DEELY'S ADVENTURES

Hi! My name is Deely, the "I Love Neil Diamond" teddy bear. The idea for my adventures was born when Karen Geary, a life-long fan of Neil Diamond, decided it might be fun for me to accompany Neil Diamond fans in their daily lives and adventures. And I want to tell you, it was quite an adventure. I went on a huge trip around the globe, and met some of the best people in the whole world! This journal consists of photos taken by many of the fans who hosted me as well as the entries that those hosts entered in my travel journal. Some of the photos appear to be small. That's because they are thumbnails. If you want to see the big picture, just click on the thumbnail, and the big picture will pop up. I hope you enjoy reading about my adventures. It all started in Memphis.....

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE November 18-December 3, 1999

Deely Visits The Pyramid in Memphis As I said above, I began my adventures in Memphis, Tennessee, where my travel agent, Karen Geary lives. She and I visited the Pyramid. What a huge arena! I heard there was a big crowd here when Neil last appeared in Memphis.

The Giant Ramses Statue Outside The Pyramid I had my picture taken with this Giant! See me? I'm that little white fleck below the Giant's feet! Please come back to Memphis, Neil! I was pretty impressed with this giant, but......

I Wanna Be Your Teddy Bear! ...I was more impressed with another giant. It was "The King" himself. No, not King Errisson, but Elvis Presley! The statue was located at the entrance of Beale Street. The statue features Elvis at the beginning of his career, singing and playing his guitar. I swear, you could almost hear him singing, "Teddy Bear!"

Ron Tutt's Hat at The Memphis Hard Rock Cafe Ron Tutt sure does have a big head! His cowboy hat is on display at the Hard Rock Cafe on Beale Street. There's also a plaque stating the number of years Ron played in the TCB band. (That's Elvis' band.)

Barry Who? My last stop in Memphis was a visit to the star-studded sidewalk around the Orpheum Theatre. I couldn't find a star for Neil, but there was one for Barry Manilow, whoever that is.

CINCINNATI, OHIO December 7, 1999

Deely in Cincinnati for Neil's Concert Eydie, Jan, Sue and I went to Neil's concert tonight. Sue came all the way from Tucson, Arizona, to see the show! We had a blast! See the arena over my left shoulder?

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA December 8, 1999

Christmas Tree in the Hotel Where Neil Slept I went to the concert in Indianapolis with Sue, Jan and Eydie. After "Hello Again," Neil threw a big kiss to us. Those girls nearly fainted! I thought I was gonna have to call 9-1-1. At the hotel, we saw Neil, but I also saw Kid Rock. His camera crew couldn't believe I was there to see Neil instead of Kid. I thought to myself, "Can't you people read? Does my shirt say 'I Love Kid Rock???'"

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT December 11, 1999

Breakfast in Hartford Today I met up with Lois and we joined her Neil Diamond friends for breakfast. After breakfast, we all drove to Wilkes-Barre, where we checked out the new arena!

WILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA December 12-14, 1999

Breakfast in Wilkes-Barre Here I am with Lois, Debbie, Janice and Linda at Denny's.

I Love Touring! Lois and I were talking about concerts over coffee.

More Talk Over Breakfast Lois, Debbie, Janice, Kathy and I are shown here discussing hotels and what time bus call will be tonight!

My New Friend You never know who you're going to meet in a bar! Lois, Vince Charles and I partied in Wilkes-Barre.

Neil's Fans are Wild! Tonight, I was introduced to my first glass of wine and my first beer. I am such a party animal! You know what they say....Eat, Drink and be Merry!

We Got Seats Where??? At dinner at Friday's, Lois and I celebrated because we went to the box office and found out there were FRONT ROW seats available! How lucky can a bear who loves Neil Diamond get?

Celebration! Well....I have developed a taste for beer! After the show, we went to the hotel lounge and chatted with Vince and Hadley until....well, just until....!

YES! The Diamondheads took me with them everywhere today. Even bus call!!! When the band came, there was a camera-snapping frenzy! Neil stopped for a few minutes to let everyone take pictures. This is my "YES" sign for the song, "Can Anybody Hear Me?"

Ohhhhhhhhhhh You know what they say: Eat, Drink and Be Merry....They forgot to tell me about Hangovers!

Shhhhhhhhh! Lois got up at 6am so she could watch Vince be interviewed on one of the local TV shows. Kathy took care of me and introduced me to a cure for a hangover -- hot coffee -- Shhhhh! Not so loud!

Another New Friend Lois introduced me to Scott Kelly. Now we're talkin'! Another teddy bear who loves Neil Diamond! Scott and I chatted while the ladies went all over town looking for newspapers with Neil on the front page!

Can We Be Part of the NDRRT? Lois and I found some very interesting moving vans.

All This for an Overnight Stay?? Kathy, Janice and me leaving the Wilkes-Barre hotel. (I'm the one on top of everything!) I overheard them talking about stowing me away to Chicago! I wonder what adventure I'll find there!

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS December 16-17, 1999

Hard Rock Bears! I got to visit some of my cousins at Chicago's Hard Rock Cafe.

Refreshment at the Hard Rock Cafe You know what they say: Things go better with Coke! I love Chicago, but it is BIG!

Relief! Kevin and I excused ourselves from the ladies and the loud music and took a trip to the "Little Boy's Room" at the Hard Rock Cafe in Chicago.