Asking for help from the beautiful Shpongolian community of NY or surroundings (NOT MONEY RELATED)...
Hi! I’m a non-blind visually impaired person, looking to attend a Shpongle concert. Either the one in New York, NY on APR 20 @ Roseland Ballroom New York or the one in Syracuse, NY MAY 02 @ The Westcott Theater Syracuse, NY.
I am NOT mentally handicaped or physically altered by this. On a day-to-day basis, I’m pretty functional, but because of my handicap I can’t drive or attend shows by myself only + especially at night + in a city/country I don’t know… Attending a Shpongle concert is a dream of mine, and since none of my friends are interested by this band, therefore I would need the assistance of a charitable soul…
I could have made this post longer and more detailed, but it’s only a first draft to throw out a feeler to see if, at least, their are people open to/interested by the idea of helping me.
If you have any questions, I would be pleased to answer them; just reply here.
Thank you!
And if someone is not attending because of the money; I’m willing to pay his/her ticket as an exchange of service.
I would also help if I could but I’m on the opposite side of planet earth to you. It maybe worth your while to contact Twisted directly, you never know they maybe quite charitable..good luck!
Hi Bloodsicle—
where in NY are you? find a ride yet?
Hi, s.b.h. —
Nope, haven’t found a ride yet! Where in NY am I?? Lol! I’m not even in NY… I’m from a small town in the province of Quebec in ‘‘Canada’‘! :| Lol; Since Shpongle doesn’t come often in North America, even less in Canada vs. USA + even less in a part of Canada near mine, I’ve decided I would be willing to go see them in NY since it’s not ‘‘that much’’ of a ride… So, I’m actually taking the bus from here to NY. I could take a cab from the bus station to the venue and after the show back to the bus station… but, yeah… Wow, lol, I’m having a hard time explaining what really are my needs, because I’m like ‘‘in-between’‘; I’m not blind, but I’m seeing (very) badly… I see enough to see the show, but not enough to walk through people in the venue, etc. Usually, I go to concerts in cities I know, with people I know, but for Shpongle none of my friends love them and I WANT to see them, both live and DJ set at least once before I die… I’m having details popping in my head that I should add at this point, but I’ll let you answer this, first. Thank you.
OK, I did some prelimary research.. I think the NYC show (Roseland Ballroom) would have to be out for me, here’s why: I considered taking a train and meeting you at Grand Central Station in NY, at which point we could share a cab to/from the Roseland (I don’t want to drive into NYC by car if I can help it), but the cost is fairly high for me. Also, though, I’m not even sure you’d be able to get a convenient train back to your destination after the show; when I took the train to see Shpongle last October in NYC, we had to wait around in the vestibule at the train station (very cold and uncomfortable, I might add, LOL) for about 5 hours before the regular trains started running again. (Where I live now I probably wouldn’t have the same problem cuz I could catch commuter rail, but from your distance you very likely would.) Then I tried to see if you can catch a bus to Woodstock at which point we could take another bus directly from Woodstock to NYC—cost was better, but schedule options were way worse, and I’m not even sure what bus you’d take from Quebec to get here. Top that off with the fact that I’m driving to CT and back on April 19th to see Shpongle, and well, you get the idea.. It just seems like too much. Syracuse shows a little more promise, though: That would be a three hour drive for me (each way), which isn’t too terrible, though I’d need to think about the cost of gas. (I’m sorry money is such an issue for me right now; I just spent pretty much all of my savings moving to my new place, plus I’ve already spent money on two different Shpongle shows in the next month LOL) It looks like there are two Greyhound bus terminals not too far from the venue in Syracuse, though, which I’m guessing would be helpful to you. If you took a cab to the Westcott theater I’m sure we could find a way to find each other outside before the show starts, it doesn’t look like it’s too gargantuan of a venue. If you were uncomfortable with that, I’d give some thought to whether or not I’d feel brave enough to find the bus terminal myself and pick you up there, being as I’m not familiar with Syracuse and you are, after all, a “stranger” to me, a lone woman (No offense, of course, but can’t be too careful these days!!) Anyway, let me know what you think about all this and any other details that may have solidified in your mind, and I’ll continue to consider the venture myself.. I think I’d like to be able to help you, as long as it makes good sense :D
Yup! I’m also more comfortable with Syracuse. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be sorry about money being an issue; I mean I don’t know anything about you or youre life and everybody’s situation is different… And, anyway, even though I know you’re not doing this for money, it’s kind of a ‘‘service’’ you’re doing me, so I thought of something like paying you back your gas or offering you the ticket or a souvenir or diner… or whatever; we’ll see then! No, I don’t think I have a problem with taking a cab from the terminal…
I am touched by maybe having found someone that might be considering helping me… but as I read your post, I think I understood that you’re considering doing this SOLELY for me… (since you’re already going to 2 shows/one of them being in your homestate, etc.) It’s crazy, I’m kind of embarassed with that idea; I mean, I’m not encouraging pure selfishness, but if at least it was also an opportunity for you of I don’t what… i.e.: You were ALREADY going there and found an oppotunity to get your ticket paid or whatever… Know what I’m saying…?
And as for the ‘‘lone woman’’ thing, hahaha! Well, to that I’d say, I sometimes feel like a man, and other times like a boy… For this particular situation: a visually impaired person, going for the first time alone in a different country in a big city, being surrounded by hundreds of (hostile?/pacific?) ‘‘strangers’‘, plus my first language being French (I have no problem with English, but in an emergency situation how fluent would I be), etc. ...I feel like a little boy jumping directly into the lion’s den!!! :| But, I’m still considering doing this, because, like you said ‘‘we can’t be too much careful these days’‘, but I refuse to surrender to xenophobia and I’d like to think there still are nice people nowadays… Oh, and, I’ve been hurt by many women, so maybe ‘‘I’’ should be scared, lol!! Lol, and also, my mom was aware that I’ve posted a ‘‘call for help’‘, and she didn’t say anything… but now that she knows that I’m corresponding with someone that might help me… she’s scared as hell, lol!! If she only knew, how much I’ll be spending on the bus ride + etc.; a more or less 9 hours ride each way, all that and more for a 25 bucks show… she would think I’m crazy, lol!!
Well… I think that’s it for now… Enough already! No? lol For the conversation to be more fluid, I’d be willing to share my email sddress so we could chat on msn messenger or giving you contact infos for my facebook page, therefore giving you my real name, which I don’t mind… but all that in PM of course! lol As for now, I’ll let you answer my post here first.
Oh, and, by the way, I really liked your ‘‘Ocean of You’’ blog!
Hi Bloodsicle, whew, sorry for the delay!! OK, so let’s see, first, thank you for reading my first blog and for your compliment, I think you’re the only person besides me who’s read it so far LOL But that’s okay, it’s a new venture for me, hopefully it will get better Now on to business: As regards to meeting up with you for a Shpongle show SOLELY for your benefit, well that’s simply not true, I like the feeling of fulfillment I get when helping others, so you could even say it’s me who’s being selfish Not to mention I will *always* get something out of seeing a Shpongle show!! So no worries, there’s no need for you to almost feel embarrassed, and I hope you wouldn’t let that stop you. So I’ve been thinking the whole thing over, and as long as you feel comfortable meeting up directly at the venue (i.e. you take a cab), then I am comfortable with joining you With one caveat—if it’s okay with you, I’d like to wait until (EDIT:) after April 19th to make that decision final, I just need to be sure I can handle it financially (and the second Shpongle trip is April 19th). Another thought occurred to me, I believe the theater in Syracuse is part of a hotel (EDIT: my bad, i think that’s wrong..), so maybe you would find it easier to catch a cab to the hotel (either to wait comfortably, if your bus comes quite early, or perhaps to stay at for a day or two, considering the length of your journey). If you wanted to do that, I could just as easily meet you in the hotel lobby. I’m not positive of the connection, but you might want to look into it… For your (and your mom’s) peace of mind, I’m PMing you my Facebook identity and my email address, please do “friend” me on FB and feel free to email anytime! Quick facts that might not be evident on FB: I’m 36, I live in Woodstock, NY, and I work from home for Florida State University (where I got a master’s degree in meteorology) as a research assistant; have worked for them 5+ years.
(EDIT:) And I just thought I’d add, “Je desire Le Shpongle!!!” LOL Does that work?
Hey sistah!
No problems, now I’m the one whose sorry for the delay… Well, lol, that was a pleasure! Hope it has been read by other people by now!
Oh you, selfish-selfih person, where will you stop! lol No, that wouldn’t stop me, lol! Yup, I’m fine with waiting until the 19th or 20th, I also have things to think before being ‘‘100%’’ sure I’ll do this trip! (I’m not ‘‘chickening’’ out, but there are a few things I haven’t saw coming.) One thing though, let me know as soon as humanly possible. (I feel bad, because usually I’m ‘‘Mr. Cool/No Pressure man (LOL, ridiculous!!); it’s really not to rush you or anything, but I’m sure you’ll understand I have things to plan before making this journey…) But, even if I have to wait until then, I think we should still chat together, maybe about other things, to ‘‘preserve’’ and ‘‘enrich’’ the ‘‘connection’‘, lol. (sorry, I make myself laugh, lol) And, also, I thought about something… Lets say, you, or I, couldn’t make it… Would you be interested by Camp Bisco? Now, I know, it costs much more, but in exchange of your assistance, I’d be glad to offer you the ticket! Just a thought…
About the hotel, yeah, sadly they’re not in the same building, but there are a few good things about this hotel… like a (space) shuttle going to and from the venue and a discount for patrons who go see a show there! So, I’m still considering it. Oh! If I’m taking the bus at the time I think, I won’t arrive THAT early. I’ll probably just take a shower as soon as I arrive, then if I consider I can afford it, I’ll take a power nap, but ONLY if I can afford it, lol, and then leave for dinner!
Thank you for the infos! Actually, the e-mail address and the facebook thingy wasn’t for ‘‘peace of mind’‘, but to find a way to communicate more often and instantly!
Lol, I’m actually quite charmed by your last edit! Yup, that works; it’s cute said this way!
(P.S.: I also answered to your PM. So, I redirect you there, But, if you do it constantly, you’ll be trapped in a quantum loop! Oh, no! Don’t you feel like you already read that somewhere… LOL! )
(No offense, of course, but can’t be too careful these days!!) Anyway, let me know what you think about all this and any other details that may have solidified in your mind, and I’ll continue to consider the venture myself.. I think I’d like to be able to help you, as long as it makes good sense :D
Well, to that I’d say, I sometimes feel like a man, and other times like a boy… For this particular situation: a visually impaired person, going for the first time alone in a different country in a big city, being surrounded by hundreds of (hostile?/pacific?) ‘‘strangers’‘, plus my first language being French (I have no problem with English, but in an emergency situation how fluent would I be), etc. ...I feel like a little boy jumping directly into the lion’s den!!! :| But, I’m still considering doing this, because, like you said ‘‘we can’t be too much careful these days’‘, but I refuse to surrender to xenophobia and I’d like to think there still are nice people nowadays… Oh, and, I’ve been hurt by many women, so maybe ‘‘I’’ should be scared, lol!! 
