ROSfest 2008 from a Brits point of view.

28th April.

Woke up, fell out of bed, dragged a comb across my head. Found my way downstairs and drank a cup and looking up I noticed I was late. Grabbed my case and grabbed my hat made the plane in seconds flat. Found my way inside and had a smoke and somebody spoke and I got thrown off for lighting up.......actually that bit is a lie. Good flight though and when I got to Newark I anticipated a long haul through Immigration. I wasn't wrong.

Immigration official: Hello, how long are you going to be in the US for?
Keithie: I'm visiting some friends and flying back on 5th May.
Immigration official: What job do you do?
Keithie: I work for Her Majesty The Queen at Buckingham Palace.
Immigration official: Right.....
At this point he looks at me as if to say "You're taking the piss you Limey B*****d" and writes something on my customs form.
Immigration official: Thank you. You can go through that door over there.

I walk through the door and notice that all the other passengers are going through a different door. My heart misses three beats as another official calls me over while donning a pair of plastic gloves

Thankfully it's only to search through every bit of luggage I have.....this takes ages as he keeps asking me about work. Me and my big mouth. I should have just said "I'm a London Tour Guide"....D'oh!!!

Eventually make it onto US soil and go to find Brian and Martha who are about to embark on their own adventure.......The VAX Motel. "Mother!! What have you done?" queue Psycho music.

As usual I go the wrong way but eventually spot a huge pony tail. The poor Schenkenburgers nearly jump out of their skins as I appear from behind with a loud "Rock and Roll".

We have a while to wait for Mr Mortis so decide that a couple of pints of Nigerian Lager would be in order. A bar is found and said beer ordered and quickly quaffed followed by another round.

"That will be $66 please" says the bar maid. "WHAT????" says three stunned people in unison. "$11 a pint? That's bloody ridiculous" but having already downed the beer there was nothing to do but cough up the loot.

RM finally appears and we head off to the Place that will be home for the next few days.

The rest of the day goes by without incident but with a few more pints of G juice and a little sleep is had. A prayer is said before bed-time to St Vivian, the patron saint of hangovers.

29th April.

Woke up fell off the bed………..sorry, we’ve done that one.

Had to get ready in a hurry to drive into Philadelphia to meet Teermin8r and his lovely daughter Rachel at the airport. We then head off into town for some fodder.

They say “When in Rome” but it was more a question of “When in Philly…..eat Cheese steaks”. A new experience for this Brit and one that will have to be repeated (not in the burping sense) as they were YUMMY!!! Naturally I offended all the yanks by smothering mine in Ketchup but that’s the sort of plebian I am. They were washed down with a few bottles of beer and it was decided that a little sight seeing was in order before the evening’s Baseball match. We went to Independence Hall and, as a tour guide myself, I was impressed with the chap who told us all about the history of the place. Very interesting.

We then headed over to the stadium to watch The Phillies play The Padres. Another new experience for me and I LOVED it especially as the home side won 4-3 in the ninth (I think that’s how you say it.) Great fun.

30th April.

Took a trip into New York City today. There was a problem with the rail network and so we had to go a different route that took us via The WTC. Rather upsetting for all concerned I think but we eventually made it to Grand Central Station and marveled at the magnificent building. Went on to the Empire State Building and after queuing for what seemed like ages finally made it to the top. GREAT VIEW!!!! I can’t believe that VAX and Martha hadn’t ever been up there before. Amazing!! Decided that a drink was required so walked a few blocks to NY Stout and drank a few pints of Mother’s Milk, a delicious dark beer. The general consensus was that if Mother’s milk was really like this we would never have been weaned. Also ate the best rack of ribs I’ve had in years. Then the nightmare began!!!!!!!!!

T8R decided that Times Square should be the next port of call. “Great!” says I so off we trudge. It wasn’t really that far and we got chatting to a couple of really friendly cops which was nice. T8R then decided that The MAC shop had to be visited. “Aaaaarrrrgggghhhhh!” It was bloody miles away and by the time we got there I was knackered! Interesting building though….a glass cube with glass stairs and a glass elevator and thousands of Geeks….LOL! I nipped over the road to Berk Doofus and Goodman (or something like that) to get Pam a birthday present.

Keithie: How much is that scarf please miss?
Shop assistant: That’s Three fifty five sir.
Keithie: Three dollars fifty five cents? I’ll take it.
Shop assistant (getting all serious): No sir. Three Hundred and Fifty Five dollars.
Keithie: I know. It was a joke…………D’oh!!!

Back to VAX’s and after more Guinness some sleep.

1st May.

A quieter sort of day with some drives around VAX’s old hunting grounds. Saw the hanger the Hindenburg was kept in but couldn’t go in to see it because of us foreign nationals. Understandable really. Mortis and I are a real risk…..I appreciate that. However, that did mean that we could go to VAX’s old college and look at the architecture and visit The windmill burger joint for Chili dogs and Cheeseburgers. Mine was so good I took a photo of it to remember it by.

When we got home the fun really started. A few beers (Really?) then off for a Japanese meal. Brian and Martha had bought a bottle of Saki, a drink I’m rather partial to and that was quaffed as the chef cooked the meals at the table. He also poured copious amounts of Saki down my and VAX’s throat. I had a feeling that it would kick in later so I lay off the Nigerian Lager back at the house. Not so Mr VAX.

Two hours later the rice wine hit the spot and I was reeling. So drunk I had to crawl up the stairs on hands and knees to go to the loo. VAX, poor man, suddenly announced he was going to bed. Good, we all thought, he’s looking a little worse for wear. Quite how only became apparent when Martha announced that we had missed an ideal Kodak moment. VAX unconscious and face down on their bed with his bare backside in the air. The thought of that almost sobered me up…..almost!! St Vivian was prayed to that night but she couldn’t have been listening too well as my hangover the next morning was a killer and we had to get to the festival in the Moon bus.

Did I mention that we were going to ROSfest?

I’ll review the festival in another post.

[VAXman(Admin)]

Originally Posted by KeithieW

28th April.

Woke up, fell out of bed, dragged a comb across my head. Found my way downstairs and drank a cup and looking up I noticed I was late. Grabbed my case and grabbed my hat made the plane in seconds flat. Found my way inside and had a smoke and somebody spoke and I got thrown off for lighting up.......actually that bit is a lie. Good flight though and when I got to Newark I anticipated a long haul through Immigration. I wasn't wrong.

Immigration official: Hello, how long are you going to be in the US for?
Keithie: I'm visiting some friends and flying back on 5th May.
Immigration official: What job do you do?
Keithie: I work for Her Majesty The Queen at Buckingham Palace.
Immigration official: Right.....
At this point he looks at me as if to say "You're taking the piss you Limey B*****d" and writes something on my customs form.
Immigration official: Thank you. You can go through that door over there.

I walk through the door and notice that all the other passengers are going through a different door. My heart misses three beats as another official calls me over while donning a pair of plastic gloves

Thankfully it's only to search through every bit of luggage I have.....this takes ages as he keeps asking me about work. Me and my big mouth. I should have just said "I'm a London Tour Guide"....D'oh!!!

Eventually make it onto US soil and go to find Brian and Martha who are about to embark on their own adventure.......The VAX Motel. "Mother!! What have you done?" queue Psycho music.

As usual I go the wrong way but eventually spot a huge pony tail. The poor Schenkenburgers nearly jump out of their skins as I appear from behind with a loud "Rock and Roll".

We have a while to wait for Mr Mortis so decide that a couple of pints of Nigerian Lager would be in order. A bar is found and said beer ordered and quickly quaffed followed by another round.

"That will be $66 please" says the bar maid. "WHAT????" says three stunned people in unison. "$11 a pint? That's bloody ridiculous" but having already downed the beer there was nothing to do but cough up the loot.

RM finally appears and we head off to the Place that will be home for the next few days.

The rest of the day goes by without incident but with a few more pints of G juice and a little sleep is had. A prayer is said before bed-time to St Vivian, the patron saint of hangovers.

Miserable downpour on the ride home from the airport.
Dinner: Charlie Brown's Steak House

Originally Posted by KeithieW

29th April.

Woke up fell off the bed………..sorry, we’ve done that one.

Had to get ready in a hurry to drive into Philadelphia to meet Teermin8r and his lovely daughter Rachel at the airport. We then head off into town for some fodder.

They say “When in Rome” but it was more a question of “When in Philly…..eat Cheese steaks”. A new experience for this Brit and one that will have to be repeated (not in the burping sense) as they were YUMMY!!! Naturally I offended all the yanks by smothering mine in Ketchup but that’s the sort of plebian I am. They were washed down with a few bottles of beer and it was decided that a little sight seeing was in order before the evening’s Baseball match. We went to Independence Hall and, as a tour guide myself, I was impressed with the chap who told us all about the history of the place. Very interesting.

We then headed over to the stadium to watch The Phillies play The Padres. Another new experience for me and I LOVED it especially as the home side won 4-3 in the ninth (I think that’s how you say it.) Great fun.

Actually, 7-4 top of the 9th
Lunch: Geno's Famous Steaks on Passayunk Ave, Philly
Dinner: McFaddens at the ballpark.

Originally Posted by KeithieW

30th April.

Took a trip into New York City today. There was a problem with the rail network and so we had to go a different route that took us via The WTC. Rather upsetting for all concerned I think but we eventually made it to Grand Central Station and marveled at the magnificent building. Went on to the Empire State Building and after queuing for what seemed like ages finally made it to the top. GREAT VIEW!!!! I can’t believe that VAX and Martha hadn’t ever been up there before. Amazing!! Decided that a drink was required so walked a few blocks to NY Stout and drank a few pints of Mother’s Milk, a delicious dark beer. The general consensus was that if Mother’s milk was really like this we would never have been weaned. Also ate the best rack of ribs I’ve had in years. Then the nightmare began!!!!!!!!!

T8R decided that Times Square should be the next port of call. “Great!” says I so off we trudge. It wasn’t really that far and we got chatting to a couple of really friendly cops which was nice. T8R then decided that The MAC shop had to be visited. “Aaaaarrrrgggghhhhh!” It was bloody miles away and by the time we got there I was knackered! Interesting building though….a glass cube with glass stairs and a glass elevator and thousands of Geeks….LOL! I nipped over the road to Berk Doofus and Goodman (or something like that) to get Pam a birthday present.

Keithie: How much is that scarf please miss?
Shop assistant: That’s Three fifty five sir.
Keithie: Three dollars fifty five cents? I’ll take it.
Shop assistant (getting all serious): No sir. Three Hundred and Fifty Five dollars.
Keithie: I know. It was a joke…………D’oh!!!

Back to VAX’s and after more Guinness some sleep.

I have refused to go to ground zero WTC since that fateful day. We had no choice since the only Path service was WTC. Having been to WTC many times in the past and once to its observation deck, I was not ready for seeing it. No choice since the Path pulls right into a great big gaping hole.

Lunch: Stout NYC
Dinner: Late evening nosh at the Brass Rail in Hoboken... Lindeman's Framboise Lambic on draught! Yumm.

Originally Posted by KeithieW

1st May.

A quieter sort of day with some drives around VAX’s old hunting grounds. Saw the hanger the Hindenburg was kept in but couldn’t go in to see it because of us foreign nationals. Understandable really. Mortis and I are a real risk…..I appreciate that. However, that did mean that we could go to VAX’s old college and look at the architecture and visit The windmill burger joint for Chili dogs and Cheeseburgers. Mine was so good I took a photo of it to remember it by.

When we got home the fun really started. A few beers (Really?) then off for a Japanese meal. Brian and Martha had bought a bottle of Saki, a drink I’m rather partial to and that was quaffed as the chef cooked the meals at the table. He also poured copious amounts of Saki down my and VAX’s throat. I had a feeling that it would kick in later so I lay off the Nigerian Lager back at the house. Not so Mr VAX.

Two hours later the rice wine hit the spot and I was reeling. So drunk I had to crawl up the stairs on hands and knees to go to the loo. VAX, poor man, suddenly announced he was going to bed. Good, we all thought, he’s looking a little worse for wear. Quite how only became apparent when Martha announced that we had missed an ideal Kodak moment. VAX unconscious and face down on their bed with his bare backside in the air. The thought of that almost sobered me up…..almost!! St Vivian was prayed to that night but she couldn’t have been listening too well as my hangover the next morning was a killer and we had to get to the festival in the Moon bus.

Did I mention that we were going to ROSfest?

I’ll review the festival in another post.

Took them to the most ornate toilets I know to piss before heading off to the West Long Branch boardwalk and beach. Rachel picked up a number of shells which I told her she must pay for... she was so gullible! The gang told her not to believe anything I say because my initials are BS.

Lunch: The Original Windmill on Ocean Ave. I ate many burgers there at 2am in the morning heading home from a late evening of "intellectual pursuits" at the local watering holes.
Dinner: The Nagasaki Hibachi Steak House Rt. 9 in Howell NJ with a bottle of Pearl Saki and an entertaining cook.

I am most grateful that no photos of the aftermath have surfaced on the web. I am known not to smile for photos but that night would have been my "vertical smile" and almost as hairy as my bearded face.

[sharcnorris]

Thx Guys, I read every word of the Londoneer in Sir Vax's Court.......
Mortis was there ,right?............

[PeterG]

Originally Posted by VAXman

<snip...>

.but that night would have been my "vertical smile" and almost as hairy as my bearded face.

Zoinks! man.. i was totally enjoying the story and had such a pleasent picture in my head of the whole affair until the last line.... Aaaarrrrgggggghhhh.... not something i want to picture....


Peter

[VAXman(Admin)]

Originally Posted by PeterG

Zoinks! man.. i was totally enjoying the story and had such a pleasent picture in my head of the whole affair until the last line.... Aaaarrrrgggggghhhh.... not something i want to picture....


Peter

Consider it a word of grave warning then should a photo of that event surface.

[RogorMortis]

Yes Mortis was there with KW. I was more quiet than usual especially at the end as I suffered from a sore throat. Even so I had a great week and heard some great music though my ears got blown off this time by Circa who played far too load with a lousy mix.
This was a week of being close to a restroom as my companion's capacity was not that high so everything we did had to be done with a restroom in sight. I find it rather funny looking back.......

And then there's the pix that never was - yes the famous Vax posterior. Vax was far gone that evening after several Guiness on top of Saki and claimed it was to be a night of passion but he didn't get very far........I felt more sorry for Martha.

I have taken a few pix of the week which I will post soonest including pix to prove KW was in New York.

[Rick and Roll]

Originally Posted by RogorMortis

Yes Mortis was there with KW. I was more quiet than usual especially at the end as I suffered from a sore throat. Even so I had a great week and heard some great music though my ears got blown off this time by Circa who played far too load with a lousy mix.
This was a week of being close to a restroom as my companion's capacity was not that high so everything we did had to be done with a restroom in sight. I find it rather funny looking back.......

And then there's the pix that never was - yes the famous Vax posterior. Vax was far gone that evening after several Guiness on top of Saki and claimed it was to be a night of passion but he didn't get very far........I felt more sorry for Martha.

I have taken a few pix of the week which I will post soonest including pix to prove KW was in New York.

Yes Mr mortis was much healthier than the last time I saw him in the UK...good to see.

Circa was so loud that even Rogor had trouble...now that's loud!

I wouldn't be bragging about a night of passion and ending up in that position.

Anyway, vax got his usual excellent round of pics, and rogor's summer end's pics were fantastic. I look forward to seeing both - and especially the set lists, as I was unable to procure (ie steal) any...

[VAXman(Admin)]

Originally Posted by Rick and Roll

Yes Mr mortis was much healthier than the last time I saw him in the UK...good to see.

Circa was so loud that even Rogor had trouble...now that's loud!

I wouldn't be bragging about a night of passion and ending up in that position.

Anyway, vax got his usual excellent round of pics, and rogor's summer end's pics were fantastic. I look forward to seeing both - and especially the set lists, as I was unable to procure (ie steal) any...

I took photos of all of the set lists that existed. I "procured" two and had them signed: AMbrosia'a and Crack The Sky's.

We also have the post-it note that Glenn (CtS's keyboard player) stuck on Kevin's head when he fell asleep upstairs. He walked up to Martha on Monday morning and said, "Here, you might like to have this." The note said, "Can't Hang." There a pix about of this too.

[jtmckinley]

Originally Posted by VAXman

We also have the post-it note that Glenn (CtS's keyboard player) stuck on Kevin's head when he fell asleep upstairs. He walked up to Martha on Monday morning and said, "Here, you might like to have this." The note said, "Can't Hang." There a pix about of this too.

lol VAX, that's funny, poor Kevin, at least they didn't break out the markers or makeup or shaving cream or pan of warm water...

[roger]

thanks, guys! fun reading. (well, most of it...)