Coldplay and the 2009 Entry Draft
Wanye
June 19 2009 10:50AM
So last night your ol pal Wanye crushed a couple hundred Bud Lights and went to the Coldplay concert at RX1. Had we known that we were in the midst of one of the biggest events in the history of the OilersNation we would have been thinking deeper thoughts than “Is it wrong to attend Coldplay with another dude cause his girlfriend cancelled at the last minute? Because he is paying for us to attend is this considered a date?”
Answer: No.
1. Coldplay is awesome. They played something like 25 songs and blew the doors off the place. 2. Attendance: 16,000. Number of super-done-up-emotionally-revved-up ladies attending said Coldplay concert: 15,998. If we could have given every lady in the building our phone number we would have. It was just that good and all the ladies were "SO INTO CHRIS MARTIN OMG OMG OMG"
The call that started it all
On the way to the concert we got a phone call from none other than our old pal bingofuel. The conversation -remembering we were greased - went something along these lines:
WG: Hello? Bingofuel: Wanye, it’s me.
WG: Mom? Bingofuel: No you idiot. It’s bingofuel.
WG: Wha? Who calls themselves bingofuel? Thash not even a real name and yo- Bingofuel: Listen you idiot. For the purposes of paraphrasing a conversation to stress a point on OilersNation this is how the conversation went.
WG: Proceed caller. You have our full attention. Bingofuel: You know how Brownlee wrote that article about the death of newspapers and no draft attending and junk?
WG: Yeah, and how all the comments were suggesting we make donations to send him? Bingofuel: Yeah. I totally think we should do it. It’s total BS that the newspapers can’t send anyone to the draft. Think of the coverage will be missed! When the Oilers overrule central scouting and draft a smallish perimeter forward inappropriately high in the first round – someone needs to be there!
WG: You make a very strong case bingofuel. Now remember that I am drunk as a skunk – can you figure out how to take paypal donations etc? Bingofuel: As is always the case Wanye you are drunk and I'll take care of everything.
At this point in the evening we got super greased listening to the dulcet tones of Coldplay.
*musical interlude*
At about 9:30 PM our mobile communication device began to blow up multiple phone calls from Robin Brownlee. There was no chance we were missing a second of our show to have him yell at us so we just kept on crushing beers and enjoying our night.
Then this came in:
------Original Message------ From: Robin Brownlee To: wanyegretz@gmail.com Subject: Re: Draft Sent: Jun 18, 2009 10:20 PM
MEN!!!!!!!!!
A big GIANT WHOA!!!!
I didn't write this to go to the draft. No chance I can do it. The last part was a JOKE!
My wife is away and my son has pneumonia (not kidding). For crying out loud don't take any money from people for this!! As much as it would be riot to ride this unexpected support right to Montreal, it isn't happening.
If you want to do this, then we can plan for next year. Fuck! You people are insane.
Firstly we love making Robin Brownlee’s blood pressure rise. The fact that he wrote an article lamenting the fact that newspapers are in decline and can’t send people to the draft is sad. The fact the OilersNation interpreted this to mean we should all pitch in and collect donations to send him to the draft without his consent is hilarious. The fact Brownlee called us a hojillion times to have this removed from the site but we were drunk at a concert speaks to how we like to get down here at the OilersNation.
This is about two things
Robin Brownlee – who is re-rocketing up the charts of media popularity in this city. If there is one guy we would want to see at the draft it is him. It is sad that he can't go and we sincerely hope his son is feeling better soon.
Media coverage - someone needs to attend this thing on behalf of Oilers fans! When the Oilers draft an unheralded Bolivian goalie in the 9th round we want to know his fondest memories of minor hockey. We need this level of coverage.
So even though Robin is unable to attend we still think someone should go to the draft. We don’t want anyone who has already donated to feel cheated. If anyone has donated to send Robin Brownlee that doesn’t want that money used to send anyone else instead – email us at wanyegretz@gmail.com and we will refund your money in a heartbeat.
A new proposal
Seeing as Brownlee cannot attend we say we send Gregor instead. We just got off the phone with him and he too was basically flabbergasted that this was going down. “But I have a big draft show I am doing” he started to say but we immediately countered with “Would you rather have a draft show or BE at the draft?"
That shut him up but good. If we can put together the funds for Gregor to attend the draft in Brownlee's place, he has assured us a level of coverage not seen in these parts in a long time. Interviews, in depth pieces, photographs of sexy ladies he passes in the street. Yes, this will be a low budget draft extravaganza at its finest. And if we have more money than the $2,000 its going to take to send our man there we will donate it to the Stollery Children’s hospital on behalf of Robin and his son Sam.
And we are going to keep the ball rolling by pledging a donation of $500 of our own hard earned bottle money for Gregor to go in Brownlee’s place to the draft.
We didn't think we would ever write those words on here.
I'm a big fan of the underdog, even cheered for the Nordiques back in the day just because they never had a chance, so I'll take a shot at this. ('underdog' is in the context of Dan being in hostile waters here, though there are lots of calls for him to post more often)
Dan brought to light a 'rule' that nobody else mentioned before his post. Like it or not, he did anybody involved in this campaign a favor. This allows all involved to prepare alternate methods of getting out the awesome interviews we'll expect from Gregor. Alternatively it allows Gregor to make some called in preparation to use some backdoor rule or association to broadcast from inside.
Furthermore look at Dan's statement more closely. He said 'The only problem I see with this'... that suggests he supports the idea in principle.
Dan is free to correct me if I'm wrong and he thinks the idea stinks.
PS: Good luck at home Robin. I hope your little one recovers quickly.
York wrote:
Don't be a DB.
A guy going to Coldplay with another guy isn't going with a friend, but instead with a 'partner.'
@ Cam: Very glad someone caught it!
Bauer83 wrote:
I can't believe it took until post number 95 for that to be written. Thank you.
*Skips off happily knowing that the line has been said*
@ RobInALab: I don't think people are getting so up in arms about Dan's perfectly valid comment about broadcast rights at the draft. Rather, the indignation stems from this tweet he posted on twitter.
York wrote:
WTF? Where did this come from? Lets derail the hate train here.
So, how about that local sports team? You like stuff? I like stuff. How about that weather? ohh god, quick play me off Johnny! *the piano guy from Family Guy busts out an old timey melody*
Bauer83 wrote:
Just call me "wingman". I got your six...
@ Cam: Perfect, cause he has tone.
BUCK75 wrote:
*throws hands up in air and screams at the screen like he did when MacT played Liam Reddox on the top line for the first time.*
Tencer, why are you trying to make me look bad for defending you? Both guys that were thrown out as possibilities have strong roots in the MSM. Robin is 10X the journalist you pretend to be and Gregor's show kills yours heads up. AND, any extra money goes directly to the Stollery. I make no more excuses on your behalf.
bingofuel wrote:
Thanks Dude, I really need a drink now though after being corrected via Twitter.
So much for giving someone the benefit of the doubt...
Guess Mr. Burke and the Human Rake will have to move over... I've got someone new to hate.
Dan, Dan, Dan. My, aren't you good at making friends.
Anyone care to start another donation jar to send Dan tencer to Montreal,on the condition he never comes back?
ronald wrote:
Maybe Mr. Tencer should read "How to Win Friends and Influence People" eh?
@ Travis Dakin: You douche.....I`m holding you to your `Coldplay is goodness`quote the next time I hear the Offspring blasting through the speakers in your beat up 1993 Ford Taurus.
Alon wrote:
Not even necessary. Everything you need to know, you can pick up from watching Bambi.
'Thumper: If you can't say somethin' nice . . .'
I never said it was a bad idea. It's not something I'd associate myself with, but I can certainly appreciate the the sentiment of the fans wanting to make sure one of their favorite personalities covered an event on their behalf.
Was it wrong of me to suggest that my Twitter followers think of a charity instead? I don't think so. Facetious? Absolutely. But, I also didn't do it in this thread...it was on my personal Twitter account.
It's a great idea to donate the overage to the Stollery. Very classy.
Get over yourself dan . you seem to forget the money that ON has raised for kids with cancer with their game day parties. and as mentioned countless times already anything that exceeds the goal is going to the stollery. geez
@ Wanye Gretz: Have we reached or surpassed the $2000 mark yet?
ROFL
An inside joke from Twitter from TB.
@ Dan Tencer: what does `facetious` mean
Dan Tencer wrote:
Right. On your very personal and private twitter account. The one that is not meant to be read by anyone. Gotcha.
@ Hoodlum:
It's supposed to be the 'nice' version of sarcasm, where injury or insult is not intended.
@ Hoodlum:
adjective 1. not meant to be taken seriously or literally: a facetious remark. 2. amusing; humorous. 3. lacking serious intent; concerned with something nonessential, amusing, or frivolous: a facetious person.
So Dan, donating to Santa's Anonymous is supposed to be not taken seriously?
This "send Gregor on a roadtrip" idea sounds like fun. Is there any way I can stow away in his luggage?
To the dude that ponied up 650 bucks:
*slow clap*
*flashes breasts*
What a great Oilers fan community!!
Congrats to OilersNation -- looks like getting to a goal of $2,000 and beyond is going to be met. Good for us fans, good for the Stollery, good for TEAM 1260, good for Gregor, etc., etc.
And then Tencer walks in. There's nothing wrong with his warning regarding rightsholders and any fear of live blogging and limitations involved.
I'm sure many of us remember that whining from a blogger who has since closed up shop for thinking he could get away with live blogging up on the catwalk. That situation was so silly and only perpetuated the myth that new media folk (read bloggers these days) cannot be pros and happily take their positions beside the MSM. To not be professional enough as to know what limitations your press pass may have and not have an open enough communication between the guy who actually let you get a press pass in the first place? Urgh. I hate even bringing it up.
But Dan, Dan, Dan. That twitter is pretty sad as someone who represents the Oilers. You'd figure the Oilers would embrace their fan community instead of frown and whine upon it. Very uncool and very unprofessional.
Fortunately I also have positive experiences to share with the org. For instance Marc Ciampa donated an autographed Oilers' stick for a OilFans Golf Tournament a couple summers ago. Catch was, no one from OilFans approached him, he caught the topic on the forum and thought the right thing to do would be to contact OilFans. Very cool. I assume Tencer would have prayed for rain instead?
PS. My donation of $100 is coming right after I hit Post Comment.
The Towel Boy wrote:
Whose?
@ Hoodlum:
I just googled it. I also couldn't figure out how to say it. Faseechus (I think, like sarcastic)
Function: adjective Etymology: Middle French facetieux, from facetie jest, from Latin facetia Date: 1599
1 : joking or jesting often inappropriately : waggish 2 : meant to be humorous or funny : not serious
Dan Tencer wrote:
Actually, my disappointment has more to do with your disdain for bloggers, your attempts to pull charity money away from one charity for another, and the transparent attempt to insult Jason and Robin.
You're right though, it was through twitter, not posted here by you... and there's no way you ever thought it would make its way here, right? Wasn't your intention, right?
Whether you're paid by Rutherford or Katz... I'd expect more class than this.
@ Dan Tencer:
I will give you your credit, after all it was yourr Idea from the previous thread Dan Tencer wrote:
I have a serious problem with you going on your "personal twitter account" and giving US the middle finger. Gregor has a show - he spends time blogging, but it isn't his full time job. You & your shit attitude is the thing that is pissing everyone off.
Bingofuel,Gregor & Wanye have taken your idea & run with it. Now they are going to look like heroes & you're backpeddling.
Kudos
sweet zombie jesus this train is moving fast. I'm terribly late on the dictionarying. my apologies for the extra spam (including this post...)
PS Coldplay sucks.
Another crazy update
Just got an email from Ryan Zimmerman, who identifies himself as the new Station Manager at the Team 1260.
“Wanye-
We at the Team 1260 have been watching the drive to get Jason Gregor to the draft on your site. We think it is awesome how passionate Oiler fans are about their team and that they want someone to cover the draft in Montreal. At the Team, we pride ourselves on being the voice of the fan, so we would be proud to help you guys get Gregor gets to the draft and help Oilers fans get the coverage that they want.
In this challenging economy it is impressive to see the commitment Oilers fans are to be prepared to make to following the team they love. I like that you have personally put your money where your mouth is contributing $500 towards the trip and to the Stollery Hospital.
We won't let you off the hook - ha ha - but I want to let you know we will kick in $1,000.00 it takes to make both the trip and a donation to the Stollery happen.
You guys have a great site, and I want the fans to know I read all their comments this week about our station and there were some great ideas.
Ryan Zimmerman Station Manager TEAM 1260"
Uh wow. Does that cover it?
@ RobInALab:
The fact that Tencer is logged on here reading every word tells me (and probably him) everything that you need to know about the site's legitimacy in Edmonton.
@ patty: Thanks, but my question was facetious, LOL
I wonder if it's the same Ryan Zimmerman from my part of the world. The Ryan Zimmerman I knew wore a Minnesota Northstars jersey to school every day....and he'd make this donation happen.
@ Wanye Gretz:
Great Job Team 1260! All this because Wanye got drunk at a Coldplay concert. Wow.
Ryan Zimmerman Station Manager TEAM 1260 wrote:
DOes that mean they can get him inside for live coverage? I know they're not NHL rightsholders (yes, Dan, we know you are) but as a major MSM corporation, they must have some strings they can pull, yes?
@ Wanye Gretz: A round of applause for the Team 1260, very good guys
WOW....Tencer just took a verbal ass reaming
@ Ender the Dragon: Are we sure he cant report from inside? He cant BROADCAST from in there, but he'll be doing everything by phone or internet, no tech set up needed other than wifi and a cell signal.
@ Archaeologuy: Props where they're due, everyone.
This is because of YOU, the OilersNation community, the people who read this site every day. You guys wanted one of our writers at the Draft, you're the ones making this happen.
Wanye's just a drunken enabler who loves Chris Martin's rendition of "Green Eyes." I know this, because he sings it outside my window EVERY NIGHT.
I'm not here to insult anyone. I chuckled at the original idea. So what? I don't think that makes me a jerk. Would I take money donated directly from listeners or readers to go to the draft? No. But who cares? That doesn't mean I think less of Jason or Robin; it just means that it's not something I would do. Isn't that a fair position to have?
I wasn't trying to pull money away from any charity...when I posted the Tweet the charity component of this idea hadn't been announced. Or, I hadn't heard about it at least.
And, no, I didn't assume that my Tweet would end up in this thread. If I wanted it to, I would have posted it here. In fact, based on the comments in this and other threads, I'm surprised any of the readers here follow me on Twitter.
I'm not here to be a jackass. I'm here to start participating...something I got ripped for not doing in a previous thread. Once a new thread gets put up about something hockey-related (like the Gustavsson one yesterday that I contributed to) I'll be in on it.
@ Ender the Dragon:
From what I am told - and believe me I don't understand what a rights holder even IS let alone what they do - Gregor cannot broadcast from the event but he is free to gather intelligence on the rebel alliance in a covert manner and report back, all the while respecting the people who are allowed to be there.
@ Archaeologuy:
Imagine what could happen when I get drunk at the L'il Wayne/Souljaboy concert?
@ Jack Bauer :
Sorry homie you had asked awhile back where I sat at the concert. I was in Section 104 row 10 or therebouts. I was the guy crushing beers and trying to look super dangerous while listening to the show.
@ Archaeologuy:
I don't know. Good point; I would assume that if a newspaper hack can get in, then Gregor can get in. I'm just wondering if the only people allowed in will be the NHL affiliate stations, with the rest of the MSM being allowed access only when it's all finished. I must say I really don't know for sure. Anyone in authority care to elaborate?
@ Wanye Gretz:
Can I be Gregor's R2 Unit? I'm small...and I talk in beeps and bops.
@ Wanye Gretz:
Ask and ye shall receive . . .
[removes hat with a flourish]
@ The Towel Boy: And you can open all the locked sliding doors so Gregger can get in and get us the goods.
I havent wrote on this site for a while but still read it every day.
Congrads fellow ON people. Its great to see this kinda support from the fans. Truely the best ever!
Go get em Gregor!!!!
Wanye Gretz wrote:
Maybe this had something to do with the fact that everyone's girlfriend was away at the Coldplay concert, and therefore not able to prevent the Nationeers from giving money to ON. I dont know if L'il Wayne will result in the same Perfect Storm.
@ Ender the Dragon: I thought the Newspaper guys couldnt go because Newspapers are broke, not because of the rulez.
Just realized I keep spelling Gregor, Gregger...my bad.