Did You Ever Wonder ...???

Ever wonder what some of those random pseudo celebrities are up to? Ya know, the ones that are never in the tabloids (or rarely)! I find myself wondering things like....

I WONDER WHO SHE IS DATING / MARRIED TO? or WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO SO-AND-SO? or HOW DID THEY GET THERE?

Well, I am about to SERIOUSLY! answer some of those nagging questions that keep me (and maybe you) up at night.....


CAT DEELY
Is she married? Who is she dating?
I am huge SYTYCD fan and love her...who does she spend her days (and nights) with?

She is dating Jack Huston, nephew of Anjelica Huston and grandson to John Huston.


SANJAY GUPTA
I watch CNN all the time...ever wonder who Sanjay goes home to?

Her name is Rebecca Olson. And I found the below on InStyle Weddings: 


As a neurosurgeon and CNN senior medical correspondent who spent a month with the U.S. Navy in Iraq, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, 35, has been in plenty of trying situations. But his resolve was tested anew when he proposed to Rebecca Olson, 36. "I wrote her a poem and in the last line asked her to marry me," says Gupta. "Watching her read it, I was very nervous—it was over a page long." Adds Olson, a family law attorney, "He was down on one knee and asking me to marry him before I even got to the end!"
 
 
TROY POLAMALU
Yes I am a Steelers fan and damn proud of it - get over it!
 

The lovely Theodora Polamalu! Here is their story from playerwives.com:

The two began dating while at USC together, after being introduced by Theodora's brother and Troy's teammate, Alex Holmes. Theodora moved to Pittsburgh with Troy in 2003 when he was drafted. They were engaged in 2004 and were married in January, 2005. The couple has two children together, with Troy announcing the birth of their youngest child, Ephraim, on his Twitter account.

SINEAD O'CONNOR
Big fan of hers! Most beautiful bald woman ever! Could've cared less that she ripped up photo of the Pope. What does she look like now?
 

 

Ugh! Enuff said.....thanks to Amy for bringing this to my attention!

 

 

ANDY COHEN

For all of you BRAVO junkies (like myself) - where the hell did Andy Cohen come from?

I found this on http://www.advocate.com/....

 

 

 

Since he was a closeted teenager growing up in St. Louis, Cohen knew he wanted to work in television. Though he’s aspired to become an on-air personality since graduating from Boston University in 1990, he started his career as a producer for CBS News’s 48 Hours and CBS This Morning. In 2000 he became the vice president of original programming for the defunct pop-culture network Trio, where he developed and oversaw a slew of acclaimed documentaries, including 2004’s Gay Republicans. In 2005 he landed at Bravo. As senior vice president of original programming and development, Cohen oversees the production of more than a dozen shows, including Top Chef, The Rachel Zoe Project, and the entire Real Housewives franchise. His work as an executive producer for Project Runway, Top Chef, and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy has earned him seven Emmy nominations.

“I don’t think Andy’s ever made it a secret that he’s wanted to be an on-air host,” says Michael Davies, the executive producer of Watch What Happens: Live. “His passion for the subject is what this show is about.” Cohen is a rarity in television. Not only is he the sole TV host representing a network’s executive office, he is currently the only openly gay man in America with a talk show on a major national cable channel. “We were really gay with the first two episodes,” Cohen says. “We’re kicking back with a cocktail and laughing, talking with Isaac Mizrahi about his orange toenail polish and what happens when you stay awake on Ambien.”



BETHENNY FRANKEL
Love her ... but where did she come from?



A chance encounter at 19 on an airplane with a producer of the NBC series Saved by the Bell led to a short-term job as a production assistant on the show.


Did a brief stint on the NBC daytime series Santa Barbara. Big-screen debut came in the 1994 mystery-suspense film Hollywood Hills 90028.


Bethenny Frankel first appeared on reality TV as a contestant on the NBC reality competition “The Apprentice: Martha Stewart”. Frankel was one of the favorites to win a dream job of working with Martha Stewart. She finished the 13-week long interview as the first runner-up.
Attended the National Gourmet Cooking Institute in New York. After she graduated, she formed a company ("Bethenny Bakes") which provides wheat, egg, and dairy-free baked goods, meals for private clients and a custom-meal delivery service. Her clients include Michael J. Fox, Brooke Hogan, Alicia Silverstone and Paris Hilton. Prior to becoming a chef, she produced large-scale entertainment events for Merv Griffin Productions in Los Angeles and founded "Any Event", a company dedicated to producing high-profile celebrity events.

Well folks that is my random bunch for the day! Tune in next time.....

Christmas!

Is it just me... or is Christmas SERIOUSLY magical? (But why does it tend to get mucked up with needless stress and anxiety!)

WHAT CHRISTMAS SHOULD BE...

The snow blanketing the neighborhood that brings upon this priceless silence. Christmas lights just making everything prettier. Listening to that one radio station that plays Christmas music 24/7 and singing in the car. Watching all the classics like Rudolph, Frosty, Charlie Brown, Grinch, White Christmas and A Christmas Story that make you feel like a kid again. Decorating the tree with the ornaments that you have been collecting throughout your life. Making Christmas cookies...usually I attempt gingerbread men (my fav) and have high creative intentions to decorate each one with its individual look but then giving up after doing 2 of them and just slopping on the icing and sugar! Getting to spend time or touch base with the ones you love! Doing things for others - whether it be finding that perfect gift that a certian someone that isn't expecting or donating to a good cause - to make someone elses Christmas brighter! Seeing the sheer excitement on kids faces when they see gifts from Santa under the tree! Going ice skating or sledding!

WHAT CHRISTMAS HAS TURNED INTO....

running around like a chicken with their head cut off!

The whole idea of asking people for their "Christmas lists"...it just seems weird if you stop and think about it!

Battling crowds and traffic creating anger towards our fellow man and serious road rage.

Spending money just to spend it in order to have something to wrap
for that one person that is impossible to shop for.

Standing in endless lines at the grocery store with everyone else who forgot cranberry sauce!

Seriously, why does it have to be like that?

(Don't get me wrong - kids should all have that experience of coming down the stairs in the morning to stacks of presents under the tree! But what I am talking about is aimed more at the adults...)

My mom was my inspiration this year! When I ask her what she wants for Christmas, she always gives me a cause to donate to in her name. When I was younger, I thought, that's no fun! But actually it is what Christmas is all about! Doing for others. As I get older, I get a greater joy out of doing for others! This year I did things like help a friend assemble gift bags for the needy. Donated to http://www.heifer.org/  - which is a fabulous organization - and was the gift my mom wanted most! Cleaned out my closets and storage space finding all the stuff that could be used or worn by someone else in need and donating it. Wrapped gifts for my friend's kids - just cause I LOVE wrapping gifts and they don't (ha ha). Donated to BARCS - helping a good cause in our city...etc...

I think as adults we should all rethink the whole Christmas thing and change our intentions.
Make it a joyous time of year and not a "to-do" list:

Next year, try this - be PROACTIVE and not REACTIVE:

1. Order gifts online and avoid crowds

2. Go to the grocery store AHEAD of time

3. Buy your turkey from a LOCAL farmer (as well as veggies)

4. Decide to only give gifts to the kids in the family

5. Adults family members: Choose your favorite charity and ask that a donation be made in your name

6.  Do a family activity like ice skating or sledding - something that let's you spend time together w/o any stress involved - just simply fun!

7. Pay it forward...open a door for someone, let a car in ahead of you, help an elderly person reach that can of cranberry sauce on the top shelf, etc....it is contageous...you'll see!

8. GIFT CARDS, GIFTS CARDS, GIFT CARDS - people LOVE them (it is NOT impersonal)

9. Pick an organization close to your heart and volunteer

10. Stop with the meaningless Christmas cards (and let me clarify...don't buy a bunch of cards, sign your name and mail them. People want it personalized. Photos of your family or a note from you about how your family is doing. That is what we want...not a Christmas wish from Hallmark! You know what I am saying?)

OK that is my rant!

Make 2011 a good one!

Choose the FARMER'S MARKET (seriously)!

Todd and I have made going to the Farmer's Market (downtown under 83) a Sunday morning tradition and my tastebuds thank me! It's an easy drive downtown with no traffic and parking is a breeze.

First of all the atmosphere is vibrant! People everywhere...sampling foods, running into old friends and haggling with farmers! The smells of fresh fruits, flowers, herbs, baked goods and smoked meats fill the air. The bright colors of all the fresh produce and flowers is an amazing site to see. Whether you are stocking up for the week or eating a fresh made-to-order omlette - you can tell it is the place to be on a Sunday! 

Secondly, you are supporting your local farmers! Why wouldn't you want to put your hard earned money BACK into your own community. It just makes sense (and tastes way better)!

Thirdly, you are doing your body good! Think about it...why would you want to go to the grocery store and buy some tomatoes that have been shipped from god-knows-where and treated with god-knows-what kind of chemicals just to keep them fresh when you can buy freshly picked tomatoes from farmers in the area? The vegetables, fruits and meats you are purchasing are mainly organically produced and raised...so you are avoiding all those preservatives and crap that should NOT be going into your body! And you can taste the difference!

For example, today when we got home, we made a quiche using fresh eggs, cheese, bacon and mushrooms all purchased at the Farmer's Market - it was a delicious! The only thing store bought was the pie crust.

The other night, Todd made bison burgers and we topped it with bacon and old Bay Cheddar...and it was THE BEST BURGER I have ever had! We put the burgers on naan bread we got at the Indian store on Harford Road but next time we are gonna put them on fresh ciabatta rolls from the Farmer's Market.

It's a fun way to spend your Sunday morning and you are doing a good thing (for the farmer's AND your body)...two thumbs up!!!

Open May 2 - Dec 19, 2010
Every Sunday 7:00am-12:00pm
underneath the Jones Falls Expressway at Holliday & Saratoga streets

http://www.promotionandarts.com/index.cfm?page=events&id=3

If you don't know where a local Farmer's Market is...check out this website:

http://www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets/

R.I.P. Metropol, The Upstage & my 20's!

Metropol: Friday's 75 cent Rolling Rocks

The Upstage: Monday's 25 cent draft night

Ahhhhh, the churches of my youth: Metropol and The Upstage!
I would love to get one more night of dancing in the orgy of scented fog and strobe lights, Rolling Rock in hand, cigarette in the other and thrashing around the dance floor like a fool for hours at a time - only stopping when drenched and in need of fluids (beer, of course)! These are the two clubs where my friends and I spent our entire 20's (and early 30's). I have amazing memories of both places - it is a shame they both (1) eventually got ruined by frat boys and (2) closed their doors - there is an entire generation that missed out! And SERIOUSLY, can I just say, THANK GOD there was no Facebook back in the good ole days!

I remember before my 21st birthday going to this place called Metropol for the first time to see MINISTRY. We had to sit upstairs in the balcony with all of the other underagers but I remember saying aloud OH MY GOD THIS PLACE IS AWESOME AND AS SOON AS WE ALL TURN 21, WE WILL BE HERE EVERY WEEKEND! And sure enough, we did!

It was a ritual every Friday. The girls and I would spend hours getting ready to hit the 'Pol. Our apartment floor was strewn with every piece of black clothing we owned. Purses were loaded up with ID, cigarettes and ATM card! Calls were made. The meeting place was always the same - Equibank on Walnut Street - which was perfect! All of us lived in the neighborhood so we all met up, withdrew cash and waited on the poor unsuspecting cab driver that had to transport our butts to the Strip District. The cab was whirling with perfume, cigarettes, hairspray and our excited cackling. What would happen tonight? Would that cute guy talk to us?

The cab would roll up and deposit us in front where the line to get in was all the way down the ramp. The guys at the door would card us and take each of our $3 cover charges. Although after years and years, we started to not get carded anymore - we were so proud ha ha! As soon as the doors open, the "thumpa thumpa" music could be felt through your entire body. It was dark and smoky inside. Clumps of people were huddled in various corners of the industrial club. The dance floor was alive and the lights were in full effect! First stop - alcohol. Second stop (and final resting place) - station ourselves outside the bathrooms. We had it down to a science. Easy access to the potties, primping and to scout out all the boys :) Once a fav song of ours came on...we were gone out to the dance floor - smack dab in the middle of the floor...and there we stayed until we needed a beer. We could handle the crowded dance floor and clear our dance space by elbowing people out of the way or using lit cigarettes as a weapon. ha ha When the music selection was not to our liking, it was time to "make a round" (aka check out the boys and say hi to friends). We usually went counterclockwise....starting at the bathrooms, up the stairs, across the stage, down the stairs, past the upper bar, down the stairs and back to our "station".   We would scan the room for our latest crush or go flirt with our favorite bartender. There was a method to our madness! And every once in awhile, we'd meander upstairs to the balcony bar - another key location to scout out boys (hmmm...is there a theme here?).

Then the clock struck 2:00am and the lights came on! AHHHHH....scary! Everyone was sweaty, drunk and scurrying out the door like roaches. It was always a "sobering" moment realizing that the guy you had just spent hours dancing with was a total guido in the light of day. On the other hand, sometimes as we all lined the exit hallway....one of my girls would blow by us and shout "gotta ride" as she walked out the door.

The beauty of The Upstage was that it was the same great music and cute boys as at Metropol but the beer was WAY cheaper! It was a dump - from the black painted walls to the sticky, squishy carpet to the toilet stalls crawling with roaches and no toilet paper to be found...but we didn't care - it was our dump and WE LOVED IT! Mondays were 25 cent draft night and we used to buy as many drafts as each of us could carry and cover the table with cups of beer available to anyone that wanted it. It tasted like the taps hadn't been cleaned in decades but WHO CARES it was 25 cents! ha ha It was an awesome place to dance all night!

So many good memories with good friends! Too bad the youth of today will never get to experience that genre of music and dance...they don't have a clue what they are missing!

Shark FREAK!

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!" or is it?

I love love love Shark Week - always have! But the problem is that Shark Week always falls a couple of weeks prior to my yearly vacation at the beach. But I can't help it! I am fascinated by sharks (mainly great whites) and continually freak myself out prior to my beach time!

My sister and I were always water babies....once we got in the water there was no gettin' us out. We spent every summer at Cape Cod and every winter in Florida playing in the water without a care in the world. But the I clearly remember when that all changed..."Jaws" came out in the theaters. I was dying to go see it. We were on vacation in Cape Cod and my mom refused to take me. One rainy day, we did go to the movies and I tried to sneak a peek into the theater where Jaws was playing but to no avail.

When I was finally old enough to see it - I remember being completely and utterly terrified! The scene in the beginning has to be the #1 horrifying scene of a movie EVER! Chrissy getting tugged and pulled and eaten from below! I can never see a dingy without thinking about that scene. It has to be my worst nightmare ever! Yet I love the movie! To this day it is my all-time favorite movie. BUT (and that's a big but) it has affected my experience at the beach. I am scared of the water - especially dark murky water. I do the "mom-dip" now...which is get in the water (not too deep) and dunk in enough to get wet and feel refreshed...always scanning the water for dark objects swimming below or giant fins cutting the surface.

My fear gets even more irrational...when I am swimming in pools, I still fear the deep water. I know - right? I did say irrational. Maybe it was too many James Bond movies - there was always that secret door where either you got dumped into a pool of hungry sharks (or sharks with lazers on their heads) or a giant shark would come swimming in to the pool to join you.

I have vivid memories of swimming with my sister at a friend's pool. We were tossing around a little rubber shark when all of a sudden it fell down to the very bottom of the deep end and landed (jaws up) on the drain of the pool. Wigged out - I wouldn't swim over it...just around it...ha ha! Yes, I did say irrational folks! Another time in Boston, my uncle took us out on his boat. He anchored the boat right off of the shoreline and we swam in for snacks on the beach. But when it came time to get back on the boat - we had to swim back to the boat! My sister got in first and I followed her back to the boat. As we got into deeper and deeper water, I remember starting to panic a bit about what might be lurking below. I swam faster and faster - nearly swimming OVER my sister to get back onto safe ground. I am yelling at my sister "Swim faster!". Seriously? This is not normal.

I did feel that I took a big step towards conquering my fears while vacationing in Hawaii. There we were at Waikiki Beach in all its glory and my hubby is begging me to take surf lessons with him. I remembering sitting on the beach contemplating whether or not I could do this. I really wanted to try surfing but why did it have to be in water - ha ha. After weighing the pros and cons, I mustered up the courage and decided that at least with the crystal clear waters of Hawaii I would at least be able to spot a shark coming up on me before getting attacked (see how I rationalized the whole thing?). I got in the water and started "surfing"....well, attempting to surf. It was way harder than I thought. I spent most of my time getting tossed off of my board and churned around like a rag doll along the sandy bottom of the ocean. My entire body hurt. I kept trying to stay close to my husband but he kept going out further and further. "Come on out -this is where the waves are big and perfect to ride!". I looked at him out there (all by himslef) and thought HELL NO...this is as far as this girl goes! After hours and hours of attemtping to stay on board for more than a split second, we got out to take a break. I was feeling defeated but overjoyed for having conquered my fear - at least for that one day! My husband continues to surf anytime we are near water and I just stay safely on the beach scouring the water for a giant fin coming up behind him :)

Now I know the chances of getting attacked by a shark are slim-to-none but...you won't see me wearing any bold stripped bathing suits or entering the water with a cut that is bleeding or splashing around oddly like an injured fish or on a raft/surfboard looking like a seal...nope not me!

In closing.... one of my favorite lines from my favorite movie:

"...Sometimes that shark he looks right into ya. Right into your eyes. And, you know, the thing about a shark... he's got lifeless eyes. Black eyes. Like a doll's eyes. When he comes at ya, doesn't seem to be living... until he bites ya, and those black eyes roll over white and then... ah then you hear that terrible high-pitched screamin'. The ocean turns red, and despite all the poundin' and the hollerin', they all come in and they... rip you to pieces."

Quint

You Know You're Older When...

When I turned 40, the girls and I took a trip to Vegas basically to drown out the pain of turning 40. It worked briefly. But recently I have started to notice some things that are changing (and not for the better):

1. Hangovers last 3 days (or more) now.

2. I am getting called "ma'am" now...shoot me!

3. The "music" in the grocery store is The Cure and The Clash...are these "oldies" now?

4. Talking to younger people and saying, "Ya know, back in my day, we wrote letters...there was no such thing as email".

5. Thanking GOD there was no Facebook when I was in my 20's. I can't image the pictures we would've posted to Facebook from smoky Metropol and the sticky Upstage...

6. Watching MTV and wondering where the videos went.

7. Using the word "album".

8. Trying blond highlights to frame my face and realizing they look more gray than blond...jesus that was a bad idea.

9. Could care less about being tan!


....more to come! 

B'more Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives: HAMILTON TAVERN

CROSSTOWN BURGER

Holy moly - so if you love a good burger....drop everything and run to Hamilton Tavern (http://www.hamiltontavern.com/) and try the mouth-watering Crosstown Burger!

You'd never know there was such a gem of a restaurant inside judging from the outside but the second you walk in, the atmosphere is overwhelmingly cozy and welcoming.

The drink special of the evening was a white sangria and loaded with fruit that had been seriously marinated :) One bite of an apple chunk and "HELLO I AM DRUNK!"

And as instructed by a friend, I ordered the Crosstown Burger...and WOW was he right! Perfectly cooked, juicy and delicious. I don't know if it was the horseradish cheddar on top but the flavors of the burger just popped! The house made potato chips were to-die-for! I don't normally like these type of chips but I had no problem with these ones.

The service was fast and friendly - overall it was a very pleasant surprise!
You must go now :)