Ok, I'll begin.
Got to the venue around 2:00. I wanted to leave earlier, but the boyfriend had to work. Understandable. When we got there, we saw a line of people, but didn't know if they were Spiral or not, since the actual Spiral sign was quite a distance away. Eventually I screwed up my nerve to ask someone, and sure enough, this was the Spiral line. Tickets would be handed out by Brandi "soon."
I was supposed to look for Viasge13, so I started walking the line. Since I'd never met her before, this was not as easy as it seemed. Finally I saw someone who seemed to match the picture, screwed up the courage once again, and asked her her name. Victory! Greg and I meant to only stay a few minutes and talk, but hilarity ensued with Visage and her friend (Kat?). Hopefully some of this will make it onto the tour video. I myself will probably not be, as I am too shy and backed out of the camera's lense at the last second. In fact, I probably should have introduced myself to Rob, but I didn't, because I'm too...noticing a trend here? Actually, Greg probably should have introduced himself to Rob, but he didn't, for the same reason. He handed out some nin and ets stickers, though. Sigh.
Waiting in line was pretty fun to begin with, but eventually the sun started going down and it started getting cold. Really cold. I knew I'd be in GA , and it would be hot, so I didn't bring a jacket, and I was freezing. Brandi had come and gone hours ago, and actually we hadn't gotten any word from anyone about anything, so people started getting cranky. Some people ran around and got picks and candy, but I sat on the ground and tried to get warm. After what seemed like an interminable amount of time, we got lined up, patted down, wristbanded, marked, and had our tickets scanned. Entry seemed so close!
...Then we waited. Luckily, we were now blocked from the Arctic wind, so that was slightly an improvement. People started getting antsy, though, as time ticked by. We knew the regular doors had to be opening any minute. I spent the time talking to G_i_D, who had had her own trials getting her ticket, and met a few more people, including two other Gregs and a m0.
With about five mnutes' head start, we were let in. We made our way to the floor, and I stood against the barrier, directly in front of where aaron would be. My only problem now was my feet. I was wearing these boots that gave me more stability in the crowd. Sadly, they also hurt like hell after having stood for five hours in them, and the pain was growing by the minute. In retrospect, I should have taken them off for DFA and QOTSA, as the crowd was no trouble at all then, but I couldn't have known.
99 found us, incredibly. I can't believe he wound up behind us, and I equally can't believe he recognized us, but that was too neat.
The nin show was awesome. I know, I know, Trent didn't feel up to par, but was a consummate musician and showed no evidence of this at all. He seemed a little disappointed with the crowd, but I did my best to bop around. I know someone said the crowd didn't "move," but honestly, I don't see how it could have - we were packed so tightly I couldn't even shift my weight. It was even worse in the center section - people were getting dragged out left and right. Jeordie seems to be much more active, and aaron was nuts as usual, half the time. I actually wondered if he was okay, because occasionally he seemed to zone out and look upset. After the comment about Orlando being "polite," the crowd's energy seemed to go up - I think we were trying all the more hard. By the time the show ended I think the crowd was really with the band, making the last two songs all the better.
Alessandro needs to get more of the love. We love Alessandro.
Burn was never one of my favorite songs, but it's become one of my favorites live. Every time I see them (I went to both Philly shows on the club tour, and Coachella) it just gets more fun. The new drummer seems to be doing just fine. Only seemed a bit weird to me, but maybe that's because I hadn't heard it live yet.
I almost made it out of the venue with my boots on, but stopped shortly before exiting and took them off. God, I never want to wear those things again. Wear sensible shoes, kids!
All in all, a fun night with extreme temperatures and lots of squishing. I sort of wish I'd been a bit braver, but I'll survive.
EDIT: Oh, and I'm comically sunburned. It looks ridiculous. Evidently I was just full o' brains this show.
But, guess who was walking around the arena undetected? Alessandro. He walked by me twice and the 2nd time I smiled and said hello and he smiled back. 
