Live Earth

Lights, Music ... can someone buy some carbon offsets?

I volunteered as a waste recycling team leader. I was going to skip the concert but something appealed to me about the chance to boss around 46 volunteers for two shifts. Ah, if only there were careers for green despots, I'd be queen! First shift was great if not staggered in their arrival. Great gal actually helped co-manage the group, taking names and the initiative to reorganize the trash bins to more appropriate places ... like right next to the vendors and hot dog prep stations! My job roamed around all the floors replacing folks for their 30 minute breaks. Had to adapt to get folks places they needed but after some volunteer attrition, we had to adapt and fill in as needed. Puke in the bins, I've called it in and janitorial is on the way. Rowdy drunk guy in section 327 asking for a fight, called security and event staff swarmed his ass. Yes, this is the fun filled life of a volunteer coordinators who's only sign of authority is a walkie-talky. Second shift arrives and we loose 40+ right after they enter the venue, ditching their shirts and flinging to the recesses of the stadium hoping to not get caught shirking their duties. Well I caught several loafers, one I just loved torturing a bit. Caught hi without his shirt on and drinking a beer (against volunteer rules). I made him put his shirt on - over his other shirt so he'd really sweat - checked his tag and sent him up to the 300 tier and basically scared him a bit. Loved the look on his face. Caught two gals in the bathroom - again, no shifts. Looked at their bracelets and made 'em put their shirts back on and get to work - who knows if they stayed.

So between moving folks around, the good ones I shifted to the floor for good views and music,
I squashed trash, called in overflows, taped up signs missing or fallen, sorted trashed and washed my hands about 459 times when I could find a nearby bathroom, and basically walked about 30 miles over the coarse of the day. I did pop in to hear Ludacris, Kanye, Pink Floyd (just one), Bon Jovi, and The Police. Funny highlight of the evening was all the bands raving about how great it was to play New York. Zach Braff get up and throws reality into the arena, "I don't know where these guys think they are but this is Jersey!" Guess Brits and rock bands in general don't understand geography or where Giants Stadium is. I, however, do know it is in the armpit of East Rutherford, New Jersey.

I could often hear the music while working but I missed all the sappy celebrity diatribes about climate change. I noticed the majority of folks were only there to party, many getting drunk in the parking lots and coming indoors to groove, harass and puke. Crowd control was great.

So, concert over and we head to the NJ Transit buses headed back to Port Authority.
Problems. The line is over a half-mile long. Two dork big Jersey guys try to cut in line. I call 'em on it and one guy leaves. The larger, monosylabic one remains, first flattering me and insulting me then harassing me. He said he wasn't going anywhere as he leaned into me and basically insulted me. He promised to do this the entire time in line which seemed like three hours at the speed things were progressing. So I called 911 after no men came to my defense except on nice volunteer who was a little academic to seem too threatening. As the cop car arrived he backed off with a parting comment that since we liked Bon Jovi, he'd move on. Turns out he ended up on the same bus hovering over me in my seat. I immediately felt unsafe, cgot up to talk wiht the driver and cops who removed him. Funny how he changed his tune when the cops asked him to exit without "giving me trouble." and he replied, "Yes, sir." I think he might have been carrying some recreationals. Such a wonderful chance to seek karmic revenge! Sometimes I love coincidence.