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.
@ bingofuel: I`m in awe of your work ethic
@ Dan Tencer:
Hi Dan. Why would CHED be opposed to Gregor's presence if he was there representing the OilersNation and not the Team?
I know it's splitting hairs but if Gregor were to take a personal day and arrive in Montreal as a privatly funded agent of the critical thinking fan... what's the harm? (After all this is ONLY the draft and only the uber fan cares)
BTW Did you pitch in also?... C'mon you did didn't you? You know this is TOO funny. Only Oiler fans would privatly fund their own correspondant to attend an ENTRY DRAFT.
@ Hoodlum: I'm in awe of your ability to still write coherent sentances after what you've put your brain through all these years.
@ Travis Dakin: My brain is still semifunctional, it`s my liver that I`m concerned about.....pee is green right
Dan Tencer wrote:
You know what, Dan? You've taken a lot of slagging today and you've been man enough not to throw much of it back at anyone. Whatever your original intent was, I will give you props for keeping your cool and remaining gracious. Olive branch accepted.
No one said I was doing my show from Montreal. Not sure where that idea came from. No newspapers are Rights Holders and they are all there, so as a accredited member of the media of course I can get in.
There was never a plan to do the show from there.
There will be lots of reports coming...I have a mic I will be able to conduct interviews just like other outlets.
@ Jason Gregor:
I almost wish you had time to roadtrip out in an OilersNation decorated panel van...
This is too funny. Thanks for stepping up on such short notice.
Work ethic's what I call my... Uh, never mind.
Chris wrote:
It should be a boogie van with a valkyrie riding a unicorn holding up Excalibur...and she's wearing an Oilers jersey of course.
The Towel Boy wrote:
*pukes in mouth*
Librarian Mike wrote:
HAHA, there'd be a lady, with a big f**kin' laser just, y'know, protectin. Giver!
Librarian Mike wrote:
It'd be absolutely awesome if McFarlane did up this boogie van right. As a former team owner and fan, you'd think he'd be game.
Ender the Dragon wrote:
Seconded.
Dan is becoming a smart ass as he learns more about hockey - since Stauff came over from the Team! Not sure if he ever played the game?
I volunteer for next years trip.....Now that would be some classy jornalitics.... this is really cool to watch unfold, long ago, I used to surf the boards on the Oilers home site, now, it's all OILERSNATION all the time. Great writing, lots of updates, funny as fork!!!!!
I just finished journalism school and can fly for free. I'll do it!
Ender the Dragon wrote:
Dan Tencer wrote:
Easy to say you wouldn't because no one offered. And it seems that the TEAM 1260 has kicked in quite a bit and the NATION which are two employers of Gregor. To me it seems the Nation just raised money for the Stollery. Great work.
Who's running Gregors show on friday?
Cam wrote:
Thriced?
Cam wrote:
heavyd wrote:
Fraser and Brownlee. They will be doing it live from the Walk About Pub on Whyte Ave...Go join them. I will be on with hits and getting guests.
Reading these responses made my day. Thanks guys!
so Gregor's going and the extra money is going to the Stollery? If that's the plan than I'll put some of my skin in the game. Not sure if I'll get a tax receipt or not from this one (i donate yearly) but it makes me feel good and any cash to the Stollery is good karma in return. Have a safe trip Gregor and good job Nation'eers!
To the tune of ACDC's - For Those About to Rock
" We eeee eee EEEEEE Salllu uu uu tte YOU!!! "
Here's an awesome story. I tried to buy some tickets for a concert and the guy asked me "Are you the Travis Dakin that posts on Oilersnation?"
F*ck yeah! The Nation is spreading like wildfire!
@ Travis Dakin: Did you get your seats for Taylor Swift??
Hell of a ride here today, awesome stuff everyone!
@ Travis Dakin: call in sick tomorrow and lets go drink till we can't feel feelings
@ Hoodlum: I lost my ability to feel years ago. It's been great for the stamina.
Travis Dakin wrote:
I wonder if the guy at the ticket booth is a poster as well. Hell, maybe it was Wanye...
@ Librarian Mike: Wanyes the one with the cardboard ticket stand outside RX1, stashed full of various alcoholic beverages
@ Jason Gregor: Awesome gregor, you are the man, and we all apprecaite you doing this for the nation.
Hey bingofuel, Is something going on at your end. I can only read comments in the rss feed, can't get to them in the normal view (on my blackberry). If this is just at my end sorry for bugging you. Thanks
@ Victoria:
I agree. I'm usually a game day poster but have been doing a lot of lurking over the summer. This thread has everything you could want from a thread in June - grassroots interweb fundraising, a remarkably polite flame-war and that final piece of the holy trinity of the internets - a Star Wars quote battle.
I’ve got a very bad feeling about this.
Which of course means next week's traffic on ON is going to be epic.
You know what's amazing? It took only one day for this to raise however many dollars have been raised. One!! *goes off to donate*
I thought I saw someone peeking out of that windowless van. Lol.
onehitwonder wrote:
Jim Bollsile just texted me his support for us to "make it seven" - pages of comments. I'm doing my part.
Jason Gregor wrote:
I'm imagining a "fear and loathing on the draft table" scenario. am I close?
@ Rick: not sure what you did there but it made it look like I was telling Dan he wasn't welcome... which is a$$ since I don't really agree with you.
I like Dan's interviews and he is connected too and that is all good for the nation, even if he did make me a little tweaked and twittered today.
Hey speaking of interviews there was a dude that called in to Gregor's show today and he was speculating that since on average it takes defensemen longer to develop that they are less bang for the buck right out of the gate and that might affect their drafting strength. He figured that by the time they are hitting their stride it is so much later and they are UFA's so why would you draft a defenseman over a forward that could be ready in a much shorter time (like Kane, Toews, Crosby, Ovechkin and many others).
It's an interesting thought.
Dan Tencer wrote:
I agree with this. Ive said it twice now, I think the owners and sponsors of this website, and the team should have ponied up the money for this trip since ultimately they will benefit fiancially from this. The rest of the money can be donated at will. Hopefully in an indirect way that will be the case.
Wow lots went on today and my darn work kept me from getting involved but I will still give my 2 bits. This is awesome on so many levels good job to Gregor for stepping up, Wanye and Bingofuel for running with the will of the people and the Team for showing some love. Tencer kind of rubbed me the wrong way with his snide comments but I do appreciate when he takes part in the discussions as his point of view is usually well thought out (just not this time). That said though if the Team puts on a half decent show to go against Tencer's well at this stage Im thinking I would probably swap to the team.
@ Gregor
Regarding broadcasting live from the draft. Whats the chance of your station manager contacting the Vancouver Team manager and having you represent both stations? Sure you may have to interview a Canuck draft choice or something but hey the Team in Vancouver are NHL rights owners so that would beat the little problem DT brought up. The Team 1040 could pitch in for the mobile broadcasting set up and really its win win win for ON fans, Team 1260 fans and Team 1040 fans. What do you say?
Didn't Tencer used to write for Eklunds site? Just sayin....
Jack Bauer wrote:
I agree...in theory. This event goes well beyond what should god-knows-who should have done about the draft coverage and clicks and audience. This is showing the will and determination of the Oilers fans. And that's sweet! It reminds me of Liverpool's 'you'll never walk alone'...Well done Gents!
Cam wrote:
It may be Marshall Johnston's thought.
WCO
http://www.canucksarmy.com/2009/04/hey-alberta-hop-on-in/
Cam wrote:
I have always thought the same about goaltenders. They take even longer to reach NHL potential, working their way up the lineup until they finally reach the bigs. It seems that most NHL goalies were traded at least once in the beginning of their careers, long before hitting their prime or even landing a regular gig somewhere. So why not just trade for a goalie when the team is in need, instead of waste a top-end pick?
I would love to read Willis' take on this subject, and any trends or stats that would go with it.
This whole thing absolutely floors me...
I think I read every post twice and I'm literally wiping the tears of pride from my beady little eyes...
Can it really be true?
Cogliano plays bass in Coldplay???
...Now what the hell is all this I keep hearing about a drafty weekend coming up?
***
And for the record, Swine Flu sounds funnier than it is. It actually feels alot more like the H1N1 virus.
Hey guys, remember that time Wanye got drunk at a concert and Gregor got a trip to Montreal? Those were crazy times. That was like 5 pages ago, when we were so young and innocent.