Once I decided that I should forget even thinking about going to Arizona, I looked closer at what Portland had to offer. The first web posting of the show was at some kind of reseler, showed the tickets on sale for... $60+ or something? Then I saw there was a button that you could also buy tickets at Ticketfly events. Turns out this is where the venue linked to. I think a 'general admission ' ticket was $35, I chose next option, seats in the first 10 Rows. There was a third option, seat in first 10 rows and a "Meet & Greet"... great! But then I thought about it longer, would that be a Meet and Greet w/ Haley AND the band Perry?
I got a hold of the venue number and called. I learned that there are about 100 seats in the first 10 rows and that the Meet and Greet was for the Band Perry only. It was up to the radio station and the artist whether there'd be one for Haley. So I decided to inquire w/ whomever Haley's management was. I was surprised when I got an answer back the next day. They had not determined yet if they were going to do a MnG for Haley....maybe they wondered or were checking on a demand for one. Haley's rep linked me to a facebook page. If and When they decided to have one, this is where it'd be posted.
A few days later, a page was put up, there would be a meet and greet with Haley. The decision to focus mainly on Portland was looking to be a better and better one. The Meet and Greet would happen 4 hours before the show, meaning if I decided to do AZ and Portland, I would've had to fly back at an earlier time than I would have booked.
Later on it was learned that Haley will be having a show in Chicago in April, a no brainer that she would perform w/ the Reinharts, I thought... I'd told Harry a few times I hope to get an opportunity to see them again if a show came back to their area. Turns out, the cost of airfair and lodging was just a bit more than it would've cost me to fly to AZ and hotel stay then to Portland. A better use of the money, a potentially more enjoyable event
I then looked to see if the venue had a camera policy. It did and like most, 'video recording and 'professoinal' cameras were strictly prohibited' There was no way I could get my DSLR in, only option was not an option at all. my Smartphone
camera
Bringing us back to the camera ISCAT used to video Vegas. It had above average reviews and it proved itself as being actually great video from editing them and deciding that was really my only option. I ordered it in time to have it in Portland.
The plan was to rent a car for the drive, as to not put the miles and wear on my own car. Ken sent me a couple panoramic Posters shot by Greg, of PMJ w/ the cast's signatures on each, from the last PMJ show in LA. He said one was for me, the other was for Haley, so I had something for her as a keepsake.
A couple days before the show, I received an email regarding the Meet and Greet. It gave instructions of where to go, be there, at the latest, 3pm. "
music by Haley will start promptly at 3:15pm" Music by Haley? I knew there would be refreshements, a bar and snacks, but things started looking better and better
Init had indicated he was going to the show too, also the meet and greet, so we agreed that we would meet in Portland before the Meet and Greet.
The night before the trip, I had alot to do. Always been a procrastinator, I ended up not being able to properly try out the camera in 'concert situation, like at a local show or something. I'd be using it 'cold'. I had nervous energy in anticipation of the show, ended up sleeping at around 4 am even though I planned to pick up the rental at 9 am. I ended up not getting it until 10:30. I should still have enough time to make a 3pm appointment
After picking up the car, I headed to I-5 South... sure enough, on a Saturday, stop and go traffic... sweet, I started off late, and now I-5 is stalled
There was a traffic accident on I-5, but going North... I HATE people who have this need to slow down on freeways to look at accidents on other side of the freeway... that was why it was stop and go on I-5
South, an accident on I-5
North 
Soon enough, we got back up to freeways speed. OK still plenty of time. Because I wanted to know the reason for the stalled traffic, I had my radio on to a news station to get traffic reports. Finally making some progress, a report came on the radio. Some crazy attacked and killed someone in a retirement home. There was police car chase, gunfire exchange resulting in a terminal end to the assailant. I probably wouldn't have thought a second about it, except right after I heard this report... all cars came to a Halt AGAIN
