A week ago I went to see Shellac play at the Crofoot in Pontiac, MI.  I actually had a couple of tickets (that my mother-in-law picked up for me) but couldn't find anyone to go with me (Prentice was on his honeymoon and no one from Nashville could make the trip).  Phreddy Wischusen, general manager of the Crofoot, told her that by getting the tickets for me she proved wrong all the late night talk show hosts with their jokes about mothers-in-law.  The Crofoot is a fairly new and nice venue.  I was standing right in front of the stage.  Last time I did that was with Matt at Slint in Chicago.  Chris Brokaw opened the show.  The dudes talking loudly behind me during Brokaw's set were annoying.  The Shellac set was loose and enjoyable.  Here are some photos.  More here.

More piano from the boys:

The Detective

Star Wars

The fact that for a moment I thought "It's crazy, but I wonder if she really did pretend to have her kid's baby?" helps me understand how some folks can believe the stuff they do about Obama.

Here are some photos and a video from last Sunday's bike ride and hike with the Jollys:

Following on the heels of The Daily Show's fantastic version of the Obama convention video profile (Barack Obama: He Completes Us), here is another brilliant contribution, this time for John McCain...n particular the part near the end that highlights the change from maverick reformer to reformed maverick:

John McCain: Reformed Maverick