The 80's Trifecta

Can I just say that every time I look at the picture of me and Ricky Schroder, it still causes my heart to flutter? And even though it now decorates my desk at work, my apartment walls, my cell phone background, and my computer desktop (it's good I never obsess), every time I see it, I think, "Hey, that's Ricky Schroder! And ME! I'm with Ricky Schroder!?!!?" It's like my brain can't seem to catch up with it actually happening.

Applause. Applause. Applause (to quote a line from one of my favorite movies, "Pretty in Pink"). I just realized today that my childhood dream has come true. I've now officially met and had my picture taken with each one of the coveted 80's Trifecta. Who are these powerhouses, you ask? Who are these hunk-a-hunk-a-burning-loves who inspired me at the tender age of 12 to write them each a letter and invite them to my birthday party? Well, Ricky Schroder (of course), is number one. That's no surprise. However, in 1985, my letter to The Ricker received....no response. Sigh. However, I'd also written my number two (who also conveniently happened to star on Silver Spoons at the time), Jason Bateman, and his "people" wrote me back. Granted, the letter was basically an advertisement for a play he was starring in at a small theater in Hollywood, but that was enough for me. My mom and I jumped in a car, headed to Hollywood, and Jason Bateman was my very first celebrity picture. Success!!! :) Isn't my hair fabulous? How about that grip I've got on him? My hands are clasped so tightly around his waist I'm surprised we ever became unentangled. It's hilarious. I actually attended an acting class that summer at Jason's theater and my classmates would tease me about my big crush on Jason. Sadly, he never knew of my undying love.

The third and final piece of the 80's Trifecta is the one and only Sean Astin (from Goonies fame). When I met him at Sundance a few years ago, I told him about the letter I'd written him. He said, "I didn't come, did I?" I don't know about you, but I worshipped the Goonies movie. It was so much fun! My friends and I would go off and have Goonies adventures all the time. In fact, I'm pleased to say that I've had my picture taken with three members of the cast - Sean Astin (Mikey), Josh Brolin (Brand), and Corey Feldman (Mouth). OK, OK, you don't have to beg. I'll show you. :) Here's Corey Feldman and Josh Brolin. Oh, and just for fun, a pic of Alfonso Ribiero HATING me at a Laker's game. Yeah, I'd had a *teensy* too much wine at the game (on an empty stomach) and didn't even remember taking this picture. I dreamt about it like a week later and my friends were like, "Um, that was true." I do remember talking to him about Silver Spoons, but I don't think he was a big fan of my focusing on the 80's instead of his new Fresh Prince show. Oh well, at that point I just wanted to be near anyone who'd known The Ricker. :) Aren't my eyebrows fabulous? Was I trying to be Madonna?

What's in a name??

I'm in a rotten mood. My whole brain is shouting BLURGH at the thought of all the dumb boys out there. These quotes sum it up perfectly for me.

The only bright spot in my neverending relationship drama is that my BFF and I make up nicknames for all the interesting (yeah, let's go with that description) people coming in and out of our lives. We've found that using comical names when relaying torturous stories seem to make these dramas far more whimsical and fun. :) A few of my recent characters are Biter, Stalker, Trucker, Flaker, Cajones, Old Man, Little Boy, and Triangle. A few of his have been Chatter, Rebound Mom, Divorced Food, Designer, Hotel Girl, Doctor, Red Flag, and Swedish Fish. I know. We're so cool sometimes. :) At least the names never cease to make me smile, despite the people themselves being less than stellar.

Yes, that's right, I know Bobby Brady

This is Bobby Brady. IN MY APARTMENT (!!!). Jealous? You know you are. :)

So, how does one go about meeting and becoming friends with Bobby Brady, you ask? Well, I don't know. For me, it happened kind of by accident. One day last summer I was at the local Farmer's Market (as I usually am on Saturdays) and I heard this big rumor that Bobby Brady had a booth there (!). So, I'm thinking, "Yeah, right!" and went about my merry way. But the rumor persisted. Then one day a few weeks later it was confirmed that he did, in fact, have a booth there. Holy cow! I couldn't believe my ears! So, naturally, I went and got my camera and went to his booth to see if I could get a picture with him. I'd been warned, though, that he didn't respond well to the Bobby Brady thing, so I had to be sure to call him Mike (which makes sense, since that's his name).
As I was waiting for Mike (oh, who am I kidding), BOBBY, to finish talking to the client he was talking to, I fell in love with his handiwork. His booth was called "Just Add Water" and he makes concrete tables, chairs, kitchen counters, whatever. They were magnificent. I asked if he could make a pink heart table and he rose to the challenge (as evidenced by its glorious picture above). From that point on, whenever I'd go to the market (which, as I mentioned before, was pretty much every week), I'd stop by and we'd chat. Joke. Laugh. Talk about all things Brady (he's not really opposed to it, but I still call him Mike and not Bobby). When he finished my table, he brought it to my apartment. His phone number is in my cell phone. We're tight like that. :) Even now, he'll just stop by (usually for something related to the table, but come on! It's still exciting!). BOBBY BRADY. I know, it shocks me too. :)

Cute Boys

Once upon a time, I spent most of my nights singing karaoke in gay bars (yes, I'm a card-carrying "Fag Hag," "Fruitfly," "Friend of Dorothy," whatever you'd like to call it). It was at one of these bars about five, six (?) years ago where I met my Cute Boys, Brett and Jimmy. Well, if you must know, I had a HUGE crush on Brett and for whatever reason, convinced myself that although he sang religiously every Monday night in a gay bar (surrounded at a table with gay friends, walking around barefoot, singing "David Duchovny why won't you love me?" and just looking as pretty as pretty can be), he just HAD to be straight. I seem to have a knack for finding the gayest of all gays and deciding they're straight (and, of course, falling head over heels for them). Granted, while Brett isn't quite the gayest man alive (since that honor would belong to our friend Johnny, but that's another story), no one would ever have a conversation with him and guess his sexuality to be anything close to heterosexual. Just me.

The good thing about my crush was that it brought me closer to these two wonderful, amazing men, who will be in my life forever. Once we became friends (and my crush became a thing of the past), I met his boyfriend, Jimmy, and the three of us embarked on a series of adventures - long walks all over the city, terrible movies (Thunderbirds are GO!), going to see Madonna in Vegas, more karaoke than anyone should endure, dancing at The Trapp (a local gay disco club - really, disco again?) and just hanging out for hours and hours on end. In fact, when I sang in a local group called Vernacular Vernacular, Brett and Jimmy were my #1 fans - front row at every show and even traveling to Pride-a-ho (the gay pride event in Idaho) to show their support.

Much to my dismay, several years ago they moved to Florida to finish up their degrees and have been far too far away for my liking. I miss them so much it physically hurts. However, they both just graduated (congratulations, sweethearts!) from college and have been traveling all over the West Coast having wild adventures for the past two weeks. I was lucky enough to spend some time with them a few weeks ago and then get to see them tonight at a bbq (wahoo!) before they fly back east to the land of flamingos. I can't wait to see my Cute Boys! :)

Pink Birthday Love

As it's now been exactly one week since turning 100, I thought it only right to share a few of my favorite gifts. I should've taken a picture of the myriad of flamingo kitchen products I received (corn cob holders, a dipping bowl, a popcorn bowl, etc. - you get the idea), which will go perfectly in my flamingo kitchen (yay, me!), but instead you get to see my super fun Hello Kitty products. Behold their glory:

Yes, I do bring my lunch to work in the Hello Kitty lunchbox. Like I wouldn't.
The car seat covers RULE! There's even one for the backseat. How great is that? The balloon was actually attached to the lunchbox (which was filled with even MORE Hello Kitty stuff, it should be noted). But I liked the way it looked on the flowers, as well. :)

OK, so I'm sneaking in a pair of flamingos because they're SO freaking cool. I got the boy flamingo from my mom and the girl flamingo from my cute boys in Florida. They're a perfect match! Of course, I do find it odd that both flamingos are wearing tops without pants, but as my mom explained, "Their pants are in the suitcase." Oh, that makes sense. :)

Of course, my favorite thing on my birthday was the adorable voicemail message from my two-and-a-half-year-old niece that said, "Happy Birfday, Auntie. I wuv you. Have a good day. Good-bye." Hearing her parents in the background telling her what to say made it even more priceless. I loved it! I wish there was a way to keep it forever on my phone because it makes me smile every time I hear it (I even played it for all the girls this wknd).

On a different note, I saw this product on the shelf yesterday. What on earth? Are they aware they're using my name?

A Walk in the Park

Yesterday I started back on The Diet, after a two week "sabbatical" for my birthday (hey, it's allowed). I thought I should also start back on an exercise routine I can actually stick with. So far, the only place I can go and not feel like I'm miserable and want to die while working out is Liberty Park. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Liberty Park. It's the most refreshing place and there are LIVE flamingos there!!! Every time I walk around the corner and see the flamingos, I just smile. Where else can I exercise AND smile? Nowhere. Which is why I'll happily spend my days walking around the park and rocking out to my custom mixes on my iPod. The mix I had yesterday was filled with Lou Bega (from "Mambo Number Five" fame) and Lil' Kim. Yeah, I think I'm bad-ass like that. I'm gangsta. So, I'm walking around this beautiful park and making hand motions like I'm in a disco (did I just say disco? Whats wrong w/me?). I know, I'm pretty freaking cool. :) Hopefully, the 28 pounds I lost pre-sabbatical didn't all find their way back to me. Fingers crossed!

Rah Rah Rah

Hey Heidi - did I cheer in high school? Give me a Y! Give me an E! Give me an S!!!! :) You better believe it! :) You know you're jealous of the 80's hair. Could it be any bigger??!?!

The Quest

Last weekend I attended the wedding of my good friend DK in Santa Barbara. Aside from being there for the beautiful festivities, my main goal was to get a good picture of me and the bride. Considering we've been friends since working together at Sizzler in 1989, it was important for me to try to commemorate the day with a decent picture of us together. Attempt #1:

Yes, the picture would have been fine, if not for the freaking idiot in the middle (who I used to cheer with and she's a nice person, but come on). Seriously, WTF?!?! Who sticks their head in between two people taking a picture together?!?! Did she ride the short bus to school? Every time I look at this picture it just ticks me off to no end. So, let's try again. Attempt #2:

Well, at least there's only the two of us in the picture. The bad news is her eyes were closed and then she got called away on some bridal duties. Blurgh! By this time, the festivities were winding down and I was starting to panic that my picture would never happen. Luckily, my friend Joe, who was kind enough to be my escort to the wedding, saved the day. But before we look at the final pics, let's take a look at Joe: Cute, right? Yeah, aside from him getting sick (read: hungover) and throwing up all over my rental car, a good time was had by all. Now, for the final results of our cute pics (are you on the edge of your seat?):

I'm not really a fan of my face in this first one, but the second one is pretty cute, even though I wish I could put her face in the first pic with my face in the second pic. Oh well, close enough! Phew - finally!

Hello, Sugar!

It should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me that I tend to get a *wee* bit obsessed with things I love (as evidenced by my very public adoration of the color pink, flamingos, Hello Kitty, and Ricky Schroder, just to name a few). That being said, I'm happy to introduce my latest obsession - Hello, Sugar! shimmer lotion. Behold, it's loveliness:
Bath and Body Works must be some sort of evil. How do they manage to come up with scents that cause me to lose my mind? Several years ago, I fell in love with Vanilla Bean Noel, a Christmas scent that they threatened not to bring back every season (but they did, those bastards). You see, when they threaten things like that, I go into full-fledged panic mode and must buy up every last bottle of lotion - which I justify by saying it's planning for the future (ironically, while I'm fully stocked up on lotion, my food storage is non-existent). This is no different, as it's a "limited edition" scent that they've ALREADY pulled from all the stores in Salt Lake City (trust me, I went to every freaking mall in the valley on a mad search for more). My sister, bless her heart, went and found it in Arizona (since they're not jerks in Arizona and still have it in stores), and then had each of the kids give me a bottle for my birthday. Sadly, one of those bottles was CONFISCATED at the airport (don't even get me started on that story, because I may start screaming profanities again...not that I'd EVER scream profanities or anything...but I mentioned this scent makes me lose my mind, correct?). Still, I have 16 bottles of Hello, Sugar! shimmer lotion in my bathroom as we speak. Obsess much? (It's going away! I have to stock up). Hopefully it won't lose its scent (a luxurious combination of lemon and vanilla mixed in with sparkling glitter which never ceases to put a smile on my face - I whole-heartedly believe that glitter can save the world) the way my 500 bottles (slight exaggeration, but not by much) of Vanilla Bean Noel did (again, Bath and Body Works are a bunch of bastards).

Girls Gone Wild

Once upon a time, about a million years ago, I went to BYU (stop laughing). While I suppose my academic career was a bust overall, the one thing I did take away from the experience was a handful of lifelong friends. This weekend we decided to get together for a "Girl's Weekend" in Park City to celebrate our turning 100 - oops, I mean 35. We had so much fun! I can't believe how lucky I am to know these girls and still have them in my life. The only one missing is Ginny, who lives back east, but of course she was missed (as always). Sadly, due to my excitement over Ricky Schroder Day, I went to bed a tad bit earlier than the 3 a.m. the rest of them did (OK, A LOT earlier), but come on, I was tired! It was still really fun to be able to relax together in our room, or at dinner, or in the car on the way back, and just talk like not a day's gone by since we were hanging out in DT. We definitely need to make it an annual trip (and maybe pack a few less snacks!). I'm already looking forward to our next adventure together.

I did it!!! :) Happy Happy Ricky Schroder Day indeed!!! :)

WAHOOOOOOO! I'm so happy!!! SUCCESS!!! After a lifelong crush on the man, I finally got my picture with Ricky Schroder (and I didn't pass out or anything). It worked out really well - I happened to see him come into the building and went to say something (I was standing almost directly in front of him), but froze, of course. He said, "Hi" and I said, "Can I get a picture with you?" and he said, "Sure." Thank goodness he said hi first, because I may have just stood there dumb and frozen if he hadn't. After we took the pictures, we were walking down the hall and I showed him my rubber black bracelets and told him it was my "tribute to The Ricker." He thought that was so cool and showed them to his wife. Then he asked if he started to sing the theme song from Silver Spoons, would I sing along? I said, "Of course! I've got it on my iPod!" I also told him our pic was going to be my Christmas card (how could it NOT be?!?!) and he said that was sweet. I'm so happy about getting the picture and that it all went so well. What a relief! :) His talk was amazing - he totally cried and melted my heart. His wife's talk was great, as well. What a great day!!! :)

Happy Ricky Schroder Day!!!

It's here! It's here!!! Today has finally arrived! Happy Ricky Schroder Day! I've been up since 4:45 a.m. There's definitely something seriously wrong with me. Oh wait, that's not new. If I could have recorded the thoughts in my head as I was falling asleep, they sounded a little bit like this: "Ricky Schroder Ricky Schroder Ricky Schroder Ricky Schroder Ricky Schroder." This morning that mantra has morphed into the theme song from Silver Spoons. At least I'm changing it up! I may have to have myself committed. This is ridiculous. I'm a grown woman. I'm in my mid-thirties (gah!), how can a teenage crush cause me to lose my mind? I'm going to go throw up now.

Ricky Schroder Eve

Happy Ricky Schroder Eve!!! That's really all I have to say about that. Oh yeah, and I'm a hysterical mess. T minus fourteen hours until I see him with my own eyes. Egads! Will I make it????

The PERFECT birthday gift!

How do I get this?!?!!? I'm losing my mind here. :) Um, how did my blog turn into all things Ricky Schroder? I need to get a freaking life.

It's almost Ricky Schroder Day!!!!

I just looked at the website for the conference tomorrow where Ricky will be speaking. I'm so excited I could burst!!!! :)

This is the picture they're using to push his speech. Like I need any further encouragement?!?! There's also a section to "Ask Brother Schroder" a question for him to incorporate into his talk. I'm thinking, "Will you marry me?" isn't exactly gospel related, so I'll resist sending him a question (although, it would be nice for me to know I've communicated with him in some way, since I'll be mute tomorrow).

Pretty Pink Princess

This is Pyper (ask Miss P). She's a pretty-pink-princess-in-training. Last night I was lucky enough to hang out with her while her parents had a "date night" and she seemed to enjoy herself (as evidenced by the hysterical laughing on the Little Mermaid beanbag above). But really, who wouldn't enjoy the Pink Palace? :) The first time I watched her, I sent a text to Brian (her dad) saying, "She can't stop looking around, I think she's mesmerized" and he responded with, "She's probably thinking this is the first time her world makes sense." My one job in relation to this beautiful child is to expose her to as much pink as possible. :) I think I'm headed in the right direction! :)

Hungry Like the Wolf

Today I'm wearing - despite the fact that it's NOT casual day (I'm SUCH a rebel without a cause) - my newest concert shirt from the Duran Duran show in Phoenix last week (along with a pair of brand new black cords which were way too small when I bought them and now I can fit them - yay, me!). I'm deliriously happy about this shirt because it has four hot, beautiful men just lying there on my chest - and who wouldn't want Duran Duran (or hot men) on their chest? My fave member, Nick Rhodes (the gay looking one, of course), is in the middle left, almost directly over my heart. Coincidence? I think not.

My sister and I dressed up all 80's style for the concert and rocked out all night (see photo to the left). My six-year-old niece picked out my outfit, but she wasn't happy at all with the fact that I wouldn't wear the dress without a shirt underneath. According to her, it was "way more prettier" without the shirt. So, in my defense, I swung my arm fat around (attractive, I know) as the reason why Auntie doesn't wear sleeveless shirts or dresses. Her response: "So, just don't do that." Hmm, quite wise for a six-year-old. I still wore the shirt (much to her chagrin), but she also helped with my hair (which may have distracted her from my not-so-pretty outfit).

Duran Duran rocks my world. Considering they're my #3 band (after my #1 - The Cure and #2 -Depeche Mode), they're certainly closest to my heart in terms of hot, man love. They're like my Ricky Schroder of bands (speaking of The Ricker, in honor of "Ricky Schroder Day" tomorrow, I'm wearing the black rubber cord bracelets twisted up like he used to wear on Silver Spoons - thanks Brian and Heidi - I'm just so cool today I can't stand it). And yes, we waited outside for Duran Duran to come out....sadly, they waved and went on their way. Foiled again! I have faith that one day I'll get a picture with them...although I'm still going to pee a little bit when it happens. Or, maybe just pass out. Either way....as long as I get that pic! :)

True Love Lasts Forever

I have a confession: I LOVE LOVE LOVE (that's triple love) Ricky Schroder. Hopelessly. Madly. Truly. Deeply. My love affair started when he looked like this (see pic above - of course he's pretty and gay looking - would I have it any other way?) and has only grown with the passing years. As a child, the walls and door of my room (that I shared with my sister) were plastered with pictures of Ricky - pictures lovingly torn from the pages of Bop, Teen Beat, Tiger Beat, and any other celebrity rag I could convince my mom to buy me at the store (as a side note, any and all pics of my beloved Duran Duran were also torn out and put into the most ghetto of all scrapbooks ever made). In fact, for my 12th birthday, my mom had the bakery put a real life picture of Ricky's cute face on my cake and I ate his lips. Obsessed. I know.
I'm not going to lie to you - he's still my #1 celebrity. Before Matt Damon and Ben Affleck (who are tied for fifth), before Owen and Luke Wilson (tied for fourth), before Benicio del Toro (who's #3 and I met at my first Sundance in 2002 - let's just save that story for another day, shall we?), and even before Nic Cage (#2 and who, as we all know, I worship as well). So, when I found out that Ricky (and yes, it is Ricky, not Rick as he tried to pull off unsuccessfully for years) was coming to SLC to speak, let's just say I almost peed my pants. Almost crashed my car. Almost went spontaneously deaf, blind, and dumb all at once. I couldn't believe it. Still can't believe it. The blessed event is two days away and I can't stop worrying about it. I'm dreaming about it. My stomach has decided to do butterflies starting....now. Will he let me take a pic? Will I be able to speak? Will I be able to be kind and decent to his wife (his blonde, Mormon, waitress wife that he met while filming Lonesome Dove) without coveting what is rightfully hers? Does it really matter? I'm mainly afraid I won't be able to speak. After the Benico del Toro debacle (again, we can revisit it another day, but let's just say I forgot to breathe, couldn't stop shaking, and my hair caught on fire), will I really be able to pull of meeting #1? Benicio is only #3 and I couldn't function...what will #1 do?

I'm so nervous. "Ricky Schroder Day" is two days away and I can't stop thinking about it. What if my 25-year-long love confession slips out? What if I start crying when he looks at me? What if I reveal I've also got pictures with Alfonso Ribiero and Jason Bateman (also from Silver Spoons) and I just need him to complete the trifecta? I'm a mess. I have hundreds of pictures with celebrities - BIG, huge celebrities - and Ricky Schroder is going to be the death of me. Then again, if I ever met Duran Duran, I'd probably pee myself as well. Maybe I should wear a diaper on Saturday??? :)

OK, I caved

Well, since everyone else in the free world these days seems to have a blog, I figured what the heck? I might as well jump on the blog train after all. Considering I'm now 35 years and two days old, it seems like the perfect time. :)

This picture cracks me up - it's called "Pink is not an appropriate color." Could anything be more perfect?

That's it for me. I just wanted to say hello and introduce myself to the Blogger world. Hello Blogger world! I've arrived. :)