famous people are just more interesting

sometimes it's hard to get up at 5:30 a.m. when you go to bed at 4:30 a.m. let's just say that.

three reasons this week has been what the 1950s would call "top-notch."

1. hanging out with andrew mcmahon. you know. the guy from jack's mannequin. the band you quietly mock but secretly listened to in your freshman dorm room. or perhaps you remember him from something corporate. a band you also hated but not as much as you hated yourself when you sort of liked the song konstantine.

Andrew Mcmahon: Songwriting because you can't.

Do we need a little Jack's to get us through the day? I do.

Jack's Mannequin: Holiday From Real (Acapella) HOW DO YOU SPELL THAT WORD??? Yeah, I get it. The English teacher should know.

Let's just say, there's nothing like a 9-hour night on the town with this guy. How much of this information should I make public? Let me know if you want more details.

(Also. the 5 minute video of him doing karaoke to a Meatloaf song at Lonnie's will currently not upload. I'll do my best to get it out to all my die-hard fans as soon as possible)

2. Seeing Madi Diaz again. Stumbled upon her lovely voice at the Wild Sweet Orange show last month at Mercy Lounge--but this was just a treat. Like I told her when I so creepily attempted to be her friend, I am normally NOT a fan of girl singers. They're just not my thing. Kind of like how thinking isn't really some of my students' "thing"--I just don't like girl singers. BUT, Madi Diaz is just a gem. Sweetheart too.

This is probably the cliché song, but I don't care, it's good.

Madi Diaz: I Know I Know (buy)

(remember all you crazy fans out there: these mp3s are for sampling purposes only)

Next Shows around here: Mercy Lounge (2/15) and Exit/In (2/26)

annnnnnnnd then she'll be at SXSW. SWEET!

3. Last reason this weekend was "top-notch"--No school monday. yes. 4 day week. MLK is awesome for many, many reasons. And, I am pleased to have had this day off. No 15 year olds shouting at me, no teaching how to write a thesis statement, no making copies of worksheets that will end up somewhere on my classroom floor or perhaps the streets of downtown nashville. a day off is just a beautiful, beautiful thing.

And, since I still feel I must absolutely embrace the idolatry of my past week:look how not cool i am.

"so, andrew--what do you do?"

---i'll send this message through the speakers---

HA.