The 2005 tour dates were up and Hanson was announced to be playing Cinci, which in the greater scheme of things, could be considered close by for me. And of all places, they were to be playing at the slimey Bogart's again. Unbelievably, I was going to have to brave the dangers and overall repulsion that comes over me when I go there if I wished to see Hanson this year. So, TH and I took the plunge and bought tickets. Of course we did, did you expect less?

So on a balmy Sunday afternoon, TH and I arrived at our hotel from opposite sides of the target city, and proceeded to play catch up, which is always a blast. We decided to eat at Frisch's again for dinner this year, in honor of Isaac's 2004 hair. Some things are destined to be tradition, that's all I know.

This year, we did decide to be different in one respect, however, and that was our arrival time. For the first time in my 19 shows, I did not get to the venue early and line up with the die hards (no, make that twice, the first time was when I went with the Wet Blankets to the KY State Fair show last year). Not that I was ever one of those people who camped out, oh no. But at least by mid-afternoon we had found our place in line. That probably harkens back to 1998, when all of the outdoor venues were being played and we all wanted to get there in time for soundcheck. But anyway, TH and I decided not to be in a rush to get to the seedy area of Cinci in which Bogart's is located. It really dampens things to have to stand around looking at the sights and people that you see there. So, by the time we arrived, it was a bit after 8 pm, and the first opening band was already onstage. It did help not to be around the creepy atmosphere any longer than necessary, but still, as TH and I stood around sipping our drinks and talking, I couldn't help but think what am I DOING in a place like this??? LOL So, TH and I hung out upstairs through the two opening bands. I am sure they were pretty good, but to be honest, I had other things on my mind and just didn't pay attention. Sorry guys!

Finally the openers were done, and TH and I decided we would go downstairs and get our spots in the back just like last year, and that is just what we did. It seemed odd not to see anyone at all that we recognized....normally we run into at least someone we have met along the way at past shows. But not this time.

After a long time, of course, the lights dimmed and Hanson ran out on stage! :) I have not abandoned my guys completely, but I have had other issues taking up the space in my life that they occupied for all those years...but it was very comforting and wonderful to see them up there on stage again. And I found myself watching Taylor like a hawk. Hardly took my eyes off the man. LOL He did his sexy hair toss, and he had on the most wonderful jeans and long sleeved henley shirt. Don't know why I loved the clothes so much, but it made him look squeezable or something. LOL I did notice that Isaac, disappointingly enough, was not wearing a tie. Rats! I love those ties on him. Zac seemed to be looking down the entire time, "thinking of other things", as someone once said of him.

Everyone knows I am not one that keeps track of a set list at any show. But I did love the covers they did, and most especially the acapella song. I kept holding my breath, hoping they would do "Lost Without Each Other" or "Stories". But they didn't. :( I would love for them to allow me to choose their set list just one time.

So I stood there, singing along, clapping and cheering after each song, watching Taylor's every move, hardly ever taking my eyes off of him. Appreciating Isaac's better than ever guitar playing. Enjoying the moment. Feeling shocked as I always do at how fast the time goes...before I knew it, it was nearly two hours later and they were singing the encore, which was "Feelin' Alright". They do the coolest things, don't they?

So, after it was all over, I turned to TH and said, we are going to go out back, aren't we? LOLOL....some things never change. I hadn't planned on doing any of the extras this time. But there we went, right back behind that crappy venue. And me without a coat, because, genius that I have become lately, I left it back home in Kentucky. So there we stood, my teeth chattering as the cold November wind blew at midnight, hoping Taylor would grace us with his appearance. Soon, above the clattering sound of my teeth, I heard TH say there he is, it's Taylor! And I ran right toward him, acting like a pure goober. I didn't care either. We did the usual Bogart's routine, walking down the line along with Taylor, who said everyone else was sick that night, and that was why Isaac and Zac weren't coming out. Sometimes we'd get close, other times, we were behind a very deep line of fans. But we kept going with him. And, oddly, I was not cold any longer. Hmmmm, imagine. GOD...Taylor Hanson is the most perfectly formed human being ever. He is just so beautiful, I can't believe it. The eyes, so blue. The smile, so radiant...that smile can lift the darkest of moods, let me assure you....the finely chiseled bone structure. The hair. Brown now, and still lovely. And the sweet personality. He was just lovely, so gracious to the fans, so nice. ::sigh:: No wonder I was following him like a pup, and have been for eight years. I wanted to take him home with me, just to have something that lovely and wonderful in my life.

Selfishly, I got myself two autographs along the way, just because I could. Touched Taylor's arm. Felt his bones.....::squeal::! He actually said "That's awesome" to me when I handed him my "Live and Electric" cd insert for him to sign. I think he might have said something else in my general direction, but I am not sure, will have to check with TH. At one point, I found myself right there next to him, and somehow linked my arm through his. He allowed me to do this for a tiny amount of time, and I was like WOW! LOL Then some girl came along and sort of knocked me back out of the way, but I didn't mind. It was just cool that I had gotten to do that, however briefly. And I am sure that I did some other gooberish things like I usually do, but you'll have to check with TH on that too.

Finally Taylor made it all the way down the line, and said he was getting cold...and then he went into the bus. TH and I stood there with the pitiful few who waited until the buses pulled out of the parking lot at 1:30 a.m., honest to god trash blowing around our feet, just in case Taylor came to the front of the bus and waved like he often does. But he didn't. Suddenly I started caring that I wasn't going to another show this time. (And I started freezing again, too by the way, as soon as Taylor went back to that bus.)

But finally the buses did leave, so we left too, and waved and wished them well as they turned in the opposite direction that we did. Awww, Taylor is the sweetest human being on earth. I love him still.

TH and I did our obligatory drive around and around downtown Cinci, trying to follow the Mapquest directions back to the hotel. We finally made it, as usual...late as can be. Over pretzels and Baked Lays, we rehashed the concert and the wonderful luck we'd had with pictures and autographs and touches out back. LOL Finally, around 3:30 we drifted off to sleep, basking in the Hanson glow.

I pray next time Hanson does Cinci, it won't be nasty Bogart's again. But even if so, I will go there too. How could I not? How could I miss that experience of being where Taylor Hanson is, just like I've done for all these years?

~TLS