(I wrote this in response to "Wilde on my side"'s comment but realized others may be interested? This is true, but only a once through, from memory, rough draft version...I hope you enjoy...I did.)

Well, here goes the history...

1992 "Your Arsenal Tour" I buy all of the "Best Of the Smiths" albums, listen to "The Queen Is Dead", and I'm most impressed with "Bona Drag". I was invited to go see Morrissey in Sacramento, California. Being 17, and with my youthful naivity, which made me to be about 12, AND by which, my unknowing for who Morrissey was and what he was all about; I politely declined. BUT, when my friend came back from the concert, curiously, I grilled him insistently, I explained to him that I must know all of what exactly happened at the concert and in precise detail-leave nothing out! So much so, after about an hour, which was extended to all day of questioning, he finally became VERY irritated with me when he raised his voice and said, "Are you fucking listening to me? Who gives a shit what happened at the Morrissey concert!" I, quietly said, "I do." Our friendship ended shortly thereafter.

Now, I was in for a wait.

1994 "Vauxhall & I" Absolutely, Positively CHANGED MY LIFE! "Used To Be A Sweet Boy" to me, was the most beautiful song I had EVER heard. "The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get" came in handy, in a major way. "Billy Budd" was unusually familiar, and profoundly interesting to me. "Springhill Jim", story of my life(except the too many women part).

So, I'm hooked. But no tour. Phewie!

1995 "Southpaw Grammar" is released. I find myself coming back from being out of the country to a new Morrissey album. I purchased it in San Francisco and listened to it on the way home. I loved it, but it was different, not in a bad way, just in a experimental artistry-type way. If that makes sense.

So, life paintakingly goes on.

1997 "Maladjusted" Truly. I felt the sentiments. I now found myself living in Colorado. Right in between Salt Lake City and Denver. Both cities, about 4-5 hours away. Too far for my broke ass to snag Morrissey in person. Although, as a sidenote, I stayed up late at night to watch the video for "Alma Matters" and woke up the next morning and decided I no longer would go to work at the the shitty dead end job that I had. I didn't quit. I just simply stopped going. Would you believe these pathetic people actually peeped through my windows presumably checking to see if I was dead? Dead to them, yes. Still, depression lingered on and I didn't see myself ever being able to go to a Morrissey concert, as I felt maybe his career was nearing an end.

Which brings us to...

1999 "Oye Esteban" Through the help of Morrissey Solo... No more bullshit. I had had enough. I had no friends that were Morrissey fans, but I didn't give a shit. In true gypsy form, I had relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah. In December 1999, I purchased a plain ticket, a Morrissey ticket, and booked a hotel room in the hell hole of the world...Las Vegas! There was no stopping me now. I was a bit sad to go all by myself, but in a strange twist, very glad as well. I was going to experience Morrissey all on my own, which I feel now, is how it should be. Sort of. Oh, the stories go on and on. While I was in line, Security for Mandalay Bay was plucking underage drinkers out of the line to properly 86 them from property. Well over the legal drinking age, I gave one of the Security Guards an evil eye as well as said, "Ah, come on, leave the kids alone..." I was promptly ejected off the premises. In tears, from an adjoining Hotel, I called the Chief of Security begging him to let me come back. He finally agreed. During "Speedway", I was so enamoured with Morrissey, I had some people lift me up and carry me to the stage area. After a nice security guard tried to help me get on stage, I couldn't lift myself up, as I was exhausted from waiting in line all day. But, Morrissey reached down to me, shook my hand, and I was politely ejected again. Afterwards, the experience left me feeling like no other time in my life. I think, I realized, for the very first time, I was alive. I didn't think so before, not at all, well...maybe a little. I went straight to the ticket booth and purchased another ticket for the following night's show(which Security tried to stop me from doing, but relented). The last show on the tour. It was fabulous. It was beautiful.

From then on, I've hit every tour at least once, but mostly more.

2002 August, found me in conversation with Morrissey during a concert at the Zephyr in Salt Lake City (Although, I was living in L.A., at the time), when I yelled out, "No One Can Hold A Candle To You!" and Morrissey asked me who sang that. When I said, "James Maker!", he said, "Astounding, astounding..." And more was said, but I'd have to review the archive. Incidently, in April of 2002 I met and spoke with Morrissey for about 15-20 minutes, where we discussed: 'Irish Blood, English Heart' being a real song or not, the Tribute band-"These Charming Men", Johnny Marr, & several, and I mean several hugs, I eyeballed the belt he had bought, and other stuff that I can't remember that well, because I was of course, so blown away. My dreams have come true. It gets better..

2004 To my surprise, Morrissey is now SINGING, "No One Can Hold A Candle To You" and has recorded it as a b-side! Coincidence or a request fulfilled? You tell me. Saw him in L.A., and Devore, Ca. Both really moving and memorable shows. The Morrissey, in my heart, is absolutely secured...FOREVER!

2006 Here we go again! (I hope)

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