Thursday, November 29, 2007

The concert that was just not meant to be

I had a nice little Tuesday night planned. I hadn't been to a concert since the last time I saw the National at the 9:30 Club in the beginning of September. The Cold War Kids were playing at the 9:30 Club, but it was sold out. I saw them open for Muse in August and was mildly impressed, although I think it had more to do with the fact that the venue (Patriot Center) dwarfed them. I felt like being a bit adventurous, so I decided on heading to the Black Cat instead to catch Dinosaur Jr. No ticket in hand, but it wasn’t sold out. I figured they would hit the stage around 10, so if I got there by 9 I’d be money.

Flashback to 8:15 PM. I was ready to walk out of the house when I looked down and saw a little critter sneak under the closet door. Being the man of the house (ha ha), I felt like it was my obligation to investigate further and empty out the closet. Houston, we have a mouse!

I headed to Target and picked up a few mouse traps and set those bad boys up in the kitchen. By now, it was 9:15 but I was still confident that I could make the concert. Unfortunately, I lost my bearings in DC and parked way far from the Black Cat. By the time I found an ATM machine and finally made it to the Black Cat, it was sold out. DAMN!

I briefly considered hanging around to see if I could scrounge up an extra ticket from someone, but figured that I’d be better off cutting my losses and calling it a night. Luckily, I had My Morning Jacket’s Okonokos in my car so at least I got to hear some live music. Great album by the way - thanks for that LBJ.

I guess I had this coming. I’ve lucked out at the last few concerts I’ve attended by getting either tickets to sold out shows or good seats at the last minute. Nothing against Dinosaur Jr., but I’m not too broken up that my luck ran out for this show.

Monday, November 26, 2007

This week's late night TV lineup

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

- Monday - Ben Harper

Late Night w/Conan O'Brien

- Tuesday - Devendra Barnhart

Late Show w/David Letterman

- Monday - Jay/Z
- Thursday - Mute Math

Late Late Show w/Craig Ferguson

- Monday - Jeremy Fisher

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Be thankful, damnit!

Ah Thanksgiving – hands-down my most favorite holiday for a number of reasons... and during such a great season. Away from the heat of summer and before the craziness of Christmas (although I have seen a smattering of Christmas lights and wreaths already). It doesn't get much better than this.

On the cheesy side, it's also a day to step back and, well, be thankful. Yeah, everyone could bitch about something, but save the negativity for another day will ya? Just for today focus on what you do have, not what you don’t. It’ll do wonders, I promise.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Monday, November 19, 2007

This week's late night TV lineup

This writer's strike is messing up a lot of things to include the late night schedule that's up on networks' websites. Here's what's up as of today:

Jimmy Kimmel Live
  • Monday - Hot Hot Heat

Late Night w/Conan O'Brien

  • Wednesday - KT Tunstall
  • Thursday - Rogue Wave
  • Friday - Ben Harper

Last Call w/Carson Daly

  • Wednesday - Peter Bjorn and John

Late Show w/David Letterman

  • Thursday - John Mayer

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Ha ha ha!

That's what Santas in Sydney, Australia are being asked to bellow from now on. Doesn't sound quite right, does it? Maybe it's because we've heard the traditional "ho ho ho" from Santas since, well, forever. Maybe it's because the feeling that "ho ho ho" is too close to the slang word for a prostitute is a little far-stretched. Or the notion that little kids are going to make that connection is completely ridiculous.

This is taking the whole concept of being politically correct a little too far, isn't it? What this does prove is that some people (like the ones who came up with this bright idea) have a little too much time on their hands. "Leave Santa alone," stated a woman in The Daily Telegraph article. I completely agree... and while you're at it, leave me alone too!

Monday, November 12, 2007

This week's late night TV lineup

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Late Show w/David Letterman

Late Late Show w/Craig Ferguson

Tonight Show w/Jay Leno

Late Night w/ Conan O'Brien

Thursday, November 8, 2007

DC area wonders

Back in July, the New 7 Wonders of the World were announced and RatBat Bear wondered why some didn't make the final cut. It's always tough to make a list like that - too many tough decisions to make. I don't understand how Letterman does it every night.

The Washington Post followed up by asking its readers to vote for the 7 man-made wonders within a 4-hour drive of DC. Just like the New 7 Wonders of the World, I'm sure you could argue that something should have made the list that didn't. For example, the Brooklyn Bridge - one would think that there is another site within 4 hours of DC that people would rather see. Then again, I've never seen the Brooklyn Bridge, so I don't know.

The good news for me is that I've been to 4 of the 7 regional wonders. National Cathedral - check. US Capitol - check. Lincoln Memorial - check. Fallingwater - check. It's funny because if I would have read this a few months ago, I would have had no idea what Fallingwater was. The LOML and I headed to Pittsburgh for a wedding this summer and she recommended that we swing by on our way. Besides the shitty weather, it was a great pit stop.

The other 3 are in NYC (Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge). I've only been to the Big Apple twice - once to pick up a friend at the airport and the other to see Letterman. Looks like I need to head up there again.

In the meantime, if you're ever in the DC area and want a tour guide, give me a shout... it'll only cost you a pint and a shot of Tullamore Dew at Murphy's.

Monday, November 5, 2007

This week's late night TV lineup

Late Show w/David Letterman

Late Late Show w/Craig Ferguson

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Tonight Show w/Jay Leno

Late Night w/Conan O'Brien

Last Call w/Carson Daly

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Full-contact cheerleading

Try to ignore the annoying news anchor in the beginning. This video hurts just watching it... from laughing so hard.