Party Bus is a company built on family. It is a place where people are not so much employees but more, members of a wide (yep, sometimes dysfunctional) family.
Flea, former Party Bus full time ‘family’ returns to us after a 3 year hiatus. Her return on a part time basis brings back to the Party Bus family a vibrant and always keen for a party ‘family ‘member. Flea fills us in on what shes been up to, where she is now and where things are going.
Nicknames have a funny way of sticking
Being “vertically challenged” and surrounded by tall people it became pretty obvious to people that yes I’m pretty short. And as is the nature with nicknames they often tend to reflect or reference your physical attributes and flea in name and in nature is well, pretty small. “Fly” was the first nickname attempt that was originally coined by Gazza (one of the previous co-owners of Partybus) the name “Fly” lasted about a day, before it was decided that fly was not quite short enough, hence Flea came to be. The name has stuck ever since. So much so some of the Party Bus drivers didn’t even know my real name.
3 years hiatus
Since I was last with Party Bus things have changed, namely my marriage status and when we initially set off on an adventure I left with a partner and returned with a wife. During this time we managed to clock up 113 days in a campervan while this was an amazing adventure for us if you are thinking of undertaking something similar, do it with someone you love and can stand to be around “all day every day”. This was an amazing period of our lives where we got to see and experience so much of this amazing country that I wouldn’t change it for the world.
We travelled around the Northland area, camping, fishing, basically having the time of our lives.
We ended up driving our camper all the way to Christchurch where we settled in for a while. As always happens, money becomes important and working at Red Bus as a controller and head trainer proved to be a good fit.
Family – “Just when I thought I was out they pull me back in”
During this time I married Krystal at Markovina Vineyard and both Hens nights, of course, rolled out in full Viper style – an awesome night, the kind that you think ‘thank goodness no photos or evidence exist”. And of course Party Bus was our transport option of choice to and from the wedding.
Then we both decided it was time to migrate North to be closer to both our families. Waipapa seemed to fit our needs – close enough to family yet far enough away from family (if you know what I mean) and of course excellent fishing.
The downside sadly was the fact we had to leave behind jobs and friends back in Christchurch, but a new chapter beckoned, one that we took on with enthusiasm and a forward approach.
Being back in the Party Bus way of life sees me rolling straight back into most of the old jobs. I haven’t quite got back into conducting but just waiting for the call up. I loved hosting on Viper and the Ultimate Party Bus: DJ, host, bartender – covering birthdays, work events, stag dos, hens do, you name it we do it.
In terms of working in an operational capacity I juggle a range of tasks including assisting with the day to day school runs ( buses, drivers, routes ), ensuring all jobs run smoothly, able to help out at functions and at a pinch DJ’ing events or helping set up events which has included making props for events (like when I helped themed our Twilight till Midnight event a few years back).
No place I’d rather be
The best thing about being back in the family is seeing a lot of the old crew and reminiscing about old times, all those old crazy stories and crazy nights out and how I always tended to be the instigator for a “staff party” – my motto, any excuse is a good excuse for a party.
In forward looking mode the best thing about being back in the family is in assisting operations with gearing up for start of the new term and co-ordinating upgrades to some of the fleet, aiming to focus on increased driver comfort and enhancing customer experience through upgrading party lights in some of the buses.
Motto of the story – it’s good to be home.
- You never leave a family, just take a break now and then - April 22, 2015
- Party Bus and Bootcamp go hand in hand - November 25, 2013
- The Rock Bus gets the thumbs up as best 30th birthday party venue - July 16, 2013