I'm not really sure where I'm going with that title, but it sure sounds good, huh?

I'm missing The Darkness at Stubbs tonight, due to a problem between the bank account and my wallet. (The show sold out, but my friends got tickets off Ebay.) I'm trying not dwell on it.

So. Have you seen the preview for the new movie Mean Girls, (screenplay) written by Tina Fey (queen of Saturday Night Live)? It's based on a book written by Rosalind Waters, an author, I guess. Don't know of her. Regardless, whenever I see the preview I think "Man, I really hope Tina Fey got picked on in high school, cause it would be so awesome if this movie was her payback to the mean girls who gave her a hard time. She could be all "Oh yeah? Look at me now, mean girls. Look at me now." I don't know why that makes me happy, it just does. Who knows, maybe she was the cool girl in high school, and just got a bucket of cash to adapted this book. I like my version better.

The Shins. Are you totally in love with them yet? I first saw them at the ACL Music Festival last fall, after listening to Oh, Inverted World off and on throughout the summer. We fell in love that day. (Shhh, don't tell Brad.) Have you noticed how the lead singer, James Mercer, looks like Kevin Spacey's hipper younger brother? I've heard bits and pieces of their new album, and so far the song "Gone for Good" is my favorite. A little twang, catchy but thoughtful lyrics, and the perfect amount of pop. Love it.

Also, The Shins just did a guest appearance on Gilmore Girls, which just makes them cool. I don't watch Gilmore Girls regularly, but when I do, I'm reminded of how much I like it. Rory reminds me of my sister Lynn, so the show scores points immediately in my book. Rory and Lorelai's back and forth bantering is a little to quip-y for me sometimes (My So-Called Life used to do that, remember?), but the writing is quick and funny, and the show keeps moving forward through storylines in a way that reminds me of Party of Five. Man, I miss those shows sometimes - they were my Dawson's Creek and One Tree Hill, you know?

While watching Gilmore Girls tonight, I kept thinking that Rory's friend Madeline looked familiar. Then I realized that I met her, Shelley Cole, last fall when we (meaning my job) hosted a panel & screening of Prey for Rock & Roll - she was in the movie with Gina Gershon, and I talked to her on the phone and then saw her at the screening. (I met Gina Gershon too, but she didn't make eye contact. She's a big movie star, you see.) Does this make me cool? Well, I was born cool, so - no. Just wanted to share.

Do you ever go through periods of time where you just can't find any music to get excited about? Well, you know what? That should never happen. There are millions of bands in the world, so at least ten percent of them have to be making really good stuff, in my opinion. I always like to know what other people are listening to, cause chances are I'll like something they're rocking out too. On that note, here's a rundown of songs that currently rock my boat, new and old:

T. Rex - Planet Queen (I am currently schooling myself in T. Rex, and very happy about it)

The Stills - Lola Stars and Stripes (Notice to any band whose name starts with THE: apparently I'm your girl)

English Beat - Save it for Later (I heart the 80s)

Norah Jones - Sunrise (So sweet, so pretty pretty gumdrops)

The Innocence Mission - Bright as Yellow and Keeping Awake (A blast from my past - remember them? Cowboy Junkies meets Mazzy Star meets Valium?)

Nick Drake - Hanging on a Star (Nick and I are just being acquainted through the recorded music time machine. We're warming up to each other.)

Peaches - Beep! the Pain Away (Do you know the Peaches? Huh, what? That's right. I said it.)

Beta Band - Squares (Thank you, High Fidelity, for introducing me to the Beta Band. Thank you.)

Elliott Smith - everything, especially Satellite today. (I just miss him, that's all)

And there you go. You may go to itunes.com now, and find all this wonderful music yourself.

You know, I've been tossing around the idea of doing a mix CD trade – I'm starting a killer one right now. If you're interested, let me know, yo.

Lucy loves you |