They Might Be Giants perform a kiddie show at Border's Books in Vienna

[bec_87rb]

Okay, I had the day off and I broke down and went to a kiddie show at the Tyson's Corner Border's Books in Northern Virginia.

I should describe it, since it was a bit of fun, but I am not sure what to include.

Comments

Good John and Bad John?

[obsessical]

i don't know, i'd like to believe that their *both* nice. Flans probably would be more serious, simply because he's really concerned with not making everyone wait long, etc etc. It would seem to me like he'd be concerned wtih *everyone* in that line, and that's enough to make anyone seem tense.

Perhaps, teens and young adults tend to look more nervous, therefore get like "special attention" ya know? Ie, the crying girl, for example.

Or maybe I'm just grasping at straws? I personally know that I will be near petrified tomorrow, when I go see them. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep control, and perhaps get out how to spell my name again.

Re: Good John and Bad John?

[bec_87rb]

Oh, yeah, I would hope they were both kind decent guys. You certainly described John F as a real sweetheart when you went to see PAW, and I have no reason to think he isn't.

He never spit on my shoes or anything. :) I was a little put off that he seemed annoyed when I asked him a question, but he was paid to play, I assume, and not answer my dumb-ass questions. heh heh. Maybe if I had asked John L. a dumbass question, he would have been short with me, too.

I'm not going to get my ego crushed if They don't like me, or if They think I ask stupid questions, because I'm full of the Stupid Question thing, and if I got crushed every time someone shut me down for asking something...uh, I wouldn't really be me, I think. For an introvert, I have a way of extroverting if you're doing something interesting.

So I blame Mr. Flansburgh. If he can't be more dull...

Re: Good John and Bad John?

[obsessical]

hahahaha. what question did you ask him? Now I have to know.

Warm and Fuzzy Conversation with John Flansburgh

[bec_87rb]

Flansburgh is connecting things, setting up mike stands, et cetera, by himself before Marty and John Linnell get there to help. Bec is watching like a tourist from a few feet away. Flansburgh says tersely, "Hi," and continues with the cabling business

[miss_maxine]

You were up front and ended up by the side? I must've seen you, too, then-- which one were you?

[bec_87rb]

I'm pretty generic Mom-like: white, graying, generic. You wouldn't remember me, probably, even if you saw me. :)

[miss_maxine]

Wait, were you standing right in front of me? Only a few fans were there when that guy talked about dropping out of airplanes.

[bec_87rb]

Hm, well, I probably would have remembered that.

Good/Bad John Dichotomy

[chu_hi]

Haha, I was going to ask whether you smelled him!

When I first saw Gigantic, my main criticism was the way they were constantly portrayed as, I don't know, sort of two-sides-of-a-coin.

This one's the introvert, and that one is the extrovert! This one is the brilliant songwriter, while this one makes the business side work, and that sort of thing. I thought it was unfair, since they both obviously work hard at the different responsibilities of being in the band.

Plus, everyone has days when you want to be social, days when you just feel professional, and days when you want to hide...

Like I told Ren before, when I met John Linnell, he didn't seem that pleased to meet me, but Flansy dodged us completely by running out the other door and jumping on the bus.

Anyway, whatever... I so envy you! Awesome setlist, I wish I had been there!!

Slanted and biased

[chu_hi]

That came out all slanted. To read it, just lean to your right.

Re: Slanted and biased

[bec_87rb]

Hee hee! Maybe you could just say "How about that George W Bush!" and I would find myself leaning right.

And, heck, yeah, what are the chances that two grown men could be summarized in neat blurbs?

I just had a terrible fear they were both barely-contained assholes, just packaged as "Nice Guys" for commerical purposes, and that an in-person inspection would make it obvious. Then any time I went to listen to their music, I'd think, "Aw, man, what a bunch of assholes!" and I would never enjoy it again. It makes no sense, but I have a low asshole tolerance. Mean people can bite my butt. :) Go ahead, mean folks, take a chomp. :P

[k1cup]

:(

That's what I'm afraid of when I go tomorrow. It's so stupid of me, but I'm almost too excited about the whole thing. *just grow up, Cyndy* But, if it happens that they're kind of lukewarm, I'll chalk up to, "It's the last day of the first leg of their tour and they just want to get home."

Grown Up Cyndy

[bec_87rb]

I almost didn't go, because it was a kid's thing, but I was glad I did. It was good stupid fun.

Have fun, dear! Mature ladies need to go to these things, to remind the fellows not to become children's artists exclusively!

Oh, and I apologize for accidentally using your name as the young art student in the John-Cyndy-Terry sandwich.

Re: Grown Up Cyndy

[k1cup]

Yeah, it's weird because I'm self-conscious about the fact that I'm older than the usual TMBG fan. And now being a regular, I worry that They might think that I'm loser for being a regular, like "What's the matter with her, doesn't she have a life?" Not that you could tell that I'm older since I could still pass for 18, I think, except for the fact that I don't dress like the kids do these days.

On the other hand, I tell myself, "Why should I give a flying V what anyone thinks?" I'm having a good time, damn it! If anything, They should wonder why They're stuck in the "still trying to appeal to the younger crowd when They're middle-aged" rut.

I had a nice time meeting the Johns. I try not to overanalyze, but I still do. Flans did seem a bit bored, but I think these promotional things are not as fun as the adult shows. Also, he might be wondering why they sold their souls to the Disney-devil. *hates Disney*

Oh, and I apologize for accidentally using your name as the young art student in the John-Cyndy-Terry sandwich.I did read that

Re: Grown Up Cyndy

[bec_87rb]

Also, he might be wondering why they sold their souls to the Disney-devil. *hates Disney*

Yeah, hate Disney too. I think I detected that sold-my-soul seller's remorse on him. But maybe it was my imagination. There were probably several junctures where Old Scratch appeared with a contract and big sharp quill pen, so we are only assuming the sale occurred recently.

I'm self-conscious about the fact that I'm older than the usual TMBG fan. And now being a regular, I worry that They might think that I'm loser for being a regular

heh heh. Older ladies know Stuff, so a performer should be flattered if older people attend. We can spot crap. XD
Of course, some of the younger fans are gonna think you're a loser. I can only quote Groucho: "I would never belong to a club that would have someone like me for a member." Or maybe something about removing beams and moats from eyes?

like "What's the matter with her, doesn't she have a life?" How about the even more flattering, "What are you, a child molester?" Nowadays anyone who likes

[ex_artmonke]

My impression at the few instores/signings I've gone to is that Flans does seem to be more businesslike at those, as opposed to after shows where he tends to be more relaxed. It could simply be that he is trying to make sure everyone get things signed, etc. And Linnell has seemed fine at most of the signings, in fact he shook my hand at an signing once. :)

I've always looked at this way, they're human beings and subject to good and bad days like everyone else in the world.

[bec_87rb]

I'll buy that.

[ex_artmonke]

And seeing your earlier comment, maybe Flans and cables just don't get along. :P