Originally Posted by milomom

I don't appreciate being told that I'm either stupid or ridiculous if I choose to stay home from shows if Richie isn't going to be there for an extended period of time. I've said that I'm going to give it a chance at the Atlanta show. But if it doesn't do it for me - if it isn't BON JOVI to me, should I really drive from Atlanta to Memphis, then drive from Memphis to St. Louis, then fly from St. Louis to Milwaukee, then ride from Milwaukee back to St. Louis, and then drive from St. Louis back to Atlanta (all in less than 5 days) to see 3 shows that are likely to leave me filled with regret? As I see it, that's what would be stupid or ridiculous. Some of you might have thought doing all that was ridiculous even when the whole band was going to be there, but it was something I was excited to do and was looking forward to. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe when I see the show in Atlanta it won't be as lacking as I think it will be. If that's the case, I'll put gas in the van and head out. But if not and I stay home, I don't think anyone has the right to judge me or tell me that I'm not a "real fan" or not supportive of the rest of the guys or any of the other things I've seen here and elsewhere.

Clearly the decision to go or not is going to be a very personal one and will be different for everyone. I'm not going to tell any of the rest of you what to do, nor am I going to judge you for what you might decide. Please try to have a little respect for the choices that I and other members of this board make, too.

I have friends on the rail in New Orleans today, and I have one friend who went on the trip with her friends but has opted not to go to the show. She has more shows coming up and is going to give it a try, but she wasn't ready to do it today. The choice she made might feel wrong to you, but it's what felt right to her. Could we just give each other a bit of a break?