Pro Bowl Super Bowl 2010

For the past week, rehearsals have been going on for the Superbowl 2010 halftime.  There are about 500 volunteers. We were asked if we wanted to be on the Pro Bowl audio crew and had additional rehearsals for that.  I can't really address the Superbowl yet, as we signed confidentiality agreements. 

The audio crew is responsible for placing the speakers around the football field for the pre-game show.  Sounds simple, yes?  There is a cart that's about 5 feet wide by 8 feet long and on it is a tower of speakers that has to be precisely placed in a designated spot.  It's on wheels and very heavy but fairly maneuverable. Once they are maneuvered into place, the top speaker must be lifted on top of the other three and it's VERY heavy. Once the top speaker is in place, the cable is run from the sideline to the cart.  Pretty simple, yes?  There were 40 people accepted for the audio crew.  There is a total of 4 carts per quadrant and each team has a quadrant.  Theoretically, that means 10 people per quadrant.  We rehearsed twice and by the end of the second rehearsal, felt pretty confident that we had it down pat.

We started with 10 team members and ended up with 6 as of game day.   That meant that we didn't have two teams of five each, we had one team of 6. Thus, we had to make some changes at the last minute.  No problem. We had four people to roll the cart out and position it, two of the four to lift the top speaker and two people to run the cable out to the cart.  I was in charge of the cable, along with my partner, Pam. 

We had congregated at a high school and had been given a box lunch, a rain poncho and earplugs. We arrived at the stadium tonight via school bus, laughing and having fun the whole way.

We had a short briefing telling us that if it rained, we would NOT be setting the speakers out. As we walked into the stadium (single file with an escort) you could just FEEL the excitement in the air.  We walked into the tunnel and out onto the stadium - right by the player locker rooms. And it was drizzling.  And the speakers had nylon covers on them, which we removed.  When the signal was given via radio to our team leader, we worked exceptionally well as a team.  By the time the first cart was in position, my partner and I had the cable pulled and it was plugged in.

One thing I haven't yet mentioned is the SIZE of the cable.  It is about the size of my wrist.  The first three carts are no more than 30 to 40 feet from where the cable is coiled on the ground.  However, the fourth cart is in the end zone, right by the goal post.  I am going to guess that the last cable is approximately 150 feet long.  The longer it gets, the harder it is to pull it, so my partner and I had told the other team members that we needed help pulling the last cable and everyone agreed that it would take more than four people to pull the cable from cart #4.

The other thing I haven't mentioned is how many people are on the sidelines.  Between cameramen and other media people, NFL guys, security personnel, cheerleaders, mascots, emergency personnel, etc. the sidelines are PACKED.  And nobody cares that you have a job to do.  PLUS - the grass is wet and silky smooth.  It takes quite a bit of coordination to just stay on your feet. (Which I, of course, do NOT have.)

So, setting up the speaker carts was a piece of cake.  We stood on the sidelines and watched as the band (Honor Society) played, the "flag people" came out and the players were introduced - to fireworks.  We were told that we would be retrieving the carts immediately after the national anthem.  The team leader told my partner and I that he was going to be unplugging the cable from the third cart, as it was tangled with the fourth cart - the one in the end zone.

We were trained that getting the carts and cable OFF the field had to happen as quickly as possible so that the coin toss could happen next.  Well,  here I go - running through the end zone to pull the cable from cart #4.  In horror, I watch my partner pick up the cable from cart #3 by mistake.  It was instinctive for her to see cable being unplugged and assume that it needed to be removed.  The problem is that here I am stuck with a cable that's 150 feet long ALL BY MYSELF.  What you have to understand is that the longer the cable, the heavier the cable.  I heaved it over my shoulder and proceeded to try and get this massively heavy cable to the sideline by myself.  I got about 30 feet and the cable became so heavy that I could barely move.  Here I am, all alone in the end zone with a cable that I am incapable of moving by myself.  Fortunately, the team leader saw my predicament and ran out to help me.  Rather than coiling the cable as we had rehearsed, we just drug it out of the way and hoped that nobody tripped in it before we could pull it all the way in. 

Well, I guess it wouldn't be memorable if there wasn't a glitch, right?


By the time we were finished putting the carts and all the cable away, the game was in progress.  (Not that I cared about the game)  The noise was unbelievable.  Thank goodness for earplugs - I didn't need to be any more deaf than I already am.

The bus that was to take us back to the school was parked exactly one mile away.  How do I know that?  Because, when I'm on the treadmill, walking at 3 miles per hour, it takes me 20 minutes to do one mile.  It was a mile. 

We were all tuckered out, so the ride home was much calmer than the ride to the stadium.  It might have been sad to leave all the great new people that I had met but I'll be seeing them again on Tuesday night at rehearsal for the Superbowl. 

Speaking of Superbowl, it is going to be incredible.  I'm not going to break the rules by saying anything about it.  All I can say is that there is a LOT of pressure because it is an operation that takes an amazing amount of precision and teamwork.

Here are pictures from the ProBowl.  I call the cheerleaders "Breck Girls" because they swing their hair around like it's a commercial for Breck shampoo.

  

 

Stadium Day

I was thrilled to receive an invitation to a "media event" at Landshark Stadium for "a big announcement".  I read my emails as Lou and I were leaving the beach on Saturday and rushed home to email an acceptance.  I didn't know whether I made it or not, as they said that only 150 people could attend and that the invitation was non-transferable.  Finally, I got an email on Tuesday, confirming my invitation for Wednesday morning at the stadium.  I guess it's going to be my "home away from home" for the next two weeks, so I memorized the route - which lanes to use, what exit to take, where to park, etc.  Thank goodness for Sunpass!!!

It took me exactly 30 minutes from the house to a parking space at the stadium, which was surprising.  It's only the next exit down on the turnpike, but it took me 15 minutes to get to the turnpike entrance, which is only about 4 miles away. Ahh...traffic.

The parking area was WAY too far from the stadium, so I thanked my lucky stars that I had comfy shoes.  The guard at the gate said to go to entrance "G" when I told him I was a Superbowl Ambassador.  I signed in at the registration desk and went inside.  Now, previously, I had only been to a meeting room on the second floor, so had NO idea how to get into the stadium.  Being the strong, independent woman that I am, I decided to follow the best dressed crowd.  Right down to the VIP section - two rows from the stage.

There were TONS of video and still cameras - so many that you couldn't see the stage.  If I had been a few rows back, I would have been able to see over the heads of the photographers.  Pretty soon, this human sized stuffed dolphin arrives on the scene.  It didn't take me long to figure out it was the mascot for the Miami Dolphins.  Get it?  Duh!!! He had a stupid helmet on his "head" that was ten sizes too small and acted as I guess a mascot should act. The first thing he did was to try and get a "wave" going.  Now, this was only the second time I had ever been on or near a football field.  The first and last time was at the stadium in Tampa at a Tampa Bucaneers game - probably in 1991.  I had never seen "the wave", other than on TV and had no idea what to do.  So, I just acted like a snobby VIP and ignored the whole thing.

I figured out later that many of the VIP's were employees of Sun Life Financial from the Boston headquarters.  The women were all dressed in black, with Coach, Dooney & Burke, Dolce & Gabanna, and Louis Vuitton accessories - purses, sunglasses, Blackberry covers, etc.  Each of them looked like they had no makeup on (other than eye make-up), no lipstick (neutral gloss only), and french manicured SQUARE nails.  Not one of them could have been over 35.  I thought they were babies.  (Then I remembered that I was at my career peak when I was in my mid-thirties.) I was SO glad it was 80 degrees.  I could watch them sweat.

The meeting came to order...it started with the CEO from Sun Life Financial announcing that the stadium was going to be changing its name to the "Sun Life" stadium.  He then introduced the international marketing director (and VP) - a black chick with buck teeth.  Damn - wish one of us white gals could get a job like that.  Anyway - the "announcements" and "thank you's".  The invitation stated that it was a "mini concert" and I was waiting for the entertainment.  I figured that Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony would be performing, since they own part of the Dolphins, as do Gloria and Emilio Estefan.  Nope ,,, it was...

KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND! One of my favorite groups! "Shake Your Booty" - and I did just that.  Everyone was clapping, waving, singing and generally having a great time. It would have been more fun if I knew someone.  But..."oh well". I'll make my own fun.

What a great way to kick off two weeks of ProBowl/Superbowl festivities???  I took some video but don't think I can post it, but I'll try.  At least here are some pictures...

Pictures From Last Week

I forgot to post a couple of pictures from my visit to Martin County.  The first one is from one of the many beautiful waterfront parks in and around Stuart.  The second is my starfish, posed on one of Frank's kayaks.

HELP – I’M STUCK IN MY SPORTS BRA AND CAN’T GET OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It’s true…there are times when it’s nice to have a man around the house. Like when you put on a sports bra for the first time in a long while. Here I am both arms pinned to my side by my sports bra which has become a living, breathing entity right before my very eyes. It has me in a stranglehold and I can’t move.

What does one do?

1. Hunt for the scissors? No, that won’t work because I can’t free my hands.
2. Call 911? Again – no hands. Also highly embarrassing. I thought about calling my roommate, Steve,  but     all  he would do is suggest is 1 and 2. (“Mr. Fixit” doncha know)
3. Enlist the help of a neighbor? Nope – see #2.

So – there I am, trussed up like a Thanksgiving turkey with no relief in sight. Thus, it’s figure a way out or wait until someone finds my body. I manage to get one arm free and the damn thing wraps around my neck, strangling me. After mimicking a contortionist, I am finally able to breathe and the thing is snugly holding my boobs where nature intended them to be. Of course, they don’t move, but I think that’s the intent.

Then it’s on to panties. One must always wear thongs under exercise wear. Why? Just because, you idiot. Heaven forbid that anyone sees panty lines at the gym. What about the mortification of camel toes if you’re wearing nothing??? Or better yet – the medic that comes to revive you when you pass out sees that you do NOT have on clean underwear!!!

Then it’s time to pick out my exercise wear. OF COURSE IT MATTERS!!! If I’m going to sweat, I want to do it in a fashionable way, right? It’s too freakin’ cold for shorts and I have NO long pants suitable for a workout. I mean, when your inseam is 34” – everything you wear looks like Capri pants, unless it’s a tall. Thus, I go with pink Capri length stretch cotton. With sequins down the side of the legs. Duh! Doesn’t everyone wear sequins to the gym???

Next, I need a top that matches my pink pants and pink sports bra but allows for plenty of movement. Short sleeves, for sure – they will have the heat on. (After all, it’s 60 degrees outside – brrrrrrr) So, I settle on a tank top in a pink design with pink sparkly beads. Not a lot – just a couple of dozen, nothing ostentatious. I look in the mirror and realize I look too girly, so I throw on an oversized t-shirt that says “Rescue Dive Team”. That will show that I’m serious about working out.

Time for tennis shoes – pink, of course. Problem is that they are a little short and my toenails are a little long – not a good combination. So, I settle for my size 12 narrow New Balance running shoes. Damn they’re big. But they fit.

The gym is part of the Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Center, so there are people of all ages and sizes. I pick out a locker and hit the treadmill. Now, I haven’t been able to figure out my MP3 player, although I’ve had it for three years, so I can’t hear what’s on the TV sets, nor can I listen to music to enhance my workout experience. As I’m on the treadmill, I look around and realize that there are a LOT of old people there. (NO – I DO NOT qualify as old) There’s one old guy getting on the stepper and he’s in such bad condition, it takes him ten minutes to put his feet on the pedals. Then I see three old ladies using the rowing machines at a snail’s pace. I didn’t know they even moved that slow. The machines, that is.

I’m done with my workout and it’s getting close to lunchtime and I see Frank on a step machine. My plan is to sneak behind him, pinch him on the butt and say “no wonder you have such a nice ass”. Cute, huh? Only problem is that right before my fingers are poised to pinch his butt, I realize he’s not wearing the same thing as Frank. Why you ask? Because it’s NOT Frank. OMG thank goodness I realized it BEFORE I pinched him. That would have been just a little more than embarrassing.

As we’re leaving, Frank asks about the other facility in Pembroke Pines, about ten miles from here. Turns out they have a pool AND a Jacuzzi. I looked over some of the classes they have – yoga, Pilates, Zumba, Kick-boxing, etc. and decide that I would enjoy joining this gym. Especially after the people at LA Fitness were so rude to Frank when I took him as a guest once.

Now comes the funny part. Frank had told me it would cost less than $20 for me to be added to his membership and was willing to do that for me. Only one problem – it’s supposedly for people who live together. Thus, we had to convince the lady that we lived together. (Even though his drivers’ license said Stuart and mine said Miami Beach) Of course, I had to ask Frank what our address was. Then the lady says “how long have you two been together?”. Frank immediately responds with “two years”, and I pop up and say “two years this May”. Then, Frank has to confirm the spelling of my name…”do you really have two L’s in your name?”. Dead giveaway. So, we have to explain to her that we each own a home – Frank in Stuart and me in Miami Beach. It has t

You think YOU’RE confused??? Think about the poor lady helping us. We’ll be back at the gym on Thursday for a “together” workout but I have to decide what class I want to take tomorrow night. Zumba? Pilates? Pil Yoga? Kickboxing? I think it will depend upon my mood…and the mood of my sports bra.

Ciao

Sorry there's no picture, but I honestly don't think it would be a pretty sight.

Meet "TWEETY"

On Tuesday, December 29^th, Frank took me up to Stuart, where he owns a home.  The plan was for me to clean out the spa and clean the back porch while he cut the grass and worked in the yard. Frank decided he would rather have me go to Walmart and get cleaning supplies and some provisions than clean the porch, as he didn’t think the grass needed to be cut just yet.

This plan worked out great, as he had laundry to do and I had brought some laundry of mine. (The washer in my place has been broken for five months – it leaks gallons of water onto the floor) 

I’m standing in the laundry room waiting for the rinse cycle when I spot what looks like an old bike.  It was filthy and pitted from the elements but her lines were just BEAUTIFUL.  She reminded me of the bike I had when I was about 12 years old.  As I’m admiring the bike, I realize that it has GEARS.  I don’t remember if my bike had gears or not but if it did, there were only three gears.  This bike had a control on the handle similar to a throttle on a motorcycle and I could tell it had quite a few gears. The body color is lemon chiffon yellow and she has whitewall tires.  BIG tires, too.  And a big seat – not the pubic killer like on the mountain bike.

I forgot about the bike, as we were going out to dinner.  Frank was the recipient of a relaxing massage and an early bedtime, as he hadn’t slept since getting off work at 7 a.m. Then, the next day, it was up to Melbourne to have lunch with Charlene and Charles.  Afterwards, we hit a produce market and a natural foods store.  Then to Publix, where we picked up the ingredients for Chicken Caesar Salad.  After a yummy dinner, we hopped into the spa for an hour or two. After a shower to rinse off the chlorine, we slept like babies.

The next morning, Frank had one more load to do.  When I got his clothes out of the dryer, my eyes fell on the bike again and my tummy did a little flip because she was just so beautiful.  I finally asked Frank about the bike.  He said he had bought it for an old girlfriend but she couldn’t ride it so he kept it after they split up.  I’m thinking “couldn’t ride it????” How could anybody NOT ride it.  He says “do you want to ride it?”  Hell YES, say I.  I take off down the street and I get that old feeling that I used to get when I was 12, riding down the street with the wind in my hair and not a care in the world – free from earthly bounds. (And parental supervision, I’m sure)
 

When I get back, Frank says, “so would you like it?” (I’m certain he meant to use it, not to have it) YAY, I’m thinking – I LOVE that bike and ask him if we can bring it back to Hollywood.  He says “sure”. YAY again. On the way out, he stops at a bike shop and gets the support rack for two collapsible side baskets for the back.  It already has a removable basket in the front.

When I got home, I washed and dried her and proceeded to scrub the pitting off.  Frank was able to get rid of it completely, but I think it takes a strong hand and some elbow grease.  I’ve been steadily working on it and will continue until it’s perfect.  I’m going to get streamers for the handlebars and ribbons for the front basket. And a water bottle holder. And a bell. And a rear view mirror. Can you tell I’m excited??? I can’t WAIT to take her to the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk soon.  Too bad it’s cold right now. Soon, though.

 

Want to know why I called her “Tweety”??? Because she’s yellow and she came from my tweety!!  (Get it? “sweetie”)

So...Here's TWEETY