What makes you blush?

It's BrightEyes's first visit to New York so GarGar and I led him through uber-touristy Times Square to see the billboards, the crowds and the flashing lights firsthand. While crossing the street, we were stopped by a fashionable lady who asked if we would participate in her project.

After initial reluctance (and for me, after spotting the boom operator with the dreamy eyes), we agreed to her interview. It turns out she was E. Jean, a columnist for ELLE magazine, who dispenses style advice to women across the country.

We were being filmed for an online spot to debut next month and she asked us, "What makes you blush?" When she turned to me, I answered "NARS has a wonderful blush that I use," and she stopped me mid-sentence and said that my response wasn't usable because the segment's sponsor was Max Factor! Then she said to me, "orgasm?" And I think I probably did blush. Little did I realize that she meant the name of NARS's blush color is orgasm!

I also answered another question about blushing as it pertains to my tranny, wig-wearing comrades. I hope that some of our interview makes it into the segment next month and I do regret not asking her about Nina Garcia, "fashion editor for ELLE magazine!"

Adios 2007

It’s New Year’s Eve and, like many news outlets, talk show hosts and fellow bloggers, Panda!!!! is reflecting upon the year MMVII. It was another fun-filled, work-filled year like most others. Nothing hugely notable happened this year (for better or for worse), but there were definitely some highlights. Here are Panda!!!!’s top ten of 2007 (in no particular order):

The Corporation’s Social Responsibility Report – Most of Panda!!!!’s professional life this year was spent producing this monster report. It was a bumpy road, but I’m thoroughly pleased with the final product. Plus, now I can proudly boast that I’ve been to the Commerce Casino Resort and Hotel.

Labor Day Camping – I’m a city boy at heart, so the idea of camping struck some trepidation in me. Turns out, if you camp with a group of pals and a few crates of drag paraphernalia, a weekend in the woods can be hugely entertaining!

Pride in New York – It wasn’t so much the pride festivities themselves as it was the chance to spend a week in the big apple without work obligations. I enjoyed catching up with friends from high school, college and business school whilst exploring the New York scene during pride week.

Ella Ella Eh Eh Eh – To me, 2007 will be the year of Rihanna. I cannot count the number of times my friends and I jumped up and down frenetically to “Umbrella” or “Don’t Stop the Music.”

Building a Sustainable Future – The Nonprofit’s annual conference is always a highlight of the year, and this year’s conference in Nashville proved no different. It was also here that I got pulled into an impromptu interview which was made available on the internets in podcast form. I must say that it turned out well, despite my nerves.

So Yesterday – Meeting Hilary Duff was certainly a moment I’ll remember, mostly because she looked so pretty, engaged me in conversation about Lindsay Lohan and used a swear word!

Set a Series Recording – Thanks to my new DVR, I am hooked on Gossip Girl, The Hills, America’s Next Top Model, Pushing Daisies, Chuck, Heroes, and the like. I thought this gizmo was supposed to make television watching more efficient. Instead, I get stressed out that I have so much to catch up on! But I love it.

Real Pandas at the Zoo – It was fun seeing the real live pandas at the San Diego Zoo, followed by a rollicking good time with Kitten at the zoo party for San Diego pride. It also served as a good excuse to see Lil’ Sis Panda!!!! and Guido.

Chiieew! – I became a blogger this year!

The Great Pot Pie Incident of 2007 – I won’t soon live down the moment when Mahogany Sparkle and Roommates A&J caught me at the grocery store, arms filled with frozen pot pies, about 10 minutes after I declared that I was leaving the bar to go home.

ME! ME! ME!

This morning, inspired by my good friend Gleemonex, whose blog I read religiously, I decided to become a participant in the blogosphere. I'd resisted this temptation for a while now, thinking to myself, Who are these bloggers? How self-important, how narcissistic, how arrogant they are to think that their lives are of interest to other people. I certainly don't need to advertise my adventures and the minutiae of my tedious life.

But today I decided to stake claim to my own little corner of the internets, mostly so I have something to look back upon when my mind grows that much more feeble and more of my memory cells are decimated by the drink. So, this little bloggie is for moi, but I welcome others to peer into my insanity and post their thoughts as well...

I've taken the moniker "Panda!!!!" as a nod to my heritage ... and "Chiieew!" is how I suppose you spell the sound that baby pandas make when they sneeze. Welcome to my ramblings. Judge all you want - you know I do...

I'm a blogger!

Friends and family, beware...