A Quick Thought...

I guess I can't say that I'm not glad Lakers finally put the Rockets away but what a pathetic series it was.  No?  Was anyone else yawning through their seven games besides me?  While Boston and Orlando were going to into double overtimes, trading huge shots after another and while Lebron and his army were ruthlessly blazing through their competition compiling one of the best highlight playoff dvd's ever, Lakers were floundering about, barely being able to keep up with a team without their two franchise players.  Besides Aaron Brooks they were a bunch of sloppy nothings.  It was the equivalent of playing a group of undersized Jr. High kids who just wanted it more than we did.   Losing to them was so annoying and winning was like, "Yea, of course, we should've won."  Just SO annoying.  I would've had no problems if Lakers got knocked out in game seven because quite frankly, we didn't deserve it.  It's hard to root for a team that has taken upon the qualities of it's surrounding people when those people consist of rich celebrities who barely know the sport who've come to be entertained rather than to cheer.  Fans on the floor seldom get up and look a fool for any reason because they know they're on camera and would be on the "Where are they now" section in Star Magazine and would rather be caught laughing and canoodling than screaming DE-FENSE.  That "impress me" attitude is so lame.  And I feel that the Lakers have taken upon this "you're not as good as us so we we're not really going to try and beat you anyways," mentality.  That's not the sort of team I like to root for.  Well, I guess that's why were Showtime.  We do put on a killer show when we put our game faces on.  I just wish it wasn't something we could ever take off.

Favorite picture of the series.

Stay sexy ya'll..

Steve Martin and me

So I went to work today, business as usual, just another day at the Farm.  Or so I thought.  

As I was clocking in I was immediately notified of a VIP party of 30 I would be commandeering around closing time.  Hollerrr!  Not only do I get overtime but a party of 30 means moneytime.  After much deliberating with our event planner he revealed to us that it was not just any ol' party, it was Steve Martin party.  He had a show at Club Nokia and would be bringing with him his band mates along with an impressive list of VIP clients.  

Immediately my mind began a montage of Steve Martin.  Classic images of him with the arrow through his head, clips from him as the best father in the universe in Parenthood, close-ups of him laughing.. all underscored by dueling banjos then wrapped with a "Well, excuuuuse me!"  

That's pretty much the extent of what I know about Steve Martin.  And then for whatever reason I began to panic.  See, although he was not a person who was directly influential to me I know he was an inspiration to many people I admire.  For this reason and because of his legacy of then and now, it felt like a new milestone in Raymond Lee's life was awaiting me.  He hosted SNL 25 times for crying out loud!  (For those of you who don't know already, hosting SNL someday is my life's dream.)  And seriously, who didn't love Father of the Bride?  I began to create dialogue to what Steve Martin and I would muse about.  Perhaps his stellar biography I've still yet to take off my shelf.  Maybe the stand-up I haven't done yet because I'm scared.  Or the banjo I can't play.  The movie I've still yet to shoot?  I couldn't find a common denominator between us and this made me panic all the more.  I gathered myself and thought "I'll say the first thing on my mind and that's what it'll be."

***

He's arrived through the back entrance and I see him under his dapper fedora.  OK, since I've been given the task of tray passing hors d'oeuvres engaging in a short conversation him with will be completely fine and unimposing.  If I can make him laugh or if he can maybe crack a joke my way I'd probably be good for the rest of the week.  The crowd around him was too big the first time so I'll take the second tray over.  He's having a seemingly serious conversation with Kevin Nealon and wife Susan Yeagley, not a good time.  It looks like he's making his rounds and saying bye to some people.  Here's my chance to make a great impression, inspiring him to write a movie about his estranged Korean son and his dreams of becoming the next him.  He's right in front of me!  

"Hello Mr. Martin... would.. you.. care for a bacon.. wrapped scallop?"

"No, thank you"

***

And that's all she wrote..  I don't know why I chose to dedicate an entire blog about this.  Maybe it's because I thought it was going to be a life-changing moment and this was my attempt to make it one.  Or maybe it was a reminder of my lameness.  Whatever the case, he inspired me tonight.  My interaction with him and just being around him inspired me.  I don't know how yet but I'm inspired.  I think.

Thanks for reading!  I love you all.

reading Born Standing Up - Steve Martin

listening The Crow:  Songs for the Five String Banjo - Steve Martin

(not really)