Every now and then I’ll get an angry email from someone who is offended by I Hate California, usually someone who is from California, and who hasn’t ever heard of the “unreliable narrator” concept. I always patiently explain that the song is actually about a girl, and if they are from LA I explain it to them very slowly. <--joke

On the contrary, I quite enjoy California. This last weekend trip to San Francisco was even better than expected - both shows were great, and Saturday night featured this incredible Mr. Fancy Pants battle with the astounding Kid Beyond:

But it was particularly nice to have a couple of days to just hang out in San Francisco. And you know, when you’re super-famous like me, “hanging out” means kicking it with other super-famous people, famous-style. If you follow me on Twitter you will have already seen me dropping names and photos of myself with my fellow superstars, but please allow me to do so again. Observe:

BAM!

KAPOW!

On top is Adam Savage of Mythbusters fame, one of the sweetest and most awesomest television personalities I have had the pleasure of knowing. He showed us around the set at Mythbusters and those jars in front of us are filled with various kinds of animal poo, so that’s pretty great. You may recognize comedy song duo Paul and Storm in that second one, I see them a lot actually, meh. But there is also Chris Hardwick of the inimitable Hard n Phirm, and of course HOLY CRAP IT’S WEIRD AL YANKOVIC!

Most of the time I try to play it cool when it comes to these sorts of encounters (see photo 2), but I was a complete dork for much of the weekend (see photo 1 – thumbs up for animal poo!). I am still surprised when people think that I am dork-out-worthy, but listen: if you meet me and can’t think of anything to say, and suddenly feel awkward and uncomfortable inside your own buzzing idiot head, I know exactly what you’re going through.

Next big trip is to Dallas, Austin, and Houston on Feb 4, 5, and 6. You have some big shoes to fill, Texas. I mean, do you even HAVE famous people?

1.
Oh man you guys, I forgot how exciting it is to play in a market for the first time. I don’t know why it took me so long to get to Florida, but I’m glad I did. I was sorry to leave, especially since it was just getting warm – I had to wear my winter coat at Disneyworld! (Don’t let anybody tell you it isn’t hard to be a rock star, because it is.)

2.
And not to overlook the kind people of Atlanta who actually bought all available tickets at the Variety Playhouse. That’s 750 people, which is nuts. That’s like Seattle numbers. Well done Atlanta, here is a cookie: O

3.
Twitter followers and obsessive types will already know this, but the tickets have finally gone on sale for Houston February 6th at Zilkha Hall – BUY THEM HERE. There were various problems that kept this from happening until way too close to the show – I’m hoping it’s not going to be a complete disaster. If it is, the 15-20 of us will still have fun, just, I will have to sleep in a box that night.

Welcome back everyone! Here we are in the shiny new future world of 2010, and doesn’t it feel good? As long as you haven’t been laid off or blown up by terrorists I mean?

As you know, I am a fan of the future. That is why I will continue to tour there. Look for my flying car at the following places and times:

Orlando, FL – The Social
Thursday January 14 at 7 PM
With Paul and Storm
Tickets: bit.ly/3Teu0M
Note: There is no seating at this show, so bring your feet. Avoid service charges by buying at the box office M/W/F, or pay only $1 service charge when you buy at Park Avenue CDs.

St. Petersburg, FL – Nova 535
Friday January 15 at 8 PM
With Paul and Storm
Tickets: bit.ly/2Zr956

Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
Saturday January 16 at 8:30 PM
With Paul and Storm
Tickets: bit.ly/1Wfbbo
Note: Service charge only $2.25 when you buy through the venue’s ticket club, or $1 for credit at the box office, or $0 for cash at the box office.

San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
Friday January 22 at 9 PM
With Paul and Storm
Tickets: bit.ly/3uE2HO
Note: Service charge only $1 at the box office.

San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
Saturday January 23 at 9 PM
With Paul and Storm
Tickets: bit.ly/585J7N
Note: Service charge only $1 at the box office.

Dallas, TX – Grenada Theater
Thursday February 4 at 7 PM
With Paul and Storm
Tickets: bit.ly/5xUH5E

Austin, TX – Antone’s
Friday February 5 at 8 PM
With Paul and Storm
Tickets: bit.ly/mhGdL

Houston, TX – Zilkha Hall
Saturday February 6 at 8 PM
With Paul and Storm
Tickets: on sale soon

Scottsdale, AZ – Martini Ranch
Thursday February 18 at 7:30 PM
With Paul and Storm
Tickets: bit.ly/83BHEu
Note: Limited GA seating

San Diego, CA – Anthology
Friday February 19 at 7:30 PM
With Paul and Storm
Tickets: bit.ly/8gx5KW

Los Angeles, CA – Largo
Saturday February 20 at 8 PM
With Paul and Storm
Tickets: Call box office at 310-855-0350

Los Angeles, CA – Largo
Sunday February 21 at 8 PM
With Paul and Storm
Tickets: Call box office at 310-855-0350

Vancouver, BC – Rio Theater
Thursday February 25 at 8 PM
With Paul and Storm
Tickets: bit.ly/6v7It8

Seattle, WA – Moore Theater
Friday February 26 at 8 PM
With Paul and Storm
Tickets: bit.ly/6q1UIw

Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater
Saturday February 27 at 8 PM
With Paul and Storm
Tickets: bit.ly/6sQSkR

Alexandria, VA – The Birchmere
Friday March 12 at 7:30 PM
With Paul and Storm
Tickets: bit.ly/4TgXNf

Boston, MA – PAX East
Somewhere there in 3/26-3/28
Details TBA

bit.ly/4QUIVa

New York, NY – Highline Ballroom
Friday April 2 at 7 PM
With Paul and Storm
Tickets: bit.ly/83dtU0

New York, NY – Highline Ballroom
Saturday April 3 at 7 PM
With Paul and Storm
Tickets: bit.ly/7ocm6D

That’s all for now. Happy new year to everyone, and see you soon…