Dear all, I do actually agree as well with the point Jeremy made. The last couple of years I have had the chance to go to quite some events including Tuscany, Central park, etc. but Jer, Fred and Andrea know that I am not willing to spend all that money for trips, etc. as I have a family to support as well (albeit without kids at the moment). However, we all had a great time when meeting up in France for the start of the European BND tour. And that was something I didn't want to miss at all! The same in Rotterdam ... The point is that if you want to achieve those things you have to sacrifice things in life as well. Surely Jeremy didn't imply that other people who are not willing to do the sacrifices are less a fan, but complaining about it as a fan is useless. Either you do the (financial) efforts and you go, or you don't and you are happy for those who can. I know that after Tuscany I was delighted receiving mails from Giovanni, Fred, Jeremy, Andrea, and many others that attended it, knowing they had a great time, and knowing at the same time as well that the promo CD would be in my hand first ,-). There is some luck involved as well of course, but perseverence is the best description of all. So, you want to go to the R&RHOF? Go to e- bay and pay 2000-3000 us dollars (minimum) for a tix, they will be available soon there. Or you are not willing to pay that, well then, you await the VH1 broadcast or get a nice bootleg of it ... those are the choices and every one of them is a choice that you make. To finish this mail: let's all hope that stew, andy and sting want to cash in a lot and decide to go on tour again... then everyone will be happy. Geia! Karel (Athens, Greece) ----- Original Message ----- From: amaryll <amaryll@gis.net> Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2002 2:59 pm Subject: Re: [Police] Luck of the draw?

I second your thoughts Michelle. If true fandom is to be saved for thosepeople who have a large disposable income which allows them to travel the world, pay mucho cash for transportation, hotels, and good seats, and those fans who do not have to show up at a job every day to support their families, then we are in fact narrowing Sting's fan base down to a smallelite group of people. I think it's very consescending to sit back and tell the large majority of fans that they, too, could get tickets to the HOF show if only they loved the band enough to miss tons of work, get babysitters for their kids, and amass a huge amount of debt. Not to mention, there are only a very small number of seats available in the first place, so even if 100 of us put in the time and effort you describe, we would not all be given seats. I don't begrudge you your persistence and good fortune in getting to see him so often and so close, that's great that you have the time and money to do this, but I do begrudge your attitude that anyone can do this, and your implied message that anyone who doesn't just isn't a good enough fan to deserve to see them . marilyn

on 11/13/02 9:39 AM, Stingfan222@aol.com at Stingfan222@aol.com wrote:

...

It's a wonderful thought---always being there in hopes of "getting in", but for me, reality is responsibility to my family. I know how much effort it took on my part just to go to the 5 or so shows from BND, not on the travel/tourning part, but my family. How does one explain to 3 little kids "mom's gone looney." For what? When it boils down to it, to see a band. Can I pack up and go to Italy, NY, wherever just for the "chance" of getting in? I guess I'm just frustrated because I'm feeling like (due to this discussion) I'm a lesser Police/Sting fan just because I haven't made that "extra effort." What really defines a "Real" fan vs. a "non real" fan? I'm having a hard time with this now, because I think I'm one of the biggest one out there---at least in the top 100!

Cheers! Michelle (some snipped) _