Backstreet's back alright

At least you'd think so if you were at my office yesterday.

"Artists in Residence," a music program my office created to get musicians collaborating with us and allowing us to license their music for commercials, brings musicians into the agency for recording sessions. And along the way, they either perform a few songs for whoever wants to come watch, take part in a Q&A, or both.

Well yesterday, the Backstreet Boys were here. Yes, those Backstreet Boys. They were scheduled to perform at 1pm in the huge conference room/meeting room on our main floor, and as much as I didn't want to go, I wanted to go. If for nothing else than to catch a glimpse of everything - the amount of people who didn't have work to do, the number of children whose parents brought them in, the amount of hair gel they use. Unfortunately, I got down there late and the room was packed. People were already spilling out into the hallway.

I managed to peek my head in and catch a glimpse of the blonde guy (I don't know his name), but I was tired of fighting the crowd. So I just stood out in the hallway with a few other friends, waiting to hear something, when BAM - "You are, my fi-ire. The one desi-ire." The crowd inside started screaming like a group of 14 year-old girls as the boy band sang "I Want it That Way." I nearly threw up.

I couldn't take it anymore. I went back up to my desk, laughing at how ridiculous it was. Or maybe I was a tad smitten. Either way, they just need to quit playing games with my heart (with my heart).

-JT

New Olympics event

Urban Gymnastics.



-JT

Now It All Makes Sense

I was 14 when I had my first boyfriend. We'll call him "Michael." This wasn't middle school stuff. This was summer-after-middle-school seriousness. We held hands. We went to dances. We ate lunch together. We hung out after school. We went to the library. We went to a couple of GOP events together with our parents in 92. We were in love. Until we broke up 4 months later. We hardly talked after that. We graduated, and off he went to USC.

We never kissed. And the whole time, I was like, what the hell? Why won't he just kiss me? Well, today I got my answer.

Out of the blue, I got an e-mail from a high school friend who told me that she went to his wedding last November. Yes, Michael got married. To a guy. In southern California.

Now I don't know how legitimate this wedding was, since it was only yesterday that the California Supreme Court announced its decision to overturn the state's ban on gay marriage. But I have no doubt that Michael and his partner will seek to legalize whatever union they participated in... as soon as possible. Which looks like it'll be mid-June.

I love it when things come full circle - 15 years later. I guess Michael isn't affiliated with the Republican party anymore, huh?

-10-key princess

Dream Big

Remember those days in school when we'd each go around and tell the rest of the class what we wanted to be when we grew up? And response after response would be the same? "Baseball player." "Doctor." "Firefighter." "Lawyer." Each one more cliche than the previous one. Well, not anymore.



Could you imagine being the teacher whose student showed her this? If nothing else, at least she can take comfort in the fact that kids still look up to their parents. Mom must be so proud.

-JT

Can I get a napkin please?

The latest from our friends at Improv Everywhere. You may remember them from "No Pants 2K8," "Frozen Grand Central" and "Mobile Desktops."



-JT

Dance, Sing, Floss and Travel

Last weekend was pretty awesome. Not only did I almost get mugged, have a 4-hour intensely emotional conversation with someone from my past, and make a commitment to apply for a reality show with a friend (not all the same person!), but I also got this shopping tote, which - let's face it - was almost more exciting than the dance clothes I took home in the bag.

So, here are some Deep Thoughts a la Lululemon Athletica:

• Coke, Pepsi and all other pops will be known as the cigarettes of the future. Colas are NOT a substitute for water. They are just another cheap drug made to look great by advertising.

• Do one thing a day that scares you.

• Jealousy works the opposite way you want it to.

• Choose a positive thought. The conscious brain can only hold one thought at a time.

• The world is changing at a rapid rate that waiting to implement changes will leave you 2 steps behind. DO IT NOW, DO IT NOW, DO IT NOW!

• Friends are more important than money.

• That which matters the least should never give way to that which matters the most.

• Listen, listen, listen, and then ask strategic questions.

• Write down your short and long-term goals four times a year. Two personal, two business, and two health goals for the next 2, 5, and 10 years. Goal setting triggers your subconscious computer.

And of course, my favorite (and this is so me!): DANCE, SING, FLOSS AND TRAVEL.

-10-key princess

Happiness is a Journey . . . Not a Destination

Thanks to my dear sweet aunt for mailing me a sweet card along with this poignant quote by Father Alfred D'Souza tucked inside. She intuitively knew I needed a big mail hug more than ever this week. I love you, Auntie L!

-10-key princess

Science Saturday IV

Can scientists dance?

No.

This is another edition of simple answers for simple questions.*,**,***

*(This isn't to say scientists don't have fun!)
**(The author, JB, is actually an acquaintance of mine. We played Celebrity and ate Korean pancakes together two summers ago in Berlin. He's a real swell guy.)
***(I acknowledge this post is a blatant rip-off of some by Atrios, but he just as well may regularly rip off other people by doing posts like this.)