Poetry & Prozac

* Last night I went to the 50th concert of my lifetime. Like, on purpose ones. Yes, I can count them all (and also I've been keeping fairly detailed track the last few years). It's extra epic since I didn't really start going to many shows until college-ish (and by "college-ish", I mean please read "bandom").

But. Not the point. The POINT is that it was Brand New and Manchester Orchestra, and, man I really needed to be crushed in a pit and be all sweaty and sing at the top of my lungs for a bit. I really, just, feel so much better spiritually or whatever than I did two days ago. I'm less apathetic, more creative, happier. It was a good show, I was stoked that Brand New played a bunch of older stuff, socially I ended up having a lot of fun despite being kind of worried about how things were going to go down. It was just a really good night except for that 4 hours of sleep I got thing.

* Yesterday morning Nix-the-sexiest-laptop wouldn't start. I could get to the password screen and not much further, but, this afternoon I managed to fix him! YAY! I was not digging the idea of having to send my month-old computer back to get fixed. He is extra sexy right now. Whatever, I'm attached, okay?

* I KNOW no one plays memes with me, but that is not going to stop me from trying. So.

The problem with LJ: we all think we are so close, but really, we know nothing about each other. So I want you to ask me something you think you should know about me. Something that should be obvious, but you have no idea about.

I don't IP log, and anon commenting is always on, so if you have a secret question, feel free to ask. Or e-mail me. Most of my contact info is in my user info.

* Oh! Flist! I need things from you! Specifically a Kings of Leon primer and a David Henrie primer (aaand a David/Lorenzo primer). Help?

* It seems like today's been not great for a lot of people on my flist. Me either. I may picspam tonight, but, as I feel crappy, for now I am just going to direct your attention back to the Nickspam I did a couple of weeks a go. I swear it's better than chocolate and totally makes things better.

In 2004 I bought my best friend tickets to Warped Tour for her birthday because New Found Glory and Yellowcard were on it.

It was our first Warped. We didn't know what we were doing, we didn't bring food or water or anything really. It was my first concert in something like five years. In the early afternoon we bought ourselves overpriced slices of pizza and found ourselves a corner away from the crowd where a punk band was playing. We weren't really listening, not at first, we were too far away to hear really well, but they captured our ears anyway. We stuffed our food in our mouths and hurried to the stage. There aren't many bands that I can pinpoint the exact first time I heard them, but, that was the first time I heard The Matches.

In the past five years, I've seen them play five times, listened to their three albums and handful of other stuff countless times. The Matches will always be my best friend's band first, but also our band, something we discovered together and love hard.

Three days after Panic at the Disco announced The Divorce, The Matches announced their "hiatus". It was a bad week for music and a hard July. With their announcement, The Matches also announced that they would be playing two last shows, one in L.A. on Aug. 23, and one in San Francisco on Aug. 24.

There also aren't many bands I can pinpoint the last time I heard them but the last time I heard The Matches (live, anyway) was last night.

They've always put on a good live show. Last night was magic.

It was at the Troubadour which is a good venue. The place was crowded, but maybe not full. Almost everyone there was, if not a die-hard, than an incredibly loyal fan.

The setlist was based on an online poll they'd done, letting fans pick the songs. With a couple of exceptions, Matches fans really know their shit.

The Matches themselves were gracious and charming and grateful. They still love their music and their fans and each other. They stopped the set a few times to answer questions, talk to fans, be lovely.

And when the set was over and the crowd was still chanting for a song that didn't make the setlist, The Matches lead singer came back out with an acoustic guitar, got the house music cut and the fans to quiet down, and softly played an acoustic version of the first verse.

Afterwards the band came back on stage, took bows, hugged each other, shook fans hands. When we left, the lead singer was still stretched out over the crowd, grasping hands and saying thank you.

I was absolutely fighting back tears.

And that's how I watched The Matches turn to ashes.

So, I went to see the Jonas Brothers concert in L.A. last night. 15 hours later I am STILL smiling. In all honesty, that may have been the best show I have ever seen.

This is going to be a partially-assed recap, but possibly long and defintely spoilery, sooo, cut.
( Read more... )

Ughhh. That was so worth all the money and angst and favor owing it took to get to (and mostly back from) that show. ♥♥♥♥♥

STILL SMILING!

Sooo, I'm going to a Jonas Brothers concert by myself tomorrow night. I don't know, okay? I just want to and am so there.

My twitter is twitter.com/kelseya should anyone want to follow me (or defriend me for the night. It's cool, I understand).

Shaping up to be a busy weekend with Spamalot on Saturday and a Pirate/Princess birthday/work thing on Sunday. It is a good thing I didn't wind up getting No Doubt tickets too! As it is, I'm gonna wind up seeing four shows in not quite three weeks. The last big concert I went to was Bamboozle at the beginning of May. Ooops.

Speaking of shows, wordsaremyfaith called me for all of Panic!'s set and then citibyrd called me during FOB ♥♥♥ It made it a little bit easier not to be hanging out with some of my most favorites.

Also I'll be in Chicago in a week. And after that I'll get a citibyrd for a week. And then I'll be broke.

I'm just saying, Nick Jonas carries around more cash on his person than I have in my bank account. Questionable decision making for the win. But I am having FUN, okay? I feel that's a fairly important justification.

How're you?

What a Caaaaatch, you guys! I am not very good with video. I just, often don't click it. I don't think I've seen a non-Panic! music video since Guilty Pleasure. Whoops.

I really liked it a lot. I loved that it was quietly underwhelming and not, you know, a pack of monkeys running about. And that it wasn't just an excuse to cameo their friends ala the BND videos (um, mostly, whatever, I'm easy for the Disco. This is news to no one).

It didn't actually make me cry, but, close.

Also I learned Christopher Eccleston is in GI Joe. I will still not be going to see that. (Fun-fact about me, I NEVER recognize Christopher Eccleston in stuff except by his voice. Every single time I see him in something not Who I go "I know that voice. How do I know that voice? Is that...? That's Nine!" You'd think by now I'd have figured it out. That is incorrect.

Got a haircut today. It's cute. I just have to break myself of the tucking-my-hair-behind-my-ears habit.

Really really want to go to one of the Jonas Brothers concerts in L.A. this weekend. I don't mind going by myself, and getting there isn't the hugest deal, but L.A. public transportation pretty much shuts down at 11 p.m. at which point I'd be stranded.

I've put out some feelers for possible rides/buddies, I have four year olds working on my behalf! But I'm pretty sure that's not going to work, so, debating whether to go or not.

It might just be doable, if I sleep in Union Station. Heh. Seriously considering it, not gonna lie.

In conclusion, sometimes I make bad decisions.

Is anyone planning on going to the No Doubt/Panic at the Disco/The Sounds show in Vegas on 8/7?

I'm trying to decide if I want to get a room/go out a day early and play etc. Would anyone be interested in joining me?

Thanks to those of you who commented about ticket colors. katienyc both threw a wrench into the mix and solved 2/3 of the puzzle.

It seems that there are three primary ticket accent colors, based on region. West coast tickets are blue, midwest tickets are orange, and east coast tickets are green.

I don't know if they originate in different places, and if so where. I want to say mine come from Arizona-ish, but I don't have an envelope laying around.

Two more questions, guys:

1.) Am I really the first person to have noticed this?
2.) Any idea WHY ticketmaster uses different accent colors for different regions? It seems complicated and unnecessary to me.
ETA: 3.) Does this only apply to concert tickets, or to other events as well? Because I could have sworn my Broadway ticketmaster tickets were blue...

* I did not go to Bamboozle Left or FOB in Vegas for a number of reasons (including money, not having anyone to go with*, etc) but MOSTLY because I will be going to FOB in PA and REAL Bamboozle in NJ. It'll end up that I'm on the East Coast for something like 2 1/2 - 3 days, but, I'm excited.

I still need to confirm actual whose couch/when stuff, and buy a PA ticket and book a flight home, but, this is happening \o/ If you'll be at either of those shows, I'd love to see you!

* In somewhat related news, even though I was going to wait until after my birthday to talk about it, I'm having that problem where I'm pretty sure no one online likes me. This is at least 50% irrational insecurity, but, ugh. I've been kind of fucked up on the idea and solidity of internet friendships since last October and my world feels very small right now.

There are a few of you I am stone-cold, one hundred percent certain of, the rest, I'm not so sure.

( This Year )

( Ever )

* FOB isn't playing So Cal at all? Ooookay. The closest date to me is Vegas which I think I'll probably pass on. I'm tentatively planning to be in New York for Bamboozle and post-birthday party times and now I'm considering coming out a couple of days early and going to a few other shows.

So my being in New York plans as of now are Mar. 12-23ish and April 26-6ish (though I haven't actually discussed this shiny new plan with wordsaremyfaith who is my New York crash space AND I'm not sure how my finances shall be looking). People should be around to have hangouts with please.

* In other news I kind of got ridiculously sick of my job and the preschool needed me to fill in for a couple of days and then they canned the person I trained to take over in October, sooo I'm back there for the month. If things go well I could be made permanent but there's no guarantee. How so stupid and needlessly complicated, work situation? Ugh. But I'm actually really happy to be back (for now. I hope it lasts.)

* Has anyone seen this article where Travis McCoy and Paul F. Tompkins (from Best Week Ever) rate hit songs from 2008? It's more than a little bit awesome.

There's a Fall Out Boy Show in San Diego tomorrow night.

San Diego is less than three hours away from me, but I cannot get there (or, rather, I can, but not home after).

I did not put in a ton of effort on this, as I was supposed to get a press pass and worry about the details later (or con someone into taking me on the basis of "But I have to go! It's my job!")

At one point there was a scheduling conflict (rather, there still is, but I'm presently pissed off at everyone involved and don't really want to spend a day in L.A. with them).

Every fangirl I know in L.A. is currently NOT in L.A. because it is five days until Christmas.

I'm sad and hurt and pissed and I really didn't realize how much I want to go to this show until I realized there was basically no way short of The Cab picking me up on their way.

FUCK.

* Back from Rockbanding. If you're here because you met and were awesome and thought I needed more awesome in my life, you're right! Hi.

My contact info is largely in my user info, feel free to use any of it, and my twitter is "kelseya" for reasons not really resembling earth-logic.

* Rockbands were amazing. I think my favorite was Vegas. (Well, my favorite Panic set was Vegas, my favorite Cab sets were San Diego AND L.A., my favorite Dashboard set was L.A., and there is no such thing as my favorite PWTs set.)

So. Much. Awesome. and absurd. And. I still don't really know how to deal with the ridiculous that was this trip. I kind of want my 4th wall back, actually. hearthisvoice, please to be e-mailing me and telling me the story of Friday (also I forgive you, for really really real).

I am being cryptic, which I kind of feel like an asshole about, but I just have NO idea how to coherently recap or anything.

* Came home from concerting and promptly wound up dealing with epic levels of not fun drama. I really wish I were back in Vegas circa 10 p.m. - 1 a.m. Thursday. Or on tour. Either'd suffice.

* Sometimes I forget that when I am online with 1) my googletalk set to invisible 2.) not being signed into AIM and 3.) having not posted recently, I cannot really be cranky when no one is talking to me.

* I have the plague. Or, you know, a fairly minor cold, but, uggggggh. I'm 95% sure I got it at work and not at the show last night, but, hopefully I'll be healed by the show on Thursday.

* Rockband last night. I'm pretty sure I was too fucking mesmerized to do a decent recap, and their are spoilers everywhere (I believe they are all true, and they are EVEN BETTER in person), but if you want to ask something, or mock Panic's ridiculous set with me, by all means.

* ...I really thought I had something interesting/important to say. Guess not.

I have been awake since 9 a.m. And, I mean, yeah, I went to bed kinda early, but, WHAT? 9 AM on a SUNDAY when I know I am getting very little sleep tonight. Fail, body, fail.

Rockband in a couple of hours \o/. It is maybe a little bit disturbing how much I genuinely miss "my" boys. And I am all stressed out/excited for The Cab and just genuinely can't wait for this show.

It's weird, I've been excited for fannish meet-ups, and like, eager for shows, but I'm not sure when the last time I was this excited for a show was. I have been to excited to sleep for days, and when I wake up there's a pit in my stomach like it's going-to-Disneyland-day. SO EXCITED.

The REST of my Rockband tour plans are as follows:
* Bus to Vegas on Thursday. Show. Hanging out all night until my bus to L.A. leaves
* Bus to L.A. Friday. adorkable37 and probably line all day. Show. Home sometime Saturday.

I haven't actually purchased bus tickets or anything yet, and probably won't until tomorrow evening-ish, so if anyone wants to jump in on these plans, say so. You're more than welcome.

I just realized how soon Rockband is and how very not plan-shaped my plans are. So here is what I am doing. If you would like to join me, have me join you, give me a place on your couch, that is AWESOME but not required.

10/5 - San Diego. I will be getting in line fairly early with a bunch of real-life friends (including a genuine straight boy who just wants to see the Disco!), but I can definitely hang out in line and give hugs and stuff.

10/ 9 - Vegas. I'm planning on busing into Vegas, seeing the show, loitering all night, coming home the next morning. Should anyone be interested in roadtripping to/from/both L.A. to/from/both Vegas, I would be down. Should anyone want to join me in my hotel-less state, I would be down. Should anyone want to share a room (preferably at the Hard Rock, given, things), I would be down.

10/10 - Los Angeles. Tentatively. I have no way to get home from L.A. after the show, so I would be needing a floor to sleep on.

10/11 - San Jose. So, so tentative. I would have no crash space or ride once I managed to get up there.

If anyone wants to join me in any of this shenaniganating, comment, or, a bunch of my contact info is in my user info!

* So I was checking the patd Rockband roll call list (I know, I know! But I still really want to go to the L.A. show and can't without a "date" because Staples is a giant pain in the ass to get to, AND I wouldn't mind having someone to hang out with in Vegas) and, you know the San Jose show that everyone on the internet is going to (except for me)? ONE person has roll-called it. Oh, my corner of the fandom and how you are all so cool! 90 million ♥.

* This time next week, I will be with warmingweather, canadiankracka, and co. It will be GLORIOUS. I cannot wait. (BTW, you two, should you discover that you need something once you are on the road - like, I don't know, cookies? And would like me to bring it, you both have my number.)

There are really a lot of parenthetical asides in this entry. I'm sorry.

Dear approximately 3/4 of my flist,

I am very, very upset at you. Why did no one tell me that the entire internet is going to the San Jose show? I want in!

I was TRYING to be mature and responsible and only go to two or three shows, but, *wants*. So. San Jose. Anyone still have crash space of some kind? Room in their vehicle to pick me up from the San Jose train station? Logical and firm reasons I should really, really, seriously, Kelsey, honestly, DON'T do this?

I either need a mom-voice or friends to crash with, basically.

Sincerely,
~me

I've seen strange shows this week.

Today (after berry picking stuff) citibyrd and I went out to Fullerton to catch the last two(ish) sets of an all-day festival at which The Used played an acoustic set.

I apparently know three Used songs.

But! It was still awesome! Bert was charming and loved most things! Dan and Jepha came to watch the show! Dan waved and was attention whore-y, Jepha hid! Quinn was hot! Why did nobody tell me Quinn is hot?!

(Dear World,

A good way to trick me into becoming invested in your favorite thing is to show me a pretty boy and tell me things about him. A suggested example:

"Kelsey! You should totally listen to The Used!"
"Um, no thank you. Their music is alright, but I think I'm pretty over-invested in bands as it is."
"This is Quinn," *show picture* "sometimes he gets naked and or makes out with Bert."
*is interested* "Tell me more about this band!"

This has been today's PSA.

Thank you,
~Kelsey)

I can't really recap the show on account of how I only know three Used songs, but despite that, and tall people insisting on standing in front of me no matter where I stood, and ridiculous ticketmaster fees, I had a really good time!

* I love my parents. No, really, I do. Just. *sigh* It's not that they don't have a point, or even that I don't KNOW that they have a point. But I am twenty four years old. I am legally an adult. By the time my mother was my age she had been married for two years. Trust me when I tell you, I KNOW. I got it. I am well aware of the situation and treating me like a five year old is not going to inspire me to CHANGE it.

* Sooo yesterday I spent $300 on concert tickets. I will be in San Diego with 4 non-fannish friends (including a STRAIGHT GUY who is not dating any of us but happens to like Panic. My amusement, see how it is endless?) and Vegas with just me. I will probably also be at the L.A. show but the kinks of this have yet to be entirely worked out.

Relatedly, what's the deal with Why So Serious? Are tickets being sold? Do I have to figure my shit out for that? Are people staying with me? I am a compulsive planner, I need to know things!

* HushCab last night! I haven't read many tour recaps, so forgive me if special-to-me stuff is actually scripted.
( I *heart* shows )

* Huh. The HushCab show tomorrow totally snuck up on me. And because the people I'm going with are all about The Cab (\o/) I kind of keep forgetting that the Hush Sound are even gonna be there, which I feel REALLY guilty about. I love the Hush Sound! I'd totally be going to their headlining tour without The Cab opening for them!

* In related weird news - it's always awkward when someone you know from, like, four fandoms ago starts playing in your current fandom. Not bad, although it can be, but gosh I'm apparently insanely possessive.

* My whole body hurts because of my fucked up toe. I think I'm walking funny to stay off of it and throwing everything else out of alignment. Also I may have gotten a little heatstrokey at the bus stop today. Also I have a migraine.

Mondays rule.

* Why, why why WHY is the Panic presale at freaking NOON on a TUESDAY? Are we as people with actual jobs really that small a portion of Panic's fanbase? It doesn't make any sense. How many 14 year olds have credit cards/a parent who can be assed to buy them concert tickets in the middle of the day? I do not understand.

(My plans continue to be to hit up the San Diego, Vegas, and L.A. shows- let me know if you'll be at them too!)