Send a message to Mika...

[A. Clay]

Update 281:

FROM Mr. "M"

http://tinyurl.com/mzujgt

"Just received a nice review from NYC show last night"

about 4 hours ago from web

Edited June 25, 2009 by A. Clay

[A. Clay]

Update 282:

FROM Mr. "M"

"i don't like the look of Albert today.

Cant really trust him...

i think he's gotten into drugs,

definitely loosing hair around his nostrils"

about 4 hours ago from web

Edited June 25, 2009 by A. Clay

[A. Clay]

Update 283:

FROM Mr. "M"

 

"Hello LA.

Time for an overpriced urth coffee.

Got work tomorrow then

back into the studio Fri for a final 12 hour tweak season with greg"

Edited June 25, 2009 by A. Clay

[A. Clay]

Update 284:

FROM Mr. "M"

@shanonelewis

"cuz he's a scag addict"

shanonelewis

@mikasounds "albert is not well!!!!!!!!!!!"

Edited June 26, 2009 by A. Clay

[iadoremika]

Jasmine in a fluffy concoction of a ruffled dress.

 

After lst wave admitted to the performance area, I saw Jasmine--who I could now recognize for sure by her lovely dress.

It's Yasmine.

[A. Clay]

It's Yasmine.

Oh, thanx: I'll revise to correct!

Anything else?

[iadoremika]

Oh, thanx: I'll revise to correct!

Anything else?

Not that I noticed, I just noticed a J instead of a Y. No big deal.

[laura*]

Oh, thanx: I'll revise to correct!

Anything else?

 

 

Yes: for your safety always use the pedestrian crossing.

[A. Clay]

Yes: for your safety always use the pedestrian crossing.

GOT IT!

[A. Clay]

Update 285:

FROM Mr. "M"

"I am so sadened by MJs death.

I clung to those records throughout my childhood.

A complete musical hero of mine.

May he rest in peace."

about 1 hour ago from Tweetie

Edited June 27, 2009 by A. Clay

[A. Clay]

HEY MEEKS, IF YOU HAVE THE TIME TO READ IT,

I'VE GOT THE TIME TO WRITE IT!

NYC GIG IMPRESSIONS & REPORT!

 

VAMOOSE: Perfect way to travel from DC to this gig.

AND, because I bought 6 one-way tickets,

I now have credit for "1 and a half" FREE

additional trips back to the Big Apple!

 

HOTEL: Stayed at the Washington Square Hotel.

(Daughter had stayed there on a previous visit.)

Good choice for this trip; easy walk to all the places we'd go to this visit.

Got there before check-in so went straight

to the "Q" at the Club.

Got our numbers #40, #41, #42

and got put on the list.

 

CAFE: Popped into much-read-about "Cafe Reggio" for a quick Iced Late +

famous stogliatella on way back to Hotel to actually check in.

 

WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK:

Cut through the Park on our way back

to the "Q" at the club

after claiming our rooms for the night.

Discovered the fountain IS too working;

live band (of a sort) playing there and

youngsters frolicking in the fountain.

(Such frolic is not permitted in the

sculpture garden fountain in DC!)

 

MFCers MET IN "Q"

Lucy (easy to find; just go to the front of the "Q"

HollyD (easy to find; just find Lucy)

Kath, MFC World Rep From for Scotland

(asked folks in line if she was there!)

Standard Toaster (recognizable from Pix)

Sivan (also recognizable from Pix)

DC Deb (also recognizable from Pix)

Natalie (finally in the Club (outer) Bar--

when overheard me asking someone else if they were her, HA!)

 

Chatted with many additional MFCers before & after the show,

but (sorry) don't remember names well,

but I guess you know who you are.

One a local NYC gal, we talked some 'bout our children.

Another the lady who had bought tickets for her youngsters initially

(when info was so confused,) but in the end found a way to

allow someone else use them.

 

Special note for: milagroA

Sorry we didn't spot each other.

Could have been standing next to each other and not even known.

I'm really glad, though, you were able to be there and enjoy it.

 

After the show, standing in the autograph line a fellow with a gal,

who had snagged one of those BIG balloons, offered it to both me

& another. Neither of us had a way to deal with it,

but it was a sweet gesture.

 

NYC FRIENDS & FAMILY:

Franchesca & hubby, "Bad Boy Rhizo" and

Big Daddy Dale's brother, James who I revert to addressing as "Edgar."

I can ALWAYS count on both those boys for a big hug.

(And congratz to Fran & Joe: Expecting their 1st before long.)

Thanks for meeting us in the venue neighborhood for a quick visit.

 

RESTAURANT: Had dinner with the above friends at "LUPA"

right around the corner from the "Q".

Checked many times during the day, during dinner

and early evening attempting to collect our

"will call" tickets--which were never issued.

On final return to "Q" we followed security guy's direction

about where to wait to get into the club.

 

A note about the security fellows

(as was the case at MIKA's Philadelphia performance,

you couldn't find a sweeter group of guys!)

 

FAMILY/MIKA TEAM SIGHTINGS:

Mrs. Penniman, Yasmine & Fortune.

Taking a relaxed stroll on the sidewalk right across

the street from the "Q" line.

The ladies in their summer whites:

Mrs. Penniman in a coordinated capri pant & top outfit

and Yasmine in a fluffy concoction of a ruffled dress.

Fortune in jeans + a white collared/cuffed shirt, I believe.

Then the group disappeared around the corner.

Didn't look like no "MAFIA" to me!

 

MIKA'S brother, Fortune also,

at one point, walked the length of the "Q" personally

offering and encouraging takers for the free ice cream.

A distinct treat to see Fortune up close.

Just as cute as MIKA in his own way.

Similar characteristics.

Tall and lean like Mika;

eye's and mannerisms a bit similar,

looked to be just as sweet.

 

John (the manager) could be spotted here & there,

of course, throughout.

 

After lst wave admitted to the performance area,

I saw Yasmine again

--who I could now recognize for sure by her lovely dress.

I entertained a fleeting urge to approach and speak to her

(which I'm sure she would have been gracious about)

but I quickly decided it preferable not to bother her.

 

I'm also pretty sure I spotted Audrey(?) there

also walking through the performance general audience area

wearing a big, full, long kind of "hippie style" skirt.

 

And frankly, later while the support acts were doing their thing,

I confess I found it much more interesting/entertaining to gawk

--from a respectful distance--at the VIP section,

mostly focusing on Standard Toaster & Fortune.

 

CLOSED CIRCUIT TV: While we were waiting in our "pen" in the outer bar,

there were 2 closed circuit TVs on either side of the bar running.

 

Initially you saw the previous act (a young pianist from Japan) finishing up

his act and you could see his audience clustered at tables and in no hurry

to disperse. Then later, you could view stage hands with the use of ramps

removing that fellow's piano from the stage.

 

Finally, and this was interesting, you could see MIKA walking about the area,

pondering it, making a single skip up to the stage,

doing some pre-show pacing AND for a brief amount of time

you could also view Mrs. Penniman and Yasmine helping the stage crew

"spread on the (silver) glitter."

Then, after a bit, the TV's went dark.

I doubt they knew they were being watched!

 

THE "PEN" or "HOLDING AREA"

The outer bar was OK when just the lst wave of folks were admitted,

but when the 2nd and 3rd(?) wave were admitted, it became quite

unpleasant and remained that way for a long time.

 

People in front were pushing back at you, people in back of you were

pushing forward at you! Also, any available toilet was at the far end

of the "pen" behind all those people; impossible to access.

 

MFCers were anxious that their "numbers" weren't going to matter.

There were announcements to put yourselves back into number order which,

with the loud music, were barely audible and not really possible in the

crush of things.

 

My daughter had some fleeting hyperventilation attacks because of the

conditions there and it really was not nice. You had this sense that

there might be a stampede from behind when/if the doors to the

performance area were opened.

 

Anyway, to my relief, the security guys somehow managed to keep

things from getting out of control and eventually let the

first (about 50 folks) in according to (it seemed) their hand numbers.

 

FINALLY IN:

When first in, really didn't know what to do.

Things were calm enough.

I think we thought there would be a little seating in the back.

 

So (stupid us) we headed, unknowingly, for the VIP area.

We were set straight about that quickly.

Then I think I went down toward the stage and stood right in front of the confetti cannon.

 

Girls were sitting on the floor adjoining the stage.

I kind of knew standing right in front of the cannon probably wasn't a swell idea.

 

I also knew I wasn't going to make it long without out a toilet break.

I ask a club staffer if there was one in the immediate area and by god,

actually to my surprise, there was.

Promptly visited it: multiple stalls, clean--maybe two other people there.

 

"Big Daddy Dale" got me my requested "Garfunkle" from the

long inside Bar-NO PICKLE!

 

The drink was good, but quite stong so I went back to get a class of ice

to water it down a bit. Hence I had two drink glasses--one with the drink

the other with the ice, but made me look like two-fisted drinker!

 

Anyway, I quess a 2nd wave was admitted, but you could still see the stage fairly well.

Initially, I decided to lean against and hug a pillar in the rear of the performance area.

 

But when more and more people were let in, I bolted on my 'keepers' and worked

my way back front (about halfway) toward the stage 'till

no further advancing seemed reasonably possible.

 

Found some spots were I could clearly see MIKA and stayed there

most of the time.

Got a little of a stiff neck, but it was fine.

 

I noticed a LOT of guys arrived in a 3rd wave,

but did not hang around afterwards for the autographs.

 

PERFORMANCE: MIKA was so bouncy.

I could see him bouncing so much on his piano bench,

I thought maybe he'd sail on up to the ceiling.

And MIKA was so energetic, swinging his head from side to side

--that style only MIKA does.

The sound was amazing: Both MIKA and the audience were so energized.

I was soo happy to be there--wiggling, waving hands, clapping, singing along with the adoring crowd. . . . Insufficient superlatives . . .

I know this is short, but you ALL know how good MIKA is already!

Rejoined my "keepers" a little before the stage invasion.

 

AUTOGRAPHS: Hung around after the last song, inside the performance

area with some others in case MIKA were to come out there.

The Security guy said something so went to see what he'd said.

Basically, "if you want to see him, you'd better get outside;

there's a long line forming out there." The truth?

The WHOLE truth? Maybe, maybe not, but out we went.

 

Waited the hour for MIKA to exit the club.

(It's always 1 hour to the minute isn't it?)

When the hour was up, out MIKA came like clockwork.

He was doing a fairly efficient job of going down the line,

so I knew he wasn't going to be real chatty this time.

Some were politely asking for a hug, and MIKA was quickly dispensing them.

[if you've got to have a hug, this is the approach!

When sweetly asked, MIKA is free with his hugs!]

Someone (I realized later) had asked for a pic with MIKA and

he said "Wait 'til last."

 

MIKA was (as in Europe) mostly giving autographs.

That was my mission, to obtain an autograph 'cause I didn't yet have one.

I had printed a favorite photograph of MIKA on high-gloss photo paper

and had a much smaller one on regular paper.

[As I post this pic, I remember MIKA noting I'd lifted it from YouTube, HA!]

 

When MIKA first came my way he skipped me ('cause I was standing back from the rail a little)

& he had gone on to the next person on my right.

So I said "Oh MIKA, don't skip ME!" and MIKA stepped back.

I just said "I'm Alice; I'm so happy to be here,"

And offering my photos--the small one on top of the bigger one.

I said "I'm afraid this (the bigger one) might smudge."

That sweet boy, wouldn't you know, signed both for good measure.

I said "Oh, thank you." Then I said something kind of stupid

and I got the sense MIKA didn't really understand what I meant.

I uttered "Everytime I say 'I'm too old for this S*IT' you prove me wrong!"

 

My time was up and on MIKA went down the line.

Then I just watched MIKA with the others.

"Big Daddy Dale" said, some fans were going down the line for a

2nd shot and that I should do the same.

I wasn't for that: That's just tacky.

 

GOOD BYE (for now) MIKA:

So while MIKA was working the line, his car had been moved to the end.

It was raining very lightly and John was holding an umbrella over MIKA.

At least one group posed for a group photo with Mika--and then off he went

in his car.

I was right there to say, "Goodbye MIKA."

 

Every time I take a trip, something is left unsatisfied:

Those things go on my "Maybe next time list!"

For "next time"--IF I ever return to the area:

Go see the famous "Dosa Man"

Have a night cap at "The Dove Parlour"

Meet MIKA's band members? somewhere, some time?

Edited June 26, 2009 by A. Clay

[micafan]

Haha!!!

 

Ive finally found out what road mika lives at!! but i wont say!!

Anyway, you can see his pink door so clearly on street view on google maps

 

Im so happy!!!!!!!!

[laura*]

Congrats for your successful ****ing tour!

 

 

 

 

Don't get mad, M...things go wrong all the time for the other human beings on the planet, too.

[iadoremika]

Do a gig for the Aussies!!!

[A. Clay]

Update 286:

FROM Mr. "M"

 

Im coming to australia tomorrow,

whoop whoop

from web

Edited June 28, 2009 by A. Clay

[Marilyn Mastin]

Mika. I'm so happy for the Aussies, who have waited so long

for you to go to the land down under!

Have a great time in Australia!

[A. Clay]

Update 287:

FROM Mr. "M"

 

http://www.mousecircus.com/buythebook.aspx?BookID=1&LookupCodeID=1

@neilhimself

"YO!

thank you for the book, twas a nice surprise!!

never received a dedication with

my name on a tombstone however.

lol"

 

"I am wearing black clothes.

@amandapalmer is wearing a psychedelic paisley dress.

We have a full tank of gas and dark glasses.

Let's hit it."

 

Edited June 28, 2009 by A. Clay

[Dark Angel]

3+ beer/drinks on me...

Edited June 27, 2009 by Dark Angel

[A. Clay]

Update 288, 289, 290:

FROM Mr. "M"

 

@AlbumArtExchang

"my yoga would come in handy"

in reply to AlbumArtExchang

 

AlbumArtExchang

@mikasounds

"Okay,

I've never wished that someone would miss a flight before.

But, I'd really like to see the big toe trick.";-)

 

 

@dreamboatqueen1

"ha ha ha! Nutter lol"

in reply to

dreamboatqueen1

 

dreamboatqueen1

@mikasounds

"diet coke and a pizza please?

Diet coke?!

I'm on my knees saying,

'big toe, you are edible!!'":)

 

"Running from studio to the airport.

If I miss my flight I will eat my big toe.

In public" from Tweetie

Edited June 28, 2009 by A. Clay

[A. Clay]

Update 291 & 292:

FROM Mr. "M"

HA, Ha, ha, ha . . . .

"Toe tastes like ****"

about 2 hours ago from Tweetie

 

"Ok... Missed my flight.

Getting on an hour later.

Book for tonight; Confidential Agent by G Green.

Is The Reader book any good?"

about 2 hours ago from Tweetie

 

***Maybe should be reading THIS instead?***

Edited June 28, 2009 by A. Clay

[A. Clay]

Update 293 & 294:

FROM Mr. "M"

 

 

@nico_collard

"get well soon Tegan.

So sorry to hear whats happened.

Sending you love. Mika x"

about 3 hours ago from Tweetie

 

"Morning Sydney x"

about 3 hours ago from Tweetie

Edited June 29, 2009 by A. Clay

[iadoremika]

Thanks for giving a shout out to Tegan!

[Louiza]

Thanks for the message to Tegan

[kt4mika]

u lil sexpot

[A. Clay]

Update 295,296, 297, 298 & 299:

FROM Mr. "M"

 

"Done.

I think I should sneak away and leave him the bill.

The waiter thinks we've had an argument. Lovers tiff perhaps"

about 4 hours ago from Tweetie

 

"He's still not back.

I'm eating the bastard's food ha!"

about 4 hours ago from Tweetie

 

@MikaMadLuke

"thank u"

about 4 hours ago from Tweetie in reply to MikaMadLuke

 

MikaMadLuke

"MikaSounds Hope Youre Enjoying Sydney and Your Dinner , Just Listened To The Songs For Sorrow Again, Its Awesome (: xxxxx"

"Opera House ceiling at Bayreuth"

http://twitpic.com/8qlk8

(via @stephenfry);

"WOW this is one of my places to see before I die"

about 4 hours ago from Tweetie

 

"Sitting outside having dinner by the water, lovin Sydney.

Gettin odd looks as I sit on my own.

Manager is pacing around on phone 60m away"

about 4 hours ago from Tweetie