What I Learned From Chula Vista/Irvine

[NJPhinPhan]

I learned that....

4. I found more people that knew of me....and all of you.....that only lurk and never post. They were coming by asking for "SecretsInTheCrust"
(Go ahead and post folks...we don't bite....ok NJPP may take little nibbles, but they are only because she likes you!)

I just LOOOOOOVE when I make "The List"


Glenn? Did those nibble scars fade yet?

[CaptainB]

We made it to four concerts this year. (2 Vegas, San Diego, and Saturday night in Irvine) I would have to say Satuday in Irvine, had a much crazier vibe to it. Maybe it was all the people there that weren't staying for the concert, or what, but it was fun. Near the end of the parking lot show, we met Secret, who was in the spot right behind us. Jollyman glad we could sell the extra seats to you.

Already making plans for next year...

[Seabass]

Yeah, I agree the younger generation (even though I'm part of that generation) was definately out of hand w/ the destruction of the parking lot.

I liked hanging with the older people anyway, the know more, and they sure do know how to party!

I didn't even go in the area where the cars were parked, it seemed like the real party was in the RV lot :O)

Maybe they should make everyone show thier tickets before letting them in the parking lot next year.

Hey TheSecretsInTheCrust do the SD Parrot Heads ever do anything w/ OC or LA Parrot Heads? My wife and I just joined the OC Parrots.

[TheSecretsInTheCrust]

Seabass...the Southern California PHC's do get together often....although very few are co-sponsored events....we all support each others events. The SDPHC will have our 8th Anniversay Party in April (26th) and that usually has people from the OC, LA, Inland Empire, Pheonix and other west states clubs show up. Hope to see you there.

[Seabass]

Sounds good TheSecretsInTheCrust I look forward to eventually meeting you! :O)

[qball62]

Irvine Sat was one of the crazyest I have been too in Irvine. I agree that it is getting a little out of hand. Not that I am any angel, but across from our RV was a website called trashygirls.com. I am sure they didnt come to see Jimmy. But it did add to the scenery. It was kinda cool to see Wild on E! filming, there they were down a couple of spots. Hey daddymention, we were right next to the free shots for boobs bar. We had all the Corona and Miller lite stuff up, plus the guy in the American flag speedo. Would have been cool to meet. I heard that some guy hit two people with his car, not sure how true that is. but thats what the paramedics and all were there for. Can't wait until next year!!!!!!

[boatdrinker]

Well all I'm back home in Northern California. We have So Cal weather at least to keep us warm Sunday and today. 845 miles R/T and I think it was worth it. The venue at Irvine is so much more fun than any in NorCal. Plus I got to stop for a Tommy's chili burger on the way home.

HOWEVER, and that is a big However, the level of young drunks was much more than I have seen in 10 years of buffett concerts. The average age and ability to control thier drinking seems to be dropping faster than a sinking sloop. I don't dislike parakeets and younger parrotheads, I have several in the family, but they have decided that our "old guy" Buffett brand of fun is just being drunk and singing along with the Buffett lyrics. They miss the whole "meaning of life with a carribean flair" and finding a peaceful meaning of life side of the Buffett culture.

The lot was 10x wilder than before, I kept telling my wife this is what pirate times must have been like. Dozens of leering pirates on top of thier land schooners throwing beads for a peak of the titty. Hard to describe my discomfort as I'm not a prude but the slipery slope is too slick and steep for my comfort. I'm sure that the thousand or so cubic yards of trash in the parking lot will be the end of the early gate openings and good parking lot party.

The helicopter with spotlight showed up right after Jimmy said good night and there were dozens of riot cops on the exit.

On the whole (preparation H is good, had to say that) the crowd was well behaved but the average blood alcohol content had to be 0.2. We'll be lucky to sneak a beer in the parking lot next year. Our collective behavior wasn't good.

Perhaps it is the stress of our timesthat leads us to a more extreme escape. I enjoyed the show lots. Jimmy was the stress relief I needed and the production quality was excellent. Bathrooms were croweded as usual. I wanted the T shirt but is it really worth $35 for a Tshirt? At least parking was free, but next year they will likely charge $20 for cars and ban motorhomes just to cover the broken glass and trash removal. They already banned the towed sail boats, which was a real loss for a Boatdrinker.

Best,
Boatdrinker

[crabman]

Yeah, I agree the younger generation (even though I'm part of that generation) was definately out of hand w/ the destruction of the parking lot.

I liked hanging with the older people anyway, the know more, and they sure do know how to party!

I didn't even go in the area where the cars were parked, it seemed like the real party was in the RV lot :O)

Maybe they should make everyone show thier tickets before letting them in the parking lot next year.

The She-crab "jogged" my memory on the last point, Seabass..We remember several times (at Irvine and other venues) where you had to show your tickets to be admitted to the lot.

I would go a step further and request to JB's management people that they require Ticketmaster to follow U2's "Wiltern Theater" rule from a few years back to insure that all thiose Loge seats don't end up in a broker(read SCALPER)'s hands: 2 tickets per person at time of purchase and you MUST show a picture ID that matches the purchaser's name for the tickets to be valid.
Such measures might insure that the parking lot would a) remain a party zone, and b) help the Irvine P.D. keep their riot gear in the storage lockers.

BTW, I did report to a pair of officers that my flag and flagpole had been stolen, and they looked at me like "so, what else is new, buddy??"
All they were interested in was clearing the lot. I would have stuck around and filed a report if I thought it would have done any good.

Needless to say, that response wouldn't have occurred one county to the East..I guarantee it (those are MY deputies on the other end of Ortega Highway!).

crabman

[mason]

did anyone see the female mannequin with a liquid/tequila perhaps? flowing from her vagina?

"old men in tank tops, cruising the gift shops"

[CRC Parrothead]

Sounds like you had a blast Glenn!! I wish I could have been there!! I'll shoot for next year!!

[daddymention]

Maybe they should make everyone show thier tickets before letting them in the parking lot next year.

I agree!! This is a great idea.

I forgot to mention...the one good thing about bringing a 4 year old is they get lots of stuff!!! Shane collected beach balls, lots of beads, toys, etc...more stuff we can use at next year's shows!!

After reading these posts, I realize I didn't see all of the crazy stuff...but I sure saw enough...

Don't get me wrong, I love Irvine...but I prefer San Diego and I hope it stays the way it is and never becomes like Irvine.

[TheSecretsInTheCrust]

CRC...You have an open invitation to join us anytime!

[CaptainB]

My wife and I are "part of the younger generation", and still were surprised at everything going on there. My friend and I were walking around, and ended up talking to one of the police officers that were in the parking lot. He said he loves working the parking lot everyear, and he had been doing it for Jimmy Buffett for as long as he can remember. He enjoys the music, and the"time and a half" isn't bad either. (listening to Buffett and getting paid!! He said it seems like the crowd is getting worse each year, and and that the majority of the problems are the 17-22 year olds that just go to the parking lot, and then leave before the show.

[SDPirate40]

Hello Irvine and SD phans.....

I left the saturday Irvine show and boarded a plane for London the next day out of LAX, and just returned, hence the late post on the show....

The comments from many folks were so right on target. Irvine is still the greatest parking lot party, but what can you say about the 18 - 28 year old crowds? Many in this age group were like hooligans at a English rugby match, way out of control.

I did see the police writing tickets for underage drinking left and right, they were on target, leaving most die hard phans alone.

At both Irvine shows, I bolted at the first encore show, the lots were a mess as everyone pointed out.

San Diego....a great show this year, maybe the new gold standard for the west coast.

It was great to meet Frank, SITC, Mason, Capt. Garry, and the others who came up and visited. The SDPHC is quite a group, and me & my honey thought meeting everyone was just tops.

Looking forward to hooking up in downtown SD.....

[TheSecretsInTheCrust]

SDP40.......I would love to see San Diego become the new "Gold Standard" for the west coast. The parking lot in San Diego reminds me of Great Woods in many ways....in the layout.....Lets just hope that the great party continues to get better each year. San Diego is making tremendous strides and every year the party gets better......BTW....you have a SWEET ride......

[SDPirate40]

Secrets in The Crust....

SD is a great deal like Great Woods, a variety of adjoined lots, each with a personality that develops. The SD show this year was calm compared to Irvine, but in hindsight, much better. I guess there is a limit to everything.

Thanks for compliment on my little convertible, ....yet I have to say it does not beat bringing my 33' SeaRay boat, "Island Dancer" into the Irvine lot back in the 90's.....too bad they banned boats......now those were the days.

Damn.....I sound old!

Well, another season over. Soon it will be time to head to Florida for his winter shows......three months to go.....I need to get a life....still delirious from my 12 hour flight from London yesterday...

See you in San Diego.....

[The Mayor]

To check the charge level of the batteries in my digital camera before leaving the house...!

Took only 8 photos and the camera died....! Hate when that happens.

[Elrod]

SDP40.......I would love to see San Diego become the new "Gold Standard" for the west coast.

And for those of us without a coast!

[El Pablo]

I learned to give everyone their ticket before getting to the show. This way when you have tickets to sell, you know just how many to sell. Sorry Nancy and Keri.... Damn that tequila, who put me in charge?