Saturday morning, 11.30 am, my mobile rings: it’s Gregor! I used to think it was crazy that Gregor would phone me on the mobile phone from Germany occasionally without a reason, just for a little chat. But over time I got used to it, so I just smile happily as I answer the phone. Turns out, this time Gregor actually has a reason for phoning: the courier, who was attempting delivery of the parcel with the goodies from Roger’s Nuremberg show, had called him because nobody was answering the door. So I told Gregor that I would hurry downstairs to open the door, and I’d call him right back…
And who do I find standing in front of me as I open the door? Two gentlemen, each with a huge grin on his face: Gregor and Mick!! The funny thing is that it actually happened more than once before that couriers rang me up because the doorbell wasn’t working – so I wasn’t in the least suspicious. The surprise worked out perfectly!
Apparently, Thursday night these two crazy boys decided over a couple of beers that it would be safer to deliver the precious merchandise (autographed t-shirt & banner) in person than leaving the job in the hands of a courier service. So they went to the airport on Friday as planned – Mick was supposed to return to Ireland – but simply changed destination and flew to Malta instead.
I challenge you to find me someone who’s got better AND crazier friends than me…
Thank you guys, you truly ROCK!! xxx
Bestest friends!
Saturday morning at some time after 11 am, my mobile rings – it’s Gregor! I used to think it was crazy that Gregor would phone me on the mobile from Germany occasionally, just for a little chat, but over time I got used to it. This time he had a “real” reason, though. The courier, who was to deliver the parcel with the goodies from Roger’s Nuremberg show, had called him because nobody was answering the door. So I told Gregor that I would hurry down to open the door, and then call him back…
And who’s standing in front of the door? Two broadly grinning gentlemen, namely Gregor and Mick!! The funny thing is that it actually happened more than once before that couriers phoned me because the doorbell wasn’t working – so I wasn’t suspicious at all!
Apparently, Thursday night these two crazy boys decided over a couple of beers that it would be safer to deliver the precious merchandise (autographed t-shirt & banner) in person than leaving the job in the hands of a courier service. So they went to the airport on Friday as planned – Mick was supposed to return to Ireland – but simply changed destination and flew to Malta instead.
I challenge you to find me someone who’s got better AND crazier friends than me…
Give A Little Bit is one of Supertramp’s hits that was penned by the band’s co-founder Roger Hodgson, has become an ear-worm over the years, especially so after Roger ‘donated’ the song to aid fund-raising efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. As a matter of fact, most of the big hits that catapulted Supertramp to mega stardom in the late seventies and early eighties were written by Roger.
You all know by now how much I value Roger Hodgson not only as a gifted musician, but also as a person. I hardly ever mention his name without also referring to our little (but steadfastly growing!) circle of friends, who mostly met through – and are held together by – Kathy’s Roger Hodgson fan-site, and who are all similarly affected by Roger’s music and sincerity.
When we met up for Roger’s Tollwood concert in Munich last July, we all were certain to meet again in Nuremberg’s Meistersingerhalle in March 2011, where most of us had met up for the first time in March 2009. Although I had already health troubles at the time, it never crossed my mind that I could be too ill to travel, but as we all know that’s precisely what happened. Still, until late January I hadn’t given up hope altogether that I might feel better by March; when it became clear that it wasn’t going to happen, I was obviously deeply disappointed.
Then, just one week before the gig, I received a short but sweet email from Linda Tyler, Roger’s manager, proposing to let me join the gang virtually using Skype if there was an internet connection available at the hall. I couldn’t believe what I was reading!
A couple of days before the concert my friend Gregor and I set up our Skype connection and for the next 48 hours I was almost breathless in anticipation! Events on the 15th March kicked off with a brief telephone chat with my friends (thank you Mick!), while they were having lunch at Sausalito’s. Awesome!
Big Hug for Miriam
Here is a special hug for our friend Miriam, who was supposed to be there with the others in Nuremberg but sadly learned – almost in the last minute – that she was not able to, also for health reasons. Olaf tried setting her up with a Skype connection too, but for some reason it didn’t work out as well as mine, which must have been so disappointing for her. Dear Miriam, as I said: Let’s make a big wish for the next time, so that we’ll both be there – and share a hug in person!!
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Sound Check
Gregor – to whom I’ll be indebted forever! – set up his laptop in the hall, and you can believe me when I say that I felt the atmosphere there, it was kind of crackling! Excitement increased when he placed me on the edge of the stage, and Roger came over to greet me.
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A brief chat with Roger before the soundcheck
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After that, Roger carried me over and set me up on his keyboard! There I was, sitting face to face with the man… surreal is the only word that’s halfway fitting! Linda had asked whether I wanted Roger to sing a particular song for me, and I’d decided on The More I Look. Here I must clarify that there are many other songs that I love, but this one sort of “speaks to me” and often comes into my mind when I’m out and about on my own with the camera. And he would sing most of the others during the concert anyway. So Roger sat in front of me, singing The More I Look for me – did I mention surreal?
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Sabine "sitting" on Roger's keyboard
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The Concert
There’s one little snag in attending a concert via Skype; I had two options, either enjoy an excellent view at the expense of sound, or get better quality sound but from far away…I decided on being close to the action, but unfortunately the laptop’s mic was unable to pick up anything Roger said during the concert, and the music was barely recognizable. Sitting right on top of a bank of loudspeakers was of course not helping things. But I could live with it – especially in view of what was still to come!
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Sabine & Miriam "sitting" on stage (photo by Gregor)
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A technical problem with an amplifier gave Roger a hard time during this particular concert – which must have been the first in his long career that saw Roger not playing a guitar! Another glitch forced him to abandon Breakfast In America halfway through and restart after a brief interruption. I couldn’t help feeling that somehow I was responsible, that I was jinxing it with my presence… Yet despite the obstacles Roger had to struggle with, the crowd was wonderful (applause was the only sound that came over almost perfectly!!).
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Roger & Aaron during the show
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Hardcore fans know that the first few chords of Dreamer are the starting shot for the audience to abandon their seats and crowd in on the stage… and it was no different last Tuesday. But would you believe it: that’s precisely when Skype decided to hang up on me and deprive me of not one but two encores, which apparently included the only song he played on the guitar that night (Two Of Us, I believe).
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After Show
Of course I didn’t give up hoping that my Skype connection to the hall would be restored after the show, but it was a looong wait. I even nodded off a couple of times and was seriously scared I’d miss the call in the end! Thankfully I succeeded to stay awake – I would have been devastated had I missed what was still to come…
Together with the others, I waited backstage for Roger to arrive after the gig. Every now and then one of my friends would come to me for a chat; it was a very peculiar feeling, I was really there… so strange! Finally Roger and Linda entered the room and the usual photo session ensued, interspersed with chats and hugs and autographs. “Usual” is, perhaps, not quite the right word for this photo-shoot in particular – have a look:
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Roger, Sabine & the gang! (Photo by Olaf)
Gregor carrying Sabine around (Photo by Olaf)
Mick ensuring that Sabine has a good view on things! (Photo by Olaf)
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The gang had arranged for another “Garden Gate Gang” t-shirt to be printed for me, which they all signed on the back, while Roger wrote on its front, “For beautiful Sabine… Roger Hodgson” – and he also signed the large banner (beautifully made by Claudia!), which they’d decided to send me… I’m really lost for words!
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Roger signing my t-shirt (Photo by Christine)
Roger signing the Garden Gate Gang banner for me (Photo by Christine)
Roger showing me the t-shirt (Photo by Anina)
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Some time after 11.30pm the meet & greet came to an end. However, there was yet another surprise lying in wait, as Linda told me that she’d “take me” to Roger’s dressing room because he wanted to speak with me somewhere quieter, away from the large crowd of people. And so my wonderful day in Nuremberg finished with a “private audience” with Roger Hodgson… Awesome… Surreal!
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Thank You!
Just saying thank you isn’t enough, but what else can I possibly say? I’m sure that everybody will agree that there aren’t many “stars” in the music business who would go to such great lengths for a fan who can’t attend their gig.
A huge, heartfelt thank-you to Roger Hodgson and Linda Tyler, and to all my Garden Gate Gang friends, for making the 15th March 2011 one of the best days of my life!
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Thanks are also in order for the photos of the great night. A few of the pics in this post are snapshots that I took through Skype, but the others (the better ones!) are from Gregor, Olaf, Christine and Anina. I hope I marked all the photographers correctly!
There was a time when I used to love the kind of weather we are blessed with today: thick grey clouds and a strong, cold wind that’s flogging trees, shrubs and flowers, while the rain is whipped to the ground in an almost 45° angle. In mid-March, however, this feels all wrong. Not to mention that a little sunshine and warmth go a long way to make me feel better overall!
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Life’s Goings-On
Some time ago I told you about my daytime surroundings and threatened you with a follow-up post describing how I spend my days. Well, true to my procrastinating nature I kept postponing that post – until the thought of writing it became increasingly irrelevant, obscene even, in the face of what has been going on in the world…
As a matter of fact, the news during my treatment “break” have been heavily dominated by upheavals in North Africa, culminating in the terrible bloodshed in Libya. And then the disastrous earthquake in Japan… I don’t know about you, but to me, all my worries, pains and complaints lose some of their urgency when I look at what the people in Libya and Japan have to deal with. My heart goes out to all the people who are suffering so much pain!
Libya being much closer geographically, the situation is more worrisome in the short term. At the moment it seems Gaddafi’s forces are defeating the rebels’ troops, and I wonder if anyone can really know what any of the two possible outcomes of the conflict will mean for Malta. Judging from the numerous – often ridiculous – comments to articles on timesofmalta.com, everybody is a little expert in foreign affairs. Now, I would never consider myself an expert, but I believe that handling the situation on a political and diplomatic level is an extremely delicate matter for Malta. Whether Gaddafi will remain in power or the rebels will succeed in ousting him, I can’t help thinking that there will be repercussions for Europe and especially for Malta, which due to its size, location and, of course, proximity to Libya is especially vulnerable. Just my two cents’ – time will tell, I suppose.
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Fifty-Two!
Last weekend my sister visited me again, this time bringing my niece with her, to celebrate my birthday with us. I had meant to have a big party – well, sort of an ‘open house’ with friends and family – which however, proved to be impossible due to lack of space, so sadly I had to make do without the friends. Perhaps there will be a chance to have another little get-together some time later.
…has just kicked off with concerts in several German cities this past week. Sold-out venues and rave reviews clearly indicate yet another successful year for Roger! He’s going to have loads of gigs in many countries this year – check the tour page on his website for concert dates!
Our Garden Gate Gang is going to meet up once again for Roger’s gig in Nuremberg. Last year I was sure I would be part of it again, but little did I know then what was going to happen to me. I’m really sad I cannot be there, but a short yet wonderful message I received a few days ago lifted my spirits considerably. Will tell you more if things work out – and if they don’t, I guess I’ll just forget about it… Here’s a picture of the gang from our meet-up with Roger two years ago (taken by Arndt Fleischer, who runs Roger’s German fansite):
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Spring!
Of course, in spite of today’s abysmal weather, there’s no doubt that spring has arrived at our shores. Actually, winter has hardly had any chance this year! The last couple of days were mostly sunny and I took the opportunity to catch a few shots in the garden. I hope I’ll be more mobile again one day – always taking more or less the same shots does become a bit boring!
(Except for the last two, these photos were taken with extension tube, hence the very shallow depth of field.)
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So, what’s happening with me, and what’s up next?
I had had hopes that I would start feeling better during this past month (my “break” from chemotherapy), but that has not really come to pass. My appetite had improved somewhat (I even gained a kilo!), but for the past few days I’ve started feeling nauseous after meals again, for no obvious reason. And my pain got rather worse. I manage to keep it in check somewhat, but I can’t fight this fear I have of taking too much morphine. I know I shouldn’t – and I also know that my doses are on the low side – still, I just can’t help myself. I don’t want to spend all day in a daze…
In three days’ time I have the next appointment with the oncologist, and to be honest, I don’t have a clue what the outcome of it will be. During our last meeting, he mentioned an alternative form of treatment, a pill that is to be taken at home. You might laugh in my face, but I was so fixated on my written list of questions that I forgot to ask for the name of this particular therapy! Obviously it is now on my list for next Wednesday.
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Last but not least… As many times before, I feel I need to apologise for my sluggish way of responding to comments on facebook. Sometimes I’m thinking whole paragraphs, but end up just clicking “like” instead of writing, hoping you’ll know what I mean anyway LOL! And I know that I’m even worse when it comes to replying to comments on my blog. I’m just bloody lazy, and forgetful on top of that……… I’M SORRY!!
In three days’ time I have the next appointment with the oncologist, and to be honest, I don’t have a clue what the outcome of it will be.
A Rain-Swept Sunday Morning
