Round 4 Week 4
Fri.: P90X Wishful Thinking

Elton John -- yep, we've all heard of Sir Elton. Crocodile Rock. Candle in the Wind. The list of -- let's face it -- really good songs goes on and on. How many of his albums have you purchased in your lifetime? (Me, probably 3? 4?)

Yesterday evening, I learned something new about Mr. John. Will and I (along with about 25 other Cub scouts from Pack 218) got a truly in-depth backstage tour of the RBC Center. Watched some Carolina Hurricanes come into the building/workout on the ice with their kids...

Saw the locker rooms, the $5,000 and $3,800 seating areas (that's for one season -- $5K Lexus area gets you VIP parking, every hockey game and unlimited food and a leather seat, $3.8K gets all the games, pay for your own food, slightly less-good seating, BUT a personal little 15" TV you can view to watch the basketball/football games or (Will sez) Spongebob -- at the same time as the live hockey game. Will post some photos when I get 'em.)

Also got some stories from the staff about other events:

1. Elton John's personal assistant fixes up his dressing room before every show. It includes unpacking several cases of bobble heads. Yes, bobbe heads (BH's).

BH's his fans have given him. He loves them -- both -- fans AND BH's. He can't part with a single one.

After his assistant unpacks the cases -- custom so they don't break the BH's, etc. -- he -- get this -- MUST make all of their little heads bounce. So he and this staffer giving our tour proceed to go around this room and make all the heads BOUNCE.

Elton walks in -- sees all the little heads bouncing -- declares, "That's good work. Good job."

Love... it.

2. Next story -- Neil Diamond. Again, little older demo this time, but... there it is. Great songs. Great performer.

He gets his people to call ahead before he gets to the stadium. They're alerted. All the staff MUST stop what they're doing, turn to face the wall, and wait till Neil gets into his dressing room, and his people call out an "all clear, back to work."

Facing... the... wall... while this guy feels the breeze from Neil as he passes by.

Best, stories, ever.

BTW: Most gracious performer? Dolly Parton. Goes around asking the staff if they want photos with her, always with a kind word, very outgoing. Nice.