Money, Success, Fame, Glamour (if only a night)

I borrow that song title for this entry's title because that was kind of my night last Tuesday. Supermodel Iman came to the school to hawk her new book, "The Beauty of Color." I'm not a big makeup guy, but hey, it's Iman, and rumor had it that David would be there too. David wasn't there, but no matter, Iman looked hot. She spoke about makeup of course, but also about her upbringing in Somalia, schooling in Kenya (where she was discovered), and arriving in New York back in the mid-seventies. She's incrediably intelligent, sophisticated, and cool. The two messages I took from Iman that night were 1) Follow your dreams (or something like that); and 2), quoting Iman, "It doesn't matter if you have the best eyeshadow, the best eyeliner, or the best mascara. If you don't have the right foundation, you're fucked." Happy Times: I won a door prize! Yes, I submitted my name and won an Iman Cosmetics makeup kit. I felt a little awkward approaching the stage to collect my prize given the fact that I'm a guy and stuff (no jokes please). To save myself from the suspicious eyes, I mouthed to the crowd, "It's for my sister." So Jane, you've got some Iman Cosmetics coming your way! You know...the event reminded me of my friend Billy who works for LaForce and Stevens, the PR firm that handles Iman. Hmmm...this is a good time for a transition.
I went home and Billy called me. Turns out LaForce and Stevens rented the penthouse of the Soho Grand for some event and they didn't need the room for the night. So they let Billy use it. Dave joined me and we found ourselves with other Minneapolis people past and present on the terrace overlooking the city. A tour of the penthouse revealed two bedrooms, flat screen televisions in every room, a sauna, and a really big remote control. Nice place, but not worth the $5,000 a night price tag. Yeah, I guess that sounds like a lot considering I probably won't break that amount for tax year 2005.
Afterwards, we taxied our pretty selves to Happy Valley, New York's latest nightlife extravaganza. Now, it's true that one can find a party on any given night in New York. If the human body permitted it, one could theoretically party eternally. I've been known to go out until 4:00AM on a Tuesday or Wednesday night, but I was unprepared when I opened the doors. The placed was packed with fashionistas, the glitteratti, and the party monsters. A twelve foot diameter disco ball (Anne, this one trumps the one you had in your dorm room) hung in the corner from which nestled inside the DJ's safely played music. Go-go dancers danced from high heights. A pair of eight foot legs emerged from the bar spread eagle, happy valley indeed! Amanda Lepore (pictured above and hands down my favorite tranny in the world) entertained the crowd, and as expected and anticipated, I saw her boobs. Twice. You can see them too here. Michael Musto popped on by, but we didn't have a chance to chat. Maybe next time Michael. The $10 drinks didn't seem so bad after the 15 minute open bar was announced. My mom taught me to never turn down anything that's free. So the night turned out to be a blast. I love New York!

Then on Wednesday...I managed to see not one, but two Broadway shows in the same day. Do NOT see "In My Life" but do see "The Color Purple." I also saw hilarious comic Shecky Beagleman who is in a mockumentary about stand up comedy called "Hacks." You must go to the website and watch the trailer. Is it really true that the temperature in Minneapolis was 8 degrees this morning?! Don't miss that.