Nightwish in Toronto on September 20th, 2012.

Oh man, that day I was hurting. Not getting back to the hotel until almost 3 AM and deciding to pull an all nighter because we had to be gone from the hotel and to the train station at 5:30 was so hard! Remind me why I do these things to myself..? Oh right, Nightwish! Good enough reason to sleep deprive myself, that's for sure!  We took the train there, a grueling six hour train ride. Before Dan could fall asleep, I managed to get this stellar shot. Don't we look exhausted?

Dan slept most of the way, but I didn't, content to listen to "Last of the Wilds" and watching the scenery go by. I had breakfast, went on my laptop and the trip was over very soon for me. We walked to our hotel which was the Hotel Victoria and it was completely beautiful! and then I crashed in the bed from about 1 PM until around 3:30. The cab was coming to get us at 4:30 so that gave me an hour to get my make up on and get dressed. That day was all about comfort, that's for sure! Jeans, t-shirt and flat ankle boots all the way!

We were told over the phone that  if we lined up early we would get in early and get to our places but that didn't end up happening. At least "our place" wasn't on the second floor in the very back. There was another guy in a wheelchair there, and we spent the time shooting the breeze about how many concerts we've been to and how we couldn't see anything because they've always stuck us in the back. Just then I realized I wasn't alone in feeling this way and I had a kindred spirit of sorts. We get escorted inside and told we cannot sit at the front, and there is a special side for us. The area didn't end up being too bad, but it wasn't ideal. I hate being on the right side at venues, it drives me bonkers because I feel helpless, being left handed and having something to grab on to comforts me in a way. As the show started and Kamelot came on, I got a profound new appreciation for them, so that was good.

Then Nightwish comes on, and my friend Marianne texts me really upset. Ewo told her to get in contact with him to get backstage passes but he was nowhere to be found, to make matters worse she was stuck in the VIP section which absolutely sucked and had a horrible view. Now, I didn't even really care if I got to go backstage, but I assured her we would find him so she could! After all, I was just the tag along girl in a wheelchair.  I am determined to find Ewo, so I spend a good chunk of the time Nightwish was playing their first few songs looking around. I don't see him, but I see Troy just off to my right! I think I waved, but he was watching the stage! I start to loosen up again as Daniel has gone to look for Ewo and start to head bang my face off. It must have made Marco, Anette and Troy happy, because they all looked at me and smiled. Anette waved and Emppu gave me the horns! Which was just awesome! I was all melty, that's for sure! hah.


PICTURE TIME!

Thanks for letting me steal your pictures Marianne! <3

All in all the concert was an unforgettable experience, it was just wonderful for people alike, and everyone seemed to be having a great time. I gotta say the best part for me was Last Ride of the Day because that is one of my favourite songs off the album and I needed to hear it. I'm not sure if I've told you guys but my father died of bowel cancer when I was only four years old and he was a very, "Live like it's your last day, everyday" kind of man so that song, I feel encompasses him really well and I always try to live by his philosophy, even if he's not here. He's still a huge part of my life and he is in every part of how I was raised. I love you, dad. <3

Want a set list?? HUZZAH!

Now here's where stuff gets a bit tricky, after the concert I am determined to find Ewo. Me and Daniel had discussed it, and to be honest, we really didn't need to be backstage. I had crossed that off my bucket list the night before and had such a lovely time that it didn't really matter. It would have been nice, sure, but I felt fulfilled on the dream quota for this trip. We finally find Ewo, and he gives Marianne and Joe two passes but before we could say anything, he goes back and finds me and Dan two passes as well. So we're all waiting in the line up, and I'm reading "Moomin and The Comet Chase" because I'm lame and a bookworm. We finally get escorted in, and I'm having trouble fitting through the doorway because my wheelchair is standard width and this door is a little bit less. So finally I get in with the help of Dan and Ewo and I'm blocking the god damn bathroom door where Tuomas comes out and stands because he can't move cause I'm there. GREAT! This room is small. Like a small bedroom, it's tiny and there's about 20 people in it so suffice to say I was smushed. I turn my attention to Emppu and Marco sitting on the couch and I say hey! Marco smiles, nods and holds up a pop can and Emppu is like.. "Hey!" A bit of back story for those who haven't read my blog before, I was on the cruise and Emppu evaded me at EVERY turn. It wasn't like it was on purpose or anything, it was just the luck of the draw, really. So Here's how the conversation with him went down.

Bailey: So, I was  on the cruise with you and you evaded me everywhere I went, all I wanted was a  picture!

Emppu: *Chuckles* I was probably sleeping!

Bailey: That's a-okay, sleeping is amazing. Mind if I get a picture?

Emppu: Not at all!

So that was the awesome part! Just then, Tuomas comes behind me to grab his backpack and I stop him and ask him to sign my Moomin book. He looks shocked that anybody knows Moomin but I love them so I tell him that, and then I ask for a picture. Dumbest expression ever on my face, by the way!

So Tuomas seems a lot more contemplative and quiet but he disappears after, but I figure I need to thank him for.. well everything, so I follow him with Dan. He's surrounded by fans asking him to sign things and talk to him so we wait until he's free and ask for another picture, this time, with Daniel included! He looked like he was about to leave though, so I felt bad because he must have been tired. I kind of pull him to the side and say, "I was wondering if you'd wake up today and wonder who'd signed your arm!" and I chuckled. "Oh no, it's still there, even. I think we took some pictures last night, but I can't remember.. and there was something to do with a garbage can..." He look troubled and I had to grin, "Oh, well yes. We took lots of pictures, but I can't vouch for the garbage can.. I wasn't there." and I smile to get off of this topic and what I was  really trying to say. "Well, all I can say is thank you for everything.." I said, and I wasn't even really meaning it philosophically but it came out that way and.. It sounded better. I kinda teared up at hearing the words out of my own mouth and the weight they had. He smiled and said, "All I can say is your welcome.." really softly. I'm glad he darted into the bathroom just then because I needed a moment to compose myself. By the time he was out of the washroom, most people had left and we had this other very awesome picture!


























We chatted up Marco for a bit and I was  dimly aware of the door opening and closing and movement behind me, but I was so busy telling Marco that I WOULD definitely see him again and I couldn't wait until next time! He agreed with me and I got a hug. We left, and I felt very strange about the whole thing!

Marianne and Joe left and as we were waiting for a wheelchair accessible cab, I watched the bus pull out and drive away. I sighed, "Bye, bye Nightwish., For another few years, that is!" I whispered  I'll never get this opportunity again, I don't think. I was very grateful to have had legitimate conversations with the band and had a few laughs along the way..  Nightwish is awesome, and I really highly suggest that if you ever have a chance, go see them. I would have been perfectly content just seeing them and not meeting them but this was just an extra added thing that seemed to spiral out of control, in a good way that is. <3


So those are my reviews, lovelies! Until next time, guys!

Bailey Dawn <3