From Carole on the Melbourne and Sydney Shows (April 10 and 11):

Evidently, the show at Grand Central last week was NOT jam-packed full, but that was not the case this Monday. They had taken so many dinner reservations that they had to add an additional row of tables -- and they were adding tables up until show time. Although the "tables" on the front row, set up for two, were no more the 24" in diameter and very "close" for two diners.

Darren had seen Snoop live, and he was inspired. The "Darren Show" is different every time, and always great.

The room filled up so quickly that I suspect they had been holding the standing-room-only group in line outside -- it was almost instantaneous.

I had an empty chair and a young man asked to sit with me. He was an exchange student from San Diego and he immediately asked me which member of the band was my son. He assumed that a woman my age would not attend a rock and roll concert must be someone's mother.

The band was in great form. You know the songs -- I'm thrilled that they have included Barry Kable -- and Mr. Harris just gets better and better.

Lots of stories -- one I hadn't heard before -- Russell called Breathless a "prayer" and said that he began singing it to Charlie when he was an infant.

When he invited the "standers" up to the front of the stage, pointing out that the diners had got their money's worth, they came in droves -- and most of them were from the States.

One girl got right in front of Russell, turned around and posed for her friend --- without missing a beat, Russell dropped down and posed beside her. What a great photo. We have promises of copies of photos from some of those taking them, but who knows.

I was in front of the speakers and it was wonderful -- loud, but wonderful.

The Vanguard was booked out. The new menu includes a salmon dish which is wonderful.

Darren was, of course, great. He actually sang a "real song" for us -- because he had been asked "why don't you ever sing an entire song"? It was a beautiful love song -- but do you think I could remember it? Not a chance. He sang Happy Birthday (his own creation) to the young lady at the table next to us. He also told us that next Tuesday at The Vanguard will be his last show on this tour.

The band is absolutely crowded into a sardine can on that stage! They don't have room for guitar stands on stage, the roadies have to hand guitars to them over the front of the stage, etc.

When Russell asked for volunteers to come down and dance he encountered a very "shy" crowd.

Chelsea Crowe, Russell's niece is running the merch table. I talked to her in Melbourne, brought her my list to the Vanguard and while we were watching the show she packed up my duffle bag. I'm short 4 shirts, but Bruno is going to see if he can find them for me and bring them to me at the Easter Show. If not, they are expecting a new shipment any second and I will leave a list with gals who will be here next week so they can pick them up for me. After she packed my bag, she had nothing left but smalls and larges left. But they did have XXL shirts!

After the show, I talked to Dave Kelly about my (and your) wish for a "live" album from this show. He didn't give me any false hope, but we did spend a bit of time talking about how much better they are "now" compared to "then". When they recorded the album, they were just getting to know each other musically. Now toward the end of this tour, they are a comprehensive, gorgeous group.

The female host for the MTV awards tonight was there with her mother and some friends -- and they thoroughly enjoyed the show

My huge duffel bag was stashed back in the merch area and when I went to get it, it was gone. Because it has TOFOG luggage tags on it, they guys loading the merch assumed it was Chelsea's and loaded it into the merch van. I caught them just as they were getting ready to drive away.

Sorry to be so long in posting -- who ever said "it's the journey, not the destination which counts" was wrong -- my trip involved lost luggage, etc. And, the luggage which was lost had all of my cords and power packs -- so I sat in a hotel room with no clean clothes, and a laptop, an i-Pod and a cell phone -- all with dead batteries. It eventually worked out and when I heard "Take the Weather" at the Grand Central -- it was very apparent to me that it was the destination which was worth the journey.

I'm not exactly glad that there is no concert in Brisbane this evening, but I'm damned glad I didn't have to get up and rush to the airport this morning.

I talked to Keith for quite a while after the show -- he had only just figured out that I was the one who "made the stuff" and he was astounded at the number of pictures I had --- THANKS TO ALL OF YOU ---and I told him that.

Practice for the MTV show begins today before noon. They evidently will be doing a complete run-thru today. TOFOG will be doing one song -- but they have to be there for the run-thru.

At Melbourne the entry wall was wall-papered with pictures of bands -- including a beautiful one which included Bones.

I'm moving from downtown Sydney today to a hotel near the Olympic complex -- I didn't feel comfortable leaving myself at the venue late at night tomorrow with the possibility that I would have trouble finding a cab.

The only disappointment I have is that when I look around the room, you aren't there. I love being here, and wouldn't trade a second of it for anything, but the evenings would be "complete" if we were all grinning, laughing and exchanging waves across a crowded floor.

There's a song in there somewhere.

Carol