My NYC trip that almost wasnt.


After all the videos and pictures that I have seen I said to myself that I just have to go to NYC to see Taylor hicks in GREASE for myself. So the first thing I did was purchased my ticket then I searched for the best flight for me. Now keep in mind that I have never flown before, never been to NYC before but I was determined to get there one way or another. I pmed lost of people but could not snag a room they were full but then a angel from Connecticut recued me and gave me shelter for the night. So now that I have everything in place and all is a go-ahead. All I did was work, work, and work, to save enough money to have to spend while I was there.

As the time was getting closer I seemed to be getting butterflies in my stomach, getting really nervous about flying. One reason was it was so close to the 9/11 tragedy. I guess it only natural to feel that way. I was also excited I was going to see a lot of my SOUL PATROLLERS friends again and meet some new ones too!! The night of 9/6, which was Saturday I worked 14 hours that day and had to get up and be at the airport around 8:30 am. Needless to say I was to wired-up to sleep but I tried anyway.

As I drove to the airport the next morning I had a lot of different emotions that I was feeling. I arrived at the airport and when I get to the security check point and sent my carry-on through the x-ray I heard the man call out, BAG CHECK so they went through my bag and took my shampoo and my conditioner. Apparently you are only allowed 3 oz bottles. What I could not understand is that they did not take my body wash which was the same size as what they already took.

Now as I was boarding the plane I could not believe how small it was, there was one row with one seat in it and two rows with two seats in them. I barely fit in the seat. So now I am sitting there waiting to go down the runway and finally we are off, barreling down that runway and I am gripping my armrest so tight my hands go numb and the pressure of the speed of the plane tells me, Well theres no turning back now. While ascending up-wards I am looking out the window which seems to put me at ease but once I put my mp3 player in my ears nothing seem to matter, just getting to NYC, now. He flight was smooth and fast, I arrived in one hour and thirty minutes. Landing was smooth, too!!!




Now my next objective is to find the cheapest way to the hotel, so I was in pursuit of something other than a taxi cab. I finally found a shuttle bus that would take me to my hotel and back to the airport the next day for only $21. GREAT DEAL, so I took it. When I arrived at the hotel Gretchen was outside waiting, well not for me but to check into the room. We walked around for awhile as she showed me some sights. Of course the first thing I saw was the 8 story billboard of Taylor since it was right next to our hotel. I actually stood there in AWE just for a few seconds. We made our way to the theatre to check it out, soon after the 2 pm show was beginning, so I went to change clothes and get a bit to eat and then I headed back to the theatre.



When I got back to the theatre thats when I hooked up with Diane and the rest. The show was about half over so we went up to the room where we were going to meet after the 2 pm show and we got an early surprise, thats when we seen the personalized photos that Taylor had signed for our group. What a treat, and how wonderful of Taylor to do this for us. This is one picture I will treasure forever. Taylor always goes up and beyond the call of duty for his SOUL PATROL.



We make our way down to the stage door and the crowd is slowly growing and before long Taylor show and he starts on the right side as he comes out the door, then he make he way over to my side. He is very talkative this time and when he get to me I tell him that, I wanted to thank him for opening the door to a lot of new and old music for me and that I wanted to give him some new music to listen to, I handed him a CD of a new band that is trying to make it, He said, Thanks and he would surely take a listen to it soon. Then I asked him if he would sign my t-shirt and he said, Sure, and then signed it. I believe skeeter226 got that on video.




Soon after the Taylor went back into the theatre and the crowd scattered and we made our way to the dinner where we all got our special surprise. We all had a great time getting to know each other and talking TAYLOR, taking pictures and just having a good time. Time flew by and now it is my turn to see Taylor Hicks as, TEEN ANGEL. Now I have seen GREASE, the movie hundreds of times, but I was told that the play was not exactly like the movie. So here is my take on the play. PLEASE do not scold me for my opinion, it my opinion of how I think that the play was for me. The cast was great, knew their lines and did a good job. But for me, if it werent for Taylor part I think the play was a bit boring. Taylor part defiantly livened the play up. I heard songs in the play that were not in the movie and parts of the play that took place on different places. Like when Rizzo was talking about being pregnant they were at the drive-in not in someone room, you know things like that. All in All it was a great time for me and would do it again.





After the play we all just hung around and talked and some people had left because they an early flight the next morning. Several of us went back to the restaurant next door to the theatre and talked some more, about Taylor, Of Course. I had a great time with my SOUL PATROL friends and I wish I could have spent more time with them. I think I was the only one who flight left at night the next day so I spent the next day sightseeing. Check out my photobucket for my pictures.

www.photobucket.com/emptyhd009

For the record, I just want to say that I have never met a more friendly, fun, and loyal group of people. You are all #1 in my book. My flight was good going home but for the storm as I entered Charlotte NC airport. All in All smooth flight. When I got home I checked my mailbox I had a surprise in it. Thanks CHEWY. What a good thing to come home to!!!

YOU ALL ROCK!!!!