PDA

View Full Version : 48 hours or so to go



Chet
04-05-2006, 05:28 PM
It's Thursday morning here. In about 48 hours or so, I will leave for my trip to England where I will, among other things, attend the UK LRC organised by Rowy and Manchester.

This is a trip that began more than a year ago. When I first heard about the Living Room Concerts, I so wanted to be able to afford one, as I felt (then, and still feel now) that the Pearl Foundation is a very worthy cause and the LRC a great way to contribute (and get to see a great singer-songwriter-guitarist, too).

But to organise an LRC in Malaysia would cost at least twice the cost of an LRC, with the extra costs not going to the Pearl Foundation. So I had to contend with dreaming about being able to afford one.

Soon after I joined the Janis Ian Message Board, I read about the UK LRC. I wrote to ask if I could be allowed to attend, and I was.

Getting on the UK LRC attendee list did not mean I was going for sure. For one thing, I had to get an air ticket to go. Not just an air ticket, but preferably an inexpensive ticket. I got it about a month ago. But that still did not mean 100% go.

Another thing that would prevent me turning up for the UK LRC was my elderly mother who suffers from dementia and lives in a nursing home. Two years ago, I had a ticket to Toronto via New York, which I eventually had to cancel because mother fell and fractured her right wrist and I could not leave her on her own.

Last Friday, the way was cleared for my presence at the UK LRC. My niece, who had been battling leukemia for the last 3½ years, left us. Her condition took a turn for the worse recently, and I was prepared to cancel my trip and stay to be around and help my sister if she needed me. As it turned out, this was not necessary. Wien Yue left us on 31 March 2006, about a month and a half shy of her 21st birthday.

This still doesn't mean I'll be at the UK LRC for sure. Anything could happen between now and 16 April 2006. The only time I know for sure that I'll be there is when I'm physically there, waiting for the LRC to begin.

The UK LRC takes place on Sunday, 16 April 2006, a day after my father's first death anniversary. He left us on 15 April 2005.

Des
04-05-2006, 05:36 PM
Chet, you deserve this trip so much.:)

So sorry to hear about your niece.

All the very best to you.:)

SongDragon
04-05-2006, 05:41 PM
Thats wonderful for you, Chet! That you're so close and you haven't had to cancel... You're going to make it onto that plane in forty-eight hourse.

I am sorry about your niece, but it sounds like it was a long tiresome battle.

I hope you have a wonderful time at the LRC! I hope you make it all the way this time! Have a great time!

~Song

lucille
04-05-2006, 06:31 PM
It's all meant to happen this time Chet. Have a great time.

Cardiffgal
04-05-2006, 06:35 PM
I am so sorry to learn of the loss of your niece. Seems like your family has been through a good deal in the past year and I send my love, prayers and sympathy.

I hope your Mom hangs in there. Aging parents are a double edged sword. I love mine, but something seems to happen to one or the other on a regular basis now.

Safe travels to you. If I was a UK rudie I am not sure what I would be more excited about - meeting Chet or meeting Janis.:)

Randy & Betty in Pa
04-05-2006, 06:39 PM
Chet,

Your a wonderfully strange and delightful person in so many ways... Perhaps through heritage, ethnicity or nationality... One thing I for one have noticed is that you are a dedicated person and always around and available to offer a helping hand on this board as I am sure with your friends and family at home... Betty and I are so sorry to hear of your recent losses, but just know that we are overjoyed that hopefully in just under 46 hours you will be on your way to share with others a glorious day that will bring you tears of both joy and sorrow... You deserve this so much... Go and enjoy.....

Have a safe and most wonderful time and trip... As we hope for all others at the UK/LRC as well... We will be with you in spirit on April 16...

R. & B from Pa

Eva
04-05-2006, 06:45 PM
Chet, I am sure that you will make this trip and that you will attend this LRC. I get the impression from you that you are a person who goes after the things she wants with dedication. And you have wanted this for so long. You will get there!

Eva

Bat
04-05-2006, 06:58 PM
Take your father and Wien Yue along with you in your heart and listen to Janis for them, too. You will enjoy her three times as much that way.
You have had an awful lot weighing on your shoulders these past years, and it is about time you have some good times for Chet. You can tell your mother all about it when you come home, and even though she may not remember a word you say, she will love your enthusiasm...it will make her feel better for a little while, anyway.
Have a wonderful time!
;)

janisian
04-05-2006, 07:30 PM
Chet, I have your package packed...

Chet
04-05-2006, 07:32 PM
I am sorry about your niece, but it sounds like it was a long tiresome battle.
Dear Song - tiring, but definitely not tiresome.

Thanks, everyone, for your kind words. Especially you, RandyfromPA. I think you articulated what most everyone else on this board have been thinking for a long time. For what it's worth, I agree with you.

Denise
04-05-2006, 07:40 PM
Chet....from the heart, I wish you a safe trip and an incredible, memorable time.....can't wait to hear all about it!

Chet
04-05-2006, 07:43 PM
Chet, I have your package packed...
Thanks, Janis. The items are for a very special fan in Hong Kong.

Rowy
04-06-2006, 01:43 AM
Chet, my sincere condolences on the passing of your niece - such a young age to depart this life.

Have a very safe journey to the UK and look forward to seeing you in just over a week's time.

Have you packed your crash helmet?

;)

Manchester
04-06-2006, 01:50 AM
We are all looking forward to meeting you, have a safe journey and don't talk to any strangers! (At least until you get to the LRC!)
:D

Dee
04-06-2006, 02:20 AM
Condolences on your niece's passing, Chet.

Now go make some wonderful memories in the UK.

MARILYN/GEMINI
04-06-2006, 06:24 AM
Chet...my sympathy to you on the loss of your neice........wishing you a safe trip.....hoping you have moments in your trip to laugh and cry.......
Best,
Marilyn

Agnes
04-06-2006, 06:39 AM
Sorry to hear of your niece's passing, Chet <hug>

Hope you'll have a wonderful time at the LRC.

RedjackRyan
04-06-2006, 07:06 AM
So sorry to learn of your nieces passing, Sis. All my love and deepest sympathy to you.

Rickster
04-06-2006, 08:01 AM
Chet, Very sorry to learn of your niece's passing! May God bless you and your family!

david uk
04-06-2006, 08:13 AM
Chet, we're all waiting for you!

:)

Anna from Dublin
04-06-2006, 01:49 PM
No one deserves this trip more than you after all you have been through. I thought Bat summed it up best! I look forward to meeting you very much next week!

SongDragon
04-06-2006, 06:06 PM
Chet, you're right, I meant tiring not tiresome. Poor word choices...

I'll keep you in mind, thinking of you enjoying yourself at the LRC after all you have waded through to get there.

~Song

dragonlady
04-07-2006, 01:41 PM
Here's hoping your trip goes off as planned. You will have a terrific time I'm sure. If the hospitality of the UK Rudies is anything close to that of the US Rudies, and I have no doubt that it is, you'll be welcomed with open arms and have the time of your life.

My sympathies on your losses this past year. Safe journey to you.

-di

David from London
04-07-2006, 02:46 PM
Chet

Look forward to meeting you next week. It's great that Janis can bring us all together in this way. I lived in Penang when I was a child, for three years, and would love to go back. Have a good flight.

David

Chet
04-07-2006, 03:09 PM
David!

I'm bringing something (edible) from Malaysia that I hope will make you long to return to Penang even more.