Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:39:52 -0500
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] On the road


Hi Hobey and all,

My road routine. Wow, I really don't think about it anymore as I've  
done it for so long.

We use a trailer without markings. We don't unload the puppets into  
the motel room. We did invest in a few heavy duty locks. One to lock  
the trailer to the vehicle and one to lock the back door of the  
trailer. Electric brakes are a must if you plan on towing a trailer  
in the snow. We always park in a lit area preferably in front of the  
motel. No speeding with a trailer. I like to arrive at the venue at  
least fifteen minutes before specified on the contract. Passengers  
sleep if they like while we are on the road.

As far as audio goes, we are all iPod owners and we have a direct  
hookup for them into the car stereo. Incidentally, we use the iPod  
for performances as well. Our standard routine is to set up the sound  
system first, plug in the iPod and turn on some music to set up to.  
While driving, we listen to the radio, our music libraries and  
podcasts and audio books. Basically, we listen to anything to relieve  
the monotony! NPR is always a safe bet and often we find pieces of  
music to use for future shows.

Dining on the road has always been an interesting situation. I like  
using a cooler for breakfast and lunch (cereal, juice and milk for  
breakfast, cold-cuts, bread and veggies for lunch), but dinner is  
always out. I like south-eastern Asian food, Dad likes south-western  
cuisine, my sister Cate likes Indian and my brother Peter likes Pub  
fare. We all adore cheesecake! When we're out, we make decisions  
based on our schedule and location. There are fantastic restaurants  
in and around major cities to satisfy us all, so we take turns. Fast  
food is usually the last resort if we can't find anything else. A  
bottle of wine or bourbon is usually in my bag for unwinding after  
arriving at a motel, and a laptop and cell phone are essential for  
running the business on the road.

My personal baggage is a small suitcase and a laptop case. Nothing  
more. The older I get the more simplified my road kit gets. The only  
other addition is two one-hundred-dollar bills tucked into a secret  
place in my kit for emergencies. I started doing this after being on  
a long motorcycle trip and having mechanical problems. Emergency cash  
helped tremendously as I had maxed-out my credit card with motel  
reservations and purchases.


See you on the road!

David J. Syrotiak



> What is your road routine?  Are you a drive through
> eater dining down the highway?  do you unload your puppets into the
> motel room? Where do you park or strategize the situation to avoid
> break-ins?  Do you have a sign on your van advertizing your gear
> inside?  Take naps? Speeder?  How close do you cut it to allow for
> traffic?  Do you pull a trailor and if so what the devil is that like?
>  Do you sleep in the van ever?  Are you a book tape listener, pod-cast
> library, NPR? what do you listen to? NYC or LA driver?  Secret black
> book of killer obscure restaurants?
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