"Ice Skating With Meat Loaf"
It was the week before Thanksgiving, 1995, and I was at work listening
to the radio, as I always do, when I heard the magic words, "Q-102 is
bringing Meat Loaf to town in honor of his newest release 'Welcome to the
Neighborhood' So come downtown on Monday and ice skate on Fountain Square
with Meat Loaf himself."
Being the Meat fanatic that I am, I could not believe my ears. Ice
skate with Meat? And I was on vacation the following week, which meant I
would have the whole day free to spend downtown with Meat himself. For once
Monday could not arrive soon enough.
The day dawned cold, but at 6:30 A.M. it was too early for sunshine this
November day. It was a magic day to me, which was why I was up so early
even though I did not have to work. Meat Loaf was due on Fountain Square at
7:00 A.M. and I wanted to be there when he arrived. In fact, I wanted to
bring him donuts. No, maybe I'll invite him to breakfast at this great
downtown restaurant. Hey, Meat was coming to my town, anything was
possible!
I parked my car downtown and walked several blocks to the square. With
me I had my photo from the fan club for Meat to autograph. But an autograph
was not the only thing I was after, I wanted to take my favorite entertainer
out to breakfast. I approached the square and saw several people skating on
the ice rink. I scanned their faces but didn't see anyone approaching Meat.
So I found a bench and sat down, thinking Meat had not arrived yet. There
was a small shed nearby with people milling around the entrance. After a
few minutes it dawned on me that something was going on in that shed. I
walked towards the door, when I heard people inside saying "thanks Meat."
Meat was already inside! Oh well, so much for the ice skating.
I walked inside and there he was - sitting in a chair behind a counter
tucked away in a corner was Meat himself. I approached him and the female
disk jockey sitting by his side greeted me. "So you're here to meet Meat
Loaf." "Yes," I said, "and I have a photo for him to autograph." She
admired my photograph while Meat reached for it with his hand. I turned to
him and said all I could think of to say in his majestic presence, "It's
nice to meet you Meat. I've been a fan for a long time." He thanked me and
asked my name to personalize the autograph. I thanked him, then did the
only thing that seemed left for me to do. I turned and walked away.
I sat on the bench outside for a few minutes. How could I leave this
place where Meat was? I hadn't even had the chance to ask him to breakfast.
It seemed like the radio station people didn't want him to come outside the
shed. Oh well, if I sit here much longer they might think I am a stalker,
so maybe I had better leave. I hated to leave, all the while I walked back
to my car I kept thinking I was leaving Meat behind.
When I got in my car and turned on the radio, I realized the station was
live on the air with an interview with Meat. I listened to it all the way
home, and after I got home I stood transfixed by the radio while Meat
introduced songs from WTTN, an album I had not put down since I had bought
it several weeks before. It was wonderful listening to Meat. Since I had
not been lucky enough (or had the brains enough) to take a picture of Meat
that morning, I knew I had to commemorate this day somehow. So I had my
husband take a picture of me with the newly autographed photo of Meat I had
gotten signed that very morning. That picture of Meat that says "To Laurie,
Love Meat Loaf" hangs at my desk to this very day. I got another autograph
from Meat the following year, but on that photo he didn't not write my name.
That personalized, autographed photo of Meat is one of my cherished
possessions.
And that is the story of this photo. The day is still so fresh in my
mind, even 3-1/2 years later. I hope to meet Meat again. It is a dream I
carry with me every day.
I find Meat's music is good for the soul. And I need that right now,
because my soul is weary. I have three wonderful children who have given me
three grandchildren (with one on the way) - but my kids are not ready to be
parents! I could go on for pages and pages, but who needs to hear it all?
I haven't seen Meat in 3 years, and I need to see him live this summer.
I know there are many of you that find Meat's music helps you in your
everyday life. Tell me your stories, why Meat's music is so good for the
soul, because there is nothing better to help get through life's
tribulations.
Laurie Skaggs
Cincinnati, Ohio
Return To MEAT~EOR IMPACT!!!!
It was the week before Thanksgiving, 1995, and I was at work listening
to the radio, as I always do, when I heard the magic words, "Q-102 is
bringing Meat Loaf to town in honor of his newest release 'Welcome to the
Neighborhood' So come downtown on Monday and ice skate on Fountain Square
with Meat Loaf himself."
Being the Meat fanatic that I am, I could not believe my ears. Ice
skate with Meat? And I was on vacation the following week, which meant I
would have the whole day free to spend downtown with Meat himself. For once
Monday could not arrive soon enough.
The day dawned cold, but at 6:30 A.M. it was too early for sunshine this
November day. It was a magic day to me, which was why I was up so early
even though I did not have to work. Meat Loaf was due on Fountain Square at
7:00 A.M. and I wanted to be there when he arrived. In fact, I wanted to
bring him donuts. No, maybe I'll invite him to breakfast at this great
downtown restaurant. Hey, Meat was coming to my town, anything was
possible!
I parked my car downtown and walked several blocks to the square. With
me I had my photo from the fan club for Meat to autograph. But an autograph
was not the only thing I was after, I wanted to take my favorite entertainer
out to breakfast. I approached the square and saw several people skating on
the ice rink. I scanned their faces but didn't see anyone approaching Meat.
So I found a bench and sat down, thinking Meat had not arrived yet. There
was a small shed nearby with people milling around the entrance. After a
few minutes it dawned on me that something was going on in that shed. I
walked towards the door, when I heard people inside saying "thanks Meat."
Meat was already inside! Oh well, so much for the ice skating.
I walked inside and there he was - sitting in a chair behind a counter
tucked away in a corner was Meat himself. I approached him and the female
disk jockey sitting by his side greeted me. "So you're here to meet Meat
Loaf." "Yes," I said, "and I have a photo for him to autograph." She
admired my photograph while Meat reached for it with his hand. I turned to
him and said all I could think of to say in his majestic presence, "It's
nice to meet you Meat. I've been a fan for a long time." He thanked me and
asked my name to personalize the autograph. I thanked him, then did the
only thing that seemed left for me to do. I turned and walked away.
I sat on the bench outside for a few minutes. How could I leave this
place where Meat was? I hadn't even had the chance to ask him to breakfast.
It seemed like the radio station people didn't want him to come outside the
shed. Oh well, if I sit here much longer they might think I am a stalker,
so maybe I had better leave. I hated to leave, all the while I walked back
to my car I kept thinking I was leaving Meat behind.
When I got in my car and turned on the radio, I realized the station was
live on the air with an interview with Meat. I listened to it all the way
home, and after I got home I stood transfixed by the radio while Meat
introduced songs from WTTN, an album I had not put down since I had bought
it several weeks before. It was wonderful listening to Meat. Since I had
not been lucky enough (or had the brains enough) to take a picture of Meat
that morning, I knew I had to commemorate this day somehow. So I had my
husband take a picture of me with the newly autographed photo of Meat I had
gotten signed that very morning. That picture of Meat that says "To Laurie,
Love Meat Loaf" hangs at my desk to this very day. I got another autograph
from Meat the following year, but on that photo he didn't not write my name.
That personalized, autographed photo of Meat is one of my cherished
possessions.
And that is the story of this photo. The day is still so fresh in my
mind, even 3-1/2 years later. I hope to meet Meat again. It is a dream I
carry with me every day.
I find Meat's music is good for the soul. And I need that right now, because my soul is weary. I have three wonderful children who have given me three grandchildren (with one on the way) - but my kids are not ready to be parents! I could go on for pages and pages, but who needs to hear it all? I haven't seen Meat in 3 years, and I need to see him live this summer.
I know there are many of you that find Meat's music helps you in your everyday life. Tell me your stories, why Meat's music is so good for the soul, because there is nothing better to help get through life's tribulations.
Laurie Skaggs
Cincinnati, Ohio
Return To MEAT~EOR IMPACT!!!!