Faster than a New York Minute

Round two for my vacation.... New York City baby! This was my second trip in as many years, so this time I skipped most of the really touristy things. I had done the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Museums etc. 5 nights was all I had and the theme was pretty much shopping and shows.

Lets start of with the Accommodation..... I had hoped to find a smoking deal on Priceline or Hotwire or a friends and family rate through work contacts....... sadly there were no smoking deals to be had anywhere. No "deals" of any sort. Son of a Bitch. About three weeks out I started to freak out worried that I wouldn't be able to find somewhere in any way reasonable priced. So I book the YMCA Vanderbilt on 47th & 3rd. I had stayed at a YWCA on the Upper West Side last year and it was fine (they couldn't get me in this time).

It was okay. Cleanish. Quiet. Teeny tiny rooms. Cheap. Location was not great. About 6 blocks from the closest subway. Which for NYC is pretty crappy. Prefered the Westside. Highlight was a Fire Alarm at 1.30am, in the rain. But, ya know NYFD showed up..... can't really go wrong with that can ya! Did I mention it was under $100 per night. Which for a private room in New York is almost unheard of. And really, all you need is somewhere to lay your head right? Oh and there was a mobile Cupcake van super close by on the first day.

Shows. Shows. Shows.

So I saw a show a night (and two on Sunday). In my own very special brand of logic I thought spending $$$ on a show would stop me spending $$$ on anything else. Kind of made sense at the time. Oy Vey! I think it was the three pairs of shoes in under an hour that tipped me over the edge....

Can I tell you how amazing it was to see Carrie Fisher on stage in her fantastic one woman show Wishful Drinking. She talked about it all - her parents, her two marriages (to Paul Simon and a guy who was actually gay), drugs, alcohol, mental illness the elephant in the room that would be the close friend that dies in her bed, Star Wars, George Lucas. It was awesome and for a pop culture junkie like me.... amazingness. She is candid and honest about her life and I think whether she wants to be or not she is quite the inspiration.

Two quick highlights of a show that had me almost peeing my pants with laughter: first up when trying to put the whole Eddie Fisher (her dad) - Debbie Reynolds (her mom) and Elizabeth Taylor (the woman that Eddie left Debbie for) situation in context she captured it perfectly. Imagine her Dad is Brad, her mom is Jen and Liz is Angie. That's what it was. So true and so f*cking funny.

The other is this fantastic chart above. Whether this story is actually true or not is kind of irrelevant to me. It is comedic gold. When her 17 year old daughter wanted to date who I believe was Liz Taylor's step grandchild.... were they related? This amazing chart tried to explain the whole thing....I think the conclusion was that they are not related.

Hysterical show. See it while you can! There's even a bit of singing. And she does allow audience questions. But be prepared for the mocking if you ask something trite or silly!

A Steady Rain with Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig was also very very good. A tense, powerful drama about the disintegration of two men's lives. The stage was pretty much bare except for 2 chairs - no other cast - and they weren't needed. The performances from both men were very strong. Hearing everybody's favourite Aussie export - Hugh Jackman - use that much profanity was kinda funny. Hopefully his kids have not seen this show!

There was one moment when Craig's character asks Jackman's wife to answer the phone and I totally thought there was another "cell phone incident" - but it was just a line from the play. Sadly - I would have really liked to have seen that. The only problem I have with seeing two such huge stars on stage was that it was a little hard to see them as their characters as opposed to Jackman & Craig. Ya know? But overall it was a whole lotta awesome.

And what is there to say about Jude Law in Hamlet. Sigh. I was pretty much a puddle on the floor as soon as the man hit the stage. I love Hamlet - studied it in school (who didn't). It was one play that I totally got and could write about really really well. The one time I got higher marks than Louise Milligan (class valedictorian, lead in the school play, student body president, part time model, your typically over achieving bitch....). Kinda pathetic that almost 20 years later I still remember her name. I have issues okay. Deal with it.

This was a decent production. Jude was most definitely the highlight of the whole thing. Some of the other cast were a little lacking for me - particularly Hamlet's father, Ophelia (Helena Bonham-Carter's Ophelia has pretty much ruined anyone else for me) and Gertrude. But really it was all about Jude. I had never really got the whole Jude Law fascination - while I appreciated the hawtness, I never really found him completely swoon-worthy.

But seeing him on stage - from the costume to his hand movements to the way he moved around the stage..... quiver. He brought the quiver. I could feel it all the way down. And I now get it. I understand the Jude Law. I totally understand why women everywhere would spread their dimpled thighs for this man. Lord knows I am now one of them. Sadly the couple next to me did not get it as after after snoozing through the first act, they left at the intermission. Silly middle aged British couple! Missing out on the tortured hawtness of Act 2.

Last year in NYC I saw one of the very last Broadway performances of RENT. I cried from start to finish. Actually I pretty much sobbed like a small child. It was a little embarrassing and I felt kinda bad for the people sitting next to me. I think I even apologised to them. This year my therapeutic Broadway experience was Next to Normal. Holy Mother, this show ripped my heart out and showed it to me...... It was so f*cking good. And sad. And amazing.

Who would have thought a show about a family struggling with mental illness would be the hottest ticket on Broadway? That is pretty much all I knew going in, but it is so much more than that. It is about family and loss and dysfunction and being a teenager and falling in love and rebellion.... So f*cking brilliant and amazing. So much my life (but not). And funny. So darkly funny. I was *this* close to buying the t-shirt that says "Valium is my favourite colour". I did buy the soundtrack and have listened to it repeatedly since I have been back. Amazing amazing amazing.

On a much lighter note, I had an equally awesome but much less tear filled time at Rock of Ages and The Toxic Avenger. Both were super fun and silly and funny and OMG - Tom Lenk. Love him. Follow him on twitter. Waited outside the stage door to see him. Wimped out and couldn't say a word to him. So pathetic am I. He was fantastic. Oh and as I teased before Constantine Maroulis totally looked right at me while singing one of the many power ballads...... sigh. He is so dreamy. From American Idol? You remember him? The show itself isn't about anything important. A small town girl, living in this lonely world....... falling in love with a city boy..... All set to awesome songs from my youth..... Journey, STYX, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake - amazing and funny and perfect. Fun fun fun!

Toxic Avenger was my foray into off-broadway. Fun fun fun. Another Idol alumni - Diana DeGarmo. She has a great voice. Is now super skinny. Not scary skinny, but a ton skinnier than when she was on Idol. Apart from the two leads, all the other characters were played by 3 other actors - it was a whole lotta fun times and silliness.

Shopping was pretty self-explanatory...... I bought a *few* things.... 5 pairs of shoes, 2 bags (way down from last years 5), dresses and tights and sweaters oh my! Century 21 is everyone's shopping mecca in NYC - but for me it was kinda meh. No decent shoes, only a few bags.... I was sad :(. Thankfully Filene's Basement and DSW were substantially more successful. He he he! Macy's also made me happy. Although I am still a little bitter about their customer care for Canadians who have a Macy's Card (story for another time). But the living breathing people at the store are pretty cool.

Other highlights most emphatically do NOT include Times Square which is a necessary evil of any trip to New York. It is important to go there at least once, to see the spectacle, the insanity, the masses of tourists (I know, I know, I am such a hypocrite) the blinding lights. Sadly the all important TKTS booth is slap bang in the middle of all the insanity that is Times Square. And all the Shows above were pretty much Times Square adjacent so I had no choice. The pic on the right is the famed Rockefeller Centre - complete with skating (a la any movie set in NYC in the winter!) I recall from last year the umbrellas and restaurants as opposed to the hot chocolate and ice. I also have a vague memory of arguing with my brother in one of said restaurants.....

I also spent a lot more time wandering through Central Park on a glorious Autumn day. Vancouver has Stanley Park - which is equally glorious - but very different. Central Park is manicured and structured..... my Stanley Park is wild and unkempt and easy to get lost in. Both are very different but incredibly beautiful in their own ways...... I wish we had these cute little cop "cars" in Stanley Park. That would be awesome....

I spent a lot of time wandering through the West Village, soaking it all in. That is totally and completely where I would wanna live if I could. So funky and cool. Food and clothes (I can't afford) and fun! Sigh. I have convinced myself that the Brownstone on the right is where SJP lives with her hubby and kids. I know it isn't, but whatev's. This is my fantasy.... I chose to believe that SJP is super crafty and spent hours and hours (with Cynthia Nixon and Kristen Davis) making these decorations and then put them up themselves. While ignoring any and all calls from Kim Catrall. He he he.

Oh and I saw Tim McGraw at the Today show. There were lots of chicks with Cowboy hats. Do they travel with them do you think? I highly doubt they were locals. Tim McGraw is one of those men who are super hawt until they take their hat off. It is not that I have a problem with a man losing his hair or being bald for that matter. It is just that I wasn't expecting the receding. And it is a little startling. And unexpected. And if I am being honest, just a titch disappointing. There is this guy I worked with for many many years. Always had a little crush. He always had a cap on. The first time I saw him sans hat, I think I gasped audibly. It was just so surprising. He was still a handsome hansome man. But the fire dimmed just a little - until he shaved his head and then the quiver returned with a vengence. Apparently I am just that shallow.

I found these awesome houses near NYU and Washington Square Park. They are 19th century stables that have been converted into houses. Love it. Cobblestoned streets, gates to stop mass traffic. So pretty. The original Whitney museum was also here. What I loved most was that there were two streets like this. One was very cultured and clean and poised (picture on the left and the centre one), the other was a little more unkempt and free spirited with overgrown gardens and a much more funky atmosphere. Guess which street was once an artist haven?

One definitive highlight of this trip was being able to go to a Kandinsky exhibit at the amazing Guggenheim. Last year their entire Kandinsky collection was off limits - which made me a little bitter. But after this experience, all is forgiven. Amazing amazing amazing. I have always been a fan of his work - so vibrant and bold and fantastic. And to see so much of it, all housed under one roof - I was giddy!

The hardcore security wouldn't let anyone take photos except for in the lobby - bastards. They were super strict about it. I managed to snap a few sneaky pics with my phone, but not too many. The Guggenheim is a stunning building. And they give everyone a headset which explains the key pieces you are looking at. I wish every museum/gallery would do that - at no extra charge.

So there you have it.....a far too long, but still very quick overview of my short trip to the Big Apple. I love New York. It is so full of life and is vibrant and exciting and beautiful. I can't wait to go back again!

I will leave you with this very important message from the Subway people (I am sure they have a more fancy name... but to me they will always be the Subway people)

XO

Confessions of a Music Lover: From my keyboard to your I-pod

Haven't done this in a while - so much for my bi-weekly plan.

You know the game. Shuffle your i-pod and write down the first 15 songs that turn up. Skip only in the event that an artist turns up twice.

Here we go.....

1. The Smiths - There is a Light that never goes out
2. Jackson Browne - Oh My Love (John Lennon song)
3. Ben Harper - In The Lord's Arms
4. Joshua Radin - The One You Knew
5. M.Ward - Afterword/Rag
6. Cold War Kids - Saint John
7. Daniel Johnston - You Are A Writer
8. Kings of Leon - On Call
9. Leona Naess - Blue Eyed Baby
10. Paulo Nutini - Alloway Grove
11. Elbow - Starlings
12. Van Morrison - Cyprus Avenue
13. Crowded House - I Feel Possessed
14. Bob Dylan - I Got You Babe (with Janis Joplin)
15. Missy Higgins - Scar

A new twist is the bolding of those I have seen in concert.

This makes me wanna go through and add some new tunes.....and suggestions?

What are you listening to these days?

XO

Meet Charlotte Grace Prinze

Just under 2 months ago we learned that Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr had welcomed their first child - daughter Charlotte Grace - into the world. At that time, I wondered when we would get our first glimpse of this new family. Well, we had to wait just under 2 months. 2 months is not bad. And they seem to have quite the relationship with People magazine who not only broke the story of Charlotte's birth, but also have the exclusive photos and interview with the happy family.

And all I can say is OMG!!! Cuteness. She is so completely and utterly adorable. And Sarah and Freddie seemed to have settled into their new roles quite nicely. Apparently Sarah went into labour at the gym, but dismissed it as the repercussions of a spicy meal the night before. Wowsers!

In the article Sarah speaks of her "mom brain" - how she forgets everything unless it is written down, how "peaceful" Charlotte's birth was - aided in large part by the epidural she had, and how becoming a mother has helped her lose some of her Type A tendencies. Centred, grounded and peaceful are words that come up a lot in this article.

This press shy couple have been married for 7 years - and state that they chose to wait what many would consider a long time before having a family because they were too selfish in their twenties to bring a child into the world. I love this response - that they waited - not only to get the crazy selfish twenties out of the way, but to also ensure that they had a strong foundation in which to raise a family. Such old souls!

Charlotte Grace is a lucky little girl. This beautiful child has what seems like two very grounded parents who would do anything for her. I am looking forward to seeing Charlotte grow up! I am also very excited to see her daddy on the new season of 24 in January. Also can't wait for Sarah's return to TV on The Wonderful Maladys..... although their are rumours that it no longer has a home. To which I say to HBO - Boo f*cking hiss to you!

Strangely, People has chosen to not post the interview or photos online. Not sure why. It also took me an age to find these photos and a scan of the article. Huge thanks to smg-italia.com for the scans. Good job guys!

XO

"F Love"

I have made my opinions on the Chris Brown - Rihanna situation very very clear. See here, here, here, here, here and even here for my thoughts on this situation. I didn’t have this wee blog back in February when this all went down (which I just realised was on my birthday!), I can only imagine what I would have said about it……

Last night on ABC's 20/20 Rihanna spoke publicly for the first time about the horrific beating she took at the hands of her then boyfriend –Chris Brown - why she went back to him after he had slammed her head against a windshield, choked, bit and punched her on February 7th 2009, and why she finally came to the realisation that she could not stay with him even though she still loved him.

“Rihanna on Friday described the horror she felt as her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown was biting and punching her during a violent argument in February, saying she saw "no soul in his eyes."
"There was no person when I looked at him," the 21-year-old singer recalled during the second installment of an interview airing on ABC's "Good Morning America." "He had no soul in his eyes. Just blank."
Brown was arrested Feb. 8, hours after he was accused of beating Rihanna after the two argued over another woman. He later pleaded guilty to felony assault.
In the interview, Rihanna, who is no longer with Brown, described him as "definitely my first big love." She said their relationship was intense.
"The more in love we became, the more dangerous we became for each other — equally as dangerous," she said. "It was a bit of an obsession almost."
The attack occurred in Los Angeles' Hancock Park neighborhood as Brown drove a rented sports car. She said it was triggered when she saw a text message on his phone from another woman and confronted him about it. She said he lied about it and "I wouldn't drop it."
A search warrant affidavit filed in the case stated that Brown hit, choked and bit Rihanna and tried at one point to push her from the car.
"It was ugly," she said.
During the beating, the singer said she had no idea how it would end: "That's all I kept thinking the whole time, 'When is it going to stop? When is it going to stop?'"
Brown was sentenced to five years' probation, six months of community labor and a year of domestic violence counseling after he pleaded guilty to felony assault.
In portions of the interview aired Thursday, Rihanna warned other women facing domestic violence to not let themselves become blinded by love. She also said she regretted going back to Brown, saying it sent the wrong message to her fans.
Brown, 20, has apologized to fans and has said he has repeatedly apologized to Rihanna for the attack. Brown will recount his perspective in an interview to air Friday on MTV.
Despite the beating, Rihanna said she still cares about Brown.
"I don't hate him at all," she said. "I actually love and care about him and I'm concerned about him doing well. I want him to do well — have a great career, have a great life, and grow up. Just take this as something that you had to go through to grow up and learn."
Rihanna's interview coincides with the debut of her new single, "Russian Roulette," from her upcoming album, "Rated R."

Source

For me, it was an extremely powerful and emotional interview to watch. Rihanna appeared uncomfortable discussing certain aspects of what happened, and refused to allow the interview to descend into a “Chris Brown did me wrong” sob-fest. She spoke articulately and carefully, in very even tones - there was no breakdown, she did not weep in Diane Sawyer's waiting arms. And I am sure that Diane was a little bit pissed about that. Such a coup to get this interview and not one sob, not even a voice quiver.

People have been questioning the timing and the motivation. There have also been many comments about both her hair and her outfit. For fu*k’s sake… #rihannasforhead has been a trending topic on Twitter for almost 24 hours. Srsly.

Yes she has an album coming out. But can you please explain to me when is the right time for her to discuss this? When do all of you out there on the interweb feel it is appropriate for her to talk publicly about what was likely the most traumatic experience of her life? Rihanna’s motivation is irrelevant. Do people honestly think she wants to talk about this? That this is fun for her? That she is using the hell of the past year to promote an album? When would have been the right time? 6 months? 2 months? 2 weeks? When do all the judgy people feel she should be discussing being beaten senseless by the man she loved?

She not only went through abuse in the public eye. She went through the aftermath in public. Most abuse victims do not have millions of people scrutinising everything they do, dissecting the most traumatic experiences of their lives, judging them for not talking about it, judging them for smiling, judging them for seeing him, following them wherever they go, looking at leaked police photos.

I commend her for speaking about it. She didn’t have to. She could have promoted the f*ck out of this album by skirting around the questions and refusing to discuss it. Many others would have.

She is using the media because she went through this in the public eye. We all “know” what happened. Most of us saw that photo. We have all been speculating what exactly happened that night. Chris said nothing on his “interview” on Larry King. 99% of people in abusive relationships or those who suffer any form of abuse are not going through it with millions of people watching. People are going to talk about it regardless of if she does press or not. She is taking control of this situation and doing what she can to shut down the speculation.

For Rihanna to speak publicly about this and use what happened to her as a forum for others to learn from her experience is very commendable. There is no right time for her to discuss this. If she had come out right after so many would have been on her back about it. If she refused to talk about it now, there would have been an outcry.

The poor girl cannot win. I really wish people would listen to what she is saying instead of judging her for her timing, her hair or her outfit. All of that crap diminishes the importance of what she is saying. She is saying something that is really hard to hear and I think many people don’t understand about abusive relationships. That you love that person, even though they hit you. That you love them and go back even though they destroy you. That in spite of what they do (be it once or over years), you love them. This is a powerful message for young girls. That even though you love them, you can leave them. That even though you love them, you should leave them. That is is not always about love. As she said….. f*ck love.

I am not a particular fan of Ri-ri. Her music is fun and okay I guess. I would never spend my cash on her album. But now, I have an urge to buy anything she has released.

I am also not going to read comments on any more blogs cause they just make me angrier and angrier. People are so unbelievably ignorant and narrow-minded and stupid. I am getting riled up just thinking about it. Boo f*cking hiss to you all who are judging Rihanna for any of this.

XO

Rock Gods & Indie Queens

Since getting back from vacation at the end of October I have indulged a great deal in my first love - Music. I have been quite the concert whore - going from rock, to pop and back to rock. It has been rather tiring... spreading myself so musically thin... feeling like I am cheating on one with another......snicker snicker.

3 very different concerts in a week.....all amazing and memorable. Quick reviews of them all. No time to write a comprehensive one of them all.....

After being a fan for around 20 years, I finally saw U2 in concert. I remember when I was around 16 years old, ditching school with my friends Narissa and Fiona and stalking the hotel where they were staying at in Melbourne. We hung out for hours, waiting and hoping for a glimpse of them. Eventually someone drove by in a limo with their window down. They were going pretty slow so I stuck my uniformed arm (Catholic school) in the window and ended up with what I hope was an actual autograph from the Edge. For all I know it could have been anyone, but I am choosing to believe that it was him. Coolest day of grade 11 ever. And I didn't even go to the fricking concert.

So way back in April when my good friend Kent suggested we go to U2 in October, my response was pretty much hell to tha yea! Sadly Kent ended up with what we think was the Swine Flu, so I ended up going with another friend. She was fun also, but not Kent :(.

Yes, the concert was at BC Place - a place that traditionally has crappy sound for concerts (ahem.... Madonna). Yes, it was with 50,000+ other fans. Yes that stupid claw thing on the spaceship blocked our view of the stage. But I did not care. The sound was actually fine, the crowd was completely into it, and they moved around the stage so much it didn't really make that much of a difference. Say what you will about the ego of this band, they deserve every accolade ever heaped on them.

They put on an outstanding show. They make the audience feel like they care about where they are. He mentioned the Skytrain, we sang happy birthday to Bill Gates, Bono forced a small child to run laps and didn't even have the decency to let her win. Bastard. They played a mix of old and new - which kept everyone content. I got to hear Sunday Bloody Sunday so I was happy. I am pretty sure I will never get to hear my absolute favourite U2 song - Hawkmoon 269 - a song they have not played live since 2001. This is it circa 1989 which is around when I stalked them with my friends....

It was a great, fun show. I wish Kent had been there :(. We had been looking forward to it for so long....... thankfully we had a few more shows coming up to make up for the lack of U2.

This Monday was the adorable Regina Spektor at the Orpheum. Adorable is actually an understatement for Regina. Seriously - she is as cute as a button. She skipped out on stage with her crazy hair and her cute skirt and leggings combo and this tiny Russian born New Yorker had us all in the palm of her hand from the first note. Although she was dwarfed by her massive piano, she commanded the stage - at one point pounding on a rickety chair with a drumstick while playing the piano with her other hand.

Her music is quirky and different - full of whispers and unique sound effects - and I love her for it. She played most of the new album - including Dance Anthem of the 80's - my fave song off of the new Album. She played a ton of old stuff as well. Which made me do a little happy dance in my seat. Highlight for me was the fabulous "That Time"(you-tube of it from Austin City Limits ala 2007 below) as well as a song I had never heard before that was about eye colour and how you can use the colour of a boys eyes to determine what kind of a person he is.

Tuesday night was the incomparable Metric. This Canadian indie band is a fairly new find of mine, even though they have been around for years. I have seen them at 2 festivals this year (Virgin Festival in Vancouver and Bumbershoot in Seattle) and it was good to see them perform a whole set. From the opening note until the lights went on we were on our feet, mesmerised by the amazing Emily Haines.

This woman is so incredibly sexy and hip and cool and who I wanna be. Srsly. If I could be her. Lawdy! She was wearing a gold sparkly mini-dress and looked phenomenal. We loved her dance moves - they are so frenetic and unique and uninhibited. It is as if the music takes hold of her and moves her - there is no method or choreography to it, it is just free and loose and awesome. I guess i don't need to state the obvious... that I have a mega girlcrush on this chick. Seriously, she makes you think about switching to the other team for a few days....

Their new album - Fantasies - is outstanding - and they played it all, as well as a ton of their older stuff. Dead Disco, Monster Hospital and my personal fave - Combat Baby. It was acoustic and amazing and someone a lot closer than I managed to capture it ...... below.

Enthralling and captivating and mesmerising and Canadian. Mad love for Metric.

All three concerts were awesome. All three had very different vibes. But they were all great.

Next up is Lady Gaga in December. Can't wait!

XO

East Coast Escapades - Part One - Boston Bound!

I love Vancity. I don't think I could live anywhere else on this planet - trees and mountains and water and it is just so damn pretty here. Love it.

But New York and Boston are super cool cities in their own rights and if I had to pick, I could prolly live in either of these cities.....Any city whose State Building has a "General Hooker Entrance" is fine in my book! I wonder where the special hookers go inside?

First up on my much anticipated and much needed vacation, off I went to Boston to visit my friends Karin & Deb. After almost 24 hours of traveling - bus to the ghetto Amtrak station in Seattle, bus to Seatac, wait wait wait, flight to Newark, wait wait wait, flight to Boston - then Karin!! Yay.

Beantown was low key. Low key and fantastic. Lots of wine. Lots of catching up with friends. Lots of "leaf-peeping". Yes, we drove through a about three states and looked at pretty pretty leaves. Sigh. I am actually that dull. On this same road trip we also went to a Shaker Village - Shakers are kinda like Quakers - but they have NO SEX. None. I am not really surprised that they are no longer around - what with the complete and total celibacy and all. I wonder, can you be a Shaker by default?

I had clam chowder for the very first time and it wasn't horrific. It was actually pretty tasty. When in New England right? One day I will explain my very deep and profound dislike of Clamato...... shudder. Another time..... We were in Ogunquit, Maine where the coast was spectacular, the waves were wild and beautiful and I am still slightly convinced that Dirty Dancing was filmed there. Fun fun fun road trip. Saw a fox. An actual fox getting totally stared down by the most bad ass domestic cat I have ever encountered - with the exception of my Bourbon who once growled at a deer outside of our house.

We also went and saw one of the more interesting live acts I have seen. Have you heard of Daniel Johnston? He is a very well respected, singer, song-writer, artist type from Texas. He also looks like a homeless person, started to sing the same song twice, is totally and completely awkward and shy on stage and doesn't even have what one would traditionally call a good voice......but he was awesome. Kind of like Bob Dylan. Very much like Dylan in fact. Impressive concert. There was a documentary made about him in 2005 called The Devil & Daniel Johnston that won a directing award at Sundance. I am gonna track it down and see it very soon. This man has such an interesting story and I am intrigued by him.

Oh and I also ran into Ben Affleck at Harvard. He is directing and apparently starring in a movie called The Town. While in Boston, I had been hoping to rescue Katie Holmes and Suri from a life of Scientology, but sadly there were no adorable robot baby sightings. Only seemingly normal Ben Affleck, sans wife and kids. Not exactly sure what the scene was, something about kids skateboarding......Pfft... who cares. It was cute Ben and he totally and completely looked at me. Squee!

Harvard is pretty amazing. So beautiful. If I had gone there instead of where I went I think my life would have been a tad different. Harvard evokes images of walking around campus crunching leaves under your feet, falling asleep in the library surrounded by a pile of leaves, spirited discussions about philosophy or politics or important social issues. Big learning. But no. I went to a school where actual crazy people wandered the campus and on your birthday they (friends, who may or may not have also been crazy) would honour your special day by hunting you down and tossing you in the moat that was inhabited by ducks that had syphilis. Oh the memories....

On that note.... I am feeling a little shady. Start of a sore throat, hot and cold flashes and my head is foggy. If I get the Swine Flu, I am gonna be so f*cking pissed. Boo fucking Hiss

Boston = Great times, greater friends. Very sad to leave........ Next stop was my secret love - NYC. Stay tuned.

XO

Gimme Sympathy

I know I know. Bad wee-blogger. I have been back for a week and only one post. And it wasn't even about U2 or my trip. It was about Joshua Jackson.......sigh. And now I really want to write about the hawt photo of James Franco that the good folks at ABC have released in the lead up to his first episode on General Hospital. Or alternatively the swoon worthy & quiver inducing Vanity Fair pictures of Robert Pattinson. Sigh indeed.

The trip was awesome. Details will follow once my life is back to normal. It is splendidly chaotic right now! Weekend of drinking.... and I didn't even leave the house on Halloween (dislike of organised holidays because they are silly and commercial and rarely as much fun as the hype) = hangover and no desire to turn on the computer......

The amazing Regina Spektor last night (sooo f*cking good!!) so no time to write let alone post. Tonite is is Metric. Eeeek! So excited.

But I am gonna get back on track in the next few days.

Lots of stories to show and tell! Random Ben Affleck sighting in Boston - which did not involve me stalking in any way shape or form. Hugh Jackman, Daniel Craig, Jude Law, Tom Lenk, Carrie Fischer!!!!! OMFG - so much too say.

Give me just a little more time kiddies and I will deliver the goods! Be patient just a little bit longer.

Oh and did I mention that Constantine Maroulis totally looked at me with sex eyes during Rock of Ages? And that I totally geeked out when I saw Tom Lenk and couldn't even say hi....

Gotta get my dancing shoes on for the amazing Metric this evening.

Okay, Just one picture of Rob!

XO