Sunday, December 5

2:15 am
Auckland NZ

Can't sleep.

Made the quick trip from Wellie to Auckland after show last night; settled in to hotel.  My clock is still so fucked up I don't know what damned time it is.  Clock on the wall says it's middle of the night, but my body's still going.  Don't want to head to the gym -- just shook my ass for 2+ hours.  So guess I get to sit here and scribble.  I'll call the kids in a bit, but it's still a little early back home.

Not too early for Cate though.  Talked to her about an hour ago.  She likes to start the day with a run on Saturdays, so she gets up early.  I got to be her alarm clock this morning--yesterday morning -- WTF-ever.  Guess we're almost a day ahead here.  That was nice, being able to start her day off.  She sounded so sleepy and content, her voice all husky and purry.  I could picture her all snuggled in the sheets in our bed, her hair all unruly and tangled, that little smile on her lips.

She always smiles in her sleep.  Sometimes I just lay awake and watch her and count my blessings.

Anyway, she started her day and I ended mine with a few little sweet nothings.  Not bad.

Wellie show was great.  Got a real charge out of the crowd -- they were clearly ready for a rockin' good time.  After all this country has been through the past couple months with the quakes and the mine tragedy, hopefully our little rock-and-roll show could give these good people at least a few hours of escape.  I felt good on stage, energized.  First time this leg -- Tokyo shows were fine, but with my head and everything back home I kinda felt like I was on autopilot.  Starting to come back to life a little.

The Kiwis and Aussies always give me a charge.  Glad we're gonna be here a few weeks.   After tonight's show we have a few days for break; maybe I can sneak in a little Christmas shopping and some time on the beach.  After all, I gotta go back for the holidays with a tan, ha ha.

Well fuck.  I'm out of things to say for now.  And yet I'm still not sleepy.

Oh look--Kiwi Porn on pay-per-view!  Well, THERE's something to pass the time... Peace Out!  ha ha

Christ I'm loopy.  Gotta get back on a sleep cycle....


9:45 am
Hotel Room
Auckland

Goddamnit.  I'm awake.

Finally fell asleep and only napped.  Fuck.

Apparently Kiwi Porn isn't as good anymore as I remember it being.  Dozed off in the middle of  "Hot Buttered CopPorn."  Yeah, couldn't resist that title, ha ha.  Gonna have to ask Richie for some "Cinematic Recommendations" in Aus, I think.  He's one helluva movie critic.

Well Hell.  Guess I'll get out of bed and do something.   Who knows what.  It's Sunday morning here, not many options.

Maybe I'll call my Hot Cop Wife.  Wonder if she's willing to roll around in some Butter and tell me all about it?

Heh heh.


7:15 pm
Backstage, Auckland

I'm pumped for tonight's show.  Probably running on adrenaline and coffee, but who cares?  In a great mood, ready to go out there and kick some ass.  I feel good tonight.  Not 100% yet, but about 98%.  Almost there.  Firing on all cylinders for the first time in a week.

Had an interesting day.  Never did make it back to sleep, so finally said "fuck it" and went to the gym.  Had a good, hard run, lifted some weights, sat in the sauna, and came out feeling as relaxed and human as I have in awhile.  Back to the suite, took care of some paperwork and calls for the foundation, had a little lunch, then decided to go out for a stroll.  Gorgeous day here in Auckland, warm and sunny, nothing like back home. That's one of the perqs of being a rock star and in charge of your own tour schedule -- you get to follow the sun.  These old bones don't like the cold.

Did a little shopping, picked up a couple things for the kids.  Nothing for Cate yet, still stuck on what to get her.  Maybe a Koala?  Wallaby?  Platypus?  Ha ha.  Christ, she has everything else, or says she doesn't need anything.  I may have to call Danny or Mandy for ideas.

Walked back to the hotel, ran into a few fans in the park.  They were nice, I was in a good mood so I stopped and chatted a bit, posed for some pictures.  It was fun.  Of course we also had the usual queue when we were leaving the hotel for sound check.  Another fun group, a nice bunch of ladies.  I teased them about being pushy Kiwis, but didn't mean it.  Actually hung around for a minute and posed for a few photos, squeezed a few hands.  Kiwi women are quite lovely; I've always enjoyed it here.

Despite my reputation to the contrary I really like talking to the fans, the everyday people who are nice enough to keep listening to my music and buying our records.  Or at least to keep illegally downloading them, ha ha.  (Just kidding).  But sometimes it gets to be a bit much, when they're rude or pushy or act entitled.  I get plenty of drama from inside my own crew, don't need it from strangers.  But most of them are nice, and usually a little shy.  After all this time I still am humbled by that, how anyone can be awed by ME.  I'm just a guy from Jersey who writes and sings songs.

Well, okay, not just ANY guy.  I ain't Big Louie from the joint on the corner.  But still, I'm not scary, nothing to be flustered by.  Just a middle-aged man with a bit of a narcissistic Napoleon/Peter Pan complex, ha ha.  At least that's what my wife tells me.

Speaking of my wife, we talked several times today.  That's rare; usually we talk once a day, maybe twice if there's something going on.  But today we were constantly connected, calling, texting, emailing... despite my failure to comprehend the value of things like Twitter and Facebook beyond their use as marketing tools, I must say it's awfully nice to be able to virtually spend time with someone you love who's half a world away.  Modern technology's finest application.

Anyway, I think we just both needed a little extra care today, even though everything seems to be fine.  Cate told me she just got my Christmas present but of course won't give me any hints as to what it is.  I told her I have no damned idea what to get her.  Again she said I'm all she's ever wanted, all she'll ever need.

I have a great wife.

And now it's time to get the game face on, to finalize the setlist and call the huddle.  I think of her every night when I'm out there under the lights, but tonight I'm gonna play something just for Cate.  She'll be sleeping when I'm onstage, but I know she'll watch the videos sometime tomorrow.  I'll be sure to have Tony send her a feed.  Just wish she was here to see it in person.  I love looking out in the crowd and seeing her singing and dancing along with me. Can't wait until the next time that happens.

Auckland New Zealand on a Sunday night...