What do you wish you had done during the NFF staring contest?

[GO4IT]

By now most of you have heard about the infamous "staring contest" between Jim and Chris Funk, refereed by Bobby Bare, Jr.

After it was all over, I had the overwhelming sense of I wish I had done or said something in protest of this fiasco.  And, maybe that's what it was all about - trying to f#%k with the audience's mind and elicit a strong response.

Despite a few occasional peeps from the audience that were shushed by Bobby, everyone, including myself, wimped out, hoping that something amazing was going to happen but it never did.

Now, in retrospect, I wish I had said or done something dramatic in response (and from the chatter at the NFF right after the contest, I am not alone).

If you had it to do over, and knew what you now know, what do you wish you had done?

There are a lot of imaginative forum folks, and you've all already heard the rundown of what happened, so this fantasy rerun is not limited to those in attendance at the museum just one week ago today.

We'll get the conversation started with Mr. Whippy's fantasy from the JJ NFF Live Stream thread....

"If I could relive the staring context over again, I'd pick a very quiet moment right in the middle of it to scream "Judas" at the top of my lungs like that guy at that Dylan electric show from Manchester in '66."

[Tracy 2112]

I would have said, "Play it fucking loud"

Bob Dylan "Judas"

[Northern Neighbour]

I wanted to yell, "I drove all the way from Canada for this ****!"  However, I chickened out, although Magh33ta was encouraging me to yell it.  His wife did have some choice words for Jim and Funk.

[FiddleCastro]

I really should a just started playing my omnichord

[GO4IT]

I really should a just started playing my omnichord

Absolutely!

You got as far as getting it out and I was cheering you on to fire it up!  JohnnYYac would have been proud, having had his signed by Jim at the NFF three years ago.

[ericm]

 FREE BIRD!

[GO4IT]

So I was daydreaming about what I should have done while doing yardwork today.  I was torn between "out-laming" them and trying something Zappa-esque.

The first would be along the lines of the dozen or so forum folks who were there lining up and doing a wedding reception dance train going around the museum while singing Love Train by the O' Jays.

The latter would be, well, you've heard the legend about the gross-out contest between Zappa and Captain Beefheart, haven't you?

[mahg33ta]

I wish I'd followed my original plan and stayed at the main stage for Langhorne Slim.   Not only did I miss that, but I'd planned to go to the Museum to see Joe Fletcher and John McCauley duet at 1:30.   But after being in that staring contest, I had to get out for some fresh air.

[itrainmonkeys]

I wish I'd followed my original plan and stayed at the main stage for Langhorne Slim.   Not only did I miss that, but I'd planned to go to the Museum to see Joe Fletcher and John McCauley duet at 1:30.   But after being in that staring contest, I had to get out for some fresh air.

I was able to catch the second half of Langhorne and it was great. I saw him the night before at the Deer Tick shows and loved it. I was a bit annoyed that I missed the opening part because of the staring contest, for sure.

[Taterbug]

I'm not sure how I would have reacted to this if I was present.   I prolly would have bounced a peep off his forehead as a form of artistic expression and appreciation of his music. 

[Penny Lane]

I wish I'd followed my original plan and stayed at the main stage for Langhorne Slim.   Not only did I miss that, but I'd planned to go to the Museum to see Joe Fletcher and John McCauley duet at 1:30.   But after being in that staring contest, I had to get out for some fresh air.

I was able to catch the second half of Langhorne and it was great. I saw him the night before at the Deer Tick shows and loved it. I was a bit annoyed that I missed the opening part because of the staring contest, for sure.

i saw langhorne slim open for DBT a few years ago a few shows and wasn't impressed but i thought they were pretty great at the BC. probably wouldn't buy their albums but would see them again live.

i missed half or rayland baxter trying to get over there and sitting there...luckily i left after 5 min---

the museum stage is a coveted, intimate, special stage--i think that added to the resentment. in hindsight---i definitely overreacted. #dramaqueen