We got to the TSO concert last night. WS had asked when I wanted to leave, I decided about 5 would be about right so we could get a parking place, find a place for dinner and have plenty of time to eat before having to get to the arena for the show. Little did we know that half the entertainment would come before we even got to the arena.
We made good time to Manchester, getting there in about 40 minutes. When got within 2 blocks of the parking garage that is catty-corner to the arena, we suddenly found we couldn't get any closer. The police had cordoned off the area and traffic was being shunted back to other areas of the city. our first mistake; forgetting about the 3:00 show, which meant the area would be shut down before the show ended, and, more importantly, that all the parking in the immediate vicinity would be taken.
WS knew of some public parking areas, but all the streets are one-way, and all go the wrong way (we never did figure out how to get to one). There are a whole bnch of parking areas, but they were by parking permit only (violators will be towed). After making several forays onto side streets, we once again found ourselves on Main street looking for a place to park. "Turn right here!" I exclaimed. "Why? . . oh, theres a sign that says 'parking'." The Wonderful Spouse sounded relieved that I had seen the sign.
"Uh, no, I saw a Margerita's Restaurant and I figured the car ahead of us was going there, so I told you to turn where he turned." It turned out that the car was headed to an unknown destination, but we did find a public parking area (after 5PM anyway - which it was) a couple of block further down that side street.
On the way to Margerita's, we passed The Black Brymmer (a bar and grill) and a small Italian eatery. When we got to Margerita's, we were told it was a 1 1/2 hour wait. Well, The Black Brymmer had been nearly empty, so we made a beeline there. Another party walked in behind us and after some confusion as to who the "hostess" was to be, we got seated. Shortly thereafter, the entertainment began. About 20 people came up shortly after we were seated. I heard the bartender yell to someone to "Call so-and-so and tell him to get here now!"
The Black Brymmer was caught with their proverbial pants down - they didn't know what was hitting them and the 2 waitresses were literally trotting from table to table, then to the bar, then to the kitchen and back out again. Now keep in mind, this is a "bar and grill", mostly of the bar type that has live music a couple times a week. they are about a mile off from the arena, so don't usually get hit by event-goers. This time though, one event was letting out (the party of 7 next to us had just come from the matinee show of TSO), and another starting soon, all the places that usually got the traffic were overflowing and people were ranging farther for their meals.
WS thought that maybe we should finish our drinks and not bother ordering as he didn't think our food would be done in time. At that point though, I told him if nothing else, we could get appetizers because we weren't going to find anyplace short of Goffstown that could get us in and out. I figured that we were literally the first ones in the door (the few people that had been there when we got there had already left) and the first ones to order, so we had a good chance of getting our stuff in a timely manner. Everyone else would have to take their chances though.
The Brymmer served basic fare; WS had parmigan chicken and I had fish and chips and we had potato skins for an appetizer. We got everything in good order (and good time). By that time, the Brymmer staff was turning away customers. The party of 7 beside us hadn't even gotten their drink orders taken yet because the hostess didn't bother to assign a waitress. We told our waitress, she went to check it out, and ended up trotting back to take their order.
She did a good job with everything as far as we were concerned, so we left her a good tip and started walking to the Verizon Wireless Arena for the show. We both agreed that just watching the faces of the Brymmer staff, seeing the hustle of those unprepared for what was decending on them and counting the people that came in and were disapointed because there was no room, was plenty of entertainment in itself. Then also, just before we left, we heard the band starting to warm up with riffs from some old Queen and Led Zepplin, it sounded like the people left in there would get a good show anyway.
As we started walking the mile (or a litlle less) to the arena, we hoped we would get a good show too. that, I will describe tomorrow though.
I hope the show was great, and that you make it home safely. Dear Husband and I wish you and WS a healthy and prosperous 2006!
Posted by: buffy | December 31, 2005 at 10:23 PM
Your luck may not be so great on some things, but you definitely lucked out on this one! Way to go!
Posted by: Cop Car | January 01, 2006 at 09:16 AM
Oh! And--Happy 2006! May your luck hold through 2086.
Posted by: Cop Car | January 01, 2006 at 09:17 AM