1985
IN THE BEGINNING..
I was 13 years old. I was at a slumber party with the radio on as the usual entertainment. That night was "all requests live" in my small town and someone (now known as my Angel Of Music) requested "People Are People" by Depeche Mode.
As it played, I was half listening and half wondering what a "Depeche" was when I heard the distinct "DONG DONG DONG" part of the song followed by the most intense lyrics I had ever heard. I called the radio DJ and begged him to play it again so I could record it off-air to cassette tape. At 4:30am, I had it copied to my see-through lime tinted TDK tape as I listened intently while watching my friends sleep.
I was smitten. My love affair with DM had begun.
(Me at 13 complete with a Swatch watch, braces, electric blue eyeshadow and the
once-popular Forenza paisley print top)
1988 I love this pic , I'm 19, DG is 29. And I'm even published: Anyone notice how they used the British spelling of the word "favorite"? Interesting.
THE LOCKET
Me at 16 years old & a Junior in High School. I wore this locket from 1988 until I lost it around 1992.
More locket pics through the school years:
And who is pictured in the locket?
One side was Martin and the other Dave-this is a picture of the "interior locket pics":
(Sorry Fletch and Alan, there was only room for 2 pics!)
And although you can't see it, I was wearing the locket when I met Robert Smith in 1992, so the boys were always the closest to my heart. ;)
1989
My address book from High School-Under "D"
Memorable side note to this entry...the "Jamie D" first listed (a high school crush) once called me 'my little one'. To this day I'm not sure if it was DM-related or not, but I will never forget it.
Another lucky DM charm of mine...I carried this wallet size picture in my purse for 4 years. I still have it, but don't carry it 24/7 anymore.
Don't they say imitation is the highest form of flattery? I bought the hat especially. I'm 17 in this pic.
The two pictures below I had framed since they were on fancy Kodak paper and they sat on my nightstand from 1989-1992. I still have them in the same frames, but they are now happy in the basement and not on my nightstand.
My Bedroom in High School (1989)
1990-1991
Not sure why, but after being arrested in 1991- (and still drunk when this pic was taken) I found it imperative I hold Martin's pic along with my "citation for underage drinking".
Yes, impossible to read but this is my very worn ticket to the 1990 Violator Show at World Music Theater.
And my Freshman Year College Dorm Room (1990) - Framed pics now on my study desk and notice the shiny locket!
Some of my covetable (yes, that's a word) BONG issues
My college calendar where every important date existed.
2 things about this date (besides my b-day), notice the "R" in the upper right corner? That was code for "RAG" meaning I was having my menstrual cycle this day. The other thing...
My brother made me this button as a B-day present..."ML Gore", with a picture of a clown in the middle (HALO Video).
Oh, and of course the locket.
And also on my B-day, Mom brought me a "Violator Rose" Cookie.
Check out 1/21, which warranted an exclamation mark.
Not only is my cycle regular, so are my priorites!
College Room Decor Thru the Years
WORLD VIOLATION - THE BOOK
My best friend Tami (since the 7th grade) and I disappontedly had to part after high school to attend different colleges. States apart, we stayed connected by writing a chapter each about "our lives" with DM.
It's over 200 pages.
Rivoting plot lines include Dave being rushed to Basildon General Hospital due to the combination of his overly tight white jeans and abnormally small head;
Martin making a leather table cloth out of the excess material from his leather shorts & chains outfit. Martin's hat also served as a portable toilet for throw up for the drunken nights we spent together as a 4-some. Also, the only car we drove was the tiny one from Behind The Wheel/Never Let Me Down videos.
The dedication page(above), and the back cover:
MTV 120 Minutes
Promoted a meet and greet w/ DM to whoever's post card was pulled -
(original notes)
Catch was, you had to be 21. I was not so I sent in over 100 postcards with my mother's info. Sadly, (my mother) and I did not win.
MLG's COMPULSION ruled my world:
1993
Original Journal Entry
Christmas Morning
Besides DM, I love cheesy musicals.
The Most Memorable Two Days Ever
Backstage Pass from the SOFAD Tour - Boston (Worcester arena)MA. "Dr. Feelgood" was on this tour, which I thought at the time was a bit psychotic. No pun intended. This is the only picture I have of me before the show, and also the pass when I went w/ Fletch the following evening to see The The perform in Boston at The Venus de Milo Club on 9/10/1993 to be precise.
Original Journal Entry written at age 21-
Typed out since the handwritten journal is 12 pages long but still unedited. (Although there are parts that now at age 36 I'm a bit embarrassed by, but anyway on with the story).....
July 1993 Fletch also kept trying to get me drunk as a joke - he was kidding around. I just remember being so in awe & nervous I could barely speak & make mere conversation.
"Strange that I left off in this journal w/ DM, 'cause Tami and I recently got concert tix for Sept. 10th. I can't wait! I am finding Martin Gore!!!"
October 1993
"Yes, I did meet DM a month ago. I'm trying to repress this memory, 'cause I'd go insane if I keep thinking about it. It still doesn't seem real! Here's the very shortened version:
1. At the concert - in the front row - was given a backstage pass out of the blue by a DM worker. It must have been my bustier & dancing style. Of course Tami didn't get one. Shit like that only (& always) happens to me. :) ?
2. After the show I ditched a very pissed off Tami to go backstage for a meet and greet with DM. They wouldn't let her back & she was being the biggest bitch about it. She embarrassed the hell out of me. But, I wasn't missing a chance to meet DM.
3. Backstage - we all go into this room with soda etc. and then were taken into another room. Once there, the 1st person I saw was Martin! I was going to die! Then I spotted Fletch on the couch who was totally checking me out. I had no clue what to do or say so I asked Martin for a beer which he gladly gave me. If I wasn't already drunk, I would have passed out on the fucking floor! I still couldn't talk to him so I ventured over to Fletch and chatted with him for like 1/2 an hour. Of course I wasn't scared of 'ol Fletch! He told me they were staying at the 4 Seasons for the next 2 days. Martin then came over and convinced Fletch to play table soccer or whatever. As people were leaving, I saw Alan and I ended up bumming a ride from complete strangers back to Boston. It was the longest car trip in my life!
4. They dropped me off on Boylston, so being still drunk and excited, I jumped in a cab and went to the 4 Seasons. I still don't know exactly why I did it.
5. At the hotel, Fletch & Martin were drinking w/ some girls so I felt incredibly stupid like some intruder or something so I went to the bar by myself. Then, I watched from the glass mirrors as Fletch came walking over. I was praying that he would come talk to me and he did just that! He was glad to see I made it home and then invited me to join him for a drink. I went over after Martin left and sat. I still could not bear to be near that man! :)
6. Well....Fletch and I talked for a long time and before he went to bed we made "arrangements" for Saturday. Me and Fletch on "a date!" He invited me to go see The The at Venus. Aaahhh! So when I left, he's like "see you tomorrow". He also told me the alias he stays under - "Osgood".
7. The next day I spent wondering if I really did have a date w/ him so I ended up calling him to make sure. The strangest thing about this whole event was actually being able to pick up the phone and call Andy Fletcher of DM and get right thru to him and actually talk! Anyway, the date was still on.
8. Tami and I went to the hotel, of course I had to bring her along. I called Fletch again and he met us in the lobby. We then all went into the bar where Dave was. He is so beautiful, but he wasn't speaking, he was saving his voice. Not to sound cliche, but Dave really does have a certain god-like aura around him, it's amazing!
9. Fletch, his bodyguard, Tami and I then jumped into a cab & went to Venus. I showed him good old Emerson College on the way.
10. My "five minutes of fame" began as soon as we pulled up to Venus. All these security men approached us and gave us VIP passes and escorted us into the club. There were hundreds of people waiting to get in & we just weaved through all of them. Of course I was walking as close to Fletch as possible. People were like "Oh my god, it's Fletch!" Totally cool. I think some people thought I was his girlfriend. Then we went to this roped off VIP section w/ tables that said "Reserved For Depeche Mode" on them. I think the reality of it all set in, sort of, then. We also got all these free drink coupons and shit. Fans kept asking for autographs and kept staring at us. Karen Bryant from MTV was trying to get in on it all too- I don't like her- she's tacky. Dave was there too & I will never forget this huge ass, seductive, secret, happy smile he gave me when I looked at him. I think I was blessed.
11. After the show, I took Fletch, his b-guard & a singer & Tami to Unos. There was like a 20 minute wait, but of course we got right in. People were totally staring & of course I felt cool. Two more people from DM - that chick from 101 & another singer then joined us. I was still being extraordinarily quiet. Well, I was supposed to take Fletch to Avalon originally, but it was still early so Fletch suggested we go back to the hotel for drinks. So we grabbed a cab & were off.
12. At the hotel we joined Martin and Alan and other DM crew for drinks. I personally introduced long island iced teas to the whole band. I swear, I had Fletch on my right and Martin on the other! OK- some key highlights of this scene-
a) I bummed a cigarette from Martin, he smokes Marlboro Lights - like me!
b) Alan and Randy, their road manager kept saying "Kaaaaaaaarrreeeen" every 3 seconds (from "Goodfellas")
c) Alan was making a pass at me & giving me secret looks. Even Fletch noticed it and commented on it.
d) They made fun of my hair, so I made fun of Martin's and Alan made fun of his own.
e) Dave came in later and recognized me. He is still amazing. He stood up - Dave, lead singer of DM - when I got up to leave and shook my hand. What manners!!!
f) Fletch, to everyone's suprise, hitched up my skirt and checked out my leg.
At the end of the night, Fletch and I walked out - he kissed me twice on the mouth, rather awkwardly and hugged me goodnight.
13. I took a cab home, then I wrote a thank you cheezy card to Fletch and me and Michelle dropped it off at the hotel.
Well, that was the most perfect night(s) of my life! DM are so proper & mannerly & polite & sweet it's shocking! I felt like absolute royalty. Fletch was telling me all about his nervous breakdown, to his wife, to his affairs and his daughter. Wow. Tami and I were also the only non-tour associated people hanging out with them. It was just absolutely incredible. I seriously think this "date" with Fletch was the only real date I've ever been on....A show...dinner...drinks w/ friends and a simple good night kiss. I LOVE DM!! 
Depeche Mode Forever!
Karen (21 years old)
Footnote- For all ALAN WILDER fans - (this didn't make it into my diary but it still resonates).
I was sitting next to Alan and he ordered a Vodka drink. The waiter asked "Absolut or Stoli?" Which, me being 21- thought was WAY sophisticated and never even knew we had a choice.
Alan is a STOLI drinker. At least he was in 1993.
1994-1997
Moving to Los Angeles.
Naturally once in LA I went blonde, or was it to match Dave and Martin on the wall?
1998
Original Journal Entry
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GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS, THEIR ATTORNEYS, THE BS LEGALITIES, ETC... IN MY OPINION REPRESENT THE BIGGEST SCAM-THEY ONLY FUNCTION TO MANIPULATE AND TRANSLATE THE VAST RHETORIC FOUND IN THE CONSTITUTION TO MAKE MONEY.
Thanks for letting me vent.
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