PJSBackPack

One of my planned events on the trip – a cruise out to Tiri Tiri island, which is a bird sanctuary where they are trying to bring back some of NZ’s rarer species. Had a great hiking tour around the island with Jenny, our tour guide who also told us about the flowers, trees, history, and so much more.  Jenny was a volunteer like all the tour guides, and her 9-5 job is an office manager in Auckland at a Financial Investment firm. Great day.

So the concert ticket here included free public transportation by bus or train – again, all very well organized, no queue (that’s NZ for a ‘line of people’), and no one drove to the concert, so no traffic. You could also bring in ‘homemade’ food like sandwiches, but I saw a lot of kiwi’s (that’s a term for New Zealander’s) with packaged food in the backpacks. Walked right into the concert venue, and there I saw the biggest bar I have ever seen – anywhere. Literally there were at least 100 servers ready to serve at a register. No queue when I first got there, but later in the evening it was busy. Also loved the port-a-pottys were separated for men and women 🙂

So one of my favorite things to do at a concert is to sit and watch people – so my general impression of Kiwi’s – laid back, great sense of humor, and they dress impeccibly – not like ‘dressed up’ but casual and they all look like they just walked out of a magazine. And the guys – seriously they were stylin’ with better leather shoes than I have even owned!  Might just be Auckland area, so we’ll see what I see in the rest of the NZ.

Oh yeah – the concert happened then too.  There were 2 opening acts, the second one, JET, I watched/listened for a bit and they have a few songs most of you would probably recognize.  The crowd was big – and much like the Dublin show I went to , everyone – and I mean everyone was extremely polite, courteous, and just wanted to enjoy the show. I was in the front ‘pit’ next to the stage, but stayed back where it wasn’t so packed as it was up front.

Bruce & the E Street Band did not disappoint. The sound was amazing – especially for an outdoor venue. They were all one – sounding better than they ever had together. Kiwi’s being laid back – were laid back, but you could tell everyone had a good time. 

 

So first impressions, awesome. Kinda reminds me of Ireland, Iceland, and some parts of the USA. Tidy, organized, and such friendly people!  I’m going to have to start taking pictures of the people I meet – if they don’t mind. Everyone I’ve met at the hotel is either from the states or Canada, and the majority of them are doing or have done a Princess Cruise around NZ and Australia. Before the concert in the hotel elevator, I met a dad and his son from Jersey who had won backstage passes for the concert at a charity event back home. I also met up with a New Yorker, Susan, who I met through a ‘Bruce’ fan website, so we rode the bus to the concert together.

 

 

So to get to New Zealand, the most direct and best tipping off point from the USA is Los Angeles, CA. I flew from Buffalo to Los Angeles early Wednesday morning – good thing too. I had a layover in Chicago Midway, and soon after I arrived there, many flights were being diverted away to other airports due to fog. So it was worth getting up at 2:00 AM to catch the earliest flight!  And our flight to Los Angeles was on time and the plane was at the hanger.  Side note to Dave Miller – check out my lunch place in Chicago Midway airport:

Arrived in LA at 11:30 am. Luggage did too. So what to do in LA for at least 6 hours as there was nothing I could do with my luggage, and I can’t check it into Air New Zealand until 5:30 pm??  Rent a car – why not?  I’d be cheaper than a hotel room and easier having not to drag around my suitcase. It’s a Wednesday, no holiday, how bad could it be?  Busier than you could imagine.  And since I booked through Hotwire, I could not claim my Hertz AAA gold status, so in the line queue I go. I was out of there fairly quickly compared to most of those around me complaining about anything and everything. Seriously people – quit bitching!  Maybe it was because I was not on a tight schedule, but from Buffalo to Los Angeles, all anyone did around me was complain due to waiting, a line, someone else getting ahead of them, etc. etc.  

So in my Nissan Quest mini-van, the only vehicle they had that was ready – per Randy M, my e-guide who on the video monitor was in Florida, but had a hilarious backdrop of the Canadian Rockies – all the video guides did on all the kiosks – that was just weird.  They should at least mix them up a little! OK – back to the 2016 mini-van. Now those of you know I have a 2006 Subaru Baja with an actual key you have to turn to start. Yes, I know how the newer cars start, but I hardly ever do!!  So I almost coast through the fence in front of me rather than back up. Well the car was “ON” but not running.  Whatever.  A nice man assisted me and off I go. 

Santa Monica was only 7 miles, and traffic was not bad – either way. Parking wasn’t bad either. The Pier reminded me of New Jersey’s boardwalks, but much smaller. Rides, wooden boards, gift shops, and a great little burger joint called Pete’s where you dine with the pigeons sitting on your table.  A little scary ‘Birds’ movie like, but they persisted, and I ate fast.

Headed down the pier, sun, wind, and the Pacific Ocean – what more could be a better way to spend a few hours?  So I did.

Hotel California  – link to guy playing Eagles on the Pier

I know it’s crazy to fly half way around the earth to see a Bruce Springsteen concert.  I know that. I know I have seen him countless times.  I know that. My life, my choices. Here is my Bruce history.

Back to the ‘Origins’ post…Maura had introduced me to some of Bruce’s first albums, and we would listen to them in her upstairs bedroom over and over. I bought the album Born To Run and listened intently, and read those lyrics on the album cover.  Bruce is a poet. As an artist, he chose music to express himself as best he could to the rest of us who would stop and listen.

My first Bruce Springsteen concert was in October 1980.  So I was 14 years old, I think in 8th grade at Seneca in Penn Hills, PA. Maura’s brother, Danny, had gotten tickets for Bruce’s River tour. I was invited.  I said yes – and I don’t really recall asking my parents, but I may have 🙂 Ticket was $10.

So I think of this as if it was today’s world.  Would I let a 14 year old and her best friend along with her older brother and 5 of his older friends go to a concert in the Civic Arena in downtown Pittsburgh?? Who knows. Who cares – it happened the way it was supposed to happen then.  Danny & Maura picked me up in Danny’s convertible, top was down. I do recall picking up Danny’s girlfriend (?) I think, then heading downtown. Now that is a Springsteen song.  Late October driving to the big town in a convertible with the top down. The stage was set there, little did any of us know it at that time.

Get to our seats – we’re about 3 rows from the top of the Civic Arena, all 8 of us lined up in our row waiting in a smoked-filled dome. The concert starts and we’re on our feet. We were on our feet for the next 3+ hours, singing, dancing, yelling, and I was hooked.  No – I did not know all the songs like everyone else did. No – I did not smoke the pot that was being passed and offered (Marlene – true story).  I do remember the actual songs, the actual sold-out crowd feeling all as one, the fun, the sore throat afterward, the ride home with the top still down in that convertible, and it has never left me.  I was a true Bruce Springsteen ‘tramp’ from that moment on.

I had been to other concerts previously, I believe Jackson Browne may have been my first big concert in the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh.  I had been to other shows – kudos to my mom for taking us kids at very young ages to shows like ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ and the like. Kudos to my dad who always drove or picked us up at the concerts – no matter what time or how much traffic we got stuck in. And let’s not forget the many a weekend to Ches-A-Rina!! our roller skating heaven across the river.

But Bruce was different.  He set the stage for me, to gauge all other concerts by. Most others failed.  I soon realized there was no one like him live in concert.  I remember going to see ‘The Police’ shortly after Bruce and telling my friend Carolyn all about how much fun we’re gonna have, how long we’ll be there – and it was a total bust. Sting and the boys came out for an hour and half, just stood there, did their ‘job’ and done. Bow Wow Wow opened for them and really all I remember was their big song ‘I want Candy’.  Total letdown.

But Bruce would be back. And so would I.  – PJS out

And I sit here typing on the hotel computer as my tablet had decided it does not want to charge, nor work while plugged in!  Way to go PJS – just living up to my denial of being an IT (Information Technology) person.  So we’ll deal with it.  Funny thing is I decided to upgrade my iPhone just before I left and not only did it drop some frequent contacts (like Farmer’s phone # which has been in my cellphones since day 1!! ) but the bluetooth is not syncing my headphones, and other settings are just not quite right.  Is this the universe telling me to go offline?!!?  

Again, it is 5:30 am.  I arrived in Auckland after 13 hours of flight time over the Pacific. Not as bad as you can imagine, but it did help getting upgraded on my flight to ‘Premium’ Economy on New Zealand Air.  Everything was amazing, from start to finish. Huge plane – I’m talking huge!  Never had better service in my life on a plane. Food was amazing, wine was amazing and the staff were just beyond nice and so accomodating. 

Talking to other passengers on the flight in the wee early morning hours before landing, after getting maybe 3 hours of good sleep, I met a very nice older couple from Bakersfield, CA.  They were heading on a Princess Cruise around Australia and New Zealand. We get to talking about our travel plans, then about how I got to LA from Buffalo – and Dan, the husband states he went to school by there in Erie, PA.  Small world, here we come.  He was from Sharon, PA and attended EDINBORO college quite a bit earlier than when I had been there. He also stayed in Centennial Hall dorm. For those non-Boro friends, that is the same dorm I lived in for my first year.  Small fricken world.  

Dan had actually worked at Sharon Steel out of high school in the foundry for a year.  It was after working there, he decided to go to college. Really think more high school graduates should follow this path – do some kind of full time work for at least a year before deciding on the higher education path, if that’s the one they choose.

So back to why am I typing this before the sun rises (here)?  Well I was doing very well yesterday (Friday the 24th) getting to my amazing hotel, the Langham, Auckland, around 10:00 AM, and they sent me off to the spa to use their amazing facilities until my room was ready.  Text at 11:00 AM – my room was ready.  So get into the room, get settled, then I had booked a massage that afternoon, hoping to overcome any jet lag effects.  Massage was amazing (I know I am overusing that word but it fits!) by a local named Sharita. Figured that’d give me a boost to go for a walkabout Auckland.  It’s about 75 degrees, partly cloudy. 

Fail – as soon as I got back to my room and sat on the bed – next thing I remember was looking at the clock (which is in the 24 hour format, so not really sure exactly what time it was as I was so tired I could not think at all) and thinking I really should get up and go outside for fresh air, and figure out dinner although I was still full from my airline breakfast. Never happened. Next time I woke up it was dark and I succombed to sleep. 

Then up at 3:00 AM.  Laid back down, but gave up.  I was up and I would have to nap at some point later today as I have a big day in Auckland – it’s Boss time.  That is Bruce Springsteen’s nickname for those not in the know.

Sad news from home – most of you know my friend Twila.  Her husband, Dan Zellefrow, just passed away. This is a complete shock as myself nor anyone else knew anything about it.  Twila stated it was his request to not let anyone know whatever was going on.  She texted me that he was in his final stage of passing.  Dan was a great man, and he & I had a special connection, with Twila as the conduit. I will miss his smile, wit, and laugh.  And I’m glad he is not suffering anymore.

I have not seen or talked to Twila in quite awhile, I had last seen her & Dan when they came to pick up Newman (our camper) for Twila to go to Blue Heron last July, and I only spoken to Dan’s sister, Vic, after that and she had stated neither Dan or Twila were in a good place. Not really sure Vic knew about Dan’s condition or not at that time.

Twila and I have our moments of drifting apart over the years, I’m just sorry I cannot be there for her and the rest of Dan’s family right now being on the other side of the earth, but I am with them and Dan in spirit for sure.

So why New Zealand and why now? Well let’s go back to about 1978 – and yes, I know that pre-dates many of you, but bear with me.  That is when a certain little red head girl moved in up on Hunter Road, just up from our house on Springwood Drive in Penn Hills, a suburb of Pittsburgh. I was happily in love with Barry Manilow – yes, I admit that. When I got his double live album for Christmas 1976, I was thrilled beyond belief.

Then one of my older sisters, could be Mar the Car, won a Jackson Browne album from 13Q AM radio station called Running on Empty.  None of us knew him but we knew the title song. Then I listened to the entire album, and I had moved on from Barry, somewhat. I truly was fascinated with Jackson Browne’s lyrics and music, and I listened to that album at least a hundred times.

Then the little red head girl, let’s call her Maura McIntyre, introduced me to the man who brought me here today. Yes, that would be Bruce Springsteen.  What does Bruce Springsteen have to do with New Zealand today?  Well he’s playing in Auckland, New Zealand this Saturday.  Mind you, I have always wanted to see New Zealand anyways, this was just the added motivation to plan it out.

More later = gotta catch my flight!  PJS out –

 

 

So the journey begins… PJS