Celelb sighting: Cynthia Rowley

I was pretty sure I saw Cynthia Rowley at last night's ICA opening. So, naturally, I have been doing some internet stalking this morning and it appears she is in Boston!

Disco office

On Monday, I had a meeting with a prospective vendor in midtown New York City. The office was in a typical office building that didn't seem very special ... except that it used to be Studio 54!

So strange to think that cracked-out celebrities danced the night away in the same place where I was discussing how we could better protect human rights in developing countries.

Celeb sighting: Oh here go how come

Puppy and I just finished dim sum with my parents and Lil' Bro Panda!!!!'s future in-laws. As we exited the building, a short Asian man wearing a plunging v-neck t-shirt and a scowl on his face entered. For a moment, I thought he was a friend of mine from San Francisco and I smiled at him. He looked back at me, scowled some more, and I realized I don't know him at all!

It was Calvin, a contestant on the recent season of The Fashion Show! he was the season villain who had to be subtitled because he was difficult to understand. Furthermore, he was difficult to understand because he put words together in nonsensical strings.

Why do you go by Mr. Rings?

Robyn's opening act was a tall, skinny blonde boy from Toronto with the stage name Diamond Rings. I'd recently read a favorable review of his music, but I didn't make the connection until he actually took the stage.

He put on a pretty good performance and has a surprisingly low voice for a kid who wore stretchy gold pants and blue eye shadow! Afterward, he stood by his merchandise table, waiting to engage fans and to sign posters. After the three or so people approached him, professed their admiration and took photos with the young man (including DJ Mother Nature), he just stood there by himself, so I figured I should talk to him.

Turns out his name is John and the Diamond Rings monicker has something to do with the Toronto Blue Jays. I asked him why he went by the name "Mr. Rings," which didn't seem to go over so well. And when he described an upcoming music video that features him in drag, gobbling a pizza, I suggested he should have been eating poutine.

After entertaining a few more of my ludicrous questions, he excused himself politely to "get a lamp" for his table. We thought he was just exiting the conversation, but minutes later, he did return with a lamp!

Stilettos and broken bottles

Last night, Puppy, DJ Mother Nature and I stuffed our faces with Mexican food and went to see Robyn perform at the House of Blues. As a teen, I did enjoy the catchy "Show Me Love" of which she is probably horridly embarrased.

She put on a great show - jumping around and flailing her arms about frenetically. And all while wearing some Timberlands with three-inch platforms! She is a truly small little pixie!

And for me, it was notable that I ran into two whole people that I knew!

Celeb sighting: Back to the Future Part III

Oh yeah, also spotted at last night at Ted Danson's table was his wife, Mary Steenburgen. Despite everything she's appeared in, I could only think of her role in Back to the Future Part III.

Celeb sighting: Cheers

Cousin Lotus is in town, so she, Puppy and I checked out a new, overpriced restaurant in The Hub. We were merrily eating and catching up when the waitress leaned down to Cousin Lotus and whispered that Ted Danson was seated one table away from us.

The be-spectacled man with a shock of white hair looks nothing like his Sam Malone alter-ego, which will always be my Ted Danson reference point, even though I understand he's doing some outstanding work on another television series that I don't watch.

I want your ugly, I want your disease

For Puppy's birthday, we went to see Lady Gaga last night. This tour, unlike her last, was in arenas, with tons more fans. And strangely, the audience for this tour seemed filled with little teenyboppers and I felt like the oldest non-parent in the audience.

Like the last time, Lady Gaga put on a very good show, but it didn't seem quite as creative as the last tour. She didn't re-interpret any of her songs and the whole production seemed more like a scripted show than a from-the-heart expression of emotion.

Nevertheless, it was a good time and a fun show.

Celeb sighting: TRANSform Me

I forgot to mention that, during the pride festivities, we caught a glimpse of that lady Laverne from TRANSform Me, a show where three transgender ladies go around giving women makeovers. I think she was on a show trying to win a "job" with Diddy, but I don't really know. As far as I'm concerned, the only good show featuring Diddy was the one about Danity Kane! Damaged!

Celeb sighting: The Surreal Life

At yesterday's pride block party, we noticed a diminutive tranny walking about. She had terrible skin and dark, dark roots and was dressed like a bohemian ... something. It turns out, it was Alexis Arquette, as in Courteney Cox Arquette's sister-in-law!

It took DJ Mother Nature a few minutes to convince me that it actually was Ms. Arquette because I thought that a celebrity marshal would have taken better care of her hair and skin. Guess I was wrong.

Celeb sighting: Not the president

Last night, Puppy, his friend DJ Mother Nature and I enjoyed a summery dinner at home then visited a lounge to heckle DJ Mother Nature's friend who was singing standards.

Like last Sunday night's adventures, this lounge was also adjacent to the local Courtyard Marriott (I don't get it either) and we had a prime seat for the show since there were approximately five others in the audience.

During one of the breaks, people began filing out of the venue next door, where apparently another event was taking place - one where attendees got to wear name badges with flashing lights. And one of the attendees happened to be John Kerry! Our little lounge was abuzz and an old man trotted up to our table next to the window to get a better look. Sadly, I got a better look at his belly as he stood over me.

Celeb sighting: Charisma uniqueness nerve and talent

On the Sunday of a three-day weekend, I kind of expect for things to be, you know, going on. Typically there's all sorts of city-type rejoicing and people out and about celebrating the fact that they can get drunk and not go to work the next day.

Well, Boston doesn't seem like that sort of town. At least, not from what I've seen (and I admit that I'm not "in the know"). Last night, Puppy and I went to the local bar (totes empty), downed a couple of drinks, then went to an advertised weekly night called "Hot Mess." Puppy led me a few blocks away and we arrived ... at a Courtyard Marriott.

Skeptical, I went in with pretty low expectations, and we descended a few flights to the basement level, which was rather stylishly appointed (but it still felt like the basement of a Courtyard Marriott) and quickly filled with people of all shapes and sizes. And I do mean all sizes!

The DJs played fun mash-ups (and one dared to play "Money Can't Buy You Class" by the Countess LuAnn DeLesseps from the Real Housewives of New York) and people all let loose. I was sort of mesmerized by a petite fellow with a very defined body because he seemed to be of indeterminate age. While his body looked like that of a young twenty-something, his face may have belonged to a fifty-year-old. And with his Guy Fiyeri/Zac Efron hairdo and raggedy goatee, it really was tough to tell.

But bopping around the crowd was Mystique from the most recent season of RuPaul's Drag Race. She was a large lady with quite the entourage. She didn't seem at all happy to be there and I certainly hope she wasn't getting paid much for her "appearance."

I have to say, however, that I think it was my favorite night out thus far, possibly because there was a dancer who had a rubber chicken strapped to his head.

Celeb sighting: Hoarders

When Puppy and I looked at our new apartment, I realized I'd seen the building on an episode of Hoarders before. And yesterday, when I took Reebs to see the new place, I saw the hoarder, himself!

Dale was in front of the building, carefully laying out many of his belongings, for what looked like a sidewalk sale. I guess the therapy is working and he continues to get rid of his worthless stuff! Hopefully, he's cured and I won't be living with a hoarder anymore.

I'm bluffin' with my muffin

You guys, Lady Gaga puts on a pretty amazing show!

Last night I met up with Mattress, Beetle, Roommates A&J, Mahogany Sparkle, Lucy Ricardo and a few others to see Ms. Gaga's second San Francisco show. The venue was pretty intimate - in fact, I was there last week serving lunch to the city's homeless - and it was packed.

There were tons of kids in crazy costumes, some pretty fantastic, but most pretty tragic. Others, who looked like their little girlfriends dragged them to the show, were in pretty boring outfits and many were dressed in-between. As for myself, Mahogany Sparkle described my outfit as "lumber-jill," which seemed kind of appropriate.

As much as I enjoy Lady Gaga's songs, I'm by no means her biggest fan. After last night's show, however, I think I may be a convert. In addition to her crazy costumes and fun choreography, she has a remarkably good voice, as evidenced by her a capella moments that reminded me of Tori Amos (I think it was the piano.).

And by the end of her two-hour set, we were all frantically jumping up and down, screaming the lyrics to "Bad Romance" along with the entire audience - acting crazy and loving every second. Definitely a great performance - one of the best shows I've attended!

We are golden

Puppy and I made our way across the bay to see Mika in concert last night. The venue was intimate and interesting (gold buddha statues with scary glowing eyes) and packed with gays and girls.

The concert began with Mika's bandmates watching television - something about a space journey gone wrong. And Mika walked across the stage in a spacesuit before ripping it off and exposing himself before changing into a stripey-checkerboard suit for the opening song, "Relax."

It was s short, but really energetic and fun concert. Despite having broken himself the night before, Mika managed to dance and jump around in a bejeweled air cast and encouraged the audience to do the same. For "Love Today," he had everyone closing their eyes and jumping up and down, which was pretty neat.

I also especially enjoyed his backup singer who was this lovely Asian lady with a shock of bright pink hair. Her shimmying around was fun and made me covet her job.

Celeb sighting: Biggest Loser

My company had a "town hall" event today where our CEO discussed the state of the business, tried to reassure all of us that we're innovating and beating our competition and generally tried to "communicate" to his masses of employees. Seated directly in front of me at the packed hotel ballroom was a fellow in a suit, who seemed to be getting much attention from nearby employees. I didn't recognize him as anyone significant, but it was clear that he wasn't an employee and he was causing a buzz.

It turns out, this guy won The Biggest Loser one season and his name is Bill Germanakos (Our CEO called him "Bill G." because I'm sure he wasn't familiar with his "fame."). He was present at our meeting to help employees understand the importance of good fitness and nutrition - in an obvious effort to curb healthcare-related costs.

After the meeting, there was a line of employees, waiting to get his autographed photo and eagerly listening to his story of "inspiring" weight loss. I think if I were on a show where I was sequestered for several weeks, focusing on eating less and working out more, I too could lose a billion pounds. Ooh! I sound bitter...

No day but today

Last night, Puppy treated me to a viewing of Rent, featuring the Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp in the roles they originated on Broadway and reprised in the recent movie. I'd only seen Rent live once, probably nearly 10 years ago in DC, but I'm intimately familiar with the music from hearing it throughout my college dorm experience and from the movie, which I really enjoyed (I think I may have been one of a dozen who enjoyed it!).

It was interesting to see this show so soon after seeing Wicked again, and it reminded me what an excellent, engaging show can be like. Rent is really a far superior show, with well-written lyrics and very hummable music.

It really is a much better show to see live and made me realize that the movie doesn't even come close to capturing the energy and urgency of the live production. And the audience was very excited for the show. There were tons of kids who clapped along to the music and cheered loudly (and annoyingly) and there were many audience members of an older generation who probably experienced firsthand the sense of loss, love and life depicted in the show. I'm sure Puppy wasn't the only one in the audience who'd seen the show more than five times!

The two leads, unfortunately, haven't really held up as well. As Roger, Adam Pascal seemed totally robotic. Like he was going through the motions and a bit resentful that he's doing the same show he was known for nearly 15 years ago. Anthony Rapp's Mark was much more alive and his voice seems to have held up better, but the glaring bald spot on the back of his head belied his age. Basically, you have two men pushing 40, straining to act like they're in their early 20s.

Nevertheless, it was a very good show and now I have songs from it in my head!

Celeb sighting: plus eight

Sadly, my only celebrity sighting of the weekend was Jon Gosselin, who was at a milkshake shop debuting a concoction named after him. I walked by the shop, which had paparazzi surrounding it and people clamoring to get a look inside.

As I walked by, I managed to see him, looking pretty dazed and insecure, holding up a milkshake shaker. Apparently, some British lady was screaming at him earlier, "Fame whore! Go back to your children!"

Verified account

Recently, I've been following more and more "celebrities" on twitter and peeking into their lives. It's interesting to follow these folks during the normal course of their day, drinking coffee, going to the beach, getting their nails done, picking up kids, saving the world, etc.

Some of these folks simply use twitter to promote their or their friends' projects:
"The real housewives of Atlanta & me! LOL! We r on tonite @ 10pm BRAVO tune n boo boo cause it's on" - NeNe Leakes

"Heading 2 Days - shooting 2 eps today, then off to see @BrookeBurke and @DENISE_RICHARDS strut their gorgeous mom selves on the catwalk" - Alison Sweeney

"Today is the third and final day taping Sweatin' to the Oldies 5. Tomorrow we will tape Tonin' to the oldies. In... http://bit.ly/1k3bcm" - Richard Simmons

Others invite followers into the more mundane aspects of their lives:
"Getting my hair cut & colored this morning." - Candace Cameron

"School drop off, pilates, Book, meeting new girls for Belle Gray, car pool, Delilah Ballet, Amelia in after school, homework, dinner, bed." - Lisa Rinna

A few try to show they have a social or environmental conscience:
"Right Action for Women is my foundation.We will provide funds to those at high risk to get the proper screening they need for breast cancer" - Christina Applegate

"Another day of studying modern day slavery. I'll let u know how it goes." - Ashton Kutcher

Some have day-long conversations with each other:
"you lookeed gorgeous, and did really well. It's hard to go out there, and you were so lovely and gracious..." - Denise Richards to Kathy Ireland

"Speaking of GORGEOUS>>>>Pardon me..but UR just as beautiful as can be..and so warm..." - Kathy Ireland to Denise Richards

"thamk u so much, so sweet of u..didn't get me far on the show:)) I sent u a DM...xo" - Denise Richards to Kathy Ireland

Many just try to stay relevant:
See above.

For whatever reason, I find this pretty fascinating and time-consuming. Work productivity has definitely plummeted.

Celeb sighting: Slight chance of showers

At lunch today, I was stopped by a gentleman whom I met over a year ago at the local watering hole. He was excited to inform me that he is moving into the city and that he now holds down two bartending shifts at a nearby bar. I couldn't remember his name, and I barely remember him, but he introduced me to his lunch partner, Tracy Humphrey, the weather gal for our local CBS affiliate.

Had my bartending friend not introduced her with the phrase, "If you think she looks familiar, it's because she does the weather for channel 5," I would not have recognized her. So, I thanked her for the warm, sunny day and I went on about my business.