My Morning Jacket at Madison Square Garden vol II - Tom and Nadia

Doors in 7 minutes but had to share this one! Tom with my childhood hero Nadia Comaneci.

Happy New Year everyone!

And So It Begins... Madison Square Garden vol I

I'm on the floor where the zamboni is kept. At least I think so... that is my mission for the day... to find the zamboni!!!!

Oh yeah, and to see My Morning Jacket play a big ol' show, too.

But... Zamboni!!!

I just said "zamboni" four times in one post. That is awesomey.

NYC: Hell Is Other People

I've always thought it fitting that Jean Paul Sartre a) wrote this and b) has the same birthday as me. Then again, so does Prince William... Also, as I understand it "hell is other people" does not literally mean hell is other people.

However, in New York City during the holidays it most certainly does.

I just bobbed and weaved my way down 6th Avenue to get back to the hotel. Some guy basically pushed me down the sidewalk until I turned around and told him that shoving me wasn't going to make things go any faster. We were like ants. We were like crumbling legos. I understand Jim's Pac-Man comment in re living here.

Speaking of that comment... I bought the current issue of New York magazine and that picture is A FULL PAGE. That kinda made my day. That was a better New York moment.

Another great NY moment? Buying my friend Anna (of Is This Tight? fame) these totally bitchin' 2009 spectacles to wear at the show tomorrow. She's gonna be the coolest girl there. Not only do they have flashing lights, they flash in different patterns. Best $10 I ever spent.

And I bought a pashmina.

Riding On A Tour Bus Is Totally Glamorous

People say that touring with a band must be so very glamorous.

Not so, I tell you.

13 hours from Chicago to New York. 13 people. 12 bunks. A bathroom with a broken light. A backed up toilet. Overwhelming smell of pee. Something that resembled barf on the carpet in the back lounge (not our barf mind you. Barf of old, I suspect). Tom and I shared a bunk that was approximately two and a half feet wide. That might sound romantic but believe you me, it's not.

And no NCIS. I was totally suffering from withdrawal. Delirium Harmons.

Thank Gosh we're in a normal bed now watching It's Me Or the Dog. It's almost like being at home except for the sirens outside the window that is open because for some reason the hotel is like 8 million degrees. We do have a view of the Empire State Building... from the closet.

Crumbs cupcakes tomorrow, though, and mac and cheese springrolls at Cafeteria! It's going to be a great day.

Oh, and I got a photo of Jim published on the New York magazine website. I had no idea they were running it so that was a purty neat surprise. I love New York mag. I subscribe and everything. Also, my pic of Jim and Erykah Badu made it into Rolling Stone's Year in Random Notes. I'm not really into discussing my rather limited photo prowess but occasionally things happen that make me feel a little proud, and I've been very lucky to have access to a subject (MMJ) that people are interested in.

The onslaught begins very soon so I must away. I am bracing myself. I am a notorious grump about New Year's Eve (and everything else), but I'm going to give it the old college try. However, considering that I dropped out of high school twice, I don't hold much hope. My New Year's Eve resolution to be more patient and cheery doesn't start til the 1st, right?

I'm just kitten! I don't make New Year's resolutions!

Persuasive Evidence That I Am the Most Boring Person In the World

So... Tom and I are in Chicago for My Morning Jacket's return to the stage for the first time since Jim's fall in Iowa City.

The lads put on a lovely show, and I actually watched a lot of it instead of shooting because unfortunately, though the Chicago Theater is super neato and stuff, the sightlines on the stage weren't so hot (damn monitors!).

However, here's why I am now convinced that I am indeed the Mayor of Snoozeville. I am persona per zzzzz.

1. I actually sat in the dressing room reading Living Dead In Dallas for part of the show. Now I'm not saying I love Eric Northman more than I love Tom or anything. Really. I swear.

2. My favorite part of last night's show was seeing Jim's new Lancers jacket (pictured). I wonder if there's a way to steal it without him noticing.

3. I'm in Chicago, a city I love, but after hitting H&M and spending ridiculous amounts of money at Vosges Haut Chocolat (which is good but not as good as Teuscher even though they sold me some moldy truffles once), I sat in bed in our hotel room watching the NCIS marathon on USA. In my defense, it rained most of the day and there are only like ten channels on the TV. I will say that I enjoy Garcia from Criminal Minds more than the gothy nerd tech chick on NCIS. Every crime show must have one but some are better than others. However, I will confess that I might have more affection for Ducky the Medical Examiner than Spencer Reid the Boy Genius even though Spencer is rather more attractive.

Anyhoo... I've posted some pics from the show to give you the illusion that I'm really a fascinating concert photographer who makes pretty images while lurking in the shadows, hiding behind a lens. Actually, that makes me sound like a serial killer or something.

I promise to do something more interesting today.

Better Late Than Never...

Hope you've all had a wonderful holiday season thus far. Tom showered me with some choice loot so other than the fact that I think I've gained 900 lbs in the last week, I can't complain (oh yes, I could, but I won't).

I'm off to Chicago tomorrow... reports from the road to follow. Will I meet my favorite silver fox Anderson Cooper on New Year's Eve at Madison Square Garden? I doubt it, but a girl can dream!

Merry Happy,
Madame P

I Don't Know Whether To Laugh Or Feel Sad

I'm gonna go with laugh.

(from passiveaggressivenotes.com)

Where I'll Be On New Year's Eve!!

Who knew?! Apparently, not me. Tom says he's DJ'ing. ;)

Would You Marry This Man? - Death Wish Edition

Some 23- year old misguided young woman (read: idiot) is engaged to Drew Peterson, the ex-creep (I mean cop) who may or may not have (in the way that OJ may or may not have ) killed his wife (that he's still married to... if she's alive... which she's totally not).

He also (supposedly) murdered his first wife (maybe fourth time's the charm!) who was believed to have died in an accidental drowning... until they exhumed her body and found out it was, err, not an accident.

Unbelievable. Just when I wonder if we can get any dumber...

David Gregory Debuts As Host Of Meet The Press

David Gregory dancing to Mary J. Blige made me love him a little more.

Then I heard a story about him berating a waitress while dining with Tim Russert and the bloom fell off the rose.

I know, all that story proves is that I'm fickle and easily swayed by possibly unfounded gossip.

I thought he did a passable job this morning. He seemed a bit rushed and nervous but who wouldn't be? I'm not sure why Andrea Mitchell didn't get the job, but it would have been nice to see a woman on there. That said, as non-offensive white guys go, though my heart belongs to Chuckie Todd (and BriWi, of course), I have no problem tuning in to the DG every week. I can't say I'm that excited about it, that I'm going to wake up every Sunday like it's Christmas... but I'm down.

One thing that freaks me out about this transition, though, is that DG and I are the same age. What the hell am I doing with my life??!!!!

Quackenbush's Salty Oat Cookie

Outside of Levain Bakery in New York, Captain Quackenbush's in Austin makes the best cookie, the delectable Salty Oat.

I know I have readers in Austin so to you people... run, don't walk, to 43rd and Duval!

This crappy picture doesn't do it justice (because I suspect it looks a little like cat barf). Good thing my stomach doesn't know the difference. Its just going, "Awww yeah!"

That is all.

Picture of the Day - Random Thoughts Edition

Found here.

I want to go back in time. In fact, I am right now... by watching Murphy Brown... at 3 am.

I really need to sleep.

It always amuses me when I'm super excited to get back to Kentucky because usually I'm such a crab about the place and my lonely existence out in Oldham County, but... get thee back to the OC! Is it really embarrassing to miss your pets? I am becoming that person, perhaps.

Also, if any of you follow this blog, you know that I'm a cupcake fiend. Unbelievably, I've seen about a million cupcakes this week and consumed none. I think I'm saving myself for NYC at the end of the month and the promise of cupcakes with new friends.

And pretzel croissants from City Bakery... and cookies from Levain.

Okay, I've gone from vintage Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade photos to Murphy Brown to life in KY to cupcakes, cookies and croissants in ten sentences. Do I get to return to slumberland now? Let's see...

Terminator 3 Deleted Scene

I'm so glad I read Paul Scheer's blog this morning.



I... wha?! Okay... I don't know if this really is a deleted scene from T3 but it made me laugh. out. loud. I only slept for three hours last night, though.

Also, the Golden Globe nominations were announced this morning. They seem weird, right? Just like Arnold in that clip.

This Just Scared The Crap Out Of Me

Seriously.

Thanks a LOT Anna!

Although you're right, it's not as frightening as this:

If A Picture Paints A Thousand Words

Recent fun with the Sidekick...

At Springhurst (I seem to spend a lot of time there, huh? Maybe it's time to rethink my life.)

Thanksgiving. All I hear is Stewie's voice in my head.

I love how at the National City Bank on Shelbyville Rd they're still worried about roving gangs of rollerskaters. Most excellent. I'm going to be so sad when they switch to PNC.

That is all. This is the post that happens when you wake up at 6 am. It is so freaking warm down here that I can't sleep. This is why I don't live in Texas anymore. Seriously. There's a cold front coming, though... which means it will be 60 degrees during the day. Humf.

I'm talking about the weather.... Oh lord.

He-Man, PS I Love You

Fabulous Secret Powers | Viral | SPIKE.com

Still the greatest video ever.

In other news... I watched three crappy movies last week.

PS I Love You. I feel like Hillary Swank and Gerard Butler would have ended up divorced if he lived. That she went from him to his best mate post mortem was a bit creepy. As was Harry Connick Jr as a rude and awkward man with a double chin.

Catch and Release. As lame as I thought it was going to be. Also lame... watching Kevin Smith get a massage from Juliette Lewis. I need to squeegee my eyes now, thanks. What is it with all the dead guys leading to one's salvation and finding yourself etc etc... yick.

Speed. This movie was great in 1994. Now... not so much. It would have been better if the bus hadn't made the jump. Keanu did look kind of hot, though.

You know what else I don't like? These new power supplies for the MacBook.

But He-Man. He-Man, he's alright.

You know what I'm doing now? Watching Bring It On: All or Nothing. You know what else I watched briefly? That dreadful Romy and Michelle: In the Beginning movie starring Katherine Heigl. How far she's come in just three short years. 27 Dresses far to be exact.

This is what happens when you go to Texas. You sit alone in your room watching straight to video movies. And then you blog about them.

And finally, ere's a special He-Man video for Tom (but you can watch, too, if you want). Hada hee!

My Morning Jacket - Grammy Nominated Edition

Tonight the Grammy nominations were announced and that My Morning Jacket band is nominated in the Best Alternative Music Album category.

Seriously, I thought this was a joke or something when Tom sent me the link. I can now say "my Grammy nominated husband." But I won't. Even though I just did.

Big congratulations to the lads.

A Photograph I Wish I'd Taken

More here.

It's nice to be inspired!