We just got back from a two-week bike event in Laconia, New Hampshire. Me and Steve worked for patches which we did for Daytona and Leesburg before. Laconia is a pretty town with all those old, big victorian style houses. Lovely trees and flowers. Lakes, rivers and mountains. Our booth is located right in front of the port where the boat goes to the famous Mount Washington. It's a pretty sight. Although there are a couple of days that rained. But it's amazing how people still go despite the bad weather. Sewing patches seemed easy. But it really depends on the material of the jackets and vests. Most are made of leather. Some are thick, some are thin. Some are soft and some stretches. Some are even heavier than me. We worked like a dog the whole 12 days. But it's fun, i'd say. For me, meeting different people, from all walks of life is a nice experience. From locals, to french-speaking Canadians, from Massachusets, Maine, New York, Canada and everywhere. From war veterans, to just plain bikers as a hobby. Biker babes, musicians, teachers, etc..etc...and oh, not to mention i met a rock star. There's this Robert Plant-looking guy came up to me and asked me to sew his patch in his jacket. I can't help myself and told him, "you look like a rock star!" Then he said, "i used to be". And so that started an interesting conversation. His name is Perry Richardson (that's why i titled my blog after his name). He used to play bass for the rock group Firehouse. And now he shifted to country and play for Craig Morgan after the band broke up last 2000. I remember Firehouse back in the Philippines and they were quite big there. And he asked me if i am from the Philippines and i said yes. And he said that they performed once there. He even said that the hotel that they were staying, there is this Filipino band who did covers of their music and he was astounded and even said "they sounded better than us". It's just a nice feeling meeting a celebrity. Although i admit i am not a big fan. But i remember their song " I Live My Life For You" is a big hit in Manila. They were kinda like WhiteSnake, Bon Jovi, style. Sort of a rock-ballad. He's very humble and no "rock-star attitiude" at all. Steve asked him why he shifted from rock to country. He said that it's because there's too much drugs and other bad habits in the rock scene and wanted to clean up his act. But i'd say Craig Morgan is kinda like country-rock style. It's not an old-fashioned country. And so, as i always have my camera with me, I surely didn't pass the chance of not having a photo with me. After that, i quickly made a research on them on the net. I found out that Firehouse won an American Music Award for best rock band over Nirvana and Alice in Chains in year 1992. That was neat!I saw their photos then and Perry didn't changed at all. Still wears that red long curly locks and still looks very much the same.
So the Laconia experience is through. I can't get much chance to get some photos because it's all work no fun for us pretty much. Gotta get up 730am and be home at around 12mn everyday. But totally, it's still fun. Specially I get to have a pretty good TIPS from my customers, haha! It's all worth it! I also took pics of people we worked with and the house we stayed in. It's a pretty log-cabin house in the woods. Also, the world famous Lobster Roll...yummy!Enjoy...
