gonkulair

“Punch in” : 0130 28 Mar 2005
“Punch out” : 0200 29Mar 2005
Total Hours Worked : 24.5

At a normal job this wouldn’t be too bad, but on the road, that’s a long freakin’ day. First you spend 6 hours unloading trucks and setting things up, then you listen to loud speakers get tuned and mixer boards get set. No chance for a nap there. Then the rest of the people arrive and you sit around waiting for something to happen, which does, and you run your ass off all the time. Next, the show starts and of course the chance of napping is again gone. Since this is the opening night, there are all sorts of things “going wrong” which really aren’t that big a deal, but altogether create a large problem. Then finally the end comes, but does anyone leave, nope, they stand around and drink, talk and “hang out”. Finally, when the day is all gone, you get on a bus for a 15 minute ride that you soon forget and blend into the pillows of your long awaited bed. This is what you look like 30 minutes before pillow time.

Do Not change anything on your computer the day of the show, especially if your computer is part of the show. I see too much of this. I think computers follow Murphy’s Law on some deep level. It seems as though when it’s the worst possible time to have problems they do. Keeping this in mind, I’ve thought long and hard to develop my “Rules of The Road” - Rule 1. Today it was a minor excel issue, but for a very important part of the gig, the monitors for the band. The issue was resolved with a quick print out and a reinstall of office, but it’s working fine now.

This is one of the 10 or so warnings found on all packs in Canada. Quite funny really.

So in the biz, we have these guys called runners. It seems like the idea is simple. You need something, they find it, get it and then bring it to you. They’re given a “float pack” which is a wad of cash, usually $500 or an increment thereof. It’s a new concept to me as I’m used to getting my own stuff, and kind of hate relying on other people, because usually it doesn’t work out right. These guys, however, know their business. It’s not a bad gig if you know the area ( they’re usually local to the venue) and like driving, a lot. They do everything from pick you up at the airport to getting you coffee. If trained properly, and with a bit of guidance they can even handle mundane office tasks. How freakin’ sweet. I’m starting to think I will need a raise when I get back, because I want a runner at home. For them their are the obvious benefits: They get to hang out with Rock Stars, maybe. They get their driving gas paid for and maybe a free coffee. They get fed, and during sound check they get a “private concert”, if they’re not off getting something. The best part, as I think from their perspective, is that we leave a short time after we arrive, and their normal life resumes. So to the runners I say “Thank You. I’ll have a Starbucks Chantico please”

Listening to on the stereo in my hotel room, via my new airport express : Eazy E. - (I’m in LA after all)

These were the words that greeted us when checking in at Vancouver International Airport. Our plane is rumored to be the one the Phoenix Suns use for transport. All seats were Business class and when we got on, there were chicken fingers and other goodies waiting for us. I promptly took advantage of the luxorious accomodations and fell asleep. The ride was only about 20 minutes for me, but apparently it was about 3 hours. Los Angeles was about 60′ and the buses met us on the tarmac. We grabbed our own bags as they came off the conveyor and threw them under the bus. Fastest deplaning and transportation I’ve ever had. The ride to the hotel was quick and unfortunately at 6pm, all of our rooms still weren’t ready, and of course that means mine. Damn. It was worth the wait though, I’ve got a nice room with a kitchenette, 40″ Plasma over the foot of my bed, couch and a six pack courtesy of the supreme commander of Vertigoland, Jake. Thanks, well appreciated, and they were Heinekens, right on the mark! Tomorrow, I’ll be doing something I’ve been waiting for and missing for almost 3 weeks now, I’ll be using my employee discount for some goodies. Woot! I also want to find a bike to ride around the cities I visit. The scooter is great indoors, but on the street it’s easily beat. I also think it will be a safer ride for my powerbook.

Watching TV, “Kelsey Grammer presents: The Sketch” on Fox is kind of funny.

That day is here, and we’re busy loading the gear out. Packing my compuers up and boxing them tight, hope they don’t get f!d in flight. (an adaptation of the Billy Madison song) And of course they are taking the slow road, we’ve got customs coming to seal up the trucks so they can blow through the border. I get to have a day off in LA, I can’t wait, probably going to buy a single speed with removable wheels, so I can pack it under the bus. Also going to be getting my new PB 12″, what a great place, California. Apparently there are about 15 trucks of gear and one charter, yep I said charter, plane full of people, and the guys take another private plane. I’ve only got one backpack and two rolling suitcases to look after on my way to Cali. I’m quite excited.

So I’m sitting here writing this entry from a concert, probably one of the smallest audiences I’ve ever been part of. There are about 30 of us, and half of us have laptops on our laps that are held closer by the fact that our legs are dangling over the seat in front of us. It’s awesome. They start with an electronic track and then their song comes in and the stage goes crazy. This is my iconcert. The only time I’ve ever worn hearing protection to improve the sound, because without 30000 other people here acting as sound diffusers, the arena can be pretty loud and dirty sound. The show is great and the music is better, playing from the whole catalog, not just the new album. I’m beginning to think though, that they are an internet enabled version of the stones. All the new tech and a flashy show, but a solid rock band at the end of the day. One more rehearsal in the morning, and then we are out of here. I’m quite excited, as we’ll be flying charter and that means, “Open bar dude!”, get lit, and have two days off in LA before loading in for dress rehearsals.

So Princess Jen has a new throne, she will now be ruling a different department and function at Marshall Fields. Our good friend Emily is now (hopefully) one of Jen’s loyal subjects. I’m sure she’ll find great success in her endeavour as she has a way of doing so with everything. Look how good she did on landing a sweet dude like me. So, give Jen a pat on the back with a “good job” or a “all those hours were worth it now” and Emily, if you need someone to confide in, let me know. I’ve been getting ruled for almost a year now.

So I bought a razor scooter off of one of the runners here in Vancouver. I got it for $40 US, because it’s an adult sized one and it was impossible to find any adult ones here in Canada. It’s a chopper, all the unnecessary parts have been removed and it’s great. The problem is, it got commandeered for use by those guys. So I guess I can say, the band stole my scooter. I was very happy to find it waiting at my desk again this morning though, it beats walking around the place and it’s a good distraction, as well as something to get me places in a hurry. I’m branding it my Tour GeekMobile as I don’t think a VW New Beetle would fit in my road case, or be usable at all in these places.

but I get to see her in April in San Jose. What am I talking about you say? My wonderful girlfriend Jen. I Love You Honey.