Vacation

It really hasn't felt like much of a vacation. Everyday I've had to just do the stuff that I normally just don't have the time to do. I cleaned the bathroom, went massive food shopping, vacuumed, the poor cats had a vet appointment, I've had to help my grandmother with stuff and do a ton of other errands. Yesterday was the first day that it was about me and what I wanted to do.

I went to see Dreamgirls and that Jennifer Hudson was amazing. She can blow!! She was better then Beyonce in performance and singing wise. You know when you hear a really amazing voice and it makes your eyes water and you get a huge smile on your face. That was me every time Jennifer Hudson opened her mouth to sing. I hope she wins an oscar. She really was incredible.

Honey asked me to give it a grade and it's a strong B+. The weakest link in the movie was Jamie Foxx. His voice was the worst out of everyone and he had a really complicated character, but didn't do much with it. Eddie Murphy was good but every time he sang it reminded me of Donkey from Shrek. I don't think he should win the Oscar. Beyonce's song "Listen" was very good, and I'm glad she wasn't nominated bc she really didn't deserve one. Anika Noni Rose was also very good. My grandmother also liked the movie very much.

Then I headed to the city to meet up with a friend from The French Culinary Institute. I asked her to meet me at the Starbucks near The Cutting Room. In the back of my head I knew that Matt Nathanson was going to be there for coffee before his show, and he was. I had a really nice time with Sandy. While we were sitting there I saw the guy from the old SNL band. But I couldn't remember his name. About 10 minutes later MattyNay came in. I called him over and asked if he wanted to join us and sadly he said no. He said that he really needed to zone out b4 the show. boo!! But I was told him that I was going to his MSG show where he is opening for OAR and Gomez. So he said to get there early bc his set is gonna be really quick. The I asked how can we see him b4 or after and he was like I don't think it's gonna happen bc there's too much going on and his wife will be there. boo!! though I'm glad his wife will be there. He's like ok I'm gonna get coffee, I was like wait... So I gave him a gift card for starbucks and he's like you don't have to do that, why do you always do that. I said he shouldn't have to pay for his coffee and I reminded him about getting us into his last SOLD OUT cutting room show and we didn't have to pay. He's like it wasn't a big deal. I LOVE HIM. L.O.V.E. Him!! He sees some other fans and where does he sit?!?! right behind me. I sweetly tapped him on the back and he turned his head and was a little bit upside down... it was cute!! and I said that the guy from SNL came in b4, what's his name? and he said GE Smith, I said I knew you would know! and then he said ya he's playing tonight b4 me. I was like huh. then he said ya when he was on SNL he had a problem with (using his finger he scratched under his nose) you know. I was like really and I did the same motion and he was uh huh. Then he went back to what he was doing and so did I. I forgot to mention that he took out his journal and was writing. That's the dream people. I don't know if he was writing a set list, if he was writing a song or a journal entry... but he was writing.

It was around 8pm and Sandy was leaving. Rochi came around 8:20ish. As I waited for her I pretended to write while I eased dropped on matt. He had some friends meet him, like actual friends. Not super fan pseudo friend - that's so sad. They were helping him write the set list. His friend just called him MattyNay. I went to the bathroom and bumped into John and Eric - his band mates. It was getting later and Rochi told me she's going to the Dominican Republic for presidents weekend. Matt's Friends left and he was alone again. I tapped him on the back again and he leaned back in the same cute way. and I said Matt, ya know it's almost like we actually had coffee together. he smiled and said but we totally did. I said no we didn't. And Talie came and we started getting ready to leave, but I bothered Matt one last time. And I asked if we could take a picture together. And he said of course. And I was going to take, but then talie offered. So she took it. Then I asked again about seeing him at the msg show and he said it's probably not that likely. boo!! but reminded me to get there early. I said that we will bc we bought the ticket to see him, not OAR or Gomez. he said thanks. Then I told him our section, which I'm sure went in one ear and out the other. I also told him that his name was bigger (not just the length) but actually bigger then gomez's name and he was like really. I told him he should find a ticket so he could see it. Then I reminded him that his wife was at that Irving Plaza show and he was like that's right she was there. And I nicely asked him what his wife did and he told me that she works for a pharmacutical company working in HR. We said bye and I think there was a hug somewhere in there. oh and he also said that my sweater was really soft. I LOVE HIM!!! too cute.

Anyway - the show was soooo good. He actually played about 5 songs with his band which was really cool. And he has a new drummer and I have to shout it THANK GOODNESS HE HAS A GOOD DRUMMER AT LAST!!!!! It was a new positive confidant energy on stage and I was so happy that he has a good drummer. Rochi and Talie had a really good time. Though they left b4 his last song which was disappointing, they had a good time at least.

I left almost right away bc the show started late and it was FREEZING bitter cold out. On the way back to the car I found head phones on the ground, we'll see if they work. When I started the car it didn't start at first bc it was so cold, but thank G-D it did the second time and I went home.

In other news TV was really quite excellent this week. What a good start 24 has gotten off to, I hope they keep it up. Smallville was really good. Heroes was great. Greys is sooo good, as is Ugly Betty. Prison Break was even good. I can't wait for Lost. One of the best shows isn't even on tv here it's called SPOOKS!!! Man Alive that Rupert Penry Jones is Hot Hot Hot!!! The way he looks in his jeans is the way all men should look. He's also one of the best man cryers I know. I actually had a dream about him the other night and we were together and he was holding me and almost protecting me. It was hot. It felt natural and nice.

Honey comes tomorrow and I have a busy week ahead. We see Matt at MSG. then we have brunch with rochi on sunday. Then she's going to CT to see Lea and then she'll see Donna and Linda and her school stuff. Then we are going to see Paolo Nutini at Bowery. We hope that we might have time to stalk Alex Kapranos bc he's doing a reading from his book on the same day. But we'll see. I'm hoping that he'll be at the Paulo show bc ya know, they're both scottish. then we'll be heading to her house on friday to see Pink and JT. That's going to be a fun show. then at the end of the following week I'll be going to Midlake with Cara.

ok, that's exhausting!! I'm exhausted.

My belated lists for 2006

I would like to wish a Happy Belated Birthday to my first husband of rock - Dave Matthews HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY!!!!! I feel that I've grown up with you and I thank you for your music, your lyrics and a bit of your soul that you have showed me.

I want to also wish you luck on your upcoming tv role in House. I am looking forward to watching you go head to head with Hugh Laurie. Also, I am highly anticipating your coming movie with Sissy Spacek, Troy Garity, Rebecca Romijn, Drea de Mateo and some other ppl. called Lake City. He will also be in another movie called The Other Side with Jim Broadbent, Angelica Huston, Ryan Gosling, Jason Lee, Brittany Murphy, Eddie Izzard, Giovanni Ribisi and shload of others. He was a very busy man bc they are all in post production. Which means that they are coming out soon, I hope!!!


Onward alright this is my belated music list for 2006

10. The Raconteurs - Broken Boy Soldiers
Though I haven't given this album the proper attention it deserves it's going on my list bc they were phenomenal live. I really do like that Jack White.
Favorite Song - Steady as she goes, it has a great beat and Jack's voice just compliments the whole set up.


9. Paolo Nutini - These Streets
He's only 19 but he is no adolescent teenager. His voice is gritty and soulful. The beats are mature but not too serious. I can't wait to see him at the end of the month, did I mention he's Scottish?
Favorite Song - Jenny Don't be Hasty.


8. Damien - 9
Bc I really do worship Damien he has to be on my list. I've been waiting for this album since his show in 2004 that changed my life. It changed the way that I look at music. It made me realize that so many bands are good, but I saw a man and a band at their best. It was a transcendent show, it made me realize that I should expect more from a band when I see them and settling for their mediocrity lacks in the experience of attending a concert.
Favorite Song - Me, My Yolk and I. Every time I hear it live it blows me away for the weightiness of the music and lyrics.


7. John Legend - Once Again
It was very hard for me to admit not only do I like this album, but I totally have a crush on him. I think he's an intelligent musician. I like the tone to his voice, I like the way he says certain words and I like when he reaches that high night that's a little out of his reach.
Favorite Song - Stereo, it's a great beat and very poppy but really enjoyable.


6. Wolfmother - Wolfmother
They are loud and obnoxious just like their 1970's predecessors Led Zepplin. Myles Heskett voice is over the top rock and roll. It's the kind of music you blast in you car driving down the turnpike, screaming along to the lyrics.
Favorite Song - Woman, it evokes Led Zepplin the most of any other song.


5. Snow Patrol - Eyes Open
Even though they have played chasing cars TO death on the radio this is still going on my list bc there are so many great songs on this album. They are wonderful live and it's nice to have another Irish band out there that are easier to get tickets to. They have so much energy on stage. Their lyrics are earnest with good pop rock sounds without being corny or emo in any sort of way.
Favorite Song - Set the Fire on the Third Bar


4. Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Just a Fun, Fun band with great music. They are very young but have the sound of a band at least in their twenties. Their sound seems effortless and I deeply appreciate that. I just hope they turn into a one album wonder like so many of the bands that I have liked in the past few years.
Favorite Song - Fake Tales of San Fransisco


3. Justin Timberlake - Future Sex Love Sounds
Who knew that I would be totally mesmerized by this pop album of a past boy band member. But there is no denying this boys talent... or shall I say man? Using his talents with Timbaland was a most excellent idea. For longevity purposes I think it was a very smart idea to team up with Timbaland. The beats and grooves on this album would get anyone going and it's a lot of fun.
Favorite Song - My Love. This song most resembles rock, but it's not and that's ok. I can't wait to see him next month.


2. Keane - Under the Iron Sea
After the rocky year that this band has had you would never know that they put out this stellar album. If you read into it really closely you can figure out the relationship that Tim Rice-Oxley and Tom Oliver Chaplin have with each other. It's disturbing and honest. If it's accurate. Tom Oliver Chaplin's voice is as angelic as his face. It's so pure live. It's a little messed up that he sings back the lyrics of how Tim feels about him, but maybe that's why he needed a little Rehab.
Favorite Song - Broken Toy and Nothing in My Way. Both songs sound sweet and poppy but when you get right down to it they are some of the most revealing lyrics on the album.



1. Muse - Black Holes and Revelations
They are aggressive, loud, obnoxious, over the top and could make my head explode. They are amazing live. Going to their show is very freeing and I can't wait until the next one. There really isn't a bad song on this album. Listening to them makes me jealous that I can't play anything the way they play their instruments. It just reminds me of my own mediocrity but yet I'm ok with it bc they really are so amazing and I know that I will never be able to play like them, even if I gave it my all. I hope they come back to town soon on a solo venture and not with another band that I won't mention here.
Favorite Song - Assassin. the most aggressive of all the songs, Dom takes control and pushes past all barriers of drumming and ends up in another galaxy. It's so awesome!!!!


Honorable Mentions:
Hard Fi - Stars of CCTV, Fave song "Gotta Reason" (I have the whole video worked out in my head I just gotta tell someone) and "Move on Now".
Tapes N Tapes - The Loon, Fave song "In Houston".

Bands that I have discovered this year... I know, I know it's about time
1. Sigur Ros - After getting shamed by Shane (from damien) and by Honey at the same time, I had to re-listen with OPEN ears. I did and I like. Favorite Song - "Saeglopor" off of Takk. I have no idea what it's about but it's beautiful.
2. The Frames - Headlong is a great song. I really love Glen Hansards' voice. It's like being surrounded by love. There is something very familiar about him and I don't know what it is. It's like I've known him for years.
3. The Swell Season - For all the above reasons and there's violin and I'm a sucker for violin.

Favorite TV Shows
1. Lost - Even though they haven't answered shit, I still love this show.
2. Heroes - it feeds my inner geek!!
3. Grey's Anatomy - I miss denny, for my inner weepiness.
4. Spooks - Um British hotness!!! and a lady totally killed herself right in front of me and a lady got her face BURNED off by a deep fryer machine!!! EW and AWESOME!!!
5. 24 - Jack Bauer Hotness!! He saves the world what's not to love.
6. CSI - Grissom rules all things!!
7. Medium - I really like this show a lot. Every character is appealing to me.
8. House - well dave's gonna be on it... and when else can you love a Vicodin addicted man?
9. Ugly Betty - Who doesn't love America Ferrera?
10. Brothers and Sisters - um three totally cute brothers and the mom is sally field... what's NOT to love?
11. Family Guy - There are no words!!!
12. Scrubs - I am a bad fan. I was upset when they canceled it, they brought it back and I don't watch. But I know it's still good.
13. Studio 60 - I really like the writing and relationships on the show. Who knows how long it will last... but we'll see
14. How I met your Mother - my new fave show. I love Doogie houser on this show!!! He's too funny as a womanizing funny man.
15.Survivor/The Bachelor/American Idol - my guilty pleasures.

I wish everyone a happy new year and blessings and good things to all.