10-12-13

[Pat5533]

I really wish my phone wasn't on 6% the whole time she was performing, but she killed it and I wish more of you could have been there. Unfortunately, that couldn't be. However, much, MUCH thanks to the hosts for opening their home to us. I brought a friend with me and he loved it so much that he was even recording some of her performance. And that was a goal of mine. I finally remembered to ask Haley about a number of things that had been plaguing me since I saw her at the HoB, namely Black Velvet and her take on Janelle Monae's most recent project among other things. I even told her about my wishful thinking when it came to a show with her, Keith and Casey just to put the idea in her head. I don't know if that'll ever come to fruition, but I hope it does. All in all it was a great night. The stand out performances for me were Don't Know Why, Stay With Me, and Blue. Free's arrangement was brilliant and My Cake was probably the most fun. It was great to finally meet Pat, who has really firm handshake lol.

Juanita, that is too funny. I’ve never been told that before but I guess I must have been channeling my Adrian Peterson handshake. Lol. It was great to finally meet you too, the most prolific tweeter I know and a real sweetie. I liked your friend too.

Being one of the lucky Haliens that attended this magical private event, I’d like to share a few things about the day. Firstly, I was blown away by the incredibly beautiful setting overlooking the ocean and then by evidence of the enormous amount of work that had been done to prepare for this event. It appeared that every detail had been thought of and looked perfect in every way. There was a professional looking stage, lighting and sound system (the sound crew was still setting up) and sitting areas for viewing. Some of us got to the event early and wanted to help any way we could. Even though everything had been done already, we were able to help with a few last minute things like putting out refreshments and setting out some of the food. Another Halien and myself offered to help greet the guests as they arrived and find their cool name badges for them to wear. This put me smack dab in the path of Haley and Harry when they arrived. I could hear Haley talking way before I saw her and when she saw me, she said, “I didn’t know you were going to be here” and gave me a big hug. I told her I was one of the fortunate Haliens that was invited. I introduced myself to Harry and he said he knew who I was and that he recognized me from some pictures. Greeting the guests was a lot of fun and I’m really happy I had the opportunity to do that. It gave me a chance to see and briefly meet just about every guest. We had fun teasing some of them when they said they looked like Haley tonight (since her picture was on the badge) and we said we were going to have a Haley look-alike contest. I didn’t recognize anyone (no one I recognized as obviously famous) and some were familiar with Haley and some less so. Everyone was so nice and enthusiastic to be there and to hear her sing, so the goal of gaining more support for Haley looked like it was achieved. I met a woman who asked me where she could find out more about Haley and if she had a website. I told her she does, but its outdated and that the best place to go for Haley information was Haleyfans and sent her the address in an email. I met Keith’s manager David and two of his friends Veronica and Joe when they came in. I told them that I love Keith to death but I cannot understand half of what he says on twitter. This got a big laugh from Keith and his friends. Urban Dictionary (his recommendation) is now my friend! Keith surrounds himself with a great circle of friends and I had a great time interacting with them! I really enjoyed him singing Happy. He is one very talented young man!!

I really have to give mad props to Rachel and Tusk who can watch a performance, tape, tweet and Instagram all at the same time. They can multitask with ease and leave me in the dust!!

I had front row viewing throughout. During the first set, I was standing right by the speaker, but I moved front and center during the second set. Between sets, Rachel and I saw Haley’s set lists and realized she was going to sing Undone, which got us excited! Then during the second set, she passes over it and when it looks like she is almost finished for the night and hasn’t done Undone, Juanita, Rachel and I, start chanting Undone. She probably figured we weren't going to let it go and she reluctantly said something about hoping she doesn't cry and that she was doing it for the hostess and Pat. That melted my heart right there. I realize she didn’t really want to do and it was kind of an emotional night for her anyway having her dad there and everything, but it was sooo nice of her to do it. It was so lovely and amazing to finally hear it in person. I didn’t realize until I saw Rachel’s video that she had her eyes closed a lot during the performance as I had my eyes closed a part of the time too!

I loved the lighthearted banter between Haley and her dad and she seemed loose, relaxed, and in good humor all night. I loved all the songs she did but if I had to pick, my favorites of the night were Undone, Blue (which I think sounded even better than when she did it on the show), Dream a Little Dream, Don’t Know Why, If I Fell, Can’t Find My Way Home, Bennie and the Jets and My Cake. Haha. That’s probably half of them, but it was so cool to hear songs that I haven’t heard her sing before and ones that she is familiar doing with her dad. The harmonies were so just so beautiful.

Thanks so much to the generosity of the hosts to include some of us Haliens in this amazing event.

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^^Very nice! Haley does love her gifts! hahha She really liked Pat's present too!

Thanks Babbs. I actually got the idea from Yanni who said that when he gave her a Beatles print at BG Days (which she loved ) she said she needed things for her walls. When I saw this tweet later I really liked it and I thought it captured her personality and would be good on a picture of something. I finally settled on a picture of Santorini, Greece which I suspected has sentimental value. I wanted to put the whole quote on but decided it was too many words and didn't look good so I settled on just the first part.

I was blown away by Tusk's gift to her. It was so imaginative and well done. It was even more impressive seeing it in person. After he gave Haley his gift I was hesitant about stealing his thunder and I wanted her to savor his gift, but I didn't know if I would get another chance to give it to her, so I thought it'd be now or never and went ahead. She seemed to like it and even showed it to her dad in the picture that Rachel posted "father and daughter moment".

@HaleyReinhart: I'd rather play my own cards, then to follow suit..♦♠♥♣
#Create your own #destiny & watch it thrive.