Don't gasp at the predictable.

I spent most of my day off today listening to my new vinyl of No Doubt's Return of Saturn. It's definitely my favorite album of all time. Even listening to it while playing games with Jesse and Jaime, each person was tapping or singing along at some point. I liked getting up from the table to flip the record over. I smiled when the last track faded out and the familiar silence stretched out before the last hidden instrumental track began. I will always come back to this album.

What's your favorite album of all time?

Apparently Dave Stewart took this awesome photo of Gwen a few years ago.

Question 07-10 (Music Edition)

I've gotten quite a few questions (surprised are I!) and I'm trying to answer them as timely as possible - little hard as of late what with Jesse getting back yesterday (smileyface) and work being really busy - but every free chance I get I'll be answering them - and they will all get answered. (Feel free to keep them coming.)

So here are some questions I got about MUSIC.

Top 5 Records and why?

Oh. WOW. What a hard question. Okay. Let's see. How do I discern my tops? Maybe those that have been the most life-changing? Those that I keep coming back to?

01 No Doubt - Return of Saturn

Everybody has that album that just "gets it," right? Like...you can relate to almost every miniscule lyric and you wondered if the songwriter was writing about your life? That's this album to me. When it first came out, I was already a huge fan of Tragic Kingdom and that's what I was expecting to hear. Some more jump-around ska-pop for my sixteen-year-old ears. But, I was completely turned off. Why? Because I was sixteen and I had no idea what Gwen was singing about. A couple of years later, nineteen and in college, I popped it in again and it all made sense. It's an album that still grows, too. Every time I listen to, I realize something new. And it may just be how I'm hearing it, but music is subjective, and this is without a doubt my top record of all time...in my life. (For example, go ahead, take a listen to my favourite ND song ever, from this album, "Home Now" or even just look at the lyrics and I think you'll get it...)

02 Foo Fighters - The Colour and the Shape

First, the album that made me want to learn to play drums (a dream I still have!). Second, I've listened to this record I think...at least...once a month since it came out mid-90s. Third, many of my high school days when I first moved to a new school was spent friendless, in my room, blasting this and jumping around. Fourth, they were my first concert; touring in support for this album. And finally, have you HEARD "Everlong"?!?!?!

03 Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker

I can't even describe how I felt when I heard this album. I believe the first song I heard was "Come Pick Me Up," and I owe it all to my friend Amber. We are both equally, along with Kelly, obsessed with Ryan Adams' music and it all started with this album, his debut solo effort (and perhaps his best).

04 Aimee Mann - Magnolia soundtrack songs

Surprise! I really love Aimee's voice and songwriting skills. She's got this dry humor that comes across on songs like "Momentum" but she can also be so incredibly depressing like "Save Me." There's really no wonder that the director P.T. Anderson based his entire movie on her songs (some she had written beforehand, some she had just finished writing).

05 Dashboard Confessional - MTV2 Unplugged

I couldn't pick an album, so I went with this Unplugged because it really is a great selection of songs and if you know anything about Dashboard, it's all about his live show. Yes, when it aired, I may or may not have sang every word alone in my dorm room with him. I MAY have learned to play "Hands Down" on the drums from watching Mike Marsh in the recording over and over and over again. (Who does air drums to "Hands Down"? THIS GIRL.) And yes, me and my friends MAY have given every single audience member in the airing a nickname. I mean, this is all due to my deep college obsession with the band, getting interviewed about him for the Boston Globe AND shopping/getting lunch with Carrabba once. (I would elaborate, but there's no space, and if you want to know more you know where to ask!)

I decided not to include MCS, though they very well could be in there. Also hard to keep off was So Jealous/The Con from Tegan & Sara. ALSO She & Him's Volume One. ALSO Liz Phair's Whitechocolatespaceegg. ALSO The Cardigans' Life. ALSO Lauryn Hill's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. ALSO Saves the Day's Through Being Cool. ALSO Brand New's Deja Entendu. ALSO Shakira's Donde Estan Los Ladrones? And Jimmy Eat World, Sleater Kinney, Weezer, Hole, Rancid, ETC. I mean...this was a really hard question!

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what album would it be?

My #01 record up there. The songs also span a good amount of genre/sounds enough to keep me interested for my whole life. Though...it may be a little depressing to listen to every single day.

Do you have a last.fm?

Yes, I do! Please be my friend: www.last.fm/user/jessicaxmaria ! You can see all the embarassing music I listen to. :) Speaking of...

Are there any bands you and Jesse just completely disagree on? Do you ever refrain from dissing a band you think sucks because they are on MCS's label or someone MCS has toured with?

I think Jesse disagrees with what I listen to more than I disagree with what he listens to. I like some good pop and obviously emo! We are both into a lot of the same bands, though, as well as 90s alternative, I suppose. Though sometimes he concedes that what I'm listening to might be good, he simply doesn't want to listen to it. He thinks Dashboard is good, but kind of boring for his sensibilities; he really didn't like Tegan & Sara's The Con but he loved So Jealous. See, we like many of the same bands/genres, so we talk about music, but sometimes we disagree on albums or songs. We have no issues roadtripping and picking music to listen to. I think we like listening to music and discussing it; we bring both of our perspectives and we've had conversations that have gone on and on about a certain band or even just a song. It's fun to go back and forth like that with him, even if we disagree.

But we are always open to each other - case in point, after one of our first dates somehow I brought up the fact that I hated both Say Anything and The Format because I'd seen them live and was not having it. He couldn't believe it and then he played me two songs: "Walk Through Hell" by Say Anything and "Dog Problems" by The Format, and if you've heard these songs, it's hard to not immediately fall in love with them. Thus, I am a huge fan of both those bands. (Well, less Say Anything these days...)

[Sidenote/funny story: I remember once in our early days meeting up with Jesse and friends for drinks and he was like, "This is Max," aka Bemis from Say Anything and I had no idea who he was or what his whole "deal" was, but then a month later I was completely obsessed with ...Is a Real Boy and I was like, crap, I could have asked him so many questions...if I had known who he was. He was definitely a nice dude, though.]

Do you mean to refrain from dissing a band on this blog or to Jesse? I definitely do not hold anything back from Jesse. I don't mind saying that bands like Metro Station are awful; to be honest, they were okay dudes on the tour if a little "out of it," but their music, they're play at celebrity, and everything about their image depresses me. And I liked Panic at the Disco's last album...but they just didn't sit right with me when they toured with MCS. It probably had a lot to do with all those issues swirling around their eventual splitting up, but their egos were on full display on the tour. But I've also gotten to meet some solid people from good bands - like Sherwood, Phantom Planet, All-American Rejects, etc. I guess I never go out of my way to diss bands on the blog, but I'm not shying away from my opinion if it's asked. Thus, point of the FormSpring - you've got questions, I've got answers!

Now I've got a feeling if I sang this loud enough.

I was just talking to my friend Dana, whom you may remember as the goddess who took me to see her pals No Doubt in concert a few months ago, as well as took me backstage where I met most of the band members, and then finagled us a ride back into the city with the drummer Adrian Young and his family. Yeah, like I said, GODDESS.

Anyway, she's doing some more rad stuff! She told me all about this, and I wanted to share - Ben Sherman, the stylish UK clothing label, rounded up a bunch of guitar picks from some of the world's coolest guitar and bass players and are auctioning them for charity. In the UK, apparently, picks are called "plectrums" so that's why this endeavor is being called the Very Important Plectrums Auction.

All proceeds go to Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy with the exception of funds raised from the Singapore bands, which will go to the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, Singapore. Each band's plectrum comes with a handwritten message and is beautifully presented in a frame - and there are some awesome bands involved:

I mean, RIGHT UP MY ALLEY! Also involved: Dragonette, New Found Glory, Passion Pit, Nine Inch Nails, Kings of Leon, Franz Ferdinand, Blink-182, AND MORE! These plectrums look sweet, they go towards a good cause, and I wouldn't mind having a handwritten Tony Kanal note up in my place somewhere. You can find out more about the auction dates, the plectrums themselves, and the rest of the bands involved HERE!

Let me know if you start bidding or which ones look especially tempting!

Hand me down, the takedowns.

By the by, my friend Christina is awesome and came to Vegas with presents for me:

You can get them at Shockhound.com!!

Thank you for turning on the lights !

I had an epic adventure with Dana Dynamite last night.

After work, I met Dana at her place in Nolita and then we attempted to ask many car services and cabs to take us to New Jersey for the No Doubt show - most to no avail. FINALLY we got a car service for a decent price and embarked on our journey into the garden state. When we made it to the venue after a couple of hours of teaching the guy how to actually, you know, drive, he tries to get us to the gates in a roundabout way and then basically gets lost and asks us to ask a policeman.

Policeman liked Dana from the onset - because he thought she had a TV show. "I've seen your TV show! Here, I'll take you guys up, just follow me." We got a police escort to the back of the venue where all the tour buses are. Then, we tell him we have to pick up our passes at Will Call, we don't have them yet. So he escorts us there, and Policeman hands Dana his business card, totally flirt-like.

The car service driver tried to rip us off on the price, but we paid him no heed (literally). We finally got our tickets & VIP passes (eeeee!) and Policeman was there making sure everything went smoothly. Then when we told him we'd just head into the venue, he got a little huffy (I think he wanted to take us to the backstage area again?), and asked Dana if he could "get that paperwork back."

Dana and I looked at each other, then looked at him. What?

Dana goes, "Do you mean your business card?"

He nods, and takes it back. It was the strangest thing. We were cracking up about it for hours. 1. Why take it back?? 2. You call your business card "paperwork" - really?!

ANYWAY, finally in the venue and we decide rather than go backstage, we just want to watch the show from our killer seats, since it will sound better. Obvs, I was all up for this. We get to our seats and Dana reaches for her phone to tell her friends she'll be back after No Doubt plays, and she realizes she left it in the car. Bum out. Luckily, she has a blackberry she uses solely for e-mailing, and since everyone has a smart-phone of some sort, she can e-mail everyone her whereabouts, haha.

I was just standing there, excited to be at the show. No Doubt had an amazing setlist that included one of my favourites off Tragic Kingdom, "End it On This." There was a guy in the audience who had a sign that read "Today is my birthday! Please play Tragic Kingdom or Total Hate!" They sweetly obliged by playing "Tragic Kingdom" until Tom's wireless cut out and when he came back out, then launched into "Simple Kind of Life." Dana and I were swaying and singing our hearts out. Another fan had a sign saying he'd been to thirty shows! Gwen brought him on stage to introduce the band members - which he did perfectly and wonderfully and they all gave him thumbs ups and hugs.

When No Doubt left the stage before their encore, Dana explained that her friend Chad was coming out to sit with us during the encore because his girlfriend was going to take the stage during one of the songs. You know, his girlfriend, Hayley Williams from Paramore. So Chad (who also happens to be in a band) is sitting between us, and he's a legitimately nice dude, very mellow and sweet. When the encore starts, I don't let his presence affect my flipping out. Whatever, your girlfriend's awesome, and I will shout along to "Stand & Deliver" and bounce around.

After the show, Dana and I went 'round back and met up with Tony Kanal and his girlfriend Erin. Super-nice. Of course. Dana introduced me as her friend Jessica, a really big fan. Perhaps a blush from me, but whatever, that's what I am. A huge fan. Yes, hello, you're awesome, great show.

Then came along Nina, the drummer Adrian's wife, who's really close with Dana. She was so personable and wanted to know, as a die-hard fan, what I thought of the show (um, I may have gone on a tangent about it's amazingness?). And then Adrian, his seven-year-old son Mason, and Tia joined us. Incredibly nice. What would I expect? They always seem so - from the way they treat their fans, to each other, to other bands - I've never heard them being egocentric jerks like some musicians in their bracket. Even below it. They're genuine and talented and grateful for all they have. I was surprised at how nice.

When Dana mentioned that we had gotten to New Jersey via car service, Nina became instantly worried about how we were going to get back. She then relayed how their bus was taking them back into the city to their hotel - and, per chance, would we want to travel back with them?

Um, yes.

So we got on the bus (each member of No Doubt has their own bus - families will do that to you!), and Adrian was asking us if we wanted anything to eat or drink, and telling us about the day they spent in New York. The bus was incredibly nice - huge fridge, queen size bed in back, big bunks. I made a joke about being on Jesse's bus with 18 other people and how luxurious it felt on Adrian's bus, and Adrian said he "remembered those days."

Yes, during this whole time I was spazzing out undercover style because, let's think about this: I was on Adrian of No Doubt's tour bus. I was having a conversation. I was acting nonchalantly as possible about hanging out with a guy IN MY FAVOURITE BAND EVER. Surreal doesn't even begin to cover it.

When we got into the city and their hotel at 2am, the paparazzi were there waiting. I was totally surprised. Dana and I said our goodbyes and ran to get a cab to retrieve Dana's phone and then head home.

Dana and I on the bus - THANK YOU DANA DYNAMITE!!!
She also has some more pics :)

I may or may not have danced around in the elevator going up to my apartment at 230am. I MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE.

No matter who calls.

I'm doing it again. Tonight I'm going to see No Doubt! It's the fourth time in two months, and the 2nd time in just a week, but I'm still just as excited. Okay, maybe a little bit more excited for tonight. Because Jesse set the whole thing up (as an anniversary gift months ago) with our friend Dana, who works for Ben Sherman, and happens to be friends with Adrian (the drummer for No Doubt), and the Paramore kids. And...she happens to have VIP access tonight. And...I'm her plus one.

WHUUUUUUUUUUUUT? I know, Jesse knows WHATTADO to keep me happy! I've been ecstatic for months, but don't like sharing things until, ya know, I'm pretty sure it's going to happen. And it is! Today after work, Dana and I are meeting up and heading to New Jersey!

I have no idea what the backstage access is going to be like or any of those kinds of details, but I assure you I'm mostly jazzed to see the show again. I have this weird thing about not wanting to meet my idols, but we'll see what happens. I know I'll be superawkward regardless!

These are a bunch of No Doubt pics from their current tour. It only really gives you a glimpse into how fun the show truly is; though their energy translates pretty well into photographs! I may be back later or tomorrow with a Smiling Like I Mean It of a ND song, since, I told myself I'd do that for this summer...but I forget things sometimes! Anyway - what are you doing this weekend?! Has anybody else gone to the tour?! Anybody else digging the two new Paramore songs as much as I am?

Roll over and whisper some goodness.

Every day for the past couple of weeks, the morning weather report declares rain. And it's true - it's been raining nearly non-stop whether I happen to be here in New York or in Massachussetts. Usually the rain dampens not only the soles of my shoes, but also my spirits. Usually, the rain invites me to stay in bed a little longer: no need to go out and play. Usually, I obey.

However, the past two weekends have been some of the best in my history. Of course, I've recounted the tales of last weekend from the bridal shower to the bachelorette party to the hangover. And this weekend held just as much fun and excitement!

On Saturday morning, Erica and I woke up entirely too early (but necessary). We made it to Grand Central in time to meet up with Katie and Perry to head to Massachusetts. Because that night we were seeing NO DOUBT!!!

No Doubt = my favourite band on this planet. Yeah, I said it. I grew up listening to them, and they still blow my mind. We drove the hour to the Comcast Center and Perry got us our tickets at the band guestlist window (yeah, I know) and with a bit of help from her father, we were seated in the second row center for the show. YEAH.

Before we sat down, however, we had to collect our merch - I got a tote with the retro Spiderwebs poster on it, the limited edition tour poster, and the official tour program (which is filled with achingly amazing photos of the tour).

Why yes, I took this picture with my iPhone...

After going through layers of security to our seat, we settled in for an amazing set from Paramore. Since the seats were empty next to us we all kind of spread out and rocked out. And next...

Came No Doubt. They played all their hits and the four of us began a good two hours of jumping, fist-pumping, skanking, and singing. I would like to call it a legitimate workout. Also, they played a full version of "Tragic Kingdom," "Different People," and "Rock Steady," - all which made me oh-so-happy! I've seen No Doubt live several times, including almost a month and a half ago at Bamboozle - and this was the best I've seen them! They're one of THE BEST live bands I've ever seen, with all their energy, and they completely upped themselves on Saturday night. Watching them surrounded by my besties, all of us fangirls, was a great feeling.

The video backdrop for their show had some amazing montages and great new stuff from the band. I hope they make a live DVD of this tour and it includes some of those montages - they were quite mesmerizing!

After spending an hour getting out of the parking lot and another hour trying to get home in a rainy haze, we finally made it at 130am. I was up at 6am, because guess who needed to get picked up at the airport?! JESSE!!

Of course, his plane arrived half an hour early and so I was speeding a bit on the way there. I got pulled over for the first time ever. But the cop only gave me a verbal warning for going 80mph in a 65mph zone. Phew.

Then I got Jesse, who flew in on the red-eye from LA, so we were both in a sleepy haze. We had a few appointments on Sunday, and I dropped off the girls at the train station. When I returned, for Father's Day (!!!!) my dad, mom, brother, Jesse, and I went to the best local pizza joint called Zorba's. We gorged and then went to see Up which is adorable and we all loved it. I had a really great time relaxing with my family and especially my dad!

On Monday, Jesse and I took care of a few more things, and it looks like we're all set to make this "marriage" thing legal in August!

Can I get a "YAY!!!!" ?!?!?!

Woah! And to make it real ----

By the way. Tomorrow. I'm seeing No Doubt with my fellow die-hards - Erica, Katie, and Perry. Let me take a moment...

There's one tour poster for each date on the tour - can't wait to check out what our date's is!

They seem to be playing most of the singles with a couple old songs like "Hey You" and "End it On This." I'm just excited to be seeing them live again (who knew if it would happen?!) and to sing along with mah girls.

One of the best bands I've ever seen live, still true!
Oh, and on Sunday, Jesse's flying in for some necessary wedding planning, so I get to see him for the first time since LA! And it's also Father's Day! And when we get back to New York, it's Erica's BIRTHDAY!

...I may be a little tired next week :)

I thought I knew you - woah!

Let's do this.

Jesse and I deemed Tuesday night Date Night because it was his last night in town and we really wanted to spend some time together and distract each other from the past few days' sad events. We went to our new favourite restaurant Sweet Emily's and then we saw Star Trek. The night was grand and a peaceful breather from all the other hecticness going on. He left yesterday to head back to L.A., but I'm so very glad we had a fun evening to ourselves before that. Jesse's superb at lifting my spirits.

And next Thursday I head to L.A.! YES! We've been doing pretty well in terms of seeing each other - though most of the traveling burden has been on Jesse with his myriad of cross-country flights. I'm in dire need of some sun and fun and out of New York. A nice respite.

So, let me back up and say that I really loved Star Trek. In fact, I think I want to go see it again. A couple of years ago when I first heard J.J. Abrams' next project would be Star Trek I was severely disappointed. I love J.J. and he can draw me into any project (I mean, I saw the midnight showing of Cloverfield, for reals) but why would I have any interest in a Star Trek reboot? I remember being dragged to those movies by my father and being bored out of my MIND. Still, the trailers ended up looking promising, and so I went. Leave it to J.J. to create a fabulous summer blockbuster with just the right amount of action, special effects, humor, story and - what J.J. does best - characters. Hold on, maybe what J.J. does best is easter eggs; the Slusho ref to Cloverfield, the red globulin that looked exactly like The Device from ALIAS, etc. I see you J.J., creating a cult.

Anyway, the performances were great - the ensemble perfectly cast. Zachary Quinto really blew me away as Spock. I'm glad he's able to rise above the trash heap that is the current Heroes - I would have never thought he had as good as acting chops as he does, since Heroes and its script hardly allow for anything but trite dialogue and acting. Quinto, I dig it. And not in the fangirly way people are getting...we all have our different tastes...but acting-wise, he's impressive.

I've always love, love, loved Zoe Saldana though she hasn't gotten any great parts in the past. I hope her inclusion in what will probably be a giant franchise will bolster her career. Chris Pine, John Cho, Eric Bana, Clifton Collins Jr., Karl Urban, WINONA RYDER, and the other cast members were great. Yeah, I'll definitely be seeing it again.

I mean, I might even consider seeing it again before seeing Wolverine for the first time. Hugh Jackman and a big-screen realization of Gambit (FINALLY) are not enough right now - I think I'm just wary of being hugely disappointed. I grew up on X-Men and my high hopes need to die down before I see it.

Speaking of Friday Night Lights, and Saracen's mom...who is on LOST with my #1 casting pick for Gambit (see what I did there?) - didya like the LOST finale? So many new questions arose, again. PER USUAL. I enjoyed the episode greatly, though I don't think it was as mindblowing as the season three "flash-forward" finale. But it was just as gamechanging. Because what happens now? We'll find out in 2010...for now I need to go search through some LOST theories.

*SPOILER ALERT* I think my favourite part was realizing the guy in the beginning is the guy all along...the evil Locke. Who is that dude?! What is going on?! Is he inhabiting Locke, did he clone Locke, does Locke have a twin brother? We finally get a view of Jacob, and now we have to wonder about a whole new guy/entity. Is he the Smoke Monster? The devil? The creators love the biblical references...Jacob has emerged as a definite God-figure. But it seems like there's some Cain and Abel stuff going on, too. And what did Jacob mean by "they're coming" ? WHO? Seriously, I need to go NOW to see other people's theories. I'm quite relieved next year brings the final season...I bet it's going to be full of answers and more INTENSE CRAZINESS.

In conclusion, as Perry once pointed out, Gwen Stefani is the only person that can really get away with wearing her own merch -

And the other day she was wearing the same shirt I bought at Bamboozle. Yeah!

Wow, this post turned out to be way longer than I thought it would be.

Our love is so rock steady.

I will be updating later regarding the amazingness that was last night's Angels & Kings Two Year Anniversary Party and this morning's trek to 30 Rock to see NO DOUBT play on the Today show - and more pics of that, too! First, I've gotta finish up at work, meet up with Jesse who's back in town for the weekend (!!!), and get ready for BAMBOOZLE!! For now, I leave you with an appropriate:

Friday ALL NO DOUBT Playlist

01 Sunday Morning
02 Leftovers
03 Rock Steady
04 Sixteen
05 Don't Let Me Down
06 Home Now
07 Hey You
08 Bathwater
09 Start the Fire
10 End it on This

It's so hard to pick just ten to include. I looked through my iPod's No Doubt songs, and picked ten (considering beginners, enders, segues and a general upbeat feel) in a rough draft sort of way. I made an on-the-go playlist, and this is what I'm currently listening to at work! These aren't necessarily my top ten No Doubt songs at all - that's another study all together. Maybe in honor of their awesome tour I'll dig up that old feature Smiling Like I Mean It and attribute No Doubt songs to why they make me happy. AN ODE. I just came up with that idea. Sweet.

Detailed update of one of the best twelve hour stretches of my life coming SOON!

But your little wings are intertwined.

I have been neglecting - I know! It's been a pretty busy week thus far, and it's only halfway over.

Here's some fun:

I don't know if you all have heard yet, but Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 is indeed producing the next Motion City Soundtrack album!! Yay! This also means that Jesse will be recording in LA, and the preproduction actually starts pretty soon - though I will be dragging him back to this coast every once in a while. At the same time, I love visiting friends on the west coast, so I hope to get in a trip out there in my busy schedule. Plus, the demos are freakin' rad and I can't wait to hear what happens! They've definitely got a lot of good stuff brewing for this album and all it entails - stay tuned, and keep an eye on their tumblr, too! Even though he'll be away, I'm still looking forward to the upcoming months!

Yesterday after work we celebrated the impending summer by playing some bocce ball at a nearby park. It definitely got a little too cold near the end, but we're just sharpening up our skills. I can't wait until we're playing in a backyard with Bud Light Limes in hand. Also, for the winter months, Jesse got us an indoor bocce set. They're felt balls, and it's amazing. As in, all furniture and cats are in play. Eko and Keanu may or may not have moved the balls around or chased them while we threw them. It was hilarious.

Also, I just scored some awesome LAMB sneakers on a sale, and they are REVVING me up for the No Doubt shows this summer! First one being Bamboozle, of course. FACT: it's only one month away!!

Since they're called the "Music" sneakers, I'll most likely be wearing them to the shows, too. Aren't they sweet??

PS There were no April Fool's jokes in this post - promise!