This is just dumb, but I'm going to the concert in Atlantic City on Aug. 2nd and I am all stressed out thinking about it! I'm excited, but worried about a lot of things - will I be able to meet him, when should I get there, will they come out if it rains, will it be too crowded there, are our seats really bad (definitely not great seats... ), if I do meet him what do I say? What should we put on our signs, how will I take pics and video at the same time, what if my camera battery dies and he has to hurry, etc!!!

This is really ridiculous. I am a grown woman. I have never ever EVER been this obsessed about anyone before, and never been this excited about a concert in my life. So I guess I'm just really nervous about the whole thing going smoothly. And I have been to a few AI concerts already, so I know what to expect...still, I am panicking!

Is anyone else feeling this way, or am I just psycho?

Well, I can tell you one thing that will hopefully take away at least one stress -- Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall is a wonderful place to see a concert. I've seen 2 Springsteen concerts there, one from the back (around section 113) and one from the side (around 206) and both times the view and the sound were just fantastic. No problems at all.


As for what to say -- ask him what's wrtitten on his hat (LOL!!!)

Here's my advice (haha I can't believe I'm giving advice. I don't give advice). Don't stress about it! And have a back up. Worried about your camera? Bring another one! I had two and it was a good thing I did!
What to say if you meet him? Forget about it! Because if you DO meet him, you're gonna forget what you wanna say anyway. (trust me on this one!)
Want to get there early enough to meet him? Go early in the morning! Also, try going to the arena a few days before the show (even if they aren't there) and explore the area! If you have a feel for the area, it might be easier to find the buses!
Crowds? Most arenas are designed so that you'll be able to see everything! You souldn't have to worry! My seats weren't great, but they were good enough to see!
As far as your sign, make it POP. Make it bright and flashy and loud! If you want him to see it that is VERY important! I dunno what you should make it say, but be as creative as possible! Say something David might say!

Thanks for the advice, Lindz. I like the sign advice. I'll give it a lot of thought. My kids are going too, so we are all making signs! LOL, we've been t a few AI concerts, but I never actually made my OWN sign before....yep I've definitely gone off the deep end this time.

Oh and by crowds I meant crowds outside by the buses. I'm going to try to get there early, but what if I'm not there early enough (it's not just me, it's also my best friend, her daughter and my 3 daughters) and end up in the back and he doesn't have time to see us?

I may have an advantage because we'll have the kids with us, and I know he likes kids, right?

I just hope it doesn't rain...that would suck. Can't imagine them coming out with umbrellas!!

David loves kids! I think it was my 11 year-old brother that made him come up to see us!
And I think rain or shine, David won't let his fans down!
Don't worry about crowds! there's usually a TON of room for the crowds to spread out!

Is the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall located on the Casino strip? Or is is located somewhere else? I am a former resident of NJ and used to go to AC very often but I don't recall whether the ACBH is located on the casino strip, or not.

As for you being stressed, I can totally understand! The best advice I can give to you is to live in the moment. You can plan all of theses things out, know what to do, what to say, and then nothing goes as you had planned. Have a great time and don't forget to report back to us with your experience! I am insanely jealous, btw. Considering that NJ was my home for so many years. *sigh*

I hear ya. I'm really excited to see David on tour, and my concert isn't until September! I still have butterflies though! LOL. Whatever you do...just have FUN. Try not to stress to much. Bring a back up camera(disposable if need be), and just have FUN.

yes, it's right near Caesar's Palace and Trump Plaza. If you walk south from Bally's, you'll hit Bally's, Wild Wild West, Caesars, Trump Plaza, then Boardwalk Hall, then a big long stretch of open space and little rinky dink shops, then Tropicana.

here's a link to a map....
http://www.ringsidebygus.com/images/atlant...y-boardwalk.gif

Check out the Sport Your Support Sign Challenge- you might get some ideas from some of the ways/challenges to earn points. That is what helped Lindz get the idea for her sign, which David loved. W have heard from a few other participants in the challenge, and they said it made the experience more fun and exciting fort them/the family. You can find all th info in the contest section of the forum. Travis also put a link at the top of the home page too. Click on the rules for concert goers to see rules for you. GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!

Yes! This is true! Without the challenge I never would have known what to put on my sign!
And it made David laugh! It's really fun! I think you would really enjoy it! My mom enjoyed it and she helped me make my sign!!
I agree! Join the challenge!

I'm also feeling a bit anxious about the show. My advice is to bring extra memory cards and batteries for your camera! Also, try to remain calm. In the event that you don't meet him at the show, maybe you could get tickets to another show? If I don't meet him in Chicago I'm going to buy tickets to Green Bay or Grand Rapids. Maybe you could do that? Seems like a lot of people plan to go to Tulsa.

Oh trust me, you are SO not alone!!! In fact, get outta my head! Those are exactly the same thoughts I have been having too.

I've already contemplated getting an additional and/or larger memory card for my camera, extra batteries, making sure my daughter's camera is working too (we're going together) and the sign? Totally stressing over exactly what to put on the sign.

No, you are definitely not alone. But we both might be psycho.

Suze, I am so glad I'm not alone! I have never stressed about a concert before. It is so strange. I feel like I need a month to get prepared for it, which is of course ridiculous!!!

And I've been thinking about the sign for weeks! Still nothing perfect yet. Like he cares! LOL. He sees a billion signs! I just want mine to be MEMORABLE!

Wow, I didn't even think of bringing another memory card, but that makes sense if I am going to take videos with my digital camera, as they take up tons of memory.

lol well I am only 15 but I stressing about the exact same things. My concert is in 5 days and I want it to be PERFECT. My mother already said that we are not going there early so I am worried if I am gonna even get to meet him if we don't go early, What my sign will say, What I will wear, how I will look, how good I will be able to see the stage, etc. I make myself sick worrying about this concert and my mom tries to tell me it will be fine but I still worry.

Oh thank goodness I am not the only one stressing out about this concert! I am actually going a few days before you to the first New Jersey show and I am so nervous about what to do, what to say.. etc. I almost feel like pulling my hair out, especially because my mom has already said that we should try to meet the Idols AFTER the concert and I just hope that plan works out. I wish you the best of the luck though with how things turn out for you.

If I were you, I would just relax and enjoy the experience. Whatever happens will happen. I wouldn't focus so much on trying to meet him and look forward to just having a great time. These kinds of events are not reasons for stress of any kind. It is a celebration. I'm going to the concert this evening and I don't care if I meet him or not. I'm certainly not going to try to. In fact, he would have to search for me for that to happen because I'm not going to go early or wait late amongst a bunch of screaming shoving people. I'm going to enjoy everyone's performances and soak in the music. It will be glorious. I can't wait for his own tour when I can get at least an hour of just him performing music from his own CD. Won't that be awesome?

Jeannine

Haha....I've been stressing about my concert too! It's horrible! I'm like wth is my problem? Never stressed about a concert before...sheesh. I think I'll be fine once I get there. I think it's all the anticipation beforehand.

i think everyone's feeling this way. ok so maybe this has been said but i was too lazy to read the posts. i think that your biggest concern is whether or not you will meet david. i know that everybodys "I MET DAVID!" topics are making you feel like youll miss out on something huge if you dont meet him cause i feel the same way.
i havent discussed this with my mom yet but i want to try and get there at 1 and see if we can meet them. if you dont meet them dont worry about it. it wont be the end of the world if you dont get to meet this guy. i know if i dont meet him ill be disappointed but there are worse things that could happen. no matter what youll have a blast at the show!

I think you're right Balla.....everyone wants to have their own "I Met David" stories. I know I'd love love love to meet him (even though I'd probably not be able to utter a coherant sentence if I did), but I'm mainly looking forward to seeing him perform live. Especially after seeing the videos for his performances of Hello & Billie Jean. Holy hell

Oh Stitch, from your account, I kinda of feel stressed for you too..haha! Does it make you feel better that I don't live in the US but would LOVE to have that stress you have now? The only way I can view the show is through you guys who are so lucky to be able to just buy a ticket and go! No added stress here but I sure hope you get to meet him, take some pictures and show us...lol

Anyway, I'm sure everything will fall into place eventually and you and your kids will enjoy the show. Good luck with the sign and make him smile!

Awww...I'm sorry.

Here I am worrying about maybe not meeting him, and you can't even go to a concert. I wish you could.

My obsession started with needing to get a ticket for the 2nd Newark show, now thinking I will regret it if I don't do AC, Philly, whatever I can get to without taking another day off work! Going on 7/30 with another driver who is not as crazy as I and checking out all I need to know for the next day when I can get there early with my daughter. Just hope I don't lose my nerve because I get nauseous just thinking about it all! Good luck!

Yes, Jeannine, I can't can't can't wait for a whole concert of David!!!

But yeah, you are much more mature than I am I guess. Of course I am dying to see them perform, even if my seats aren't that great. But I also long to meet him, if even for a second. I know I am acting like I am 14, but I honestly can't help it. Sometimes I worry about myself.



I know, I'm already wondering if maybe I can get to the Philly show. I doubt it, my husband will freak out because of the cost, plus he just doesn't understand. And I need to save the double show thing for his solo concert! Wow, if I am stressed out now, just wait until then!

Yep, I'm probably going the night before to scope it out. And yes, I start to feel sick when I think about it! This is the weirdest thing ever! (But sooo much fun).



Yeah I thought about going to Philly if I can't meet him in AC. Even if I just go to try to meet him and not go the concert (although that would be super hard).



Okay, I'm gonna go check this out now. Thanks for the reminder!

Yeah, I have to agree with Jeannine. Must save for the solo tour, although I don't agree with not wanting to try for that elusive encounter (although not so elusive as I thought it may be). Even though my seats are great, I need to see him up close just being Cookie, hope my daughter has the nerve for me, because I am going to be standing there like a statue with my jaw on the pavement! How long do you think before he tours again?

I would say definitely not until 2009 - maybe Feb or March? I don't know really...just a guess.

Guys - We have the page off of the Cook Fans Conquering Cancer for NJ. Here is the link: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/TeamACS/...&px=7412698. I would really like to see you guys contribute to this. I plan on having a card and note for David with the names of all who contribute.

Enjoy the concerts that you are going, have fun and please do not get stressed out.

Remember before we know it David should be back out for a Media Tour prior to the CD release and of course we will all go when he comes out for his solo tour.

Thanks... you know what ? My body may be here but heart and soul right there with you guys and of course with David at the concert!

You're not alone. I'm going out of my mind thinking about the concert. What happens when it is over? The rest of the summer will be so empty without the anticipation of the concert. What am I going to do with myself?

Melissa

I got my AI tickets thru Ticketmaster and they just sent me an email today to remind me that the concert is coming up in a few weeks. Like they really had to remind me!!!!! lol

I've been stressing too. This is my first concert so i really have no idea what I'm doing but I'm bringing my best friend though whose been to like 20+ concerts. I'm worried about my camera dying too but mine doesn't take batteries so I'm gonna be charging it all night the night before.

Suze, stitchmeup, and everyone else posting who's "old enough to know better," but is acting like twelve-year-old girls....THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

I'm 38. And I'm acting like an idiot...stressing over the concert my daughter and I will attend, trying to figure out if we should even attempt to get there early to meet him...and if we meet him, will I pass out , etc.

Ridiculous. Thanks for making me feel right at home.

You really don't have to read this lol. I just really need to vent since I have no one else that will listen hah!

I know exactly how you feel! I've been to 2 other Idol shows before and still, I'm freaking out about the Indy show! p.s. 14 days!
First of all, I'm going with my friend who wasn't very big on Idol this year. Shes only reluctantly agreeing to everything I throw at her. I know she'll want to murder me before we even make it down to Indy haha.

My huge worry point: the Idols have the day before this show off so idk if I should go to the venue the night before? I would love to simply scope out the venue even if they aren't there. My friend isn't too big on this idea but if they were there the night before and I was just sitting at my sisters house... I'd hate myself!

I'm worried David won't make it out to the buses before the show... but thats mostly paranoia. I'm sure they'll be out beforehand. Still... weather could be crazy bad or something idk! Plus what would I even say to him if I met him?! Umm hi David

I just recently decided I should really make a sign. What will it say? NO CLUE! I'm drawing a huge blank on that one! My niece and nephew don't have tickets but they really want to go to the buses to meet the Davids. Hopefully I can convince my sister to come and take them home when we have to go in for the concert. I think making a sign would be easier if I had those cute kids pitching in! (my niece already drew a picture of DC that I'm supposed to give him)

The camera thing is really freaking me out! I've had bad luck with cameras at just about every concert I've attended. I plan on taking my camera and my brothers but it still isn't very reassuring for some reason.

I have more believe me but I better stop it here!

LOL, they have no idea!



LOL, I started reading the first sentence and thought "oh no, she says I am old enough to know better...she's gonna tell me to grow up!".

But yeah, isn't it so much better to talk to people who can totally "get it"? I think if I hadn't found this site I would have thought I was one of the only ones feeling this way.

And yes, that's another thing - I am seriously worried about my reaction if I do meet him. I know I will be shaking a mile a minute, which should make for some blurry pics...but also I think it will go one of two ways - I will either not be able to say a word, or I won't stop talking.

Plus I really am worried I might cry. How embarrassing would that be?

Oh, I thought of another idiotic worry! And this is so dumb! But when I get nervous or really excited, I have to pee. A LOT. So what the heck do I do then? Go find a bathroom and risk him coming out when I'm gone? Or just hold it forever...ugh

KatieUrbs, I feel your pain! I am so afraid of having cameras malfunction and not getting pictures. Or what if there isn't enough time for him to get a pic with me, my daughters, my friend...dammit why can't we have him all to ourselves!

Haha I just started cracking up about the bathroom thing! That one never occured to me... but thanks! Another one to add to my worry list
And how sad would it be if David was right there and had to leave before you got a picture. I'd be crushed! Just think happy thoughts! We will all get our pictures with David!!

Funny. I did the same thing. Rehearsing what I was going to say. Then David threw me off by asking me a question. Don't try to plan. Linsdey was lucky when she met him - there weren't that many people there so you could get a lot of face time. When I met David, there were hundreds of people vying for attention. He seems genuinely interested in making his fans happy, though, so if you get close enough to him you should be able to get your picture taken with him.

Carole
X-rated Cougar

Wow, I didn't think of him asking ME a question. What did he ask you?

Depends?

(This seriously cracked me up Stitch!)

I'm in the same boat as most of you when it comes to David Cook. I'm 40 years old and totally obsessed with David Cook. He's all I think about (though I'd never tell my husband of 20 years that). I'm taking my 7-year-old daughter to the concert in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Sept. 3, and I'm already stressed out about it. I'm taking off work that day and taking her out of school (am I a bad mom?) and we're going in the morning, to hopefully wait and see the buses pull up and meet the Idols ... David Cook most of all. I've already bought both of us David Cook t-shirts to wear and I've already contacted the arena, asking questions about cameras, where the buses will arrive, security, etc. I'm so scared that we won't get to meet David Cook! And, like many of you, what if I do meet him? What will I say? I have no clue. I may have my daughter make a sign to hold up -- she's a good artist. The concert is a week before my 41st birthday (Sept. 10), so I'm thinking the sign might say, "David Cook ... Can my mommy have a kiss on the cheek for her birthday?" or something like that. Or is that too cheesy? Anyway, I'm so obsessed David Cook. I've never felt like this about a "celebrity" before. My daughter loves him too, but thinks mommy is crazy. So let me conclude by saying, "We're not crazy. We're just crazy in love with David Cook."

Not a bad idea! Just kidding of course...eww! Even DC couldn't make me pee in my pants!!!

But I am worried!

Sweet Pea: You really have this bad - I really hope everything falls in line for you and you are able to meeting DC.

I'm glad you posted! You sound A LOT like me. I know I keep saying this, but it's SO nice to know that there are other women around my age who act and feel like me! I'm 40 too and I also turn 41 in September!

I love the Mommy sign idea! I was considering something on my sign (yes I am actually making my own fangirl sign) or the kids' signs about me wanting a hug. That way I wouldn't have to ask him, and he may come right up and give me one! That would be so.......gah.....sigh.

I never felt like this about a celebrity either. I don't even think I was this obsessed with anyone when I was a teenager. Not that I can remember. I mean, I had crushes of course, but now that I'm a woman, I can so relate to the sexy man thing, so I guess that's part of why it's different now.

I don't think it's cheesy at all! I'd go for it
I've calmed down about mostly everything but I still don't know what to put on my sign. The only thing I can come up with is to have it say, "This countdown to the day of departure has slowly been eating away." Then put like a countdown with the days crossed out and have something clever to put down instead of just "Today!"
Idk...

I know, I am even worried about that! But then I guess we look forward to his new album, and his SOLO TOUR!!!!!!!

OMG I can't wait.



That's a cool idea!

Really? I'm still kind of unsure about it lol.

Well, you are definitely NOT alone in being stressed. I am going to the AC show as well, and have been worrying about the whole 'will we get the chance to meet him' issue especially. I mean, i know i will love the show regardless...but it would just mean so much to me to be able to actually speak to the man himself. I know that i will more then likely sound like an idiot, because anything i PLAN to say, will go out the window as soon as i see him LOL....but it doesn't matter, because i just want that experience so badly.

As i was saying to a friend of mine yesterday, at least i have two chances to meet him, since i'm also going to the Philly show 11 days later.

Oh, and my friend and i are going to BH next week, to try and scope out the area and figure out where the best place would be to try and see them before the show. And i have a 2GB memory card for my camera, but i definitely need to get an extra battery!

LOL! I have a 1GB memory card for my camera, but decided that wasn't enough so went out yesterday to buy a 2GB card and an extra set of rechargeable batteries.

Ooh, after you go, can you PM me and let me know what you think? I think it's the entrance to the parking garage, which is underground - wahhh...but any extra info you have would be great.

By the way, the friend I am going with also lives in EHT!



Good idea, I think I will buy the largest memory card I can find, especially if I am going to be videotaping as well.

Stitch, I worried about YOU now. You getting yourself into a frizzy & will be sick b4 you even go!!! i'm the Queen of worry and just reading all you wrote makes me want to run out & get batteries, hurry up & make my sign/and portait OMG so much to do LOL You should get tickets to the Cleveland concert & we could stress together in fornt the Wolstein center! LOL I love your posts here PS I'm older than you & all my friends(a lest the ones who know about my obsession) think I reverted back to being 15 & wanting Paul McCartney!!! At least I have the POSSIBILITY of meeting David, I never had that with the Beatles. Yesterday at work they had one of the Ford commercial songs on & I was singing to that!!!

I certainly will PM you with anything i find out. I am totally NOT liking the whole underground parking garage aspect. *sigh* I mean, the idols have been so good thus far with coming out and talking with the fans before the show...i just hope that we are lucky enough to catch them.

Wow...someone else from EHT? cool beans!

so glad to hear other grown women making signs. i was telling my non dc fan friends, "what am i going to write on my sign?" (have good seats so a good chance he'll see it.) and they are like "you cant take a sign to a concert, you are 33 years old!"
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