Sydney to Auckland – September 5th, 2004

7:10AM flight on a Sunday morning. Which of course is way too early, what with a two hour checkin, and a forty minute trip to the airport. Technically I drove myself to the airport, but my brother drove my car home.

Despite my concerns to the contrary, Sydney to Auckland was a non-stop flight. The reason why I am making such a bold statement is that when I was helping Richard pick up the wings to his plane a week back I spotted a billboard for Air New Zealand offering Non-Stop Flights to Auckland. Obviously the competition (Qantas in my case) was not offering non-stop flights and we would be stopping somewhere in the middle to pick up more passengers.

Getting to the airport at two hours before checkin was a mistake. Turns out no-one bothers getting there THAT early on a Sunday morning. Also I had to checkin through First Class since Qantas Club/Business checkin was closed. No-one gets there that early. They did give me priority baggage clearance on the plane though which was good. Whilst on the plane it was good to be in front of the wings – it is quieter up front for sure.

Right now [On the flight to New Zealand] I am a bit tired – but my plan is to work on my first presentation for the Des Moines onference – the one on Spread Spectrum Power Control – basically an appendix to my thesis from Uni. It became so enthralling that I didn’t bother watching the movie on this sector. I get to watch it on a future flight. Oops. I should get a life.

I should point out here that my presentations have my company logo on them. Down on the bottom corner. You know, the Radioactive logo. No-one has commented on it – YET. Power consumption on the laptop was good. This is the first time I have used the battery more than about 30 minutes in anger, and I have been impressed. I have been using it for at least 90 minutes, and it is still 58% remaining.

The landing at Auckland International was smooth, but there was a but of roll on approach. Not unexpected really since the weather was a bit overcast. On landing disembarkment was quick. I was one of the first off the plane after First and Business escaped. I was surprised that arriving and departing passengers mix as soon as they enter the terminal. I was able to use the express immigration line for Aussies and there was only one person in front of me. My bag was just coming on the conveyor as I got to it, and passing through quarantine was quick. Outside I gave my host a ring and we met up. I love global roaming.

I was meeting a musician by the name of Kevin Crossley – a mate of Bill Kovacs. Kevin is an old musician from way back, and it was really enjoyable talking about different musicians and bands. About who was in what band, who he had performed with, who had borrowed his equipment and the like. I was able to fill him in on what some of his friends and associates were up to these days.

It seems that Kevin has worked with just about every one of my rock idols. A couple of weeks back I placed my MP3 collection on my private server, and it was great to go through the collection playing tracks as appropriate. I introduced him to Blue Man Group, and he introduced me to Yes. Surprisingly, I also introduced him to “Jon and Vangelis”. Kevin had met or worked with both, but did not know that they collaborated.

I loved hearing things like “Mark Knopfler rang up and asked if he could borrow my amp”. Or “I gave a piece of software to Jean Michele Jarre – I got in a lot of trouble for that one. I was actually the person who introduced him to the Fairlight Synth”. The best of all, we were discussing Pink Floyd, and Roger Waters. I commented that Roger Waters was the quietest but loudest rock concert I had ever heard. He filled me in on why. He had taught roger how to do this. And it is simple. You have the musicians on stage supplied by foldback mixed from the main mixing desk. That way the speakers for the musicians on stage are not so loud that they are blasting the audience, and you get a clearer sound.

His Steinway has a beautiful sound, so much so that I could hear that it was a bit out of tune since the notes were so perfect. He showed me how much better the Steinway is to a synth with induced resonance of un-dampened strings. To explain, sit down at a piano. Then hit one key and keep it pressed, but not hard enough for it to make a noise. Then hit another key, wait a moment and let go. The sound should stop, but a sound has been induced in the first key.

I just love Kevin’s property… I am staying in the guest house . There is a view in front of me to the Tennis Court, and I have a private bathroom – well it is shared with the recording studio next door. Not surprising considering the type of people who normally stay there. The main house is amazing, and cannot be described. I just wish it was a bit warmer so that I could swim in the pool in the courtyard. Still, the Gym is well set up, if only I had the determination to use it.

The women reading this are about to get a huge shock, and I suspect I will be lynched when I get back. I was offered a chance to ride one of Kevin’s horses… The horse in question is a movie star. It is the lead horse in Xena, and also the latest Hercules movie apparently. And I had to tell him that I don’t ride. I suspect that I am about to be told that after an offer like that, then it is about time I learned.

I can assure you it is just so peaceful here. With rolling hills, lots of trees, birds singing. Just so quiet. Yet we are only 30 minutes from the centre of Auckland.

I am now on a 747-400 on the way to LAX. I am in the front row of economy class and I have lots of leg room. I think the plane is less than a half full. I suspect that it is only just over a third full.

Following the last entry in this document I saw Kevin’s plan for a new recording studio and cinema. I am impressed. He intends to have 8.1 channel sound – should be VERY impressive. Breakfast was Coffee and Croissants. The coffee was fantastic. Aparently Kevin was taught to make this particular style of cold-roasted cappuccino by the Commandant from the Police Academy movies – who just happened to be the person who married Kevin and his wife.

We did a bit more talking and he showed me some of the old photos. One of them was from the 1970’s with him playing a Gibson Guitar. What I should point out is that this is the oldest surviving Gibson. If you don’t know what a Gibson is then you need an education.

He also showed me a photo on one of the walls. It was a Bob Dylan thanksgiving party… And it really was a who’s who. Kevin was in the picture along with Joni Mitchell, Dylan, Dylan’s mother and a whole lot of other people. Looked like there were about fifty people – and I recognized a few. And I recognized a whole lot more names.

On the way to the airport I saw his new horse trailer. I must say I am impressed, down to the polished wooden floors throughout. I now need to spec up an A/V install for it.

When we arrived at the airport I went to check in. The person behind me turned out to be one of Kevin’s former co-pilots. Like, what an amazing coincidence. Kevin had no idea that she would be there, or that she was even in the country.

I ended up sleeping a bit on the plane – maybe two hours. And then trying for a lot of the rest of the time. Saw the movie 13 going on 30 which was good. Stepford wives was YUK.

In LA our flight was the only on in customs thanks to it being a public holiday, so things went quick. Got checked into the hotel and thought I had better try to sleep. That did not work, so I did come chores. That was getting email. And then going to Hollywood. I needed to pick up some clothes for mum’s bear Savanah. I also visited Amoeba records – the coolest record store in the world picking up four CD’s to go with the one Kevin Crossley gave me. Then back to the hotel for a sleep…

Darryl