I received something in the mail today that managed to make me laugh and forget about this whole Coldplay fiasco for a few minutes. It was from the U of T Faculty of Pharmacy saying that my name could be engraved on a desk at the new faculty building with my generous donation of $7500. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I got rid of that piece of trash.
If I had that kind of money right now, I would rather donate it to something worthwhile - like finding cures for the diseases afflicting millions of people around the world, ending poverty, research into renewable fuel sources, children's literacy programs, etc etc. Does this show what I really think of the faculty of pharmacy, or even the pharmacy profession itself? I guess so. But most of you knew how I felt all along anyway. I am not unappreciative of my time at U of T; for the most part, I really had a great time. But I don't like all this BS surrounding pharmacy and its constant need for self-validation. It wears you down. Time to move on? Not yet. I still enjoy what I do on a day-to-day basis...and I haven't paid off my student loans yet.
Now back to sulking over Coldplay...
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Ryan and Rachel - what an experience...
...as in the WORST concert experience ever. Ryan Adams SUCKS donkey.
Let me start from the beginning.
Monday night we arranged plans...what time to meet, where, etc. I wasn't planning on being at the front but of course Wendy wanted to because it's not a concert experience if you're not at the front. Fine, so we decide we'll be at the Kool Haus at 7 pm, 1 hour before doors open.
Tuesday, I worked at the Aurora store...and for once it was actually busy! Which was all right but I was looking forward to sitting on my ass all day because I knew I'd be standing during the concert. But whatever, it kept me busy. Got off at 5 and headed home. My dad drove me to Wendy's office for 6 pm, with a pit stop at McDonald's for dinner. That Turkey BLT toasted deli sandwich is a disappointment. Don't get it.
Picked up Naomi at Fairview early at 6:20pm and actually made it to the venue before 7pm. Way too early, I know. But as we drove past Kool Haus, we saw there was already a lineup forming! What the heck? I guess at this point I must clarify why I went to the concert in the first place. I have never heard any Rachel Yamagata songs until that episode of The O.C. And the only Ryan Adams song I heard was his remake of "Wonderwall" and that song on the Smallville soundtrack, "Nuclear." I was curious and I thought Ryan had potential. I liked what I heard from Rachel as well, so I thought, ok, this would be fun. DAMN. I should have done more research...
So we lined up. Wendy once again was really smart and didn't wear enough clothes. I was cold too but at least it wasn't as bad as Keane. Also, I became the "Janice" of the evening since I had to bring my purse to carry everyone's stuff - except I didn't have any tissue or hand lotion or Purell - and since I am now handed with the task of blogging this concert in minute detail. ANYWAYS, apparently there was a chance to win an iPod shuffle if we had visited the music van, according to the guy who kept walking up and down the line accosting us (who I think was the same one who gave me the Keane/Snow Patrol stickers last time & told the other girl that they were $1 each). Right away, Wendy & I noticed this crowd was different from our usual. First of all, everyone was younger. Second of all, as Naomi noted, they all seemed like pretentious music fops. Two guys started singing cover songs to keep us entertained while we waited for the show - they even had electric guitar and amps. The only interesting thing during the lineup was watching the 2 girls in front of us squeeze a lemon into a water bottle to make lemon juice. Huh?
We managed to get inside pretty much on time and I saw Elijah working security again. Wendy secured us a spot, front right...pretty much the same as for Keane. Unfortunately we were stuck behind these Ryan Adams superfans, and the one directly in front of me was 6 feet tall WITH A 'FRO. DAMN.
Rachel Yamagata came on at 9:10pm. She was really impressive, plus she was accompanied by a cellist! Her voice was so strong and quite haunting at times. I really enjoyed her and I will probably go out and buy her album. The audience, however, SUCKED donkey. So much talking going on. What is with the Kool Haus. Or is it the Toronto audience in general? She and her band performed a set about 40 minutes long. The only thing I don't like about her is her smoking. I hate it when people smoke in general, but I think it's worse when I see a singer smoke. They realize they're ruining their voices yet they continue doing it. Anyway, Rachel = good stuff.
Now comes Bryan..I mean, Ryan Adams and The Cardinals. They didn't even come on till 10:30 (thanks to Naomi's indiglo watch for telling us the time). What was really strange was an announcement stating that Ryan's performance would consist of 2 parts, the first lasting about 45 minutes to 1 hour, followed by a 10 minute break, the end of which will be signaled by flashing lights (the announcer really said that), and then the second part will start. WTF. We were thrown off by this statement. Who has a 10 minute intermission. This isn't the theatre yo.
At first, I thought he wasn't too bad. Pretty catchy. Also, a couple behind me were from the States, I think, because they asked aloud why no one was smoking inside the venue. So I thought, ok, ppl have travelled to see his show so he must have some potential. I was really trying to be into the music because we were second row from the front and I didn't want to bring the hardcore fans around me down by being indifferent. But I couldn't fake it much longer. About 15 minutes into the first set, during the 4th song, was when I thought, "When did we transport into a bar on a stretch of an interstate highway in middle America?" I was hoping it was only that one song, but the feeling continued and 5 minutes after that thought, I became bored. SO bored. I spaced out a lot. I can't even tell you how bored I was. I was glad that intermission occured because then I was able to talk to Wendy & Naomi. During the second Act, I literally closed my eyes and zoned out for 10 minutes at a time. That's how bad it was. The night was draaggiing on. To top it off, there was actually an encore at 12:30 pm. At least he sang "Wonderwall" during the encore...but he continued with 3 more songs!!!!! I was SO bored. Oh, and did I mention, I was SO bored. My legs hurt. I should have shouted, "Summer of 69!" just to inject excitement into the concert. The concert finally ended, an excruciating 6 hours after we first lined up, at 1pm.
He may appear multi-talented - he did play the drums, guitar, piano and harmonica that night. But he's not. Unless you count chain-smoking while performing. His music is at best average...and I'm talking about the lower-end of average. And for some reason, he kept switching his guitar between each song. He told us that it's because he knows songs in only one key so they have to keep tuning his guitars for each song...I don't know if that's true but I am willing to believe it because it's the only reason that explains why he kept switching his guitar between each and every song. On the way home, we were discussing why the superfans in front of us and a group of superfans behind us (one of whom kept hitting my head cuz he was so into Ryan) really loved him. I mean, these superfans behind us, who were all guys BTW, were shouting, "We love you Ryan!!!" I really don't get it. His music sucks. I wouldn't even say he's a good live performer - his sets didn't flow, he talked to the audience but he was pissed drunk & not in that engaging he's-having-the-time-of-his-life-up-there-on-stage kind of way, and he was just so dull. Maybe that's why those superfans like him - they are inspired that such an average guy could get a record deal.
ANYWAYS I have spent way too much blog space on someone who sucks so much. Worst concert experience ever.
Aqualung better make up for this.
Let me start from the beginning.
Monday night we arranged plans...what time to meet, where, etc. I wasn't planning on being at the front but of course Wendy wanted to because it's not a concert experience if you're not at the front. Fine, so we decide we'll be at the Kool Haus at 7 pm, 1 hour before doors open.
Tuesday, I worked at the Aurora store...and for once it was actually busy! Which was all right but I was looking forward to sitting on my ass all day because I knew I'd be standing during the concert. But whatever, it kept me busy. Got off at 5 and headed home. My dad drove me to Wendy's office for 6 pm, with a pit stop at McDonald's for dinner. That Turkey BLT toasted deli sandwich is a disappointment. Don't get it.
Picked up Naomi at Fairview early at 6:20pm and actually made it to the venue before 7pm. Way too early, I know. But as we drove past Kool Haus, we saw there was already a lineup forming! What the heck? I guess at this point I must clarify why I went to the concert in the first place. I have never heard any Rachel Yamagata songs until that episode of The O.C. And the only Ryan Adams song I heard was his remake of "Wonderwall" and that song on the Smallville soundtrack, "Nuclear." I was curious and I thought Ryan had potential. I liked what I heard from Rachel as well, so I thought, ok, this would be fun. DAMN. I should have done more research...
So we lined up. Wendy once again was really smart and didn't wear enough clothes. I was cold too but at least it wasn't as bad as Keane. Also, I became the "Janice" of the evening since I had to bring my purse to carry everyone's stuff - except I didn't have any tissue or hand lotion or Purell - and since I am now handed with the task of blogging this concert in minute detail. ANYWAYS, apparently there was a chance to win an iPod shuffle if we had visited the music van, according to the guy who kept walking up and down the line accosting us (who I think was the same one who gave me the Keane/Snow Patrol stickers last time & told the other girl that they were $1 each). Right away, Wendy & I noticed this crowd was different from our usual. First of all, everyone was younger. Second of all, as Naomi noted, they all seemed like pretentious music fops. Two guys started singing cover songs to keep us entertained while we waited for the show - they even had electric guitar and amps. The only interesting thing during the lineup was watching the 2 girls in front of us squeeze a lemon into a water bottle to make lemon juice. Huh?
We managed to get inside pretty much on time and I saw Elijah working security again. Wendy secured us a spot, front right...pretty much the same as for Keane. Unfortunately we were stuck behind these Ryan Adams superfans, and the one directly in front of me was 6 feet tall WITH A 'FRO. DAMN.
Rachel Yamagata came on at 9:10pm. She was really impressive, plus she was accompanied by a cellist! Her voice was so strong and quite haunting at times. I really enjoyed her and I will probably go out and buy her album. The audience, however, SUCKED donkey. So much talking going on. What is with the Kool Haus. Or is it the Toronto audience in general? She and her band performed a set about 40 minutes long. The only thing I don't like about her is her smoking. I hate it when people smoke in general, but I think it's worse when I see a singer smoke. They realize they're ruining their voices yet they continue doing it. Anyway, Rachel = good stuff.
Now comes Bryan..I mean, Ryan Adams and The Cardinals. They didn't even come on till 10:30 (thanks to Naomi's indiglo watch for telling us the time). What was really strange was an announcement stating that Ryan's performance would consist of 2 parts, the first lasting about 45 minutes to 1 hour, followed by a 10 minute break, the end of which will be signaled by flashing lights (the announcer really said that), and then the second part will start. WTF. We were thrown off by this statement. Who has a 10 minute intermission. This isn't the theatre yo.
At first, I thought he wasn't too bad. Pretty catchy. Also, a couple behind me were from the States, I think, because they asked aloud why no one was smoking inside the venue. So I thought, ok, ppl have travelled to see his show so he must have some potential. I was really trying to be into the music because we were second row from the front and I didn't want to bring the hardcore fans around me down by being indifferent. But I couldn't fake it much longer. About 15 minutes into the first set, during the 4th song, was when I thought, "When did we transport into a bar on a stretch of an interstate highway in middle America?" I was hoping it was only that one song, but the feeling continued and 5 minutes after that thought, I became bored. SO bored. I spaced out a lot. I can't even tell you how bored I was. I was glad that intermission occured because then I was able to talk to Wendy & Naomi. During the second Act, I literally closed my eyes and zoned out for 10 minutes at a time. That's how bad it was. The night was draaggiing on. To top it off, there was actually an encore at 12:30 pm. At least he sang "Wonderwall" during the encore...but he continued with 3 more songs!!!!! I was SO bored. Oh, and did I mention, I was SO bored. My legs hurt. I should have shouted, "Summer of 69!" just to inject excitement into the concert. The concert finally ended, an excruciating 6 hours after we first lined up, at 1pm.
He may appear multi-talented - he did play the drums, guitar, piano and harmonica that night. But he's not. Unless you count chain-smoking while performing. His music is at best average...and I'm talking about the lower-end of average. And for some reason, he kept switching his guitar between each song. He told us that it's because he knows songs in only one key so they have to keep tuning his guitars for each song...I don't know if that's true but I am willing to believe it because it's the only reason that explains why he kept switching his guitar between each and every song. On the way home, we were discussing why the superfans in front of us and a group of superfans behind us (one of whom kept hitting my head cuz he was so into Ryan) really loved him. I mean, these superfans behind us, who were all guys BTW, were shouting, "We love you Ryan!!!" I really don't get it. His music sucks. I wouldn't even say he's a good live performer - his sets didn't flow, he talked to the audience but he was pissed drunk & not in that engaging he's-having-the-time-of-his-life-up-there-on-stage kind of way, and he was just so dull. Maybe that's why those superfans like him - they are inspired that such an average guy could get a record deal.
ANYWAYS I have spent way too much blog space on someone who sucks so much. Worst concert experience ever.
Aqualung better make up for this.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
