I think we angered Mayor Bloomberg

JimmyM · #1 09-13-2009, 09:35 PM

First off, apologies to the gentleman I invited to this gig then couldn't remember who it was...I am getting forgetful in my old age and I need to write stuff down. It was certainly not intended as a slight...I just couldn't remember. So my sincere apologies, and don't worry...you didn't miss much except for this story.

So I was in the Bronx earlier today for a show with Bowzer. The venue was the Hebrew Home For The Aged, I kid you not. Once a year they have entertainment for their Grandparents' Day, and families come out and take their older folks who live there out for some fun. Needless to say, not a very lively bunch. But we did pretty good considering and it was a fun time and made some old folks happy.

We were told Mayor Bloomberg may be coming out and giving a little quick speech in the middle of our set. They said he was going to come up and wants to walk right up to the podium and do his thing, and at that point we were to finish the song and let him come up.

Well, he arrives in the middle of a bit we do called the Dance Contest. Jon has a mock dance contest, then we pick a winner, and they do a spotlight dance. It's all very funny and the spotlight dance is the big comedy payoff of the bit. Mayor Bloomberg arrived at the exact moment we were about to do the spotlight dance bit.

Look, I understand the guy's the mayor, but it would have yanked the rug right out of the comedy, never to return, so we did it and made Hizzoner wait. It was only a 2 minute section, and we did it as quickly as we could. I could see his handlers start stewing as Jon launched into it, and he just kept plowing along, and since he's paying us, so did we. But they're all stirring and getting worked up, and the people from the Home start looking all worried, so they start setting the stage for him while Jon's doing the song, which does nothing for the comedy.

We finish the song and rush off the stage, and Bloomberg gives a 5-minute speech and walks off. Now I'm not entirely sure if what I saw really happened, but it looked to me like as he walked back on, Jon put out his hand to shake and Bloomberg blew him off. I was told later through semi-reliable sources that Mayor Bloomberg and his staff were not the least bit happy about having to wait.

In fairness, though, I didn't see Jon afterwards, and couldn't confirm the blowoff. And the Mayor did shake our keyboard player's hand, but I don't know if that was because he wasn't mad or because our keyboard player got in his face on the stairway and held his hand out

His people, however, were visibly upset.

I have to say, though, that if he was mad about it, it kind of bums me out. We totally respect the Mayor and we realize he's got a big huge daunting job as the mayor of the biggest city in the world, especially after 9/11. And there he on a Sunday, giving a speech when he should be home on the couch with a sandwich and beer watching a little ball. But dang, that's a huge major portion of the show that everyone loves, and to cut it off at that point would have completely ruined it for everyone. Jon even cut a couple songs so he could get it in before Mayor Bloomberg arrived.

It was just unfortunate timing. Bowzer's very respectful of dignitaries who come to the shows. He just thought they'd realize he was in the middle of something he couldn't just stop without ruining the show. I guess they didn't. Hey, what can I tell ya? I just play bass.

thobbinghotrod · #2 09-13-2009, 09:42 PM

New York is only half as big as Tokyo, but that's not important here, What Bloomberg missed was the people. They were being entertained and he was too important to see that.

JimmyM · #3 09-13-2009, 09:54 PM

All the same, I'd rather have been in Minneapolis

Dan Knowlton · #4 09-14-2009, 05:37 AM

Having lived in NYC, I'd rather live in Minneapolis also!

However, you should understand just how wrong you were to stand between a politician and their prey...oops, I mean voters. Once a political animal is invited to an event, everyone there automatically transforms into a mental state that the only person they are there to see is the political animal. Therefore, you should have quit playing/performing/breathing immediately to allow everyone the satisfaction of seeing your politician.

For my opinion, I think all politicians are currently rated too high in the polls, considering how much they do for (mostly, to) us. But they do have their uses - they are the only animal I know of that eats money and transforms it to sh*t and hot air.

Unfortunately, I think that they are using the wrong word for what they do. If you look at politics - you can break it down to "poli", meaning many and "ticks", which are little bloodsuckers. There is now way that they are LITTLE bloodsuckers - the correct word would be something like "polileeches."

Dan K.

lamarjones · #5 09-14-2009, 05:52 AM

Please blog this in the NY area, politicians are getting WAY out of hand and things like this show the divide between them and a real human.

Unacceptable, I'd have to say I'd expect ex Prez GWB to have a lot more class than that, and I don't mean that in a slight way. It's just freakin manners.

Jim Campbell · #6 09-14-2009, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

First off, apologies to the gentleman I invited to this gig then couldn't remember who it was...I am getting forgetful in my old age and I need to write stuff down. It was certainly not intended as a slight...I just couldn't remember. So my sincere apologies, and don't worry...you didn't miss much except for this story.

So I was in the Bronx earlier today for a show with Bowzer. The venue was the Hebrew Home For The Aged, I kid you not. Once a year they have entertainment for their Grandparents' Day, and families come out and take their older folks who live there out for some fun. Needless to say, not a very lively bunch. But we did pretty good considering and it was a fun time and made some old folks happy.

We were told Mayor Bloomberg may be coming out and giving a little quick speech in the middle of our set. They said he was going to come up and wants to walk right up to the podium and do his thing, and at that point we were to finish the song and let him come up.

Well, he arrives in the middle of a bit we do called the Dance Contest. Jon has a mock dance contest, then we pick a winner, and they do a spotlight dance. It's all very funny and the spotlight dance is the big comedy payoff of the bit. Mayor Bloomberg arrived at the exact moment we were about to do the spotlight dance bit.

Look, I understand the guy's the mayor, but it would have yanked the rug right out of the comedy, never to return, so we did it and made Hizzoner wait. It was only a 2 minute section, and we did it as quickly as we could. I could see his handlers start stewing as Jon launched into it, and he just kept plowing along, and since he's paying us, so did we. But they're all stirring and getting worked up, and the people from the Home start looking all worried, so they start setting the stage for him while Jon's doing the song, which does nothing for the comedy.

We finish the song and rush off the stage, and Bloomberg gives a 5-minute speech and walks off. Now I'm not entirely sure if what I saw really happened, but it looked to me like as he walked back on, Jon put out his hand to shake and Bloomberg blew him off. I was told later through semi-reliable sources that Mayor Bloomberg and his staff were not the least bit happy about having to wait.

In fairness, though, I didn't see Jon afterwards, and couldn't confirm the blowoff. And the Mayor did shake our keyboard player's hand, but I don't know if that was because he wasn't mad or because our keyboard player got in his face on the stairway and held his hand out

His people, however, were visibly upset.

I have to say, though, that if he was mad about it, it kind of bums me out. We totally respect the Mayor and we realize he's got a big huge daunting job as the mayor of the biggest city in the world, especially after 9/11. And there he on a Sunday, giving a speech when he should be home on the couch with a sandwich and beer watching a little ball. But dang, that's a huge major portion of the show that everyone loves, and to cut it off at that point would have completely ruined it for everyone. Jon even cut a couple songs so he could get it in before Mayor Bloomberg arrived.

It was just unfortunate timing. Bowzer's very respectful of dignitaries who come to the shows. He just thought they'd realize he was in the middle of something he couldn't just stop without ruining the show. I guess they didn't. Hey, what can I tell ya? I just play bass.

i dunno..i grew up with the notion that walking in front of the stage during a song,or even leaving to use the head were impolite,at least until the band stops. expecting the band to stop at your arrival,dignitary or not seems arrogant......a little humility mayor or not wouldn't hurt........the folks in the audience,enjoying the show were the ones that put him in office after all.........

KUNGfuSHERIFF · #7 09-14-2009, 07:27 AM

You did right. I have to deal with Bloomy and his staff and every member of his entourage that I've interacted with is an arrogant ass. You can't hear it, but I'm applauding right now.

jwbassman · #8 09-14-2009, 07:45 AM

You know what, screw him if the guy can't wait. It's not like you put the guy off for an half an hour or something like that. A couple of minutes is nothing. You think the guy could sit back and enjoy the comedy and then come on like a gentleman. I don't know where people like that get off. Completely self righteous.

I hope that someone kicks me in the head if I ever act like that.

RustyAxe · #9 09-14-2009, 08:29 AM

Everyone seems to run off to some cynical conclusion.

Perhaps the reason the mayor's people were annoyed (and not the mayor himself) was security? High profile people in today's world are always a challenge to those responsible for their security, and getting them into and out of a public speaking engagement is the toughest. Delays increase the risk.

Handyman · #10 09-14-2009, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyAxe;7956536Perhaps the reason the mayor's [I

people[/i] were annoyed (and not the mayor himself) was security?

At an old folks home? I'm amazed they didn't have snipers on the roof.

Lurker79 · #11 09-14-2009, 08:45 AM

Sounds like the arrogant man was upset by the little people. Bloomberg is all over the place, he's a flip flopper like a dead fish. Politicians are bigger pigs than the cops, they're hogs.

lunarpollen · #12 09-14-2009, 08:51 AM

Just about ALL politicians have a huge sense of entitlement. Especially the wealthier ones who are just used to getting their way all the time. It's just the way things are.

CapnSev · #13 09-14-2009, 08:54 AM

Without getting political, serves the dude right.

If he has a problem, remind him who pays his salary.

higgi · #14 09-14-2009, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyAxe

High profile people in today's world are always a challenge to those responsible for their security, and getting them into and out of a public speaking engagement is the toughest. Delays increase the risk.

He's a Mayor, since when did Mayors need a secret service?

Widdershins · #15 09-14-2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapnSev

Without getting political, serves the dude right.

If he has a problem, remind him who pays his salary.

Lobbyists?

THand · #16 09-14-2009, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

....But we did pretty good considering and it was a fun time and made some old folks happy....

ric stave · #17 09-14-2009, 10:10 AM

I think he was just upset 'cuz he didn't get a chance to enter the dance contest....

JimmyM · #18 09-14-2009, 10:14 AM

Ya THand, that's the bottom line. And really, I'm not upset about it. I just thought it was very odd that they wanted us to drop what we were doing that very second. Didn't realize that was his usual MO, though...now I'm mad

Not really...what are you gonna do, anyway? But it definitely seemed...um...odd.

JmJ · #19 09-14-2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lunarpollen

Just about ALL politicians have a huge sense of entitlement. Especially the wealthier ones who are just used to getting their way all the time. It's just the way things are.

Nailed it. bloomberg has that entitlement **** down pat! He would need extra security at any old folks home in NY considering how many programs for them that he has cut or eliminated.

MysticMichael · #20 09-14-2009, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Ya THand, that's the bottom line. And really, I'm not upset about it. I just thought it was very odd that they wanted us to drop what we were doing that very second. Didn't realize that was his usual MO, though...now I'm mad

Not really...what are you gonna do, anyway? But it definitely seemed...um...odd.

Welcome to New York...

It doesn't surprise me in the slightest to learn that Bloomy has an attitude -and an overblown ego. But here in the Big Apple, that just means that he fits right in...

In a place that is/was home to such major league narcissistic douchebags as Donald Trump, the late Leona Helmsley, Naomi Campbell and Sean (Diddy) Combs, it sometimes feels as if the life's mission of every other person you encounter here is...to get over themselves...

MM