Thursday, July 31, 2008

She Kissed a Gym Class Hero Before She Kissed a Girl

I am posting this today mostly because I am proud of myself. I just want to gloat about my power of observation. You know that song, the one that’s been stuck in your head for weeks and is about to get mucho annoying – I Kissed a Girl by Katy Perry? Well, I realized where we’ve seen her before. Yes, some of you might know her from her cult song last year, Ur So Gay. But, you also know her from somewhere else – in the video for the song of last summer, Cupid’s Chokehold by Gym Class Heroes. She plays the third girlfriend of frontman Travis McCoy. I deduced this based on an article in this week’s issue of Entertainment Weekly where they mention the two are dating in real life. She has such a unique sense of style (Madonna meets Lily Allen) that it became quite obvious (and a quick search on the interwebs confirmed it, so I know I'm not the first one to have this realization, but I did arrive at this conclusion myself). I don’t know if she’s in the video because they are dating or they met during the video, but they are a funky little couple. And he doesn’t seem to mind when she kisses girls and likes it.

Compare for yourself below (if you don’t believe me):



Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Matthew McConaughey is My Doula

Congratulations to Matthew McConaughey on the birth of son Levi. He recently did an exclusive interview with OK Magazine where he describes the birth as follows:

"We found a great rhythm," Matthew tells OK! about the delivery of baby Levi. "Contractions started kicking in. I sat there with her, right between her legs. We got tribal on it, we danced to it! I was DJ-ing this Brazilian music."

Is it just me, or does that sound awesome? I think I want to hire the McConster as my birthing coach. How much do you think he charges by the hour? Is whatever he’s smoking included in the price? At the least I have to get some of the Brazilian music he likes so much so The Hubby can start DJing. I’m sure when I’m in the throws of labor dancing will sound like an excellent idea. Nothing better to do, right? Oh, and it should be noted that his girlfriend Camila ended up having both an epidural and a C-section, so maybe Matty should stick to his day job – playing bongos in the nude . . .

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Happy Birthday Wil Wheaton

Today is my birthday. Sure, I share it with Gnarls Barkley’s Danger Mouse, Stephen Dorff, Days of Our Lives’s Bryan Dattilo, Martina McBride, fashion gurus Cynthia Rowley and Tim Gunn, Paulie Walnuts, and Captain Lou Albano. But my favorite person to share it with is Wil Wheaton. You see, I wasn’t a normal child. While most girls my age were lusting after Bon Jovi and Kirk Cameron, I had my sights set on gawky Wil. I fell in love with his bony little frame when my parents begrudgingly let me watch the R-rated Stand By Me. I was head over heels when he joined the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation. I even had my dad take me to a few Star Trek conventions, in hope of a sighting (alas, all I got was John de Lancie and George Takei, which I didn’t appreciate at the time). I even wrote my one and only fan letter to Wil (but I don’t think I ever mailed it). It went something like “Dear Wil, I’ve never written to anyone before . . .” I used to dream he’d take me to a romantic date on the Holodeck, where we’d hold hands and sit on the beach. Soon, he left the show and I lost interest in favor of real boys (enter The Hubby). I heard a few years ago that Wil was a computer programmer and had married an older lady with kids. Recently, we have reconnected via his blog, (meaning that I read his blog). He’s also been a talking head on I Love the 80’s and I Love The New Millenium on VH1, a writer, and a conventioneer, bless him. He's even been acting again. I was so happy he didn’t go the way of his Stand By Me cast mates, Corey Feldman or, God forbid, River Phoenix. Though, the fat kid ain’t doing too bad (see below). Who thought Jerry O’Connell would be the hot one? Anyway, Wil seems nice and normal, with a good family and a fond affection for his inner geekdom. Happy 35th, Wil. Let’s share a cake sometime.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

The Preggo Posse

So, I’ve dropped little hints about my impending bundle of joy lately (nothing like telling your family and friends about your being on the nest through your blog. That’s technology). I promise this will not turn into a pregnancy blog, because frankly, that’s boring. I will discuss it as it relates to celebrities I want to gossip about. So, we begin. Last year, I remember feeling insanely jealous about Nicole Kidman, Jessica Alba, Angelina Jolie, because everyone was flaunting their pregnancies and I got nothing. I knew by the time I was preggos everyone in Hollywood would be done having families and they’d all have their tubes tied. No bump watch, no celebrity stroller recommendations, no more baby showers sponsored by some fancy label, in the name of charity. So, even though I missed the last cut, I was thrilled to know I am not on this journey alone. My best make-believe gal pal is along with me, Jennifer Garner. With a baby as cute as Violet, how could she not be (the new kid will probably get all the other genes)? But wait, there’s more – Ashley Simpson-Wentz had a shotgun wedding and a mad craving for green olives. Alison Sweeney will drop the bomb on the newest installment of the Biggest Loser that she will be gaining while the poor contestants will be struggling to lose. Former BL Host Caroline Rhea (I know, sorta C team, but I’ll take what I can get. Unless Angelina pulls a Britney and has Irish quadruplets) was looking ha-yooge on Regis and Kelly yesterday (and thank God she’s not far ahead of me, which made me feel like less of a cow). Oh, and don’t forget about the O.G. Baby Mama, Amy Poehler , whose NBC sitcom is now delayed until next year, thanks to her bun. And Jerry O’Connell is actively trying to impregnate Rebbecca Romijn and telling the media about it, which further backs up my point that he needs a job. So, looks like I’ll be in good company through the end of this year, and then there are all the make-believe play dates next year. Can’t wait.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Feeling Viral

There are some viral videos I just do not get, such as this one:


I am convinced the lion is not greeting them, but looking for a way to eat them. Everyone keeps crying when they see it, but my cold cold sake heart just doesn’t get it. Other videos do touch me, however. Such as this one, of the Showbiz Pizza Characters singing Usher’s “Love in This Club.”


Not only is it a genius of inspiration, creativity, and technical skills, it also made me appreciate an otherwise crappy song. So, I was delighted to read this article yesterday explaining the origin of the video with way more back story and drama than you would think animatronics animals singing a hip-hop song should have. I won’t give it away, but read all the drama here. Makes me crave cardboard pizza, pitchers of warm Coke, and pits full of sticky, multi-colored balls. See, a lion in Africa – doesn’t strike a cord. Skeeball? Brings back memories. I guess it’s what’s personal to you. Which doesn’t explain my love for this video:


Or maybe it does . . .

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

The Bad Boys of Cold Sake

Every girl likes a bad boy right? Wrong! Kiki likes ‘em nice, skinny, honest, and non-violent. So, imagine my dismay this morning when I saw not one, but two of my boy crushes in the news for doing bad things. Sigh, it pains me to even think about it.

First up, we have Christian Bale. You know him as Batman. Fine. Before that he was Patrick Bateman from American Psycho. I knew him as the angel voice from Empire of the Sun (“Hey kid, you wanna Hershey bar?”). I loved that movie, even though I thought it was set in some weird corner or England until recently (never said was a genius). Anyway, he swept me off my feet in Little Women as the sensitive, dashing Laurie. So, imagine my horror when I find out that Christian Bale was arrested this morning for assaulting his mom and sister! Assaulting Mom and Sis? What kind of monster does that? I mean, I could see maybe some well placed noogies or Indian burns on your sister, but enough to escalate to an arrest? What the hell happened in that hotel room? And the police waited until after the premier to arrest him. How kind. I hope they consult the schedules of all of their criminals before arresting them. Anyway, seems like Patrick Bateman may be closer to the truth. I honestly expected more from Gloria Steinem’s stepson.

Next, is Balthazar Getty. Though he did not do anything legally wrong, it’s just morally wrong. So, Balthazar and I go way back. I first remember seeing him in Lord of the Flies and I thought he was the cutest. He blessed my closet door by way of at least one page torn out of Bop. I kept my eye out for him throughout the years. I even stuck by Balty as he went through a whole messy male Paris Hilton drug phase (he is the grandson of J.P. Getty after all). So, I was happy to see him resurface in Alias a few years ago. And then, again, on Brothers and Sisters. Well, life is imitating art because just as on the show, he has split from his just-gave-birth wife. They had baby #4 in October and he was seen canoodling with Sienna Miller (who was topless) on a boat. He claims he and his wife are separated, but dude, show a little respect. Topless, on a boat, really?

So, my list of Kiki’s 80’s crushes is growing shorter by the minute. All I have to say is, please don’t disappoint me at a drunken orgy at Comicon, Wil Wheaton.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Emmy Time!

So, the Emmy nominations are out. I know it's over a couple months away, but I'm excited for the return of awards season. All my favorites have been nominated – Mad Men, Neil Partick Harris from How I Met Your Mother, This American Life, Pushing Daisies and The Amazing Race. Strike and all this year, it was a crappy TV season, but it should be a great ceremony. I never realized how vast the actual nominations are, however. There are hundreds of categories. There are the important ones you see on TV, and then there are all the nerds who get their awards in a “special ceremony.” Here are some observations:

-They award Emmys for casting! There are 3 categories – comedy, drama, and special or miniseries. Wow, that’s not gonna be on TV. Along with the categories for Hair, Makeup and Choreography (big surprise, So You Think You Can Dance is nominated for 3 out of the 5 slots).

I knew this from working in advertising (since we used to win this category from time to time) but there is an Emmy for Best Commercial! Snooze!

-30 Rock is nominated for 7 Guest Actor/ Actress slots. They should win the Will and Grace Lifetime Achievement Award for Stunt Casting.

-Ryan Seacrest and Heidi Klum could add “Emmy Winner” pre-fixes to their names if either wins Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality - Competition Program. But can we acknowledge that Padma from Top Chef has been shut out?

This award needs to be on-air no matter what: Outstanding Original Music And Lyrics as I want to hear the presenter read the nominees including 'I'm F***ing Matt Damon' And how sad is it that if Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman win, they won’t be celebrating together?

-Oh, and it’s two categories as both the Matt Damon and Ben Affleck versions were nominated for Outstanding Picture Editing Of Clip Packages For Talk, Performance, Award Or Reality Competition Programs

-Omissions: Where the heck is Big Love in the nominations? All they get is a nod for Guest Actress? Not cool. I wouldn’t mess with ladies in prairie dresses and tall hair if I were them. Also, where’s Jon and Kate Plus 8? Little People, Big World got a nod for music composition. Isn’t there anything you can give to eight cute children? Why isn’t there a category for Best Doody Extraction? They would clean up, if so.

-Outstanding Drama – Boston Legal was nominated? Really? Really. Can we agree that Boston Legal and Entourage do no deserve a damn thing this season? It’s like Frasier all over again.

So, see you on September 21, kids! Get your cocktails and cigarettes ready, because I think Mad Men is going to sweep!

Thursday, July 17, 2008

First Impressions of Big Brother 10

It’s Big Brother time again! Power up the Chen-bot and let’s get ready for another installment. So, I’ve been watching this week and the cast is so far mostly dim-bulbs (with a few supposed “puppet-masters”). Last night, we saw the departure of Brian, who thought he was Dr. Will, except he was non-too-subtle in making alliances. Here are my impressions on the rest of the crew:

Angie My favorite so far. She seems like a nice, normal, down-to-earth gal. She’ll probably end up being “one of the guys,” so hopefully that will work to her advantage. She also bears a slight resemblance to Moon Bloodgood from my favorite canceled show of last fall, Journeyman.

April – One of the two house Barbies. She’s already fallen tits over stilettos for Ollie. We’ll see how smart she is as time goes on, or if the blonde goes all the way. She is a financial manager after all. At first I thought she had her own hedge fund, but she’s the hottie at the car dealership that sells you a loan, so not so much. Also, she was billed as being OCD in her bio, so I’m hoping for a little cuckoo storeroom organizing, if you know what I mean.

DanThe catholic school teacher who made an alliance with the first person to be voted out, so I’m not impressed so far. I also get the distinct feeling from him that he’s going to do something worthy of getting him fired from his job. That’s okay, he can just “go to confession” afterwards, as he stated in one of his interviews. Sure, pal, that helps you get your job back.

Jerry I knew the house “grandpa” would get nominated into HOH right away. But, he’s easily manipulated as judged by his interactions with Brian. As someone who claims he hasn’t missed an episode in BB history, I hope he knows he is now a marked man . . .

JessieMaybe he could play the game if he stopped looking at his own muscles for 30 seconds. This professional body-builder seems to be a one-trick-pony of testosterone. I do not expect him to go far in this game.

Keesha – The only white girl in history named Keesha. The other Barbie of the house is also a Hooters waitress. I predict a Playboy contract, but not a ½ mil as she has already pissed the other Barbie off. Hair extensions and little plastic shoes may start flying everywhere if they throw down.

LibraLibra gets “Mother of the Year” award for leaving a 4-year-old daughter and 5-month-old twins (!) at home. Hopefully I can get past this fact at some point, but I seethe every time she’s on screen. She’s also a weird mix of Gabrielle Union and Michelle Obama. Fist bump!

MemphisThis can’t be his real name. It reminds me of the scene in Forrest Gump: “There was Dallas, from Phoenix; Cleveland - he was from Detroit; and Tex... well, I don't remember where Tex come from.” Memphis from L.A. is a mixologist, or a bartender for us regular folk. Brian believes him to be the biggest threat (after himself). Make me a virgin martini first, Memphis, then we’ll see.

MichelleShe’s the around-the-way girl from my neck of the woods. She seemed like a mouthy broad who WILL kick your ass in the first episode. The last two days, she’s gone into the wood paneling. Maybe her day will be coming soon.

Ollie – The son of a preacher-man fell in love with Barbie #1 (April) at first sight. I believe he’s going to go Church-boys Gone Wild and give us something to look at on BB After Dark.

RennyI really hoped she would be leaving us last night. Holy crap, is she annoying. I bet the house is going to assume they can always get rid of her. Therefore, I reluctantly predict Renny to be the winner of BB10.

Stephen I haven’t seen much of the gay rodeo cowboy this week. Which means I have nothing further to say other than: “Big Brother, I wish I could quit you . . .

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Mama Mia! It’s Batman!

This week, I’ve had all of the morning shows in my periphery : Today Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, The View. I feel like I have been inundated this week by the marketing blitz of both Mama Mia and The Dark Knight. First up, the B Team players – The singing dads (Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan) from Mama Mia (Hey! We’re FILF hot and we can sing, sorta!) and the vaudeville act of Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman making the rounds (Hey! We’re two old funny men who don’t give a sh*t if this movie actually does well since we’ll be making movies another fifty years no matter what!). As they appear on one show after the next, I can practically see their limos make it through the rush hour streets of Manhattan studio to studio. All the shows are helping the publicists stay on message – I didn’t know you knew how to sing, cast of Mama Mia! Is Heath Ledger going to get nominated for an Oscar, cast of the Dark Knight? Oh, sorry to step on your joke with that awkward question, Morgan Freeman. Somehow, The Today Show snagged early interviews with the stars of each movie by Tuesday – Batman himself, Christian Bale (who looked intensely still in character with a punchy Matt Lauer) and Oscar Queen Meryl Streep (who was practically nursed by the gushing Anne Curry). The View and Regis won’t score her until later in the week. And then there’s other buzz coming from every other media outlet. Can we believe the hype that these are the two best movies ever made? Will Heath really win that posthumous Oscar everyone is already predicting in July? Is it like this for every movie and I’m just grumpy because I know I won’t be getting to the movies this weekend and I’m therefore missing out? Ok, so I’ll miss the big premieres, but I possibly see each of these movies as a distinct bonding experience with each of my parents, as they fit into each of these two opposite demographics perfectly. But wait, where the hell is Maggie Gyllenhaal in all of this?

Monday, July 14, 2008

Adventures in Sinuses

Today, we interrupt our usual programming of pop culture snarkiness to bring you the greatest invention of the last couple thousand years – the neti pot. No, this isn’t a feed from my friend Michelle’s au naturel blog, What Does Your Body Good? This is simply Kiki Goes Crunchy. I know, I know. I’m not exactly the picture of granola, but I think this thing has changed my life. I’ve been an allergy sufferer since my 20’s and have just kind of put up with it. I’ve never seen a specialist, but have been known to pop a few Claritins and Zyrtecs (not to mention pump the Flonase up the nose) in my time. Due to my working at home from my infected house, my allergies seem to have gotten worse this summer. Plus, with Cold Sake Jr. on the way, I want to abstain from my usual remedies. Michelle told me to get a neti pot, and I was like "Yeah, whatever.” I am not snorting salt water from a teapot. It sounded like a nasal burn waiting to happen. Finally, this weekend, I couldn’t take it anymore. On one of our weekly visits to Whole Foods for The Hubby’s Gourmet Project Blog, Gourmet, All the Way (what, does everyone I know have a freakin’ blog?) I buckled and nabbed one. I had no idea the reaction it would bring. In a store full of flax seed, quinoa, Organic Hot Pockets, wouldn’t you know this brought attention? You know things are bad when you get heckled by the commies at Whole Foods. The cashier started giggling and soon there was a crowd gathered around the register. The bagger reassured me he loved his neti pot and it did not burn at all (though all I could picture was the same feeling Tony Montana must have had in this scene from Scarface). The Hubby was taking sick glee in my discomfort and begged to watch me christen my new pot. Nothing says intimacy like watching snot run out of your partner’s nose. I abstained in fear and stubbornness yesterday. Today, still misery, I buckled, grabbed a spoon and went to mix up my salt water potion. I got the water to a comfortable temp, read the directions, took a deep breath and inserted the spout up my nose. The directions say to tilt your head in such a manner and the water is supposed to run up one nostril and out the other. Well, I don’t have quite the hang of it yet because I felt a sudden tingling and realized I had emptied half the pot up one side and nothing was coming out. I disengaged and a fountain ran out. But it didn’t hurt. I did the same with the other half thinking it will take me a couple of days to get the hang of it. Let me tell you – my schnoz has never felt better. I have been sniffle free all afternoon. I love my neti pot! Seeing as I still have the same headache since yesterday, I’m going to now do a search and see if there’s anything those natural health wizards recommend. Hand stands? I’m in.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Great White Sighting Leaves Me Scared Poopless

Happy birthday to my sister Elisa. It’s her birthday today and I have to thank her for something – my crippling fear of sharks. Yes, that’s right. She made me fear sharks. Against my parents better judgment, they let 3 year old me watch Jaws (it was a different time, I guess, where you let toddlers watch horror movies). My older sister picked up on the fact that I was scared sh*tless and used that movie as a torture device for years to come. She would chase me with the TV Guide whenever there was an ad for it in the small, black and white movie listings (yes, it was that bad). As I got older, the fear stayed with me. My parents took me to see Empire Strikes Back at the movies (probably a more appropriate choice) when I was a little older. There was an enormous cutout of Jaws 3-D in the lobby. I promptly covered my head with my jacket and walked into the cutout (I want to faint now just remembering). From that moment on, I could not walk into a Blockbuster without carefully avoiding the horror section (thank you Netflix!) Yes, I still jump and go into a cold sweat today when I see any of the 4 movie posters. I’ve seen all the films now many, many times (I can decide if 3-D or 4: The Revenge is more craptastic). I explain I can handle it if I know it’s coming. So, imagine my horror when I saw the news today -- Shark is Reported Off Martha's Vineyard. Not just any shark – a great white shark. In the same location the movie was filmed (the beach in the opening sequence!). This is a big freakin’ deal as despite what Mr. Spielberg showed, there are not supposed to be great white sharks off the coast of Massachusetts. They have closed the beaches and it’s all strangely reminiscent of the film. Here’s the kicker – my sister leaves for Cape Cod tomorrow (a hop, skip and a jump from the Vineyard). Swimming distances for big, hairy sharks. She has invited me to come stay with her for a few days. Needless to say, I am not going to visit her anytime soon! I think I’ll hide in an empty bathtub. With the drain plugged.

P.S. (Notice there are no pictures or IMDB links for this post – are you crazy?)

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Cold Sake Hall of Fame: Murakami

Kanye West kinda ruined my next hall of fame entrant by bringing him to the masses via his album cover for Graduation. I’m talking about the great Japanese contemporary artist, Takashi Murakami. You see, years ago before Kanye made his discovery, I got interested in the work of Murakami via an exhibit at the MFA Boston. He’s like the Japanese Andy Warhol (another favorite of mine), taking low culture and mass packaging it. He sells his designs in the form of figures, t-shirts, stuffed animals, and the beloved Louis Vuitton Monogram Multicolore bag line (with Marc Jacobs). This is how Kanye and Murakami first bonded, over a love of all things Louis. But that bums me out a bit, because he was mine before that (and maybe a few artsy hipsters). Now, though everyone may not know who he is by name, most are familiar with some of his work. Any douchebag with a Kanye West CD now knows his style. Or anyone shopping for illegal fake purses on Canal street covets the Louis bag. So, I still celebrate Murakami, as his mission of bringing high art to the mouth breathers (i.e. regular people) is succeedeing. But I was here first, Kanye. Step off! (Kanye knows I still love him . . .)

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

My Feud with The Feud

Are you watching Celebrity Family Feud? We seem to be going through one of those cycles where game shows are back (remember the Millionaire craze of 1999?). There’s Million Dollar Password, The Price is Right Million Dollar Craptacular, etc (mind you that none of these shows actually give away money). But game shows are hot again (thanks writer’s strike). They aren’t the kind I normally like because I am a trivia girl myself (yes, I made it to the second round of auditions for World Series of Pop culture last year -- got through the wicked written exam, flunked the personality portion. Figures.). I would dominate on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, if only I could get on. But Family Feud – I have fond memories of this show from childhood. Richard Dawson always found a way to molest the female family members on camera, and then he would offer them a lollipop (sometimes with money in it). Ah, those were the days. I always thought my family of five would rock that show, if I could just get us all to California (never gonna happen). So, I must be content watching the B-cast of The Office go head to head with the American Gladiators. With jolly Al Roker as the host (who did he sleep with at NBC to get this gig?). I was annoyed with my gameplay last night as the cast of My Name as Earl, in character, went for the comedy answers instead of trying. It was not pretty. Either the comedy is more important than the game, or they are really that stupid. At any rate, I’ll stick to my classic Game Show Network when I want a good fix. With a side of trivia, please.

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

I Broke Something in Takashimaya

My recent promotion of Takashimaya to the Cold Sake Hall of Fame got me thinking about my experiences there. We first discovered the Japanese Macy’s (on crack) during our first trip to NYC in 2002. I had heard Madonna and Gwenyth Paltrow shopped there, so I had to go see for myself. You see, I am a champion window shopper. I have non-shopped at some of the finest stores in the world. We walk around, comment on things, and leave empty handed, usually not being able to afford a shopping bag at a store like that. So, we toured the six tiny floors (and basement tea shop), used the pleasantly scented bathrooms, and that was that. In Tokyo, we discovered the real version of the miniature. It was six floors times 10 in terms of square footage. They even had a kimono boutique, a Boy Scouts (of America, mind you) badge outpost, and two gigantic basements with prepared foods and groceries. It was very posh, but very cold, which is a premium in August in Japan. Dying from heatstroke in Kyoto, we remembered this and charged the building for some sweet relief. So, back in New York last Christmas, walking the animatronic window route of 5th Avenue, we decided to stop back in and pay our respects. Yes, we hung with Giorgio Armani. But then, the unthinkable happened. I broke something in Takashimaya. It was like that episode of Sex and the City when Carrie falls in Dior. I was poking through the cheap table on the ground floor (you know, for the window-shopping tourists) and came across a little set of glass test tube vases, in a glass base (sort like this). The glass was paper thin, like ribbon candy. Well, I picked up a test tube, looked at it, put it down, and then -- pop. A big crater had formed in the side of the test tube. I carefully slunk away from the table, my face red. No one seemed to notice. Eventually, I did buy a set of Travel Topic Cards, which really did help pass the time on the way home once we hit Connecticut. The good news is I got a super cool triangular Takashimaya shopping bag for my $10 purchase. The bad news? I don’t know if I’m allowed back. I’m hoping their induction into the Hall of Fame is a show of good will. Maybe we can work something out?

Monday, July 07, 2008

Coldsake Hall of Fame (It's Official!)

Ahh, what a great long weekend. I was a pool bum since last Thursday, but now it’s back to reality Monday. I did get to thinking, while floating in the pool, wouldn’t it be great to officially kick off the Cold Sake Hall of Fame? I feel like I need to honor those who honor the Cold Sake spirit of fabulousness, with a touch of Eastern spunk. As I mentioned before, Megan Ward is definitely inducted for being on one of the best TV shows of all time (Party of Five) and being a former Japanese game show host. My addendum to Wednesday’s story included the Japanese department store, Takashimaya . We’ve been to both the Tokyo and NYC outposts and though very different, they are both wonderful. They’re in too. So, any Hall of Fame suggestions, send my way. Until then, check out the (hopefully) growing list, in the right nav. Kampai!

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Oh, The People I Know!

Yesterday’s post got me thinking about my general attitude towards famous people. I would love to say I’ve “met” many in my day, but there’s actually very few I have exchange physical contact with (or words for that matter). I have a “don’t tap on the glass and bother the animals” policy when it comes to celebrities. I will not go up to them if I see them on the street. The only time I have met famous people has been after waiting in line for hours. I figure, they don’t know me, I don’t want to bother them, and if we meet, the world will go on as before, so WTF. I don’t really see the point of getting a person’s signature on a piece of paper because what’s the point in that? I can sign my name too, you know. I think we learned the hard way not to bother the beautiful people when, at a Barenaked Ladies concert, we spotted Jason Priestley. The Hubby, in a completely out of character move, grabbed the diminutive Priestley by the shoulder, practically spun him around, and said “Hey man, I really liked 90210.” Priestley turned with a look of such venom, I thought The Hubby, even though he was half-a-foot taller, was going down. Priestly just replied “Thanks, man,” and continued to hurry wherever he was off to. From that point on, we don’t bother the animals. Here, however, is a chronological list with who I have met, been in the same room with, or kissed (in the case of Donny Osmond):

1978 – My grandparents flung me (a toddler) into the arms of Mr. Osmond during a concert. The Mormon god planted one right on my cheek. I’ve never been the same and it’s been downhill from there.

1980 – I stood in line at a car show in Worcester, MA, with my parents to meet Scott Baio. Mind you, at age five, my imaginary friend/ husband was Scott Baio (little did I know he wasn’t the marrying kind and the Playboy Mansion was more his speed). Upon meeting Cha-chi, I handed him an envelope of clippings about himself from 16 Magazine (what was a five year old doing with a copy of that, you might ask). He asked me for a kiss, I refused (I was not an easy five year old). My older sister got some, though, lucky bitch.

1992 – I debated with John Kerry in my high school auditorium (I was a misguided republican child, probably all those 16 Magazines). Little did I know I could have gotten tazed, bro.

1993 – Stood in line, in college, for New Kids on the Block. They were getting a star at the erstwhile Tower Records. I was doing it to be ironic, but I kinda got into it after waiting few hours. Joey McIntyre was the only one to make eye contact, bless him.

1995 – Does a book signing with Naomi Wolf count? Naw, didn’t think so.

1997 – On the way back from a grad school fair, we spotted Ringo Starr strolling down the street. A horde of screaming girls soon followed, just like the old days. I was so glad I did not join in as I later discovered he was in town for treatment for his daughter’s brain cancer. Eek.

1999 – The Priestley incident. And I met a few of the Barenaked Ladies, who were fortunately fully clothed.

2002 – In our trip to NYC, we see Richard Schiff from the West Wing, in Central Park, with his kids. We also accidentally walk through a Woody Allen movie set and see little Woody, looking like a tiny flasher in his raincoat. Oh, and a big haired Beyonce squirrelly dined across from us at Nobu. She looked very shifty.

2003 – Back to NYC, Richard Schiff is loitering outside a Broadway theater. We begin to suspect he is in fact stalking us.

2004 – At a meet and greet for Garden State, I get bored waiting to talk to Zach Braff and leave.

2007 – We meet Barrack Obama at a NH political thingy. Sadly, my body is cut off in the photo (dude is tall).

2008 – Anthony Rapp and Josh Ritter (and Natalie Merchant).

So, who have you “met”?

Addendum: The Hubby reminded me of two more touches with fame:

2004 -- While The Hubby was in Law School, we attended the yearly "law prom" at his school. Usually, they would have political guest speakers like Hans Blix, Supreme Court Justices, the usual riff raff. Well, this year they shelled out the coin for Bill O'Reilly. What an ass! He spoke for 5 minutes and then was gracious enough to sign autographs. I waited to get my program signed for my little Fox News watchin' grandma and he just growled and didn't look up. Definitely my least favorite famous person of all time!

2007 – On a pre-holiday trek to NYC, we saw Giorgio Armani on the housewares floor of the chichi Japanese department store, Takashimaya. He was standing there quietly poking around, looking leathery and fabulous, while members of his posse yelled “Giorgio!” from across the room, scurrying around. It was otherwise empty in there and the Hubby and I just looked at each other like “wow!”

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Meeting and Greeting Josh Ritter

So after Friday’s thrilling show, we were herded like cattle into the Something-Cahners room off the first balcony level. There was a little noise waiting to get into the room as there were some party crashers (VIPs only, nephew, step aside). It was a long and narrow room with high ceilings, 2 bars (cash), and two little balconies with doors (which we thought it would be cool if Josh entered from there and waived like The Queen). So, we got some beverages and settled in for the wait. I learned that Pops Punch, is actually alcoholic and a bargain at $2 a glass. Alas, since little Kiki is off the sauce until the arrival of Coldsake Jr. at the end of the year, I had to settle for some cranberry juice. The place got very packed with the nerdy ticket holders and actual friends and family. Within a half hour, members of the band filed in. I kept my distance, since I had no idea what their names were and they were receiving hugs from mom and dad (there were a handful of hipster Natalie Portman types in party dresses that I assumed were “the dates”). I soon noticed that people were getting their commemorative posters signed by the band. I was bored, they were all there, so I decided to “collect them all” (it felt like a weird scavenger hunt after a bit). I learned the band members are Zack Hickman (with the handlebar mustache, bass), Sam Kassirer (piano), Austin Nevins (guitar), Liam Hurley (drums). They were all very nice, fighting off hordes of pen wielding girls. There was lots of pen sharing going on and I felt like a big fat groupie. I also took a picture with Zach because you can’t say no to a photo op with a man with a mustache like that. Still, no sign off Josh. It was an hour later and the Hubby was starting to get cranky. And the room had gotten hot, very hot. Soon, all the families left. We went through one door and nothing was happening. I finally asked another kid and he pointed to the door we came in (I guess Josh never made it in the room). A line had already formed, snaking to the midway point (how did I miss that?). We got in at the end and waited. The line was not moving. And it was now the seventh circle of hell hot. I felt a pregnancy related puking/ passing out incident coming on (which I would have done if I thought it would get me to the front of the line) and sat down on some cool marble and waited. We realized Josh must be having a 15 minute personal conversation with EVERYONE. Finally, one of the line henchmen came out to announce Symphony Hal was throwing us out on our collective asses (!) but if we went to outside, he would be there. So, we decided to leave and be the first ones outside. Well, line henchman #2 decided they would lead us down in an orderly fashion from upstairs (!) so we had to go back. Luckily, we didn’t lose too much ground. We calmly walked into cooler (but muggy) air and waited some more. Thankfully, the line was moving. I only had to listen to slight off-key sing-alongs (groan) and boys gushing to their presumed girl friends how excited they were. Hmmm. Eventually, we got to the front of the line (but not before spying a tiny Natalie Merchant getting into Josh’s SUV limo. It was 80 and muggy, but she was wearing a heavy blue winter coat and thick black headband. And sensible shoes. She looked very old, like your grandma on the way to church. Double hmmm.) Anyway, Josh gave me and the hubby each a huge bear hug and proceeded to chat. Just chat, like he had no where else to be. He admitted he did make a ton of mistakes during the show, but I told him it was cool. We took a picture, he signed my poster, told me my necklace was badass (which it was), and gave another round of hugs! It was surreal, but worth the wait. I’ve met other performers who don’t make eye contact (I’m talking to you New Kids on the Block) and this was special indeed. I hope to meet Josh again next time he comes to my neck of the woods. Until then, he remains on high rotation on Itunes.