Well, That Happened

I'll be back soon with a full journo of my Los Angeles experience but in the meantime, this sort of sums things up.

So many things happened... in such a short time.

California Dreamin'

Apologies, per usual, for the absence but I've been harnessing my blogging power for my upcoming trip to Los Angeles. Yes, I'm doing a cliché Sex and the City-esque girls holiday for my 40th birthday. I can't wait to drink Cosmos and talk about why men can't commit... or something. Except I don't drink... and I'm married. Still, it's possible there's good times ahead.

So, wish me luck in the wilds of LA and there will be reports of the goings on in Beverly Hills very soon. And by goings on I mean cupcakes.

In the meantime I leave you with this...


A pig in galoshes.

And this... Tom's Formspring which is just... the best reading ever. Ask him something. Seriously. That tears for fears answer is NIGHTMARES!

At Least It's Not Detroit

Part 1



Part 2



Since I'm still unpacking things (books, books and a lot of shampoo for some reason) and don't have time to properly blog, I give you these snappy Cleveland tourism videos courtesy of my pal Jenni Sperandeo.

In The Last Nine Days...

I've...

Seen Star Trek. How can something that evokes nothing but heinous memories from childhood -- brothers made me watch it -- starring actors I don't care for at all, directed by a guy I thought I'd never forgive -- Cloverfield, anyone? -- be so damn good?!!

Watched Glee. God, I hope the rest of the series is even half as good. I downloaded the pilot from iTunes and I've swooned to the ending way more than once. Now you can, too.

Gone to New York for Sam Erickson's photo gallery show thingy of My Morning Jacket photos at The Morrison Hotel. Strange to see Tom on a wall but love Sam's work.

Eaten way too many of these. Unbelievable. Seriously. I worship at the altar of the Levain Bakery chocolate chip walnut cookie. Strangely, I've never even been there. I owe it all to the fabulous Chappell Ellison who delivers them from the wilds of the Upper West Side.

Been in the same place as Janeane Garofalo, Matt Dillon and Olivia Wilde. Of course, I saw none of them.

Read a lot of books featuring vampires. The Charlaine Harris and Rachel Caine kind.

And finally... bought a house. Well, we bought a house. A house that two weeks ago I'd never even laid eyes on. Do you ever have those magic moments where things just fall into place? It's crazytime... we weren't even really looking, but I was driving home one day, saw the sign, saw the house and now we're a few weeks away from closing. I'm still baffled as to how it all happened.

Oh wait, I've also watched the season premiere of So You think You Can Dance. w00t! Although, what on earth was Nigel thinking bagging on the two men who danced together? Way to sound like a homophobe, you moron. And Step Up 2: The Streets. It's about a million times better than the first one but let's face it, the barre was set pretty low. Barre... get it? Haw haw. Sigh...

Okay, just thought I should explain where I've been and stuff. Also, my last Twitter poll - would you rather be famous for dating Lindsay Lohan or because Kid Rock wrote a song about how you two had sex? - had voters conflicted but Lindsay ruled the roost in the end as no one, apparently, wants to do it with Kid Rock. One person was interested to hear the song he'd write, though. It's not hard to imagine, really.

And now I go to sleep because tomorrow brings another trip to my current Mecca, Home Depot. There are so many faucets! How do you decide on just one?!!!

Tortured by Nostalgia - Sunshine On A Rainy Day

I'm probably the only person here who's ever even heard this song and honestly, I'm not sure why I'm doing this to you. I was trying to write a "Rediscovering Old Loves" post about The Jesus and Mary Chain & Hope Sandoval's collaboration "Sometimes Always," but all the video I found was just too depressing... they looked like they were being tortured.

Soo... after staring out the window at the 9 millionth cloudy day since I've been home, this song popped into my head. I lived in London for two and a half months in 1991 and everywhere I went I heard "Sunshine On A Rainy Day"... well, Sunshine and Bryan Adams' "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You." Yes, blaring from the speakers of the High Street Market in Walthamstow, walking behind old ladies with their plastic bag push carts, Zoe's voice carried us through. I don't know what ever became of her, but apparently Baby Spice covered this song a few years ago. Not sure that was necessary, really. My favorite part about this video - her outfit. God, remember when bike shorts were de rigeur? Well, you better, because THEY'RE COMING BACK!

Yes, the early 90s are everywhere again. God help us.

In other news, I'm trying to get back on the blogging bandwagon but I'm currently obsessed with playing Animal Crossing: City Folk. Alternate reality is so much more fun at the mo.

Oh, are any of you watching Harper's Island or am I the only one? Harry Hamlin got his lower half ripped off last week. Good times.

In My Absence... A Dog Riding A Bike

Sorry for the lack of postings. T and I drove down to Austin on Sunday and now I'm sicker than a dog riding a bike.

Regular programming will resume when worship of the porcelain god has ceased. TMI? I'm so delirious I can't even tell.

In the meantime, please enjoy this l'il video. I know that I, in my fevered state, sure did.

I'm Annoyed So I'll Spread the Joy

Of course I'm also spreading the terror...

The people at this hotel have found my last nerve and now they're grating away like it's cheese on an order of nachos supreme.

Obvs I am beyond tired.

Osteria Mozza here we come!! Catatonic Park and Jet Lagged Blankenship, table for two, please!

So Very Full, So Very Tired

I know I said I would be back with awesome cool pics and stuff, but I had a run ragged day sprinting around LA in the rain. Did get a chance to go to one of my favorite places in the world, though, so that was nice.

In the meantime, here's a pic of Tom hanging out with what appears to be a mouse playing a horn (does anyone know what this is?) that Jim sent me today.

I hope the boyos are traveling safely and all. I almost feel jet lagged for them.

Apologies for the tiny excitement, but the sleep gets in the way.

(photo by Jim James)

ps. Rustic Canyon in Santa Monica was purty good, purty good. Today's eats also included Martha's in Hermosa Beach, Little Doms in Los Feliz and Lamill Coffee in Silverlake (whose desserts are done by the pastry chef from Providence in Hollywood). I GET AROUND, PEOPLE!! I also weigh about 500 lbs at this point. No cupcakes, though.

pps. It's technically Tom's birthday so Happy Birthday, dude.

My Morning Jacket in Japan - LP in LA

My Morning Jacket say sayonara to Japan and hello Los Angeles today (or tomorrow, but it's Saturday over yonder already). Here they be standing in front of an advert for Soft Bank. I hope Tom is bringing that doggie home.

I'm sad to report that they'll be saying hello to a cold and rainy LA. I can't believe this. It's probably going to rain as much in the four days I'm visiting as it did in the eight years I lived here! Boo!


Still... at least there are cupcakes... these being courtesy of Cake in Manhattan Beach. I just ate a carrot cake cupcake for breakfast. I think I'm going to hell.

Don't tell anyone I took this while driving, but here's a random shot of yesterday's sunset over the ocean. I swear I kept my eyes on the road the whole time, thus the results.

I have a busy day ahead trying to find a slightly more acceptable top to wear to the Grammys, lunching with a friend and coffee with some old Viper Room pals. I'll be dining tonight at Rustic Canyon, the restaurant started by the old Spago chef. Sounds yummy. I'll let you know.

I'll be back later with final shots of MMJ overseas, but in the meantime, I think you might like these shots of the puppy/kitten store, Eric Mayers doing his best Shining impersonation at the puppy/kitten store, and interesting pet disposal options.




I hope you've enjoyed these little travelogues, and as always you can catch up with all of them here.

Okay, the sugar is making me funny in the head. Time to look for more reasonable brekkie alternatives. I think they have eggs in California. Why, I'm sure they do!

(photos by Tom Blankenship, Eric Mayers and yours truly)

My Morning Jacket in Japan - Standing Sushi Edition

Due to pilot error I think the pics in the post below weren't visible for a while. So, to make it up to you, please enjoy these pictures of Tom and co. at the standing sushi bar where you make your own green tea. Or, that's what T told me, anyway.

I hear the show in Tokyo went well last night. The audience participated with copious amounts of synchronized clapping and a mosh pit yet were quiet and attentive, as well. Gosh, I love Japan.

I'll try to get one more post in before I head off tomorrow, but if taking out the trash takes longer than I expect, I'll return from the City of Angels.

(photos by Eric Mayers)

My Morning Jacket in Japan - Sky Hole Edition

It sounds like the guys had an adventurous first day in Tokyo, in and out of Shibuya, an area as alive and vibrant as I've ever seen.

Here they be hangin' out at My Sky Hole 85-2 by Bukichi Inoue outside the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.

I've been inundated with hilarious Japan shots so I'll be back in a few with some more. As always, keep up with all the tour wackness here.

I have to wake up at 5 am tomorrow to go to Los Angeles to see some pals, eat some cupcakes and go to the Grammys where I sincerely do hope my hubs wins one. However, jet lagged and all, I think we'll have a good ol' time watching JoBro whether they take home the prize or not.

(photos by Tom Blankenship)

My Morning Jacket in Japan - Where's Waldo Edition

Now the guys know how I feel EVERY DARN DAY! Hee hee hee.

More in a bit...

You can keep up with other MMJ travels here.

(photo by Eric Mayers)

My Morning Jacket in Oz - Tom the Tour Guide and Other Assorted Randomness

Some slightly old but definitely not stale words from Tom as he and the band explore Australia... followed by some random photox.

"Wednesday we rode the City Cat down the Brisbane River to the Gallery of Modern Art. The free admission included an exhibition of Australian artists' work titled "Optimism". The collection is beautifully laid out, kid-friendly (for the most part) and absolutely mind-blowing. Highlights were Del Kathryn Barton's "I Am Flesh Again", Jan Nelson's "Walking in Tall Grass", Patricia Piccinini's Vespa inspired sculptures and Kathy Temin's "My Monument: White Forest", which was literally a white forest of towering stuffed, plush trees. We were surrounded by children's groups that were coloring, singing along with songs about swimming and building with neon shapes in a black light room.

Next door to GOMA, the State Library of Queensland was hosting the Game On exhibit,
touting "play your way through the history of video games." We waited an hour to play the Star Wars arcade game (the vector graphics hold up remarkably well), rediscovered the addictive Discs of Tron, and challenged each other to a few fighting games... the original Virtua Fighter is hilariously bad and a play through of several classics of the genre just reinforces how awesome Street Fighter II Turbo really is. Hadouken, Brisbane! And thanks for the memories."

And now for some random photox courtesy of Eric Mayers and Tom Blankenship...










You can read other MMJ in the Southern Hemi posts here.

My Morning Jacket in Oz - Feeding Time Edition

How freaking adorable is this? Just when I think they can't send me anything cuter... Dave Kissner and Jim James spend some quality time feeding the 'roos. No boxing was involved.

More from Australia coming later. Sorry for the delay, but I had to work and fly home and stuff. Apparently I'm going to be iced in for the next couple of days, though, so I'll have plenty of time to post Tom's report from Sydney... which is also... late... since they're in Melbourne now (where Rafael Nadal is, too, damnit).

Catch up with all the goings on down under here.

(photo by Eric Mayers)

My Morning Jacket in Oz - Koalas R Kute Edition

Is that not THE CUTEST THING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN???????

Okay, well, it is to me. I'm biased, though. Unfortunately, Tom's shots of the rest of the guys with the little bearies (who are actually marsupials) didn't turn out too well due to low light conditions.

Mr. T had this to say about his already yesterday adventures Down Under:

"The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is self-funded, gorgeous and staffed with friendly folk. How many other places can you walk around free to pet and feed kangaroos (who I might add are quite lazy, but when people are offering you food all day just for being cute, who can blame them)? We also witnessed a territorial dispute between two male koalas, signaled by a string of guttural moaning from one, that ended with a staff member breaking it up like a high school lunchroom tussle.

Look it's a wombat sleeping with his butt in the dirt!

It's amazing how well "utes", or utility vehicles, have sold down here throughout the years. In the states we had Chevy's El Camino and Ford's Ranchero, but neither were quite so successful as their Aussie counterparts. My favorite is the Holden Sandman.

As for coffee Australian style... ordering it is a breeze with self-explanatory names like long black and flat white. Small here, like most places outside of North America, it's not the size of a Big Gulp. The iced coffee is served with a scoop of ice cream and topped with whipped cream & cocoa. Ice cream with breakfast? Yes please."

Many thanks to the Tom Blankenship for providing us with the sights and sounds (probably glad not to have the smells) of Oz. Hopefully I'll have some shots of the Neil Young shows sometime soon.

In the meantime, I hope your hearts are lifted today as we begin the next chapter in American history. It can't be any worse than the last eight years, right? I know that I, well-known as a grouch of undeniable proportions, feel like 2009 is going to KICK ASS (for reasons that kind of have nothing to do with Obama but every little bit helps, right?)!

My Morning Jacket in Oz - Reach the Beach Edition

Looks like the lads are having more fun than me. Of course, I'm sitting at a desk WORKING ON THINGS so... you know...

I'm in Austin, they're in Australia. Not quite the same thing.

Here's some more photox from the indomitably spirited Eric Mayers.





I said I wouldn't be bummed I wasn't over there until they got to Japan but I must admit, I would pay to see Tom surfing. He said he managed to ride two out of the five times he tried. I hope he brings that hat home as it's purty darn cute.

More from Down Under soon. You can catch up on MMJ across the world here.

My Morning Jacket in Oz - Gold Coast Edition

I think the travelogue pretty much writes itself with this one.

First Tom wore a sheep hat, now this. I'm beginning to wonder what's next. You can check out his other adventures in the Southern Hemisphere here.

My Morning Jacket plays Big Day Out on the tomorrow that is today.

My Morning Jacket in New Zealand vol. II

I sent Tom out with the mission to take a funny picture of himself in Auckland... and this is... funny. It sort of brings to mind a cheesy album cover or something (like this --->, maybe?) Why I decided to let that one happen, I'm not sure, but it seemed amusing at the time. You know how it goes, it's late, you're at Kinko's with your friends... things get wild, man.

T's eating at Wagamama, one of our fave restaurants that we first went to in London in 2003.

Tom's dispatch from Auckland included these travel tidbits: "Pesto and bacon abound in the cuisine, most of the cars have fancy aftermarket wheels and half of those have crazy ground effects or body kits (like they're dipping their toes into the post-apocalyptic automotive world of Mad Max... okay that was set in Australia, but close enough), tips are not left on the table but tossed into a dish near the cash register, the pigeons are not fat (that must be an American thing) but abnormally large, and Ford still makes a Falcon and Fairlane that actually live up to their namesake."

I think Lonely Planet needs to hire him. I'm now even more bummed that I'm stuck stateside, but some of us have to go to Texas next week for work. Pfft.

I've asked Eric, their intrepid TM, to grab a couple shots of each show so I can continue my "there-not-there" travelogue. He's a very busy man, but we'll see what he comes up with.

Sadly, my day does not include gazing upon slender pigeons but a trip to the library (support your public library!) and Whole Foods (did you know that you can get local eggs there? Pricey but good!) are in order. Right now Chuck Todd is wooing me with his statistics while I'm trying to reconcile his ensemble (light blue shirt, charcoal blazer, bright purple tie), and though it's causing me consternation, I still heart Chuckie T. Someday I'm going to look back at this and feel a little bad that I talked about CT like he's a JoBro.

My Morning Jacket plays Big Day Out today (tomorrow) then heads to the Gold Coast.

My Morning Jacket in New Zealand

Tom arrived in Kiwi Land yesterday, which was actually tomorrow... or something like that. I really can't get my head around whatever time it is there. I think he is asleep right now. And that it's Thursday. Or next week.

Anyway, you'd think he would be trekking the mountains! Hanging with Gandalf! Seeking out the fiery pits of Mordor. But no... apparently he's in some kids' shop trying on sheep hats.

Yes, that's my husband wearing a furry hat... with a sheep face on it. I told him Jim should get it and wear it to the show tomorrow (today?), but seeing as it's Summer there, maybe not so hot. Or too hot, rather.

He did go to the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere (Sky Tower) and Waiheke Island, so though I make fun, it looks like he actually did some purty cool stuff.

(Thanks to Marc Janowitz for sending me this gem. Tom did bless my posting this picture which I find amusing.)

My Morning Jacket at Madison Square Garden vol III - Let Them Eat Cake

Can you believe no one ate this? I think we all thought it was too beautiful or something. This fab creation was in catering at Madison Square Garden. I'm still amazed. Haw haw.

The fine powers that be at Velocity have posted a little slideshow of some of my photox from the evening.

Have a look see if you're so inclined.

A good time was had by all, I believe.

Also MMJ at MSG vol I here. Vol II here.