Blog

NEW YORK — The message conveyed at Michael Penn’s performance at Joe’s Pub a few weeks back was simple: He’s back, and he’s got a new record. It’s not that extraordinary; really, unless, like Penn, you’ve just emerged from one of the music industry’s longest-running contract skirmishes. “My father fought in World War II. He’d…

That’s me hobnobbing with Pennsylvania Governer Ed Rendell. You know how it is for guys like us. Just another weekend shaking hands and kissing babies. It was to late for me to jump a Metroliner to Philadelphia by the time I was done at the office Friday night. So I maxed out on a few…

That’s me sorting through resumes. I have four positions to fill at The MTV. Like, soon. Work is crazy. I lobbied long and hard for my new title, but couldn’t have begun to imagine how different my life would be. As if a laptop, cell phone, digital camera, and iPod weren’t enough for one messenger…

It’s good to get out. Tonight was a fairly major aboration. I didn’t work late. I didn’t rehearse with any of my bands. I didn’t watch some art house film on DVD. I went out. To the New York Public Library. To see a bunch of writers perform. Sounds anomalous, right? Writers? Performing? The Moth…

I’m going to Los Angeles on Monday. Used to be L.A. was something of a break for me, even if I was there on business. Once upon a time, I dated a woman there (she of “Intent on St. Paul” fame). We met at my buddy James’ wedding in Kauai. (Who wouldn’t fall in love…

In the end, in the waning hours of this weekend, I am left, miraculously, speechless. I am, as you might gather, rarely without something to say. And at numerous times over the course of this ridiculously active weekend I have wondered aloud why my gums were flapping at all. What was the point of what…