Let's fight crime with mangos and limes!

Hey YOU...did you hear?? MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK'S VIDEO "IT HAD TO BE YOU" WON BEST VIDEO AT THE WOODIE AWARDS LAST NIGHT! YAY!

But, let me start from the beginning --

I met up with Jesse right after work at the hotel Justin was staying. The three of us, plus Justin's date, Bree, Doug (one of their managers), and Tammy (from Epitaph) piled into a van and headed to an MTVu meet-n-greet. The brief fan interaction last about fifteen minutes and then we headed to the awards at Roseland Ballroom.

Justin, Jesse, and the video's director (she goes to Texas A&M and won a contest to direct the video!) walked down the red carpet and posed for pics. Bree and I scurried past the red carpet after they were done and headed straight to VIP for the bar, food, and...beer pong. For some reasons there was a beer pong table set up. There were also mini burgers and mini mac-n-cheese and mini everything to eat. Yummy.

While Bree and I waited for the boys to go through the press line, we people-watched, which, of course, is awesome in a backstage area. Eva Amurri (Susan Sarandon's daughter) was sitting next to us at the bar, and I knew she looked familiar, but could not place her at all! (Until later when she introduced an award, ha.) Also, Zoe Kravitz and Riley Keogh (Elvis' granddughter) were milling around, looking mainly bored and unamused by the ruckus.

I also spotted Mark Hoppus of Blink182, and my high school heart leapt a little bit in my chest. Mark produced Motion City's second album, Commit This to Memory, so I got really excited when I saw Mark talking to Jesse as he was making his way towards me. When Jesse got to me, I think he knew what my eyes were saying. But he probably took the cue from my mouth when I whisper-yelled, "INTRODUCE ME." I mean, after all, Mark had congratulated Jesse when we got engaged via AIM, even though he's never met me. So, we got introduced and he congratulated us again and true to what I've heard, he's hilarious and awesome.

Then Jesse saw his old friends from The All-American Rejects and we said hi and Chris entreated us with a whiskey shot ("don't threaten me with a good time"). We hung out with our friend Dana as well, and soon we were being herded into the seating area that was a ZOO compared to last year. Seriously, I couldn't walk ANYWHERE. We couldn't even get to our table. We had just found a place to plop down at when we saw Hayley and Jeremy from Paramore take the stage to announce the first award - for Best Video! And then Hayley basically ripped the envelope trying to get it open and squeaked out: "MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK!"

YAY! YAY! YAY!

I think it's pretty sweet that they got the first award, just sayin'. And thanks to anybody reading that voted!! You're awesome!! You award my fianz' slabs of wood! Yeah! :)

Justin, Lauren's friend who did the animation in the video, Lauren (Director), and Jesse - with the Hayley-ripped prize.

The rest of the show was actually entertaining; it was simple, starred some solid live acts, and kept the free drinks flowing. My favourite performance had to be Santogold - who sounded SO GOOD. Way better than when I saw her show in September. After the last acts, we headed out the back, next to Hayley and Jeremy and then cut quickly to avoid the craziness. Doug treated us all to a nice dinner to celebrate the award before we went to the afterparty. It was delicious!

After that, we were all set to go to the afterparty, as it was only like 1130, but then Jesse and I looked at each other and we knew we had to go home - we were SO tired. I mean, I'd been up since 7am and at work all day. So we made our way home and passed out.

If you have yet to see the award-winning (!!!) video check out this previous post!

Again, I'd just like to reiterate to anyone who voted (on the behalf of the band): THANK YOU! YOU ROCK!

I know all the tricks from Bricks to Kingston.

On Wednesday, Jesse recieved an email from a friend inviting him to some Nike store opening in SoHo Thursday night. Jesse replied sure and got me on the list, too. We both didn't know exactly what it was, but figured it might be something like other store openings or retail parties are like (free booze, clothes, fun).

I got back from work yesterday and we decided to go out to dinner near this other party we'd been invited to for InSound, except when we got near the bar there was literally nowhere to eat. So, in my new purple heels, we trudged around many a block to finally find a restaurant that didn't have dead animals hanging in the front window. The food was good, but not great. I can't even remember the name of the place.

We cabbed it back to the InSound party (um, blisters plus that's how far we walked), and got some tasty free margaritas along with Jonah and Keller hangs. I mentioned to Keller we were going to some Nike party and he was like, "WHAT?! You got into that??" and described the certain exclusivity of garnering entrance to the soiree. Interesting.

Non-phased, Jesse and I headed to 21 Mercer Street, except it was blocked off. Because Nike closed down a block of Mercer to have a block party for it's store opening. Jesse and I looked at each other like, hm, this looks like it's a big deal, I wonder if we're still okay to get in...

So we get to the "door" and get ushered in by Jesse's friend without a hitch. His friend passes us off to a runner that takes us to the "Nike carpet" to get our picture taken. EEP. I'm wearing jeans, my Radiohead tee, purple H&M heels, and no makeup. WTF. Was not prepared for that. I posed awkwardly and then we were led into the other half of the block where two giant countdown screens were poised alongside the doors to the new Nike Sportswear store. There was free hot dogs, corn dogs, pop corn, ice cream, booze, etc., etc., etc. It was insanity.

Jesse kind of flipped out because Kobayashi of the Hot Dog Eating Fame was there and he was regretting not having his camera to take a pic with him. Ha. There were a lot of random celebrities there, and Mark Ronson was dj'ing, and there were a lot of people I recognized but couldn't place them.

I ran to the bathroom at one point, and when I got back there, there was a whole marching band's drum line standing post. Hm. Jesse went to the bathroom and all the dudes from Brand New (except for Lacey) were in there (together??) and were like, "Hey! Motion City Soundtrack!" Hahahaha.

Back at the party, the countdown clock winds down to 00:00 and well, then we hear the drum line. It was hot. Srsly. So they march from the back to the doors and then after their little performance, Spike Lee appears on the steps of the doors and hollers at the boroughs (biggest one was for BK, obvs) and then he introduces Roger Federer (oh hi) and they open the doors and craziness ensues.

Jesse and I opted out of trying to get in the store - looked like packed-in bad news. We hung out in the stadium seats acquired for the event and just people-watched and drank the free beer. Jesse has several pics on his iPhone that I will share at some point. For now I will just show you some other people who were there (via this site.)

Old friends. Whatevs.

Ronson in the same place Jesse and I got our pics taken.

I did not look as put-together as Maria Sharapova, therefore I'm glad I didn't find the pics of Jesse and I when I searched Getty & WireImages this morning. Phew.

Edit: Here's a bit more about the party on HypeBeast!

I actually can't wait to tell my brother that I was at a party with Maria Sharapova. I mean, sure, I didn't meet her or even see her, but whatever. HA. This weekend six of my friends and I are heading to my parents house for a weekend extravaganza for my brother's birthday. There will be backyard sportage and a keg. Reporting to commence probably when we all get our beers at Grand Central waiting for MetroNorth this evening. :)