Mr. Pulse posed a question in another forum, “What is your most prized possession when it comes to “Heart” gear or “stuff”??”

My intended reply to that turned into much more so I put it here.

Wow. How do you pick only one Heart possession?

Before this tour it was the Ann pick I got from Nancy – and the Nancy pick Nancy gave me with an apology at the meet n greet in Vegas.

August 1, 2003
Vegas – pre Jupiter’s Darling tour. Alive in America. Thanks to a few wonderful Mongers with better seats I am able to get to the stage right at Nancy’s feet. A meet n greet was to follow so I came prepared with a small gift. If I got her attention at the concert, I would hold out my arms, my flashing red heart keychain in my left hand and an empty stretched out right hand, proposing a trade, as if to say, “My heart for your pick.” And it went down just like that.

 

When the lights change and I calm down from the excitement enough to look at the pick, much to my very temporary disappointment it says “Ann Wilson.” The disappointment gives way instantly to my amusement at the irony of it all and I laugh profusely. I cherish the Ann pick all the same. Besides, I know Ann and Nancy will appreciate the story and it gives me something to say at the meet n greet.

After the concert, we wait in line for what seems like an eternity, each of us recapping our own special moment of the night. Phoenix holds her prized towel with Ann’s sweat on it. She teases us with it. We are all displaying our treasures and enjoying each other’s company.

Finally, we are escorted back stage to a waiting area where we continue to wait our turn. The hallway outside this area has been set up with a table where Ann and Nancy can sit and relax as we bombard them with our autograph requests. I have two.

I help Magic Man out by taking pictures of the Mongers as they meet Ann and Nancy. Each monger gets a turn – a few minutes each. One by one, we exit the waiting area and get what feels like a one on one personal meeting with Ann and Nancy. I am thrilled to watch my fellow Mongers meet them. Let them have their moment. I will wait for mine. I have met them once before: The infamous Hug incident during the Ann and Nancy tour in 1999. Tonight, I will keep my cool. I am 2nd to last. Are we there yet?

When it is my turn, as luck would have it, the batteries of my camera die. I am not that concerned. There must be at least three other cameras and I’m sure someone will get a picture and send it to me.

I introduce myself as Andrea – screen name Ms. Tralwind. Nancy recognizes me from my screen name and says, “Did you say, Ms. Tralwind?” I nod. “Finally, a face to put to the name.” I’m thinking that is a good thing. However, the person who is trying to keep control of that idiot who turned a handshake into a hug 4 years before wonders. At least Nancy remembers my screen name and not the hug. I’m pretty sure Ann knows me from my posts. I’ve gone by Ms. Tralwind since back in the day when Ann would actually post and interact more often. I still have every response. That either of them knew me at all…You could have knocked me over with a feather.

I say hi to both of them. I stretch out my hand to shake Ann’s hand – firm yet gentle grip with both of my hands – intense eye contact – I tell her how wonderful she looks but more than that how she really looks happy. She smiles with the warmest hazel brown eyes and says, “Thank you. I am.” She does not let go quickly.

The short moment freezes in my mind. There is a lot of feeling in this short moment. I pay close attention to every small detail. The texture and shine of Ann’s freshly washed hair. How pale her face looks against the black outfit she’s wearing. The way her eyes catch the light and seem to go from brown to hazel to brown again. They squint when she smiles a warm and genuine smile. I notice her hands. I can see no sign of Ann’s age. I pray I look this good in my 50s. Her grip matches my own. It lingers just long enough to project graciousness and appreciation. And for all the attention I know I’m about to throw Nancy’s way, I want Ann to feel my love and appreciation for her too. I am sincere. It feels like she senses that.

Unfreeze and on to the tasks at hand.

I have taken Boogie’s banners backstage to have signed. They really love the banners. “Got Ann?” Nancy reads the banner aloud. Surely, they must be each other’s biggest fans. Nancy really likes the Ann banner.

I then tell the story. I try to make sure I’m not going to offend Ann or make her feel unloved. I mean, c’mon. She’s AFW! I LOVE HER MAN! But you know…Nancy’s my hero.

“I have a funny story for you. Ann, not that I don’t love you – because you know I do…but I’ve always gravitated towards Nancy. She’s the reason I learned to play guitar.” At this point, Ann does her best mock hurt look, pretends to cry, then laughs. I continue, “Well, I’ve waited all my “Heart-life” to get a Nancy pick. Tonight, I finally get a pick from Nancy, and when I look at it, it says Ann Wilson!”

We shared a laugh at the irony. It seemed funnier sharing it with them than when I realized I got the wrong pick. Still, Nancy seemed genuinely concerned about this mix up. She began to get up from the table to go get me one of her picks herself when their Manager took care of the errand instead. When she returns, she gives the pick to Nancy so Nancy can give it to me. How cool is she for that!

It’s almost time to go so the last person can have their turn. We pose for a picture. I stand behind them in the middle, my arms around their shoulders – it feels like old friends.
In fact, it all feels so comfortable and familiar at this point that when someone suggests we take the picture with the banners, I say, “Ok. But only if I get to do rabbit ears this time.” They laugh and agree. I’m standing behind Ann and Nancy and they’re laughing – the Mongers in line are laughing and true to their word, they let me do rabbit ears. It’s a precious moment tattooed on my heart and in my soul. And yes, the pictures made it to me.

I was on a Heart high for a long time after that.

Not only were those picks my most prized Heart possession, that was my most prized “Heart Moment”. I never thought anything would ever come close again.

This year, I came bearing a gift again. This time I would not attempt a trade. It was about giving something back: Something from my world, The Travelocity Roaming Gnome, from my job to theirs.

With no meet and greet, I was not sure how I would do this. I knew if all else failed I would be able to give The Gnome to Motley Sue and she would make sure they got him. The thought behind it was simple. I’ve seen their stage guardians standing in the background on the “Marshall stacks” – the Beatles dolls and other characters. I thought the Gnome would be a perfect addition to their road family. It was also symbolic of my belief that they still have a lot of touring to do and who better to protect then than the Roaming Gnome – everything about your tour will be right or we’ll make it right – right away.

Norman, Ok. October 12, 2006 – three days after my 40th birthday. The rock n roll Gods smile on me again.

There are 7 of us plus one. My partner Mary, Me, Boogie, Rhiannon, BadManimal, Joe and Hobno and the Roaming Gnome.

(Joe didn’t make this shot)

Hobno has done some pre-show checking to find out if the Casino theater folks are going to be stuffy or if they’re going to let us “rush the stage.” She was told they would let us once the lights went down. We make a plan. Boogie, Rhiannon and Hobno recon their spots. Mary pairs up with BadMan at Ann’s feet while Joe and I eyeball the spot right at Nancy’s feet. I check the camera policy. I don’t want to risk getting thrown out. Cameras allowed with no flash! We are all set. As the roadies finish setting up, the pre-concert song Hot Smoke and Sassafras begins to play, setting the mood. We are ready to RAWK!

The lights dim. My heart rate feels like it has increased three fold. Suddenly I don’t feel like I have as-of-yet-undiagnosed bronchitis. The cough goes away until after the show. The only thing I do not like about this whole plan is that Mary and I would be separated by two people, BadMan and the video camera operator. With a quick hug and kiss and “I’m with you, Baby” synchronously whispered in each others ears – we are off to our spots.

The band enters and kicks off the show with Magic Man. I literally can hear nothing but Nancy’s guitar, the drums and Ann’s voice. I am not complaining. I am suddenly energetic and not the least bit “sickly”. I am so close to Nancy, I feel I can count the threads in her jeans. She wears a grey jacket over a black bra, faded jeans, and what I like to call those clodhopper shoes. Ann is dressed in black – no big surprise there. Her hair is down which is how I like it. And while I try not to concentrate too much on the fact that I’m a healthy lesbian who appreciates a sexy woman and in no way ever want to objectify Ann or Nancy – wholly crap they both look sexy hot!

The set list is pretty much the same as it’s been the entire tour.

The week before the show I chatted with several Mongers in the Heart chat room. Everyone came in hailing Ann for Love Reigns. “Oh, you’re going to love that song. Ann shreds it.” “I bow to the queen!”

And while I too bow to the queen of all things sung – I sometimes feel like everyone concentrates so much on Ann that I have to come in and remind them that Nancy deserves Monger love too. I do my best Jan Brady with her Marsha, Marsha, Marsha scene and I mock her and say, “Ann, Ann, Ann”.

This is standard of the Heart experience. We all love them both. But for some reason, we gravitate specifically towards one or the other. The legions of Ann fans playfully pretending to ignore the Nance until the Nancy loyalists protest. It’s all in good fun. But even the Nancy loyalists have to stop every now and then and pay homage to Ann F’in Wilson! Lets face it. There is no substitute.

During the concert, I take pictures of the Gnome in the foreground in front of Nancy. One in front of Ann. So far, the Gnome doesn’t appear to be noticed. Between my hanging on to the Gnome, trying to stay out of the video operators way and taking pictures, I could have missed it. But I doubt it. I have had plenty of Nancy eye contact. When I say Nancy eye contact, please don’t think that I am implying Nancy was looking directly at me. She was looking in my close proximity – maybe over my head who knows. But for me, in my mind, it was eye contact.

One by one, each song was over and I had been unsuccessful in getting Nancy to take the Gnome, although I didn’t really go overboard in trying – they were WORKING after all. And while I didn’t prefer Nancy or Ann to take the Gnome, I thought it would be easier to give it to Nancy because, well, she was closer.

Nancy plays You Wreck Me, and I start making the Gnome dance. I’m starting to feel a bit tired of hanging on to him and a bit discouraged and feeling that I’m not going to be able to give it to them tonight. But I can’t stop myself from making him dance during You Wreck Me. And then it happens. Ann sees him. ANN F’IN WILSON! You know, the same Ann who’s pick I got by mistake. The same Ann I say “Ann Ann Ann” about. Ann is the one who sees him. She smiles in our direction and seems to chuckle at the sight of the Gnome dancing.

Before the show, I had taken a sharpie and I wrote on the bottom of the base of the Gnome. “Love Rules 2006. With Love from Ms. Tralwind (Andrea) and Mary”. I drew the Nancy heart with wings. On his right butt cheek I drew a heart. And on the front, I wrote in block letters

AFW
NFW

I think I drew one more heart on the front pocket.

My Gnome was about to find a new home.

This is where things get a little Fuzzy. Except for the song that is playing at the exact moment, every other part of this is clear as a bell.

I believe it’s after You Wreck Me. Before These Dreams. Ann again smiles with approval for the Gnome. I hold him up – a gift. She seems surprised, which I find intriguing because people are giving them stuff all the time. “For me?” she asks. I can’t hear her but I read her lips. I hope she can read mine. “For both of you… the band… the tour,” I yell as I hold the Gnome high. Ann takes him. Thanks me. Puts the Gnome on Debbie’s keyboard and grabs her guitar for These Dreams. Joe and I scream with excitement and high five each other. Mission accomplished. I want to share this moment with Mary. But it would have to wait.

My Roaming Gnome is now Heart’s Roaming Gnome. The Gnome now ties the picks as my most prized Heart possession. I don’t have the Gnome myself. And while he’s not the Gnome you see in the commercials – 8 inches tall versus the 18 inches for the “official Gnome” and you can actually buy your own Roaming Gnome – there is not another Heart Roaming Gnome out there. He lived on my shelf nestled between my photos of Ann on his left and Nancy on his right for almost 2 years. And now, Ann and Nancy have eternal custody of The Heart Roaming Gnome. But I will always feel that connection when I see him on stage in the future.

It was a gift given without the expectation or even hope of anything in return. However, I got more than I bargained for. After Alone, Ann grabbed the Gnome from Debbie’s keyboard and kissed him. Later I would be told she hugged him in New Orleans.

Of all the pictures I took that night – and that weekend, I was never able to get a good picture of Ann with the Gnome. But that’s ok. It’s burned in my minds eye.

At this point, Ann puts the Gnome on the drum riser next to her lunch box containing (not sure what she keeps in that thing). The lights again dim and a spot is on Debbie as the keyboard intro starts. As predicted by the legions of Ann-ites I was indeed blown away by Love Reign. Oh my god! This woman just gets better every year. The only thing age has done to her voice is give it depth! I am amazed that I know what Ann is capable of and yet, every time I hear her sing with such emotion and power, it’s like I’m hearing her for the first time. I am stuck on the part where she sings, “Oh my God I need a drink of cool cool rain!” And as the weeks pass since the concert, I sing it in my head, “I need a drink of cool cool Ann!”

The rest of the concert is spent trying to capture the best pictures I can to share with my Monger family. Trying to predict Nancy’s moves is not an easy task. The Nancy kick was perfectly timed but did not turn out like I had hoped.

They finish up and leave the stage. To my surprise, Ann takes the Gnome with her. When they return, Ann makes it a point to thank me again for the Gnome – this time speaking in the mic! I’m so stunned by this – as she has already thanked me once – that I completely miss her saying they will take him everywhere they go from now on. This time, I KNOW there was eye contact and I hope she saw me thanking her.

After the concert, Mary and I celebrated the Gnome victory. She encouraged me to take a chance that I’d be able to get it to them. I stressed about if it would happen and she reassured me each time, always reminding me of my own back up plan to give the Gnome to Motley Sue to give to them.

Speaking of Sue – I stopped by and bought a tour program and said hello to Sue. She looked tired and ready to be off. I told her I planned to be at Billy Bob’s the next night and promised the beer would be on me.

We found Boogie passing out Snipes at the theater entrance. I walked up behind her and yelled, “Who’s Gnome!?” We all answered back, “Ann’s Gnome!”

As if the night wasn’t perfect enough, after dinner with the gang, I drove Mary back to the hotel and I went back to the Casino and turned 40 bucks in the video poker machine into $200.00 plus I won the original $40 back. I look at my watch and notice it’s 2am. We still have to drive back to Fort Worth and catch the show at Billy Bob’s. As I’m leaving I notice the poster advertising the concert was still on display. I thought to myself, “Why not. You just won 200 bucks!” I asked the greeters at the front who I would speak with to see if I could have the poster. They tell me to find someone in a suit, preferably in the high-rollers area – that person will be a manager and they can help. I go back into the heart of the casino and I find a manager and he refers me to guest services, back at the front of the casino. At this point, I’m a little frustrated and think about giving up. I don’t like being bounced around and I can see this is about to happen. But, again, I remind myself I’ve just won $200 on a night Ann Wilson took my Roaming Gnome! There would be no better night. I head to guest services. I decide this time to spin it into a birthday story, which is not entirely untrue. I have no shame. I am on a mission. I explain how Monday was my 40th and we have come all the way from San Antonio, TX. to visit their fine Casino to see Heart. It was an awesome show and I was really wondering if I could please have the poster at the front of the casino as a souvenir from my birthday trip. He tells me as much as he would like to help, I would need to talk to someone at the box office. They leave at 2am. But crap. I just looked at my watch and it said 2am. I was about to assume they were closed when they pointed out that I still had 30 minutes. I looked at my watch and realized I have somehow put it in timer mode and it stopped at 2 minutes.

I am hopeful again. I go back into the casino and I speak to the nice guy at the box office and spin the same birthday story. While he is very pleasant and wishes me a happy birthday he apologizes and says that they don’t have anything to do with those posters and he’d be surprised if any were left. Usually fans grab them. I tell him there is one that wasn’t grabbed. He again apologizes and refers me back to the front greeters. I have come full circle with nothing to show for it. My desperation sets in. I decide the only way I’m going to be able to get that poster is to throw some BS out there and see if it sticks.

I go back to the greeter and I tell them of my ordeal and how I’ve been bounced around and that finally the guy at the box office said they didn’t care, I could have it but that I didn’t want to just go take it for fear someone might think I was stealing. They again tell me they can not help and refer me back to guest services.

I go back to the same man I spoke with earlier and tell him, “They said I could have it if someone would take it out of the holder for me.”

That was all he needed to hear. He came out from behind the desk, removed the poster from the holder, and said, “Happy Birthday, Ma’am.”

 

Happy Birthday indeed.

More to come about the rest of the shows in a later post.

Take Heart,

Andrea

PS – the only Nancy love I got that evening came in the form of a pick Joe got and gave to me. Thank you Honey. Lets share a piece of the stage again! This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ms. Tralwind, October 26, 2006 11:21 PM

“They will kick your ass, out drink you, out play you. They are just a force of nature.” – Mike Inez about Ann and Nancy

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