I knew from being at the message boards a lot that Ryan would be going on tour and there would be a date in Toronto, but it wasn’t until I saw a little bit on the CFTO evening news on January 26 that I learned the Toronto stop would take place March 12 at the Hummingbird Centre. Right then and there, it would be my mission to be at that show and see my Idol in person! For three weeks, I saved money in a tin I kept in my bedroom, putting half my weekly allowance and any money I had left at week’s end in until I had $180 saved up. I talked with my parents about what I wanted to do, and they were behind my decision. I even got my dad’s help to buy the tickets online thanks to a pre-sale promotion for Malcolmaniacs only. I couldn’t believe it, I was going to go to the show!
Week after week, I kept getting excited about the show to come. I made signs that I wanted to hold up. I spent big bucks on supplies for a T-shirt I wanted to make, inspired by someone on the boards. On the message boards, I started the Glowstick Pact, meaning that whatever show us fans went to, we would wave green glowsticks (Ryan’s favorite color) during "Something More" so he knew that there were Maniacs in attendance. I honored the pact by buying a green glowstick.
Finally, March 12 came at last! Lucky for me I booked the day off from work weeks in advance. Singing along with my copy of "Home" on my CD player, I threw on the shirt I made and a pair of jeans, and slipped my glowstick around my neck. But Mom made me change my outfit, so I did. Still, I smuggled my glowstick into my purse, along with my camera and my CD (I wanted to get it autographed, people on the boards said there was an autograph session after the show). I left the house and went to wait for the GO bus, which would take me downtown. It arrived, and I was on my way!
It was quarter after 3 when the bus finally arrived at the terminal on Bay Street. I met my brother Matthew, who was coming with me (he had classes that day), and we decided to go to the Eaton Centre via the underground PATH system. So we spent a bit of time there browsing through the shops, I treated us to dinner in the food court, then we headed back to Union Station on the subway. There was more time to kill, so Matthew and I went to the small video arcade in the VIA area of the station. We each played a few rounds of pinball, then it was time to make the walk to the Hummingbird Centre.
Waiting seemed to take forever! I struck up a conversation with a fellow fan (ryan_angel_baby) and took a picture of her and her friend. It seemed that people of all ages were anticipating the show too. All too soon, the doors opened and ushers started to scan everyone’s tickets. Upon entering the lobby, I immediately made a beeline for the souvenir stand. I bought a T-shirt and souvenir booklet, which Matthew stowed in his backpack and checked it in the coat check room. I saw more Maniacs wearing the white ribbons that Katie (KFS from K-Town) made and introduced myself as StarIdol while I drank a cup of Pepsi. The doors to the auditorium opened and people were starting to stream in. On my way in, I bumped into Katie, who recognized me when I told her who I was and she gave me a kiss on the cheek. Presenting her with my dollar, she handed me a ribbon, which I proudly pinned to my shirt. I hurried down the aisle to my seat and sat down. I got a good look at all the people who were there, most of the Maniacs were down on the left-hand side near the double-letter seats. Some time later, the lights went down and people were clapping in rhythm, ready for the show to start. Jacynthe, the opening act, came out and gave a fabulous set, but I really couldn’t wait for the main event to start.
There was a break between sets, so I decided to go down and meet the Maniacs who were in attendance. I really hit it off with Becks and Wildcat, who showed me their glowsticks (they remembered the Pact). Becks had me sign a book for a fellow Maniac who was out of the country, then gave me a copy the London entertainment magazine that had a story about Ryan in it. I took a picture of Becks and Wildcat together, and Becks had a picture of her and me taken. It was so much fun to meet everyone that I chatted with for weeks in person.
I hurried back to my seat. Moments later, the lights went back down in the auditorium and loud cheering filled the air as blue lights swept over us and music started to play. It’s time, it’s time, I thought to myself as I saw movement on stage. The lights came up, and there he was as he started singing "Star Of All The Planets." The place just filled with energy, even I was standing up in the aisle, dancing and singing along with the song. I seemed to do that for every song, snapping pictures as I did everything else. And when Ryan did the duet with Jacynthe, I imagined myself in her place.
I think one of my favorite parts of the show was when he and his brother Reagan did the unaccompanied duet, they sounded so well together. And then their dad John came on to do a song with them, A Bit Of Nostalgia was back together for one night. Oh yeah, and the times I shouted "Mississauga loves you!", I think he heard me.
Just when we thought the show was done after "Absolutely Perfect" (which the tour was named after), Ryan came back out and said "You know I couldn’t leave without doing this song," and started into the familiar opening strains of "Something More". Standing up, I waved my glowstick and sang along, noticing most of the Maniacs were doing the same. The song got a huge ovation from the audience. He ended the night with "Good Girls", and couldn’t help showing off the platinum album that we helped him earn. I jumped up and down and screamed to acknowledge the achievement. The show ended on that note, and I headed up the aisle raving about how awesome the whole spectacle was.
It was time to do some more waiting as I stood in line with the rest of the crowd, waiting for Ryan to come out and sign autographs. Days earlier, I had promised a girl in my Italian class and one of my co-workers to give them a hug from him, but security dashed my hopes by announcing a no-touching policy. RATS! But the good news was I could still get something autographed and get my picture taken with him.
When Ryan and Jacynthe came out, we all cheered and waited in anticipation. I got my CD ready, and Matthew had his ticket out to get signed for his friend Shelley, who was living in Kenora (apparently, she's a big fan too). I was surprised that the line moved really quickly, and before I knew it I was just a few metres away from him! I was so nervous, I didn't know what to say.
Finally, it was my turn. "Hi, I'm Stephanie," I said as I handed him my CD. "Hi Stephanie, I'm Ryan" he replied, and a huge smile appeared on my face as all signs of nervousness seemed to fade away. "I had a really great time tonight," I added, and he thanked me as he signed the CD. Matthew took my camera and took the picture. We switched off so he could have his ticket signed. I thanked him one last time, and we walked out of the theatre back to the bus terminal.
All the way back to Meadowvale, I stared dreamily out the window and thought about all that had just happened. I realized my dream of meeting the Canadian Idol, I met some of the other Malcolmaniacs, and I had the time of my life. There would be absolutely no way that I would ever forget this Absolutely Perfect night!