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Ascphil’s Recap, Asia, and the Return of David Archuleta
Posted by ascphil on Monday, July 11, 2011
The following will be posted in five daily installments leading up to David’s return to Asia. Written by Ascphil at the conclusion of his last trip to that part of the world, and with exclusive photos by her daughter, it was too lengthy to publish as a single article. In her own words,
“Note:
I took the rest of the afternoon to late evening of November 18th to write the flashback portion of this story. It took me another twelve days to finish it. Although it may seem too detailed for comfort there were a lot more little things that happened which I decided not to include because they were more personal in nature but always brought me back to thinking about David. To those who I may have bored to death by this short ‘novel’, please accept my sincere apologies. I couldn’t help myself.”
DAVID LIVE IN MANILA
17 November 2010
A Personal Recollection
by ascphil
THE WEEK BEFORE
When I learned that David’s Manila promo tour was a sure thing, I took a vacation leave of three days from November 16 to 18, something I RARELY do, and it surprised my assistant who was all for it because she had been urging me for a long time to go on vacation. I forfeit my usually almost unused leave credits every year just because I’m an incurable workaholic. But only David can make me go on leave without making me feel guilt-ridden that I had pending work to do. I got my boss’s approval on November 11th, Thursday. That same day a memorandum came out that November 16th was a holiday for the Muslims which the whole nation had to observe. It should have been a welcome development for me because I gained back one day leave credit, but the first thing that came to my mind was — uh-oh! That was the day David was arriving from Singapore. I had taken a leave precisely so I could join the Pinoy Archies in welcoming him. The day turned out differently from how I had initially planned it.
I had also asked my daughter to come with me to the SkyDome event since her Wednesday classes ended early in the afternoon at 2:30 pm. She’d have enough time to get to the venue before the doors opened at 4 pm. Although she isn’t a fan of David as much as I am, she agreed to go with me. She watches the MYX channel a lot and updates me on the latest chart position of David’s SBL video on the Top 20 hit chart. After peaking at number 1 for the first few weeks after it debuted, SBL was hovering between Top 5 to 7 this week. I also wanted her to come along and take her SLR camera because she takes great photos. Upon the advice of her best friend’s mother who works in the fashion industry, she learned to watermark her photos with her name.
I knew the mall manager of the SM Mall of Asia, so I texted him on Friday morning to get contact details of anyone he might know who is in charge of the SkyDome. No response after an hour. Then I remembered one mall senior engineer who I had worked with on a project a few years ago. He made the rounds of the SM malls all over the country. Within an hour, he texted me back the contact number with a lady’s name. Wonderful! And when she asked if it was about “the David Archuleta thing” the next Wednesday, I said yes and she chuckled because it was the only and most important event happening at the SkyDome and in the whole mall the next week. I then proceeded to request for help in acquiring VIP passes for two good friends who were great fans of David, and then for myself and my daughter since I needed to be there to coordinate.
FLASHBACK TO MAY 2009
I did not want to repeat what I went through last year when David was in Manila for a week to do the back-to-back concert with Cook. I did not take a day off any time during that week because I felt that I could manage my David time in between my work hours. When David was scheduled to arrive in Manila last May 12th, the info posted at the Archuleta Philippines site was that he was arriving at 7:30 am, so I felt I had enough time before work to witness his arrival. That day at the airport was the first time I met my fellow Filipino Archies. I had initially intended just to be a silent bystander, but when I saw a group of young fans who were obviously talking about David cheerfully and excitedly, I decided to reveal that I was a fellow Archie. This started a series of introductions to each other, first by our cyber-names in Archuleta Philippines, then our real names. I was so delighted to find out that the well-loved JR4DA was in that group, a small middle-aged woman with a lot of spunk and energy. On that day I had witnessed how JR took full responsibility as the most senior Archie in talking to the airport security to allow us to assemble with welcome banners at a spot visible to David as he left the airport. She has the personality of a marketing person, but the demeanor of an executive in charge. But as we waited, she got info that it wasn’t Archuleta arriving in the morning but Cook. David was arriving later in mid-afternoon. When I heard that info, I told them I had to go, rode a waiting cab, and had enough time to reach the office by 9:30 am.
I had no intention of going back to the airport for David’s afternoon arrival. But then I started getting texts from another Filipino Archie, Naree, who used to be active at the FOD (Fans Of David) Forum and was referred to me as a doctor fan by fellow posters at the CDC (Counting David’s Character) site. Naree took the initiative to get in touch with me via texts a few months prior to the concert to exchange info on when and where to purchase the concert tickets. On the day of David’s arrival, she could not make it to the airport in the morning due to her clinic schedule. But when she learned of his afternoon arrival, she requested I go with her to the airport, and that she was more than willing to pick me up at my office. I was expecting a mature woman’s voice on the phone since I was advised she is a cardiologist, but her voice was that of a young girl. When I got down the building to meet her, I was pleasantly surprised to meet a bespectacled lady with teeth braces, wavy mid-length hair with bangs, in her late twenties or early thirties, driving a small shiny wine-red sedan. We talked to each other as if we had been friends for a long time, as if we had already been meeting up before. She really needs a calm person with her while she drives, since she was clearly spazzing out at the thought of seeing David. Really s-p-a-z-z-i-n-g. We eventually got to the spot where the Archies finally settled with the welcome banners near the end of the covered driveway, strategically in full view of David’s entourage on its way out of the airport, but about twenty meters from the lobby exit door. And then David arrived…and left amidst a thick hovering of excitedly noisy media. We could hardly see him thru the dark tinted windows of the vehicles that passed by. We didn’t even know which one he was riding until one of the Archies said he saw David, if I recall correctly, in the third car. When we reviewed the videos, we could only see the silhouette of his handsome face discernible in a split second.
On the way back to the office my husband rang me on my cell phone while we were talking about what had just happened. I found myself excitedly talking like a young girl and advising them to tone down a bit while I answered the phone. I think I pressed the accept button too soon as he heard a bit of the background commotion die down as if on cue. It got him curious since he called me at my office and learned that I wasn’t there. Busted! To keep my composure, I told him that I was on my way back to the office and that I’d tell him all about it when he picked me up after work.
That evening when we were on our way home, I felt like a daughter being scolded by her father after being caught cutting class. I am convinced that my husband should have taken Law instead of Marine Biology, because he manages to debate and argue anyone to death till they admit defeat. He made me see myself from the perspective of other people who will raise their eyebrows and wonder why an attractive (he he!) middle-aged married woman was acting like a groupie, following a handsome young male teenaged singer wherever he went. I realized that it affected his male ego, so I became a bit embarrassed by my teenage behavior and apologized to him. There was an uncomfortable silence between us for a few hours when we got home. I was uncommunicative and clearly saddened that I cannot openly be a fan of David who totally deserves anyone’s admiration, no matter what age or gender. When he had cooled down from our argument and saw how unhappy I was, he made a compromise with me that I can join the fan activities and events for as long as they are pretty exclusive and that I do not appear or am recognizable in any media footage, photos, write-ups and press releases of such events. He knew that there were a lot of media covering David’s arrival at the airport. Fair enough.
The next couple of days after he arrived, David had to go the rounds of radio stations and TV appearances, and the Pinoy Archies found ways to be wherever he was, thanks to their resourcefulness under JR’s and Naree’s guidance. Naree even booked a room in the sponsoring hotel during the period of David’s stay just so they could find a chance to see him in person somehow, at the lobby, coffee shop or along the hallway. David was closely guarded at all times with security fit for a prince. Then at midweek and in such short notice, a newspaper ad was released for a so-called Meet & Greet at the Mall of Asia which is just across the street from my office building! The M&G happened on a Thursday afternoon, and I thought I could just sneak out from the office for an hour to go to the mall at 4pm. But by some unfortunate twist of fate, one of my bosses suddenly asked me to attend a meeting which was not in my schedule and which overlapped with the time of the M&G! I even had to figure out how to leave the long-drawn meeting earlier than when it ended just to check if I could catch the tail-end of the M&G.
And when I was finally able to leave the office, I received a text from the MOA mall manager, a colleague I had worked with previously when he was still in the hotel industry, that David had already left the building since the M&G took only five minutes. What?!? When I got home that day and was alone in my room, I broke down and cried from all the pent-up frustration which I had to conceal from everyone. No one knew how broken-hearted I was during those days. I was questioning myself and seeking some answers in dealing with this unusual bout of depression I was feeling about a person who doesn’t even know me. I found the consolation I was looking for when I pulled out the photo I had printed for signing, the one of David’s beautiful smile exquisitely captured by Matt Clayton. It was a very comforting smile and his eyes communicated to me that everything will be alright. My sadness was washed away in an instant when those gentle eyes gazed back at me.
The next day I had tearful younger female fans, accompanied by Naree, who met with me at our office building canteen, seeking my help to gain access to David’s sound check at the nearby concert venue which could be viewed from the canteen’s windows. They felt so unlucky the whole week, unable to get close to the inaccessible David. I had refrained myself from pushing my weight on people I knew who could possibly help me because I was mindful of what my husband had discussed with me earlier that week. I had told them that I had no influence on people involved with the concert and that I had found peace by not expecting too much. They left me visibly depressed and helpless.
The concert organizers were very strict, and we attributed it to the H1N1 scare. Later that night, right after the concert, David came out with a vlog in which his demeanor appeared cheerful, but there was something sad in his eyes when he would look away from the camera. I believe he was as frustrated as all his fans were. But I think David eventually got his way as he left the hotel the next day to leave for the airport. There was an impromptu autograph session as David walked through the hotel hallway en route to the lobby and out to the vehicle that whisked him away to the airport. After all the behind the scene events that happened last year, I told myself, never again will I be a passive Archie fan and allow this to happen the next time David comes back to Manila.
Part 2 tomorrow.
The Voice David Archuleta 
amb4da said
Good Monday morning, guys~ quickly popped in to leave this quote that was in my Inbox today, (was more fitting for the last article, but had to post it here now.)
“I will not follow where the path may lead, but I will go where there is no path, and I will leave a trail.”
Muriel Strade
Made me think of David the trailblazer, the original…hard at work creating his own path, leaving his mark of choice these days.
Ok, no more off-topic…will be back to read this article later, which looks interesting…the Asian fans must be beside themselves about now….ahhhh, I know that feeling…………….it’s a Good Place! (had to say it.)
Have a great day, All~
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lct said
Round two of voting…
http://idolheaded.com/blog/2011/07/we-have-our-top-13-time-to-sing-all-time-idol-sing-off-begins-now/
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MT said
Ascphil
You were afraid we’d be bored? Not even close!! I love recaps and this one is great! I love that you have put so much detail into it. I can feel your dedication, your determination, your sadness when you missed him, your joy at meeting other fans, and your excitement about the possibility of getting close to David.
Your first installment is wonderfull ♥ and I am really looking forward to reading the rest of it.
Getting it in installments, it’s kind of like a short mystery novel. I can’t wait to find out how it all turns out!
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OmgDavid said
Good morning everyone! Acsphil…. Thanks for sharing your story. Can’t wait to read them all. Wish I could just pack up my stuff and visit family in Manila…haha! Very proud of fans and organizers from my home country. Hope to meet some of David’s fans soon.
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skydancer1x said
Ascphil, I LOVE all the details of your story, and can’t wait for the next chapter!
3.MT “Getting it in installments, it’s kind of like a short mystery novel. I can’t wait to find out how it all turns out!”
My sentiments exactly!
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MT said
Also, getting excited about the Asian Tour!! Less than a week!
New Pics, New Videos, New stories, and
♫ ♪ La, La, La, La, Laaaaa ….. ♪ ♫
♫ NEW MUSIC!!!!
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stenocruiser said
ascphil — oh my, this is fascinating. Can’t wait for the next instalment, and the next, and the next …..
Thank you for sharing your personal story.
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bluebar said
Once more, I am so appreciative of everyone who can put into words exactly what being a fan of David entails…
the ups, the downs – with all accompanying emotions.
Remember when David was presented with the “David is My Hero” book at his homecoming, May 2008?
He wrote about this experience in “Chords of Strength.”
From page 137:
“I couldn’t believe that someone would take the time to put something like this
together, with so much care and such attention to detail.” … “it was a gesture of total sweetness, pure love and support.”
ascphil – If David reads your recap, he might be saying the same thing to you, now!
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poof said
Ascphil, so fun and touching to read about your love and devotion to David. He So Totally Deserves it !
Totally off topic and way behind in the conversation, I have to to comment on relistening to David’s patriotic songs at SOF. I have been out of town and only quickly borrowing a computer when it was available, so I have been unable to “savor” David’s performances of the National Anthem and his medley. This morning, back home, and with the family gone, I Could Savor. I was totally blown away with the tender beauty and respect David gave these songs. Talk about Sweet Spots, I haven’t heard many things more touching than his final lines, “Land where my fathers died, Land of the Pilgrim’s pride”. He breathes life into lyrics I have listened to but haven’t heard, my entire life. Sorry to be so off topic, but when refering to the joy and genius of our boy, it never feels off topic for me.
Hope everyone is enjoying some fun summer weather. I am enjoying no snow on my hill!
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archiesfan4life said
Ascphil – loved reading your story and I am really looking forward to all the rest – thanks for sharing!
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ray said
hey guys theres a link over at fod to get tosod asien cd. they need at least 50 ,have 33 now go go go he he
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gladys said
There are many fans around the world and each of them want to david in their respective countries. I am not one exception. I am always amazed myself, as I have changed, the joy, tenderness and love I feel when I read that other people have met david.
I do not feel envy, I do not feel anger, I do not feel frustration, I feel only love for Ascphil, she kept his dream.
David has made me a different person, more flexible and rewarding.
David is so transparent, sometimes when I look at his eyes, I can read their moods. And now I read Ascphil, she can too.
I sincerely believe that Lupe and Jeff made a piece of art, but the person who finished this work of art is called David.
Ascphil, I am anxious to read the following chapters, I thank you for sharing with someone who lives so far from david.
Thank you from Argentina.
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bleubird19 said
Ascphil, I love this post! Installments are fine and your daughter’s photographs are lovely & capture David’s emotions when singing so well. I’m looking forward to the rest of the installments. In this first installment, I love how it shows David’s fans can be of all ages and come together and relate to each other. It shows that David’s fans, no matter where they are in the world, are so alike in their reasons for becoming and staying fans of him. I’m not a young fan and my husband thinks I’ve lost my mind, but that’s okay, he’s accepted it now … I think ;). Hope you all enjoy David’s concerts this coming couple of weeks!
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MT said
Bluebird19
“I’m not a young fan and my husband thinks I’ve lost my mind, but that’s okay, he’s accepted it now … I think ”
LOL Mine, too. I think.
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djafan said
Ascphil, I love recaps and this one is going to be a mini series! This is perfect preparation for the Asia concerts. I can’t wait to read the rest.
Bluebird19
“I’m not a young fan and my husband thinks I’ve lost my mind, but that’s okay, he’s accepted it now … I think ”
MT
LOL Mine, too. I think.
hahaha I think there are several of us in the same boat 🙂
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Fiona said
MT and Djafan, me too! 😉
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Hanna Park said
Count me in the’ lost my mind’ boat. lol.
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ray said
gladys.haven,t heard from you sent book,and cd on 7/5/11 should take a couple weeks
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djafan said
Hello Hanna Park!!!!!
I was asked yesterday by family if I was still into David..haha If they only knew 🙂
The MAN tweets! Porto’s yummy!
DavidArchie David Archuleta
Back in LA and rehearsals today, but just a quick stop at Porto’s first.
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bebereader said
Ascphil,
We’re so happy to present your recap to the fanbase! We appreciate your taking the time to give us all the details of each event. Thank you too for sharing how it feels to be a fan of this remarkable singer. Looking forward to reading the rest, every last detail!
We’ll be posting videos from the events mentioned in Ascphil’s recap.
Stay tuned.
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bebereader said
David’s vlog from Manila
May, 2009
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djafan said
New Stadium of Fire Crush. Nice angle.
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bebereader said
Manila Concert May 2009
Opening Number “Touch My Hand”
credit crystalangela94
“My Hands”
“Your Eyes Don’t Lie”
“Waiting For Yesterday”
credit coolstone
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Annie 318 said
Ascphil ~ I read your first installment with so much appreciation. A couple of years ago David was booked to appear on the Bonnie Hunt show. I was able to reserve 2 tickets to the show. I was ecstatic!! I asked a friend if she wanted to go. She lacks ODD but thinks David is ok. Well, at the last minute her husband took ill. My car was in the shop. There was just no way I could go. I felt just like you described. I was so blue and I couldn’t hide it. I was just moping around the house. My husband finally sat me down and said he was feeling concern for me. He’d never seen me act this way. Particularly about a young teen age boy that I don’t even know! Well, I got a grip & with great effort I was able to appear to get over it.
My husband knows I still have it bad for David. We just don’t talk about it. He’s amused that I have met other fans that are just like me. Crazy! I’m going with my Archie friends on 9/17 to Arizona to see David. So excited!!
I look forward to your next installment, Ascphil. You are an excellent writer and no detail is too small!
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ascphil said
Hello, guys!
I am kinda lost for words right now, ha ha! Let me get my bearings as this is still quite overwhelming for me…
Angelica surprised me with an email last Saturday about my lengthy DALIM2 experience being published in 5 parts. She did a fabulous job compressing it without losing the spirit of the story. I just woke up and I couldn’t believe my eyes when I opened my email just now to see so many links to responses to the first installment. So this is how it feels for a first-time contributor. It’s incredible and such an honor!
MT, Skydancer1x, Stenocruiser, Archiesfan4life, Djafan:
Thanks for being so appreciative of a detailed recap and looking forward to reading more of it. I hope I don’t disappoint you guys.
OmgDavid, are you Filipino, too? Kumusta? Glad to see you here and know there’s more of us Pinoy Archies even in the US.
Bluebar, I would love it if David could write back such a wonderful reference to my story. That would be heaven.
Bluebird19, Djafan, Fiona, Hanna Park:
Your husbands think you’ve lost your minds, but they now understand you. I think mine still doesn’t comprehend my ODD up
to now, lol!
Bebereader, thanks for attaching videos to my purely wordy submission. I wish I did more background work and provide links to YT vids. You guys do a great job with the articles!
I showed my daughter that her photos were published here. She had this wide-eyed expression and expressed shock that I submitted her photos. I could tell she was holding down her giddiness. She also finds my ODD incredulous.
My friend, Naree, texted me that after reading the first part she was feeling teary recalling the events of DALIM1. I’m flattered that she can’t wait to read the rest of the story.
Gosh, sorry for writing so much. And I thought I was lost for words. Sheesh!
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Jan said
Ascphil, thanks for a great, heartfelt post! Goes to show us that there is a central core on anything that has to do with David. All fans feel the same way about him and each other. I have never met a fan of David that was rude or overbearing in any way!
David is a great teacher. He has taught me a lot of things and I’m an “oldtimer”!! There is so much love and respect in him and all of us fans and I try to relate that to my friends and sometimes I gain another archiefan and sometimes I don’t. But I thank God that he’s in my life and I’m one of the lucky(smart) ones that “get” him!
And anytime we talk about David, we are never at a loss for words!! I never am!
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ascphil said
Gladys,
For someone who just learned the English language, you are amazngly expressive. I can feel your depth of love for David in your words. I felt that way too back in 2008 when I was dreaming of when I will ever see David perform live after reading about the AI7 tour and the experiences of fans back then. Keep the dream alive. Post everywhere and don’t hold back. Represent for Argentina. You did it with the Twitter trend last year. Someone somewhere is listening and will answer you. All good things come to those who wait.
Annie318,
I feel so much for you. I know that state of loneliness and being felt misunderstood for something that you feel so strongly about. It still puzzles me why other people couldn’t see what we see, feel what we feel for David when it is so clear and as bright as a sunny day. It is such a blessing to find other fellow Archies because there is a silent understanding between us all and it is that bond that keeps us going strong in our love for David.
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xaris said
I love your recap, Ascphil! The details are wonderful because they make us feel like we know you, and I’m anxious for the next installment! I’m so sorry your husband made you feel bad about your excitement for David’s visit and concert. I’m pretty sure my husband thinks I’m having a harmless mid-life crisis. He’s so happy I’m not out buying expensive cars or trying to have a fling with a friend’s personal trainer like some people we know, he could care less about a little fangirling. You know, you can attribute all sorts of odd behavior to hormones; men don’t know any better *giggle*.
Cheers all!
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tawna21 said
Ascphil, what a great recap!! It is not too long at all. I, personally, like long stories about David and fellow fans. I can’t wait for the next installment. I am so happy for all of you over there on that side of the world. DAVID IS COMING!! I hope you get to meet David, I really do. Your daughter’s photos are amazing! Hopefully she will be with you again this time. 🙂
I’m so lucky to have a husband that ‘gets’ David. It took some time, and I don’t know what ever changed him (I think it was Rexburg), but I love it that he’s there with me—not ODD, but very supportive. ❤
And, yes, the videos—can't wait to see the differences between then and now! It's gonna blow us away!
Tawna
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Shanny in Australia said
ASCPhil….I to LOVE your recap. I love to hear the details and can relate to many of your feelings. So looking forward to the next installment! 🙂
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Heidijoy said
Ascphil, Enjoyed your recap and admire your patience in giving us all the details. I’m so happy David gets such good receptions wherever he goes. You are in good company with Naree and JR. I look forward to hearing more and appreciate your time when you probably have trouble even sitting still.EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
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sweetonDA said
Ascphil, your recap is absolutely what we need right now. 5 installments will get us through until we have new video and pics. Your experience is so full of emotion. Thank you for taking the time to record it and let us in on your David adventures.
I don’t have a husband, but I have family members that think I am totally loony in my love for David! It doesn’t matter one bit to me what they think. He’s keeping me young at heart. 🙂
Like everyone else, I can’t wait for your next installment and more of your daughters pictures!
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Blueberry Ice said
Ascphil; I really enjoyed your post and so glad that you shared! Can’t wait for more. Lovely photo’s by your daughter too! If I’m ever made to feel bad about having ODD, I am so grateful to have a safe haven to come here and know that I’m not the only crazy one. Isn’t it wonderful to be a fan of such a remarkable young man? All the more reasons to go through whatever hoops is necessary to support and let David know how much he is appreciated. Hope that you’re able to experience this time around all that you had wished for before and everything more!
Bebe; Missed my chance to say how meaningful your previous post was. It takes guts to be a musical maverick and I respect David so much for his determination to stay true to his vision, ideals and belief in establishing his own musical identity even if it means taking some risks. No other artist has made such a lasting impression and touched my soul like David has. When the world hears his music, I hope that they will stop to learn more about the beautiful heart and person that makes David who he is. As it’s been said many times before, David is so much more than just his music. It is certainly what keeps me hooked for good.
Sky; A belated thank you for your awesome Hero’s GBA recap! I saw how skillfully you videotaped between the fence wires with your eagle-eyed precision, never losing sight of David!
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Ella said
Thanks great blogg
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