Set up day in Philly

The setup was going well, right up until we actually tried to power on the projector, and got nothing.
Who needs a working projector anyway?

We grabbed the back up projector and that one powered up no problem, but no image. After about 45 minutes of checking cables, connections, and then replacing breakout cables, we finally got image. There were about 4 breakout cables that were bad.
So, we got the image up, and then called Rick to let him know that the projector was not working. Rick hopped in his car and drove all the way down from Maplewood about two hours away with a replacement projector.
Problem solved!

You have to appreciate that kind of support. The owner of the company, dropping everything to make sure that you have a good backup is something we all appreciated.

Rob and I put a wide angle lens in the projector, threw it up and got it looking all pretty, and then off to bed!

Philadelphia PA

We are at the Westin in Philly, which is a really nice hotel... complete with Heavenly beds. If you have never stayed in a Westin and experienced the Heavenly bed.... you are missing out!
I am not sure that the Heavenly part of the experience is really about the bed, or just the pillows. Whatever it is... Westin has really nailed the complete experience. The rest I get from the Heavenly bed is just... Heavenly. (Ok.. I had to say it)

7:30 call this morning, and we had to set up a Monitor meeting, which was basically just a projector and screen. That turned into a last minute call for a sound system with a couple of wireless microphones. We were supposed to get into the room at 10:15 when they went to break, so at 10:10 we were ready to roll into the room and get setup. They were running late, and told me that it would be an additional 5-10 minutes.
55 minutes later, They still weren't really ready for a break, but they took a 5 minute break and we rocked out the set-up. Everyone was happy. Now, we are in standby till 3:00 pm when the truck from Staging Horizons is supposed to show up with the rest of the gear.
Rob and I already setup the conference mics, and wired everything.
I think it is about time to go get some lunch!

We are not alone

I found a funny story on some guy's blog that shows that we are not alone in this madness.

some big cheese lawyer couldn't figure out how to operate a laser pointer during his presentation.

It just goes to show that other people deal with the same kind of stupid things we have to.

Laser Pointer story

what is going on.

Just for you faithful readers. I am hanging out at home, leaving for Philly on Tuesday. So, no blogs about the Corporate Theater happening till then.

I would post a photo of what I am doing now, but no one wants to see me passed out with a bottle of Jack Daniels spilled across my chest.

Photos

Ok, For whatever reason... my normal photo posting methods are not cutting it anymore.

So, it all goes back to the beginning and I am once again posting on Flickr.

Flickr allows a bulk upload process which makes it soooooo much easier.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevelarosesphotos

My old Flickr site was

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevelarose

hope you enjoy... I am sure it will change again nothing ever stays the same on the inter-web

I did however post a few just below this one for your enjoyment.

I made it out alive!

The show ended, and we all just basically walked away. We felt the Russian crew didn't deserve our help on the strike and load out. So, we were out of there. 

We met in the bar in the hotel for a drink, and then shortly thereafter we went to the Japanese place that Eric and I went to on Sunday. We ended up getting a couple of tables out on the patio in front, and had a ton of Sushi. It was really good and a nice way to end a pretty hard week.

The one good tech from the Russian crew joined us, and then after dinner took us to an Irish pub to watch the Chelsea/Manchester soccer game. We stayed there till the game was over, and then finally left around 2:00 am. 

The next morning Rob and I were going to try to meet at 10:00 am for breakfast, but we both were entirely to exhausted, so we ended up somewhere around 11:00 am in the lobby. 

We hired a van from the front desk to take us over to the other hotel, and were pleasantly surprised at how perfect the place was for our needs. Nothing flashy, but not a dive either. 

Once we dumped off our stuff, we were in desperate need of fast food. We hiked back over to Nevsky Prospect and went to Carls Jr. We downed some greasy cheese burgers  and then headed over to the souvenir fair to pick up some Russian gak. 

Back to the hotel and I was exhausted... ready for a nap. Staying out till 2:00 am just isn't as easy as it used to be.

Rob wanted to go to the Hermitage though, and so off we went!

By the time we got there we had about an hour and a half to see the museum. We went in and I was really amazed at the beauty of the actual museum. The Art was gorgeous as well, but the interior of the building was fantastic!

After the Museum, we went to a restaurant for a beer, and shot some pool. We were really tired, and didn't want to spend a lot of money or time on dinner, so we went to McDonalds and had a delicious Big Mac and some tasty Chicken Mc nuggets. then back to the hotel to crash. The next day we got to the airport and it was very confusing! We finally just followed the crowd through a doorway, and found that before you even get to the ticket counter, you have to go through security. Once you figured that out, it was pretty painless. I sat in the lounge for a while, and then off to the gate.

I landed in frankfurt with plenty of time, but no tickets. So, I had to find a United counter to get boarding passes printed.  From this point on, I started feeling very run down.  By the time my plane landed in DC I was feeling really bad. Home in Greensboro by midnight, and I didn't know if I was going to make the drive home. I collapsed into bed and have not moved since Friday night. Today is Memorial day, and I am actually feeling like I am going to survive.

Here are a few more photos from Russia.

The Show

I have typed a few different sentences and then backspaced over them to start this blog. I just have no idea where to start. 

The madness started out in the General Session when Eric turned on the first microphone and found that the simultaneous interpretation vendor was taking the feed from the PA and sending it so hot into the earphones that the 120 earphones were louder than the PA system.

The lighting instrument that we were using to project a gobo was most likely right out of the box, and it started smelling up the room with a burnt paint smell.

Then the stage right projector decided to just overheat and turn itself off. 

Then the stage Left projector crapped out. We called for a back up and a brand new back up lamp. George ripped apart the machine and worked on it for a bit... to no avail. 

It took hours... like 5 hours to get them to bring us the new gear. 

Then towards the end of the day, we lost the front couple of rows of microphones so I had to become mic runner boy. 

Everyone needed a drink last night... that is for sure.

Today... smooth sailing. You wouldn't think that there were any issues at all.

Oh... Besides the fact that the Russian AV crew stinks. Beyond the idea that they are not good at the  job... The have more body odor than just about anything I have ever smelled.

All I can tell you.. is don't get into the elevator with them.. take the next one!