A "typical" Friday night in NYC

Friday, June 12th 2009:

Catch Ida Maria at Hiro Ballroom at the Maritime Hotel
- one of my worst show experiences: music was good, but I really needed my earplugs for this. I was in the front row, sandwiched between two obnoxious women - one was tall and blocked my view most of the time, because she was on my right (and I had to look right to see Ida Maria sing) and she had a camera glued to her face and wouldn't let up; the other insisted on whistle-blowing, you know the two-finger, extremely loud kind, at the end of each song right into my left ear...literally since she wasn't much taller than me. Fudge! My left eardrum became mush...and still is. Grrrr



Take the A to pick up the car downtown by Church & Thomas, drive to 1st and 1st and have dinner at Marfa with Elmer, Hoong-San & David just after 10:30pm.



Walk to The Pyramid Club for 80's night around 12:15am. HS fell asleep at the end of dinner, so Elmer and HS took off, while David and I danced, somewhat begrudgingly, to the 80's until around 2:45am. The DJ actually REALLY sucked - playing consecutive songs by the same artist, playing songs from artists we've already (and just recently) heard from, and playing the entire song - not mixing songs...except for when he played "Sweet Dreams" by the Eurythmics - he actually stopped the song in the middle and changed it to another. Ugh, where did they get this guy, and he was using a laptop - how do you mess that up?

The place was so dark that we didn't mind going on the stage in the back, which gave us a fun perspective without being self-conscious about dancing. Interestingly enough, as it got later into the night, more lights ended up being turned on. And gender lines became increasingly blurred. I almost felt like I could blend in with my purple Pete Yorn shirt...



After hearing yet another Whitney Houston song, we decided to leave.

I had the pleasure of finally meeting David's boisterous dogs (I already forgot their names) and one of them gave me a "kiss" on the lips (ewww!) - even David doesn't like when the dogs do that to him. But they're adorable nonetheless.

And then off to home in NJ, late (or early) enough to hear those birds chirping as I pull into the driveway...

Going back to the Stone Age...Gym

The purple-red route I want to conquer...plus Brian's orange stained feet



Thursday, May 14th, 2009: our first day


Tom and Kat


Brian trying new techniques and Dan using his head

No Sleep Til Brooklyn - Mark & Jess move in together

Saturday, May 30th 2009:

stocking up on drinks at the grocery around the corner and Mark, who had hoped to have left Boston around 9 or 10am and get to Brooklyn around 2 or 3pm, arrives at 7pm (I've never ever heard of anyone who's on schedule while moving...)

boogz

pizzah break


At Jess's apartment: pesky, heavy, reclining couch



Riding back in the back of the truck


3-floor walk-up: these guys rock!


Sunday, May 31st 2009:

Yummy bottomless sangria + skirt steak & eggs at La Playa (cool fish decor - "Gimme that filet o'fish, gimme that fish...)

Cool and refreshing dessert at Uncle Louie G - Brian tries the Brooklyn Bridge above and my usual mint chocochip + oreo

A stroll through Prospect Park and visiting the Dog Pond


Before heading back to CT and driving through the somewhat nightmare-ish traffic to drop the truck off, we pick up a Brooklyn map we can't find anywhere in stores up by us and I update my old '99 wallet-size NYC maps - woo hoo! those have come in so handy lately

OK GO, Longwave in Northampton

Wednesday, March 11, 2009:

We re-discovered the town of Northampton, MA with dinner and drinks at the Toasted Owl and a concert at Pearl Street. What a great little town, buzzing with culture.

Oppenheimer and Longwave are the opening bands. We strolled in near the end of Oppenheimer's set, and Longwave took to the stage not too long afterwards.



I really enjoyed Longwave's set, and afterwards, the lead singer, Steve, walked by us, and he pointed at me saying, "Nice shirt." I was wearing my very worn-in Albert Hammond, Jr. shirt. After approaching him to ask if his merch table would still be out after the OK GO set (since I didn't have any cash on me), I soon found out that he actually toured with AHJ as one of the guitarists - which is why he said nice shirt. This was after I said something like, "Oh yeah, I saw them open for Bloc Party in Boston back in'07..." blah blah blah as if he was just a fan of AHJ's music. I was certainly taken aback and felt a bit silly. And what a coincidence, Longwave is opening for Bloc Party in Boston next week. I might just have to go see them again...

Also met Bobby, their lighting and merch guy.

And now, OK GO



Damian Kulash - the lead singer said that he has a cameo in the upcoming Ang Lee film Taking Woodstock and tried showing us a photo of his look in the movie through his iPhone, but their video camera for the big screen behind them wasn't working...yet. See below for enlarged shot


This was quite a delight.


("What to Do" - video from Williamsburg concert on March 8th, posted by ReSastra)





They were big fans of using their confetti cannon, showering the crowd during 4 different songs. It was a fun show overall, but they played a bunch of new material that hasn't been released yet, so even though the new songs have potential, I think the crowd felt a bit disconnected as there was a lack of enthusiasm during the new stuff.

Setlist:
New Song (Shoot the Moon)
Get Over It
A Million Ways
New Song (White Knuckles)
New Song (I Want You Here)
Oh Lately It’s So Quiet
New Song
Don’t Ask Me
Here It Goes Again
What To Do (hand bells)
New Song (Damien solo)
It’s A Disaster
New Song (When The Morning Comes)
Do What You Want

Encore:
New Song (I Couldn’t Breathe)
A Good Idea At The Time
Invisible