Since you are all on pins and needles waiting for my Chicago Jovi review, I'll finally tell you about it. I have this habit of not being able to sleep the night before I have to go somewhere. I'll end up sitting downstairs with my suitcase, watching infommercials for Ginsu knives. That didn't happen this time. I didn't even set the alarm, thinking I would be too wound to sleep or the kids would wake me up early (I was supposed to leave at 7.) So of course, it ended up being the time I slept like a baby and the kids decided not to get up before the cock crows. I didn't end up leaving til almost 7:30, which concerned me, as I had to drive to Elkhart and be there by ten, and it had been snowing all week. Well, I ended up in Elkhart at 10:30, but Jenni wasn't there yet, so all was good.

We got into Chicago around noon local time. Only 8 more hours til the first show! Not being able to check into the hotel until 3, we went to the hotel bar and had a couple of beers. Also hoping to catch a glimpse of any band member that might be in the area. No such luck. Got into our room, got ready and took the cab ride from hell to the United Center. Jenni had her eyes closed the whole way. I know that Chicago cab drivers are aggressive, but ours was tops in his field. I thought he was going to run people over, rear end the cars in front of us and go interstate speeds down Rush Street. After looking at the merchandise (and deciding not to spend $50 on a t-shirt) we went to our seats, which were 14th row center. Not the best seats I've had, but the stage was raised and I had a perfect view of everyone up there. Not to mention, the girl in front of me was not able to stand long and kept sitting down.

Saturday's concert was very predictable. I've only been to like 15 concerts, but over 15 years, that's really not a lot. I knew what songs were coming, how they were going to be introduced. Jenni and I were even talking along with Jon. That man needs some new schtick! It was a good concert, but nothing special. I realize they want to appeal to the masses and play some of their big hits, but I wish they would shake it up a bit! After the concert, we headed back to the hotel, where the bar was packed with Jovi crazies and the only sighting of a "band" member was when we were in the restroom and Bobby Bandiera walked into the restaurant off the bar. So I didn't even get to see him.

We all decided we were hungry and were going to walk down the block to Johnny Rockets. Passed a guy hugging the wall, relieving himself. Gotta love Chicago at 2am! Got down to JRs and found out they closed on New Years. The hotel doorman sent us to the Tempo Cafe a couple of blocks over. A lot of good food at reasonable prices. Got hit up for money from a homeless guy. The girls decided they didn't want to walk back to the hotel (5 blocks away!) so we grabbed a cab outside the cafe. I was holding the door open for my friend Jenny who was 9 months pregnant. I was helping her off the curb as it was icy. This guy walks out of the cafe and tries to get in the cab. Do I look like a concierge, waiting for you to come get your cab?? Sent him on his way and he stumbled his way to a cab around the corner. Went back to the hotel and crashed, looking forward to sleeping in -- no kids! Yeah, woke up at 7, which was actually 8 my time, so I guess I did get to sleep in.

The Jennies, Laura and I went to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch. Hoped for a Tico sighting as we heard he likes to eat there. Didn't see him but had a great lunch and yummy Godiva chocolate cheesecake. Then Jenny and Laura headed home and Jenni and I walked over to the WaterTower Place for some shopping. I hadn't been there in almost twenty years, but back then it seemed magical. Now it's just another shopping mall. Then it was back to the hotel for a power nap!

Sunday night, our seats were in the 19th row on stageleft. But, we were in seats 1 and 2, so we were pretty close to center. Plus, there was a platform in the crowd that Jon (and Richie) used in the middle of the concert that was at about row 16, so we were very close. That's where these pics were taken. Don't let the camera fool you, we were only about 10 people away.










The energy Sunday night was so much higher than Saturday. And it was hotter. I was sweating by the end of the first song. The first four songs were the same as the night before. I turned to Jenni and wondered if it was all going to be the same when Jon said they were going to change it up. And they did. They added a couple of songs I love. And Richie's solo song was one of the songs off his solo album, which was much more appreciated (by me, at least) than his version of "I'll Be There For You." Jenni and I went back to the hotel bar and we were the only people in there. Last call was 11:30 and they didn't let anyone in after us. We were the only people in there when the crew that's filming a documentary on Bon Jovi went into the semi private room behind us. Around 12:15, we were wondering how long we could nurse our drinks when Chris Daughtry (American Idol alum and Jovi opener) arrived. While the staff never asked us to leave, the long, knowing glances were enough to tell us it was time to go. But not before Richie came in. We would have said hi, but I think it would have been awkward. As we were leaving, we saw David back in the room. He must have come in through the kitchen door cause he didn't come by us.

Out in the lobby, we saw some other fans hanging out and talked to one we knew. One who has been to fifteen concerts, too.... just since January. Oh to have the time and the money to do that!!! Jason and the kids are lucky we're not rich or they'd never see me during tour time. LOL We went back to the room and crashed, again, I had trouble sleeping in. Checkout wasn't til noon, but I was ready by 8:30. Jenni suggested hanging out in the hotel lobby but I've given it up to fate. If I'm to meet them, it'll happen without me (s)talking them! :D

So, that was my weekend of smoking, drinking and debauchery. And Jenny had her baby 5 days later. Trevor Joseph -- should be pretty easy for me to remember that!