Not Half the Girl You Want Me to Be

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 16:43:29 GMT

I should really remember to write in this more often. *Shrugs* Oh well. Perhaps later when I have better internet I'll write up a thing about all the epics I want to finish but mostly don't have endings for that I keep telling B about. That could be fun.

Tyson Ritter is Possibly a Zombie...

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:21:50 GMT

First things first, I feel I must get this comment out of the way. When not otherwise distracted(*Cough Cough* Panic. *Cough Cough* Cobra Starship. *Cough Cough* Etcetera.) I know music. I am a trained singer and was semi-professional for four years. I play five instruments, none of which would help me much in a band but whatever. Therefore, I have opinions about what I saw, and will not hold back with them. Sorry if you disagree.

The City Lives
I liked these guys, no matter what else I'm gonna say. They had some really interesting guitar lines(Though admittedly they had three guitarists and a bassist on stage so...) and admittedly good vocalists. Yes, plural. I appreciate multiple vocalists as part of a band. They were also extremely nice guys when I chatted with them after the concert. However, as I jokingly said to my beloved partner in crime, they looked like they had five different eras of music on stage(both in looks and attitude towards what you do on stage) and it was a little disconcerting. Particularly the guitarist who looked like he could have been happy in a hair band. Don't get me wrong, I'm buying their CD online as we speak, but I could maybe do without seeing them live again for a few more years. Possibly after I figure out if their lyrics really were about Jesus and earthquakes.

Jet Lag Gemini
Once again I preface this with the fact that I liked this band. They had good music, a possibly edibly adorable guitarist who was also extremely good at what he did. Their singer was rather awesomely intense. But at the same time, they had a little rhythm problems, or perhaps that's how they meant it, I couldn't tell you. The bass, drums and guitars would follow one rhythm, the vocals would follow a completely different and indecipherable one. It made it really hard to dance to. However, that could possibly just be their style. I didn't have a chance to get my hands on their music before the concert, and am hoping to now get it after to hear what I was supposed to be hearing.

Funny story about this band, though. While Jet Lag Gemini was playing, I was three people from the stage and right in the center, and every time the singer looked out at the crowd he would meet my eyes and smile, so I'd always smile back because he was obviously looking for reassurance that he was doing a good job, since no one could sing along and the only people other than me who were dancing were obviously very drunk. This led the girl next to me to question, out loud, what made me so special, something I really wanted to answer with "I looked like I was enjoying it. What about you?" But I didn't. *Sighs* Waste of a good comeback

Now ignoring pit politics and fights that broke out, lets skip to the main event.

All American Rejects
This was pretty much my first time seeing these guys live and it was a lot of fun. Not much more that I can say about that, since as I've mentioned before I have a horrible memory and couldn't tell what all they played if I was being tortured. I do know they played at least Mona Lisa off the new CD, but I couldn't tell you much else.

The band was holding this thing where if you preordered their new CD at the show, they'd give you a wristband for an autograph session after the show. I'd been planning on doing this anyways, so got a wristband quite happily. After the lining up, being handed out things and so forth, we were ushered around to get the band to sign things. Rather hilariously(for me), Tyson was apparently not quite conscious or something, as he spent most of the signing with his head down, groping for whatever was placed before him before giving an extremely half-hearted high five or thumbs up to the person across the table. As I apparently have no mind-to-mouth barrier when I'm tired, this instantly led to me mumbling rather vehemently about zombies to Nick. He found it funny and elbowed Tyson in response, but to no avail.

All in all, fun times were had. I have three new CDs and a hoodie on the way to me from the internet. It's all good.

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:20:22 GMT

At work, on break, random thoughts and things to say.

1. BEXLESS'S BBB SEQUEL'S END. I HAVE NO COMMENTS BEYOND WHY?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
2. All American Rejects with Jenn next Monday. This will be a first for me. We'll see how it goes. I know neither of the support bands.
3. I have finished nothing. I need some sort of San Diego based bandom friend willing to hang out with me and talk shop. Jenn has officially decided she's not going to take anymore since she can now tell people the Cobra Starship origin story.

That's all. Maybe more later.

I think this post contains more words than I've written so far for NaNo...

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:31:04 GMT

So, concert experiences. I don't have pictures, unfortunately, because our official camera boy is a douche and decided he had better things to do then show up for my birthday like he promised.

My friends and I ended up at the House of Blues at around 12:30, and basically started the line. The tour buses hadn't even shown up, so we got to spend a ton of time just watching Alex and Vicky T wander between the venue and the bus and back again, as well as all the unloading and such. We ended up meeting some other people in line, and basically just sat around with them and shared our food and drinks and eventually cupcakes with them(the round robin story game should never begin with the sentence 'Once, I saw Jesus in flagrante with a stripper'). Eventually, the rest of our little group showed up, and we just chatted until they opened up the doors.

And please, give me a second while I complain about something. The House of Blues has a 'Pass the Line' thing, where you pay $20 or eat in the restaurant and invalidate the time spent by people in line by getting to go in first. Now, here's the thing. I work two blocks from the venue. My boss gave me the option to set my friends up in line and go in to work for five hours. Five hours x the California minimum wage = $42. My time in line was worth double what they paid, and yet I was made to watch as they let in close to a hundred people before me. /rant

But we finally got into the venue and I made my way through the masses to as close as I could get(dead center behind a single person). I actually ran into a few people I knew from other concerts in the pit, so that was remarkably fun. It's kinda weird to know people can recognize me from me having talked with them before in a situation like a pit. I was wearing this gaudy and awesome pink tiara, so people kept looking at me and going 'Hey, it's your birthday?' and wishing me a happy birthday, which was pretty awesome. I actually think that may have been why I ended up where I did.

Sing It Loud came out first, and I have to say, I actually really like their music, but I think their stage presence is currently a little... Disturbingly manic. One of my friends later compared the set to one of the Shoot the Duck games at a carnival, and I could only agree. I went out of my way to get copies of everything I could by all three of the bands besides Cobra, so I was actually able to have a really good time singing along to what I knew and just listening to what I didn't.

I have a joke that when I first listened to the other three bands, I could tell them apart. At all. Still can't, actually, if I'm just listening. No offense to anyone who likes them. But watching them live, Sing It Loud to Hit the Lights, it was like 'Oh, okay. Not so confused anymore.' Where Sing It Loud was manic, Hit the Lights was rather agressive in how they took the stage. It was actually loads of fun, because I knew a lot more of their songs, and the crowd seemed to like them pretty well.

Then Forever the Sickest Kids. I still don't get how that's a 'Christian Rock' band. If someone wants to explain it to me, that would be awesome. But I honestly think there was an entire group around me who was only there for that band, so the energy in the pit was crazy. Also, their drummer is extremely hot. (Note to self: Look up band?)

Finally, the curtains close and everyone basically starts screaming for the time until they open again. I have to say, I am not a particularly objective person to ask what Cobra played, in what order, or anything like that. I just know I had a ridiculously good time with it, enjoyed every moment where Gabe stalked acoss the stage or played with Vicky T's hair or went to hump Ryland's leg. Or everytime he lifted his shirt...

He actually ended up in the front of the pit twice, both times within reaching distance of me, and I was actually able to get my tiara to him one of them, which he wore for a moment before tossing back to me(Also note to self: Find footage of that on Youtube. It will have to exist eventually.) There was a pretty damn awesome medley at one point, but the only song I remember absolutely being in it was Diamond Girl. Later, for Snakes on a Plane, there was the rather humorous addition of part of Hollaback Boy instead of Travis's rap.

After that(I think), stage empties and the the crowd... Doesn't move. We all just stand around and scream like idiots. Eventually, Ryland comes back out, tells us all about Pleasure Ryland and has much fun basically putting the song together on a keyboard while we all scream. Indeed. Everyone else comes out for that and... Something else. I should have totally written this last night. Everything's done again, and Gabe comes out to the audience to basically shmooze. I actually got a chance to thank him for making it an awesome birthday, and he told me he was glad he had, held my hand and kissed my cheek which pretty much made my night.

Eventually, I dispersed from the crowd and headed to my friends, wherein we left the venue, got lost looking for my friend's car, and generally had fun. All said, it was a great fucking birthday.

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 17:14:44 GMT

So, I have multiple topics to post about, so cuts to make life easier for those who don't care about all this.

Sorries to everyone who wants to see Mikeyway the Zebracorn and Frank the Cat, I haven't had a chance to take pictures of them or my Panic bears yet. It's been a kinda busy period of time for me, and I've been working on a bunch of weird stuff in addition to work. Pictures will be up as soon as I can get to them.

NaNoWriMo, as always, is hell. It's especially hell when your main computer is no longer working and you can't afford a new one. So you end up writing things by hand, but you have carpel tunnel syndrome so it hurts everytime you write, and while you've got plenty of words in your mind, it's far too painful to actually write them down. All in all, NaNo has sucked for me so far.

Today is my birthday, and today I will have cupcakes and go see Cobra Starship and much, much more. It will be delightfully awesome, and I have a tiara and a pink feathery boa because I'm an utter dork like that. And have absolutely no shame to speak of. It will be very fun.

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 02:52:53 GMT

Okay. Let's premise this with the fact that's it's not like today was the first time I've heard 'What a Catch, Donnie.' However...

Before today, I hadn't actually just sat down with my headphones on and listened to it so it was the only thing I could hear, with nothing in front of me to distract me. I'd heard it, and I could sing along with it, and I really liked it, and I found it beautiful, but I hadn't truly listened to it. So when I did, I can honestly say that while sitting on a bus at 12:15 in the afternoon, I started crying at how much better it is than I had already thought. I've heard it described as a love song to Patrick by Decaydance/FBR, and yes, it is. I've heard it said that both Patrick and Pete feel it's about them, and yeah, I'm sure they do, because it could be. But when I heard it again today, the only thing I could think of after was the fact it's more than that. It's their song about themselves, but it's also a song specifically for us as fans.

We love these boys because they put everything out there for us in way or another, emotions in the music and Pete's thoughts in his blogs and actions. And we bring them into our lives and our hearts and our minds, we immortalize them at their best and their worst. A new friend of mine said honestly that without Fall Out Boy she would probably not be here today. Without Fall Out Boy, I'd probably be a much less happy, stable and relatively unscarred person.

The bands we follow mean something to each and every one of us, and to me at least, this is a rather appreciated reminder of the reason I loved these boys to begin with. They are not perfect, sparkling figures like Greek gods. They're boys and girls who, one way or another, ended up in a place where they're happy and they're making us happy. 'I've got trouble thoughts and the self esteem to match.' I am nineteen year old diagnosed with clinical depression and any other number of problems, and knowing that I can listen to these songs written by imperfect people just like me is a comfort and the reason I stay around in bandom.

And yes, I've heard the people who say "But it sounds like an ending!" I suppose it could. But it also sounds like a reminder that these four boys, and everyone they've produced or signed or simply played with, aren't planning on giving up what they're doing quite yet.

They're imperfect, and so are we, and honestly? They've never sounded better. What a catch indeed.

And in less preachy and opinionated news, today I went to the Build-a-Bear workshop to get my Frankie. However, due to my girlfriend being a horrid, horrid enabler, I was also provided the idea for the perfect Mikeyway. He is currently a zebra, but as soon as I sew it, he will be the most emo unicorn ever. Pictures will go up tomorrow when I have a chance to take them, but suffice to say, I adore them both. And am very glad I was able to get them at the same time so Frankie wouldn't be lonely.

Joining the Wave...(Of Wooden Legs?)

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 03:58:14 GMT

Since everyone else is doing intro posts and I am a lemming at heart, I figured I might as well give one of my own.

So howdy, folks, I'm Li, currently living happily in southern California and generally enjoying being a twenty year old student. I live with my girlfriend of five years and spend most of my time sewing costumes and hats and silly little outfits for the Panic at the Disco made of Build-a-Bears who I lovingly keep at the end of my bed. I also write, as will probably be evidenced quite a bit in the coming month and a half as I spend lots of time randomly gushing about my NaNoWriMo.

I stalk Panic in my spare time, and often end up with crazy things happening to me in one way or another while I do so. I have an upcoming birthday during which me and my friends are going to see Cobra Starship with plans to have a tea party in the line, as well as other ridiculousness. Nothing else so much for me to say, but if people want to ask me questions, I love answering things. Really.

Looking for Volunteers... Kinda.

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:48:48 GMT

Fifteen days until November and Li starting on her triptych of bandom porn.

I realized this at work this morning while trying to distract myself from writing snippets of it before the actual start. But as I get prepared for NaNo, I thought to myself, 'Y'know what would help with this? Being able to message people who'll actually care with snippets and brain farts and the like.'

Which is why I post now. I have a bunch of new friends from ysosrs, and I don't have ways to contact many of them, and I'm not sure whether the ones I do have would like me contacting them.

If you're interested in me messaging any of the following at random points of day and night and are willing to critique or gush at me, please tell me:
1. Ryan Ross being not particularly smooth but very definitely needy.
2. Lots and lots of questions about opinions on the tattoos of various and sundry band boys.
3. Frankie with any and all members of his band, sometimes at the same time.
4. Pete/Ashlee/Patrick not porn.

I write better with people even slightly interested, and I want to make sure this'll be as awesome as it is in my head.

Eee. Also, Eee.

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 06:47:31 GMT

So, for those of you who haven't heard me cheering and bragging for weeks, today was the Rock Band 2 concert in San Diego, which I of course went to. We got there about 1, six hours early, so were numbers 10 and 11 in line. Which meant we got lucky enough that when a nice person decided to give meet and greet passes with all four bands to the first few people in our line, we got some.

Now, I also won a Northern Downpour meet and greet pass for Thursday in Vegas, so this was unexpected but wonderful. I now have more signatures for my box, and that's always good.

Unfortunately, once in the pit, I wasn't so lucky. I got to see the Cab and the Plain White Ts fine, but at the beginning of Dashboard Confessional, these couple of girls near me who took offense at the fact I was helping a little girl in the pit decided to attempt to break my arm while I was holding onto the bar. Luckily, they didn't, but it was hurt so badly I had to leave the pit at once and get medical assistance.

Panic was, as always, lots and lots of fun, even if I was sitting on the sidelines. There was a rather wonderful surprise cover of 'Shout!' as the closer, which was probably the funnest thing ever, and also Brendon once more playing the drums with Spencer. Not quite a drumline, but still fun.

Sorry I wasn't around to help, WoWLers, but I may have something posted Friday morning to make up for that. And I am glad that the e-mail filter idea worked so you were still able to get my stuff. Good times all around.

I wish everyone a pleasant evening, and I'm going to take some heavy duty narcotics and head to bed with my pretty new poster Jenn lovingly bought me. I'll get her to send her music clips tonight.

y so srs, Bandom

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:15:59 GMT

Now, I know most of my friends here aren't involved in Bandslash, but those who are, heard of y so srs? If you have, you can stop solving the clues and go to http://ysosrsbandom.livejournal.com/, vote for what gang you want to be in, and put 'darklinggirl' in the anything else catagory.

NaNoWriMo and the Upcoming Months

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 02:57:39 GMT

So, in one of the dumber decisions I've ever made, I am going to be participating in NaNoWriMo this November. Also dumb? It will be with the first bandslash fic I've ever written, the one that Rhi told me not to do but I unfortunately got my brain stuck on anyways.

But at least I actually have a plan and inspiration this year. Last year, I made myself sick trying to make myself write, and with this, if it starts to be too much, I can just cut it down. It's not like I actually expect many people to read it.

Also coming up, which I'm rather excited about, Jenn's and mine Rockband 2 trip. We're going to be seeing Panic at both the San Diego and Las Vegas show for definite, and maybe the Sacramento show too. We're also going to be going to see Cobra Starship on my birthday, along with anyone else who happens to be in town at the time. (That means you, E. Any chance you'll be around Sunday, November 2nd? I figured not, but I might as well ask.)

I'm going to be trying to actually use this journal more often, though who knows who long that'll work. We'll see, I guess.

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 07:53:54 GMT

I have just got home from the Fall Out Boy concert, and all I have to say is:

Fuck yes. Please, sir, may I have another?

Final note: I have Pete's autograph. My night is not perfect, but damn good.

Filling My Harddrive and Bitch-Slapping My Muses

Tue, 01 May 2007 05:53:30 GMT

Due to the untimely death of my hard drive, I have found myself losing every bit of fiction I've written. This means my HD is empty of writing, and that makes me sad.

Unfortunately, my Muses don't care to help fill the void because they're too busy moping and having sympathy sex with each other. Which, while inspirational, isn't helpful for writing. So I've decided to just say 'Screw the Fuckers,' and get everyone else to help me.

I plan to write fifty 1000-word max stories, both fanfic and original, using prompts from people of the web. I'm posting this wherever I think people might read it, and begging people to give me prompts.

And I suppose you're asking now, "But Draco, what type of prompt?" I'll answer it for you as follows:

Anything, really. A word, a sentence, a quote, a line of dialogue you think I could put into a story and that would be awesome. I don't care. I need to write.

So, help is appreciated, and much love to anyone who does.