This past weekend we were hired to handle the logistics and contract employees for the Truckin' Magazine annual truck show.
It was record temperatures (104 degrees) and a young, vulgar crowd, and we had our hands full.
Mini trucks, diesels, monster trucks, and vendors with chrome up the wazoo all pulled into the grassy venue and turned up their stereos simultaneously. I've worked at nearly 30 car shows over the years, and I've never seen such a crowd. I've never had to watch a car show participant get hauled away by the police for pulling a switch blade. I've never had to nervously oversee a security staff who regularly made contact with people who were trying to sneak some sort of narcotic onto the show grounds.
Then there was the bikini contest. What's ironic is the bikini winner wasn't even wearing one! She had pasties on her boobs and a strap for her bottoms. A strap.
There were two stripper poles on the stage, just for that portion of the show, and the girls were encouraged by the M.C. to hop up there and get everyone going. Meanwhile, we're dialing police dispatch, asking for more help with our hormonally driven, young, aggressive crowd.
After two days of this in the extreme heat (extreme for April, anyway) we were happy to finally take apart the venue and haul it all away. Exhausting.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Relay For Life
A friend of mine found out on April 11th that the "off" feeling she's had for a few months was actually cancer. By Friday the 13th, she'd lost her voice to the very aggressive throat cancer and the pain from the cervical cancer required her to be heavily medicated.
On the 17th she passed away.
I had the task of notifying the friends of hers who were somewhat difficult to find. We live in an age where people use their cell phone as their home phone, so no calls to directory assistance were successful. I found people by word of mouth, and by luck. Some of them were like me; they've known Regan for almost 20 years but were not in the habit of sitting around and chatting for an hour each week. Out of all her friends, I was one of the few who knew she wasn't feeling right and was trying to figure out what was going on.
She was the type of person who believed in alternative medicine, a wholistic approach, homeopathic remedies, and an all-natural way of life. Don't drink, don't smoke, take care of your body and it'll take care of you. Her husband Steve complimented her quirky ways by being someone who knew a lot of things about a lot of things. Whenever I had a question about something that no one seemed to know the answer to, I knew I could call Regan and Steve.
It was kind of like the relationship I had with my dad, before he passed away. Anything I needed to know, I could ask him and he would likely have the answer. When he died I felt so helpless. Who would I turn to?
Now that Regan's gone I have that same feeling.
She passed away three days before my fundraiser, the American Cancer Society Relay For Life. I was nominated to be Chairman of this event that is a signature fundraiser for a great organization. It's only been happening in Lake Havasu (my home town these days) for three years, and past fundraising totals were a good start. First year it was $16,000, second year it was $35,000. With my help they hoped to make it even higher.
I took on the role of "Carnival Barker" by appearing on the t.v, the radio, in the newspaper, and on the online news publications. I was in everyone's face, prompting them to help us reach our goal of $60,000. I made it my personal mission to turn this event into a huge success.
Then I lost Regan. I lost my steam, right when it was critical to keep going. I wanted to just lay down and cry.
But then her husband called me, and gave me some insight into where his head was at. When I assumed he'd be feeling sorry for himself, he was strong. When I thought a smile was off limits, he made me smile. Regan had been hospitalized in Las Vegas--two hours from home--because that's where the specialists were. Her husband recanted all the events that led him to that conversation with me: all the doctors, the consultations, the medications, and and the heartache of seeing her in pain. He said at one point, "This is the worst trip to Vegas I've ever had."
Tearfully, I smiled.
I then decided, "If he can do it, I can too."
I shook off the sad feelings, the tears, the despair, and I focused on the fundraiser.
I worked until it hurt, I did what needed to be done.
I explained my sadness to my Relay For Life committee, and they very kindly offered their sympathies. In a quiet conversation with Will, head of our Logistics, I told him I'd dedicate myself to the Relay and then give Regan the time she deserved in my heart AFTER the event was over.
I checked weather forcasts, worried that if we had some sort of anomoly we'd have no participants at our outdoor event. And there it was; a forecast for 30 mile per hour winds and rain. People in this town will come out in the wind, but not the rain.
I worried for a while then I realized that Regan's husband had said something pretty important, "For ten years she was my universe, and now she IS the universe."
I silently asked her, "Regan could you do this one favor for me? I know this seems a bit silly to you, considering what has happened to you this past week, but it's very important to me"
And she did. The clouds cleared up on the day we were setting up out at the track, and the wind stayed calm. Everyone was amazed at our "luck."
The event kicked off on Friday night, and I found myself chatting with t.v. cameramen and reporters. I let them all know we had Regan to thank for our great weather. They probably shrugged it off, but all the event participants knew it was quite true.
There were dancers, singers, dedications, ceremonies and all kinds of activities making it look just like I envisioned it would; a carnival.
At one point in the middle of the night, I looked up and saw the half-moon and the stars. The music from our stage was in my ear but I could hear Regan's voice, calling me "Miss Shawna" like she always did. She was there.
She was there the next morning, when the accountant was adding up the $65,000 we raised.
And she was there Saturday night, once I finally got home from cleaning up the stage, the trailers, the tables and chairs, and the 15 garbage cans at our site. I cried until my head hurt and my stomach ached. I didn't cry because it was so unfair that such a neat person was taken away like she was; I cried because I missed her. Just like that, she's gone.
On the 17th she passed away.
I had the task of notifying the friends of hers who were somewhat difficult to find. We live in an age where people use their cell phone as their home phone, so no calls to directory assistance were successful. I found people by word of mouth, and by luck. Some of them were like me; they've known Regan for almost 20 years but were not in the habit of sitting around and chatting for an hour each week. Out of all her friends, I was one of the few who knew she wasn't feeling right and was trying to figure out what was going on.
She was the type of person who believed in alternative medicine, a wholistic approach, homeopathic remedies, and an all-natural way of life. Don't drink, don't smoke, take care of your body and it'll take care of you. Her husband Steve complimented her quirky ways by being someone who knew a lot of things about a lot of things. Whenever I had a question about something that no one seemed to know the answer to, I knew I could call Regan and Steve.
It was kind of like the relationship I had with my dad, before he passed away. Anything I needed to know, I could ask him and he would likely have the answer. When he died I felt so helpless. Who would I turn to?
Now that Regan's gone I have that same feeling.
She passed away three days before my fundraiser, the American Cancer Society Relay For Life. I was nominated to be Chairman of this event that is a signature fundraiser for a great organization. It's only been happening in Lake Havasu (my home town these days) for three years, and past fundraising totals were a good start. First year it was $16,000, second year it was $35,000. With my help they hoped to make it even higher.
I took on the role of "Carnival Barker" by appearing on the t.v, the radio, in the newspaper, and on the online news publications. I was in everyone's face, prompting them to help us reach our goal of $60,000. I made it my personal mission to turn this event into a huge success.
Then I lost Regan. I lost my steam, right when it was critical to keep going. I wanted to just lay down and cry.
But then her husband called me, and gave me some insight into where his head was at. When I assumed he'd be feeling sorry for himself, he was strong. When I thought a smile was off limits, he made me smile. Regan had been hospitalized in Las Vegas--two hours from home--because that's where the specialists were. Her husband recanted all the events that led him to that conversation with me: all the doctors, the consultations, the medications, and and the heartache of seeing her in pain. He said at one point, "This is the worst trip to Vegas I've ever had."
Tearfully, I smiled.
I then decided, "If he can do it, I can too."
I shook off the sad feelings, the tears, the despair, and I focused on the fundraiser.
I worked until it hurt, I did what needed to be done.
I explained my sadness to my Relay For Life committee, and they very kindly offered their sympathies. In a quiet conversation with Will, head of our Logistics, I told him I'd dedicate myself to the Relay and then give Regan the time she deserved in my heart AFTER the event was over.
I checked weather forcasts, worried that if we had some sort of anomoly we'd have no participants at our outdoor event. And there it was; a forecast for 30 mile per hour winds and rain. People in this town will come out in the wind, but not the rain.
I worried for a while then I realized that Regan's husband had said something pretty important, "For ten years she was my universe, and now she IS the universe."
I silently asked her, "Regan could you do this one favor for me? I know this seems a bit silly to you, considering what has happened to you this past week, but it's very important to me"
And she did. The clouds cleared up on the day we were setting up out at the track, and the wind stayed calm. Everyone was amazed at our "luck."
The event kicked off on Friday night, and I found myself chatting with t.v. cameramen and reporters. I let them all know we had Regan to thank for our great weather. They probably shrugged it off, but all the event participants knew it was quite true.
There were dancers, singers, dedications, ceremonies and all kinds of activities making it look just like I envisioned it would; a carnival.
At one point in the middle of the night, I looked up and saw the half-moon and the stars. The music from our stage was in my ear but I could hear Regan's voice, calling me "Miss Shawna" like she always did. She was there.
She was there the next morning, when the accountant was adding up the $65,000 we raised.
And she was there Saturday night, once I finally got home from cleaning up the stage, the trailers, the tables and chairs, and the 15 garbage cans at our site. I cried until my head hurt and my stomach ached. I didn't cry because it was so unfair that such a neat person was taken away like she was; I cried because I missed her. Just like that, she's gone.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Miss you, Regan
I wanted to call you today, to tell you how sad I was but you were not around. In fact, you passed away right around lunch time.
Why did this happen to you? WHY did this happen to your husband??
Please let me know you're okay. Everyone is just torn up, we want to know that you're at peace and that you're gonna be alright.
Why did this happen to you? WHY did this happen to your husband??
Please let me know you're okay. Everyone is just torn up, we want to know that you're at peace and that you're gonna be alright.
Monday, April 9, 2007
What Bunny?
My son and I have been going around and around on the Tooth Fairy thing because I decided to stop sneaking into his room pre-dawn every time he managed to lose a tooth. I finally let him catch me so the "jig is up" in that area. He has accepted the fact that mom is the Tooth Fairy.
So, that brought up the issue of the Easter Bunny. He started bugging me soon after he learned about my tooth stealing side job, asking, "So, does that mean you're the Easter Bunny, too?"
I managed to change the subject each time he asked, until last Friday. I'd bought the chocolates and toys for his Easter basket, and had to carry it all around with me on Friday because it get to be 700 degrees in my little black car. Meetings, errands, and more meetings with a bag full of Easter stuff at my side.
My son saw one of the toys sticking out of the bag and he commented on it--because it was obviously something for him. I told him to quit snooping & he kind of left it alone. Then later that day he brought it up. "So, are you the Easter Bunny?" I told him he'd find out on Sunday. Sure enough, Sunday morning came around and he found his basket with chocolates, a card from me and my boyfriend, and of course the little toys I'd gotten him. He asked no more questions!!!!
I told my brother about it, and he agreed that it is indeed time to stop with the charade because his daughter is the same age as my son and they're starting to ask WAAAY too many questions. We've decided to drag the Santa thing out till the end of time, though. As long as we can get away with it, we're gonna do it.
Each year I push the Santa Envelope even further, with elaborate stunts. One year I had my boyfriend on the roof in the dark, shaking jingle bells so Shay could hear them. While Shay was running outside to catch a glimpse of the sleigh, I was hurriedly putting the "Santa" toys out under the tree. He came in, disappointed because it was too dark and he missed seeing the sight of a lifetime--but then blown away because the evidence was there under the tree.
We visit the website for NORAD every Christmas eve, to check out their Santa Tracking system. It's helpful because I don't have to answer the question, "When do you think Santa will be here?" because their tracking map shows exactly where he's at and when he'll be to Arizona.
Last year, I set mylarm for 2 am, and I quietly put all the presents out. Then I went outside Shay's bedroom window and shook the jingle bells until I was satisfied he'd heard them. I used all different wrapping paper on the Santa presents, and the gift tags were all written with my right hand instead of my left. I've gotten it to the point where I actually enjoy the challenge!!
This year, it's going to be even more elaborate. I'm likely going to be enlisting the help of a relative, who might be able to put the Santa presents out while we're in the back yard having a little warming fire. (we have a neat fireplace out next to the pool, with chairs and tables) I gotta figure out who's gonna jingle the bells......
So, that brought up the issue of the Easter Bunny. He started bugging me soon after he learned about my tooth stealing side job, asking, "So, does that mean you're the Easter Bunny, too?"
I managed to change the subject each time he asked, until last Friday. I'd bought the chocolates and toys for his Easter basket, and had to carry it all around with me on Friday because it get to be 700 degrees in my little black car. Meetings, errands, and more meetings with a bag full of Easter stuff at my side.
My son saw one of the toys sticking out of the bag and he commented on it--because it was obviously something for him. I told him to quit snooping & he kind of left it alone. Then later that day he brought it up. "So, are you the Easter Bunny?" I told him he'd find out on Sunday. Sure enough, Sunday morning came around and he found his basket with chocolates, a card from me and my boyfriend, and of course the little toys I'd gotten him. He asked no more questions!!!!
I told my brother about it, and he agreed that it is indeed time to stop with the charade because his daughter is the same age as my son and they're starting to ask WAAAY too many questions. We've decided to drag the Santa thing out till the end of time, though. As long as we can get away with it, we're gonna do it.
Each year I push the Santa Envelope even further, with elaborate stunts. One year I had my boyfriend on the roof in the dark, shaking jingle bells so Shay could hear them. While Shay was running outside to catch a glimpse of the sleigh, I was hurriedly putting the "Santa" toys out under the tree. He came in, disappointed because it was too dark and he missed seeing the sight of a lifetime--but then blown away because the evidence was there under the tree.
We visit the website for NORAD every Christmas eve, to check out their Santa Tracking system. It's helpful because I don't have to answer the question, "When do you think Santa will be here?" because their tracking map shows exactly where he's at and when he'll be to Arizona.
Last year, I set mylarm for 2 am, and I quietly put all the presents out. Then I went outside Shay's bedroom window and shook the jingle bells until I was satisfied he'd heard them. I used all different wrapping paper on the Santa presents, and the gift tags were all written with my right hand instead of my left. I've gotten it to the point where I actually enjoy the challenge!!
This year, it's going to be even more elaborate. I'm likely going to be enlisting the help of a relative, who might be able to put the Santa presents out while we're in the back yard having a little warming fire. (we have a neat fireplace out next to the pool, with chairs and tables) I gotta figure out who's gonna jingle the bells......
Monday, April 2, 2007
Queen of all media
This weekend we were hired to take out a magazine crew on the lake so they could do a story about Havasu. It's a new mag called Draft and it's actually written in Scottsdale, Arizona. They've been in business about a year, and they always have celebrity covers along with an interview with that particular celeb. The one they showed me has Leslie Nielson. Anyway, the magazine concentrates on breweries and destinations, so it's kind of a travel magazine.
One of our sponsors for our boat regatta series is a local brewery and it was their idea to invite this magazine here. Then they had custom graphics put on the boat we were taking out, promoting their new beer. The brewmaster came out with us, and we took the mag people out for a good time. Showed them some of the party spots on the lake and then showed them some of the more picturesque places. They were impressed!
Tonight, I met with my committee for the Relay for Life. Our event is on the 20th, so we're in the process of finalizing plans. Huge committment, I'm finding out! We'll be on the site of the Relay from 9 am on Friday the 20th thru 11 am Saturday. The event itself starts at 5pm, and people will start walking while we have all kinds of raffles and entertainment. Our goal is to raise $60,000 towards the American Cancer Society, and I think we'll do it! So far we've gotten $20,000, and we've got teams out there fundraising and getting sponsors as we speak. I was asked to be the chairman this year, after the committee realized they would need to bring in someone with event production experience in order to get a larger amount of participation and donations. Some people don't like how I'm running the show, mainly because I'm running it like a business. That's just the way it is! I am not a control freak, I like having input from anyone and everyone, and I don't feel like I have to be involved in every little aspect of the event. The former chair did things differently and he ran himself into the ground. Now he's barely able to put in just the time that he does, because he burned himself out.
Right now, I'm donating about 5 hours a week towards this project, but there were some weeks where I put in at least 25 hours towards it. That's just how I work. Sometimes I'm on fire (and can donate a lot of time), and other times I have to actually do my real job and get paid.
Meanwhile, Steve (the boyfriend) is on his way to California to do some work on a show called "Jericho." He's a stunt pilot and occasionally gets called to do helicopter stuff for t.v. and movie.
He called me about 2 hours after he took off from here and said he was broke down in Barstow. That's scary, considering it's 7:30 at night. He's partially paralyzed from a helicopter accident seven years ago, and uses a cane to get around. He broke his back, both ankles, and had 6 months in the hospital from it. Barstow is a toilet of a town (although I'm sure he's at the airport, which is controlled--nobody can get onto the field where he's at) But it can't be too fun, being broke down in such a crappy place. I offered to drive and pick him up, but he said he was going to look at the chopper and see what was wrong with it. He's been a helicopter pilot and mechanic since he was eighteen, so I'm confident he knows what he's doing.
Incidentally, for all those guys out there, Steve is flying an Army Cobra helicopter, one that was used in the very beginning of the Austin Powers Goldmember movie. He flew in it, shooting at Gwyneth Paltrow. My sweetie is so cool.......
One of our sponsors for our boat regatta series is a local brewery and it was their idea to invite this magazine here. Then they had custom graphics put on the boat we were taking out, promoting their new beer. The brewmaster came out with us, and we took the mag people out for a good time. Showed them some of the party spots on the lake and then showed them some of the more picturesque places. They were impressed!
Tonight, I met with my committee for the Relay for Life. Our event is on the 20th, so we're in the process of finalizing plans. Huge committment, I'm finding out! We'll be on the site of the Relay from 9 am on Friday the 20th thru 11 am Saturday. The event itself starts at 5pm, and people will start walking while we have all kinds of raffles and entertainment. Our goal is to raise $60,000 towards the American Cancer Society, and I think we'll do it! So far we've gotten $20,000, and we've got teams out there fundraising and getting sponsors as we speak. I was asked to be the chairman this year, after the committee realized they would need to bring in someone with event production experience in order to get a larger amount of participation and donations. Some people don't like how I'm running the show, mainly because I'm running it like a business. That's just the way it is! I am not a control freak, I like having input from anyone and everyone, and I don't feel like I have to be involved in every little aspect of the event. The former chair did things differently and he ran himself into the ground. Now he's barely able to put in just the time that he does, because he burned himself out.
Right now, I'm donating about 5 hours a week towards this project, but there were some weeks where I put in at least 25 hours towards it. That's just how I work. Sometimes I'm on fire (and can donate a lot of time), and other times I have to actually do my real job and get paid.
Meanwhile, Steve (the boyfriend) is on his way to California to do some work on a show called "Jericho." He's a stunt pilot and occasionally gets called to do helicopter stuff for t.v. and movie.
He called me about 2 hours after he took off from here and said he was broke down in Barstow. That's scary, considering it's 7:30 at night. He's partially paralyzed from a helicopter accident seven years ago, and uses a cane to get around. He broke his back, both ankles, and had 6 months in the hospital from it. Barstow is a toilet of a town (although I'm sure he's at the airport, which is controlled--nobody can get onto the field where he's at) But it can't be too fun, being broke down in such a crappy place. I offered to drive and pick him up, but he said he was going to look at the chopper and see what was wrong with it. He's been a helicopter pilot and mechanic since he was eighteen, so I'm confident he knows what he's doing.
Incidentally, for all those guys out there, Steve is flying an Army Cobra helicopter, one that was used in the very beginning of the Austin Powers Goldmember movie. He flew in it, shooting at Gwyneth Paltrow. My sweetie is so cool.......
Friday, March 16, 2007
I'm Kind of a Big Deal
Went to work at the Baja race in Ensenada, Mexico last weekend and had a pretty cool time. My job is to write down each race vehicle's start times as they leave the line (they leave one every thirty seconds) and then we log their finish times and determine the winners by the best times. There's like 25 classes of off road vehicles so it's quite a bit of effort.
The most popular of the race vehicles is the Trophy Trucks, which are million-dollar trucks outfitted with nothing but the best of equipment and the ability to charge 120 mph thru the roughest terrain in the desert.
There are NASCAR drivers who got their start driving the Trophy Trucks. Best example is Jimmie Johnson, the #48 Lowes car. Another one is Robby Gordon, and I'm not sure which car he is this year. It changes.
Anyway, one of the newer Trophy Truck drivers is Jesse James, from the Monster Garage show. "West Coast Choppers..." wooo hooo...... That's sarcastic enthusiasm, by the way.
Jesse's married to Sandra Bulloch and they were both at the race this past weekend. Got to meet them both. WEIRD. Really weird to see Sandra in person. She's tall and skinny. Very pretty, of course.
Jesse's just Jesse. You know.
Ensenada's right on the Pacific coast, and there's a huge marina where the cruise ships bring in tourists. I saw in the paper that the Black Pearl was moored there temporarily while it slowly made its way around the coast (and thru the Panama Canal) to Florida to finish filming the 3rd Pirates movie. So I went down to the marina and "I'll be damned!!!" the Black Pearl was right there. It's a huge black ship. Took some pictures, but I didn't get to go on the ship for better ones because the crew wasn't there.
Very exciting race, from start to finish. The last minute changes made to our schedule kept us hopping but we handled it. I was glad to finally get home, after being gone for 4 days I really missed my home!!! And my sweethearts. Shay and Steve, I mean.
So, this weekend I'm working out on the lake. The cable channel Court TV has a film crew here for their new show, "Party Police" and we're taking them out on the water to get footage. Spring Breakers are here and apparently that's what this show focuses on. It'll be like COPS, but it's on the water. I will do my best to get a cameo appearance somehow. Local t.v. is not my only goal!!! ha ha haaaa.....
The most popular of the race vehicles is the Trophy Trucks, which are million-dollar trucks outfitted with nothing but the best of equipment and the ability to charge 120 mph thru the roughest terrain in the desert.
There are NASCAR drivers who got their start driving the Trophy Trucks. Best example is Jimmie Johnson, the #48 Lowes car. Another one is Robby Gordon, and I'm not sure which car he is this year. It changes.
Anyway, one of the newer Trophy Truck drivers is Jesse James, from the Monster Garage show. "West Coast Choppers..." wooo hooo...... That's sarcastic enthusiasm, by the way.
Jesse's married to Sandra Bulloch and they were both at the race this past weekend. Got to meet them both. WEIRD. Really weird to see Sandra in person. She's tall and skinny. Very pretty, of course.
Jesse's just Jesse. You know.
Ensenada's right on the Pacific coast, and there's a huge marina where the cruise ships bring in tourists. I saw in the paper that the Black Pearl was moored there temporarily while it slowly made its way around the coast (and thru the Panama Canal) to Florida to finish filming the 3rd Pirates movie. So I went down to the marina and "I'll be damned!!!" the Black Pearl was right there. It's a huge black ship. Took some pictures, but I didn't get to go on the ship for better ones because the crew wasn't there.
Very exciting race, from start to finish. The last minute changes made to our schedule kept us hopping but we handled it. I was glad to finally get home, after being gone for 4 days I really missed my home!!! And my sweethearts. Shay and Steve, I mean.
So, this weekend I'm working out on the lake. The cable channel Court TV has a film crew here for their new show, "Party Police" and we're taking them out on the water to get footage. Spring Breakers are here and apparently that's what this show focuses on. It'll be like COPS, but it's on the water. I will do my best to get a cameo appearance somehow. Local t.v. is not my only goal!!! ha ha haaaa.....
Monday, February 26, 2007
It's racin' time!
Just worked the first race of many for this year: This first one was the Mark Hahn Memorial Jet Ski Endurance Race, which was a 300 mile continuous race. Some of the entrants shared the course with team mates, and some rode the ENTIRE 300 miles on their own. Pretty Cool!! Next race: Baja 250 (formerly the San Felipe 250) on March 9th.
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