Just a Regular Joe

I knew we would be drinking either way.  However, he who took the presidency would determine the extent of our debauchery and the overall mood in which we would precede.  Now, I’m sure you’ve already read about this on every other accredited internet news source, however, this is neither accredited, nor do I care to write anything of any particular insight or political analysis.  What you WILL get are some highlights from last night’s coverage of the race to the white house:

(In no particular order)

1)    Most could agree this may have been the most important election of our lifetimes – as shown by the thousands who flooded the streets after Obama’s win was announced (and on a school night none the less!)
2)    The percentage of Americans who called in sick/ were late/ or (a smaller number of this total) who planned ahead and took the day off today = 38.73%.  A rough, but completely educated guess based on my fellow New Yorker’s actions in the street (see: 1).
3)    Obama won more electoral votes than any other presidential candidate in history with the current count at 349 to 163.  Results are still inconclusive for Indiana and North Carolina.  Breakdown: The people spoke ya heard?  No butterfly ballot issues in Florida here.
4)    And finally, no president has ever won an election without winning Ohio.

My New York via Ohio transplanted friends and I voted absentee in Ohio.  Hey America, you’re welcome.

He’s a Shoe-In

Don’t forget to get out and vote tomorrow!  My money is on Mr. Def, but if you’re undecided these people can help.

One year ago…

Despite sounding like one of those “back in my day” types I must take issue with the show I attended last night. A year ago I saw Ra Ra Riot at Bowery Ballroom which, like last night, was sold out. Unlike last night however, the band had recently lost their drummer/co-writer, John Pike, to a tragic drowning accident. And adding irony to tragedy, their first single, written by Pike, was “Dying is Fine.”

Ra Ra Riot occupied the Bowery stage like petrified children. The moment they started their set it was obvious that this band was destined for greatness. As they played every song  they had ever written the band members playfully smiled, mouthed the lyrics to every song and bounced around in such a way that you knew they were taking in a special moment in their lives. However, the truly astonishing moment came when the music stopped.

At this point I have attended more shows than I can count and I know the feeling of a contrived encore. But at the end of the set the crowd went into a frenzy DEMANDING more music. Wes, along with the rest of Ra Ra Riot, gingerly came back onstage baffled. There was no encore. Ra Ra Riot held nothing back. Every song, every emotion and everything that John would have wanted was accomplished. Then something incredible happened.

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