You Met, Who?

A friend of mine asked if I get to meet a lot of famous people since some of the biggest names in music and entertainment roll through the stations. I sit at my desk the whole day, in front of my computer with my phone stuck to my ear. Sometimes I'll have my headphones on long enough for it to start growing roots. I only get up and out of the suite when nature calls and when I go out to get lunch, which is not very often. I'll either bring my lunch or we get our food delivered. The radio stations are on different floors and anyone worthy of being mauled is brought in through the service elevator, which is on the other side of the building. So I can't say I've met many of them but I have crossed paths with several during this year.

Mariah Carey came through when her album was released. Lester and I went upstairs to catch a glimpse but missed her by a couple of seconds. She had just hopped on the service elevator. We did get to watch her getting into her limo from the 5th floor balcony. She had an entourage of about six Escalades. As we were watching, we got mean looks from her bodyguard. He probably thought we were snipers. The only weapon I had that I could've used on her was my spit.

Now that we have the CCOMR studio, more artists actually come into our suite. Ashlee Simpson came in right before she announced she was pregnant. She was tiny! Young Jeezy came in for an interview and I almost crashed into him as I was running out of the kitchen to go back to my desk. Elliott Yamin and Buckcherry came in but I had met them at my previous job. They were just coming into the scene at those times. Little Big Town, POD, and Hinder are other groups that I can remember that came in. I saw them walking in but didn't pay too much attention except for when Hinder started to play. Me and everyone else, including some people from across the hall had to stop and ask "WTF is going on." Let's just say, dead cats with diarrhea. David Archuleta came by and he was too cute. He was just standing in the middle of the office looking at the Stripped images on the wall. He was probably hoping to get his picture up next to Kanye and Lionel Richie. No one realized it was him for the longest time.

The best one to come through was Gavin Rossdale. He's HOT! It was the only time I went fangirl on someone who came in for an interview. Me and the other females in the suite kept popping out of our seats to get a glimpse of him without being TOO obvious. Every few minutes you would see a head pop up from a desk. We ended up taking pictures and all! Fun times.


Yes! I was that close!

Al B Sure! works in the building. Hahaha! I always see him in the elevator, running late to get to his show. I once honked at him when I was heading to lunch because he was blocking the road. He waved. I didn't wave back because I wasn't saying Hi, I was telling him to get out of the way. Where else can you work and hear the receptionist say "Al B Sure, please return to your studio", several times a day. Gotta love Clear Channel! I can't wait to see who I bump into next year.

Another Year Over

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Pilates



Pay a mortgage

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any last year. I should make some for next year but I don't ever really keep them so, no.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My cousin, Ate Zsa Zsa

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Tim, my coworker. He wasn't close but he was the only person who passed away this year and I actually knew.

5. What countries did you visit?
I didn't leave the country this year. Hopefully I'll get to Australia in '09.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More resolve
More time
A plan

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
March 1 and 2. Mary Ann and Sary came to visit and I got to see some very old friends who I hadn't seen in over 10 years.




8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Finally signing up for Pilates

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not continuing with Pilates.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I'm always sick. I did end up an outpatient because of my anemia. Injury? Do knee bruises count?

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Iron supplement from Lindberg Nutrition. So far it has kept my blood levels just below normal which other supplements haven't been able to do!Hopefully it will keep me out of the hospital. Also my C905. It does everything! Pictures, wifi, GPS; I've got it all in the palm of my hand.



12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My dog. He finally learned that he has to piss outside even when it rains!



13. Whose behavior appalled you and made you depressed?
There's a couple of people I know with appalling behavior but none have caused me depression. That's dumb. Their life, not mine.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Food, gadgets, clothes, bills, taxes!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Guitar Hero for DS


16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Anything from Lil Wayne and his vocoder. He was in everyone's business! That trend needs to change for 09.


17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. happier or sadder? Sadder (I'm not really sad, but I was a lot happier last year)
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter. That will CHANGE!
iii. richer or poorer? I certainly do have more than I had last year but I wouldn't say I'm rich

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Travel
Read new books
Gone to the gym

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Lapses in judgment
Sleep
Impulse buying

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
It has come and gone. Spent it with family.

22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
No it was more like out

23. How many one-night stands?
0

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Gossip Girl


25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don't hate the person I just like them less.

26. What was the best book you read?
Thirteen Stories

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Santo Gold

Kraak and Smaak


28. What did you want and get?
iTouch
C905

29. What did you want and not get?
Pilates Reformer
Puma 917 Lo Popart, Can't find my size anywhere.


30. Favorite film of this year?
SATC

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 29. Had dinner with a friend and then my family took me out. Nothing exciting.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Ending everything sooner

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Blacks. Browns. Grays. Eggplant. Jeans, ballet flats, and sneakers.

34. What kept you sane?
My alone time

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Suri Cruise


36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Aside from the elections, the Spitzer scandal only because Ashley Dupre became an overnight MySpace star for about a week or two. Funny.


37. Who did you miss?
My grandma

38. Who was the best new person you met?
EKS

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
I’ve learned that you can keep going long after you feel like you can’t

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
It’s a little too late for you to come back
Say its just a mistake
Think I forgive you like that
If you thought I would wait for you
You thought wrong

Another One Bites The Dust

Death-Row-Ming is in town for the holidays visiting her family. Christmas isn't the only reason she is here. She came to introduce her fiance to her family and us, her friends in California. About a year and a half ago, Ming moved to Laos to go save the fish. I'm not really sure what she does ... but she's very earth friendly. In Laos, she met the man she is going to marry. They are getting married next year and she seems so happy so I'm happy for her.

I've known Ming for about 7-8 years now and everytime she comes to visit we end up at some weird place to hang out. We once went to an 18+ over club in Hollywood and it was full of kids. We had to go there because she had nieces and nephews who weren't quite of age yet. Last time she was here, we ended up in Hollywood, on a Sunday night at some weird bar with about 10 people inside, 3 were dancing and one of them was Ryan. We ended the night at IHOP and found a new activity ... taking pictures in parking lots using our cameras timers.


12.27.08 - Topanga Mall Parking lot



2007 - IHOP Parking Lot

Next time she comes to visit she'll probably have a kid or two with her and we won't be able to hang out like we used to. Last night, I think we got a taste of what life will now be like when her and Pem come to visit. After a huge brunch, we hung out at her sisters house with the rest of her family. Dinner, drinks, and cake (best Tiramisu EVER!) while watching the horrendous UFC fight. I'll save my thoughts on that for another time. It wasn't Hollywood but it was fun. With a friendship like ours, all we need is each other. We entertain ourselves by just being us! Hopefully we haven't scared her husband-to-be away.


"A true friend is one who thinks you are a good egg even if you are half-cracked." -unknown

It's About Time

Val and Kellen are getting hitched!
photo: Yardhouse Long Beach 12.26.08

---

I've known Valarie since the 7th grade. She was in every one of my classes, from Art with the mean old man to History with Ms. Sanders. I really can't remember how we became friends but we did and she is one of the few people who I can say I've known more than half of my life and still keep in touch with.

On January 2, 2009, her and Kellen are going to tie the knot. They have been together for more years than I can remember. None of us will be able to attend her wedding (I know, we suck) but she knows we will be there in spirit. I'm happy for them. We all are. I won't say "best wishes" because we don't talk to each other that way. I won't say "congratulations" because you're not supposed to say that when someone gets married, right? All I will say is FINALLY.

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.

- Germaine Greer

Why I Did It

I have a really bad habit of NOT keeping in touch. Don't get me wrong, I remember most birthday's and other "special" dates. I like to send little hello's via text message and I do like to catch up over AIM. I just don't do a very good job of letting others know what I have going on with me unless I'm asked. I used to send out Christmas cards every year to let my family and distant friends know that I was still alive but stopped about three years ago when I couldn't find a set of cards that I liked. So every birthday and Christmas I get text messages from various people asking what I've been up to. As much as I like to text, it's hard having to answer the same thing 50 times in a row.

As I was cleaning out my inbox I found the URL to an old blog from 5 years ago and had a blast looking at the things I had done that year. Although I have a pretty good memory ... I THINK ... when it comes to my life events, I would like to once again document the things I do to remind myself of things that I should, shouldn't or could be doing instead.

It's also my simple way of keeping in touch with those who actually care. I may not lead the life that one would closely follow because there are constant potholes between what I believe in and the life I am stuck with. Each day is another opportunity to weed them out. Nothing that a few drinks can't fix.