Tuesday 3 November and I awake to the familiar sounds of sirens – police, fire and ambulance. They sound 24 hours a day and now simply blend into a soundtrack blithely playing in the background of this New York adventure movie I seem to be starring in. :-)
It is a brisk 8 degrees so I dress – scarf, gloves, 3 jumpers, jacket and bottled water - as I head off into the jungle - towards Central Park and my favorite spots so far. Walking down 8th takes me through places that speak of my own natural history - directly past the George Gershwin Theatre to Columbus Circle and from there I have access to a world of wonder. Time Warner Center, Lincoln Square and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, New York City Opera, (where I booked a couple of shows), the Juilliard School (now that place brought a tear to my eye – memories of performing when I was young) – making mental notes of place to return when I have time – sauntering between Amsterdam and Columbus – past cafes, and churches, and schools and tiny little cute parks and centers for education and development – oh my heart is singing and my legs are screaming.
OK alright I’m listening! I cross over back to Central Park and sit for a while taking lunch and just observing the people as they walk by. Prams pushed and dogs walked – but by Nannies and Assistants. I saw many very young babies out without their mothers and I wondered where they were? Would women living here in such wealth need to work so soon after giving birth? I had nannies for a time with Sam and then Niko while I was running the agency from home so I know the value of a great nanny. It certainly was fascinating to observe the parade of international languages and colors as they chased after their precocious charges while scooping up after the well fed dogs. :-)
The park seems to be deep in thought today. The colors are beginning to fade in preparation for the looming winter and the throngs of New Yorkers here today seem to be taking refuge somewhat. The weather is chillier by the day here yet I get the feeling that this park is always well inhabited. It makes me think of Brisbane where if the mercury goes below 20 we stay at home by the droves. We do not appreciate how lucky we are with our warm weather.
Rested I walked up to the American Natural History Museum - much better than the movie :-) – where I dedicated six hours to the discovery of as much as possible in this beautiful place.
The Theodore Roosevelt hall was goose bump inspiring. The Milstein Hall of Ocean Life - I sat in front of the large screen where whales swam and soothed with singing. I was in heaven! Then the Gottesman Hall of Planet Earth, Human Origins, the Dioramas, the Grand Hall, the Fossil Halls, the Grand Gallery. I especially loved the Rose Centre for Earth and Space especially the Journey to the stars and cosmic pathway. It certainly gives one pause for thought. There were a number of halls being renovated and many exhibits closed but it did not matter one iota. This place was filled to the brim and a magical place to spend six hours. My big moment was in the Theodore Roosevelt hall reading about his life and I suddenly felt a kinship with this great man. All my grand aspirations can be read in HIS natural history. This hall is a tribute to the contributions he made to this museum and this city. In Australia, we don't know much about American history. We hear the names from the television shows and movies that form part of our ongoing immersion therapy (thanks ML) however we don't know much about the characters in the American natural history. The entire Roosevelt family were obviously incredibly tuned into human behaviour, nature, culture and the development of the US in many ways. Teddy Roosevelt - now that I have been introduced to him via this medium, was an inspiring fellow. Quotes by him greet the visitor at the entrance of the museum. My favourite is this one:
Nature - There is a delight in the hardy life of the open. There are no words that can tell the hidden spirit of the wilderness, that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy and its charm. The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased; and not impaired in value. Conservation means development as much as it does protection. Theodore Roosevelt
It's almost closing time and I have to race back from the museum up to 34th street along 8th avenue through peek hour traffic to quickly change, re apply the jungle makeup and hair to go back out again in 30 minutes to the Al Hirschfield Theatre on West 45th Street to see the musical HAIR.
Once I got to the theatre the exhaustion hit me like a ton of bricks. Maybe its jet lag and maybe it's just trying to squeeze New York into every waking moment so I don't miss anything. Between downloading and editing photos, blogging (I'm keeping 4 separate journals), doing Pushworth work daily and updating via Skype with Manny and Sam each night, plus of course actually going out into New York and then there is that little thing known as sleep......well I'm finding it difficult to fit everything in!
But I tell you - it's worth the exhaustion! :-)
Having never seen HAIR before, I had no idea what to expect….and I was pleasantly surprised. Young vibrant cast, singing and dancing and just having a total blast with a 1960s dialogue that is now more comical than topical and they brought the house down. I love the show – that costume mistress must have had fun collecting all the pieces – colorful and imaginative – everything was great!
Dinner afterwards at some Jazz club called Charlie’s where the trio were as old as my parents. Great voices and I imagine that in their youth they spent time on the boards of Broadway and now they sing for the supper in the city jazz clubs. (Time to consider some sort of universal retirement plan for aging performers and musicians mmmmm)
I am exhausted and sleep heavily and late and dream that I am home with my family.
Ah sweet dreams…
The Island of Manhattan - my Home for 31 Days
Autumn in New York
M & M Store At Times Square
M & M Store At Times Square
Friday, November 6, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
The Cost of Culture
I stumble around this city day after day exploring different streets, neighborhoods and boroughs like a voyeur, a witness and criminal investigator. The characters I meet throughout my day are strong, interesting and all worthy of their own great novel. It is beginning to become more obvious – who lives here and who is visiting and a distinct divide is starting to emerge.
New Yorkers tend to avoid Times Square in particular yet going to live shows is an important part of their social culture. Last night I had dinner at the Russian Tea Room surrounded by décor and diners from another world. Gaudy gold trimmed mirrors on every wall, bright red couches and speckled carpets, deep arctic green walls complete with a hand painted solid gold ceiling, it could almost have been the Velvet Cigar - resplendent in pimp and circumstance! (Not a typo – the waitresses dressed very similar to the hostesses at Brisbane’s most famous gentlemen’s club) Woody Allen clones – tiny artistic thick accented expressive New York men with their beautiful doll like wives – of various ages and styles – sampled the Kiev, the Borscht and the Caviar. Musicians, Actors, Directors and Theatre Goers alike were served by a more efficient wait staff I have never seen. The table waiter swept over to my table in between courses, re folded the napkins, rearranged the table, refilled glasses, decrumbed and decreased the table cloth in a split second. I could almost hear his sweet satisfaction as he finished his tidying task – ah yes a perfect job for a perfectionist! :-)
Naturally the restaurant itself is one big store with everything for sale. A merchandising gift shop is standard in this fair city selling items such as a hand painted Babushka doll set for $1500.00. The sale of fantasy to a tourist seeking New York magic is relatively easier when engaging in light banter about country of origin, reason for visit and length of stay. From those few questions, any New York salesman with half a brain can more than double their income by selling the eager happy tourist the particular illusion they came here for. :-)
What a great lesson in enterprise!
What a wonderful tutorial in commerce?
What a wonderful seminar for life?
After dinner, I went to see the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. Lorin Maazel was the conductor and they performed Beethoven’s 6th and 7th symphonies.
The hall filled quickly and was quite a buzz with chatter. It seemed like most of the people knew each other. If this night was a movie, I was right in the middle of a 21st century Fiddler on the Roof. I had a ticket in the Dress Circle – almost nose bleed territory – yet incredible seats! Remember those tiny teeny little wooden chairs we had in primary school? Well someone covered them in red velvet and installed thousands of them in rows not more than nine inches apart into every level of Carnegie Hall.
The bell rang, the lights went down and the concert began. Beethoven is certainly the king of building tension through his music. I was fluttering through the breeze with the birds and next I was feeling the drama of the seasons – it was beautiful. The lady sitting beside me clasped my hands at the end of the first movement and in her finest Fran Drescher esque accent she whispered – “We don’t applaud here until the end.”
The musicians stop – take a breather and the audience mumble to each other softly and shift in their seats and then it all starts over again for the next few movements until the crescendo and the finale. Phew! I made it – I can now clap and yell “bravo”! Maazel did a fine job in the 6th but it was the 7th where his showmanship glittered. The second movement of this symphony featured in this year’s movie KNOWING starring Nichola Cage. As Sam had taken quite a fancy to it, I couldn’t help but feel quite emotional during the performance. The third and fourth movements were astounding and Maazel began to dance and jump and conduct wildly with the same passion that I remember my intoxicated father had while conducting the stereo in our lounge room during my childhood in the 1970s. Orange wallpaper and Beethoven’s Fifth – ah memories…..:-)
Everything featured in this night, the hall, orchestra, seating, staffing, services – have been heavily supported by New York patronage. $80 million dollars a year is provided through sponsorship and donation to keep this one arts organization alive. There are thousands of other such arts organizations being given the breath of life on an annual basis by similarly generous individuals. Art and Culture costs much and people like me get to appreciate it through the continuous support of wealthy New Yorkers. This is no small thing. My exposure to the various forms that business takes while in New York is a greater education than I could have ever paid for at university. This system of wealth is comprehensive and of enormous value.
It was delicious listening to the various characters around me. Mrs. Fengelstein’s leg was playing up, Mrs. Zechandorf’s hips simply couldn’t make those stairs and Mr. Kaufman’s legs were way too long – he needed an aisle seat! :-) Sure I sat in the middle of a walking sticked, orthopedic shoed, grey haired audience, many of the men wearing skullcaps and the tiny impeccably dressed bird like women were definitely going to the same hairdresser however I loved it and felt right at home. I couldn’t imagine anything sweeter than to live in a small village like NY and get together with my mates at gigs such as this one. :-)
So I get to go to a rock concert featuring the world's greatest celebrities and stars at Madison Square Garden and a few days later I listen to one of my favourite composers played by the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall - and all for the cost of a medium priced pair of shoes.
How lucky are we that so many other people pay the cost of our exposure to this culture?
New Yorkers tend to avoid Times Square in particular yet going to live shows is an important part of their social culture. Last night I had dinner at the Russian Tea Room surrounded by décor and diners from another world. Gaudy gold trimmed mirrors on every wall, bright red couches and speckled carpets, deep arctic green walls complete with a hand painted solid gold ceiling, it could almost have been the Velvet Cigar - resplendent in pimp and circumstance! (Not a typo – the waitresses dressed very similar to the hostesses at Brisbane’s most famous gentlemen’s club) Woody Allen clones – tiny artistic thick accented expressive New York men with their beautiful doll like wives – of various ages and styles – sampled the Kiev, the Borscht and the Caviar. Musicians, Actors, Directors and Theatre Goers alike were served by a more efficient wait staff I have never seen. The table waiter swept over to my table in between courses, re folded the napkins, rearranged the table, refilled glasses, decrumbed and decreased the table cloth in a split second. I could almost hear his sweet satisfaction as he finished his tidying task – ah yes a perfect job for a perfectionist! :-)
Naturally the restaurant itself is one big store with everything for sale. A merchandising gift shop is standard in this fair city selling items such as a hand painted Babushka doll set for $1500.00. The sale of fantasy to a tourist seeking New York magic is relatively easier when engaging in light banter about country of origin, reason for visit and length of stay. From those few questions, any New York salesman with half a brain can more than double their income by selling the eager happy tourist the particular illusion they came here for. :-)
What a great lesson in enterprise!
What a wonderful tutorial in commerce?
What a wonderful seminar for life?
After dinner, I went to see the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. Lorin Maazel was the conductor and they performed Beethoven’s 6th and 7th symphonies.
The hall filled quickly and was quite a buzz with chatter. It seemed like most of the people knew each other. If this night was a movie, I was right in the middle of a 21st century Fiddler on the Roof. I had a ticket in the Dress Circle – almost nose bleed territory – yet incredible seats! Remember those tiny teeny little wooden chairs we had in primary school? Well someone covered them in red velvet and installed thousands of them in rows not more than nine inches apart into every level of Carnegie Hall.
The bell rang, the lights went down and the concert began. Beethoven is certainly the king of building tension through his music. I was fluttering through the breeze with the birds and next I was feeling the drama of the seasons – it was beautiful. The lady sitting beside me clasped my hands at the end of the first movement and in her finest Fran Drescher esque accent she whispered – “We don’t applaud here until the end.”
The musicians stop – take a breather and the audience mumble to each other softly and shift in their seats and then it all starts over again for the next few movements until the crescendo and the finale. Phew! I made it – I can now clap and yell “bravo”! Maazel did a fine job in the 6th but it was the 7th where his showmanship glittered. The second movement of this symphony featured in this year’s movie KNOWING starring Nichola Cage. As Sam had taken quite a fancy to it, I couldn’t help but feel quite emotional during the performance. The third and fourth movements were astounding and Maazel began to dance and jump and conduct wildly with the same passion that I remember my intoxicated father had while conducting the stereo in our lounge room during my childhood in the 1970s. Orange wallpaper and Beethoven’s Fifth – ah memories…..:-)
Everything featured in this night, the hall, orchestra, seating, staffing, services – have been heavily supported by New York patronage. $80 million dollars a year is provided through sponsorship and donation to keep this one arts organization alive. There are thousands of other such arts organizations being given the breath of life on an annual basis by similarly generous individuals. Art and Culture costs much and people like me get to appreciate it through the continuous support of wealthy New Yorkers. This is no small thing. My exposure to the various forms that business takes while in New York is a greater education than I could have ever paid for at university. This system of wealth is comprehensive and of enormous value.
It was delicious listening to the various characters around me. Mrs. Fengelstein’s leg was playing up, Mrs. Zechandorf’s hips simply couldn’t make those stairs and Mr. Kaufman’s legs were way too long – he needed an aisle seat! :-) Sure I sat in the middle of a walking sticked, orthopedic shoed, grey haired audience, many of the men wearing skullcaps and the tiny impeccably dressed bird like women were definitely going to the same hairdresser however I loved it and felt right at home. I couldn’t imagine anything sweeter than to live in a small village like NY and get together with my mates at gigs such as this one. :-)
So I get to go to a rock concert featuring the world's greatest celebrities and stars at Madison Square Garden and a few days later I listen to one of my favourite composers played by the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall - and all for the cost of a medium priced pair of shoes.
How lucky are we that so many other people pay the cost of our exposure to this culture?
Monday, November 2, 2009
Push the Button Max!
Max was the name of the horse that took us around in a carriage complete with thick red blanket through Central Park late last night. His irish driver, thick with fresh from Dublin "specially for tourists" accent, gave us a very informative and detailled tour of the park and its surrounds and history while the themometer dropped to six degrees - nice and chilly - and the full moon shone ever so brightly overhead.
I could only imagine the cold if this tour was taken in February - brrrr - however what a great job it would be to take tourists through the park every night. It was just beautiful!
Poor Max - how he struggled to drag us through the streets of the Park. I shouldnt have eaten that burger - Max just wasnt coping with the extra weight of the rock hard beef pattie. Thank god I didn't eat any cheese or bacon - Max would have keeled over!! :-) If any of you have eaten the cheese and the bacon in the US, you will know why. Not pleasant - they must have another version of pig and cow over here because their dairy and pork products are revolting. (No offence intended - just my opinion - I've been spoilt by living in Australia all my life)
Now I had actually walked down and back from 34th to 59th twice yesterday. Great walking - other than being dragged along through the park by poor old Max. Walking is easy - New York Streets are a great system except Broadway - it stuffs everything up - so say the locals. Oh and they don't like Times Square - they shake their head and mumble - you mean 42nd Street!!!
Just to give you an idea of distances here. I am staying in the New Yorker Hotel on 34th Street. Imagine it is my house on Sumner Road. Where the pub is - thats where Madison Square Garden is. Where the Caltex service station is - thats where Empire State Building is. Mount Ommaney Shopping Centre is Times Square and Cooranga Street, Jindalee is where Central Park is. I have decided to walk most places after my monthly $89 Metro Card was eaten at the turnstile. I'm not holding a grudge however I'm happy to walk rather than play the pokies and lose while purchasing tickets at the Subway. If they add some purple carpet, bad covers bands, bright neon lights and some free drinks, I may reconsider. :-)
I really appreciate Brisbane - how lucky are we? New York is fabulous - however, we truly have a wonderful life in Brisbane. It takes a contrast with one of the world's greatest cities to realise this good fortune. Even our stinking hot summers are worth appreciating!! I love being in New York however I am sooo looking forward to coming home in a month. We have a beautiful life in Brisbane!
Taking the return ride back to the Park in the horse and carriage, we ventured out near the New York Opera house and it was here that we witnessed the first real episode of New York road rage. One taxi was exiting from the side and the one behind him sped up to cut him off. Standard Brisbane traffic operations right? Well the chinese dude driving the cut off taxi, jumped out of the cab, smashed the front of the other taxi with his fists, yelled and screamed, kicked and punched and then got back in his cab with that ever familiar phrase" Welcome to New York". I love how they use this for everything. :-) Then he proceeded to sit in his cab blocking off the rest of the traffic while all the cabs around him just sat there and honked their horns as Max kept his head down and simply clip clopped off in the distance.
Yup makes the Coronation Drive peak hour traffic look very polite. :-) If there were no cabs and only horses like Max - I wonder what road rage would look like then?
Sunday, November 1, 2009
New York Marathon and Rangers
I signed up to volunteer at the NYC Marathon so awaking at 6.30am - dressed and out by 7am - I walked down to Central Park and got there by 7.30am - and met up with the team that were setting up the infrastructure for this event.
What a privelege for me to see a major event like this in full swing? I was able to take photographs of various infrastructure activities and walk around the man made track and check out the event system throughout the morning.
We had to set up water, cups, tables and then delegate and manage volunteers through their tasks. Doesnt sound like much but with a few thousand people - this is one massive exercise.
Meeting local New Yorkers was a special treat and gaining insight into the workings of the vast networks of volunteering with the event management - I gleaned much valuable information to take home with me to provide a better event service to all of our clients in the future.
It was an incredible honour to be involved in such an event.
The mid morning break enabled me to take brunch at The Boathouse - gorgeous little restaurant in the middle of Central Park. I took some photographs but nothing will compare to the real thing. The colours here are mesmerising. This park enables New Yorkers to breathe. I sure felt good checking it out a little.
After my shift, I watched the end of the disabled racers. Incredible efforts and every single racer was cheered wildly from every single person watching the track. Everyone talks to everyone and they are ready to encourage and cheer on anyone - there is not limit or distinction. I watched the lead women's and then the men runners. Many people thought I was British and there to cheer on "Paula" - the British chick who has won the NYC Marathon for the past 2 years. Clearly the favourite, when she passed our vantage point, her muscles looked exhausted and tight and it is no surprise to me that she didn't win this year. Still, there was a massive marketing campaign with hats, T Shirts and Cheering Boards given to the crowds to spur her on.
I couldn't stay all day at the NYX Marathon as I had tickets to see the New York Rangers play off Boston at 1pm. Walking back from Central Park, I took Fifth and then Broadway to get there within 30 minutes. It is very easy to find your way around here.
I got the cheapest tickets in the house - nose bleeding territory. Section 406 - right at the top. I climbed 6 flights of stairs and was seriously thinking of dumping the tickets until I saw the view. I saw EVERYTHING. Best tickets I think I have ever had!
Freezing at MSG - the ice hockey was brilliant - and I watched a tense game and purchased - yes - shock horror - one of those big blue hands that points one finger in victory!!!
Back at the room after the game, some Pushworth work done - and now I'm out to see a Broadway show - anyone I can get cheap tickets for - they are everywhere!
What a privelege for me to see a major event like this in full swing? I was able to take photographs of various infrastructure activities and walk around the man made track and check out the event system throughout the morning.
We had to set up water, cups, tables and then delegate and manage volunteers through their tasks. Doesnt sound like much but with a few thousand people - this is one massive exercise.
Meeting local New Yorkers was a special treat and gaining insight into the workings of the vast networks of volunteering with the event management - I gleaned much valuable information to take home with me to provide a better event service to all of our clients in the future.
It was an incredible honour to be involved in such an event.
The mid morning break enabled me to take brunch at The Boathouse - gorgeous little restaurant in the middle of Central Park. I took some photographs but nothing will compare to the real thing. The colours here are mesmerising. This park enables New Yorkers to breathe. I sure felt good checking it out a little.
After my shift, I watched the end of the disabled racers. Incredible efforts and every single racer was cheered wildly from every single person watching the track. Everyone talks to everyone and they are ready to encourage and cheer on anyone - there is not limit or distinction. I watched the lead women's and then the men runners. Many people thought I was British and there to cheer on "Paula" - the British chick who has won the NYC Marathon for the past 2 years. Clearly the favourite, when she passed our vantage point, her muscles looked exhausted and tight and it is no surprise to me that she didn't win this year. Still, there was a massive marketing campaign with hats, T Shirts and Cheering Boards given to the crowds to spur her on.
I couldn't stay all day at the NYX Marathon as I had tickets to see the New York Rangers play off Boston at 1pm. Walking back from Central Park, I took Fifth and then Broadway to get there within 30 minutes. It is very easy to find your way around here.
I got the cheapest tickets in the house - nose bleeding territory. Section 406 - right at the top. I climbed 6 flights of stairs and was seriously thinking of dumping the tickets until I saw the view. I saw EVERYTHING. Best tickets I think I have ever had!
Freezing at MSG - the ice hockey was brilliant - and I watched a tense game and purchased - yes - shock horror - one of those big blue hands that points one finger in victory!!!
Back at the room after the game, some Pushworth work done - and now I'm out to see a Broadway show - anyone I can get cheap tickets for - they are everywhere!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Welcome To New York Ma'am!
I’ve noticed that when things go wrong here, the locals say “Welcome to New York Ma'am!”
Well today, Halloween – the All Hallowed Eve – a whole pile of things went wrong and I was welcomed many MANY times.
I awoke early after my big night of rock as we were taking the Staten Island Ferry to Staten Island to find the Decker Farm in Richmond to pick pumpkins for Halloween and needed an early start. Now I have travelled many times and am always extremely careful. I separate my cash and my cards and my ID and have a system so that I know where everything is at all times – it is safe and protected. Right? Wrong. Last night I decided not to take a handbag. I have deep pockets in Manny’s leather jacket on the inside where I wrapped up one $50 dollar note, my credit card and my room card. I held my ticket in my hand until I was sure that I was seated in the correct spot.
I kept my jacket on and continually felt up my left boob/pocket to check that everything was in place.
My ticket was section 330, Seat 6 Row H. I checked in through Gate 76 and was escorted to my seat. 30 minutes later a group of loud New Yorker bud swilling Armani suited men (quite possibly the twerps that lost billions of dollars in Wall Street - ouch) told me to move out of their seat. I showed them my ticket and sweetly said I was escorted here and believed it was the correct seat. They dragged over another security guy who promptly told me I was in the wrong seat.
“Welcome to New York Ma'am! – the loud New Yorkers shouted as I moved myself back to the correct seat.
I didn’t care – the new seat had a far better view and was surrounded by empty seats – bargain! I continued to feel my inside pocket throughout the concert and everything was in place.
As I exited - I checked and felt 2 cards and my cash.
I checked on 7th.
I checked just after I ran into Annie Lennox.
I checked as I grabbed my hotel room card in the lobby of the New Yorker and yes there were 2 cards in my pocket.
I raced inside ready for my Skype call and through all my clothes on the floor of the bathroom and talked excitedly for the next 30 minutes and promptly forgot about the cards.
Preparing to go out this morning, I went to my pocket – like I have done every morning so far – and I found the ticket and the $50 dollar note. My credit card is not in my pocket. I checked all my clothes, in my bag, on the bathroom floor, under my bed – nowhere to be found. I retraced my steps and remember that I felt it when I entered the lobby of the hotel.
So either it fell out of my pocket when I reached in for my hotel card or it vanished into thin air somewhere in my hotel room.
Ugh - can you believe it? Losing a credit card in my first week in New York?
I went on line, checked the latest transactions, made a list of all transactions in the past few days, emailed my bank manager in Australia and called Mastercard global.
“Welcome to New York. Ma'am” the fellow in the call centre said sarcastically - we'll send you a replacement card in 3 days.
A little freaked but with enough cash plus my ATM card, I was seriously not terribly inconvenienced, yet I tried to rationalize the reason for this experience. What did I have to learn here? Was I getting a little cocky about living in New York and needed to be brought down to earth a little? The card wasn’t getting that much action and I’m very careful with security. So what the?
Catching the downtown loop to Battery Park, I spy my first real glimpse of the Statue of Liberty then catch the free Staten Island Ferry. I got a good look at New York harbor – Jersey, Queens, Brooklyn with Staten Island is located at its entrance.
Politically incorrect - I have to say - this little island has a distinct “Blair Witch” feel to it. You know that well known poster of the old man and his wife holding a pitchfork? Yup – those folks live here in Staten Island - I'm sure of it! Initial response upon arrival - scary odd little place. Catching the bus from St George through to Richmond, I notice that almost every second building is a medical institution of some kind. There must be a lot of sick people here! I've never seen anything like it! Some hospitals looked like they had come straight out of the “One Flew Over The Cuckoos Next” movie. I half expected to see Jack Nicholson peeking out of one of the windows. :-)
It was a huge contrast to Manhattan and quite unsettling.
Loading onto the bus – “Where you headed Maam?”
Oh crap – I left the directions at the hotel.
“Um we are picking pumpkins on a farm.”
“Say what?”
Silence in the bus as the locals stare down the weird foreigners with no friggin clue where they are going.
“Um we are looking for the Decker Farm I think?”
The bus driver said ‘Sounds like you are lost – Welcome to New York Ma'am”. “You need the Historic Richmond Town” – so we took a punt and decided what the hell - i there were no pumpkins there would be old buildings – sounded fine.
It took 25 minutes to drive through very poor housing, tiny houses, even smaller streets, many American flags and extreme poverty. However these cute little houses were all adorned with the most incredible Halloween decorations. Graveyards in the front yard, witches, ghosts, pumpkins, cobwebs – it was incredible and better than some of our Qld Xmas light displays.
Arriving at Richmond, we were dropped off on the side of the road, I took out my camera – and the battery was dead.
“Don’t say it – I know – welcome to New York aarrgghhhhhh!!!!!!&&##!!!”
The most glorious autumn colours, historical buildings and oddest of sights - yup - I have no way of capturing any of these images.
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT????
CAN THIS DAY GET ANY BETTER?????
Walking down the street through rustling brown and gold leaves floating to the earth, squelching under feet - crisp and happy - we walk past houses that look haunted by their past, imprinted by painful memories and broken down organically by time – the way that the autumn leaves gradually dissolve into the earth and fertilize it for new growth.
I was sure that old man and his wife would chase us down this deserted eery street with that pitchfork in one hand and screaming ‘ “Welcome to New York” – the scene was breathtakingly beautiful and unsettlingly evil all at once.
We walked around the village and discovered the Pumpkin Patch sign in time for an old yellow school bus to come along and take us to Decker Farm - no charge - just like the Staten Island ferry.
This quirky strange little place began to look warm and comforting. Chatting to the bus driver her entire family live in Staten Island and refuse to move to Manhattan - she has lived here her whole life. As she speaks about her family and we drive through old farmland and family suburbs, with young famillies trick or treating through the magically decorated houses and it becomes clear about the home town appeal of living here.
My initial creepy feeling about this place begins to dissipate by the time we reach the Decker farm – the one remaining farm on the island. I sample pumpkin pie, (Almost as good as grandma’s pumpkin scones) pick pumpkins, (large, orange and sweet) take a hay ride and buy some locally knitted ghost and witch puppets. The farm itself is 200 years old, most of the buildings remain albeit held together with prayers and moss and it is easy to see that life on it throughout thsoe 200 years would have been extreme.
Back on the bus, back on the ferry, we leave American history behind and return to Manhattan - the city where everything and everyone is seemingly for sale. The quest - find Chinatown by walking through wall Street, down to Broadway past the City Hall and magnificient parks and discover life on Canal Street - the home of Chinatown and discount shopping. (I'm safe - no credit card remember?)
On the map it looked close but one hour later we were still wandering aimlessly - hungry, tired, smelly in the sweltering heat of the Autumn day until I finally spotted a Hungry Jacks symbol with asian writing on the sign. My craving for seafood and rice complete I feel extra brave and make the fool hardy decision to take the subway back home.
It’s Halloween remember? Kids and parents and trick or treating on every street corner, Halloween Parade blockades are installed at strategic spots along Broadway and throngs of people push me down the subway before I locate the map and confirm which track to take.
I decide to take a punt, if I take the 4 to Brooklyn Bridge - I can change to the J and get off at 14th Union Square if all else fails.
I saunter over to the turnstile and swipe my Metrocard (I purchased a 30 day card for $89 on Thursday – I was so proud of myself) WRONG!!! It wouldn’t let me through– insufficient funds! What the? I’ve used it twice. I go over to the guy at the ticket machine –
“Welcome to New York Maam! – You’ll need to buy another ticket – I can’t help you.”
Arrrgghhhh – fine – I buy another one – and gain access to the track and hop on the 4 - fingers crossed and hopefully heading north. My stomach churns when two French ladies beside me ask in broken English “Does anyone know where we are going?” To which a loud little guy from New Jersey declares that he has no clue either. Lucky for all of us, this lovely young tall local guy announces that we are headed north towards 14th. Phew! The Jersey guy is pissed and tells the whole carriage about how bad Manhattan subways are - very loudly proclaiming that a foreigner would be screwed trying to take the subway tonight giving me the chance to pipe up - “Well yes I’m from Australia and I don’t know where the hell I’m going” .
“Welcome to New York Ma'am!”
And this lovely fellow proceeds to give me directions to get off closest to 34th Street. He is from Queens and headed towards 59th Street for the Halloween Village celebration.and proceeds to guide me to the correct station to disembark and even gives me directions for which street to take.
Sure there have been rude people here - but for the most part - I have met such helpful people here in New York. They don’t have to help – but have gone out of their way to welcome me – he he – on several occasions – and give me whatever helpful hints they can.
I exited at 33rd Street – Park Avenue – ahhh – no credit card – no shopping – a good thing. Crossed Madison Avenue – ah – visit another time - don't look - head down - focus on getting home. Continued down to 34th and once I saw the familiar ledges of the Empire State, I knew I was close to home.
Streets packed with costumed trick or treaters, the air is alive with celebration, colour and magic tonight.
I feel very welcome in New York!
Well today, Halloween – the All Hallowed Eve – a whole pile of things went wrong and I was welcomed many MANY times.
I awoke early after my big night of rock as we were taking the Staten Island Ferry to Staten Island to find the Decker Farm in Richmond to pick pumpkins for Halloween and needed an early start. Now I have travelled many times and am always extremely careful. I separate my cash and my cards and my ID and have a system so that I know where everything is at all times – it is safe and protected. Right? Wrong. Last night I decided not to take a handbag. I have deep pockets in Manny’s leather jacket on the inside where I wrapped up one $50 dollar note, my credit card and my room card. I held my ticket in my hand until I was sure that I was seated in the correct spot.
I kept my jacket on and continually felt up my left boob/pocket to check that everything was in place.
My ticket was section 330, Seat 6 Row H. I checked in through Gate 76 and was escorted to my seat. 30 minutes later a group of loud New Yorker bud swilling Armani suited men (quite possibly the twerps that lost billions of dollars in Wall Street - ouch) told me to move out of their seat. I showed them my ticket and sweetly said I was escorted here and believed it was the correct seat. They dragged over another security guy who promptly told me I was in the wrong seat.
“Welcome to New York Ma'am! – the loud New Yorkers shouted as I moved myself back to the correct seat.
I didn’t care – the new seat had a far better view and was surrounded by empty seats – bargain! I continued to feel my inside pocket throughout the concert and everything was in place.
As I exited - I checked and felt 2 cards and my cash.
I checked on 7th.
I checked just after I ran into Annie Lennox.
I checked as I grabbed my hotel room card in the lobby of the New Yorker and yes there were 2 cards in my pocket.
I raced inside ready for my Skype call and through all my clothes on the floor of the bathroom and talked excitedly for the next 30 minutes and promptly forgot about the cards.
Preparing to go out this morning, I went to my pocket – like I have done every morning so far – and I found the ticket and the $50 dollar note. My credit card is not in my pocket. I checked all my clothes, in my bag, on the bathroom floor, under my bed – nowhere to be found. I retraced my steps and remember that I felt it when I entered the lobby of the hotel.
So either it fell out of my pocket when I reached in for my hotel card or it vanished into thin air somewhere in my hotel room.
Ugh - can you believe it? Losing a credit card in my first week in New York?
I went on line, checked the latest transactions, made a list of all transactions in the past few days, emailed my bank manager in Australia and called Mastercard global.
“Welcome to New York. Ma'am” the fellow in the call centre said sarcastically - we'll send you a replacement card in 3 days.
A little freaked but with enough cash plus my ATM card, I was seriously not terribly inconvenienced, yet I tried to rationalize the reason for this experience. What did I have to learn here? Was I getting a little cocky about living in New York and needed to be brought down to earth a little? The card wasn’t getting that much action and I’m very careful with security. So what the?
Catching the downtown loop to Battery Park, I spy my first real glimpse of the Statue of Liberty then catch the free Staten Island Ferry. I got a good look at New York harbor – Jersey, Queens, Brooklyn with Staten Island is located at its entrance.
Politically incorrect - I have to say - this little island has a distinct “Blair Witch” feel to it. You know that well known poster of the old man and his wife holding a pitchfork? Yup – those folks live here in Staten Island - I'm sure of it! Initial response upon arrival - scary odd little place. Catching the bus from St George through to Richmond, I notice that almost every second building is a medical institution of some kind. There must be a lot of sick people here! I've never seen anything like it! Some hospitals looked like they had come straight out of the “One Flew Over The Cuckoos Next” movie. I half expected to see Jack Nicholson peeking out of one of the windows. :-)
It was a huge contrast to Manhattan and quite unsettling.
Loading onto the bus – “Where you headed Maam?”
Oh crap – I left the directions at the hotel.
“Um we are picking pumpkins on a farm.”
“Say what?”
Silence in the bus as the locals stare down the weird foreigners with no friggin clue where they are going.
“Um we are looking for the Decker Farm I think?”
The bus driver said ‘Sounds like you are lost – Welcome to New York Ma'am”. “You need the Historic Richmond Town” – so we took a punt and decided what the hell - i there were no pumpkins there would be old buildings – sounded fine.
It took 25 minutes to drive through very poor housing, tiny houses, even smaller streets, many American flags and extreme poverty. However these cute little houses were all adorned with the most incredible Halloween decorations. Graveyards in the front yard, witches, ghosts, pumpkins, cobwebs – it was incredible and better than some of our Qld Xmas light displays.
Arriving at Richmond, we were dropped off on the side of the road, I took out my camera – and the battery was dead.
“Don’t say it – I know – welcome to New York aarrgghhhhhh!!!!!!&&##!!!”
The most glorious autumn colours, historical buildings and oddest of sights - yup - I have no way of capturing any of these images.
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT????
CAN THIS DAY GET ANY BETTER?????
Walking down the street through rustling brown and gold leaves floating to the earth, squelching under feet - crisp and happy - we walk past houses that look haunted by their past, imprinted by painful memories and broken down organically by time – the way that the autumn leaves gradually dissolve into the earth and fertilize it for new growth.
I was sure that old man and his wife would chase us down this deserted eery street with that pitchfork in one hand and screaming ‘ “Welcome to New York” – the scene was breathtakingly beautiful and unsettlingly evil all at once.
We walked around the village and discovered the Pumpkin Patch sign in time for an old yellow school bus to come along and take us to Decker Farm - no charge - just like the Staten Island ferry.
This quirky strange little place began to look warm and comforting. Chatting to the bus driver her entire family live in Staten Island and refuse to move to Manhattan - she has lived here her whole life. As she speaks about her family and we drive through old farmland and family suburbs, with young famillies trick or treating through the magically decorated houses and it becomes clear about the home town appeal of living here.
My initial creepy feeling about this place begins to dissipate by the time we reach the Decker farm – the one remaining farm on the island. I sample pumpkin pie, (Almost as good as grandma’s pumpkin scones) pick pumpkins, (large, orange and sweet) take a hay ride and buy some locally knitted ghost and witch puppets. The farm itself is 200 years old, most of the buildings remain albeit held together with prayers and moss and it is easy to see that life on it throughout thsoe 200 years would have been extreme.
Back on the bus, back on the ferry, we leave American history behind and return to Manhattan - the city where everything and everyone is seemingly for sale. The quest - find Chinatown by walking through wall Street, down to Broadway past the City Hall and magnificient parks and discover life on Canal Street - the home of Chinatown and discount shopping. (I'm safe - no credit card remember?)
On the map it looked close but one hour later we were still wandering aimlessly - hungry, tired, smelly in the sweltering heat of the Autumn day until I finally spotted a Hungry Jacks symbol with asian writing on the sign. My craving for seafood and rice complete I feel extra brave and make the fool hardy decision to take the subway back home.
It’s Halloween remember? Kids and parents and trick or treating on every street corner, Halloween Parade blockades are installed at strategic spots along Broadway and throngs of people push me down the subway before I locate the map and confirm which track to take.
I decide to take a punt, if I take the 4 to Brooklyn Bridge - I can change to the J and get off at 14th Union Square if all else fails.
I saunter over to the turnstile and swipe my Metrocard (I purchased a 30 day card for $89 on Thursday – I was so proud of myself) WRONG!!! It wouldn’t let me through– insufficient funds! What the? I’ve used it twice. I go over to the guy at the ticket machine –
“Welcome to New York Maam! – You’ll need to buy another ticket – I can’t help you.”
Arrrgghhhh – fine – I buy another one – and gain access to the track and hop on the 4 - fingers crossed and hopefully heading north. My stomach churns when two French ladies beside me ask in broken English “Does anyone know where we are going?” To which a loud little guy from New Jersey declares that he has no clue either. Lucky for all of us, this lovely young tall local guy announces that we are headed north towards 14th. Phew! The Jersey guy is pissed and tells the whole carriage about how bad Manhattan subways are - very loudly proclaiming that a foreigner would be screwed trying to take the subway tonight giving me the chance to pipe up - “Well yes I’m from Australia and I don’t know where the hell I’m going” .
“Welcome to New York Ma'am!”
And this lovely fellow proceeds to give me directions to get off closest to 34th Street. He is from Queens and headed towards 59th Street for the Halloween Village celebration.and proceeds to guide me to the correct station to disembark and even gives me directions for which street to take.
Sure there have been rude people here - but for the most part - I have met such helpful people here in New York. They don’t have to help – but have gone out of their way to welcome me – he he – on several occasions – and give me whatever helpful hints they can.
I exited at 33rd Street – Park Avenue – ahhh – no credit card – no shopping – a good thing. Crossed Madison Avenue – ah – visit another time - don't look - head down - focus on getting home. Continued down to 34th and once I saw the familiar ledges of the Empire State, I knew I was close to home.
Streets packed with costumed trick or treaters, the air is alive with celebration, colour and magic tonight.
I feel very welcome in New York!
The Return of the Rock Chick
I was sold one limited view ticket for the 25 years of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame concert. Limited view – I thought – how bad could it be? :-)
Well ..........my view was substantially better than the folks seated directly behind the stage. I saw side of stage and the screen in the ceiling and on the side. Seriously it was a fine view considering the talent I was being served – and what a feast that was!
Tom Hanks introduced the evening. Tiny neat little man – well spoken – clean – slight – he read from the autocue facing me very succinctly. He looked much shorter that I would imagine. He introduced the first act, Aretha Franklin – a larger than life character resplendent in her bright red sparkled full length gown – divine up swept hair. For a woman in her 70s, she is incredible. And her vocal range would put a girl 1/3 of her age to shame. She sang all her famous hits and was joined on stage by Annie Lennox and Lenny Kravitz. Finishing with R.E.S.P.E.C.T. she introduced her band and most of them were related to her in some way and all looked well fed and of normal size. They were the exception to the rule.
From the grey haired roadies on the ground directing bump in and bump out to the stage hands, techies and backing musos to finally the rock stars themselves – being 50,60 and 70 doesn’t necessarily mean looking older. Either the drugs they have done over the past few decades have mummified them at an eternal 30, they have their plastic surgeons on retainer or they are secretly robots programmed for our entertainment (ya never know) but these dudes looked healthy, fit and sensational.
Jeff Beck and his band were up next and were exceptional. Jeff is in his 60s I think and looked 30. It looked like perhaps his daughter – couldn't be anymore than 20 years of age – was on bass guitar – and her playing brought tears to my eyes. John Pattitucci eat your heart out – she was the stand out musician of the evening. Jeff had several special guests – Sting – one of the beared old dudes from ZZ Top and Buddy Gay.
Metallica – the best front man ever – performed all the song I know from Alex and Niko playing Guitar Hero :-). Enter Sandman was just fantastic!!! They connected to the crowd in such a personable fashion - I really appreciated them. They gigged with Ray Davies from the Kinks and Ozzy Osbourne - I know - who would have though right - Ozzy friggin Osbourne!!! Ozzy looked fantastic – tiny, slim, healthy – he was literally bouncing on stage with his consistent – "Come on F**kers!" to the crowd (Eerytime he yelled it I thought of you Kate – he he) Topped off with U2, (Bono - by the way who needed the autocue to sing his own songs - what the?) Bruce Springsteen, Fergie from Black Eyed Peas mixing it up on stage, the night was a perfect way to introduce me to MY KIND of New York.
All the guys performing on stage (with the exception of Aretha and her band - they looked human) looked like gods! After the show I took off in the last song and exited with the staff and noticed all the agents and managers looking exhausted old and fat. Interesting mmmmm???? Food for thought. This concert reminded me how much I missed being a rock chick. I would have performed most of the songs that I heard tonight myself while gigging and it certainly brought back memories of life on stage and on the road. Since ending that incarnation and focusing on being the mother and/or corporate bitch characters, I have shut down the Rock Chick, stuck her in a cupboard and locked the door. Yet tonight I really wanted to let her out and rescue her from the deep dark recesses of suburban have tos!!
I work in the Music Industry yet rarely go and see a live show as it is too much like work. Tonight reminded me of the joy that rock and roll brings. It seriously does - how can you be angry and depressed when your heart beats in time with the drums and bass!:-)
Observing the audience I saw a mix of Armani suited Wall Street Guys – Bud in one hand and head banging with the other – families dragging their early reluctant teens with them – invariably Dad wearing his tattered daggy original Metallica T Shirt plus the standard groupies – albeit older – still killer bodies however with the faces of grannies.
Dodging the end of concert crush I escaped in the final song, raced out through 7th, took the block down to 34th and weaved in between paparazzi, stretch limousines waiting for their masters to emerge, screaming fans and police and security everywhere. As I dashed down the street, I tripped on the footpath and fell to within an inch of Annie Lennox freshly emerged from one of the sidewalk autograph signing areas. I apologized and told her I loved her in the Wizard Of Oz – (no idea where that came from) she giggled and wished me a good night.
Back to the room home in time for my Skype call with Alex and Tim – clearly more important than star watching across the road with the Papparazzi.
The Rock Chick safely back in the cupboard for now - had a blast! Thank You New York!
Well ..........my view was substantially better than the folks seated directly behind the stage. I saw side of stage and the screen in the ceiling and on the side. Seriously it was a fine view considering the talent I was being served – and what a feast that was!
Tom Hanks introduced the evening. Tiny neat little man – well spoken – clean – slight – he read from the autocue facing me very succinctly. He looked much shorter that I would imagine. He introduced the first act, Aretha Franklin – a larger than life character resplendent in her bright red sparkled full length gown – divine up swept hair. For a woman in her 70s, she is incredible. And her vocal range would put a girl 1/3 of her age to shame. She sang all her famous hits and was joined on stage by Annie Lennox and Lenny Kravitz. Finishing with R.E.S.P.E.C.T. she introduced her band and most of them were related to her in some way and all looked well fed and of normal size. They were the exception to the rule.
From the grey haired roadies on the ground directing bump in and bump out to the stage hands, techies and backing musos to finally the rock stars themselves – being 50,60 and 70 doesn’t necessarily mean looking older. Either the drugs they have done over the past few decades have mummified them at an eternal 30, they have their plastic surgeons on retainer or they are secretly robots programmed for our entertainment (ya never know) but these dudes looked healthy, fit and sensational.
Jeff Beck and his band were up next and were exceptional. Jeff is in his 60s I think and looked 30. It looked like perhaps his daughter – couldn't be anymore than 20 years of age – was on bass guitar – and her playing brought tears to my eyes. John Pattitucci eat your heart out – she was the stand out musician of the evening. Jeff had several special guests – Sting – one of the beared old dudes from ZZ Top and Buddy Gay.
Metallica – the best front man ever – performed all the song I know from Alex and Niko playing Guitar Hero :-). Enter Sandman was just fantastic!!! They connected to the crowd in such a personable fashion - I really appreciated them. They gigged with Ray Davies from the Kinks and Ozzy Osbourne - I know - who would have though right - Ozzy friggin Osbourne!!! Ozzy looked fantastic – tiny, slim, healthy – he was literally bouncing on stage with his consistent – "Come on F**kers!" to the crowd (Eerytime he yelled it I thought of you Kate – he he) Topped off with U2, (Bono - by the way who needed the autocue to sing his own songs - what the?) Bruce Springsteen, Fergie from Black Eyed Peas mixing it up on stage, the night was a perfect way to introduce me to MY KIND of New York.
All the guys performing on stage (with the exception of Aretha and her band - they looked human) looked like gods! After the show I took off in the last song and exited with the staff and noticed all the agents and managers looking exhausted old and fat. Interesting mmmmm???? Food for thought. This concert reminded me how much I missed being a rock chick. I would have performed most of the songs that I heard tonight myself while gigging and it certainly brought back memories of life on stage and on the road. Since ending that incarnation and focusing on being the mother and/or corporate bitch characters, I have shut down the Rock Chick, stuck her in a cupboard and locked the door. Yet tonight I really wanted to let her out and rescue her from the deep dark recesses of suburban have tos!!
I work in the Music Industry yet rarely go and see a live show as it is too much like work. Tonight reminded me of the joy that rock and roll brings. It seriously does - how can you be angry and depressed when your heart beats in time with the drums and bass!:-)
Observing the audience I saw a mix of Armani suited Wall Street Guys – Bud in one hand and head banging with the other – families dragging their early reluctant teens with them – invariably Dad wearing his tattered daggy original Metallica T Shirt plus the standard groupies – albeit older – still killer bodies however with the faces of grannies.
Dodging the end of concert crush I escaped in the final song, raced out through 7th, took the block down to 34th and weaved in between paparazzi, stretch limousines waiting for their masters to emerge, screaming fans and police and security everywhere. As I dashed down the street, I tripped on the footpath and fell to within an inch of Annie Lennox freshly emerged from one of the sidewalk autograph signing areas. I apologized and told her I loved her in the Wizard Of Oz – (no idea where that came from) she giggled and wished me a good night.
Back to the room home in time for my Skype call with Alex and Tim – clearly more important than star watching across the road with the Papparazzi.
The Rock Chick safely back in the cupboard for now - had a blast! Thank You New York!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Sleepy Little Town
Yesterday was stuffed with activity. It didnt seem like much but I woke exhausted.
The plan was to do a little shopping and then take the Downtown Loop to check out Soho and finally check out the Statue of Liberty.
Yeah well, I'm not very hurried here at all. After sauntering around the neighbourhood, checking out stores and shops and having a leisurely breakfast at herald Square, I stumble across St Francis of Assisi church and I'd check it out. A mass began just as I made my entrance and so I spent an hour and a half listening to my first New York Catholic sermon. The mosaic above the altar was spectacular and I must admit I was enchanted by the artwork through the church. One in particular showing Dante Aligheri and Christopher Columbus was especially attractive. The church was built in 1929 - not its not terribly old. however it has that real 1930s New York feel to it. (Like Empire State Building and the New Yorker hotel which is home for a while) There is an air of creativity and freshness and the new with this style of decor that is juxtaposed against its dated colours.
The fransiscan priest spoke in the thickest of New York accents I have heard so far and his whole sermon was dedicated to the love of the Jews. Apparently there is vicious rivalry in NY between Catholics and Jews. (Catholics being Irish and Italian) I chatted to an old man after the service who recalled his youth in the violence of racial and relgious uprisings in this regard. Forgive my ignorance, however I have seen so many Jews since being in New York. I say that word carefully, it is merely an identifyer for people dressed in traditional clothing, the hat and the curly hair down each side. I've not encountered contact in thsi way in Brisbane - ever. So it is fascinating to be introduced to a whole new world here.
Sitting in the church, taking in the images and listening to the words, I understand a little more about the symbolic language in this "story" and feel quite priveleged about the education I have been given. A mass in the middle of the day in busy New York city, people from all walks of life and it is jam packed! Wow you'd be lucky to have 100th of that number attend on a Sunday - the prime time in Brisbane. Very interesting!
Suitably inspired, I leave the church and become hopelessly lost somewhere between 6th and 5th avenues. I emerge right next to Victoria's Secret stores. It's a Sign!!!!! :-) Oh Alex - this shop is divine - just perfect for a Capricorn birthday shopping trip! :-) Then I visited JC Penney and checked out the levels of fashion options. Bought a couple of things for myself - another religious experience!
Back home to sleep for a couple of hours as I am off to the Rock and Roll Hall of fame concert tonight at Madison Square Garden featuring: Aretha Franklin, Annie Lennox, U2, Lenny Kravitz and Metallica. It's great to be so close to this concert hall. Walking back home I watched the aging stage hands bump in the incredible truckloads of gear. Those guys have probably been on the road for most of their lives. Now grey haired, they still look as hooked on the music as ever.
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