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Post by gillette on Oct 19, 2014 18:08:32 GMT
Hi, After reading a little about the Orpheum Theater, if I were able to go to see Hayley, I would be wondering what my chances would be of seeing her "up close and personal" in one of her famous "meet and greet" sessions, the icing on the cake. BobS I'm quite sure Hayley would be delighted to meet you Bob....Go for it.. Seize the day Hi Paul, The greater one's desire to see Hayley performing live, the greater the risk one will take to do so. Although my desire is great, on my last plane ride, a rough one, I swore to myself that if I got out alive, I'd never set foot in a plane again. And, I haven't. That was more than 50 years ago! BobS |
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Post by Libby on Oct 19, 2014 19:45:35 GMT
LOL Comet. I don't usually NEED a belt, as I've always bought pants that fit me without that, though with my small size, it's impossible to do in women' sizes these days... So, anywhoo, belts will be no problem for me. LOL
I did a search for "first-time flyer guide", and I found lots of useful info. They do allow food as long as it's wrapped, and you can bring water inside a checked bag. I need plenty of water, so the extra money would be worth it for me. I'd rather have mostly my own water and pay more, than have to deal with vending machines my whole trip. I want my first solo trip to be as hassle-free as possible, which is why I require a hotel with a restaurant, just to be sure. The food I would bring on board would be bars, nuts, just various snack food. Nothing messy like a sandwich. Anyway, I would probably wait to eat while I wait an hour or so for my next flight, because there will be a connecting flight. You can bring the water you bought to get on the plane on the next one, can't you? Because I read that when you have a connecting flight, you don't have to go through the checkpoints again.
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Post by martindn on Oct 19, 2014 20:19:17 GMT
Hi Frenchie, For anyone planning to attend the concert other than local residents, weather is certainly a major factor to keep in mind for December. I am sure that there in Wisconsin they have much more snow removal equipment on hand than they do in the Carolinas. But, even so, severe weather can always get the upper hand. The concert is so tempting for Hayley fans, it is a real tough decision to make now and feel safe about. Best of luck, BobS The night I first saw Hayley in 20o4 it snowed. It also snowed at Hayley's first concert in Buxton 4 April 2008. There is a photo in that thread of my camper van in a snowy field the following morning. Snow is manageable. I used to live in Kiruna Sweden, where there is snow on the ground for 8 months of the year. Life goes on. It is normal and people learn to cope with it. It is only in places where it is an unusual occurrence (like England) where it brings things to a standstill. Go for it. It is a chance to see Hayley live. Those don't come too often these days. Martin D |
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Post by martindn on Oct 19, 2014 20:43:45 GMT
If you pray, please pray I can get my vacation days switched, and can get 3 days off in a row...!!  Only 2 can be vacation, and then they always give me extra days off because I get paid vacation. So, they might as well give me the 3rd day off, anyway. Thanks for all your encouragement, everyone, and I really hope to meet you all AND Hayley!!! Well, you won't meet me, much as I would like to meet you. But I pray and I will, you deserve to be there Libby. And I really hope you get to meet Hayley. You are right Libby, I don't have a problem with money except managing the amount of it that seems to be pouring into my bank account all the time. I don't need to work either, so what I earn is a bonus I don't need financially, although there are other reasons at my age. You have to realise that I work for the need to keep active and lately to interact with other people. Otherwise there is only me and the dog and cat. Work is a hobby. For me it is about the professional challenge of achieving my objectives, not about money. Finding time, with my church and work commitments, would be my problem if there were one concerning attending a Hayley Concert. But the keeping active seems to be working. Yesterday I was in a fish and chip shop that offered reduced prices for over 65s. They charged me the full price without even asking my age and I was happy to pay it. I will be 70 next month. Martin D |
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Post by Cherany on Oct 19, 2014 22:02:15 GMT
Just to reassure you that you are not alone in this boat, the recession in Ireland was caused by a small number of the greedy elite who got away with the profits before our economy crashed and burned like the Hindenburg leaving the ordinary low paid citizens of Ireland to pay the bills that were left behind to the international banks through absurd taxes being invented by our government on a weekly basis, if not paid, the penalties are severe and swift, come back Robin Hood we need you. In reality I now earn about one tenth of what I was earning in 2009, that is a 90% reduction in earnings, so it was goodbye health insurance, life insurance, restaurants, car, audio equipment, computers, service providers and the list goes on and on. This was why I mentioned our HWI member in China who had walked for four days to see Hayley. I sympathize. Circumstances in this country have left many making far less than they used to. Not many have taken quite as hard a hit as 90%, but my current annual household income is about a fourth of what it was in 2008, while our expenses are greater. Back then, I had the cash to go wherever I wanted, so things like this concert were easy to decide on. Now, there is much more to consider. Walking for 4 days to see Hayley is incredible and impressive, but it would literally take me over a month to get to this destination on foot, as I'm about 2000 miles away. Even driving would take too long and cost too much. A flight is my only option. If it works out, the travel time (compared to driving or walking) will be very much appreciated. |
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Post by Cherany on Oct 19, 2014 22:10:50 GMT
I don't have a problem with money except managing the amount of it that seems to be pouring into my bank account all the time. I don't need to work either, so what I earn is a bonus I don't need financially, although there are other reasons at my age. You have to realise that I work for the need to keep active and lately to interact with other people. Otherwise there is only me and the dog and cat. Work is a hobby. For me it is about the professional challenge of achieving my objectives, not about money. Finding time, with my church and work commitments, would be my problem if there were one concerning attending a Hayley Concert. But the keeping active seems to be working. Yesterday I was in a fish and chip shop that offered reduced prices for over 65s. They charged me the full price without even asking my age and I was happy to pay it. I will be 70 next month. Martin, that is wonderful that you're in such a secure position financially. It's true, those who continue to keep themselves active, be it through paid work or other organized activities, do seem happier and younger. My father-in-law is close in age to you and announces plans to retire every year, but quite honestly, he wouldn't know what to do with himself if he didn't have his work. So, he hesitates and continues to work just one more year, then just one more year, and so on. It is not about the money for him, either. If you're happy doing something, no need to stop. Libby, I completely understand the desire to save money by bringing snacks and water, but with water, in particular, you will need to consider a few things. On the plane itself, you've learned you'll be at the mercy of the prices in airports, since you have to purchase drinks post-security checkpoint (yes, you can take them along to a connecting flight), but as for water in a checked suitcase to supply you at the destination, that will get very heavy, very fast, and will also create a very real possibility of water leaking all over things. There are weight limits on checked luggage, so you'll need to make sure the amount of water you pack does not exceed that (check online with your airline to see the precise limit and don't pack right up to that amount, in case there is a slight difference when you get to the airport), and you will need to find a way to pack it that protects the bottles from getting punctured. I've had things like lotion and shampoo leak in my checked bags before, and it's not fun to clean up. Water dries from most things without a trace, at least, but wet clothes could present a big problem. It could be done, but those are things to think about. It might be much easier to plan on buying a couple gallons or a case of water in Wisconsin. There will be grocery stores, I'm sure. In fact, if I use Yelp to search for grocery stores near the address of the hotel you previously mentioned, there is at least one within walking distance. |
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Post by Cherany on Oct 19, 2014 22:21:03 GMT
I also may be able to let a couple people hitch a ride from chicago if the hubby approves. That might be easier to fly into than Madison Very generous of you, and I'm sure the fuel costs could be shared by passengers. For me, at least, a flight to Chicago is currently more expensive than one to Wisconsin. |
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Post by martindn on Oct 19, 2014 22:22:14 GMT
Err.. Yes I agree Cherany. Surely bottled water is much the same price wherever you are in the USA. I'm sure they have water in Wisconsin. So why do you need to take more with you than you need on the flight? I'm in Cornwall at present, and am confident that I can buy bottled water that is just as good as what I can buy at home in Leicster (actually I'll need to do that, my camper van has a tank full of tap water but I prefer to drink the bottled product, I guess too many years visiting France have got to me).
Wisconsin is not Ebola country (yet) you know.
Martin D
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Post by Cherany on Oct 19, 2014 22:40:25 GMT
WOO HOO!!  I may try to go. It is a 7+ hr drive from KC but I also have some frequent flyer miles that would get me to Milwaukee. It would be a 1.5 hr drive from there. Thank you for mentioning this. I failed to notice how far Milwaukee is from Madison. Eeek, this definitely means a bump in price to my original best-case scenario cost estimate. Flights to Madison are much more expensive! Tough to remain hopeful, but I'm hanging in there and still trying to think of ways to get there for less. |
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Post by comet on Oct 20, 2014 0:57:38 GMT
Hi Paul, The greater one's desire to see Hayley performing live, the greater the risk one will take to do so. Although my desire is great, on my last plane ride, a rough one, I swore to myself that if I got out alive, I'd never set foot in a plane again. And, I haven't. That was more than 50 years ago! BobS Bob, I have no answer to that, are rail or road out of the question, are you a great distance from the venue. We live among a generation that use a phrase "because I'm worth it" and often without any justification, they believe it. I think health and finance permitting you should ask yourself do I deserve it or "because I'm worth it". We have probably spent most of our lives, being responsible, making the payments, doing the right thing, making the sacrifice for others and thinking this concert would be a terrible extravagance. We are not just talking about any old concert here, This is far more than that and deep down you know that and it may be worth the effort required. If I were you I would book tickets for both nights and travel at your leisure overland or by whatever means is necessary a few days beforehand, make a weeks holiday of it if you need to and if you can. There are many other things I want to say to convince you, but life is too short, do not deny yourself this experience. |
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Post by Bamafan on Oct 20, 2014 1:49:44 GMT
I talked to my parents tonight about going... It's feasible, but they said they needed to talk it over. Now, I just have to wait.  -Taylor  |
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Post by gillette on Oct 20, 2014 2:14:07 GMT
Hi Paul,
Thanks for your suggestions and concern, but I am perfectly content to sit at home and wait hopefully for some great pictures and reports from those HWIers fortunate enough to make it to Madison. After all that they will have to go through to get there, I sure hope that each one personally gets to meet Hayley.
BobS
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Post by Libby on Oct 20, 2014 5:00:32 GMT
I would not be bringing a whole load of water. I need to have water on the plane and in between flights, especially since I'll eat something at some point, and I'm sure the bottle I bring on would last me longer than just the flight itself. Of course I'd be able to get a drink with my dinner at the hotel, but I have rheumatoid arthritis, which means I take several pills with my meals, and I've found that one glass at the meal is not adequate for all the pills I take. This happens at breakfast and dinner. I guess I could request a re-fill, but I've always avoided that by bringing my own extra water. I guess that's probably weird, but people who take pills do what they feel is best, right? I also need water by my bedside through the night. I always get thirsty, especially if I have any trouble sleeping, and with all the new and "scary" experiences, I'm guessing my mind will be buzzing with all the hurdles I'll still have to go through (they seem like hurdles right now, the main one being getting days off). And I sleep much better knowing I have plenty of water, otherwise I stay awake worrying about getting thirsty, and then I DO get thirsty. I'm crazy like that. LOL Everyone's different, you can't tell someone else how much water they need every day. And I'm not a coffee or tea drinker, and I don't drink pop/soda, either. The only other beverage I drink is juice for breakfast, and that's it. I've never liked the smell of coffee, or the feel/taste of sickening/sweet bubbles going down my throat. The one time I tried tea it was just awful. So, only water for me, thanks.  I would need water at the venue too, though I assume I would have to buy one there, since I've never entered a venue that allows outside food or beverages. Not that I usually obey that; I usually bring a small water bottle that fits inside a zipped jacket pocket, but if I wear my fleece coat, it won't work in those pockets. The bottles cause a bulge in my pocket, and if the pocket is open, then that won't work. So, actually, the water bottles I'd be bringing would be quite small. I use the small-sized Arrowhead water bottles, and one per night would be enough. I'd probably need one each for each pill-swallowing session, which would mean 4 more. And then I worry about running out, so I might bring an extra one just to be safe. The bottles are 8 oz. each, but they're short and wide, so they don't look as big as a glass of water. So, that would be 6 or 7 of those bottles, and I might have some left over from my flight. I probably will, actually. And I probably could live with using a vending machine if I got really desperate. You probably all think I'm a crazy water-guzzler, but I can't help it. As I've said, I need them for my pills, plus I tend to get thirsty a lot. When I feel dehydrated, I sometimes don't feel well, and I don't want that. And at those points, I usually just take small sips. I take 2 16 oz. bottles with me to work, and I drink most of that with my lunch/snack, and the rest is small sips during the day, and I usually have some left over when I go home, except in hot weather, I have to buy another one there. It's good that there's a grocery store nearby, but I know hotels like the Best Western have vending machines, and I might rather take a chance on those if I get desperate rather than traipsing all over town for water. I definitely wouldn't need a case unless I didn't bring all the water I mentioned, but I most likely would. I just figured out that 7 of those small bottles would weigh around 4 pounds. Since there are lots of warnings about checked baggage getting lost, damaged, or stolen, I would limit what I put in there. I would actually prefer to put my important clothes, toiletries, & accessories, as well as camera, mp3 player, book, etc., in my carry-on bag, to make sure it's all with me. You can bring shampoos, etc. on the plane as long as they are the travel size bottles, and you put them together in a quart-sized, sealed bag. They sell those at stores and even online, if your brand isn't carried in stores (mine aren't, because I buy cruelty-free, which is virtually non-existent in regular stores). So, really, my checked baggage would be mainly devoted to water and maybe a few extra articles of clothing, such as an extra coat (in case of precipitation). If that were really all, my checked bag wouldn't even need to be that big in size, probably not any bigger than my carry-on. It might be heavier, or just as heavy, but I don't see it weighing anywhere near the limit, which I've seen is around 40 1b. I highly doubt 4 lb. of water, plus a coat and some socks (or whatever) would weigh that much. |
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Post by Bamafan on Oct 20, 2014 5:52:18 GMT
Parents said no, the trip doesn't fit into the budget. I'm not giving up. I don't know what the number would have to be for us to go (we were planning on it being just me and my dad), but right now the total of the trip is around $1500 (£931.25). I'm going to do whatever I can to get the price down. I know I can already cut it down at least $200. I could get a temporary part time job. I'm planning on selling some old clothes/books/music. I would busk, but our city has laws against it. But I'm determined. If I can't go, it won't be because I didn't try.
-Taylor
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Post by Libby on Oct 20, 2014 6:07:36 GMT
But I'm determined. If I can't go, it won't be because I didn't try. -Taylor That's exactly what I'm saying, to those of you who've said that "there is no excuse". |
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I may try to go. It is a 7+ hr drive from KC but I also have some frequent flyer miles that would get me to Milwaukee. It would be a 1.5 hr drive from there.
