recapish.
Exhale.
So I am not so good at recaps anymore. It’s hard, I don’t know. If you’re reading this let me know what you think. I can’t figure out what’s actually entertaining to other people. But here we go…
(There's a lot of pictures and youtube links! You can also just go to blurintofocus@youtube for my vids or Blurintofocus@flickr to see my photos.)
Friday morning, after a wonderful party thrown for Atlantic Records in Athens (if you weren’t there you missed out on some fine finger sandwiches!) the night before, I flew out to Seattle (or SeaTac, as Sara reminded me a hundred thousand times) with a quick layover in Utah, then jumped into Sara’s car and drove to Portland. I will avoid too much sappy girlfriend stuff, but damn she makes me happy. I’m glad I’m going to see her so much this next month. We also chatted (then? At some point?) about next year, which makes me even happier.
We got McDonalds and I bought a kids meal just for the creepy toy. It sings. I left it in Sara’s car, although we meant to give it to Gabe. Maybe in Vegas.
I lugged two giant boxes around in Portland and my friend helped pass things out cause she’s amazing. For some reason even the kids with seats were camped out since 8 a.m. That’s a kind of loyalty I don’t get. We were there at 4 and that seemed kind of early to me. Wristbands attained, we lined up. Zach was riding Spencer’s bike around and our conversation went like this.
Zack (face pressed against the ticket window): You look familiar.
Me: That is because you’ve seen me before.
Zack: (doesn’t move)
Me; (nods, walks away)
That really looks funny transcribed. Whatever, it amused me, Zack amuses me. They send us in and we’re barrier on Ryan’s side and get to watch the Cobra soundcheck and dance around. Ryland wants gum but I don’t have any. I do have shirts for him. We communicate in a series of elaborate hand gestures and I tell him to beat Alex up for me. Then we wait around for a while and Zack comes out and talks to the fangirls who are listing off the band’s favorite cookies (wtf) and Zack tells people things about the guys that make me laugh. Then Zack played with my sidekick and made fun of Sara’s and my lesbianism. Zack just wishes he were a hot lesbian.
The show starts. Wow I love Cobra Starship. I am honestly so proud to be working for them. This is a perfect tour for them crowd wise and music wise. Such a better fit than Bloc Party, although I enjoy Bloc Party, but for this crowd Cobra just fits better. Gabe is amazing on stage. He came over during the first song and sang a verse to me, and later made heart hands at Sara (more later on who Gabe is trying to steal my girl away). Alex dances with his bass so awesomely. I need to show him my imitation in Vegas, it’s pretty accurate. Ryland makes me smile.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnigIDg4VHw - Church of Hot Addiction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wraZeHWs1L4 - It's Warmer In The Basement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D-Mh05NTJs - Gabe rapping
Jack’s was good. We were next to Jordan, who’s on the Jack’s boards and runs a site (jacksmannequen.org, I think?) He was so much fun to chat with, and when Panic started he was so shocked cause he’d never seen them before or even seen video. He said he was a “RyRo” fangirl and I giggled for hours. It was also awesome to watch him watch Jack’s, so see how into it he was. I imagine it’s how I look at certain shows. TAI, probably. Andrew had the crowd put up their cell phones and I took a picture because it was so pretty.
Then Panic. Okay. So last time I talked a lot about the queering of their stageshow. If you’ve at all been following the tour via YouTube you know it’s only been getting progressively gayer. Rehearsed, sure, but man. Sara and I have talked a lot about the message Panic is sending with their stage show, and not to steal her thunder because it’s her thing to write about, but it’s interesting. Homosexuality portrayed in a positive context, Brendon makes a grab for Ryan’s crotch with a smile on his face, a nod to gay marriage in a not-entirely negative way (negative in a sense of normalcy, like marriage sucks, who cares what gender you’re married to), Brendon ignoring the scantly clad dancers and only joining them to be goofy, the girl coming out from under the Bride’s dress in IWSNT. But yeah, I could go on and on, but I won’t. You’re just here for the video, and pictures anyway.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC8hgKAK634 - London Beckoned
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqbIhEUIJe0 - Time To Dance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79MhZGfQr-Q - Killer Queen Guitars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK25McZVK0c- Perfect Passionate Kiss speech before Lying.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3BoEI0RLSM - Brendon on piano plus dancers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9fZwO0N9Nw - Everyone at the piano with a salute to Spencer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU2TC-Qjf8c - Eleanor Rigby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99IxeVuUK2o - Brendon and Spencer on the drumline
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVZZYZt9CEM - I Write Sins speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GABNroTukT4 - Middle of I Write Sins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ses0KyMUZBI - Build God
After the show I finally got to chat with Elisa, and find Alex and Ryland. Security really wanted me to leave but I made sure all the plans were made that needed to be made. Alex is my favorite person. Ryland and Gabe are close seconds, I swear. We went upstairs and were waiting in the lobby for our friends so we can leave. Gabe was talking to some fans and security wanted to usher us out so I tried to leave without saying bye and he yelled at me so I had to go back and break the rules. His ring got lost and that makes me sad.
We drove home (with a quick stop for Taco Bell and to get forgotten tickets for tomorrow) and then crashed. Next morning we trucked ourselves to Vancouver to meet Pip and her boything. He was darling, in a ruffly shirt and a scarf around his head. We got to the venue and wandered by a fight happening at the venue next door. The two crowds in the area were pretty damn different that night. Work went fast, we were shuffled in and ended up second row. This was absolutely the worst night for crowds I’ve experienced on this tour. People were evil. By the last song we were back to third row, which is annoying to me. It also messed up a number of my videos. But back to the happy part.
Vancouver loved Cobra Starship. There was a sign in the audience and the guys were really on, people were singing and dancing. Gabe came and made hands and eyes at my Sara (sorry Gabe, she’s mine) and Ryland showed us his magic ass. Then Jack’s, but the crowd was so bad I could barely watch. Then Panic.
We got so beat up. The security at this venue was horrible and couldn’t get crowdsurfers out of the crowd well. Panic was great. I got nice audio of Eleanor Rigby that I need someone to rip for me. It’s hard to recap these shows. In a way they blur together. Brendon kissed Ryan on the neck. Um. The stage was too small for some of the dancing at the start so Brendon had to skip it. The drumline was really on to me. They’ve changed up the intermission music since the southeast if I’m not mistaken.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKygSCVC8wc - London Beckoned
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTbbRni7m0k - Brendon kisses Ryan on the neck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBvv9FP4lwU - Killer Queen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZCWIJNiWbg - Lying, with the speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX2uTlinNTk - Good Reason
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkB9pxdeOmM - I Write Sins
Afterwards we met up with Cobra briefly but thanks to some tour drama we couldn’t get videos shot that night. It’s okay, it was cold and I wanted to go anyway. Plus we had 3 hours to drive home and we got lost and the roads were icy, so early was better.
The next morning we went to breakfast at the casino in Auburn and then got Sara’s Christmas tree. It was very pretty and Sara and I were completely useless while her mom and dad did all the work. We did both manage to use our sidekicks and wear big sunglasses and look completely like city girls at the tree place. Then we had to drive to the venue early because I had a shoot with Panic before their soundcheck. Seattle was probably the most interesting day I’ve spent on this tour.
Backstage at Panic felt a little like prison, complete with being placed in a little guarded room while I waited for the guys to finish filming something else. A little guarded room with no T Mobile service and they were checking the speakers with godawful music so it really, really was torture. I took myspace pictures of myself for a good half hour. Note my killer Limited Edition FBR shirt. I also have the red and the black and gold. I am in love with them.
The guys got there, along with Tom Conrad, who, in my great tradition, I didn’t speak to. Not out of any issue, I just always end up not saying anything to him when I see him in whatever context. This time it was because we had limited time and I had to get stuff taken care of quickly. All the guys did introduce themselves to me, which was darling cause, well, obviously I know their names, but I guess they meet interviewers who don’t know much about them all the time. They’re super nice, and real goofballs if you haven’t ever met them. Spencer redeemed himself from the last time we met by being so nice it hurt my teeth.
I’m not allowed to post up what we filmed because then it defeats the purpose of filming an exclusive, but if you’re a member of the street team you should see it this month, and if you live near me I’ll show you later, although it probably won’t mean much to you. I did however start the camera once and then we had to restart, and I would upload the 3 seconds it got but it’s so insanely short and pointless that I just took a screen cap instead.
(Oh the intrique! I just got word it should be up around December 15, so unless you're lucky enough to see me before then you'll have to wait.)
After I had to go back out front to pass out promo and figure out the meet and greet (yes, I won a meet and greet, which made me laugh but Sara and I figured we might as well do it once this tour, but we won’t if we’ve won for Vegas and San Diego). After that was figured I had to run backstage with Sara to film Cobra, which was even stricter, so we ended up filming under a streetlight. The boys got their Limited Edition FBR shirts (although they didn't get cool argyle like m) and wore them at the show (and will hopefully wear them more because they look hot!) Then hugs and best wishes and Gabe snuck a hug with Sara while I wasn’t looking. That boy is sneaky.
Then we froze. Man was it cold. After forever, right before we were supposed to go inside, I looked up and go to Sara, “Dude, that looks like Wil from Aiden.” But instead of going over and saying hi, I was a complete dork and texted him instead and once he confirmed he was there I ran over and gave him a big hug. I completely didn’t remember that he lives in Seattle and knows Gabe and Tom and apparently some of the security team. I think I’m the only one who recognized him. We didn’t get to talk much because I had to go back to my line, but I really hope when they tour again I’ll actually get to go to the show. He’s such a great kid. I so wanted to hate his band and then I met him and sometimes I find myself humming that song (I don’t even know the name of it….Die Romantic? Something.)
Then we were shuffled into a hallway by the dressing rooms and given our rules. It’s way less Nazi than some people online make it sound, but it’s also very formal. You’re welcome to talk to the guys, just don’t engage them in a huge convo and hold up the line. Zack then told us not to ask them about their days and told us about their days so we wouldn’t have to. The reason I got stuck in a room for almost an hour was because MTV was around filming a spot on Guitar Hero. Spencer and Brendon went ice skating at the rink next door. Really super thrilling, huh?
Cobra peeps kept walking by and Zack kept mis-assigning the lead singer spot to Ryland and I kept correcting him, and then whenever someone walked down the hall he would mouth at me “Is that the lead singer?” No, Zack, no.
(Sappy couple picture, I'm sparing you the kissing one...)
I filmed going through the line, but I am not putting it up because you can hear me talking and I hate that. Jon said hi (again) and I, for some reason, felt the need to introduce Sara as my girlfriend. Apparently that was important for Jon to know. We found out where Jon’s new hoodie is from and I bet Sara will own it before Vegas. Brendon kept mumbling about the poster (the DVD one) I was having him sign and calling Ryan “RyRo.” I said nothing to them because Spencer was talking to me, so my drummer issue at meet & greets is apparently over. Also, I think, my meet & greet experiences are over for good. This wasn’t a bad one, I am just kind of through with it. Autographs don’t mean much to me in the long run, although they’re nice to show other people. Panic’s the last band I didn’t have autographs from since I never had anything I wanted them to sign before, and now I’ve got every FBR band and pretty much any other I’d ever want, and I don’t need doubles really. We then took a picture (I stood behind Brendon, Sara behind Jon) and I have now found that very dorky picture and thus must share it!
Then we went to the floor and sadly stood in the back for Cobra. We threw up our fangs but Gabe couldn’t see I’m sure. The sound was horribly horribly off. I don’t know what was going on with it. Gabe was wearing his fly new shirt, though, and that made me smile. We went upstairs to eat and look at merch, since they have new stuff (a mime shirt and fingerless gloves. Fingerless Gloves. I seriously expect the Ryan Ross collection by Spring 07.) We people watched and discussed the seriously high number of gay male Panic fans all over the place. They probably have the biggest gay male following on FBR. Probably cause they happen to write gay techno music. And paint their faces. And, as Brendon did to Ryan at this show, grab each other’s crotches. Somehow this both plays to gay guys and 13yearold girls. Weird.
We wiggled forward for Panic and ended up third row, which was decent. Crowd was the worst American crowd but not as bad as Vancouver. My videos and pictures are awful because this crazy girl was next to me and kept hitting my arm and screaming “Ryan you fricken rock my socks off!” Dear girl, Ryan can’t hear you. I also doubt he cares. Just sing the words and calm down. I also dropped a crowdsurfer but seriously. Don’t crowdsurf. Don’t expect me to help you if I can tell you’re not doing it because you’re hurt or fainting. Girls had huge fights over Ryan’s drumstick from the drumline right to my left and I was scared. It is a piece of wood!
(No videos uploaded yet, I'll try and edit them in as they finish up tomorrow.)
We ran into Gabe right when we got off the floor and we hopped in the elevator with him. Lot of fans just stood and stared at us as the doors closed, it was kind of freaky. When we got off our conversation was interrupted by girls screaming “GABE” and so I made myself scarce and said hi to Ryland and found my teamers to thank them for helping with everything. Missy and her friend seriously kicked ass for me on my most busy day of the tour, as did the Synner who I didn’t get to meet. Thank you so much!
Then home, and then on a plane and home again. I am finishing typing this up somewhere over Missouri. I am in Georgia for three full days (two of which are shows, one is an academic presentation) and then I’m going to Vegas. I love Vegas. We’re staying off strip where the show is, which is sad, but then again it’s only a day so it’s no big deal. Cabs are better than driving ourselves anyway. Then San Diego (after which I’m going to try and write something thoughtful about having seen so many of these shows) and this tour is over and I’m on concert break while I finish up finals and celebrate the holidays and figure myself out for Fall Out Boy. I want to do these last few months touring and having an amazing time with my friends before I can’t do it like this anymore. I’m very much looking forward to my heart being on one coast, in one house, and my job being at an office I enjoy and my shows being seen in one or maybe two states.
So I am not so good at recaps anymore. It’s hard, I don’t know. If you’re reading this let me know what you think. I can’t figure out what’s actually entertaining to other people. But here we go…
(There's a lot of pictures and youtube links! You can also just go to blurintofocus@youtube for my vids or Blurintofocus@flickr to see my photos.)
Friday morning, after a wonderful party thrown for Atlantic Records in Athens (if you weren’t there you missed out on some fine finger sandwiches!) the night before, I flew out to Seattle (or SeaTac, as Sara reminded me a hundred thousand times) with a quick layover in Utah, then jumped into Sara’s car and drove to Portland. I will avoid too much sappy girlfriend stuff, but damn she makes me happy. I’m glad I’m going to see her so much this next month. We also chatted (then? At some point?) about next year, which makes me even happier.
We got McDonalds and I bought a kids meal just for the creepy toy. It sings. I left it in Sara’s car, although we meant to give it to Gabe. Maybe in Vegas.
I lugged two giant boxes around in Portland and my friend helped pass things out cause she’s amazing. For some reason even the kids with seats were camped out since 8 a.m. That’s a kind of loyalty I don’t get. We were there at 4 and that seemed kind of early to me. Wristbands attained, we lined up. Zach was riding Spencer’s bike around and our conversation went like this.
Zack (face pressed against the ticket window): You look familiar.
Me: That is because you’ve seen me before.
Zack: (doesn’t move)
Me; (nods, walks away)
That really looks funny transcribed. Whatever, it amused me, Zack amuses me. They send us in and we’re barrier on Ryan’s side and get to watch the Cobra soundcheck and dance around. Ryland wants gum but I don’t have any. I do have shirts for him. We communicate in a series of elaborate hand gestures and I tell him to beat Alex up for me. Then we wait around for a while and Zack comes out and talks to the fangirls who are listing off the band’s favorite cookies (wtf) and Zack tells people things about the guys that make me laugh. Then Zack played with my sidekick and made fun of Sara’s and my lesbianism. Zack just wishes he were a hot lesbian.
The show starts. Wow I love Cobra Starship. I am honestly so proud to be working for them. This is a perfect tour for them crowd wise and music wise. Such a better fit than Bloc Party, although I enjoy Bloc Party, but for this crowd Cobra just fits better. Gabe is amazing on stage. He came over during the first song and sang a verse to me, and later made heart hands at Sara (more later on who Gabe is trying to steal my girl away). Alex dances with his bass so awesomely. I need to show him my imitation in Vegas, it’s pretty accurate. Ryland makes me smile.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnigIDg4VHw - Church of Hot Addiction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wraZeHWs1L4 - It's Warmer In The Basement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D-Mh05NTJs - Gabe rapping
Jack’s was good. We were next to Jordan, who’s on the Jack’s boards and runs a site (jacksmannequen.org, I think?) He was so much fun to chat with, and when Panic started he was so shocked cause he’d never seen them before or even seen video. He said he was a “RyRo” fangirl and I giggled for hours. It was also awesome to watch him watch Jack’s, so see how into it he was. I imagine it’s how I look at certain shows. TAI, probably. Andrew had the crowd put up their cell phones and I took a picture because it was so pretty.
Then Panic. Okay. So last time I talked a lot about the queering of their stageshow. If you’ve at all been following the tour via YouTube you know it’s only been getting progressively gayer. Rehearsed, sure, but man. Sara and I have talked a lot about the message Panic is sending with their stage show, and not to steal her thunder because it’s her thing to write about, but it’s interesting. Homosexuality portrayed in a positive context, Brendon makes a grab for Ryan’s crotch with a smile on his face, a nod to gay marriage in a not-entirely negative way (negative in a sense of normalcy, like marriage sucks, who cares what gender you’re married to), Brendon ignoring the scantly clad dancers and only joining them to be goofy, the girl coming out from under the Bride’s dress in IWSNT. But yeah, I could go on and on, but I won’t. You’re just here for the video, and pictures anyway.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC8hgKAK634 - London Beckoned
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqbIhEUIJe0 - Time To Dance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79MhZGfQr-Q - Killer Queen Guitars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK25McZVK0c- Perfect Passionate Kiss speech before Lying.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3BoEI0RLSM - Brendon on piano plus dancers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9fZwO0N9Nw - Everyone at the piano with a salute to Spencer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU2TC-Qjf8c - Eleanor Rigby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99IxeVuUK2o - Brendon and Spencer on the drumline
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVZZYZt9CEM - I Write Sins speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GABNroTukT4 - Middle of I Write Sins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ses0KyMUZBI - Build God
After the show I finally got to chat with Elisa, and find Alex and Ryland. Security really wanted me to leave but I made sure all the plans were made that needed to be made. Alex is my favorite person. Ryland and Gabe are close seconds, I swear. We went upstairs and were waiting in the lobby for our friends so we can leave. Gabe was talking to some fans and security wanted to usher us out so I tried to leave without saying bye and he yelled at me so I had to go back and break the rules. His ring got lost and that makes me sad.
We drove home (with a quick stop for Taco Bell and to get forgotten tickets for tomorrow) and then crashed. Next morning we trucked ourselves to Vancouver to meet Pip and her boything. He was darling, in a ruffly shirt and a scarf around his head. We got to the venue and wandered by a fight happening at the venue next door. The two crowds in the area were pretty damn different that night. Work went fast, we were shuffled in and ended up second row. This was absolutely the worst night for crowds I’ve experienced on this tour. People were evil. By the last song we were back to third row, which is annoying to me. It also messed up a number of my videos. But back to the happy part.
Vancouver loved Cobra Starship. There was a sign in the audience and the guys were really on, people were singing and dancing. Gabe came and made hands and eyes at my Sara (sorry Gabe, she’s mine) and Ryland showed us his magic ass. Then Jack’s, but the crowd was so bad I could barely watch. Then Panic.
We got so beat up. The security at this venue was horrible and couldn’t get crowdsurfers out of the crowd well. Panic was great. I got nice audio of Eleanor Rigby that I need someone to rip for me. It’s hard to recap these shows. In a way they blur together. Brendon kissed Ryan on the neck. Um. The stage was too small for some of the dancing at the start so Brendon had to skip it. The drumline was really on to me. They’ve changed up the intermission music since the southeast if I’m not mistaken.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKygSCVC8wc - London Beckoned
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTbbRni7m0k - Brendon kisses Ryan on the neck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBvv9FP4lwU - Killer Queen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZCWIJNiWbg - Lying, with the speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX2uTlinNTk - Good Reason
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkB9pxdeOmM - I Write Sins
Afterwards we met up with Cobra briefly but thanks to some tour drama we couldn’t get videos shot that night. It’s okay, it was cold and I wanted to go anyway. Plus we had 3 hours to drive home and we got lost and the roads were icy, so early was better.
The next morning we went to breakfast at the casino in Auburn and then got Sara’s Christmas tree. It was very pretty and Sara and I were completely useless while her mom and dad did all the work. We did both manage to use our sidekicks and wear big sunglasses and look completely like city girls at the tree place. Then we had to drive to the venue early because I had a shoot with Panic before their soundcheck. Seattle was probably the most interesting day I’ve spent on this tour.
Backstage at Panic felt a little like prison, complete with being placed in a little guarded room while I waited for the guys to finish filming something else. A little guarded room with no T Mobile service and they were checking the speakers with godawful music so it really, really was torture. I took myspace pictures of myself for a good half hour. Note my killer Limited Edition FBR shirt. I also have the red and the black and gold. I am in love with them.
The guys got there, along with Tom Conrad, who, in my great tradition, I didn’t speak to. Not out of any issue, I just always end up not saying anything to him when I see him in whatever context. This time it was because we had limited time and I had to get stuff taken care of quickly. All the guys did introduce themselves to me, which was darling cause, well, obviously I know their names, but I guess they meet interviewers who don’t know much about them all the time. They’re super nice, and real goofballs if you haven’t ever met them. Spencer redeemed himself from the last time we met by being so nice it hurt my teeth.
I’m not allowed to post up what we filmed because then it defeats the purpose of filming an exclusive, but if you’re a member of the street team you should see it this month, and if you live near me I’ll show you later, although it probably won’t mean much to you. I did however start the camera once and then we had to restart, and I would upload the 3 seconds it got but it’s so insanely short and pointless that I just took a screen cap instead.
(Oh the intrique! I just got word it should be up around December 15, so unless you're lucky enough to see me before then you'll have to wait.)
After I had to go back out front to pass out promo and figure out the meet and greet (yes, I won a meet and greet, which made me laugh but Sara and I figured we might as well do it once this tour, but we won’t if we’ve won for Vegas and San Diego). After that was figured I had to run backstage with Sara to film Cobra, which was even stricter, so we ended up filming under a streetlight. The boys got their Limited Edition FBR shirts (although they didn't get cool argyle like m) and wore them at the show (and will hopefully wear them more because they look hot!) Then hugs and best wishes and Gabe snuck a hug with Sara while I wasn’t looking. That boy is sneaky.
Then we froze. Man was it cold. After forever, right before we were supposed to go inside, I looked up and go to Sara, “Dude, that looks like Wil from Aiden.” But instead of going over and saying hi, I was a complete dork and texted him instead and once he confirmed he was there I ran over and gave him a big hug. I completely didn’t remember that he lives in Seattle and knows Gabe and Tom and apparently some of the security team. I think I’m the only one who recognized him. We didn’t get to talk much because I had to go back to my line, but I really hope when they tour again I’ll actually get to go to the show. He’s such a great kid. I so wanted to hate his band and then I met him and sometimes I find myself humming that song (I don’t even know the name of it….Die Romantic? Something.)
Then we were shuffled into a hallway by the dressing rooms and given our rules. It’s way less Nazi than some people online make it sound, but it’s also very formal. You’re welcome to talk to the guys, just don’t engage them in a huge convo and hold up the line. Zack then told us not to ask them about their days and told us about their days so we wouldn’t have to. The reason I got stuck in a room for almost an hour was because MTV was around filming a spot on Guitar Hero. Spencer and Brendon went ice skating at the rink next door. Really super thrilling, huh?
Cobra peeps kept walking by and Zack kept mis-assigning the lead singer spot to Ryland and I kept correcting him, and then whenever someone walked down the hall he would mouth at me “Is that the lead singer?” No, Zack, no.
(Sappy couple picture, I'm sparing you the kissing one...)
I filmed going through the line, but I am not putting it up because you can hear me talking and I hate that. Jon said hi (again) and I, for some reason, felt the need to introduce Sara as my girlfriend. Apparently that was important for Jon to know. We found out where Jon’s new hoodie is from and I bet Sara will own it before Vegas. Brendon kept mumbling about the poster (the DVD one) I was having him sign and calling Ryan “RyRo.” I said nothing to them because Spencer was talking to me, so my drummer issue at meet & greets is apparently over. Also, I think, my meet & greet experiences are over for good. This wasn’t a bad one, I am just kind of through with it. Autographs don’t mean much to me in the long run, although they’re nice to show other people. Panic’s the last band I didn’t have autographs from since I never had anything I wanted them to sign before, and now I’ve got every FBR band and pretty much any other I’d ever want, and I don’t need doubles really. We then took a picture (I stood behind Brendon, Sara behind Jon) and I have now found that very dorky picture and thus must share it!
Then we went to the floor and sadly stood in the back for Cobra. We threw up our fangs but Gabe couldn’t see I’m sure. The sound was horribly horribly off. I don’t know what was going on with it. Gabe was wearing his fly new shirt, though, and that made me smile. We went upstairs to eat and look at merch, since they have new stuff (a mime shirt and fingerless gloves. Fingerless Gloves. I seriously expect the Ryan Ross collection by Spring 07.) We people watched and discussed the seriously high number of gay male Panic fans all over the place. They probably have the biggest gay male following on FBR. Probably cause they happen to write gay techno music. And paint their faces. And, as Brendon did to Ryan at this show, grab each other’s crotches. Somehow this both plays to gay guys and 13yearold girls. Weird.
We wiggled forward for Panic and ended up third row, which was decent. Crowd was the worst American crowd but not as bad as Vancouver. My videos and pictures are awful because this crazy girl was next to me and kept hitting my arm and screaming “Ryan you fricken rock my socks off!” Dear girl, Ryan can’t hear you. I also doubt he cares. Just sing the words and calm down. I also dropped a crowdsurfer but seriously. Don’t crowdsurf. Don’t expect me to help you if I can tell you’re not doing it because you’re hurt or fainting. Girls had huge fights over Ryan’s drumstick from the drumline right to my left and I was scared. It is a piece of wood!
(No videos uploaded yet, I'll try and edit them in as they finish up tomorrow.)
We ran into Gabe right when we got off the floor and we hopped in the elevator with him. Lot of fans just stood and stared at us as the doors closed, it was kind of freaky. When we got off our conversation was interrupted by girls screaming “GABE” and so I made myself scarce and said hi to Ryland and found my teamers to thank them for helping with everything. Missy and her friend seriously kicked ass for me on my most busy day of the tour, as did the Synner who I didn’t get to meet. Thank you so much!
Then home, and then on a plane and home again. I am finishing typing this up somewhere over Missouri. I am in Georgia for three full days (two of which are shows, one is an academic presentation) and then I’m going to Vegas. I love Vegas. We’re staying off strip where the show is, which is sad, but then again it’s only a day so it’s no big deal. Cabs are better than driving ourselves anyway. Then San Diego (after which I’m going to try and write something thoughtful about having seen so many of these shows) and this tour is over and I’m on concert break while I finish up finals and celebrate the holidays and figure myself out for Fall Out Boy. I want to do these last few months touring and having an amazing time with my friends before I can’t do it like this anymore. I’m very much looking forward to my heart being on one coast, in one house, and my job being at an office I enjoy and my shows being seen in one or maybe two states.