My ride on the rocket ship!

I am not sure how long you train to be an astronaut.  I expect it may take longer than 1 year and 8 months but that is how long I have been preparing for my trip to the far away planet called Planet Fierce.  As I made final preparations for my first flight, I came to understand that there were several people who made the journey possible and I want to thank a few of you by name before I share the actual experience with all you.

First of all, my husband who played the role of mission control.  During the flight and exploration of the glitter encrusted planet called Fierce, he did an incredible job of keeping me tethered to the Earth.  There were many moments that I could have easily lost all connection to reality.  He was like gravity, constantly holding on to me to keep me from becoming lost forever in outer space. 

While he gave me free rein to explore and celebrate the awe and wonder of this beautiful experience, he was always the calming voice, the strong shoulder, the lifeline that brought me back to earth and reality.  He even provided the tissues during the moments that I became so emotionally overwhelmed that I could not hold back the tears of joy.

Next I have to acknowledge my dear friend and fellow astronaut, Linda who I met only a few short months ago.  She provided not only the rocket ship that carried us on our journey; she was there to share the experience.  Though we have only known each other for a few months, we have now shared an experience that has created a bond that will last for the rest of our lives.

The next person who made it possible for me to actually meet and speak with the Glittery Alien himself is Nancy.  When I knew that I was booked for the journey but missed out on the limited opportunity to have a private audience with the Leader of Planet Fierce, she sacrificed her pass to allow me, a total stranger to have the most remarkable 20 minutes of my life.

Though it is impossible for me to mention by name the others who supported my mission, the group called the Florida Glambs, were my support staff, mentors, fellow astronauts and dear, dear friends. All of you ladies are amazing and the trip would not have been possible and certainly not nearly as memorable and fun without you.  We have spent many months planning and preparing for the journey.  We all had hoped it would be a once in a lifetime experience and I believe, at least for me, it exceeded my wildest dreams.  For the rest of my life, I will be thanking God for bringing each of you into my life.

From the first day that we all entered into our agreement to share this journey, we had a common goal; Riding the rocket ship to Planet Fierce to see and hear the Glittery Alien.  We were so excited and so nervous, yet each of us knew that at the end of the trip we would be changed forever. 

We spent 48 hours on that planet, 2-3 hours of actually being in the presence of the Glittery Alien (Adam Lambert for those who do not know) and the memories of those two days will last for as long as we live.  The experience was one that I am still reliving over and over in my mind and heart.  I have photos and videos to prove that I was actually there.  I am glad that I recorded the experience since it was so surreal that it was actually difficult to remember to breath and impossible to absorb all that was taking place.

As for the Glittery Alien himself, he was so much more than I could have hoped for.  That is a huge statement since my expectations were the highest that I had probably ever had in my entire life.  I had made a study of this creature since January 2009.  I had spent countless hours each day tracking his every move, reading about others who had made the journey and been in his presence.  I have watched recorded videos of him entertaining the devoted masses who have pledged their allegiance to this indescribable young alien.  I thought if I knew more about him and I studied the words of those who had gone before me to this planet; it would allow me to be more prepared for my moment.

Before going in to enjoy the show that Adam Lambert came to perform, I was allowed to have a few minutes to meet him personally and in private.  Though there were 25-30 others who were there in the room to have their own time with Adam, he made a point to make each of us feel like we were the only reason that he was there.  We all knew the crazy schedule that he has kept over the past several months.  He has met hundreds of thousands of us, yet he took time with each of us.  Chatting as if we were his friends, allowing us to hug him and be near his magic as he signed his name on whatever silly pieces of paper or other earthly possessions we asked him to sign.  He smiled, laughed, looked each person in the eyes and spoke directly to us as if we were the only person that was in the room.

Once it became time to go into the show, we joined a group of 2000 in an auditorium that was bursting with energy like nothing that I had ever felt in my life.  Looking around the room, you saw a collection of every type of earthly being.  Young, old, male, female, gay and straight.  The room sparkled with color from the skin to the makeup, glitter and jewelry being worn by the masses of humanity who came to honor this remarkable young man.  We all agreed that the time before the show starts is an unexpected experience that brings such a level of joy.  When the entire world seems to be at war and under constant stress, here in this room for this time, we all loved, laughed, danced and sang together and shared a bond unlike anything that we have ever imagined.

When Adam takes the stage, the rocket ship launches and you are transported to that far away planet called Fierce for the most amazing hour of your life.  It is still so hard for me to describe just how it felt.  Honestly, I am now wiping tears again.  The music is out of this world, the costumes, the dancers, the stage show, the voice.  It is so apparent that Adam is the one who directs the entire process. I do not think a mere human could possibly comprehend how he does what he does.  I am more convinced than ever that Adam Lambert is not one of us.  A mere mortal has no power to bring 2000 people to ecstasy with just a thrust of a hip, a tilt of a shoulder, a mischievous smile or by hitting that one perfect note and holding it until it seems to release chemicals in the brains of those listening that makes us crave the next release.

Adam Lambert was not only the alien that the magical rocket ship transported us to see, he was the captain of the ship, he was the navigator that kept all of us traveling along the same orbit, he was the one that gave us energy to endure the journey, he was the mentor who taught us all how to live, laugh, sing, dance and love one another. 

I hope someday, all creatures of the earth will see that we need to pay attention to the message being sent back to earth from the Glittery Alien from Planet Fierce.  It is absolutely possible for all people of all nations, all backgrounds, all races, all religions and all lifestyles to gather together and share experiences that will change the way we interact with one another.  Adam Lambert has often said that he tried out for American Idol when he did because it was the right time.  As I look back over the last few days and I look around at the state of the world, I see the brilliance of this statement.  Adam is the man (or the alien) who God has sent to lead us through these difficult times by allowing us to enjoy the ride.  There may be bumps along the way but the journey is one that I hope all of you will book a ticket for.