Brainlock
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Yes, there’s a lot on my plate. And yes, we’re all getting older and perhaps dimmer (even if those rejuvenating sheep-placenta injections appear to be working – heh, heh, heh). And no, I don’t need to embarrass myself in public – or on the rolls of MOGgery. But I made one of the dumbest mistakes in memory (or lack of memory?) as regards my vocational endeavors and personal tastes. And, by way of soothing my pain through empathy, I thought I’d share it with you and see if any of my fellow MOGgers have done something equally dim-witted.I’m lucky enough to have had a decent career as a print and broadcast journalist covering popular culture. I pride myself on being ahead of the curve when it comes to music, film, and the arts in general. And I seldom miss a chance to see and enjoy what’s worthwhile and available to me in my own back yard. You could say that I have access to tools.Anyhow, I’ve been overloaded with films to review this week. How overloaded? When I’m done, I will have seen 13 feature-length movies between Monday morning and Friday afternoon. Sadly, one of them was the new Robin Williams vehicle “License to Wed” - a rampantly unfunny, ridiculously implausible “comedy” wherein the frenetic one plays an obtrusive and annoying minister who runs a marriage-compatibility course for engaged couples, and derails the nuptials of a happy twosome played (futilely) by the winning comic actor John Krasinski of TV’s “The Office” and the charming actress/pop singer Mandy Moore. It was cringe-inducing, and not in the amusing way that the clumsy social gaffes depicted on “The Office” make you laugh with discomfort.But even though I was dreading “License to Wed,” I was in such a groove all week, movie after movie, and I knew I was expected to critique it. So, on Wednesday, I went to the screening at the Sundance Kabuki Theater, and endured it. Afterwards, I was hungry, and I wanted to forget the wasted time, and I went to a late dinner. But I kept thinking I had forgotten something. The next day I remembered what it was.The Kabuki Theater happens to be located about a block from the legendary Fillmore Auditorium. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Feist played the Fillmore. That’s right. I had tickets to see the sold-out Wednesday night concert by Feist – the winsome singer-songwriter and veteran of the clever Canadian indie-rock band Broken Social Scene. Her most recent solo album The Reminder has enchanted me since I first heard it – and I spaced out on her show! (Right. I know. It’s called The Reminder, and I forgot all about the gig. Oh, the irony.)Admittedly, I secured my tix over a month ago, and I’ve been slammed with work. There was plenty of time for it to slip my mind. And really, 13 movies in one week is no small task, especially when some of them suck. Talk about distractions.Still, it would have been my first chance to catch Feist in person. Instead, I was a block away at a film so crappy that airlines might reject as in-flight entertainment, while my tickets sat unused at will-call. How the hell did I let this one slip away? And has anything comparable ever happened to you? Ever miss a show you were desperate to see and could have seen, but didn’t – and why the hell not?It won’t salvage the situation, but here’s a sweet clip of Feist performing “1 2 3 4” live with a chorus on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” earlier in the month:Ahhh. That’s better.
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