I've been to plenty of concerts in my lifetime and each have been some type
of festival or my favorite band at the moment.  But nothing could have
prepared me for the emotional roller coaster the Spice Girls gave me on
July 27, 1998.  When I got to the venue, I nearly started to cry because I
was in the presents of all of these people here for them and to be a part
of the Spice collation.  Only an hour left and it would begin, if they
weren't late!!!  Course when have you known a concert to start on time?  I
have never been this close to the stage in my life.  Row L as in A-L.  Not
center but off to the right side of the stage.  The time went surprisingly
fast in this hour.  The stage crew walked around and I knew this one guy
had to be British due to his blue vertically striped soccer jersey with an
emblem on it. His poofy curly hair and his face just reminded me of the
lead singer who sings in the group Simply Red.  What a long way they all
have traveled to be here tonight.  

Close to 8:00 I see these people walking past my section going up higher
into the center section and I'm intrigued because sure enough there was
Joan Chisholm, her husband Dennis, her two sons Paul and it could have been
Liam or Stuart (I know it wasn't Jad), and one other woman with blond hair.
I just sat there and stared.  No one was running after them or asking them
for an autograph and I didn't see anyone who remotely even knew them to be 
any different than anyone else there that night.  I just sat there and
couldn't believe my eyes.  They all look exactly as their pictures
obviously since I recognized each of them.  Especially Paul because I've
always thought he was quite cute.  A little chubby though.  The Chisholms
were in the audience tonight and I had to at least attempt to communicate
with them but as for now I think the concert is about to begin.

If I wasn't excited enough, the band has come out on stage.  Now watch
closely because HEY!!!  There goes Emma walking by nonchalantly behind the
curtain on our side.  Her trademark pig tails, baby blue dress and platform
shoes give her away immediately.  Only I and a few others on this side saw
this.  Soon as the music was getting louder along with the audience, and
who should walk by but Melanie in her one striped pants and tank top.  I
couldn't contain myself and nearly began to cry.  I just pointed to the
place where she walked by and thought I have seen Melanie Jayne Chisholm in
person for the first time in my life.  Melanie Brown jogged by quickly.
They were ready to come up on stage and I think the Spiceship is landing.
And there they were.  The spiceship landed and the sound was so incredible
that my hair actually moved as they shook the arena.

Much like the Istanbul video, but nevermind that because this is live and
they are breathing the exact same air I am.  THIS IS LIVE. They really are
in front of me doing their job and I am undeniably enjoying it more than
any television, computer screen or radio has done.  I just stare at them
hearing all of what they do best.  Emma was over on our side quite
frequently as was Melanie Brown, so experiencing them was quite easy.
Victoria was kind of out of the limelight most of the time.  She definitely
didn't contribute as much to the show as the others did.  I also think she
isn't quite as attractive in person.  That's a horrible thing to say but
that's what I thought.  In return I'll give her a compliment that she did
dance fairly well and cracked me up with those red feathers when they sung
Move Over, always playing the sleek and simply put, posh attitude she
displays.  She liked the camera as every time it was on her she looked
right into it and cocked her eyebrow, a trademark of her kind.

Melanie Brown was ill I think.  Her eyes looked a bit swollen and she kept 
itching them or her nose.  It made me realize that they are all human and 
even the Spice Girls get sick but notice that they still perform no matter 
what.  I thought she would be more zany and wild but I didn't see much of
that in her this night.  During Move Over when she says "CRAZYNATION!!" I
loved the way she stuck her pierced tongue out.  Her singing was good but
not as loud as I expected.  She wasn't "scary" this night at all.  Emma was
great portraying her baby attitude the whole night through.  Her voice
seemed higher than usual.  Apparently this is the way it sounds live.  She
did fine at least waved to us when we waved to her on the right side of the
stage.  None of the others seemed to do that except her.

Most of the night my eyes were on a woman up there named Melanie Chisholm. 
How beautiful is she????  I can't even muster the words to tell a soul.
I'll tell you to experience it for yourself.  She put a fantastic show on
to say the least.  She made the show.  I'd have to say she was the best.
Melanie outweighed the rest of them with her powerful voice.  I was in awe
by those dance moves and the possibility of anyone moving their body in so
many ways all at the same time. Her head would be swinging her pony tail
around, her legs and feet were completely moving faster than the beat and
her arm was swinging to the beat and then she held the microphone to her
mouth.  Amazing.  As I said no words can express the way she did it on
stage.  I saw that Angel tattoo and there it was.  There's not much else to
say about that one.  


Highlights of the show with her was in Naked. Her facial expressions nearly
made me wanna jump up and tell her it is quite alright.  I also liked it
when she came out with a Chicago Bulls jersey on and started jumping or
attempting to "fly" like Michael Jordan would and this amused herself as
well. There were many moments where I swear her stomach muscles were
talking to me.  Those are one of the seven wonders of the earth. Another
thing that sticks out is how skinny she is.  Right off in the beginning
into the second song, Who Do You Think You Are, her pants ripped right up
her inner left thigh.  It was very funny the way her face looked when it
happened to her because she looked at us in horror but kept right on
singing and dancing.  She would look at it and point as if to be annoyed
and say "Look at this!!"  When they do their little monologue before Step
to Me, Victoria said "No you'd better step to me", Melanie replied "No, why
don't you let me borrow your costume."  I don't know how many other people
caught it but it was funny and the way she just kept on without missing a
beat really defined how much of an outstanding performer she is.
If nothing else they just made me have a smile on my face for the whole
night and even continued onto the next day.  It's the undeniable power of
Spice.  Melanie just reminds me that life is good with a little spice.

Uh, oh I almost forgot!!! The girls had a 30 minute break and while I sat
waiting for the rest who do you suppose comes out from backstage and walks
right by my row but Joan Chisholm and Pauline Bunton.  Hello????  So I
start walking with them.  I am completely at awe and you'll have to forgive
me for being such an idiot but I ask "Are you Melanie's mom?" She didn't
hear me this time and says "Excuse me?"  I say it again and after she
replied I asked for her autograph.  She willingly gives it to me and so
does Emma's mom.  One of my cherished possessions.  I didn't say much else
because so much was going through my mind and if I could I would do it
completely differently. Unfortunately I believe this was a once in a
lifetime opportunity and I don't think I'll ever get the chance again.
They both were holding beers and I couldn't help thinking I am talking to
the woman who gave Melanie birth!!!  I am talking to someone who was just
next to Melanie and who used to change her diapers!!!! Mrs. Bunton I didn't
look at very much but you can tell who's mom she is.  Emma looks just like
her.  Mrs. Chisholm (or O'Neill) looked exactly the same as the pictures we
all see except for her eyes were darker than the pictures show.  Her eyes
are hazel and she is shorter than I am and I am 5'6". She is pretty and
looks younger than her real age would tell.  Melanie has her hands. I shook
Joan Chisholm's hand and that was the end of it.