Super Bowl Rehearsal Day 6: Almost There, Tears and Exhaustion

The rehearsal on Wednesday evening was not nearly as strange or horrific as day 5 when the center stage collapsed on 4 people -- thankfully!

The evening started out as always -- no need to bore you with the details of the check-in, box lunch (they has some new choices tonight) and the bleachers. I am sure you all are getting tired of hearing about all that.

We did get another speech from Cap. This time it was not about trains, but about pigs and farming. That seems to be another story line that Cap likes...and the story is always one that tries to motivate all of us. Once unique thing that happened last night was that Cap told us that someone, after the horrific collapse on day 5, went up to him and told him that he seemed insensitive to what had happened. So, in typical Cap fashion, he took his cap off (yes, he wears a baseball cap that says "CAP" on it, go figure) and shed some tears. Yes, this made me -- and my fellow crew mates -- a bit uncomfortable. We are really still not sure that it was genuine. But even so, the thought was there...and life goes on.

Cap wanted us last night to "get back on the bike" and focus. He wants up to move forward of course with our jobs (that he is getting for free of course) and make sure that we are safe and motivated. He of course tossed in there that tonight, rehearsal day 7, will include a number of rehearsal run-throughs with The Who. This will be great. Of course the fact that Pete Townsend was tried for kiddie porn on his computer is still a bit of a downer (and we know that people will be protesting outside the stadium) but even if they are scum in real lift they sure do play great. Plus my memories of High School parties and listening to The Who will come flooding back -- I just love this band's music even if I don't respect them in their regular lives. And Roger Daltry really has a great voice at his advanced age. I hear that Zack Starsky will be on drums (Ringo Star's son) and that's really kind of cool. He is talented and I am a Beatles fan also -- who isn't?

We did our actual set up 3 times last night so I am completely exhausted. Not much down time for us but I did end up taking a break by sitting and laying down under our cart on the equipment shelf. My back has a little kink in it due to standing for 3 hours every night, and the running with the 2,500 lb. cart. Certainly anyone who is not in OK shape would have to quit this job, it's very physically demanding. My shoulders are bruised from hitting the structure when I run and push.

We has some great runs last night and Cap congratulated us all on doing a fine job. I just hope that we can keep up this pace tonight and of course on Sunday. We are all supposed to try to get there early today -- 3 pm if possible to help line up all of the carts with the stage hands. Of course they tempt us all by saying that we'll see The Who rehearse about 4 times if we get there early and if we are there by the latest time, 5 pm, then we'll see them rehearse 2 times.

The best thing about tonight's rehearsal -- besides seeing The Who -- is that we get to see the ENTIRE half time show as you will see it on Sunday. Fireworks, lights, full music set and all. This is a complete, as it will be on Sunday, dress rehearsal!

After these long nights (and long days waking up early for work) I am hoping that I feel that it was all worthwhile. Of course running the stage carts onto the field on Sunday with 75,000 fans in the seats, The Who in the wings and another 90 million watching "our stage" on TV will be the pinnacle of this entire adventure...

Look for the day 7 blog on Friday...should be a great one!

PS - YES! I do plan to try and get Roger, Zack and (maybe) Pete's autographs...I'll let you know :)