Awesome article on NJ, via @tedleo: online.wsj.com/article_email/SB123275571425511845-lMyQjAxMDI5MzIyNDcyNTQ1Wj.html. Nice to see my state get some good press for once, beyond the generic Springsteen/Bon Jovi/Sinatra.

The Best Part:
But these local grievances do not explain why New Jersey's worth eludes the rest of the country. Angus Kress Gillespie, a professor of American Studies at Rutgers University, accounts for the national scorn in two words: "The Turnpike." (it's funny 'cause it's true)

I have corresponded directly with Ted Leo; I feel guilty for continuing to miss his shows.

And because it cannot be said enough: Eff off, Randy Jackson. The dude may have an impressive resume, but he knows jackall about current music, except generic R&B stuff.

Look at this bullshit:


It's a cute ad campaign and all; it thanks mullets and dudes with big muscles and little brains, and ladies with big...hair, but why must there be continued ripping on NJ? I'll never forget the first time I learned that people make a sport out of ripping on my fair state. I was on a camp field trip to Brown University, and the counselor leading the trip said something like, "A lot of people consider Providence to be the armpit of the nation." And some wiseass said, "I thought that was New Jersey!" And I was horrified.

But as usual, I'm full of it myself, because I totally make fun of people from "down the shore" and the guidos, and even the stuck up folks in my area... but when other people do it, it's a horse of a different color. Yeah, I own George Carlin's "What Am I Doing in New Jersey?"

(  This encapsulates the situation really well (from Carlin) )

Oh and swell job, Giants. I'm routing for Pittsburgh, now.