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Post by orfeo on Apr 17, 2005 21:50:21 GMT -5
Dear fellow Toriforumites (?),
I'm starting this thread on behalf of my fellow Aussies and New Zealanders. We'd all really appreciate some guidance about how meet and greets happen. Because frankly, we don't have a bloody clue.
Look, she hasn't been down here for over a DECADE, so even if we had some knowledge from back then it would be completely out of date. Heck, did she even DO meet and greets back then?
So we'd really appreciate any advice on things like
- what sort of time the actual meeting and greeting usually happens
- what sort of time we should try and GET there. Please note that at least some of us will be physically unable to imitate Lauren's amazing effort of turning up at 8:30am!
- any rules we should know about, eg basically each person can get one thing signed, right?
- any handy hints about how to not be a physical wreck after waiting 7 hours in the hot sun, etc. and thus failing to make the most of the actual meeting experience (as well as the concert!). Is bringing a picnic socially acceptable?
You get the idea!
Your Southern Hemisphere friends thank you.
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Post by ♣Miranda♣ on Apr 17, 2005 23:00:01 GMT -5
Dear fellow Toriforumites (?), I'm starting this thread on behalf of my fellow Aussies and New Zealanders. We'd all really appreciate some guidance about how meet and greets happen. Because frankly, we don't have a bloody clue. Look, she hasn't been down here for over a DECADE, so even if we had some knowledge from back then it would be completely out of date. Heck, did she even DO meet and greets back then? So we'd really appreciate any advice on things like - what sort of time the actual meeting and greeting usually happens - what sort of time we should try and GET there. Please note that at least some of us will be physically unable to imitate Lauren's amazing effort of turning up at 8:30am! - any rules we should know about, eg basically each person can get one thing signed, right? - any handy hints about how to not be a physical wreck after waiting 7 hours in the hot sun, etc. and thus failing to make the most of the actual meeting experience (as well as the concert!). Is bringing a picnic socially acceptable? You get the idea! Your Southern Hemisphere friends thank you. Darling, I've only been to one meet and greet but it was lovely. 1. It was at around 4 in the afternoon and I think that's the time she usually does them. We got there at around noon and were pretty close to the front of the line. 2. Bring a picnic! 3. Take pictures and share!  I'm so excited that you finally get to see Tori, I've got this huge smile on my face.  |
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Post by bexface on Apr 17, 2005 23:05:13 GMT -5
Hi orfeo, I will do my best to answer your questions: A) The M&Ging usually happens between 4 and 5 PM, before she goes in for sound check. She will probably go into the theatre before the M&G (maybe 3 PM?) so don't get too excited early on when you see her then. A lot of times she goes in first via a different entrance, which will spare you from that cycle of emotions. B) If you really, really, really, really want to meet her then I would advice imitating Lauren's effort. (I mean, are you really "physically unable" to get up early? If you really, really, really, really wanted something, you would get up early for it, right?) The great thing about doing this is you get to meet a lot more people in the process. These people are by far some of the most unique and awesome people you will ever meet and to get the opportunity to meet them in such a short timeframe and all in one place is something you will never forget. My advice to you is to definitely get there before noon. I don't know how crazy the Aussies will be about Tori or perhaps the pent-up demand of not seeing her for over a decade will drive others to get there much before noon. There's no way to tell as there is no recent history (ie, M&Gs in Australia) so I recommend playing it on the safe side. C) That is the basic rule: only one thing signed. But you could probably get one thing signed *and* a photo with her (if you are lucky enough to be up front; otherwise just one thing signed). I have seen others break this rule and, depending on who it is, she gets irritated but is good at covering up her irritation. Don't push it! It affects others and how she interacts with them afterwards. If you are not within lets say three people deep from the barricade front, then your chances of even getting something signed drop dramatically. A lot of times her bodyguard will say something like "Don't pass anything up." (This was during the last tour. She has a new bodyguard this time around so perhaps this is not the case anymore.) Again, by getting there early increases your chances but does not guarantee anything. Another rule you should follow is that everyone must stay in their place, herded behind the barricade, until she has left. With everyone crammed behind the fencing, some smaller people could get seriously hurt if the crowd was to shift, either to allow someone else better access or to leave after you have had your turn with her. Another rule is *always* comply with what her helpers ask you to do. If they ask you to move back, MOVE BACK! If they ask you to move sideways, MOVE SIDEWAYS. If they ask you to stand on your head, STAND ON YOUR HEAD. (They won't ask you the last one, just trying to make a point.) They can pull the plug on the M&G if things go badly. Case in point: Cleveland a few years back. A fight broke out and Tori was rushed into the theatre. Many hearts were broken in the process. Another rule is to be quiet before you have had your turn and to be quiet after you have had your turn. She is great at talking with people one-on-one and you are ruining that experience for that one particular person if you are talking or shouting nearby while she is giving her all to the person of the moment. Patience, patience! D) This last one varies from person to person. The one thing I try to do is to talk to most everyone and gauge how their karma is. Some will indicate that, no matter how late they got there, they deserve to see her and will push their way up front. This is bad karma. When this happens to me, my urge is to tell them that they should not do that. But I would advice you to resist that as, when you do that, you are being drawn into the bad karma. For me, this tends to drag me down and the anticipation of a good experience gets drowned in negative, hyper-scared "will-I-get-to-meet-her?" feelings. Instead of concentrating on what you want to say (and you will most likely only have a minute or so when this happens), you get dragged into the bad karma. Control your feelings as you cannot control others. I would also suggest that, if you are the first person there (or perhaps Lauren will be) that you start a numbering system with a black sharpie (usually numbers written down on the wrist or the palm of the hand). This helps settle down the "I-was-here-first-no-I-was-here-first" syndrome. And also lets people get out of line to go to get water or go to the bathroom throughout the day. However, everyone should understand that just getting a number doesn't guarantee anything and should not wander off for the whole day and come back at 4 PM. That is also bad karma. This is not a controlled number ticket environment so don't take advantage of it; that approach will backfire in some shape or form. I think the idea of a picnic and blanket to have it on is *great.* A group of three really great people did this at Minneapolis (Jacob, Missy, and Shane) and it led them to meet other great people in the process. Do this. Also bring a music box to listen to Tori music!  Boots if you have them as well. Bring photos of Tori to show others. Your comment about the hot sun does have me worried. In the summer of 2003, there were only 3 M&Gs the whole tour and the basic reason given by Tori and her staff was they did not want people suffering from dehydration waiting for her. I think that there was more to the story than that but, by itself, it was a good reason. I truly hope that does not happen to the Aussies and Kiwis. (I want to hear Aims report on a M&G!! ) You bring up another good possibility. A bad M&G leads into a bad concert experience. Yes, this has happened to me. Again, you control yourself. Wipe out any bad karma from the M&G (if that happens) and open yourself to the wonderful music that she puts out. Easier said than done. Perhaps practise yoga before the show? Whatever works for you to reach internal balance is what you should do in this case. Good Luck to you, orfeo, and to Aims and Hels and all the others down there. You deserve this after waiting for o so long. Make the best of it!! ;D ;D |
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Post by Aims on Apr 18, 2005 0:07:14 GMT -5
Oooh thanks you guys that've replied so far! Btw, bexface - when Trevor said it was physically impossible to get there really early, it's not because he's lazy or anything, it's simply because he and Helen won't be arriving in Sydney till around 11!  Our plan at the moment has been to get to the Opera House by 12.30-ish.. I think that's the most realistic arrival time we can hope for. |
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Post by orfeo on Apr 18, 2005 0:33:07 GMT -5
Oooh thanks you guys that've replied so far! Btw, bexface - when Trevor said it was physically impossible to get there really early, it's not because he's lazy or anything, it's simply because he and Helen won't be arriving in Sydney till around 11! Our plan at the moment has been to get to the Opera House by 12.30-ish.. I think that's the most realistic arrival time we can hope for. Um, yeah, what she said. Now, if the CANBERRA concert was still on (like I thought it WAS when I booked my flight to Sydney), I'd be getting up pretty darn early and parking myself outside the Canberra Theatre all day. But now I am at the mercy of Qantas. There's a slight irony in that I could have got to Sydney earlier by car... or bus, or train or whatever. But I was aiming to make the whole thing a big 'event' by flying. Helen, on the other hand, really doesn't have much practical choice other than to fly in if she doesn't want to be a physical wreck for the concert. By road it would take her about 9 hours! Okay, so Aims is coming from even FURTHER away, but she'll get in town the night before. Smart girl! I have NO idea why I'm telling you all this, just go with it okay? |
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Post by DaturaFae on Apr 18, 2005 7:00:31 GMT -5
I think that most of your questions have been answered pretty well so far... but anyway...
- the meet & greet usually happens between 4pm and 5:30pm
- don't show up at 4pm, you will be too far back. my 8am appearance was a little unnecessary (it was at least 2 hours before another person showed), but not entirely unusual. I've actually heard of someone showing up at 5:30am (now that's insane!). I would say that if you want to be up at the very front, you would probably want to be there by 11am. You could certainly get there later if you just want to have something passed up to her or to catch some photos of her.
- generally it is out of courtesy for others that you only have one thing signed. If you are at the very front, you could probably get a picture with her, too. Her bodyguard and your fellow ewf will get a little annoyed if you try to use up all her time. Be aware of anything that Smitty (her bodyguard) instructs you to do / not do. He will probably spell out some of the rules before she comes out since they haven't been in Australia in quite some time. If someone asks you to pass something up and Tori looks busy, you can pass it to him, btw. He will probably end up carrying it anyway.
- WATER! I forgot water in Hartford and I was ready to pass out by mid-afternoon. It's any easy thing to forget. Yes, I would suggest food, too. You will probably want to find a place to stash any large coolers or bags before it gets close to the meet time, though, because it will only be a hassle for you when people are tripping over it.
If someone starts the "number system", here's the deal. One of the first few people who arrive may decide to bring a sharpie pen and number the hands of the people who arrive in the order that they got there. If they are really organized and the fans are respectful, this will hold your place in front of those who arrived after you. HOWEVER, this system is not always a guarantee as you will find those who will write double numbers, save numbers for their friends (who will end up showing late and cutting ahead of you) or disregard the system altogether. Fortunately, I have had no issues as both of my meet & greets on this tour were fairly organized and tame.
Good Luck!!
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Post by DaturaFae on Apr 18, 2005 7:02:03 GMT -5
Oooh thanks you guys that've replied so far! Btw, bexface - when Trevor said it was physically impossible to get there really early, it's not because he's lazy or anything, it's simply because he and Helen won't be arriving in Sydney till around 11! Our plan at the moment has been to get to the Opera House by 12.30-ish.. I think that's the most realistic arrival time we can hope for. Oh, ok. 12:30 should be alright. Have fun! |
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Post by Lemon Pie on Apr 19, 2005 3:45:16 GMT -5
great thred! I've been looking for M&G info myself... I found couple informative posts on tori amos LJ community, e.g.: www.livejournal.com/community/toriamos/2415815.htmlWonder if she'll do them in Europe... hope so... although not sure I want to go there to be crushed by people... I hate crowds... |
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Post by *Herry* on Apr 20, 2005 19:37:25 GMT -5
LMAO!!!
Thanks for that, Trevor - I so needed that right now!
And thankyou dear Toriforumites, who lovingly posted all they could on the subject. I'm still having flashbacks of sharpie pens, karma, barricades and guards. I am trepiditious....
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Post by *Herry* on Apr 20, 2005 19:41:20 GMT -5
Um, yeah, what she said. Now, if the CANBERRA concert was still on (like I thought it WAS when I booked my flight to Sydney), I'd be getting up pretty darn early and parking myself outside the Canberra Theatre all day. But now I am at the mercy of Qantas. There's a slight irony in that I could have got to Sydney earlier by car... or bus, or train or whatever. But I was aiming to make the whole thing a big 'event' by flying. Helen, on the other hand, really doesn't have much practical choice other than to fly in if she doesn't want to be a physical wreck for the concert. By road it would take her about 9 hours! Okay, so Aims is coming from even FURTHER away, but she'll get in town the night before. Smart girl! I have NO idea why I'm telling you all this, just go with it okay? LMAO STILL. Because it's true!  Ok, I really must calm down now... |
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Post by orfeo on Apr 20, 2005 20:18:31 GMT -5
LMAO STILL. Because it's true! Ok, I really must calm down now... Modify your sig while you're at it. It's a lot less than 24 sleeps now! Except realising that will probably stop you from calming down. |
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Post by Aims on Apr 20, 2005 22:57:25 GMT -5
Yeah! There are 16 sleeps! |
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Post by *Herry* on Apr 22, 2005 7:20:35 GMT -5
Yeah! There are 16 sleeps! Holy crork!! (that's a Kier-inspired word, haha!) The distance is getting clooooser!!!  |
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Post by Aims on Apr 22, 2005 16:58:05 GMT -5
Lol I made one of those ticker things to count down because changing it in the profile every day gets annoying... but the stupid font on the ticker is black and I can't figure out how to change it. Which of course means on this background it doesn't show up so people will be all "wha?" (it's ok, I knew there was a reason why deep down I've never really liked those things anyway) |
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Post by bexface on Apr 23, 2005 12:24:16 GMT -5
Hi Aims and orf! LOL! Sorry if I sounded pompish when I said "physically unable"! I certainly understand the constraints that travel can bring to a M&G situation. I just hope that there are no flight delays (like I am experiencing right now in Seattle) that will get you to the M&G later than 12:30. I think that you all deserve a shot at getting to talk to her so I will *pray* for you when the time comes. (I am not religious but you know what I mean!) Hey, mr nanner, do me a dance!  (yeah) ;D |
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Post by Aims on Apr 23, 2005 15:56:38 GMT -5
I don't know if I'm being cocky and unrealistic in saying this, but I've been thinking our M&G won't be as hectic and crazy as the ones in the states?
Later on in her Australian tour, I'm sure they will, once more people know about them - but ours will be the first one, and I know that most of the people I've talked to about this have been pretty unsure of what they're going to do. That's only a part of the online community though, I have no idea if there's like old seasoned Tori concert goers there that will all flood in on the very first day, but yeah.
I've probably totally jinxed it for us by saying that.
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Post by bexface on Apr 23, 2005 16:48:07 GMT -5
Gosh, I hope not. You're probably right, though. If I get to talk to her tomorrow, I will ask her to consider learning a Crowded House song for you! Is there any particular song I should ask for? |
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Post by bexface on Apr 23, 2005 16:49:05 GMT -5
Sorry, I meant:
You're probably right about the fans not being as fanatical like we are in the states.
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Post by Aims on Apr 23, 2005 23:13:01 GMT -5
Oh, the fans are pretty damn fanatical here, believe me... but what I meant was I'm not sure if there'll be shitloads of them on the first day of concerts.
But knowing my luck there will, and it'll be totally packed. Oh well, it's gonna be fun to be around so many people who love Tori.
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Boots if you have them as well. Bring photos of Tori to show others.
