Yes, I did speak to Jon Stewart about Bruce Springsteen

I've been pretty awful at updating recently, as I've been doing stupid things like writing my final papers and research projects. Damn school, always getting in the way of important things like blogging. I've pretty much moved into the grad lounge at Bobst, to the point where I now recognize the other "regulars". But I'm almost done!

I felt I needed to return to my dear friend the blog as yesterday was one pretty amazing day. It was the day I went to a filming of the Daily Show! I started the day off with a field trip of sorts with my research group member and friend Drew to the New York Historical Society Library. The building is under construction, so after taking us through some crazy back route, up a freight elevator, and cleansing us of all our possessions (well our bags and coats), we were in an absolutely gorgeous reading room, with access to an incredibly amount of rare, old and interesting documents and books. We dorked out looking at Goodyear Dirigible pamphlets from the 1930s (yes, this is what we do in graduate school), and grabbed a tea nearby.

I then met up with my friends Caroline and Rachel at Norma's a very chic restaurant at the Le Parker Meridien for one of the best brunches I've ever had. Rachel and Caroline had chocolate peanut butter waffles, and I had Norma's Eggs Benedict which is Canadian bacon, roast asparagus and poached eggs on top of pancakes, smothered in a truly amazing hollandaise with bottomless glasses of fresh OJ. Definitely not a cheap brunch but a treat nonetheless. On the way out, we posed with the various entries in the Gingerbread House competition, this year theme revolves around movies set in NYC. All pics below are care of Rachel, as I didn't bring my camera (no cameras allowed at Daily Show).

Me with the "Big" entry, complete with FAO Schwartz piano!

 We then walked from Norma's, over to what felt like the middle of nowhere to get in line for the Daily Show. You've gotta get there super early, as apparently they overbook the show, so you have no guarantee of getting in.

As Rachel said, the only image of Jon Stewart we'd be able to photograph (really intense no photography policies!)

We were the first in line!!

Caroline had an injured ankle, so the very nice Daily Show guy brought her a chair

Our noses and toes were so cold that we huddled together for warmth

Love the Dante reference

Finally, after almost 3 hours of waiting, they let us in!!

Once we were settled in the studio (3rd row centre, whattup!) they brought out a warm-up guy who was super high energy, and quite hilarious. It was fun to watch him pick on people in the audience who were not me. At this point I was so excited and feverish (from going out of the freezing cold into the warm) but I completely forgot my exhaustion when they brought Jon out. He asked if there were any questions and I immediately shot my hand up (he who hesitates is lost). I was the third question and I asked (I swear to god): "What is your favourite Bruce Springsteen song and why?". I decided that a serious question would probably just annoy him. He responded that its pretty much always been Thunder Road, and that it was actually the first song he taught his kid (although he said he realizes now how weird that is). But he added that at the moment he's particularly into "Lost in the Flood". Clearly, he is a man after my own heart.

So the show went on, was hilarious and awesome and fun, AND I was just full of glee that I'd had a conversation with Jon Stewart. With cookies in hand (we picked up cookies from Ruby et Violette, which we stumbled upon on the way home- deeelicious) and Jon Stewart in my heart, I took the long subway ride home. What a fabulous, fabulous day (and THANKS TO RACHEL FOR LETTING ME USE HER PHOTOS!)