Hi. If you've not met me, I happen to be a genius. For this shot, I decide to climb to the highest point of the stadium and sit in the pouring rain until lightning shows itself.

That certainly isn't the dumbest idea I've ever had, but the irony is that no lightning ever came. It was just a torrential down pour. Again. No cover - and not the good kind of no cover, you know, to get into bars and the such.

What can I say? The forecast said thunder and lightning, so damn it, I was going to sit there (camera well wrapped, of course, in a poncho and gaff tape) and get soaked until I saw the sky light up.

Then... it stopped raining and the sky was clear.

The end.

Top photo: (L-R) Mr. Farese (lead rigger) and Mr. Lawrence (site coordinator) assessing the stage, post-storm.

Bottom photo: (L-R) My favorite comedic duo, I mean bosses, on-site, Mr. Pinner and Mr. Lawrence, heading down the ramp to assess the stage, post-storm - myself in tow.

Yeah, yeah I'd call that a cascade... ohhhh... the stadium is flooding too?? Super!

Photo: flooding stairs outside Gillette's dock.

Hey Jules! How many gallons of rain water did you have to dump from those tents?

Oh... and nice shoes!

Soccer to concert! Magic!

Top: Gillette Stadium 7.24.10
Bottom: Gillette Stadium 7.19.10

Thank you, Staples for making this picture perfect.

(L-R) Stageco steel guys Hassan and Farley putting together their big-kid version of a giant Erector set.

I'm all out of order and on a delay again, but I'm going to try to keep this together as much as I can. You can see three things of importance in this photo, the third being of most importance to me:

1. We are at Gillette Stadium.
2. There is a MLS soccer game on the field.
3. There is a stage build behind the goal.

My notes about the above three items:

1. Boooooooooo New England Patriots.
2. My first MLS game ever. I do thank the venue for getting us tickets, but I did almost fall asleep. What can I say, I had been up for a long time and there was the perfect hammock breeze!
3. I absolutely love my job(s).

Photo: New England Revolution plays Monarcas Morelia at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA on 7.20.10, winning 1-0.

Oh Foxborough roads how you amuse me so.

As I mentioned a few posts ago, Jordan and I went straight from Edmonton to Boston for the next Bon Jovi build at Gillette Stadium. Luckily for me, I a) flew in early, b) had a Saturday off (like I hear real people do) and c) have a very dear friend who lives in Cambridge. Having even more luck, said very dear friend, Ms. Kelly McStay has a) an incredibly loving boyfriend with a beautiful Parece Cabin Cruiser circa 1953 moored off of Bristol, RI and b) had a day off on Saturday, as again, real people do.

So we packed ourselves a fine little picnic lunch, grabbed the sunscreen, hopped in the car and headed toward Rhode Island. When we arrived, I took one look at the boat and just thought Bing Crosby clambake and my day was made. Pristine condition, beautiful wood, technology from the early 50s and a gorgeous day to show. Perfect. Done.

One of the best parts about this whole trip so far is that I didn't know that I would be in Boston until I was already in Canada - so thank goodness a bathing suit and my Rainbows always travel with me... in my gig bag...

Here's to adventures and being rerouted!

Photo: (L-R) Jordan and Kelly being nautical at the bow of the boat.

Does your mall have a pirate ship?? I know mine doesn't.

Then again, my mall never had an ice rink, sea lions, a roller coaster, a carnival, a wave pool, a bumper boat lagoon, a casino, an Asian district (surprisingly legitimate), a European district, a hermit crab store and a whole bunch of other things I'm sure I'm forgetting... but good news! The West Edmonton Mall has ALL of that and much, much more!!

The ironic part is that neither Jordan nor I had any desire to shop, just an interest in the indoor city that Edmonton built in order to provide viable entertainment during the insanely cold winter months when it's forty below. That's why it's the biggest mall in North America, you know... fifth biggest in the world.

The shocker? Only two Starbucks. Bell Communications wins for most number of stores in the mall with four spread throughout. Curve ball, eh?

When you've worked with Cirque du Soleil for a few years, coming across a street performers' festival is sadly not as exciting as it once would have been. However, there is something charming about "street" aspect of this. No multi-million-dollar budgets or $300 seats, just a few props and a hat to pass around. Clearly, I did linger a bit.

Things into which you stumble in Edmonton while walking back to your hotel.

See ya later, Edmonton... Next stop? Boston.

Climber on truss, Bon Jovi tear-down on the morning of 7.16.10 in Edmonton.

The city of Edmonton behind the Bon Jovi tear-down at Commonwealth Stadium on the morning of the 16th.

Soggy, yet pretty.

I haven't photographed a load-out since Fenway's May builds for DMB and Phish last year, but I thought the sunrise against the crappy weather deserved a photo shoot.

Ok, so we had some not so great load-in weather... and some not so great load-out weather... in a town that there's really not much to do other than a) work or b) sit around and wait for Aurora Borealis to come knocking. We did plenty of working, that's for sure and as for Ms. Aurora? My email alerts (yes, yes, I actually am that big of a nerd) only indicated enough geomagnetic activity for a sighting on a night where things were far from dry, let alone clear.

But... the people of northern Alberta were happy. Bon Jovi was playing their hometown and they were stoked. If that means Aurora and I need to wait a while to contemplate the world, well, I'm ok with that.

Photo: Bon Jovi/Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, AB/7.15.10

Photo: Jon Bon Jovi/Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, AB/7.15.10

Photo: Jon Bon Jovi/Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, AB/7.15.10

BFF

Photo: (L-R) Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi/Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, AB/7.15.10

Such an interesting thing to do with one's life...

Photo: Bon Jovi/Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, AB/7.15.10

Photo: Bon Jovi/Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, AB/7.15.10

And now, for a mellow moment...

Photo: Bon Jovi/Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, AB/7.15.10

v. rock star.

Photo: Bon Jovi/Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, AB/7.15.10

"Keep the Faith" minus the pyro display... definitely a little less grand.

Photo: (L-R) Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi/Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, AB/7.15.10

Holy. Alberta. Bison.

For once I am posting in both chronological order AND in a timely fashion during a build.

Photo: Bon Jovi/Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, AB/7.15.10

Top Photo: Jon Bon Jovi/Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, AB/7.15.10
Bottom Photo: Keyboardist David Bryan/Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, AB/7.15.10

My attempt to blend in with the locals. Unfortunately, the camera, the radio and the laminate give me away every time.

Bon Jovi! Again!

Photo: Bon Jovi/Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, AB/7.15.10

Bon Jovi show day at the Edmonton Eskimo's Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Thank goodness the rain finally took a lunch break. God doesn't deal with meal penalties very well.

See that blue spot to the right? One of the climbers atop the arch in the storm. Ballsy, but hey, a job is a job.

Rain, rain, go away, come again another day... please?

Goodness gracious! This rain just won't let up! Only a few hours behind, the mix is in place and the skins are being pulled.

Note: this rain storm/cold is the only thing that has ever prevented me from going to catering. Well, that and Mr. Cory Traversari being late for one of our famous production dates.

Night Zwei. The beginnings of a mix. A torrential downpour.

If you ever had the desire to know what a major compressed stage build in a Canadian stadium during a rainstorm at 1:00 a.m. MST looked like, welp, I'm glad I could assist.

So let's talk about what's happening here. A compressed build is when the production team decides to hire two crews to complete a build, only stopping, really, to follow union meal rules and change-out crews. In our case, the stage itself, without any tour audio/video, will take 36 hours (hopefully) straight through to complete. That being said, there are two of me... or two of Jordan... as well. In theory, Jordan takes 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and I take 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., but everyone knows you will come earlier or stay longer than your assigned shift. Just part of the gig.

That being said, you are either thinking one of two things: 1. Wow that must suck or 2: That's a great shift for Alli! For all of you in group one, it is quite the contrary to sucking. I am the only one in this "office" (see below) right now. It's only 1 a.m. MST and I'm cold and soaking wet, but it doesn't really matter because I have a hot cup of tea and Pearl Jam playing on our mobile speakers. I found a fire blanket in the closet and am using that to hold in some body heat - all good, but am wishing I would have brought the hair dryer from the hotel. I watch the rain come down on the guys and all I want to do is run down there and bring them all chicken soup. While I watch them put this monstrous stage together piece-by-piece, all I can think is that these men are men. Just two days ago, this same job was being done in 104 degrees at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ and they were fine. Now, it's raining very chilly cats and dogs in northern Alberta and everyone is still working at normal pace. Everyone is ok. No whining, no complaining.

Professionals.

For all of you in group two, you are indeed correct. This is a great hour of the day for me.

Possibly the greatest view from a production office ever. As Jordan brought up, yes, you do feel a bit like Mr. Burns at times, but if you have to be in an office, this ain't bad. Way to go, Canada.

Foreground: My little work station in the media center at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta.

Background: Bon Jovi's stage being built on the field for their show on the 15th.

Minus the fact that I shot Bon Jovi's shows at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ for both Bon Jovi's set designer and Bon Jovi's manager, Getty's name was accidentally included when their social-media person posted these on Bon Jovi's official Facebook page. No photos, however, were shot for Getty.

Also... these shows were in May... sommmmeonnnne needs to get their facts straight.

Anywho, with the album posted on June 30th, as of today, there's been almost 800 comments on the album with 12,370 responses. Pretty, pretty rad.

Now, granted, most of the comments have to do with Jon being the "sexiest man alive" from cougars 'round the world, but whatever! I'm stoked! Not too shabby for a tiny, little photographer from Pittsburgh, PA.

My favorite shot of the camp trip. The moon in the background, sunset light on the horses in the foreground.

(L-R) Sunset. Wild horse.

Which one of these is not like the other?

Photo: John screwing up my shot. Haha, jusssst kidding.

In case you were wondering, no descendants of Mr. Ed present.

A horse is a horse...

Of course, of course.

Posssssibly my favorite sequence shoot ever. Forget action sports. This rocks.