A prior commitment to lend my sage advice to the world’s preeminent music trade fair , South By Southwest, meant that I missed the entire 2nd half and both overtime sessions of today’s BC/Pacific thriller, won by the Eagles, 88-77.
(don’t ask Louis Hinnant about the 4 F’s. He’s too busy leading Boston College to the round of 32)
SXSW is truly the Kristallnacht of rock conventions. I’d sooner miss a human sacrifice, or any film from the 1970’s starring Martin Sheen, than not take part when called. So when I was asked to participate in a “Mentors Session”, imagine if you will, my joy at the thought of helming a roundtable discussion about the works of El Duce.
Sadly, this was not to be. The “mentor” part refered to my dubious role as a person in the rock biz who could impart helpful advice. Of which, I of course, have none (besides “marry a rich girl and get laser eye surgery”). No one wanted to talk about Sickie Wifebeater. No one knew the score of the BC/Pacific game. Everyone had a CD. In each case, the greatest CD ever made (though of course, accompanied by disclaimers about how it could’ve been recorded better, is due for remixing, etc.).
I emerged from this harrowing 90 minute exercise to learn that my bracket is already blown to fucking hell. Oklahoma were exposed as badly as Lance Rentzel, 82-74 by Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The Louis Orr Deathwatch is back on, what with Seton Hall’s 86-66 drubbing at the hands of Wichita State.
Similarly, I would like to gripe about the scheduling errors of Boston College itself, which had the gall not to cancel all Thursday classes, specifically my afternoon graduate seminar. I, too, missed the second half and overtimes, and what, for higher education? These priorities seem horribly skewed.
eat it kids, for whatever reason the yahoo live feeds weren’t blocked by my employer until an hour after the bc game ended. you both missed a great game.
that said i’d rather be in austin with every other person i know in chicago instead of watching their dogs for them but whatever. at least that means the dirtbombs/black lips show won’t be packed at the bottle tomorrow.
Funny, I missed them because I’m at work. Well, most of the games. While waiting for the cable guy to come and hook up my new digital cable box — clearer picture! dozens of useless new channels! HBOLatino West! — I got to see enough of the Seton Hall game to know that they were not going to push Wichita State very hard. Considering that it would’ve taken two wins for the roundly disliked Orr to hold onto his job for even another year, I’d have to say this is it for Louis.
Also, Gerard, you picked Oklahoma to win games in the tournament? Bookout’s clearly too preoccupied with wrapping up his thesis in cultural studies to play to his usual level of excellence. You can see the distraction in his glossy, ball-bearing eyes.
not blocked by my employer. i pulled a “double stinkers that linger” in the first round – S. Alabama and Oklahoma should have been playing each other in the second round and now that wishbone is killed until round 4. and ‘Bama came out of no where in the end – Al McGuire’s ghost couldn’t help. Alabama (the entire state) is now dead to me.
Maybe you could have imparted the following advice:
Stop being such a bunch of emo douches and watch — dare I say, even play — sports once in a while. Maybe then you wouldn’t schedule SXSW against the greatest day on the sports calendar! Emo douches!
True story: in 1991 my improv comedy group (please don’t hold that against me) insisted on holding its usual monthly show right up against Final Four Saturday night — five blocks away from the RCA Dome, sight of said Final Four. I begged them not to do it, because 1) I’d miss the games and 2) anybody who wasn’t going to the games was going to avoid downtown Indy. The nonsports-loving crew didn’t care about 1), and someone they were convinced that regarding 2), nonsports fans would come to see us anyway. Um, no.
Then again, they also insisted on holding a show the same night I had tickets for Public Enemy and Ice T. No wonder my comedy career was so short.
Some of the emo douches involved are in fact, quite appreciative of the sporting scene. If I’m to understand the calendar correctly, scheduling SXSW at a time other than the tournament’s first or 2nd week is rather difficult. ATX is a big college town and there are advantages to running a huge event like SXSW during spring break. The strain on traffic alone would be insane if the fest happened at most other times.
The number of people who are inconvenienced by this conflict may or may not be small, but other than my own selfishness, I don’t think anyone should give a fuck. So we live in a world where there’s more than one interesting thing going on at once. I can think of some dots on the map that would love to have such problems.
I (heart) emo douches as much as I can’t stand Dick Vitale.
GC
Yikes, just making a (lame) joke based on what appeared to be your frustration in not finding a score. No intent to offend or nuthin’.
Bob,
No offense taken. I (heart) jokes, lame or otherwise. But greatest day on the sporting calendar? What about the MLS SuperDraft?
As long as CSTB is in the mentoring mood — I’m trying to get the publishing rights to all my bands songs put in my own name and do it in a way that the other band members won’t know about until after we’re signed to a label. Btw, I manage the band, I don’t actually write, play, or sing. Any advice from you would be greatly appreciated.
Ben
ben i’m not sure of the specifics but i’d wager the easiest answer to your question involves ambien and tanqueray.
bob, after admitting to being in an improv comedy troupe, in INDIANAPOLIS, are you really in a position to be calling anyone out? just asking.
Kevin — do you think a 40 oz (charged to the band, of course) will do? Ambien and Tanqueray might make me come off like a “suit,” and I like to keep it real.
As for your knock on Indianapolis comedy, I remind you that Dick the Bruiser and Bobby Heenan introduced the Bruiser lookalike wrestling midget “Li’l Bruiser” in Indy and it is also the home state of comedy legend Jim Nabors.
Ben
kt:
Probably not. Especially because before the improv gig, I was in a mime troupe in Roanoke.
yikes bob, quit while you’re ahead. what’s the next step on this rung of shame, clown college in gary, indiana?