Keithaholic

It's 3 days post meeting Keith and I'm still on Cloud 9. Last night was exciting because it was my first day back at work and I got to tell everyone about my awesome Keith adventure. Similarly exciting was my first day back at class today where I got to share my story with just about every single person in all of my classes. I'm sure at this point people think I'm absolutely crazy, but that's ok...I tell them I'm no psychotic...I'm a Keithaholic :) I really don't see any end to this feeling of euphoria and I can honestly say that it's kind of making everything else in my life just seem to fit together. So thank you again, Keith, for making me the happiest girl on earth.

In other Monkey news, Keith is eagerly awaiting his "All For The Hall" fundraiser that will take place in Nashville on October 5th. Tickets go on sale next Tuesday for Monkeyville members and on Friday for the general public. Unfortunately, I have school so I won't be able to attend, but for those of you who are interested, please click here for more information.

Well ladies and gentlemen, it's the moment we've all been waiting for. The one wish that I've had for the past five years and counting has finally come true ... I GOT TO MEET KEITH URBAN! So here's the story...

As anyone who knows me would know, I've been waiting for about a year to see Keith perform at the Champlain Valley Fair in Essex Junction, Vermont. I had purchased SECOND row tickets over a year in advance and eagerly awaited my next opportunity to see Keith in action. What was extra special about this concert was that #1: I was second row with my cousin, Vicky, which was the closest I had ever started out at a Keith concert, and #2: my parents were going! For years I've been trying to get Mom and Dad to go to a Keith concert so they could understand why I play thousands of dollars on him..and the time finally came!

Mom, Dad, and I left Farmington around noontime on Friday in order to get to the fair early so I'd be there in the morning when Keith's buses pulled in. On the way down I completely decked the motorhome out with Keith signs. Along the top of our Class-C motorhome was a huge red and black "KEITHAHOLIC" sign and along the sides were "Mrs. Urban Wanna Be" and his band members' names.When we got to the fair, wouldn't you know that we had HUGE Keith fans next to us! Though they were a little upset that I claimed to be a bigger fan, they were so nice and actually proved to Mom and Dad that I wasn't as big of a psycho as they had previously thought...other people felt the same way about him!

I went (or TRIED, rather) to go to bed on Friday night at a reasonable time so I'd be up early in the morning to go check out the Keith scene. Unfortunately, I was so super excited for the concert that I literally couldn't sleep. I saw the clock at every hour and was absolutely exhausted when I finally got up around 7:30. Excited with anticipation, I quickly showered and put on my Keithaholic shirt and boots and went to go check out the Keith situation. Unfortunately by the time I got there, Keith and his men had already arrived. Unlike most other concerts, they only had a few buses there and they were only separated from the public by a tall wooden fence. I walked around the area for a while, but with no sign of Keith, Mom, Dad, and I decided to go into the fair. Around noontime I got a call from Vicky saying that she had arrived. On our way back to the camper to meet her, Mom talked to a guy at a coffee stand that said he had heard Keith was out on his motorcycle looking at property on the islands...imagine that, he was in public!!!

We met Vicky and ate some grub and Vicky and I left to go check out if any Keith status had changed at his trailers. On our way on the dirt road I heard a distant motorcycle behind us. I turned around and the front motorcycle was MR. KEITH URBAN!!!!!! I literally thought I was going to die. I started jumping up and down uncontrollably, yelling "Keith!" and waving my arms. It was clear that he thought I was hilarious as he slowed his motorcycle down to say "HI!" As he drove by it suddenly occurred to me that I was an IDIOT for not following him...so off I ran. Fortunately, Vicky is the greatest cousin in the world and took off after me. Keith pulled in right between his motorhome and a big white trailer that was parked about 10 feet parallel to it. I couldn't see Keith's entire body, but I could tell that he was taking off his gear and hadn't yet gotten into his motorhome. Suddenly Keith came out from behind the door and walked to another trailer. He waved again to me and I got really, REALLY excited. I knew that at some point he'd have to walk back to his trailer, and I was willing to wait ALL NIGHT!

About 2 minutes later, Keith reappeared! I yelled his name and he looked over and said "HI," then I said..."CAN I HAVE A HUG." THIS IS WHERE IT GETS GOOD! Without a second thought in his mind he began walking toward me...I was freaking out!!!!!!!!! I literally couldn't stop jumping up and down and screaming. He probably thought I was a nut, but that's ok...because I am :) What was most impressive about him coming over was that it wasn't like it was just a short walk. I would say he was about 30-40 feet away and he went out of his way JUST to see me....THIS is why I love him so much. So he came over and gave me literally the biggest hug of my entire life. It wasn't one of those lame "friend" hugs, it was like a real, you're my boyfriend, kinda hug. I was in heaven. Unfortunately, I was so excited that I couldn't even collect thought to say anything to him. All that could come out was "I LOVE YOU," and I think he appreciated it because he couldn't stop laughing. Thankfully Vicky was with me and said "Keith, can I get your picture with her." He said "OF COURSE!" and I officially decided I owed Vicky a limb or organ or something for thinking that quickly on her feet. Crying hysterically, I got my picture taken with him and hugged him one last time. I wish I had been in the right state of mind to talk to him to tell him how much he changed my life...but I guess I'll have to save that for the NEXT time I see him :)

He walked away and I literally thought I was going to die. I never ever thought I'd have my one single dream come true. I was crying, I was smiling, I was jumping up and down...and the security guards asked if I needed medical assistance. I felt like I couldn't breathe, but definitely didn't want to pass out!!! Never have I ever, nor will I ever again, be that excited. I know it sounds so lame, but my life is complete.

So I'd like to say THANK YOU KEITH for taking a few minutes out of your day to make a very dedicated fan feel like the luckiest woman on earth. You will never know how much you've done for me in the past, and you have no idea what I'd do for you given the opportunity. I can honestly say that you have saved my life, and I love you so much for it.

So..I went back to the camper and told everyone the story and literally had to call almost everyone I know to tell them about the exciting news. The ladies in the campers next to us were flabbergasted! One of the ladies actually wanted to hug me so she could have some of Keith on her :)

It was about 1:30 and my dream had come true already...what a great day! I spent the next hour and a half crying and jumping up and down...I was SO exhausted after, but I still couldn't wait for the concert!

Kris Allen opened for Keith and he was absolutely fantastic. As with many other concerts, Vicky and I were the only two standing up for his entire

performance...and he noticed :) When Keith hit the stage we ended up standing center stage with one one tiny girl in front of us. Keith was ELECTRIFYING, as usually...and I was in heaven for the 2nd time of the day. The only unfortunate part about the concert was that the stage was pretty far from the fan barricade, so Keith wasn't able to connect with his audience as much as he usually did. He DID go out into the audience once with his light up guitar so Mom and Dad got to see a better view of him. His voice was crisp and amazing...and Mom and Dad were really impressed. I still haven't figured out why two of his band mates (Brad rice and Chris Rodriguez) weren't the

re, but he was still flawless.

After the concert I talked to some of the guys up on the stage and I was able to get Jerry Flowers' (bass player) set list and also his pick that a lady in front of me had given me. Quite a perfect day, if you ask me. Please enjoy the pictures from the concert...it is a day I will NEVER forget. September 4th will always be known as "Keith Day" in my book :)