what is it about June
It seems like every year around this time I hurt myself. You know a major cut, sunburn or like this past weekend a sprained ankle.
The worst part was it was a stupid accident. I rolled my foot on a broken sidewalk coming off of steps on a porch. In all fairness the sidewalk had some weeds and grass growing through and it had been raining. I haven't heard the end of it from one of my sister's kids who thought it was funny.
The picture here was from this morning, it actually looks worse now but feels better.
Lots of ice and wrapping it. Ice being the most important part especially in the first 48 hours.
The reason I mention this whole ankle story is it happened at a bad time. I leave this weekend to begin another run of shows. It's going to be a busy summer and it means a lot of time on my feet.
I also have a lot of flying to do in the next week too. Saturday it's off to San Francisco where we do a show on Sunday in Stockton California. I then fly back home on Monday. On Wednesday I turn around and fly to Milwaukee. We have to fly to Calgary within the first week of the tour too.
Thankfully I have a couple ace bandages and lots of Ibuprofen.
Labels: Airports, F11, Finger Eleven, Touring, Tours
Trick or Treat.....huh
It's just past midnight and Halloween is over. Today didn't feel like a fall day nor did it feel like a day to dress up. It was nearly 70 degrees and sunny.
I returned home Monday night 10 days early. First thing I did yesterday was finally get a new chair for my living room. I have been looking around for quite awhile for one. Well I went big and I mean BIG with this one. Spent about $200 more than I planned but I figured if I am going to be home might as well be comfortable. Especially after the flights the other day.
I came back from Houston where the guys played Buzzfest which is a radio station festival. The date was previously scheduled to happen during the Canadian tour. Since the rest of it was cancelled we came home. We fly to Houston from Toronto on Air Canada on Saturday but on Monday I flew home on United since I was in the states. I travel with one suitcase and a small backpack and computer bag. The suitcase is a nice 30" wheel type. Now bare in mind I am on the road for weeks at a time and have to carry enough clothes for various weather conditions, especially this time of year. Plus I'm a tall guy my clothes aren't small.
I try not to over pack but I am usually at the weight limit of 50 lbs. Sometimes I am a couple pounds over and it usually isn't a big deal.
Well, on this day it was a big deal to the bitch behind the counter. I try to be nice and this women just about set me off. She was rude, condescending and acted like I was trying to take money out her pocket. She didn't want to work with me on it. I was 4 lbs over and could not get anything else in my backpack. I asked her no wonder people were so down on her airline with an attitude like that. She made a remark that it was people like me that were costing them money. I nearly slapped her and told her well I would be getting my money back one way or another.
The other thing that made it a bad day is the airport itself. Houston's Bush international airport is a dump. This is a major hub and it is run down. It has terrible amenities and if you can believe it. At 10 am there is a Mc Donald's, a Pizzeria Uno and a chinese place. Nice choices for breakfast.
There is only one metal detector at each part of the terminals. That's right one detector and one line.
To top it off I was on a small jet, which is not bad, unless you are in the last row next to the bathroom, in a seat that doesn't recline. No the lady at the check in was not responsible, I tried to change my seat on line before I got to the airport but the flight was full.
I don't understand how airlines in the US can operate like this. Air Canada seems to have no problem operating with nice planes, friendly and helpful employees. Plus there jets all have televisions with various programs, movies, music etc and they don't charge you to use it. Jet Blue is the closest one there is in America.
It is not just Canada, Europe has better service with in the continent.
Ok, so I am going to sit back and write my complaint to United. Wish me luck.
Labels: Airlines, Airports, Finger Eleven
On the road again
It's off on another tour tomorrow. Fortunately my flight isn't until the evening. Everyone is flying into Providence even though we are starting the tour in Mansfield, Mass. I have a short trip but I connect in Newark, New Jersey.
It could be interesting, especially with the luck I have had flying this year.
Labels: Airlines, Airports, Travel
Are you kidding me??!!
It's mid April and spring time at least that what the calendar says. Well it seems we are going to get a big snow storm here in the Northeast tomorrow and Monday.
This could not come at a worse time. I have a flight on Monday at noon to Los Angeles. We could see around a foot of snow. Hopefully the airport will be getting flights out, even if they are delayed.
Then there is the fact of driving to the airport. This in itself could be a challenge since I live 45 minutes from it.
I asked management if I could be booked on a flight tomorrow several weeks ago and they said no. Of course I asked this not because of the weather, but for the fact I wanted a bit of prep time with the lighting equipment that I will be carrying on the tour.
Now there is a potential I could miss the first show.
Labels: Airlines, Airports, Five For Fighting, Snow, Weather
3 Days on the road...Part 2
To continue yesterday's thoughts. I returned home early on Wednesday. The LA to Chicago flight I took was full, no surprise. The worst part of it was the 10 year old sitting behind me who decided to periodically kick the back of my seat. Now kids will be kids, but some parents really need to be slapped. When you sit there and let your child disrespect people and act like that I would hate to see how they treat you on a daily basis.
Don't get me wrong I don't hate kids, but I do hate when they think they can do whatever they want. Children are a product of their home environment.
So I made it to O'Hare without losing my temper. My connection home was delayed however. Imagine that, two Chicago connections delayed in the span of 72 hours.
Upon landing in Rochester I find the weather has changed drastically and it is 30 degrees and snowing. Oh well.
On a different note. Management mentioned that the first CD is now out of production. I am talking about
Message for Albert. So my suggestion is if you don't own it get it now. I know we are only going to have a limited number available for sale at the shows.
Labels: Airlines, Airports, Five For Fighting
Peanuts, Pretzels and weary travelers
The next few days will be filled with sleepless nights, tight spaces and smelly people.
I have to fly to Los Angeles tomorrow for a show with Five For Fighting. Yes I know we are still two weeks from the tour starting. On tuesday we will be playing a corporate event, which is actually near Costa Mesa.
These things are always interesting. Sometimes they are just a party thrown by the company. This one is a yearly event I guess, where they give out awards to their employees.
John and the band are the evenings entertainment.
Anyway I get to spend the next couple of days flying from Upstate NY to LA and then back on Wednesday. I will be trying to fly as light as possible, I'm not even going to bring a laptop. LAX is a pain, not so much flying into but flying out of, even before 9/11.
I have been on line moving my seat assignment on the flights. I wish you could select exit rows on line.
The best part of the trip is I get to spend a day and half in some nice weather. Oh yea...I get paid too.
Labels: Airlines, Airports, California, Five For Fighting
