Another Feather in Rammstein's Cap

I survived the storms by hanging out in the local arcade. While there, I found further proof of Rammstein's creeping world domination. They have touchscreen trivia games there, and I play them frequently even though the bulk of the questions are so simple that a finger-chewing simpleton could answer them. One of the questions had Rammstein as an answer. The question was, "This German death-metal band was founded in 1994." Now, I know that Rammstein isn't a "death-metal" band by any stretch, but the fact remains that they were still an answer to a trivia question in a podunk arcade in backwater Georgia. I'm sure they'll cherish that laurel forever.

Speaking of Rammstein, they announced the first dates for the European "Best of" tour, and while most fans are happily squeeing over the chance to see them again, there are a few whining that they're playing it safe by holding dates close to home and in previously-successful markets.

Yes, because playing where you have previously raked in the cash in the hopes of doing so again is a ludicrous business strategy that no one would employ, and how dare a successful band wish to remain successful so they can continue to record and tour. Nay, they should be out there evangelizing in every stagnant backwater, and never mind if it would be financially ruinous to do so. It should be all about the music, man.

As a fan who doesn't live anywhere near a concert epicenter, I certainly hope Rammstein decides to branch out and play a few less-traveled cities in order to draw in new fans and give fans on the outskirts a chance to see them, but accusing them of going for the safe, "lazy" moneygrab because the first dates aren't in Bumfuck, Estonia or Bilgewater, Latvia is petulant and shortsighted and selfish. If these were the only dates of the European "Best of", then I could understand the marginalized fans' frustrations, but there is no indication that these are the only dates, and in fact, fannish scuttlebutt has it that there will likely be a March 2012 date in Manchester, England.

It also boggles my mind that no one has taken the timing of the tour into consideration. If Richard is expecting a child in September, then it stands to reason that he might like to let life settle and enjoy her for a while and not go haring across Europe to play rock god. And maybe the other members with partners and children would like to spend as much time with them as possible in the months leading up to the holidays. By scheduling the dates as they have, they seem to be trying to balance the desire to please the fans and make money with the desire to have lives that don't revolve around Rammstein. The rank bastards. How can they be so selfish?

After being involved with this bandom, I'm finally beginning to understand why so many bands have a love/hate relationship with their fans and don't exactly bust their balls to interact with them. Fans are never-ending pits of entitled, insatiable need, and no matter how much bands give them, it's never enough.

No wonder so many bands drink. It helps.

Another Feather in Rammstein's Cap

I survived the storms by hanging out in the local arcade. While there, I found further proof of Rammstein's creeping world domination. They have touchscreen trivia games there, and I play them frequently even though the bulk of the questions are so simple that a finger-chewing simpleton could answer them. One of the questions had Rammstein as an answer. The question was, "This German death-metal band was founded in 1994." Now, I know that Rammstein isn't a "death-metal" band by any stretch, but the fact remains that they were still an answer to a trivia question in a podunk arcade in backwater Georgia. I'm sure they'll cherish that laurel forever.

Speaking of Rammstein, they announced the first dates for the European "Best of" tour, and while most fans are happily squeeing over the chance to see them again, there are a few whining that they're playing it safe by holding dates close to home and in previously-successful markets.

Yes, because playing where you have previously raked in the cash in the hopes of doing so again is a ludicrous business strategy that no one would employ, and how dare a successful band wish to remain successful so they can continue to record and tour. Nay, they should be out there evangelizing in every stagnant backwater, and never mind if it would be financially ruinous to do so. It should be all about the music, man.

As a fan who doesn't live anywhere near a concert epicenter, I certainly hope Rammstein decides to branch out and play a few less-traveled cities in order to draw in new fans and give fans on the outskirts a chance to see them, but accusing them of going for the safe, "lazy" moneygrab because the first dates aren't in Bumfuck, Estonia or Bilgewater, Latvia is petulant and shortsighted and selfish. If these were the only dates of the European "Best of", then I could understand the marginalized fans' frustrations, but there is no indication that these are the only dates, and in fact, fannish scuttlebutt has it that there will likely be a March 2012 date in Manchester, England.

It also boggles my mind that no one has taken the timing of the tour into consideration. If Richard is expecting a child in September, then it stands to reason that he might like to let life settle and enjoy her for a while and not go haring across Europe to play rock god. And maybe the other members with partners and children would like to spend as much time with them as possible in the months leading up to the holidays. By scheduling the dates as they have, they seem to be trying to balance the desire to please the fans and make money with the desire to have lives that don't revolve around Rammstein. The rank bastards. How can they be so selfish?

After being involved with this bandom, I'm finally beginning to understand why so many bands have a love/hate relationship with their fans and don't exactly bust their balls to interact with them. Fans are never-ending pits of entitled, insatiable need, and no matter how much bands give them, it's never enough.

No wonder so many bands drink. It helps.

One of Us Is Feeling Froggy, and One of Us Is Looking Fine

I was going to save this picture until tomorrow, but I'm feeling froggy, and he's too damn pretty:



He just looks so dapper and handsome, and his coat is amazing. And he's wearing a tie! ~swoons~

One of Us Is Feeling Froggy, and One of Us Is Looking Fine

I was going to save this picture until tomorrow, but I'm feeling froggy, and he's too damn pretty:



He just looks so dapper and handsome, and his coat is amazing. And he's wearing a tie! ~swoons~

Fic Outtake: Die Sprache der Blinden XVI

I was going for awkward and sweet, but for some reason, this passage veered into awkward and sullen and oh, my God, this relationship is about to go off the rails before it starts:

Her face had fallen. "You don't... If it makes you uncomfortable, then you don't have to accept it. I don't want to make you uncomfortable. In my head, it didn't seem so bad, but I don't want to put you in an awkward position. We usually don't offer these until after the partner has been formally introduced to the family at a dinner or over a holiday. I don't know why she thought it would be a good idea to make one so early. Maybe she thought it best to do it now just in case your bohemian, musician's lifestyle precluded a visit for a few years, or maybe she's just that desperate to see her youngest girlie in a settled, happy romance instead of shut up in her apartment with a newsprint suitor. Either way, it wasn't fair of either of us, and I should have known better. I only wanted to bring you something special. If you don't want to keep it, then that's fine. Donate it or give it away. I can't take it back to Nana Collie. She would take offense, and once you get on the wrong side of her, there's precious little chance of coming to the right one again." She'd bitten her lip and scrubbed her hands on her sweatpants, and then she'd stood.

Oops. This chapter has not come easily.