band. Then, good ol' Steve came out (with a bike, no less). I then realized something as he was getting stuff out.
I had forgotten something to be autographed!
So off I ran to the car to get Poodle Hat and back.
And realized I forgot a pen.
Soooooo I ran back to get a pen.
Soon, Steve was signing autographs. Unfortunately, both Shane and I were missed. I was pretty disapointed, but it was nice of Steve to sign autographs in the first place with the band scrambling to set up. I got pictures, so that's a plus.
Since we had nothing better to do, we waited a bit longer just in case as we saw Steve, Ruben, and Jim go into the building to set up. We met a guy who goes from concert to concert to get autographs. He must've had over 100.
So we went into the Pageant. I was surprised at how much smaller it was than I would've thought. We each bought a T-shirt and sat down as Funzone finished playing.
The concert was great, of course. He sang all the great songs, and showed his disturbing video clips that had the audience in stitches. Even though time was cut due to having another show at 10, Al and co. did a superb job. It'll be hard to forget Ruben in a sombrero. :biggrin:
It was a beautiful evening when the show ended. Wait, no, it was pouring rain. Everyone quickly ran to their vehicles. We stood on the stairs where we couldn't get wet with a woman and her young children. My parents talked with her as I recited Albequerque with the 10-or-so year old girl. I watched her 2 older kids standing out in the rain by the tour bus, waiting for someone to come out.
Al in al, it was a great time had by all. It's a shame that I won't be able to see another show until he tours St. Louis again. Next time, though, I'm going to the 2nd show, so I can score some autographs! Still, this is an event that'll be hard to forget.
Well, there's my review. If I can get stuff working, I'll try to get some pics up.