Hi everyone,
For the someone who was looking to find the Shadows and Light book recently on
here, I bought mine from chapters.indigo.ca as listed on jonimitchell.com by
Jim J. It cost $34.95 plus shipping/Canadian. It came within a week. I am
surprised at the breadth of her research. I am only through 50 pages, but have
been pleasantly surprised with its scope. I'd say, "Karen knows Joni." I
thought it rather humorous when Karen asked her to read it, and Joni rejected
her offer nicely saying it would be too weird reading about herself, or
something to that effect. Plus, she was writing her OWN book! Yep, Rick she is
-she is. Can't wait for it and then, of course, the new CD that we were lucky
enough to be privy to her practice on... Hot damn.
The following is the first half of my experience of just getting to the
Tribute in Toronto. Please forgive the length, but I needed to tell it, to get
to the really good part. You know the part where I SAT RIGHT BEHIND JONI (and
beside Rick and Jimmy) at the tribute!
In remembrance of those lost yesterday in NYC,
Janine
When I first read that Joni was coming to Toronto, there was no doubt in
my mind ID BE THERE. It was within 500 miles of home, my Joni-lovin
pal Betty was in, and when I found out the exact date- I could not believe
our good fortune. School was out that day! How lucky can you get? (little
did I know)
It had been almost 30 years since I had seen her, JT, and Paul Simon on
stage for McGovern when I was in college. I knew this could possibly be the
last time
I would have the chance to see her live. If we were going, then we were
getting the best possible seats we could. What? You need an AMEX card to
call at the earliest date? No problem. Surely a JONI event would qualify as
an exception to be charged on my hubbys business -only AMEX. NIX AY on the
AMEX AY! Well, what can one say? Some of us understand the Mitchell effect,
and some of us have both feet cemented in the ground. So, whats another
piece of plastic crammed in my wallet? My own personal AMEX card comes. It
sits out like a sentry keeping its watch. The moment arrives.
The day I called for the tickets, I watched the clock like a hawk
getting more nervous by the minute. 30 seconds, to go. OK- quit
shaking -calm down and dial the number. Someone answers on the first ring.
Come on now, which hommage do I wish tickets for? WHO ELSE!!! After I
rave about JM and how I have loved her for over 30 years and how I got this
AMEX card just to use for this event, this soft-spoken Canadian gentleman
tells me he has two, front row center tickets available for me seats # 30
something. I am screaming in his ear. Poor chap. He doesnt seem to mind
though, in fact, he seems flattered to be able to offer me something that
makes me so happy. I am dancing on a cloud for the rest of the day. In the
back of my mind, I am wondering how numbers 36 and 37 can be that great, but
front row, nonetheless. We are on a roll. I post to the list and find out
other jmdlers were also able to get front row seats. Wonderful! Life is
good.
Spring comes and goes. So does a long, dry summer. Meanwhile, Betty and
I bask in the glow of our good fortune while anticipation builds for our
upcoming visit to Toronto, a city neither of us has visited. We get our
hotel room, and think, why spend all that time in the car? Lets check the
airline rates. Not bad. So, we get a round -trip non- stop early AM Friday
flight out of BWI. That way well get there early and have time to relax
before the big event.
We watch and rewatch the TNT Tribute trying to visualize numerous
seating configurations for Joni and her playmates. What kind local
Torontonian talent could there be to do her material justice? Will she bring
Donald? her parents ? How far away will they be? Will they be in a box or in
an open area? Will she eat a banana and smoke cigarettes? Oh, the wonderment
of it all.
September 11. Life as we know it; no more. Airlines are cutting back.
No more Dash 8 semi-hourly flights to Toronto. Flight change to smaller,
closer airport (good thing) larger planes, connection in Pittsburgh.(not-so
good). Well take it- still saves us lots of hours driving and tickets are
paid for. We look forward to our diversion from this madness. We are nervous
about flying, but must have faith. Lily Tomlin cancels her Hommage due to
US entering Afghanistan. NO!! Joni won't cancel , will she?
Great news, a new twist! Joni is going to be there earlier in the day to
unveil her star
on the Walk of Fame! Can we make it in time, barely, but we will do our
best.
Then, the night before we were to fly out there is a credible terrorist
threat to Three
Mile Island, a nearby nuclear plant, and the airport is closed. This is not
happening! Guess we will be driving after all. No way will we be able to
make the star thing, but at least well get there for the event. We need a
hotel for Thursday night in New York state somewhere.... WAIT!!! the airport
reopens, air travel resumes and we are told to come ahead as planned. We leave
home at 3:45 AM On Oct.19 for the day of our lives. Nothing like that "r o l l
e r c o a s t e r of love" for Joni leading us into the
Main Event.
