Now, since this is my first day, you get all the grimy details of how I got here, what it's like to be on tour and how the shows are.

6:30pm
Take a golf cart to the bus, which turns out to be called "Cheetah" since it's the big yellow Kodak bus. The inside smells like a hotel, which is fine with me--it could have smelled like rotting pizza and stale smoke--but it doesn't. Put stuff in top, top bunk, as the bunks are stacked in three's and they resembled what I picture a submarine to look like. They're cute though, and tiny. The whole bus is pretty nice, even when my escort flips on a light.

7:00
It's bizarre to be sitting right behind the stage eating dinner and listening to Missy Elliot play, when just a few short hours ago I was sitting in the office in Manhattan. I had no idea what I was in for.

This is really cool.

7:10pm
Just got an "All Access" pass!! It's cool, it's got my photo on it and everything. Woah, there's some lady giving massages on a padded table in the dining area. I've just been left to my own devices for awhile. OK, I should go and check out the rest of what's going on.

Ahh, but first, dessert.

7:15pm
Well, I promised myself that when I saw the musicians, I wouldn't freak out and get all star-struck and fan-like. But, Amy Ray of the Indigo girls is sitting at the table across from me talking with some friends and I'm trying so hard not to stare. OK, inside I'm freaking out, but I'm just going to sit here and act like this happens everyday.

8:00pm
I was dying to get to the top of the stadium, so I hiked up three levels and climbed to the last row of seats. From that vantage point during the Indigo Girls set, I had a great view of the two non-ticket holding fans who tried to outrun the cops and security and SWIM to the stage. They tried twice and the last I saw they were wearing the shiny cuffs, but they get points in my book for trying.

9:30
I decided to Lilify myself and made a few purchases in the Village. Among the Indian incense, goddess nail polish and henna body art, I chose a neato clear pair of small frame sunglasses: $12. One thick hemp, purple beaded choker: $15 and couldn't decide between a tank top or a tank dress, so I wound up with neither. I could easily blow all my money here.

10:30
I discovered that with this "All Access" pass, I'm able to go to this special, raised part of the stage where you literally hang over the performers during their set. We dangled above, Ash, Sarah's drummer and husband during the night's last performance. Between the intensity of the crowd and Sarah's wailing voice, I was enraptured. Decked out in a blue and green velvety dress, she marched up and down the stage proclaiming, "And I won't be denied!"

Watching the band from the back is like feeling you're a part of the show. It started to pour and the crowd didn't budge. What was really amazing and unlike anything I've ever heard in my life was the deafening roar of the audience as they screamed and cheered for Sarah to return for an encore.

Midnight
After being warned a dozen times about the bus bathroom situation and how sleeping on the top, top bunk is the worst place to be when the 45 foot bus rounds a corner, I took a deep breath and entered the bus to meet my eight other busmates. Chowing down on pizza and beer, the introductions started and in no time I was holding a Heineken and a lukewarm slice of cheese pizza and explaining why I am here.