What was up with the fire alarm at Webster Hall on Thursday June 26 08?

If there happens to be a reader out there that bumps across my blog (or better yet reads my blog AND likes to go clubbing at Webster Hall), who knows the story behind the fire alarm ordeal on Thursday night June 26 at Webster Hall in New York City, will you hit me back with a comment?

My sister and I arrived like 15 minutes before it sounded, navigated our way to the bar, threw down 23 bucks plus tip on our first round of drinks then got ushered out, drinks in hand, when the fire alarm went off. The drinks were quickly taken from us, and we stood outside completely perplexed by the whole thing and mad as hell that the drinks that barely touched our lips were taken away with no drink comp (I know…I’m probably asking too much of a NY nightclub, but still…).

It could have been as benign as someone pulling it or some kind of drill (which they would have failed miserably) or maybe something “minorly fire-ish” really did happen. I just don’t know.

Fire trucks and police did arrive, but they never fully evacuated the club (something I thought would require a monumental feat anyway) and while they were forbidding us to go back in they were letting people from the street into the club. It made no sense as a crowd of us kept being told to stay off the sidewalk and had to hang out across the street or in the makeshift smoking area while there were people on the sidewalk in line and getting into the club.

Find me a bouncer or someone who can make sense of this random fiasco for me.

Thank our lucky stars, we did get back in, but in an odd way (we were ushered back as the bouncer told the guy at the door we were outside for a smoke break…whatever….go with the flow). Plus, it was ladies night so we got in free anyway.

After that, it was an awesome night, and my good old club standby for what must be like 10 years now did not fail to deliver the fun as I introduced another generation of my family to my favorite nightclub.

If you’re ever in town and like to experience the NY club scene, it’s always a hoot. And you have to go downstairs to the hip-hop and reggae room AKA sweat box (our clothes were soaking wet) and free dry humps from horny but often hot guys.

http://www.websterhall.com/

….pssst! I have a secret…I’ve had this dream for years of being a go-go dancer at a nightclub like Webster Hall. I just think it’s so cool and sensual and fun. Maybe one day I could just do it for a night. Definitely maybe. I’ll add it to my life list.

…sigh!…I just totally heart new york nightclubs…

Help me to decide whether or not to buy a Wii Fit

I’m really tempted to get this Wii Fit doohickey but I’d like to hear some more feedback from people. It’s cheaper than my incredibly unused gym membership and countless dollars I’ve thrown into personal trainers, but is it a good compliment to my type of exercise regimen? I think I’ll be mad if I don’t get some benefits like tone and weight loss if I buy it, but I feel so sucked in to the coolness aspect of it.

My belief is that the coolness of owning one and saying that I own one will be enough motivation to try out exercising in my home to augment my “run like hell” regimen I have from playing soccer twice a week.

Talk some sense into me please!

Reviews I thought were helpful for my prelim knowledge gathering…

http://www.pcworld.com/article/146131/review_nintendo_wii_fit.html

http://gizmodo.com/391553/wii-fit-review-by-a-formerly-fit-geek

http://www.hanselman.com/blog/WiiFitReview.aspx

http://wiigamereviewblog.com/fitness/wii-fit-review/

Reviews still worth reading but weren’t as critical (in my opinion)…

http://kotaku.com/362216/its-shocking-were-pissed-wii-fit-sorta-works

http://wiiscoop.wordpress.com/2008/05/23/wii-fit-blog-review-going-for-a-run/

I’ll let you know what I decide, and of course, I will document my journey if I give it a whirl.

Actress Paige Hurd on the verge of her Sweet 16: there’s more than meets the eye

It seems that opportunities abound for child actors today, from tv to film and anywhere in between. At the same time, I often worry about the challenges they face as they live that delicate transition between childhood and young adulthood before our very eyes. Recently, IdealPR presented me with the opportunity to interview teen actress Paige Hurd. After speaking with this young lady on the verge of her sweet 16 birthday, I can assure you that Paige has her life on point and is definitely a talent to watch.

As Tasha on CW television sitcom “Everybody Hates Chris”…

While the name Paige Hurd may not readily ring a bell to some of you, she has quite the resume that will grab your attention and make you fall in love with this young, charismatic actress. Most notably she regularly guest stars as “Tasha” on the CW television sitcom “Everybody Hates Chris.” Tasha lives with her grandmother Louise (played by Whoopi Goldberg) and is one of Chris’s neighbors. “According to Chris, she is the only girl who doesn’t hate him” (from http://tv.wikia.com/wiki/Everybody_Hates_Chris . Those of you who have been watching the show, inspired by comedian Chris Rock’s own childhood, have been rooting for the underdog Chris (played by Tyler James Williams) to finally land his dream girl Tasha…who’s a bit of a bad girl. Since Paige guest stars on the show, I asked if there were any plans for her to continue to appear into next season.

I think they are [going to keep me] because I just got a mom on the show, so I don’t think I’m going anywhere anytime soon. The mom is being played by Tisha Campbell.

Here’s what Paige had to say about being on set.

The kids are always together and joking. The adults are always watching and joking with us…It’s fun because it’s a comedy, and it’s a Chris Rock show so it’s always comedy.

On turning 16…

(flyer image from pagehurdsweet16.blogspot.com)

Paige will be turning 16 on July 20th, and I just had to know what she had planned.

I wanted to have a big party and then I was actually hesitant but then I decided to do it. We’ve been planning a lot for a long time.

For more details on the many festivities Paige has planned, check out my post Paige Hurd Gives Back on Her Sweet 16. While her party plans will certainly be no small affair, Paige has made a commendable decision to raise money for childhood cancer in lieu of gifts. It is promising to be a star studded event with performances by Chingy and her close friends, young rap group Small Change.

…however…I don’t know of a 16 year old out there that doesn’t want a car for their birthday.

I didn’t want to ask for a car for my birthday because I didn’t want to overdo it.

Mmm-hmmm! I was soooo not buying that.

I know how to drive, I just have to go to driver’s school…I have to keep my permit for 6 months so I’m trying to get it this month [May] so I can get my [driver's license] around October so I can see if I can get a car for Christmas…I want and Audi or like a truck.

Now, that’s what I expected her to say.

About school…

I wanted to know how Paige makes time for school.

I’m home schooled, but when I go on set there’s a private tutor.

When I heard Paige say that, I wondered if she feels like she’s missing out on classic high school experiences like homecoming and prom.

Through my friend, I went to homecoming…other stuff I haven’t been able to really do. Right now, it’s basically school and [my career].

On moving to LA…

Paige moved from her hometown of Dallas, TX to New York for a short while and finally over to LA. For those of us who have moved around a lot know how getting adjusted can be tough sometimes. Paige’s experience was no exception.

Moving here was really weird because I was so young and it was like a whole new environment. I would get made fun of because I had a Texas accent [by] the kids in school and with acting…but it’s all good [now].

I can’t even hear a hint of a Texas accent in Paige’s voice so I’m guessing she worked REALLY hard to lose that in LA. Although, she grew up in Texas, Paige’s heritage includes family of African-American and Puerto Rican descent, so shout out to all you boricuas and lashaquitas out there!

Curve ball…

It’s funny how we all tend to paint a picture of people’s lives from so little we know about them. I was reminded of that during the interview as Paige shared that she has 3 pitbulls. The picture above is of Paige and her pitbull Vanessa who was a gift from DMX after filming “Cradle to the Grave” (named after Paige’s character in the movie). I had soooo pictured her the gal with the tiny poofball of a dog that hung out on her princess bedroom furniture. Not so my friends! To top it off, this homegirl can rap and is considering that career option as well. Uh-oh! Do I sense a little “gangsta” behind Paige’s infectious smile that conjures the inner child in all of us?

For more on Paige Hurd…

Want to know more about Paige? Check out her Sweet 16 blog and buy a raffle ticket (http://paigehurdsweet16.blogspot.com). All proceeds will go to childhood cancer charities. You can check my post for more details. Also, be on the lookout for her appearance in a music video by Atlanta based rap group Small Change for the song “Don’t Be Shy.” It looks like it has already leaked on youtube, so you savvy folks can search for it there. The song will be featured on the music soundtrack for the movie “Another Cinderella Story,” a direct to dvd film, set to be released this Fall.

Paige Hurd Gives Back on Her Sweet 16

**UPDATE 7/1/08** FINALLY!!!! My interview article has been posted. Click HERE to read it.

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**UPDATE 6/27/08** Hey folks, I’ve been promising info on Paige Hurd and here’s some info regarding her upcoming Sweet 16 parties. I will still be posting a story from my interview very, very, very soon (for real). Kudos to Paige for channeling her success and milestone birthday to raise funds for childhood cancer charities. Her little brother Pierce (read more below) as well as all those around her should be smiling from ear to ear.

Cheers! … ~Ifelicious

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(courtesy of IdealPR.com)

Celebrity teen actress Paige Hurd (from the CW TV Show “Everybody Hates Chris” and the hit film “Beauty Shop”) is having a Sweet 16 Birthday Party on Saturday July 19, 2008 in Los Angeles, California at a Private Loft off Sunset Blvd. During her party planning Paige decided she wants people to donate to charity instead of bringing her a gift on her most special day of her life so far. Paige is using her birthday party to raise funds for children’s cancer by having a raffle at her party. 100% of the profits from the raffle will be donated to charity. The raffle tickets can be purchased online (via http://paigehurdsweet16.blogspot.com) and at the party itself. The best thing about the raffle is ticket holders will not have to be present to win. Sixteen (16) items will be raffled off at the Sweet 16 party. Two Pre-parties will be held on July 9th and 16th in Woodland Hills, CA where each person who attends the party automatically gets a raffle ticket upon paid entry. Additionally, anyone who buys a raffle ticket by July 16th will be entered into a special drawing where 16 people will be randomly chosen to attend Paige’s invite only party as her VIP guest, walk the red carpet and hang out with the selfless teenager during her spectacular party!

What Inspired Paige to Do This?
Paige’s youngest brother Pierce (6 years old) has both cancer and Down syndrome (Paige is one of 5 children). Additionally, Paige was touched by Brittiana Henderson who lost her battle to cancer in 2007 at the age of 13. Paige is actively involved in the community and lends her hands to many events that benefit finding a cure for cancer. As a result of her concern for children with cancer, Paige decided that at her Sweet 16 Birthday Party she didn’t want the party to be about her, but rather a vehicle where she could bring attention to the help children need to battle cancer. She has since asked that her family and friends to donate to charity opposed to bringing her gifts. Thus, the main focus of her party is the Charity Raffle where 100% of the profits from raffle ticket sales will be donated to childhood cancer foundations.

There is More! Brotherhood Entertainment will hold 2 pre-Sweet 16 Party events that will directly benefit Paige’s cause on July 9th and July 16th for ALL AGES (no alcohol served) located at the Oxygen Lounge 19550 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana CA 91356 from 8:30pm-1am. Not only will the pre-event party goers enjoy live performances, but the entry fee buys them a raffle ticket as well. So everyone who pays to get in has automatically donated to charity, gets a raffle ticket and can win one of the 16 prizes that will be raffled off at the Sweet 16 event on July 19th. The best thing is you do not have to be present to win, so anyone anywhere can buy a raffle ticket and support the cause and possible win a raffle item. Paige’s Sweet 16 is a private, invite only red carpet event. Sixteen lucky people who have bought raffle tickets by 11pm on July 16th will be will be chosen from a special drawing (July 17th) to attend the Sweet 16 party, be Paige’s VIP guest, walk the red carpet and party like a star. Winners will be contacted and their names will be posted on http://paigehurdsweet16.blogspot.com. The Sweet 16 party is themed “HollyHOOD” and will be filled with games, food, good music, celebrities, live performances, the raffle and a little surprise for Paige!

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE PARTY?
Themed “HollyHood” a mixture of Paige’s life as an actress in Hollywood and her life growing up as a teenager will be a blend of sophistication and swag. This invite only event will greet its guest with a red carpet upon entry, passed hors’doeurves, live performances, a game room and various other cool activities will entertain the party goers. A secluded adult lounge area for the celebrity parents and guests 21 and over will be like an oasis in the middle of the hyped party event. The adult lounge will have chair massages, nail services, adult beverages and other relaxing additions. The charity raffle will present 16 raffle items to its winners then the cutting of her cake will take place before the live birthday performances take the party into high gear and end the evening with a bang. Rappers Small Change and Chingy are just 2 of the acts who will be on stage.

WHO IS COMING TO THE PARTY?
To date, the following has confirmed to be in attendance: Lil JJ (Nickelodeon “Just Jordan”), Malcolm Kelley (ABC “Lost”), Imani Hakim (CW “Everybody Hates Chris”), TeQuan Richmond (CW “Everybody Hates Chris”), Lil Romeo (rapper/ Nickelodeon “Romeo!”), Marcus Paulk (”Roll Bounce”/ “Another Cinderella Story”), Raven Goodwin (Nickelodeon “Just Jordan”), Landon Brown (MTV “Rock The Cradle” and son of Bobby Brown), Lil B. Sure! (MTV “Rock The Cradle” and son of Al B. Sure!), Chelsea Tavares (Nickelodeon “Just Jordan”), Bobbi Christina (daughter of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown), Corde, Cordell and Cori (E! “Snoop Dogg Fatherhood” and kids of Snoop Dogg), Quincy Brown (Son of Al B. Sure! and Kim Porter), and Small Change (Rap Group/ Disney Pictures Soundtrack “Another Cinderella Story”). In addition to young Hollywood, the cast members from “Everybody Hates Chris” including Tichina Arnold, Tisha Campbell-Martin, VH1’s Godfrey, Hot 92.3 personality and legendary singer Al B. Sure! rapper Chingy and more have been invited to attend.

Guests will have the opportunity to win raffle items from the pictured sponsors as well as receive special party gift. Some raffle items include a T-Mobile Sidekick, Zune music players, A cruise to the Mexican Riviera, 2 $1500 Nicolet Watches, a Spa Massage Package, a wardrobe package from Luxire and MUCH more!!!

Another random shocker…George Carlin passed away on Sunday

I was reading the few little news headline blurbey-poos (love my lingo?) as I logged out of my yahoo email and saw something about mourning George Carlin’s seven deadly sins or something like that.  I did the whole WTF?? thing in my head because I’m thinking why would you be mourning something he did if he wasn’t dead?  Then, courtesy of my local news, I just heard that he indeed did pass away yesterday of heart failure.

Between him and Tim Russert, I feel like I need to go get a physical or something.  I’d imagine if any of you had people close to you suffer heart attacks or some form of sudden heart failure that was your wake up call.  It’s just surprising when there are little surges of deaths of famous folk in the news that just get your mind trying to make logic of it as if it were all interrelated…at least that’s what I do…maybe it’s the engineer in me.  Is it global warming?  Is it rising fuel prices?  You know…random “explanations” (not really this random, but you get my point).

Well, George, farewell to you, one of the great comedic talents.  You certainly have left your mark in the land of funny.

Here’s a youtube tribute clip with his standup routine about death.  As sad as this moment is, you can’t help but laugh and think about what George must be thinking from the other side…and hope he’s laughing right with us.

Check, check it out!

 

Am I the only one wondering why everything Amy Winehouse does is newsworthy?

(photo source: thelanetrain.wordpress.com)
So, I’m guessing that Amy Winehouse is the UK version of Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan when it comes to celebrity gossip and paparazzi free candy.  Somehow her newsworthiness has run overseas to the US.  Amy’s in rehab.  Amy’s out of rehab.  Amy has a song called “rehab.”  Amy gets arrested.  Amy picks a wedgey.  So flippin what?

Don’t get me wrong, Amy Winehouse is talented, and it’s sad that she has emphysema…not that anyone should be surprised.  I like her but wouldn’t consider myself necessarily a fan.  It’s just that I can’t quite put my finger on why she seems to make entertainment news headlines so often.  Usually that means inquiring minds want to know.

Do you want to know?

They heard my cry! Real World adds some color to the cast

OMG!  Who would’ve thought that they’d replace Joey and Greg with Nick and Brittini?  Ok, so my secret’s out…I’m still watching the show.  I just couldn’t stop even when it was just ridiculous.  So far, Nick and Brittini seem like well adjusted, closer to average black people.  Who would’ve thunk that?  We really aren’t strippers and womanizers.  And Brittini has a natural that has more naps than their typical pick of that black girl as being biracial with curls and not naps.  I hope they get some good shots of her trying to tame that woolly mess in the bathroom.  

Ok, game on!  Thank you for throwing me and the rest of black America a bone, MTV.

Note to Nick…bringing Reva and Shaelee, AKA MTV RW whores, back to the house was a royal mistake, but I think you know that.  Just don’t do it again so I don’t have to hate you.  Those girls really make me sick.  They make Brianna look like a church girl.

Dude! New season in session of Kathy Griffin’s “My Life on the D-List”

I flipped past my MTV equivalent for my creative side, Bravo, and noticed a new episode of Kathy Griffin’s “My Life on the D-List”.  I sooooo forgot about it.  What a bonus…especially after some crappy Indian food tonight.  Yummy silly tv for my silly soul.  I totally heart Kathy, but some of you out there may know that I have a thing for funny, rambley women…hence, my love of Ellen as well.

If I were to be famous, I want to be Kathy Griffin kind of famous.  Hey, don’t hate on her because she’s wonkin’ that Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.  I heart my MacBook, too, so I totally approve of him although the couple seems a little odd to me.  Her ex-hubby kind of fit that bill, too.

Back to tv watching…(pssst!  Coolio needs to give it up.  his 30 seconds of fame is long over)

Damnit! Find me some good Indian food in Columbus, OH!

 

I haven’t had any Indian food since moving to Columbus, and tonight I decided it was time to “pop my cherry” on this one.  I read a few reviews and decided on Indian Oven over on Main St, near Franklin University.

I hate to hate on a restaurant, but let’s just say that almost all of it is packed right back in the bag it came in and sitting in my trash can.  It was HORRIBLE!

I ordered my classic test out Indian cuisine entree…chicken curry, basmati rice, and a side of naan.  There were a few clues that should have let me know that this experience might not be quite so memorable:

1. The place was really mod, with a cool bar and stuff
2. No one was in there
3. I could not smell Indian spices
4. The lady at the counter was not Indian (not white either, but like Chinese or Korean)

So $15.95 later, I’m still hungry!!!  I ordered the curry mild just in case mild wasn’t so mild, and it was just bland.  The naan was so-so but you can’t mess up dough so much.  The basmati rice was nothing special.

Help me locals!!!  Where can I find some good Indian food in Columbus?  I don’t want a posh spot to hang out; I want that little hole in the wall find, you know?

I know it’s possible in the midwest because when I was in Kentucky for a while, I had some really great Indian food.

I am mourning the end of Weeds theme song “Little Boxes”

As, I’ve mentioned before, I love that song “Little Boxes” from the showtime tv series Weeds.  I’m reading a few articles and blog posts that are saying that season 4, episode 1 is the last time I’ll hear the song as the show’s intro.  Yep, I’m resistant to change.  I even hated that they started doing random renditions of it on different episodes last season.  It’s my longest standing ringtone for my phone!  That’s how much I like the jingle and how fitting it is for the show.

I get that it’s no longer relevant, so this post is to officially mourn the end of hearing one of my favorite jingles every week.

Here’s a link to a blog post about it on AfterEllen.com that says the most about the retiring of the song.

http://www.afterellen.com/blog/thelinster/weeds-a-season-premiere-tonight-a-dimebag-tomorrow?&comment=525010

Thank you, Malvina Reynolds, for bringing a rendition that I enjoy so much.  It’s probably because I grew up in a town so typified by this song.  This song is for all of the Agrestic’s out there.  I love how the show did the intro with everyone in their Land Rovers and the joggers and such.  So suburban America.  Lovez it!

Take a watchey poo and join in with me paying homage to one of my fav songs.