VERONICA from Rio Hondo!

I hadn’t been interested in South by Southwest in years. Having been a volunteer in 2004, my senior year of college, I felt like I’d already done the SXSW thang. I spent my Spring Break week running up and down Austin’s crowded streets to see Pete Yorn, The Von Bondies and N.E.R.D. Since then, I’ve moved on. I’ve got a job now and responsibilities and things just aren’t as carefree as they were back then and it’s just not that easy to take a week off for a music festival anymore. But this year, I said why not? I can spend the weekend in Ausin, visit some old friends and try to see as many bands possible. Also, SXSW isn’t what it used to be. In the past five years, the festival has gotten bigger, better and more amazing. With secret shows, hundreds of performers and celebrity parties, Austin turns into the hippest place to be on the planet for one week.

So I took a little 5-hour trip to my second hometown and was lucky enough to get my name on the Perez Hilton invite list, which was, as far as I knew, almost impossible to do. Luckily my best friend’s roommate’s catering company got me on the list. I have no idea how anyone else got in, seriously. I’m sure their roommate’s friend’s boyfriend’s sister did the trick? Am I right? Seriously! How did everyone get on that thing? I spent 10 minutes speaking to a writer for the Austin Chronicle telling me the only way she could make it in was with a press pass.

Anyway, I’m going to be honest here. I can’t stand Perez Hilton. I was an avid reader of his when he first started out, but his rise to fame made him into a self-promoting whore. It’s like the only thing he ever posts about is himself and how famous he is. But, I knew the party would be amazing. Rumors were circulating that his special guest would either be Lady Gaga or Kanye West early on in the day. I spent the entire morning speculating. I’d die either way. Die in a good way. But I almost did die (in a bad way) when someone announced The Indigo Girls as his special guest performers. Nevertheless, after almost 7 hours of free vodka and the likes of Solange, Natalie Portman’s Shaed Head and Ladyhawke, Kanye took the stage and the entire room basically exploded. Best night of my life? It’s up there.

This week we said goodbye to two American Idol finalists. But who will be next? I say Megan Corkrey fo’ sho’.

I’m so glad HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords” is back. It’s been way too long since I’ve had a hearty filling of their musical comedy. I must admit, I was a little apprehensive about this season because the first episode felt a little forced. I was afraid Bret and Jemaine had lost their skills. But this season’s second episode proved me wrong. The boys are going through some tough financial times like the rest of us. But Jemaine knows where the money is at.

Is it just me or do Jemaine’s dance moves make him 10 times sexier than he ever was? SERIOUSLY.