[john cage]

Opiated likes soccer. Case closed.

what's predictable is you dissing somebody for liking soccer

I am the self-proclaimed "Jesus of all soccer/football/fussball/futball/voteball/futebol/calcio/etc."

So I take massive offense to this. :rambo: :mrgreen: :roll:

[Zenith]

Chris, thanks for all you've done for the community. I'm so happy to have such a great momento of the London show from last year, and I am very greatful to you, Adrian, Mark and everyone else responsible for taping it. I think that those who have suggested you take more of a casual roll in future are right. Leave the Camera at home for the next few shows (I assume you'll be going again!), have a few beers and just enjoy it. There's only so many DVD's we can watch anyway! :lol:

I have to admit that I'm not suprised that you're burnt out. No one can keep up that sort of intensity (espeicially a hobby).

Take care, mate.

[The Horrible Esthete]

REVIEW: 2007-02-08 - Toronto, ON
Published by chris February 9th, 2007 in Concert Reviews, News and 2007. 0 Comments
I’m done.

I knew that the day was coming, but I thought that I still had another year or two.

Twenty minutes in to last nights sold out show at The Air Canada Centre I knew I was done. Done with my undying support of The Hip; done with my addiction to hipbase, done with spending ridiculous amounts of money following them around, done with the countless hours I spend capturing, converting, and editing live recordings of their shows. Done.

Why am I done? Because I am. I’ve seen a lot of shows - some good, some great, and some really great. I’ve travelled with a bunch of like-minded fans to see shows in far-off locations - 5 countries, 2 continents; I’ve met the band, their management, support staff, etc; I’ve got pics, videos, memorabilia, everything a fan could want.

I count myself as very lucky for all of these things, but there comes a time when priorities change. And that time is now.

Leading up to the show I had joked with some friends that I was going to try and give it up, but they all laughed it off. But last night at the show, something happened that was just the push I needed. There we were standing three rows from the stage, surrounded by fans enjoying a concert by their (our) rock heroes and all I kept thinking about was how much I just wanted to be at home doing something else. I kept checking my watch, almost wanting time to speed up.

I think that it is because going to shows is no longer about just having a good time; it’s work. Bringing my recording gear, watching the show through a 3″ LCD screen, contemplating how a shot will look on the big screen, and how I can use it in editing sucks the energy from me like nothing else.

So there it is. If you got this far, thanks for reading. Feel free to post your thoughts in the comments. Although this may be a bit self-indulgent, it’s my site, and this message was approved by me.

I'm certainly not surprised you have arrived at this point. Your dedication to audio, video, and other Hip-related projects has laced your fanfare with gruntwork.

Put it all down, take a few steps back, and just enjoy the music.

That's really what it's all about, anyway...right? This art is for enjoyment on your own terms. It's time to re-discover that truth.

[thehip11]

I just noticed that Chris has set his "last visited" in his profile to be hidden. We'll never really know if he's here or not reading these posts, lol.

Doesn't matter anyways. Chris, you've been a great guy around the hipbase. Stop by now and then to see what's happening and I'm sure I'll see you at a show now and then.

So what's the deal with all his websites (Tracker, covers, memorabilia, hipfans.com)? Will they still be maintained or just fall off the boat?

[Billy]

chris, the fact that you've had more disputes with people than any other member on this site in the last few years, is enough to justify my point.

All it says to me is that he has put himself out there by doing all he has done and painted a target on his back in the process. If anything Chris is guilty of being a passionate person and sensitive to criticism, but understandable given the level of hostility he's faced.

I have very much appreciated all the work he's put in, but at the same time I always wondered why he was doing so much? As selfish as this is, I would never record because I don't ever want to take away from the joy I feel when I'm engrossed in a Hip concert. Chris, I hope you can get that joy back.

[NMAS]

Good for you Chris. Go enjoy some new stuff and things. There are a lot better bands out there than the Hip to enjoy. As you get older taste's change, it happened to me too.

Don't worry about what the clowns on this site say ( I'm sure you are not)

[thedarkcanuck]

Good for you Chris. Go enjoy some new stuff and things. There are a lot better bands out there than the Hip to enjoy. As you get older taste's change, it happened to me too.

Don't worry about what the clowns on this site say ( I'm sure you are not)

blasphemy!

[Hugh23]

First of all Chris, thanks for being one of the nicest persons I've met from this site. I originally met you as a fellow fan, but I now consider you a good friend. I have great memories of traveling to different Hip shows and hanging out with you.

I am not surprised that you are burned out from your dedication to all things Hip. You became so involved with all your endeavors, your original love of The Hip and their music has become a "job" or "chore" to you. I hope you will not lose all interest in The Hip. Take a break, step back and enjoy your life for a while knowing that you don't have to carry on with all the responsibilities you imposed upon yourself. I would feel the same as you do now if I had contributed as much as you have to the Hip fan base.

Chris, I hope you will continue to be a participating member of the Hipbase. Find the right balance in your life between your hobbies, work and your personal relationships. As someone else mentioned earlier in this thread, the next time you go to a Hip show.... leave the camera gear at home and get caught up in the concert energy. Thanks again for all the wonderful DVDs and recordings I have collected from your Tracker.
:thumb:

[das_hips]

Thanks Chris, for all you have done. Your efforts, contributions, and generosity have been substantial, and I think some of us probably took your work for granted from time to time (myself included). The Tracker, your audio/video capture and audio/video editing, Hipfans.com, the guitar tab site, and even the latest Hipfans/band site are all examples of how much time and effort you have provided to make our experience here more enjoyable and interactive. I know everybody here appreciates what you have done, and look forward to you still being an active member on this board (perhaps not in an addictive sense, but we all have vices, and many much worse than the Hipbase). You have provided advice and direction in so many areas 'Hip', and in so many areas 'Hip' only through association.

I hope you hang around, leave the camera at home, and enjoy the band and the community of fans here as long as possible.

[Zenith]

If anything Chris is guilty of being a passionate person and sensitive to criticism, but understandable given the level of hostility he's faced.

Critism that I'll never understand. I find it amazing that chris has devoted so much time and energy to the Hip cause (more than I'd guess a lot of people would be able/willing to) and yet there are still people who want (and often demand more!). Unbelieveable really.

[thompson girl]

Thanks Chris! And thanks to the other tapers out there too! One of these days I'm going to figure out the whole hiptracker thing and try to obtain a copy of a couple of the shows I've been too.

I mentioned a while ago that the whole "taping/recording" at concerts was still pretty new to me. Now when I see the whole get up you guys bring to a show I can see how crazy it can get. Not to mention what has to go on when you get the footage back home.

Anyway, take some advice from the folks in this thread. Put away the camera and microphone and just enjoy the show for yourself. That's what the guys (the Hip) are there for anyway...to entertain YOU...its not your responsiblity to ensure that everyone else is entertained after-the-fact via tapes. Hope we see you at another show sometime without any recording equipment!

[PurposelessPlay]

Thanks Chris Chris! :thumb:

[tragicallysteve]

Woah, for a second there I thought I stumbled upon the "Chris is an asshole for doing hours and hours of unrequired work out of the kindness of his heart" thread. I wanted to get in on that and tell him what an selfish jerk he was being for giving me free access to all those concerts and live recordings I would have otherwise never had the opportunity to hear.

I guess it just goes to show that no matter what you do and no matter how much good you do someone is going to find fault in it.

Some people's kids...


Good luck, Chris

[Corpse]

I always wondered what the breaking point was for tapers. When do you want to just GO to a show to enjoy it instead of having to tape it. It's gotta be a fine line because I always want an audio copy of shows I've been to but I don't have the extra scratch to invest in it or extra time for editing etc.
Thanks for your time over the years.