Roadie Blog: 2006-06-11

Denver - Show Day

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Down to the gig early (8am). Tonight we're playing a benefit for Children's Hospitals, with Seal performing before us. Load in is quick and smooth, meet some of the Seal crew (nice folks) and we're done with soundcheck by 1:30pm. Head back to the hotel for some rest, but end up going to buy a new book at Barnes and Noble.

Back to the gig around 6pm, catch Seal's set (very good) and we have them dancing in the aisles by the time the encores roll around. Load-out and back to the hotel for a few hours sleep before flying tomorrow.

Denver -Day Off

Friday, June 16, 2006

Today is my sister Alison's birthday. Happy Birthday!!

Down to the pool early today for some reading (we aren't leaving for the airport till 1pm). Meet everyone at 1 o'clock for the short drive to the airport. We are flying to Denver to do a benefit show tomorrow. We do a group check-in and I am last in line to get my ticket, which they have no record of. What? Seems the airline is a sponsor of the benefit and comp'd the tickets, which they left me and one other person off the list. Our tour manager pays for my ticket and I'm off to grab some food before the flight.

Grab a burrito and wait in a looooooooong security line. Since my ticket was booked at the last minute, I get the pleasure of an extra security search. Fun!! I get pulled to the side and wanded down, and all my carry-on stuff gets gone through with a fine tooth comb. They of course find nothing and I'm on my way to the gate, where we are already boarding.

Since I was booked at the last minute, I also get a middle seat (ugh!), but it's in the exit row and I'm next to our LD Jesper, so it's not too bad. Eat my burrito before take-off and fall asleep.

Land in Denver and head to the hotel, which is right off the 16th St. walking mall. Still full from the burrito, I opt out of dinner and instead wander the mall and browse a few stores before heading back to the hotel to read...

San Diego - Show Day

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Playing at the Del Mar Fair today in San Diego. Better stage than most pro venues. Nice backstage trailers too. We thought it we were going to be roughing it...

Day Off - San Diego

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Leave the hotel at 8:15am for the airport. Small airport here in Medford, OR. We are flying to San Francisco, then to San Diego. Almost 2 hour layover in SF, Jesper knows of a killer Japanese noodle shop right next to our gate. It doesn't disappoint and we all have Shrimp Tempura Udon.

Land in San Diego and head to the hotel. Read by the pool for about an hour then return to the room for a nap, to try and get rid of the migraine I've had since landing.

Get up after a few minutes and go rent a car (cheaper than a cab) to go to dinner in La Jolla. Meet Mike, Sonya (VIP), and Suzy (Audio) and we're off to La Jolla. Jesper has a friend (Dave) there who has a place a block from the beach. We arrive as he's finishing up grilling dinner, we grab it all and head to the beach. Catch the sunset while eating at a picnic table right next to the water. Incredible food and view (see photo above).

Back to Dave's for more hanging out and eventually make it back to the hotel. Tired and full from dinner.

2nd Show Day - Jacksonville, OR

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Up early for a walk to the Sears, then a Thai lunch. Meet up with Mike (our drum/key tech) after lunch and we cab it to the gig, then walk down to the town and rent a couple of mountain bikes. Ride back past the venue and onto the trails behind the gig.

After the first hill, where I accidentally shift and hit my knee on the stem, I'm so out of breath I have to stop for a minute. I'll admit I'm out of shape, and riding in the mountains at 1600+ feet doesn't help, but I continue on. We end up taking an amazing ride for almost two hours, and reaching 1890 feet above sea level. View some photos here.

As we return the bikes and head back to the gig we notice the huge line outside the gates for people trying to get down front. Cool. Band plays another killer set and we're back to the hotel for a flight to San Diego tomorrow.