Webster Hall and Quidditch
Nov. 16th, 2011 01:35 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bohemiaSo much to talk about, so little time.
Thursday was the Robert Schwartzman concert at Webster Hall. I almost forgot he was the opening band and almost missed his set. I got there right as he was going onstage. He walked right by me and another guy staring at the merch table, zoomed pass, turned and said, "Buy some merch, man! Buy some merch!" Which I would've if he'd had anything cool. It was just a bag and a poster with the album cover on it, which I can't stand. I almost got the poster for him to sign it, but then remembered I have his signature and the poster wasn't that great. Also, I never saw him the rest of the night.
His band was pretty good--no one I recognized--but I enjoyed the girl on keyboards. I thought the keyboards on the album were done by Louie, but I guess not. There were a lot of girls there for him, but oddly not a lot of them sang along to WDYHGM when he did an acoustic cover, even when he asked us to sing along and clap.
Set list:
Out of My Head
Someone 2 Love
Second Chances
You Don't Have to Lie
Funny Money
Love Is All Around
Just A Dream Away
All My Life
I Know Why
When Did Your Heart Go Missing
Next was Ocean Grove, who were okay. I enjoyed the guitarist who looked like a mix of this guy I know and Kevin Rose. They were over-modulating most of the set, so I couldn't really hear them.
After them was Voxhaul Broadcast, who I didn't really like too much the last time when they opened for Rooney, but enjoyed more this time. The singer reminded me of Adam Levine mixed with Michael Rosenbaum and was much more enjoyable.
The best thing about this whole day was this dream I had a while back. And when I was leaving to go to the concert after work today, I saw my friend Henry on his way home. The only thing missing was getting a new phone... which was supposed to happen the next day, but obviously has not. (I'm waiting for the best Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal I can find.)
THE WEEKEND WAS THE GREATEST. World Cup of Quidditch V. It started out already exhausting because I really needed rest after being at work all of Thursday and then having to wake up early Friday. Saturday (and sometimes Sunday, if I can get away with it) is my day to really enjoy sleeping in with nowhere to go. Instead I woke up at 7am, and left to pick up![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
splits_thesky at Penn Station. We walked up to Times Square, where they were re-creating Super Mario Land for the day. It was still pretty early so the crowd wasn't ridiculous and we were able to observe and leave quickly. I didn't realize until later that they were actually giving away the Tanooki tails and ears the volunteers were wearing. I wanted a pair. :(
Then we headed to Randall's Island on the longest, geekiest bus ride ever. Lots of magical people, great conversations to overhear and not as many muggles to embarrass us with weird looks. The games were great, the weather was decent and the food lines were ridiculous. Divs ate while waiting for me, but I'd only had a iced coffee while waiting for the bus to the island. When we started to worry that we'd die of hunger before the line went down, we started wandering around looking for other vendors selling food items, accidentally infiltrated the team village, and stumbled upon Joe from Harry and the Potters selling Snitchwiches by their merch booth. That helped us until the line was reasonable and we could get actual food.
When I went to ask for food, I wasn't sure if they had sold out of anything. So I asked the cashier guy what they had left and he goes, "food." So I went down the list of things I would like, each answered with, "no." So then I asked for a veggie burger and got that, but there was a fifteen minute wait for hot chocolate. I walked over to the nearest table and ate until the hot chocolate was ready. When I got through the line again, the guy said the hot chocolate was already gone. At this point I wanted to know why it went so fast--where they using a k-cup system, where they just out of packets, how much water were they boiling, etc. The guy was just like, "Nope!" But before we could leave, Divya noticed the girl on line after me ask the girl cashier for hot chocolate. The girl went and got her hot chocolate! So I promptly stood in the girl cashier's line for chocolate, and while she was preparing my cup THE GUY CASHIER WALKED BY AND POURED HIMSELF A CUP OF CHOCOLATE. I stared at him, waiting for him to look up but he didn't. I refused to get waited on by him for the rest of the weekend. Whenever he was the next free cashier I flagged down another cashier and asked if there was whatever I wanted.
The music was amazing--there was a stage with a rotating list of local bands, wizard rock artists, sideshow acts and even Potion Master's Corner with Joe Moses himself. I thought I missed Diagon Alley on Saturday because they were running behind on the stage schedule and then Night Fevers were the last band. But DA ended up playing on Sunday right before Draco and the Malfoys. Guys, I LOVE DIAGON ALLEY LIKE YOU DON'T KNOW. The first act I was dying to see was Swish and Flick, who had some audio issues (as did most bands), but had a great following in the University of Ottawa's team (who Divs and I started to follow after that). Divya and I both really enjoyed Nowherenauts even though we hadn't heard of them and were mostly enjoying them as background music to the Middlebury match against Vassa. Draco and the Malfoys were cool--Brian's guitar broke in the middle of the set, and Bradley blamed it on Harry Potter, Joe--who was passing around the audience selling snitchwiches again--booed from the crowd and Paul (also of H&TP) ended up giving Brian his guitar, which prompted a "Harry is so cool!" from Bradley before the set resumed. Harry and the Potters even took the stage in the middle of a match Divya and I were waiting for, but we left (Divya broke out so fast in front of me) when we heard Harry and the Potters starting.
There were a lot of players and snitches we enjoyed last year that we sought out again, and a lot of new favorites this year. But it hit us that college is usually a four-year deal, so most of these players we love may be seniors (some we KNOW are seniors :( ) and won't be around next year. Unless they stay on to coach Quidditch, because WHO ELSE WOULD COACH QUIDDITCH except for former players, right? THAT'S HOW SPORTS WORK AND YOU CAN'T TELL US DIFFERENTLY. We also came up with nicknames, although this year we also sort of learned the names of some players. But it felt weird to talk about the players by name so we stuck with our celebrity nicknames. Also, I didn't think to support the Badassilisks because they weren't so great last year, but I heard later on that they were 4-1 in the cup. That's such a big improvement.
On day two, we bundled up a bit more in preparation for the same weather as Saturday. Sunday was much warmer, instead, and we ended up carrying our extra layers all around. We made friends with a food tent cashier girl who promised us butterbeer if we came back when the line was crazy. But we managed to get it before the line was crazy, along with a decent meal at the Duke v. Fredonia game.
Also on day two, after the pool play was over, a dodgeball game broke out on field two. Divya and I were just sitting in the bleachers enjoying Ottawa and McGill when they started picking up bludgers and playing with some American players. Then both sides grew until it was America v. Canada and it was probably my favorite part of the weekend, if not because of certain players in it, then because of the fun but competitive vibe during the whole game. And it was also funny because generally nerds/geeks hate dodgeball, right? The stereotype is that we're horrible at sports and always get pummeled in dodgeball and here was a whole field of geeks who play a fantasy sport ganging up on each other and throwing their teammates into the fray and enjoying themselves. So that was pretty cool. It's pretty funny how most of the teams we support are actually Canadian teams. Next year we plan to know the Canadian anthem by heart and I'll probably buy a Canadian flag blanket or something.
We didn't stay for the finals, which we always end up regretting, but we'd also had a phenomenal weekend free of idiots and full of fandom-people. When we were walking around in Times Square afterwards, we passed a Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff and the Ravenclaw and I showed house pride. :p Things like that, and also Commissioner Benepe's heartfelt moment on the stage before announcing the brackets, are what make the World Cup of Quidditch. I only wish that the sport was popular enough so that I didn't have to wait a whole year to see another match. I want to be able to turn on the TV and see matches or be able to go watch it live. I need more Quidditch in my life than just this yearly trek. I'm not complaining, I just need more!
I'm like an episode away from being caught up with American Horror Story. THE HELL IS GOING ON.
Thursday was the Robert Schwartzman concert at Webster Hall. I almost forgot he was the opening band and almost missed his set. I got there right as he was going onstage. He walked right by me and another guy staring at the merch table, zoomed pass, turned and said, "Buy some merch, man! Buy some merch!" Which I would've if he'd had anything cool. It was just a bag and a poster with the album cover on it, which I can't stand. I almost got the poster for him to sign it, but then remembered I have his signature and the poster wasn't that great. Also, I never saw him the rest of the night.
His band was pretty good--no one I recognized--but I enjoyed the girl on keyboards. I thought the keyboards on the album were done by Louie, but I guess not. There were a lot of girls there for him, but oddly not a lot of them sang along to WDYHGM when he did an acoustic cover, even when he asked us to sing along and clap.
Set list:
Out of My Head
Someone 2 Love
Second Chances
You Don't Have to Lie
Funny Money
Love Is All Around
Just A Dream Away
All My Life
I Know Why
When Did Your Heart Go Missing
Next was Ocean Grove, who were okay. I enjoyed the guitarist who looked like a mix of this guy I know and Kevin Rose. They were over-modulating most of the set, so I couldn't really hear them.
After them was Voxhaul Broadcast, who I didn't really like too much the last time when they opened for Rooney, but enjoyed more this time. The singer reminded me of Adam Levine mixed with Michael Rosenbaum and was much more enjoyable.
The best thing about this whole day was this dream I had a while back. And when I was leaving to go to the concert after work today, I saw my friend Henry on his way home. The only thing missing was getting a new phone... which was supposed to happen the next day, but obviously has not. (I'm waiting for the best Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal I can find.)
THE WEEKEND WAS THE GREATEST. World Cup of Quidditch V. It started out already exhausting because I really needed rest after being at work all of Thursday and then having to wake up early Friday. Saturday (and sometimes Sunday, if I can get away with it) is my day to really enjoy sleeping in with nowhere to go. Instead I woke up at 7am, and left to pick up
splits_thesky at Penn Station. We walked up to Times Square, where they were re-creating Super Mario Land for the day. It was still pretty early so the crowd wasn't ridiculous and we were able to observe and leave quickly. I didn't realize until later that they were actually giving away the Tanooki tails and ears the volunteers were wearing. I wanted a pair. :(Then we headed to Randall's Island on the longest, geekiest bus ride ever. Lots of magical people, great conversations to overhear and not as many muggles to embarrass us with weird looks. The games were great, the weather was decent and the food lines were ridiculous. Divs ate while waiting for me, but I'd only had a iced coffee while waiting for the bus to the island. When we started to worry that we'd die of hunger before the line went down, we started wandering around looking for other vendors selling food items, accidentally infiltrated the team village, and stumbled upon Joe from Harry and the Potters selling Snitchwiches by their merch booth. That helped us until the line was reasonable and we could get actual food.
When I went to ask for food, I wasn't sure if they had sold out of anything. So I asked the cashier guy what they had left and he goes, "food." So I went down the list of things I would like, each answered with, "no." So then I asked for a veggie burger and got that, but there was a fifteen minute wait for hot chocolate. I walked over to the nearest table and ate until the hot chocolate was ready. When I got through the line again, the guy said the hot chocolate was already gone. At this point I wanted to know why it went so fast--where they using a k-cup system, where they just out of packets, how much water were they boiling, etc. The guy was just like, "Nope!" But before we could leave, Divya noticed the girl on line after me ask the girl cashier for hot chocolate. The girl went and got her hot chocolate! So I promptly stood in the girl cashier's line for chocolate, and while she was preparing my cup THE GUY CASHIER WALKED BY AND POURED HIMSELF A CUP OF CHOCOLATE. I stared at him, waiting for him to look up but he didn't. I refused to get waited on by him for the rest of the weekend. Whenever he was the next free cashier I flagged down another cashier and asked if there was whatever I wanted.
The music was amazing--there was a stage with a rotating list of local bands, wizard rock artists, sideshow acts and even Potion Master's Corner with Joe Moses himself. I thought I missed Diagon Alley on Saturday because they were running behind on the stage schedule and then Night Fevers were the last band. But DA ended up playing on Sunday right before Draco and the Malfoys. Guys, I LOVE DIAGON ALLEY LIKE YOU DON'T KNOW. The first act I was dying to see was Swish and Flick, who had some audio issues (as did most bands), but had a great following in the University of Ottawa's team (who Divs and I started to follow after that). Divya and I both really enjoyed Nowherenauts even though we hadn't heard of them and were mostly enjoying them as background music to the Middlebury match against Vassa. Draco and the Malfoys were cool--Brian's guitar broke in the middle of the set, and Bradley blamed it on Harry Potter, Joe--who was passing around the audience selling snitchwiches again--booed from the crowd and Paul (also of H&TP) ended up giving Brian his guitar, which prompted a "Harry is so cool!" from Bradley before the set resumed. Harry and the Potters even took the stage in the middle of a match Divya and I were waiting for, but we left (Divya broke out so fast in front of me) when we heard Harry and the Potters starting.
There were a lot of players and snitches we enjoyed last year that we sought out again, and a lot of new favorites this year. But it hit us that college is usually a four-year deal, so most of these players we love may be seniors (some we KNOW are seniors :( ) and won't be around next year. Unless they stay on to coach Quidditch, because WHO ELSE WOULD COACH QUIDDITCH except for former players, right? THAT'S HOW SPORTS WORK AND YOU CAN'T TELL US DIFFERENTLY. We also came up with nicknames, although this year we also sort of learned the names of some players. But it felt weird to talk about the players by name so we stuck with our celebrity nicknames. Also, I didn't think to support the Badassilisks because they weren't so great last year, but I heard later on that they were 4-1 in the cup. That's such a big improvement.
On day two, we bundled up a bit more in preparation for the same weather as Saturday. Sunday was much warmer, instead, and we ended up carrying our extra layers all around. We made friends with a food tent cashier girl who promised us butterbeer if we came back when the line was crazy. But we managed to get it before the line was crazy, along with a decent meal at the Duke v. Fredonia game.
Also on day two, after the pool play was over, a dodgeball game broke out on field two. Divya and I were just sitting in the bleachers enjoying Ottawa and McGill when they started picking up bludgers and playing with some American players. Then both sides grew until it was America v. Canada and it was probably my favorite part of the weekend, if not because of certain players in it, then because of the fun but competitive vibe during the whole game. And it was also funny because generally nerds/geeks hate dodgeball, right? The stereotype is that we're horrible at sports and always get pummeled in dodgeball and here was a whole field of geeks who play a fantasy sport ganging up on each other and throwing their teammates into the fray and enjoying themselves. So that was pretty cool. It's pretty funny how most of the teams we support are actually Canadian teams. Next year we plan to know the Canadian anthem by heart and I'll probably buy a Canadian flag blanket or something.
We didn't stay for the finals, which we always end up regretting, but we'd also had a phenomenal weekend free of idiots and full of fandom-people. When we were walking around in Times Square afterwards, we passed a Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff and the Ravenclaw and I showed house pride. :p Things like that, and also Commissioner Benepe's heartfelt moment on the stage before announcing the brackets, are what make the World Cup of Quidditch. I only wish that the sport was popular enough so that I didn't have to wait a whole year to see another match. I want to be able to turn on the TV and see matches or be able to go watch it live. I need more Quidditch in my life than just this yearly trek. I'm not complaining, I just need more!
I'm like an episode away from being caught up with American Horror Story. THE HELL IS GOING ON.
