Welcome, Ryan!

Rockapella in Greeley

Friday, December 5, 2014

Union Colony Civic Center

Greeley, CO

A few months ago, I realized that my 100th show would be coming up quickly if some predicted tour dates would come to fruition, and it could possibly be on the day before my birthday.  But it would take some finagling, because there was only one local show in December that I could attend.  So I decided to go to this one, and invited my posse to join me if they'd like.  KP and Jenn were going to miss the same So Cal show as me, so they decided to join me.  Yay!

I took the FlyAway bus from Van Nuys early in the morning because I didn't want to drive in traffic to LAX, and their parking can be expensive.  So I took a little nap on the way to the airport, and bag check was quite easy this time, probably because it was early in the day.  I was allowed to go through pre-check, so I was done with security fairly quickly and got something to eat at La Brea Bakery.  While looking for KP, I said to myself, "Redhead.  Where's my redhead?"  She wasn't there yet.  She arrived while I was getting food, and we met up and headed for our gate and talked about how we realized that we no longer know how to pack for Rockapella shows because it's been so long since the last Rockapella Rendezvous.  KP said that she's lost her "Rockapella Juju".  I think she meant "Mojo".  We decided on "Jujo".  Our flight was happily uneventful once I got over the fact that I felt really stupid trying to walk onto the jetway before the "B" line was called. 

We landed a little bit early, but Jenn had already picked up the car rental.  She had actually booked 2 cars because she booked one when we first decided to go, then she booked another one last week.  She chose the black SUV.  We stopped to eat at Arby's, and when Jenn's name was called, some little kid proceeded to touch her tray and his mom hadn't even ordered yet.  The look on Jenn's face was priceless.  It was part "That's MY food, you little brat!" and part "If you weren't a kid, I'd stab you with a plastic knife."  Jenn was quite hungry.  But all was well, and violence was avoided when the kid's mom told him to put down the tray.

We got to the hotel (thanks for getting the room, Hotel Fairy!) and decided to go to Target and the venue since we had some time before needing to get ready.  Jenn's Siri was taking us along backroads everywhere.  I found the Rudolph (and Clarice!) band aids that KP had told me about.  I hadn't brought my whole tin of Jesus band aids, and was going to use plain ones until she told me about these.  Yes, I have Jesus band aids.  Jesus heals.  Anyway, we also found other stuff that we had forgotten, and then Jenn treated us to a drink at Starbucks because she wanted more points.  I showed off my high-maintenance ordering skill by ordering a tall decaf nonfat caramel brulee latte.  Thanks, Jenn!  

We then went to the venue (again, backroads), and parked in a senior center parking lot.  KP and I went to the box office so that I could pick up my tickets.  There was some kind of Christmas Tree fair going on inside, but it wasn't free, so we didn't go.

KP being Cool

 We took pictures by this sculpture of people watching a guy playing a guitar.

 On the way back to the car, we saw that one of the benches by the senior center was sponsored by a funeral home.  That's just wrong.  I then saw a car that needed to have Jenn beside it because it had her name on it.  

We returned to the hotel to rest a bit before getting ready for the show.  Jenn hadn't been feeling well for a couple of hours, so she decided to go downstairs to the front desk to see if they had some decongestant to purchase.  I noticed that it was taking her awhile, and found out why when she arrived.  APPARENTLY, when she was checking out some "tall glass of water"'s ummm... pants, he turned around and she saw that it was Steven.  He said a friendly hi and asked if she was by herself, and she said that no, she was with KP and me.  He hugged her and she was trying not to hug him too much because she didn't want to get him sick.  She got into the elevator and was so out of it due to her sinuses that she forgot to press the elevator button for our floor.  So she went to the 3rd floor, and lo and behold, there was Calvin.  Now she was more mortified because two of them had seen her while she looked at not-her-best.  She still hadn't pressed any buttons after Calvin got off the elevator, and then SD was back again.  She tried to explain to him that she was sick and didn't know what she was doing, trying not to let him think that she was stalking them.  Then she finally realized that she needed to press a button to get to our floor, and did so.  I teased her, and said, "But Jenn....now they won't be surprised to see us!"  She said, "I'm sorry!"  That's OK, Jenn.  Your story was hilarious.

We got ready to go and this time we parked in the lot across from the front door of the venue.  The Christmas trees that we didn't look at earlier were still on display so that we could check out all of them.  I pointed out a little photo op place where we could take pictures together later.  

We got to our seats, which were in the front row of the apron.  YAY!!!  Earlier in the week, JT had announced that their "Holiday Tour" bass was Ryan Chappelle, whom is a former member of the a/c group Ball in the House.  We were going to get a close-up view of him, because our seats were on the rhythm section side.  I was happy that my Rockapella drought was ending after 363 days.  That's like an eternity for me.  No wonder I've had to keep myself pseudo-sane with my "Simple Gifts' posts.  

SUN BROTHERS OF TAMPA BAY

SD, CSL4, Ryan (RC) and CJ took the stage, wearing hats like they were working in a fast-food joint.  They then sang a song to the melody of "Carol of the Bells", but with the lyrics "Ding! Fries are done."  You can guess how the song went from there.  They're so silly.  These hats must be easier to pack than those big sombreros. 

ROCKAPELLA

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Wow, this crowd is quiet.  I wanted to yell every time one of the guys took the stage, but I was trying not to freak out too much, as Cindy had told me.  (Really, though.  Has she MET me?).  They had to do a couple of adjustments in the first few chords, but you know, they're such pros, they got on track very quickly.  We got smiles from SD and CSL4.  I like CSL4's purple tie with the silver accent.

CSL4 introduced himself as Peyton Manning.  It's Broncos country, folks!

The Hope We Hold

CSL4 pointed at KP as he walked to our side of the stage, and he smiled at me.  Hi!  

CSL4:  "We were in Kansas the last two nights.  You have more bumps in your landscape.... You've got great weather here, it's not like Christmas, so we're going to do an Easter show tonight."  Then he introduced Ryan Chappelle as their "brand new bass".  Hmmm....does that mean that he's no longer just the "Holiday Tour" bass?  I'm so confused.

CSL4 asked the audience, "Who's celebrating Hanukkah?"  Maybe 2 people clapped.  His response: "That's more than there were in Kansas."

Dreidel

Hi, JT!  Go, RC, spin the dreidel!

Winter Wonderland

The audience liked CSL4's Elvis hip moves.  Somebody winked his Flirty Flirty Eye at me.  I'm so happy!  I had to tell KP and Jenn that in the middle of the song.  Really, it's been a long time since I've been this level of happy.  JT did his walk like he was in the Ministry of Silly Walks.  

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

KP:  "Sleigh bells are coming! Sleigh bells are coming!"  We did the choreography with them, of course, for us, and for RC.  Sleigh bells did, indeed, come.

Glow Worm

They seem to be out of breath.  Is it the altitude thing, or were they tired?  JT tried to get CJ to bump fists, but CJ left him hanging until the end of the song when he realized what JT was trying to do.  Much giggling occurred at our seats.

Little Mary Snowflake

"Conquering kingdoms and hacking at dragon heads."  I love that song.

CSL4 said that SD has been with Rockapella for 5 years.  Time flies when you're looking at gorgeous men sing and dance at you.  Of course, one of those years was very much longer than the others because I didn't see them for 363 days.  CSL4 said that SD has a CD available but asked us not to buy too many because they want to keep him.  I know the feeling.

Simply Having A Wonderful Christmastime

So here is the test on RC's technique: the Tchaikovsky bass part.  YES!  He kicked ass.

CSL4 is disappointed that, again, he won't see "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer" when it airs on TV on Tuesday.  Me neither.  

Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer

JT pointed his microphone at us because he knew we'd yell, "YAHTZEE!!!"  

Merry Christmas, Darling

Nice riff by CJ when RC dropped out for a few bars.

CSL4 said that RC was in Ball in the House.  I whooed.  He asked, "You know Ball in the House, or you have a ball in the house?"  I answered, "Well..."   That's kind of personal in front of these hundreds of people, Mr. Leonard!  Then he said that JT doesn't sing/talk much because "his mouth is otherwise occupied," but he does a lot of the behind-the-scenes work also.  SD talked about CSL4's "lovely goldilocks and spaghetti-style legs".  CSL4's reaction was priceless, as he flipped his hair and demurely crossed his legs.

This Christmas Day

"I just snuggle up and make new friends..." CSL4's snuggling turned into a lot of hula-hoop-like hip action, which went out of control.  SD's reaction was hilarious as he looked at us, like, "What are you gonna do?"

Please Christmas, Don't Be Late

KP says that CSL4 should yell "CALVIN!" and not "STEVEN!"  I think that he should want "A Kardashian" and "One Direction DVD".  He did stop wanting the Justin Bieber DVD, though, and asked for a Taylor Swift one, which really doesn't match syllable-wise.

Jingle Bell Rock

Ummmm...the floor shook.  Was that an earthquake, or were they just excited to see us?  (I checked on the internet later.  No earthquake.).

Please Come Home for Christmas

So they started this song, and I said, "It's my song!" and felt bittersweet because I didn't have Geo there to sing to me and kiss my hand and make me swoon in his general direction.  Then RC's solo came, and he walked to the front of the stage.  And sang.  I wasn't sure at first if he was actually singing to me, but nobody was sitting behind me, and I could feel people's eyes on me.  Oh! He IS singing to me!  Hello!  Then CSL4 rudely interrupted our romance and in my fickle way, I quickly fixed my hair and flirted back at him.  It was so hilariously awesome that the lady next to me (whom I had never met) HIT ME WITH HER PROGRAM.  I'm still laughing at that moment.  I saw JT smiling as he watched my reaction to the whole thing, and he seemed pleased that I am still the way I am.  He thinks I'm a star, you know.  It's still my song!  Thank you, Ryan!!!

Matunda Ya Kwanzaa

Nice entrance, RC!  He's still learning the steps.  That's OK, dude.  You'll get it by the time we see you again.  

While SD was talking about visiting Helsinki, somebody in the audience yelled.  SD: "Helsinki is in the house tonight!"  He talked about the toys in Santa's workshop and said, "APPARENTLY, there's going to be more Millennium Falcons being made."  I love so much that he is such a Star Wars fan, as is JT.  He talked about a "tall order" being made of Santa, and all I could think of was Jenn calling SD a "tall glass of water".  

Gianna was called up to the stage.  While introducing her to the guys, SD said JT's name, and RC walked up to shake her hand.  SD said, "This anxious fellow is Ryan, right here."  Cute.  Gianna wants VANS shoes for Christmas.

Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

SD looked at me as he sang "he sees when you are sleeping..." That's an Eyes reference, isn't it?  Or, he just happened to see me mouthing the words at that point.  Gianna sang along right away, which was fun.

Then Ryan got to talk!  He talked about how that song reminded him of people holding hands and making goo-goo eyes at each other....which he doesn't like, because, well, he's the...

Grinch

Nice projection on the screen of Dr. Seuss' Grinch's eyes.  RC inserted a line about the Kansas City Chiefs and the Broncos, which, APPARENTLY was insulting to the Denver contingent.  He apologized later when he became Ryan again.  RC's Grinch sounds more like Barry than Geo, which is what I was accustomed to in the first place.  But Geo really made that song his own.  I just love that arrangement, and as long as a great bass sings it, I'm good.  Just so you know here, I'm good.

Auld Lang Syne

Very nice low note on "Syne" in RC's solo.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Fred!  New pics with RC!  We need them to point to themselves a little more, though.  Perhaps they can't really see what's going on, or they were too busy concentrating on the harmonies to watch.  I don't know.

Angels We Have Heard on High

"In your ear.  In your face."  I get really happy when I hear that song, then I get sad because I know it's the last one in the formal set.  

Encore

CSL4: "We sang that song for 49 years..."

Where in the World is Carmen SanDiego? / Billie Jean

CJ just gave up when CSL4 went into very deep limbo pose.  Funny.  CSL4's regular signal to end the song also included a hip check tonight.

Hold Out for Christmas (off mic)

JT placed CJ and RC closer together so that they could all hear each other.  KP was happy because we got to hear CSL4's "Merry Christmas, Everybody" that ends the show.  

Sigh.

After the show, I laughed with the woman that hit me with her program.  She said that she loved that whole thing.  KP and I needed to use the facilities, and Jenn said that she'd hang out in the hallway and hold our coats.  I told her to say hi to the guys as they passed by.  Her eyes got big.  I pointed out to her that the green room door was 20 feet away, and they would use the hallway to get to the signing table.  She quickly left that area because she didn't want them to think that she was stalking them.  We took pictures at the photo op place as we waited for the line to die down.

Merry Christmas!

Meet and Greet

Jenn had made some Linzer cookies for us and the guys, so we all gave them to the guys as we got to the line.  

Ryan was the first to greet, and we heard him saying to people in front of us, "The more I hear about the new guy, the more I like him."  He's funny!  Yay!  JT introduced us to RC, told him we were from California, and that we are Superfans.  Jenn kept thinking about that moment for the rest of the night.  I said thank you for singing to me.  He did that "I'm watching you" motion to me again.  He got up from the table and gave all three of us big hugs.  Yup.  He knows how to treat the diehards!  KP told him that she has a ticket for the Santa Clarita show, but she can't be there.  He told her that he would sing to her empty seat and think of her.  What a sweetie.  Jenn and I think that he looks like some actor, but we can't place the face.  He's handsome, he's funny, he's got mucho talent.  I approve!  KP told them that I kept saying "YES!" every time he nailed my favorite bass lines.  JT smiled because Ryan had received the stamp of the PellaPusher's approval.   JT is so cute with how protective he is of RC.  I'm guessing that he's the one that suggested RC for the group, so he's hoping that it works out well.  No worries, JT.  

Jeff also stood up to hug us.  He said, "Hello, Sweetheart" to KP.  Jenn told him that she was up late last night making the cookies, and he was very grateful.  He made sure later that he had his treat bag at the end of thing when I saw it on the table just sitting there.  He told me that SD would not be at the So Cal shows, because he needs to be in Nashville.  I tried not to scream bloody murder.  SD's sub will be Christopher Rossi, whom has subbed for him before, sometime last year.  These guys seriously don't know what a change in lineup does to fans like me.  JT said that we can "compare and contrast" and smiled.  I smiled back, because it's not his fault that his cohorts make me crazy.  I told him that Jenn and I would not be at Santa Clarita because Angela is getting married.  He said, "Really?"  I told him yes, and that I am the maid of honor.  He sweetly took my hand, and said, "Awww."  I said that we'd be at the Rrrrancho show, including Angela.

Calvin stood up to hug us, too. He said that it's been about a year since he's seen me.  He remembers!  I told him that it's been 363 days.  We didn't talk much because we were interrupted by people in line in back of us.  Where did they come from?

CAAALLLLVINNNN!

Scott smiled when KP told him why she wouldn't be at Santa Clarita.  Jenn showed him pictures of her cookies in progress, and one of the pictures included her fiance Marc.  CSL4 heard "grandson".  No.  I told him about Angela getting married, and we talked about the wedding.  He asked if we would be going to any shows there, and I said that I only know that were cruising around town for the bachelorette party.  We told him that the wedding would be taking place at a resort hotel, and he said, "Oh, it will be nice, then.  Not like at the Elvis Chapel of Love."  

When Steven told KP and Jenn that he would not be in So Cal, Jenn asked if I knew, and KP asked if Wendy knew.  He told KP that Wendy knows because he emailed her about it.  When I got to the conversation, I glared at him and said, "This whole Nashville thing is NOT working out for me!"  To break the tension, KP told him that we were planning on doing a road trip to Nashville.  I told him that I can't afford to go to Nashville right now because I will be spending my money in Reno for the next 3 months.  He smiled and told us to come out in the summer.  (Dude, that's dedicated to drum corps.  I told you this is not working for me).  

We waited for the guys to finish taking pictures with one of the ushers before commandeering them for ourselves.  We needed to tell CJ to get into the pic with them.  Then KP stood in front of the same tree as the usher was using as a backdrop.  I played Director and asked them to stand by all of the pretty trees.  As we were walking, I told SD that I missed him a lot, and SD said, "Really?  Aw, how sweet."   Hello, it's been 363 days!!!  They really have no idea.

CSL4 said, "Let's sit on the bench.  (KP) can be in the middle."  JT said, "We'll each put our hand on her knee."  CSL4 did not get the memo, but he didn't complain that KP was touching his knee.  SD told CSL4 to hang off of the lamp post, but he didn't, so SD did.  KP tripped on the cement underneath the bench.  I did, too.  Jenn specifically kept her hands to herself because she didn't want to get the guys sick.  She had to balance, though, and put her hand on JT's knee, and he scooted closer.  

Pella and the Pusher

After I tripped and took my picture with the guys, I asked for all 3 of us to be in the picture with them.  JT said, "Do you want lap pictures?"  I laughed and said, "No.  Well, yes, but..." and he said, "I know," like he was Han Solo talking to Princess Leia.  So then KP came over and JT told her to sit on his knee.  She didn't and sat on the arm of the bench instead, but he still put his hand on her hip.  We're so cute.

I asked RC for a pic with him.  KP talked to him about the trees and she also told him that she saw him roll his eyes.  He said he knew we'd notice if he messed up.  He also said that he was glad that the Christmas shows were the first songs for which he needed to learn the choreography, because the Motown songs are hard.  He also said that he's glad that he gets to sing from the podium during "Bang!"  So, does that mean for sure that he'll be there for after Christmas, too?  :)  

With Bass Man Ryan

Jenn and I talked to CSL4 and he tried the cookies, asking how she got the thickness right.  She didn't hear him ask that, maybe because he had a mouth full of cookie.  Then she was going to show him pictures of the cookies again, and mentioned Marc's bro, at whom I can't help but stare because he is major gorgeous-like.  I don't know why I talked about some other gorgeous man in front of two of my favorite gorgeous men (CSL4 and SD).  I'm crazy.


SD asked me what was new.  I told him that I got a promotion, and now I take the train in to work, and I think of CSL4 when it is crowded, picturing him snuggling as he makes new friends.  That reminded me to tell CSL4 that he was out of control tonight with that part.  He said, "Yeah, I liked it."  He cracks me up.  I showed him my Clarice bandaid, and my Clarice earrings and necklace.  He said, "I like that song, 'There's Always Tomorrow'", and proceeded to sing a bit of it.  Had I my Pella Jujo, I would have chimed in with him, but I was on overload from the post-withdrawal happiness.  I told him that the Bandaids were on sale at Target for $1.00.  He said, "EACH?!"  I told him that they were per box, and that they had Rudolph, too.

But his shirt is neither purple nor yellow

KP was happy to get a picture with CSL4 and her little Bumble.  She asked SD to deliver Fred's cookies to him because he hadn't come out to the lobby yet.  SD did so, and Fred came out to thank KP in person, then introduced her to his brother, telling him that she was the one that made the miniature for him.  His bro lives in Denver.

I asked SD if he was going to be at the Reno shows in January.  He said yes.  I told him that I'd be going to my 100th show the day before my birthday, and he said, "I'll definitely be there because it's special."  Aw, thanks, honey.

One last pic of us for 2014

We went to dinner at Old Chicago Pizza and Taproom.  During our debrief, Jenn advised us that the guys were at the bar.  They had APPARENTLY been sitting there for awhile.  OMG, there we were, being loud, and they were there?!  I hope they didn't hear us.  Jenn needed to sleep off her mojito and I was not quite done with my pear cider, so she left ahead of us.  A few minutes later, the guys got up to leave. Uh-oh.  I texted Jenn to tell her that the guys were on their way back to the hotel.  Luckily for her, she got to our room before they could see her and think that she was stalking them.  

KP and I walked back to the hotel and she took a picture of me cleaning my boot outside.  Jenn wasn't asleep yet, so we giggled and talked for awhile before finally getting some shuteye.

When in Denver, clean your boots!

The next day, Jenn didn't want to go downstairs to breakfast too early for fear that the guys would see her again.  She didn't have to worry:  they had a 7:00 a.m. flight and were well on their way to their next gig at the time.  We got some food and I bought ornaments before getting on our flights, which we barely boarded before the final boarding calls.  They're so efficient in Denver!  KP and I had to deal with loud children in back of us, and someone enabling them by playing music out loud for them to sing "Frozen" at the top of their lungs.  People, please get headphones for your kids.  I needed to sleep.  KP wondered why Jenn wasn't at the gate next door when we arrived at LAX.  Silly, KP.  Jenn flew to Burbank.  

I waited for what seemed like forever for my bag and for the FlyAway.  There were 2 buses blocking the shuttle pickup area because one of them was waiting to board a bunch of people for a cruise, and the other one just didn't have room to maneuver around it.  I was one of only 2 passengers on the bus; it was like being in a huge limo.

It's so nice to have Bro and his family local:  after I got back to Van Nuys, I hung out with them for the rest of the evening.

What a great 36 or so hours.  The PellaPusher is back!