Day 1: A marathon of my own

After an hour of sleep we finally made it to the KC airport. As I checked my luggage, I was informed that my bag had to be thoroughly searched. Luckily I left all my weapons at home. Boarding the airplane I was pulled aside by the security guard who wanded me and went through my carry-on. Maybe I look really menacing... We eventually made it to LGA and on our way to the Hilton. Between no sleep, a bumpy flight, and a crazy taxi ride, I had my own marathon (which I kept in a plastic bag). So I slept it off as everyone explored the city and finally got up for a show at the CBGB. Met up with former KCOUer Aaron Cummins at the show and enjoyed some $5 beers. The venue was exactly how I pictured it -- punk-rock was oozing out of the walls. Essex Green put on a decent set though nothing too exciting. Elizabeth and I pushed our way to the front when Dressy Bessy took stage. We were all smiles as the band began their incredible bubblegum pop set. They played my favorite song, "Extraordinary", which was well worth the trip. Forty-five minutes later the band finished their set despite the crowd's hunger for more. Aaron and I stayed for Of Montreal. They put on a good show but again nothing fantabulous. Went back to Aaron's place in the village ($1000 for rent?!) and talked about our beloved KCOU. 3 o'clock rolled around and I took a cab back to the Hilton only to find everyone asleep. They can't hang.

Day 2: Halloween Conan Style

Had to be at Rockefeller at 4pm for the Conan show. We waited...waited...waited...went to another line and waited some more. The excitement became overshadowed by impatience. Angie, Josh, Elizabeth, and I finally made it to our seats and were very surprised with the studio size. It looks so large on television. Its actually about the size of Jesse Wrench. The band played a few songs and a staff member warmed up the crowd. Finally Conan showed up. After asking an audience member to dance, mocking him for it, and then hugging him, Conan told Josh to give the man a hug. Then both the man and Josh hugged a band member. (Josh looked like a midget next to Conan. His head must be 3 times the size as Josh's.) Conan rewarded Josh for his participation with an opened box of TicTacs.

The cameras finally began rolling and the show began. About 40 minutes later the second guest (Bill Belamy) came out and yelled, "What's up New York". Conan replied that two-thirds of the audience were tourists...from Missouri. You can hear us cheering in the background. The Flaming Lips played "Do You Realize?” in full costume. A great show.

We passed on concrete that night and hit the bars instead. Elizabeth, Angie, Theresa, and I dressed up as Madonna at different stages of her career. (Kudos to Elizabeth for bravely wearing the cone bra.) Many beers later, we came back to the hotel to find two kids making out in the elevator. “Only in New York.”

Day 3: Give it up for HarMar, he’s fucking awesome

Really hungover. Did some shopping during the day (found an awesome pair of shoes) and sobered up with some coffee. Josh and I headed down to the Knitting Factory and caught Quix*o*tic during their set. They put on a great show. Rather than waiting for The Bangs, we hopped a taxi to the North Six in Brooklyn. The excitement of HarMar was in the air. We avoided the opening acts and located the Superstar who we came to see. About an hour later, I noticed the lead singer of Dressy Bessy sitting next to Josh. A couple changes of underwear later, Josh approached her and snapped a picture. Wow.

And finally, it was time for Har Mar Superstar. Josh and I pushed our way to the front and watched as Har set up his music. (Look at that ass!) He came out in a choir robe and slowly peeled off each layer as the show went on. It’s hard to explain the presence this balding overweight man has. He ended every song with "Give it up for me, I'm fucking awesome". Indeed he is. If you aren't familiar with his work, go buy his new album "You Can Feel Me". As you can see, Har got pretty worked up during the show. What a man.

Back to the hotel only to find the same couple making out in the hall! Get a room!

Day 4: Birthday Cake

Saturday was Josh' 22nd birthday. During the day we traveled down to the East Village to do some shopping and found some interesting t-shirts. My favorite had a photograph of a man eating feces as it came out of a woman. Unfortunately I didn't buy it. After some hat hair discussion, we headed to Chinatown for some dinner. Even though I had no idea what the waiter was saying, the meal was authentic and scrumptious. Headed back to the hotel for some orgasmic birthday cake from Dean & Deluca. After an hour of recovery, Josh, Andrea, and I ended up in Union Square for the Bright Eyes show. The concert was mediocre. Not only was it crowded as hell but drinks cost $6 a pop (CANS of beer for $6?!?!). The only highlights of the night came from Andrea. "I want to stage dive...so I can kick some emo kid in the head." Most songs Bright Eyes played were off the latest release "Lifted". The album sounds much better than the live show. Between songs Andrea yelled "Play some Skynard!" What would we do without her? After a less than impressive show, we met up with Aaron Cummins at a nearby pub and drank the night away. It was our last night in the big city. So we said goodbye to the Hilton, 6th Ave, and that damn couple who made out everywhere.

- Elaine Miller