This is my recap of my experience at the WNCI Jingle Ball of 2008 in Columbus, OH.

My husband Eric and I got there just after 7 p.m. Unfortunately I found two things: 1, across-the-street parking was reserved for "VIPs," and general parking was about a block away; and 2, there was a line of people waiting to get in that went almost halfway around the building. So yeah, we were a little cold waiting out there, especially since I didn't put on my coat, just a sweater, because I didn't want to be weighed down by a big heavy coat once I got inside. The line moved relatively quickly, but by the time we got inside it was 7:30.

Eric and I staked out a spot in the back quarter of the pit right next to the stage. I could see the stage reasonably well, but since it seemed like everyone in front of us was taller than me it wasn't as easy to see as it had been, say, at the AI concert. NOT that I minded--the atmosphere and acoustics was WAY better.

We all started screaming when the EEB came out, and I wondered when exactly David would come out. I didn't have to spend much time wondering though, because after maybe a minute or two, out comes David and here starts "Heroes"! OH WOW. I have grown to love this song so much, and it just sounds amazing live. At one point he stopped singing and let us sing "I'm not gonna come down, down off of these clouds, all these heroes come and go," and he told us we weren't bad.

Almost right immediately afterwards came "Mr. Sensitive," which sounded equally amazing. For a little while Mr. Sensitive was one of the songs that was harder for me to get into, but I've since grown to appreciate how it starts slow and soft and turns into a raging rocker by the finish. Neal was ON FIRE, for sure.

Then came "Declaration," and WOW. Seriously, the man doesn't have a bad song in his repertoire, and what's more, the songs were just flying fast and furious. I felt like pinching myself to see if I was dreaming. He looked so good, and SOUNDED so incredible, and I couldn't stay still, I was dancing and jumping and clapping and just going crazy.

David then told us, "This past year has been pretty crazy, and this next song is about that." So I knew next would be "Life on the Moon," which thrilled me because that's in my top 5. MAN, that song sounds just gorgeous live. Did I mention David was in magnificent voice last night? He was. Any chest cold that might have been lingering was clearly long gone.

Then he told us, "This next song is one we've never performed live before." Now, I've been longing for "A Daily Anthem" for last night. When he said "it's for my brother Adam," I was convinced he was going to sing "ADAM." Then he said, "This song is called 'Permanent'" and I nearly passed out. I always assumed David would never sing this song live. BUT THERE IT WAS!!! I took tons of photos because I really wanted to capture this moment for all eternity.

The song was just ... I don't even know how to describe it. It started out like on the Record, with just Andy on the keyboard and him. And then, about 2/3 of the way through, the full band came in. And the effect was just drop-dead gorgeous and soul-stirring and heartbreaking. I was in utter awe at David, the power of his voice, the way he wrings every drop of emotion out of every note and every word, and at how well the band accompanied him on a song that I would have never imagined being a true rock song. It was an unforgettable performance, one I'll carry with me all my life.

Next David says, we're going to perform a cover." I couldn't imagine what it might be. Eric said, "A COVER?!?" So I started listening, and I had no idea what it was. I was like, huh? Then Andy started singing that oh-so-familiar chorus of "Hunger Strike," and my jaw dropped. Okay, I'll admit it. I've tried Andy's music before, and I didn't quite get it. But last night? I GOT IT. I fell hopelessly in love with Andy's voice and his control and his power. The way he and David traded lead vocals was breathtaking. Eric loved it too.

Oh, and I LOVED the way David got to return the favor, the way Andy said all those years ago "Ladies and gentlemen, David Cook!" with "Ladies and gentlemen, Andy Skib!" I want to see more of this. I want Andy and David trade lead vocals every now and then. Also? I'm ready to buy all of Andy's music and love it.

Next was "Bar-ba-sol." And well, what can I say? It sounded as hot and dirty as ever. He encouraged us to dance, and I so did. Amazing live song.

Then David let us know the last song of the set was "Light On," and I got my glow stick out and sang and swayed. The song continues to sound better and better live.

Okay, so: the banter. I can't remember which banter went where, so I figured I'd just lump it together. First, there was The Timmy Banter. He introduced Timmy as he brought out the guitar for the first time, and he shouted, "Give it up for the guitar tech Timmy!" I would have clapped and cheered, but I was distracted with something else. Then David said, "C'mon, you guys can do better than that." So we cheered some more. And David says, "They love you, Timmy!" Then he looked at Timmy and said, "Timmy's not even paying attention. He doesn't care."

Then there was The Introduction Banter. First he commented, "This is cool, we're just hanging out here." He started introducing the band--Andy Skib, Joey. He got to Kyle and inexplicably said, "I'm not gonna introduce him." Then he introduced Neal. He laughed and said, "I'm mad at Kyle because he hit me in the nuts 5 minutes before we came out here." Then someone -- Kyle, maybe? -- said, "Tell them why." He chuckled and said, "Okay, I hit him a couple days ago."

Finally, last but not least came The Panty Banter. This happened when someone (or someones) threw a TON of pink panties onto the stage. Personally? I couldn't believe it. I think the panty throwing has gotten out of hand. The first time it was funny... the second time it was cute and kind of silly... this time, I think it's run its course, isn't funny anymore, and just needs to stop. I think David felt the same way. His first comment (I guess to someone's telling him to pick up the panties) was, "They're not mine, I'm not picking them up." Well, then he proved himself a liar and picked up a pair. My first thought was, "those look small."

David then said, "All right. Let's discuss this. First of all, they don't even look like an adult woman's panties." Eric and I both gasped, then absolutely cracked up laughing. I think that may be the snarkiest I've ever seen David in person, and I absolutely loved it. (Also? He was totally right. Those panties looked like something my 8-year-old would wear!)

So that was the concert--unbelievably amazing and perfect! Here's a link to my photos from the concert:
http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a91/NLeighH/WNCI%20Jingle%20Ball/

And here's just a taste of what you'll see there:

Now I'll recap After the Show.

So after the show, I thought, where on earth might I see David and the guys now? I had received a text from my friend Nicole, who went to the venue early in the afternoon, about the security guy who had said they would come out after the show, but I had no idea where "out" might be. Eric and I kind of wandered aimlessly around the pavilion for awhile, then settled down at the edge of the pit to wait halfheartedly for Staind. I texted Nicole a few times, basically harassing her and trying to find out if she knew anything I didn't know. She didn't.

I had just about given up hope on meeting anyone when I got a text from Nicole saying "OMG come outside NOW."

I immediately grabbed Eric's arm and started pulling him away, which he didn't really appreciate for some reason. I did explain to him on the way. At first, when we got outside, I panicked because I saw a bunch of people milling around on the opposite side of one fence, and I thought we should have gone out that way, but once you leave the pavilion you can't go back in! Fortunately Nicole then caught up with me and explained what happened with Joey--she had caught sight of him through a small opening in the screening of the iron gate, had called his name and told him she had a gift for him, and then told him if he wanted to meet us (the small handful of fans outside) he could come out of the arena and out to us. So we waited outside for maybe 20 minutes or so, freezing our tushies off. The lovely and not-at-all-shy Nicole tried to get some information from a security guard who told her nothing, sadly.

Then suddenly, who should appear but Andy and Kyle! I'm not sure where they came from (Nicole probably knows), but there they were, and I got extremely excited. Then while Nicole was freaking out over Andy, I turn around and there's Joey! The first thing I heard him say was, "I forgot to come out!" He was sweet as could be. He talked about how much he loves playing with this band, how everyone gets along so well, etc. I told him "it shows," and he thanked me. Then I told him how much I love watching him play and how fantastic he was. I don't remember why, but I gave him a hug (I might have asked him, I'm not sure!), and Eric was alert enough to take a photo. Joey really does have some of the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen.

After that I said good-bye and then made my way to Andy. I waited patiently while he got photos and hugs from the others, and in the interim I told him, "you're such a good sport." He gave me this absolutely adorable little face and a shrug, as if he was saying, "This? This is nothing, this is great." So adorable. Finally I got my chance. But then Nicole asked me to call our friend Julie and have Andy talk to her. I pulled out my phone and asked him if he would be so kind as to talk to a friend of mine for "like 2 seconds?" He agreed immediately, so I called Julie, said hi, then handed the phone to Andy. I absolutely loved watching him talk to Julie (as you can probably see by the enormous smile on my face in the photo). After about two minutes he he was done, and I rudely hung up on Julie (sorry, I wasn't thinking straight!) and then I couldn't resist giving him a big hug for doing that for Julie. Eric took a photo of us, and then I told him that a friend of mine who adores him (the lovely Coolshades) asked me to tell him she said hi. He said "well tell her I said hi back."

Then I got to Kyle. I wound up hanging around all 3 guys for a quite some time because I just wanted to watch them interact with people. It was more fun than just swooping in and grabbing a hug and a photo. As a result I probably hung out longer with Kyle than with the other two because he was the last one, and I wasn't ready for it to end. Eric kept saying, "do you want to get in there?" and I just kept saying, "No, it's okay, I can wait." In the meantime Eric and I both told Kyle what an amazing drummer he is and how much we both love watching him. Eric said he reminded him of the Muppets. Kyle laughed and said "I've gotten Animal and I've gotten the Pantene Pro-V commercial." I told him I hadn't heard that one yet, and he said, "Yeah. Well, that's why I haven't cut my hair!" I said, "Of course. If you've got it..." Then, I kid you not, simultaneously we said, "FLAUNT IT!"

And finally no one else was there except for a few ladies who just seemed to be hanging out, and I got to get my hug and photo.

We were hanging out with Kyle for a little bit, and then I heard someone say, "David's out!" I FREAKED. Sure enough, he was there! And then, suddenly--our little 10-15 person group swelled to at least 50!! I have NO idea where everyone came from, I swear they weren't there when I went to hang out with Kyle! I wound up getting caught in the middle of a huge crowd. I saw David and my heart melted. I heard him talking with people--I heard him say to Nicole "you're the one who said my armpit farts were sexy." I also heard some people asking him about the engagement rumors and him denying them. And I did hear a little bit of panty talk. He did seem to take it in stride, but I still maintain he's tired of it and would not mind a bit if it stopped. Just MHO.

Anyway, I heard him then say the words that made my heart sink: "I can only be out here for a few minutes." Oh, naturally. I just knew there was no way I was going to meet him in these conditions. He left for a little bit (after first asking us to back up and letting us know he would be back out), and somehow Nicole found me. I told her there was no way I was going to meet him. She insisted she was going to make it happen. Then David came out again, and Nicole started DRAGGING me through that huge crowd of people! Nicole may be tiny but she is mighty. She shouted at least twice, "David! David! She's never met you! She's been waiting for hours!" Okay, that embarrassed me a little, I felt like I was about 16. Not that I didn't appreciate it, but still.

We got about 3 feet from him, miraculously... when he had to go, and in an instant he was gone.

At first I was really upset. If David had never come out, that would have been one thing. If it had been just that big ol' crowd with me stuck in the middle, THAT would have been one thing. But to get SO close to David only to watch him walk away without even a chance to say hi or to have him look me in the eyes... yeah. That kind of hurt.

But the last thing I wanted was for such a great night to end in disappointment and frustration and bad feelings, so I tried giving myself a pep talk on the LONG walk back to our car. I kept saying, "The concert was incredible. I got to meet almost all the band. I got photos with them. And even though I didn't meet him, I did get awfully close to David."

Then we got back to the car, and I remembered the photos in the camera. And when I saw those photos of me with Joey and Andy and Kyle, it all came flooding back how truly special it was and how lucky I really was. In no time at all I was feeling better, and really quite excited. I was in a far better state of mind when I talked first to my sister on the phone and then to Julie.

So that was my wonderful, amazing experience of attending the Jingle Ball!