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

Nightwish and Montreal! September 18th until the 20th, 2012!

Well well, here I am and I just got back from my trip, which was awesome by the way. So, you wanna know all about it? Well I'll skip the boring stuff and go into detail about the Wednesday and Thursday. After tasting some excellent food in Montreal and realizing that everything is open 24/7 there (so cool!) we found ourselves waking up late on Wednesday. I had an hour to get ready, so I ran around and did my make up and threw on clothes. It wasn't like I was meeting the band or anything, I didn't need to wear anything special.... heh

We get to the venue and realize rather quickly that it's like, inaccessible to the max. We met up with Marianne, her boyfriend Joe and her cousin Mark. The line up was mostly just excited about Nightwish and who wouldn't be?! They had to escort me into a special door and all the way around and we get tagged and everything and then they escort me to the front of the VIP Meet & Greet line and tell me to go in. I'm nervous, I'm shy. But the band is all beaming and smiles. I knock into one of their tables cause I'm a klutz. From left to right, there was Troy who had a really nice conversation with us, then Anette. Now, I gave Anette two gifts, neither of which she opened because.. Well, 100 people in line behind me, I understood. I go to hand my mask to Emppu, and my husband is coming up behind me with my Nightwish vinyl that Marianne traded me for her Apocalyptica shirt. Jukka and Marco start talking about my mask in Finnish and I really wish I knew the language just so I could understand what they were saying.. Finally I get to Tuomas... I wasn't as nervous this time around, mostly because he smiled at me when I came into the room and it reassured me that he remember. I slipped his gifts on the table, and he (being the eternal child) opened one of them. He noticed it was the a "Haunted Mansion" made from a smashed coin in the actual theme park and this is how this conversation went down.

Tuomas: Oh the Haunted Mansion! *GRIN*

Bailey: Yeah, I have one too, see?! *shows him the one that's copper and is dangling from my wrist* It's my favorite ride!

Tuomas: Mine too, and Jukka's and Marco's!

Bailey: The other one is so much better!

Tuomas: I'll take note of that and open it later!

So that was our conversation and it was rushed and labored, but whatever. I get back in the line for seating and they inform me that I CANNOT go up front, or anywhere near the stage. In fact, I have to head to the third floor because I'm a fire hazard. Uh, thanks guys.Tuomas didn't get to open his Scrooge McDuck pen in front of me and I get to sit in the very back where I can't see?! Awesome.

But before all this goes down, Marianne comes to me and says, "I have a surprise for you, a gift of sorts!" and I'm kinda sad and crying (okay so I'm emotional alright?!) and she hands me a backstage pass! What?! She tells me that she has a mutual friend regarding her backstage pass and that we're in too! Holy shit, Marianne! I've never been so happy in my life.

So they put me with all the other wheelchairs but in the process they take me through the dressing room areas. lol. I believe I almost crashed into Emppu, Marco and Tuomas darted back into the dressing room before I could get to the other side where the elevator was. I kind of looked at Dan and we burst into fits of giggles!

Now in my spot I realize I can't see shit and not only because of my eyesight, but because of the fact that they have placed a side speaker. Here was my view... So I post that picture to facebook and tell them I'm bummed. I don't know how but Sandra Talley pulls off miracles. She pulled some magic and five minutes later I was moved to this.. Not much better height wise, but at least I could see. The show went off without a hitch, it was beautiful and I headbanged my little face off. It was amazing. Dan went to talk to Ewo about midway through the show since he saw him down by Merchandise and asked if  he could get a pass too, since his wife had one. Ewo said,  "Well that won't do, here you go!" and handed him one.

After the show, the security escorted me down to the dressing room. Nothing was underway yet so I was playing Bubble Blast and Troy Donockley was beside me talking about the 70,000tons of Metal cruise. I looked up at Daniel, situated in a little corner and we giggled again. Then Tuomas comes from beside me and starts talking about it. Everyone slowly arrives including Marianne and Joe, unfortunately Mark had to go home, he wasn't feeling well. And I don't want to go in the room because I need to talk to Tuomas and he's chatting with some fans. Finally I decide to go in and the most awesome time of my life happens in that room. For one, Tuomas came in and I caught him. I asked him for a  picture and to come outside. He agrees and I am sitting there  talking to him before the picture. Marianne, Joe and Dan are all around us. Here's how this conversation went down.

Bailey: I have a question, did you open the gold box yet?
Tuomas: Not yet, it's in my bag.
Bailey: Could you open it right here, right now? It's really important to me that I get to see your face. You won't be disappointed!!
Tuomas: But..
Marianne: Trust the lady, Tuomas, she wants to see your response as you open it.
Joe: Open it, it's great!
Daniel: You will be amazed!
Tuomas: *sighs exasperatedly and goes to get it. Brings it back and looks at the the open box* What is it? *Asks Marianne*
Marianne: It's a Scrooge McDuck pen..
Tuomas: Holy fuck, Scrooge McDuck! Is it real?!? Help me figure it out, how do I get it to write? *hands it to Daniel*
 Daniel gets the tip out and hands it back to him.
Tuomas: Okay, we need to make sure that the ink works, will you autograph my arm?? *hands it to me*
Bailey:.... Sure? *Signs his arm* Upon further reflection, you probably have a million of these things, but I figure you can never have too many pens...
Tuomas: I don't.. I don't have it, not a one. Thank you! I have the perfect use for it...
Bailey: Really glad you like it!
Tuomas: Yeah..

PICTURE TIME!

He insisted the bottle of wine be in this one. We decide to go into the room and he's talking with us some more and offers me wine from the bottle. Now, anyone who knows me knows I hate wine with a passion. I can't stomach the stuff. I was a little hesitant at first, but when Tuomas Holopainen offers you wine, you drink the god damn wine. So I had a sip and to be honest it wasn't awful. He told me to have another big one so I did, I probably drank half his bottle.. Sorry Tuomas! Now here's the thing, running on two hours of sleep and no food does funny things to your tummy when you drink, and I was starting to feel drunk already... and I found out later that bottle had been a total slut. Jukka, Emppu, Troy, Tuomas of course and god knows who else put their lips on it!

We're in the room and Emppu made his way out before I could even say hello! Damnit! Jukka comes over though, and he's chatting with  us.. I've always loved Jukka, severely under-rated as he is, he's the most personal and kind person and my soul feels at ease when I'm around him. We're talking about how he loved 70K and he's working on trying to go back! (YES! *SQUEEL*)

Then there's Troy. He's just so lovely, honestly. He's such an English Gentleman and it makes me swoon. We started talking about Inverness, (where my grandmother was from) and Scotland and then he starts talking about Cumbria and how it's all very Middle-Earth and Tolkien based his middle earth off of it, how if we're going we should Cumbria. I started taking pictures of Tuomas and Troy this is how it turned out!

Troy insisted I send him the picture so I did on facebook! :D

So at this time Ewo asks me if I want a mixed drink since he's making one for Joe and I said sure, little did I know he mixes his drinks like 6 parts vodka one part orange juice. Pretty damn drunk here, that's all I can say!










Then I'm leaning over and talking with Jukka and Marianne and Tuomas comes from behind me, scaring the hell out of me and does this!

After this happens, I get a picture with Ewo cause he mixed me such a fun filled drink!


We decide to leave and I'm sky high, I give Tuomas a hug and he trips on my wheelchair for about the millionth time and thrusts me into his hair.  I was surrounded by hair, it was chuckle worthy!


Then as we're leaving, we see Marco getting some coffee and he stops Dan and I and I'm like, "Mmm coffee...!" He explains to us why he really doesn't drink anymore and this is the fruits of that!





We leave, and it's 2 AM. We walk home, and get some coffee, sighting that we're going to pull an all nighter, since we have to be at the train station for 5:45  AM. We end up crashing at 4:30 and then waking up at 5 AM. We're hurting units, for sure..





Bailey Dawn

Sweet Songbird of Eternity..

Above the clouds, the freedom roams where noone can know,
Can you hear me, sweet song bird of eternity?
Can you hear my calls or primal lust, fading into elegant dust.
Can you cast a glance at my life for me, sweet song bird of eternity?
You mean so much more than you know, forever child, eternal laughter, innocence redeemed.
Smile just once for me, sweet song bird, intoxicate me with the passion of a thousand ages,
release me from these clandestine cages.
Forever child, eternal laughter, innocence redeemed....

Nightwish Montreal & Toronto

Alright guys, this blog has been dead for a few months, but I'm finally back. I've been busy with arranging for school, actually going and doing buttloads of homework. I literally just finished my homework until October because I'm going on this trip. Today, I got my hair and nails done for the trip to Montreal and Toronto for the Nightwish shows.  I like to look pretty, alright!? Also, the only advice I gave my hairdresser was I wanted purple streaks and I wanted it to be headbanging length. Hah.. /geek. I ended up with this mix of purple/blue, black and red. The pictures don't do the purple justice, it really is more purple than this, I swear!

And the nails, which have purple glittery tips! *squeek* Did I mention I love the ever living shit out of purple?! Probably my second favorite color, next to red that is!

So, I'm all packed and kind of bummed to be honest. My Nightwish USA order (t-shirt and a hoodie) didn't get mailed until later cause they screwed up on the sizes and I still don't  have it. I had previously thought I might for this trip but the  only day they can deliver it is Monday, otherwise I am gone for the week.  So let's hope I get it on Monday, though with my luck, I tend to doubt it! I have my outfits all picked out for each show, but more on that during the week.I will give you a hint, though. One of my outfits includes my skinny jeans and my knee high leather boots! I will be uploading pictures, a video or two and separate concert reviews.  I cannot wait for my trip and I want to share it with you guys too, so get ready.

TWO DAYS!

Bailey Dawn.