CS/6

We're on a roll here...

While walking home from the gym today, we were just about to stop to look at some Christmas trees on the street when I noticed Jesse Bradford walking toward us. I knew Adrian wouldn't know who he was just from his name, so I tried to get out as much as I could before he passed by us. It sounded something like this, "JesseBradfordFlagsofourFathersguywhowassuck-up". Adrian didn't believe me, so we had to turn around and follow him into Duane Reade and pretend to look for bottled water, so Adrian could get a better look. Adrian was surprised at how short he was, but his IMDB site lists him as 5'8" so there you go. In case you need a bit more background, his biggest roles have been in the movies "Flags of our Fathers," "Swimfan," and "Bring it On".

CS/5

To waste some time today before a movie, we wandered into a Pottery Barn across the street from the theatre. We were instantly bombarded with huge signs stating "Pardon our appearance while we film a segment of The Early Show with Julie Chen". Since I'm super focused on finishing our apartment decorating before our three straight weeks of houseguests in December, I didn't take much notice. But then I remembered that I could add Julie Chen to my Celebrity Sightings - and I figured there must be some "Big Brother" fans out there. (She hosts the show - like the female version of Jeff Probst.) She looks exactly like she does on tv - super skinny and heavily made-up. The more interesting thing was how many people and how much equipment was spread throughout the store just to film a small segment. It was too much for me - I couldn't really focus on shopping when every other step I had to make sure I didn't trip over some wire. However, we are headed to Ikea on Friday and I couldn't be more excited. I plan to do some serious shopping and fill up our rental car.

GAVE THANKS

...for a fabulous week in California where time was spent with family and good friends

...for a Dixie Chicks concert that was out of this world, plus the fact that Joy attended at the last minute

...for game-playing from Texas Hold'Em to Catchphrase

...for quality time with the cutest niece and nephew ever

...for the chance to eat Noah's Bagels Pumpkin Cheesecake Shmear

...for the airline agent who finally found us in the Delta system after telling us we weren't booked on the return flight we thought we were on (turned out we were flying to LaGuardia, not JFK)

...for all the packages waiting for us on our return home, and the beautifully decorated mantel that was the result of the package contents

...for everyone understanding that blog-writing was the last thing on my mind and knowing that I would get back to it as soon as I could

WORD IS...

the Oprah show I attended airs tomorrow. I'm in the middle in the second row; right next to pregnant Emilee. 4pm on most stations - check it out!

GUILTY PLEASURE

I'm just going to come out and say it - I watch "Deal or No Deal". However, I don't sit through the annoying banter of Howie Mandel or the contestants who chatter on about nothing and even more nothing. With the advances of DVR, I can zip through an hour episode in twenty-five minutes flat. The thing that is addicting about the show is what the contestants will or won't do for a chance at more money. Until last night, not one contestant had ever gone all the way and taken what was in their chosen briefcase - and twice now people have had the million dollar case. Imagine knowing out of twenty-six briefcases, you chose the million dollar case, but then settled for something in the range of $73,000. Excruciating. Yesterday, Adrian found a link to an online version you can play. I chose briefcase #11 and I got down to two briefcases - one had $50,000; one had $400,000; and there was an offer from the banker of $85,000 on the table. I figured what do I have to lose; the lowest I can home with is fifty grand. Not bad for a day's work. As my briefcase was being opened, I was hunched over the computer clenching my hands like I was on the actual Hollywood stage set. When I saw the $400,000 staring back at me, I jumped up and ran around the room with my fists in the air like I was Rocky Balboa. Perhaps you would have fast-forwarded through that part if it was on air, but I wouldn't have minded. $400,000, baby.

DOORMAN ENVY

We have three primary doormen who rotate their hours throughout the week - Victor, Lenny, and Mike. Usually, Mike works nights and one night he asked me (in Spanish) if I spoke Spanish. I told him, in my very bad Spanish, that I only spoke a little and that he could help me learn by speaking to me only in Spanish. Ever since then, we have the minutest of conversations since I've failed to learn any new Spanish in my daily life. We either do the "Hola" or the "Buenas noches" and sometimes the "Como estas?" - "Bien" routine. The craziest I've ever gone is to tell him "Yo soy muy hambre" while rubbing my stomach - then freaking out on the elevator wondering if hambre was correct or if I'd just told him something that didn't make any sense. Most of these conversations (if you could call them that) happen when I'm by myself - usually when I'm with Adrian we're busy talking to each other so we just do the friendly "Hello/Hola" to whoever's at the desk. Adrian swears though that Mike doesn't like him. He says whenever we come in together, Mike will make a point to wave, nod his head, or say hi to me, but then give Adrian just the most cursory glance. I really doubt Mike dislikes Adrian, but I will make sure to take notice the next time we see him. Perhaps, Adrian needs to brush up on his Spanish too so that we can all be friends.

OPRAH

I went to Oprah, sat in the middle in the second row, made eye contact with Jamie Foxx, could have reached out and touched Eddie Murphy while Beyonce was performing...what can I say, it's been an uneventful week so far.

Okay, kidding aside, it was a really great experience (surreal to say the least) and I'm so glad I did it. The fact that my friend Emilee knows the audience casters helped a great deal. Her group, made up of her and a co-worker and their clients (plus me!), was called first into the studio from the holding room. We were then seated in the best seats in the whole studio - did I mention we were in the second row? We acted as cheesy as we could - if I do get any television time, please forgive me my over-the-top cheesiness. It's Oprah, after all. We watched Oprah interview Beyonce, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Anika Noni Rose, and Jennifer Hudson (who stole the whole movie - I give her a good chance of getting some awards this upcoming awards season). Then, while the crew was setting up for Beyonce to perform, the fillers in the front row left to make way for the stars to sit down. I was sitting directly behind Anika Noni Rose and Eddie Murphy. I heard Eddie and Oprah and Jamie discuss movies they'd seen recently, like "The Departed". We got to see Oprah's make-up and hair guys in action, fixing her during all the commercial breaks. The whole thing was over before we knew it - too soon in my book. The episode will air later this month - I will let you know when it's on. And the movie itself...eh, it's no "Chicago", but I'd say go see it (it comes out on Christmas) just to see Jennifer Hudson shed her "American Idol" roots and become a star on the rise.

CS/4

Leaving our apartment building today, we were surprised to see a movie set right outside our door. There were old-fashioned cars parked on our street and the street signs had been changed. The street was wet from a rain machine and crew members were everywhere. We asked one what was being filmed and were told it was a movie called, "Evening." When Adrian asked me if I'd heard of it, I said no, but I told him that I once read a really good book by that same name. After our walk and brunch, we came back to a huge crowd of onlookers and were told that the film included Claire Danes and Meryl Streep. We waited in the freezing cold so that we could see Claire Danes (as a brunette) film a scene in the fake rain before being whisked into a huge puffy jacket and out of the cold. After some internet research, we came to find out that the movie is based on the book I read years ago. I just might have to reread that one.

ANOTHER CHANCE AT DAYTIME

I got a call this week from my friend Emilee in Chicago asking if I could make it to a taping of the Oprah show this coming Tuesday. After looking at my full calendar and cancelling a training session and postponing a guest attendance at a book club, I said yes. I mean really, who passes up Oprah? Plus, it's not like I'm going to be subjected to the cheapest mom in America as I was at the "RR" show. This time around I'm going to see some heavy hitters - the cast of the upcoming "Dreamgirls" movie, which includes Beyonce, Eddie Murphy, and Jamie Foxx. We even get to see a preview of the film on Monday night so we can act all crazy and stupid when the cast comes out on Tuesday. So I'm off to Chicago on Monday morning, returning on Wednesday in time for our second Nets game. A quick trip, but sure to be worth it.

ON THE WAY TO THE GYM

AGE: "I can't believe I'm back up to 175 pounds."
ASL: "Isn't that really good for you? The only reason you got down to 171 in the first place was because you were sick and not eating."
AGE: "Yeah, but I really want to try to get to my high school weight again."
ASL: "What was that?"
AGE "165."
ASL: "What?? You're crazy. I wouldn't date you if you lost ten pounds."
AGE: "But I was skinny, muscular, and you'd LIKE it."