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.
Dan Tencer wrote:
Was it stupid business sense to alienate more of your listeners? Yes. This is involving a charity and also providing us more of what we the listeners and fans (your bread and butter) want. I said earlier today that we are all part of the Oilersnation, including you, seeing as you have something to offer in terms of the Oilers. But that dig at calling Gregor just a "blogger" was pure BS. He does the exact same thing as you. Hosts a radio show and also dabbles in bloggery on the side. What do you consider yourself? It's all about the Oilers here. In case you are unaware, this site continues to grow at exponential rates and it would only serve you and your station well to not be a dick here. Stop making it hard to defend you. Feel free to continue to come here and chime in from time to time on subjects. I enjoy that, but leave the snickering out. Thanks.
@ Dan Tencer:
The only problem is that you were the 24th person to post on this comment. Your twitter update was hours after your first comment on this topic.
So as far as I am concerned you are:
A - full of shit B - a dink
Take your pick - you read what the plan was if you were posting on the topic.
ronald wrote:
I can stop all the garbage compactors on the detention level too.
@ Travis Dakin: WOW....even my feelings hurt a little after that
@ Archaeologuy:
That's my understanding too; there was mention that the Ottawa SUN was going to have representation, so I assumed Gregor would have some access.
@ The Towel Boy:
Are you fluent in over 6 million forms of communication?
@ Alon:
Actually, thats C-3PO, now that I really think about it.
Alon wrote:
That could be very helpful when trying to learn the fondest memories of minor hockey for our unheralded Bolivian goalie that we draft in the 9th round.
Ender the Dragon wrote:
He will have access I think he just can't do his show from the draft.
But again what do I know....
@ Alon: @ The Towel Boy:
These aren't the droids you're looking for. Move along.
@ Alon:
...you must have me confused with a protocol droid.
I'm mostly good for opening doors, shutting down trash compactors, getting fried by Jawas, storing stolen Death Star plans, hanging out in the back of X Wings and generally being a major player in the fall of the Evil Galactic Empire.
I would love to add Draft Day Intelligence Storage Unit to my list of accolades.
RE: Tencer's tweet.
1) I like having Tencer here. The more perspective we have on everything Oilers the better.
2) Is "blogger" really much of a put down any more? I know that SBNation has got credentials for a lot of bloggers to attend the draft; many of them from cities that aren't going to send their beat writers. We're at the point now I think where not only are the lines between the mainstream media and the blogosphere blurred, but almost nonexistent.
3) It's pretty silly to take sideways potshots at fans who are as passionate as the group here is; especially when many of them form the core of your audience. Especially when the shot is "you can send a blogger to the draft OR..." Money will always be spent on things less noble than altruistic charity.
4) Isn't the point of twitter mostly to just toss out passing thoughts? In other words, meh.
Wanye Gretz wrote:
either way, They are part of the rebel alliance and a trator. Take them away!
I like how the people at this site aren't jerks like the people who run so many busy forums online. Bingofuel/Wanye seem like professionals. Drunk professionals in Wanye's case but I haven't seen them really go out of their way to run anyone down or anything. LOL
Good on you!
@ Jonathan Willis:
I like having Willis here. He is like a more knowledgable, non-evil Dan Tencer.
Hemmertime wrote:
They are contributing $1000 to the cause.
RBK wrote:
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Wanye Gretz wrote:
*starts a slow clap and hopes that the rest of the nation hops on board so that it sounds like a slow trickling waterfall of support*
Team 1260 just won the battle. Sorry CHED.
@ Travis Dakin:
Governor Darkin, I smelled your foul stench the moment I boarded this nation
Travis Dakin wrote:
Seconded. I have never been so insulted in all my life.
I'm a Scientist! wrote:
I am honestly shocked as all hell that the Team stepped up. We have been largely ignored by the media and certainly didn't expect anyone to actually help us out.
Big ups to the Team 1260. Now give Brownlee a radio show and we are getting somewhere.
@ Alon: HAHAHAHA, I for one know TD quite well and let me tell you brother, you don`t need to board the nation to smell his foul stench
Alon wrote:
Now THAT is a good quote. I love how this has devolved into Star Wars quotes.
You just watch yourself. We’re wanted men. I have the death sentence on 12 systems.
Tencer's tweet is in the past now...what do they call that? A twat?
*nervously looks around the room for the censors*
Walking the line with that one...sorry!
@ I'm a Scientist!: HAHAHAHA, I think they just call the person who wrote it that
@ Hoodlum: Well, either way, i am over Tencer's twat.
Jonathan Willis wrote:
I doubt it was used as a simple descriptor. Based on previous remarks, I would be more inclined to believe that it was meant carry negative connotations.
I'm getting a little tired of the guys from 630 CHED being condescending towards the guys from ON. Whether it be Stauffer v Willis or Tencer v Brownlee I'm getting rubbed the wrong way by this garbage. I've spent a lot of time around pompous ass' at the University and i get the same vibe with that Station as I did about the guys walking around in 3 piece suits with pocket watches talking about their time at Harvard (real guy, not a made up douche bag).
I'm TRYING to give guys the benefit of the doubt. I wanted to wipe the slate clean, but the same message keeps coming across and i dont like it.
I was reading all the comments I missed earlier.
Did anyone see this????
Hockey Gods wrote: Wanye, you should show your face on Global, judging from what my GF and sister say, they would bone you based on your articles alone. You show your face in public it could be the summer of love for Wanye…
Sweet.
@ Wanye Gretz: “You’ve never heard of the Oilersnation? … It’s the site that made the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs.”
@ Travis Dakin:
12 parsecs? That's that bucket of bolts? Impossible.
@ Wanye Gretz: I would be nervous. It says THEY would bone YOU! Shouldn't it be the other way around...oh wait, you went to Coldplay...with a dude... nevermind.
Wanye Gretz wrote:
Having seen Wanye's face, I think it's apt that he chose to quote this guy from Star Wars: http://www.georgettesworld.com/main/swdeathwarrant.jpg
I have to say, this has been the best article-postings I`ve seen in awhile. We`ve had it all, give-away vacations to Montreal, charitable donations, great back and forth banter and even a little mostly respectful hostility...that is why I LOVE THE NATION!!!
@ I'm a Scientist!:
There are so many jokes here that spring to mind but out of respect for Hockey Gods I will simply say this:
"I go."
End of story.
@ bingofuel:
You've never seen my face. Liar.
@ Hoodlum:
I think this is the coolest thing that has ever happened on the Nation. Thank you humantorch for suggesting this!
I'm a Scientist! wrote:
BAHAHAHAHAH
@ Wanye Gretz: This is like the nations version of the price is right. Our next collection should be to have Tencer spade or neutered
Hoodlum wrote:
Whats the point?
Archaeologuy wrote:
Quite possbily. Although that would be sort of funny coming from a, well, blogger like Tencer.
@ Travis Dakin: I was being facetious
Wanye Gretz wrote:
humantorch wrote at June 18 2009, 3:33 pm:
Fantastic Idea!
Remember when someone, Archaeologuy maybe? Perhaps Rosscreek? I don't remember, but someone called Tencer "Fartcatcher". Man I can't wait for that to catch on!
I think we can move off the "blogger" thing. It wasn't meant to be negative.
A lot of "bloggers", Willis and the gang here included, do good work. I read tons of them. I don't look down on them.
OK?
@ bingofuel:
Do you mind me asking what the longest thread in the history of ON was? I haven't read many 4 pagers.
Hey Dan,
If I was a Coldplay listening whussy I'd have to harbor hurt feelings over defending you before reading your twitter entry. I'd probably would go have a good cry and watch some Bette Midler movie over a tub of Ben & Jerry's to heal.
As is, I'm more than willing to go forward at this point giving you the benefit of the doubt on your posts as long as you try holding your caustic sense of humour up to a litmus test before hitting 'Post Comment'. You are in a privileged position and I'd love to hear insightful comments regarding the Oilers.
@ Dan Tencer: Fair enough.
@ onehitwonder:
Honestly, I don't remember. I know we've had several posts that I've seen get up to about 6 or 7 pages of comments. There were a few times a few months back where we actually had to upgrade our hosting service on the fly because of the traffic we're getting. it's been a ridiculous, wild, sexy and sometimes slimy ride.
Wanye Gretz wrote:
I'll be careful.
@ onehitwonder:
I think it's a little decieving, because back in the day, before all this fancy technology, all the comments were on the same gigantic page. That Oodle Noodle ad would show up at 8000 times during a solid GDB thread. I'd say it's easily around 600 or more.
@ Wanye Gretz:
bone?
not much sweeter than dirty sweaty man love in the summer.....
**** runs to the bathroom to vomit, then heads to the computer to look up raunchy straight porn to cleanse his mind***
onehitwonder wrote:
PS: Also curious if Mowzie and Speeds are on board with JG's trip to the draft. It seems like this is a great time for the big time ON posters to unite and all be on the same team, so to speak.
I'm a Scientist! wrote:
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
Priceless.
@ I'm a Scientist!:
I'd totally like to get in on that slow clap, if you don't mind...
@ onehitwonder:
I tried to find a better answer to your question than "I'm too lazy to look for you." So I went back a few months, and I think one of the busiest posts we ever had, at least this season was our trade deadline one, called On Deadline Ground (I'm particularly proud of the work our graphic designer superstar, Eldon, did with the image as well). There were 444 comments made on that post alone.
As for Mowzie and Speeds, I'd be curious to know what they think as well. I suspect they just wanted to set the record straight on CBA interpretation, which after further investigation seems nearly impossible because of all the legalese.