Stoned in New Jersey

Well, my things-to-do-before-I-die list just got shorter. Tonight I saw the Rolling Stones. In New Jersey. That's two birds with one stone: see the Rolling Stones and go to New Jersey.

And let me tell you, it was worth it. Set list wise, the show was nothing to write home about. Opened with "It's Only Rock N Roll," played a bunch of obscure/newer stuff for the next hour then closed with a rousing if predictable stream of the biggest hits, ending with "Brown Sugar."

What made it worth the ticket price (which the delightful Amy Mitten comped as an early birthday present for me) is seeing Mick Jagger in person. Much is often made of his vitality at 63, but it's something that has to be seen to truly register. Watching him strut, shake and swagger for a full two hours 1.) wore me out 2.) impressed the hell out of me and 3.) kinda turned me on. If it weren't for his slightly weathered face and his singing voice that has turned into more of a howl than a croon (not that he was ever a Sinatra in his heyday, either) you'd swear he was a 20-something New York rocker. He had the multiple costume changes of clingy shirts and tight black pants to prove it.

Keith Richards, however, is also more ridiculous in person. (And by in person, as seen through binoculars on a Jumbo-Tron from the VERY LAST row in Giants Stadium. As in the very top, the summit, against the wall. Hey, I still enjoyed myself, even when I ducked the occasioinal low-flying plane.) He has so many deep-set wrinkles on his face it's as if someone folded his skin and glued it. You could lose change in those creases! He even sang on two songs, which was just as impressive vocally as it was incoherent lyrically. No one sings "No wuh luhv meee like yuh duh" the way Keith does. Can't wait for your PIrates cameo, by the way, dude!

All in all, it was a totally memorable, surreal experience, and my first time leaving the city (and state) since coming here five weeks ago today. Both hard and crazy to believe it's been that long already.

And tomorrow, the week of insanity continues. Two more Ad Week events (including one at 8:30, but with free breakfast and CEOs from Meredith, Hearst and Conde Nast — sweet!) and an interview with Howie Mandel at Toys R Us (how's that for a check-off on the ol' to-do list?) before another concert, Regina Spektor. I'm expecting that one to be completely opposite of the Stones, but every bit as awesome. And after THAT, Kate Bigam's supposed to be in town, making her the third hag to touch down in the city in one week. Oh, Advertising Week, you have so many more surprises left up your sleeve these next two days, don't you?