Music Video? Film Shoot? Ummm, Hello?

Some of you have inquired as to why I haven't written about certain film and video shoots as of late. I'm currently waiting to find out how much I'm allowed to talk about. While I want to share the whole shebang with you, I also don't want to endanger my job in any way. Patience please, and perhaps I can bring you that news soon.

Let the Tweeting Sustain You

Some of you have mentioned that I haven't posted for a while. You are correct! Glad you're paying attention.

I've been busy and lacking internet access lately (excuses excuses). I jaunted up to Washington state to see my beautiful son Noah for his first birthday. Then I flew home for a couple days of rehearsal, and hopped back on a plane and traveled to Orlando, where I am now. We're filming the DC Games performance tomorrow. Pictures and a lengthy account of all of it to follow.

Until then, don't forget that you can scoot your lil' eyes over to the sidebar on the right -- where it says "mike on twitter" you can see my QuickBlog - what I've been up to at a glance (sometimes interrupted by a song lyric that feels particularly resonant or funny things I've overheard). And if six entries aren't enough for you, click "follow me on twitter" to see all of them. I love Twitter, and when I can't keep up with full-on blogging, I still Tweet regularly.

The LiveBlogging Event

Tomorrow, I'm going to attempt to do something I have no time to do, because I love you, dear readers, and because you love this tour.

Tomorrow is our very last day on tour, and I'm going to LiveBlog. This means I'll be writing blog entries from my cellphone as the day goes on, reporting the events as they happen.

Tune in.

Is This Thing On?

This is the first time I'm writing a blog entry from my Treo. If you can read this, that means I won't have to wait for internet access to blog anymore. It also means I have to find a new excuse when I'm feeling lazy...

Bullet Holes In Bullet Points

Wow. It's been a couple days. I haven't been fulfilling my blogligation. Trying to get well. Failing. We're having a doctor come in today to examine the Cough That Never Dies.

So what have you missed? Let's see.

• Well, we headed to Indianapolis, Indiana and stayed at the Conrad. A man was brutally shot in the doorway of our hotel, and Kay Hanley was on the scene to investigate. The man lived. We played a show to celebrate.
• We headed to Columbus, Ohio and had a day off with little to do. Wrote a bunch of songs. We played a show to celebrate.
• We headed to Lexington, Kentucky. Wrote some more songs. Finally wrote a blog entry. I think we'll play a show to celebrate.
• Oh, and I saw this sad sight on the news:

A Whole What of What?!

What is the etymology of the word "slew?"

I can eat a whole slew of candy or do a whole slew of research, but what is a slew and where did it come from?

Also, if I may say so...very unattractive word.

Tired of Sad Songs

I'm tired of writing melancholy songs. I want to write happy songs. I think, for most artists, it's easier to just automatically go to that melancholy place. That's why when you go to coffee houses, you just hear people whining about their sad sad lives. "Sing your therapy."

Nic told me that her college professor used to say, "The rarest thing to see in an artist is joy."

I'm ready to start busting out the joy. I mean, I grew up on a steady diet of They Might Be Giants! Anyway, if people want to hear a sad song, I have an extensive back-catalog...