LA From Our Plane!
Photo: Mark Swierszcz

After all the hype, all the anticipation, all the will she won't she ... it's finally VMA time! And what a way to kick start this year with the brand new announcement that lil Brit Brit herself will be opening the show. Not performing - opening. But seeing as last years 'performance' was more of an 'opening,' maybe this years 'opening' will be more of a 'performance.' Oh we really are such lucky duckys.

It's DAY 1 for us here at ground zero, as us MTV folks went for a long class trip all the way on down to L.A. this afternoon. You know you're on your way to Hollywood when your flight is crammed with celebs and more Botox than bottled water. From Canada's own David Cronenberg, Sean Cullen, MSTRKRFT, that good old CHUM boy Moses Znaimer, and Muchmusic's very own Devon Soltenbeek, to dudes that made me look more than twice to check if they were Schwayze (no really, right down to the bloody 'stache) and women with faces of 20 somethings and the hands of 70 somethings ... it was a very refreshing reminder that we weren't in Canadaland anymore. Maybe it was the high altitude, or the lack of sleep, or the sheer willingness to see our favourite big fat M at every turn, but MTV seemed to pop up all over! Countless articles in the glossies we fingered through,MTV Sweden's Kiki on a cooking show on our itty bitty seat TV, chats with our seat neighbour from England about Living on the Edge's Esme's and Russell Brand's bad hair-dids, to flying over last year's scene of the crime, Vegas ... there was no way we'd get homesick.

Fast forward to our temporary hotel home, and the lobby was filled with even more reminders that we're only days away from music and entertainments big shindig. Even more celebs and bizz peeps wheelin' and a dealin' all over the lobby bar. And seriously, what more could a gal ask for ... there's a make-up convention being held here too. Free swag here I come! Move over laptop - make way for more than just those free shower caps and soaps!

Now brush your teeth and say your prayers ... and check back tomorrow for more from L.A. ... we're only 3 more sleeps away!