Happy Tuesday, blog buddies!
It's back to work for most of us after a long long long weekend during which I was busy playing host to my mommy and celebrating the birth of my best friend, Kim!
Oh, and, umm... being a freakin' guest on The Tonight Show!!!
Did you watch me on the show? Didya didya?!? Can I just tell you - it was one of the most surreal experiences of my life. Seriously. I don't know if I can even begin to describe the entire thing, but let me start at the beginning...
The day before my appearance on the show, the producers called me and asked if I wanted a car to take me to the show. I said, "Don't be ridiculous - I drive myself to the studio every day and I can just drive myself."
But then I thought to myself, "Hmm... your mom will be visiting and your best friend Kim and her parents are coming along and how often do you get to be a guest on The Tonight Show and...."
So I called back and said, "Umm, never mind what I said last time. Can I have a car? And, umm, can it be a limo?!?"
And guess what - they totally went for it!
Here I am with my mom when the limo came to pick us up.
Here we are inside the limo.
And here are Kim and her parents on the other side.
How fun!
It's so dumb, I know, but every time I get to ride in a limo I'm like Tom Hanks in that movie Big. I push all the buttons and say things like, "Oh wow!" and "What's this thingy do?!?" and "Can I stick my head out the sun roof?!?"
I need to grow up.
After the 10 minute drive to the NBC studio in Burbank, we got out of the limo and were greeted by a bunch of my co-workers cheering me on.
Those of us who work at The Tonight Show are a family of sorts and they all know what a big deal this was for me. I mean, 5 and a half years ago I was thrilled to simply walk the historic halls of NBC and get people lunch for free. Now, not only have I been on air for over half a decade, I've worked my way up to finally having the honor of being a guest on the show.
It's a big, big deal in my life and I was thrilled and overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from both my family and my NBC family.
And then, when I walked into the dressing room, my blog family was represented! Bloggers Biscuit and Butter had flowers delivered to my dressing room and they were waiting for me when I arrived. I couldn't believe it!
Thank you SO much, Biscuit and Butter!
And it didn't stop there - all day long people dropped by to congratulate me and with me luck. Here I am with my office-mates Kourosh and Daria.
How cute are we?!?
No lie, you guys, I was freaking nervous. Like, totally ucky-tummy nervous. I was pacing back and fourth when my best friend Kim said to me, "Just take a breath and be yourself."
I took a big, deep breath and instantly knew I was going to be fine.
Backstage, right before Jay introduced me, I got a bit emotional. The gravity of the moment caught up with me and, in one brief second, all of my accomplishments flashed in my head and I allowed myself to be very proud of what I have done... so far.
I looked up, thanked the Universe, and proudly walked out onstage.
It was AMAZING! Sitting there talking to Jay was, like, an out of body experience thing. Like, you're in the moment, but you're also looking at the cameras and the audience and Jay's notes and the floor under his desk and thinking things like, "Is that plant real?"
But you're also answering questions and talking and listening, while at the same time thinking, "Okay - that's Jay Leno and that's Dennis Miller and did I make sure to check my zipper? Oh my God, I'm thirsty. Which cup is mine? "
And then you see yourself in the monitor, sitting next to Jay and looking like one of THOSE people - you know, a guest on The Tonight Show.
And then, before you know it, it's done.
It was an AMAZING dream come ture and I can't wait to do it again!
After the show we came back to my house and had a fantastic celebration BBQ.
Mom and I spent the next day (Saturday) shopping and getting things ready for my best friend Kim's birthday party on Sunday.
Kim and I and her boyfriend (who doesn't want to be pictured on the RossBlog and prefers to be referred to as "Dietrich Underpants") always go way out for each other's birthday. Well, I should be more specific. Dietrich and I really like to do whatever we can to embarrass Kim on her birthday.
One year we had a quinceanera in the park and made her dress up in a horrible prom dress thingy I found at a thrift store and hit a pinata. One year we had a cowgirl theme and dressed her up. One year was a beach party theme and we made her wear one of those big t-shirts that have a lady's body wearing a bikini on it so it looks like you're wearing a bikini - do you know what I'm talking about?
Well, this year, in honor of Kim's recent acceptance into a PhD program (she's getting her doctorate in Public Health), we decided that this year's theme should be... safe sex.
So we dressed Kim up as... PRINCESS DIAPHRAGM!
God, she's a trooper!
We threw her party at a karaoke place in Korea Town. I love love love Karaoke, but I had never been to this place. I'm SO glad we went - it seriously takes Karaoke to the next level!
It's like that scene in Lost In Translation when Scarlett Johanson and Bill Murray sing karaoke - you rent a big room with couches and there are a bunch of TV screens and you sing with your friends. It's SO fun! Because you don't have to sing in front of a bunch of strangers, it's super conducive to getting people who usually wouldn't sing to come out of their shell.
And the best part? My mom was still in town, so she got to come, too!
Because I have the voice of an angel, I'm not shy about singing. Sometimes I even get Kim to go sing with me. But at this place, she wasn't afraid at all! Here I am singing "Kokomo" with the birthday girl.
And here I am with her sister Morgan (an avid reader and commenter on the RossBlog) singing something. I can't remember which song we did together, but it must have had quite a high note - look at my dedication in reaching the notes!
Then it was time for cake! Here's the birthday girl blowing out her candles.
I'm still on my healthy-living kick, but after taking one look at that cake, I decided that my healthy lifestyle had to include two bites. YUMMY!!!
It was a fantastic weekend and I was so lucky to spend it with so many people who I love.
And then I woke up today and found out that the website Dlisted named me their "Hot Slut of the Day" (click HERE)!
At first I didn't know what that meant (I kinda still don't), but I'm thrilled nonetheless. I've never been called "hot" or a "slut" before, but it turns out I kinda like it. :)
I never read things about myself online, but I went through the comments at Dlisted and was relieved to discover that people actually wrote nice things about me! I posted a comment, too. Some people said they hate my voice, which made me laugh. Listen, I get it. It took me 20 years to come to terms with my voice myself. They'll get used to it eventually, too.
And now I'm off to the gym. The Tonight Show is on hiatus this week so I have the whole week off. I have no idea what to do with myself. I spent yesterday doing a lot of nothing, but I'm hoping to be a bit more productive today. Or maybe I'll hold off until tomorrow.
Who knows! :)
Oh! It's time to send in your nominations for next month's BLOGGER OFTHE MONTH! Who deserves to be the next blogger honored? Send your nomination to me at: rosstheintern@yahoo.com (and make sure to put "botm" in the title)!
Blog at ya later, blog buddies!
Ross
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