G.R.i.D. (Get Rich in Dallas)

are undoubtedly Jason Whitten

(AP Photo/Mel Evans)

and JJ Barea.

Thank you, gentlemen for playing the game. And quite awesomely I might add.

Oh, WTH, I’ll just give them both GRiD’s Crush of the Week.

I’m a little off base by going into last Friday for this but I gotta give this guy props.

Last week, SushiSamba hosted a birthday party for me which was so super nice of them (thank you Stacey over at Zontis!). Their drinks are phenomenal and yummy and I swear by their sushi. But the nice turnout of friends made it a fabulous night. That and our own personal server for the night, Jeremy.

He knew his drinks, he knew the menu and he knew for sure about fantastic service. And it totally didn’t hurt that he was dreamy and funny and had a killer smile. So I don’t have a pic for ya and I don’t think anybody else got one but if you’re in the mood for sushi with a side of hunky, then SushiSamba on a Friday night is your place to be.

And by a close close margin, the runner-up would have to have been the DJ for the night, Mike D.

Thank youuuuuu SushiSamba.

DJ Mike D. Swoonworthy.

And this time it’s important. Don’t forget to vote for this year’s Dallas Observer Music Awards. In fact, I would recommend doing it this very minute since you are reading this right now. I was good and voted early last week at Lakewood Theater and got to see some good bands along with it. Most notably Sparklepussy Barbie who I’ve decided to have a total man-crush on. The lead singer went and got a beard which makes him all hot but the clincher is their bassist who was born for the rock stage. He oozes ‘rock god’ and for whatever reason, that makes him a total sexy beast. Names? I dunno. Can never figure ‘em out via their page or myspace. Oh and their music’s good too. No, really.

In fact, since it’s been a while, I’m giving him the coveted Crush of the Week award. 

…the Mavs had to go and play an afternoon game that I almost missed. And thankfully I didn’t. That oso closo win was a nice one over a good team and SNAPPED that streak of theirs.

And after a slew of shows this weekend already, I practically forgot this one tonight. I know it’s cheesy but he’s a cutie and I like his voice.

Crush of the Week - gonna go with the Mavericks again. When Devin Harris got bonked the other night against the Suns, who to choose to come in and play the small guard while Harris had to go to the locker room? My third cutie in line at the Mavs got a chance to shine even if just for a few tiny minutes but with two fantastic assists to Stackhouse. So this week, all fingers point to Mavericks guard JJ Barea. Besides, look at face….awwww. 

DALLAS - MARCH 3: Jose Juan Barea #11 of the Dallas Mavericks poses for a pregame photo with Carlos Arroyo #30 of the Orlando Magic on March 3, 2007 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)

Is there nothing going on around that I can blog about? Besides being sick this week, I tell you most everything put up was a chore. I think GRiD’s got bloghorrhea.

House of Dang sent this on. Kinda nice to see they don’t come off as competitive with Dolly Python…well, in the mean way. Thought this posting on their myspace was really cool:

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Dolly Python is going to have a garage sale on saturday march 10th from 8 - 5!!!!! Their dog Lucy needs knee surgery…. whoooomp whoooomp whomp. Everyone is invited and if you have anything to donate you can bring it here or to Dolly Python!!!! 1916 North Haskell. Every bit helps!!!!

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Dang. Wish I thought of this when my dog underwent surgery last year. Still paying that off. Props to you Dang and best of luck with Lucy, Dolly.

Crush of the Week

I went to the Mavericks game on Monday which was the first time in probably a decade. I can’t believe it but now they are worth seeing. I was worried that me seeing them live would jinx them but they brought the game home big time against the Nuggets and we were watching some purty moves by the boys. Probably my all time crush on the Mavs will be this guy but in what may be a trite selection, I have to go with the MVP himself. The buzz cut gets me but watching him live is almost like watching a mixture of ballet and football. He’s too much. Thank you Dirk.

DALLAS - MARCH 3: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles up the court against the Orlando Magic on March 3, 2007 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)

This Week in GRiD

This past week has been pretty phenomenal for me. I’ll be brief but had to share.

If you haven’t noticed, this past Monday, Jesus C. decided to join the GRiD team and I was so excited. You’ve read his stuff either in the DMN or the Dallas Voice but you may be more familiar with him as the former host of Sin Fronteras on KNON. He is a great guy and I feel lucky to have him on board.

Wednesday night, my friend Brian treated me and some others to an intense sushi dinner at Blue Fish on Lower Greenville. I love sushi but my head cannot wrap around the all the proprieties and names when ordering sushi. Brian is a sushi fanatic and he ordered tons of stuff which were all incredibly delicious. With flavors ranging from mildly spicy to almost sweet, they were morsels of delightful texture that almost melted in my mouth but last long enough to experience each flavor. Absolutely heavenly.

My allergies had been acting up most of the week so after dinner I was going home but they convinced me to join them at the Howard Jones concert at the Granada. I wasn’t really into an 80s nostalgia trip at that moment but being with the gang was nice and I stayed for a trio of songs before intermission. Plus, the Mavericks were playing.

While only getting to watch the final quarter, I hooked up with the guys at Alexandre’s, a comfortable drinky jazz bar on Cedar Springs. Les Farrington sings there every Wednesday who is also friends with the guys. You know Les from Sugarbomb. Been a LONG time since I’d heard about them but the recollection was nice.

Thursday night was the ultimate for me. I saw Bill Clinton at Nokia. He’s one of my heroes and this was my first time seeing him speak. Surprisingly, he was bit of a diva but he comanded that audience. Speaking on the environment, health care and the global communities and backing them up with smart facts, he had everyone in awe as well as applause. He even brought me to tears as he reminded us that this world can still be a good place and the hope that is our country. Simply phenomenal.

I just wish I found out who his ‘interviewer’ was. He was terrible as he asked Clinton questions from the audience. Clinton came off somewhat aloof during the interview but whether it was frustration from being interviewed by an obsequious amateur or the strain from the road, I don’t know.

Friday night, I went to the opening of Cirque du Soleil’s show Corteo at Fair Park. I always love those shows since they are so beautiful and fantastic. It’s literally art coming to life and I always feel so transported when I see it. A clown walking upside down on a tightrope, a miniscule matron lifted by balloons and my always favorite acrobats on trampolines flying high in the air. There is no way to give all the visuals but, and without much surprise, it was stunning. 

To be followed by an ultra-fabulous reception was a great cherry on top. In what seemed to be a museum of sorts of Cirque, they offered complimentary martinis, champagne and wine along with a delicious array of heavy hors d’ourves. Their long stemmed white chocolate dipped strawberries were angelic and the Canadian bacon on warms crisps with a slight hint of parmesan melted in my mouth. Like the show, this was also under a tent and behind the scenes videos played overhead in sepia and black and white tones through the red lights. Festive and fabulous for sure.

Of all the days, Saturday and Sunday were needed for relaxing. As well as reflecting on the great week that just passed.

Crush o’ the Week -

It should be obvious.

This was not just a slam dunk this week but also a three pointer. A few of ‘em anyways. I said once before that this guy might be here one day and this week cemented that. Simply enough, Austin Croshere was AWESOME Wednesday night and what’s even better was how he was so gracious and humble about it.

Had the Super Bowl been any other week but this I wouldn’t have minded throwing Colts’ Peyton Manning up here. But despite MVP status, I do think he might have been upsetted by this guy from the Bearswho almost tied it up with Croshere for this past week.

And on a more local note, this guy was fairly charming not to mention a big ole nut as I waited behind him while he got his eyebrows threaded and fro straightened. I’d only heard of A Pacific Model but had to take a listen after he told me he was in the band. Not bad stuff. Probably would have preferred seeing his band than being where we both were at the time.

Yeah, the guy in the front. With the ‘fro’.

Short and sweet today.

Despite being one of the best games I’ve seen this season, the only other thing that got my attention at the Mavericks game today was Mark Cuban’s new (?) facial hair. He’s never done anything for me but I was just short of stunned at seeing him today. Even with his goofy enthusiasm at the game, he all of the sudden had an air of sophistication about him. And me likey.

Maybe the boy is finally becoming a man.

I’d post a pic but after searching through pages of image searches, I could only go through so many pics of his contorted facial expressions and smug grins. If one out there exists, please send my way. 

Just to add, I always thought he might be a jerk but I met him once and he was so much more gracious and polite than I ever would have imagined. Jerk or not, he is a nice guy. 

  

Sorry ladies and gents. I didn’t have much of an urge to get to here until now even though a big chunk of the day has been spent in front of this computer screen. But you’ll soon learn the reason for the delay.

In the past few months, my weekends seemed to have morphed from the usual to Thursdays - Saturdays. And it’s a good thing because these past few days have been outstanding.

Thursday night found me at Club Dada once again for Amanda Newman’s Listening To series. I wasn’t sure what the crowd would be like since local upcoming big shots The Theater Fire were playing the Double Wide with Ashburne Glen and Chicago’s Dogme 95. I also didn’t care because I was stoked by the fact that Millicent Friendly was playing. I have their cd Downtime and have played that sucker out along with Black Tie Dynasty’s Movements. And much to my happiness, I lucked out for once. They played all my favorites and I thanked God personally that they included Timid Troubadour in their set. Drummer John Solis describes their music as pop/rock and I guess that’s fair but they jammed hard and with conviction despite cable issues and a not so great mike for singer Chris Machart. I could hear him but not. Weird. Dave Little played before and Tuesday Debut after but no matter, I was there for MF and they didn’t disappoint.

Also met this guy who turned out to be quite the swell dude within the span of maybe five minutes.

Friday Night, Girl On Top was researching drag kings and Jonanna and I were along for the ride. Every first Friday of the month, Buddies II hosts Dukes of Dallas, the drag king show of Big D. The opposite of drag queens (duh), women dress up as men and lip sync and dance to music. At first, it was very weird and awkward. I was uncomfortable and not sure why. Maybe because reading this, you might just think they were dressed like guys. Suits, jeans, whatever but no. Mohawks, open shirts, Korn and similar music all made up the show and it caught me way off guard. My memory fails me but when the mohawk guy and two chicks sang about pain and love, he was so committed to it that I was swept up in it. And instead of just coming out and doing a number like a drag queen will do, they would do actual acting and choreography and props and the whole bit. It really was amazing and one of the best times I’ve had out in a long time. Bravo! Check it out for a different night out.

OMG, and then there’s Saturday. You may have read that I would be at Cosmo’s celebrating my friend’s birthday. It’s hard for me to agree with $5 Red Stripes but they are so good. The place was full not packed with a young hip and unpretensious crowd. I highly recommend Cosmo’s for your drinking pleasure. However, I wouldn’t recommend mixing your liquor or letting drinks sneak up on you. Because then your friend will have to put you in his car, let you vomit on the side of his SUV and carry you up a flight of stairs to endure more dry heaving. (insert wink here)

Fortunately, all that drama took away from that oh so heartbreaking Cowboys game. Nothing says it more than this.

Romo screwed it up but I can’t help but feel bad for the guy. That’s a big ole load o’ shame to carry. And I wonder if we’ll be having Tuna next season. Don’t think so. And ya know…without a lot of fanfare, I’ll give Romo my Seven Day G-Man Hottie of the Week this time around. How’s that?

After going to bed at five a.m. today and waking up three hours later, today turned out to be quite productive. Breakfast at Garden Cafe (recommend their sausage but not their eggs), car wash to get the vomit off, newspaper and Mexican coffee at Crossroads and even eked out some gym time. Quite the weekend filled to the max with fun and festivities…and a bit of drama.

Hate that this sounds more like a journal entry but I had to fill ya in. Although, I need to crash soon. REALLY SOON.

OK, there’s not a lot to say here after my outing on Wednesday night to the movies, but I’ll give you the runners-up.

Monday’s potential hottie of the week (and probable future winner) was a slam dunk in the name of Good Morning America’s Features Correspondent, Mike Barz. Not only is he a major hottie, he’s got one of the best on camera personalities. He’s funny and a ham without being annoying (take note Gary Cogill) but it so doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes. It just wasn’t his week. And what I wouldn’t do to have his job.

Tuesday, Good Morning Texas had Todd Whitthorne on the show. He was actually a former host on GMT and now works over at the Cooper Aerobics Center as president and chief operating officer of Cooper Conceptsand also serves as the host and executive producer of “Healthy Living Radio with Dr. Ken Cooper.” I put him on here because he’s a great looking guy but he came to speak to my class once and he was just one of the most genuine and nicest and professional guys I’ve ever met. And very willing to offer advice for the budding journalist. Seeing him on reminded me of all that. So I had to throw him in here.

But Wednesday sealed the deal that the rest of the week didn’t matter. And there are only three words to say.

Bond. James Bond.

 There’s a joke in there somewhere about this pic.