... when you've spent more time at CP this summer than you have at work?
Kinda hard if you ask me.
Friday, not too bad a day, got there a little late and litterally RAN into Hooper walking down the Midway and spent most of the night riding with him, including what ended up being my last MF ride and we scored front seat, just 3 trains after Jeff scored, talk about karma. Aldo introduced Hooper to the Red Garter crew, and he saw why I liked being there so much. Something was in the air that Friday the 13th, running into ride-op's I haven't seen all season (Hi Sarah!!!) and the 'guest scenery' was nothign short of amazing.
Saturday, of god, so much to say. I knew, when I had to come in the back road and STILL ended up parking in the low 40's area it was gonna be one kinda day, Insane, only got on 3 rides (including a last train with Wiredog on Raptor). I actually spent a good portion of the day slinging kegs for the Red Garter folks (who just about ran out of everything, even down the napkins) and validating tickets so that they wouldn't be there till 5am trying to finish up. Days like Sat. are the reason I remember why I'll probably never get a job at CP unless I audition for Live E.
Sunday... truly a sad day. Terrible weather but I held out hope that there was a light at the end of the tunnel. I showed up at close to 2pm, with black duffelbag in hand, packed full of roses for all the Garter girls, the 2 performers, and one very special ride-op. My cousin finally showed up at the Garter so it was time to ride, having actually gotten into Garter without any of the girls seeing thier flowers. Over the course of teh day I gave the girls thier flowers, delivered to one ride op and got my last ride on Mantis (broke tradition) early in the day because nothing short of an act of god was gonna stop me from attending the 6pm final show. THAT was worth the whole season, to see so many people who jut LOVE to be on the stage giving it thier all, with the 3 front rows of table's full of regulars, standing room only, and a VERY happy Mr. Kinzel in the upper balcony, it was nothing short of a religious experience. End of show, the band is taking bows and I walk up and give Anna and Amy Jo thier flowers, they looked like they were gonna cry. Call me cheesey but these people helped me get through a very interesting summer.
Last show's done, phone numbers, addresses', emails exchanged and meeting times for Louie's set. It was time to head out for the last ride of the season. Met up with Wiredog and Hooper at Raptor, rode, and then jumped back in the line and waiting till Raptor John came up with the wait sign and said, time for you people to ride. We got the last public ride of the season, taking off to cheering and applause by the crew. After getting off, the crew was forming kinda a 'crucible' for the people to leave, high fiving and hugging people they knew from the season. We stuck around to watch the crew do thier last ride, welcoming them back to the platform with a loud "Welcome back Raptor Riders HOW WAS THAT RIDE?!?!".
All in all, it was a fun day, weekend, and season.
So once again, what do you say when you've spent more time at CP this summer than you have at work?
Thank you.
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Final MF count (including MM days) - 269