Inspired Moment: Darnell Strom, “You’ve got to see a Laker’s playoff game! I’ll take you to GAME 2!”

Despite the fact that Darnell has been in LA all of 8 months, he’s already been handed LA Playoff tickets.  He’s got charisma and I’m lucky enough to reap some of the benefits of Mr Strom’s personality:)

We drank Bud Light, watched from our box suite, and wandered the stadium with our all access passes.  It doesn’t get any better than this on Sunday Funday!

This was my favorite costume by far!  Guess Who?  My favorite Laker Fan and the man who loves a great costume – David Arquette!

My Nerdtainment and quote of the day -

Che(Darnell’s coworker at CAA): “Phil Jackson is 48-0 in winning playoffs when the first game is a win!”

This quote is what helped heal the wounds of our loss.  We will win the series……PS Che was no nerd, that nerdtainment would be me writing down quotes from Che and Darnell about the NBA and the Laker’s record:)

Here’s me and JJ later on that evening – I didn’t lose my Laker pride as I went from game to JJ’s play to the MTV After Party!

Adonis Hernandez moment: “Do you need a ride home?”

We don’t always think about it but we rely on our late night cab driver for a lot: locate stop for snacks, locate the after party, locate home and get us there safely even if we are dozing off, and in the case of Friday night – help us locate important belongings.

Why is my moment from a cab driver?  Park it back to Monday.

Monday 4pm I tweet:   It’s very possible that i HAD the worst technology karma on the planet – today we reincarnated it. my computer has a new soul.

Thursday 12pm convo: Angie to Michael who lost blackberry: ”I used to lose my BlackBerry every two weeks. I never lose my BlackBerry anymore.”

Friday 11pm -approximately – crash and burn: I lost my BlackBerry

Saturday: I wake up to a broken in window and the reminder that keys and purse and atm are with BlackBerry….yet it never occurred to me to go buy a new one or set up an old phone.

Instead I tried to seek out the positive -

1: I looked down to see on my wrist a band with You Matter on it. I don’t remember putting it on but it felt like a sign that somehow all would work out.

2: I finished the book I’d been reading – And The Heart Says Whatever. Throughout the day in the minutes that I usually used to bbm, read emails and twitter, I instead held my book and read pages here and there and everywhere. I read that book at the gym, at a stoplight in the car, even while eating lunch at the bar (Ok not at the bar).

3:  At 3:30pm, I opened my laptop to find this email from Rachel Krupa (my cohort Friday night):

“Actually Angie you left your purse in a cab and I just spoke with the driver and he’s going to bring it to me around 6pm when he starts work. He has everything….keys, bag, phone and he said he tried to Facebook you. He was super sweet. No need to worry any longer and call off the search crew”.

4. Then this facebook message from an Adonis Hernandez:

“Angie this is you driver from Al’s limousine please call me at (818) 967-8270 I have something that belongs to you”.

5. 5 hours later Adonis, as promised, drives over to Ali’s bbq with my BlackBerry!  Who is this guy? That’s what everyone at the bbq says as I tell the story.  Again I am shocked at my luck as everyone in the room, even Ellen who I’d just met, offers to chip in money to give the man for his kindness.  Rachel and I went down to make the exchange and the sweet driver handed over the BlackBerry – the item that I realize I spend more time with than anyone or anything in the world. Eek – maybe work on that…

I held out the stack of bills but he shook his head. He just said “Please use my service and maybe tell your friends. That’s all I ask.” After going back and forth Rachel said, “Sir if you don’t take the money she’s going to cry.”

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————

My Road Signs:

Yield. The universe will show you that you’re not invincible – so watch it when you say “I won’t lose a BlackBerry”. Oh it can happen but karma isn’t always a bitch.

One Way. You can’t lose if you experience the Adonis moment and if you do lose, he’ll help you find it.

Follow me on Twitter: Twitter.com/AngieBanicki

Inspiration: Keyshawn Johnson, “Hang with me for drinks. On Montana.”

Destination: R + D Restaurant

So the story goes….
Janae called me and said we are going to din with Keyshawn. It’ll be hilarious.
I knew Keyshawn was famous in the sports world but I wasn’t quite sure how…..oops.

My friend Carly texted me, “I love your life! Have fun with Keyshawn. He spoke to my class at USC once!”

This is what I found on wikipedia:

‘Joseph Keyshawn Johnson (born on July 22, 1972 in Los Angeles, California) is a former American football wide receiver, interior designer, business executive, author and current television broadcaster for sports channel ESPN.’

The mascot in me was doing backflips inside. I was excited to share this moment with Janae.

The thing about Miss Twisselman is that she brings out the best in everyone. When I said, “Janae we aren’t going to have to stay long, are we? (I was antsy to have some of my Sunday night for Angie time.) Janae just looked at me and laughed. “Don’t worry Ang. It wont be long. I’m with you.”

Little did I know what I was getting into.

Keyshawn was an entertaining dinner guest….to say the least . He obviously adores Janae and after they worked on a project together they have a great repoire. He made me work to get that kid like smile out though. Thank god his friend Skeet was there to ease the tension as I tried to break through Keyshawn’s Ironman layer.

With Janae though, Keyshawn pushes and teases her for being a publicist but you can tell he respects her. He doesn’t have his own publicist though. He likes to control all of that himself and although he’s quite the public persona,  he prefers to keep his personal life private.  I was surprised to hear some of the other business ventures that Keyshawn is involved in. “I don’t need other people knowing about that though. You girls already know too much.” He says with a big grin.

We laughed a lot and without even realizing it – closed down the restaurant!

Check! Check off another inspiration.

After those 4 hours, it made sense that Keyshawn inspired Janae. He’s got vision. He’s a businessman. He’s smart. And after meeting him, he’s no doubt a character.

Take this –

I found this Keyshawn quote that made me like him even more:

“This is what matters to me, Not all the big numbers, the fancy statistics. I want to make the plays that count.”

Janae makes the plays that count. She always makes the people around her enjoy and live in the moment. When life is tough, I’m going to remind myself to make the plays count like Keyshawn and Janae.

I couldn’t resist bringing this one back. Congrats Fernando on winning the Barcelona Open!

Destination: Moet & Chandon Tom Munro Book Launch

8445 Melrose Place

Los Angeles, CA

Inspiration: CAA Agent Michael Kives “The number 10 tennis player in the world, Fernando Verdasco, is in LA this weekend, what event should we send him to?”

Actualization: Of course I always try to help Kives, but wasn’t overextending for their tennis player….until I clicked on his wiki page and saw that not only he was the number 10 tennis player, he was adorable and worth some time spent.

After passing along the event invites, I forgot about that heartthrob athlete….until I walked into Tom Munro’s event and he caught my eye.  I couldn’t focus on the walls covered by giant photos of celebrities (some of my faves being Leo, Jude Law and Ashton) and went over to ask if he was Fernando Verdasco.

Fernando is officially now my favorite tennis player and he gave me a new appreciation for his sport.  I mean tennis players get to travel EVERYWHERE! Spain to Venice to Australia to Vegas to Palm Springs to Miami….

Quote of the Night: Across the art show we watched another CAA agent flirting and after I told Fernando their love story, with raised eyebrows at the agent and said “Ooooh he wants to KEESS her!”

Do you want to see Fernando? This might be better than tennis - Calvin Klein ad

Realization: I need to watch more tennis.  30 Love Michael Kives. thanks for getting me back in the game.

Kives remember this halloween? ha

Your Moment:

Tom Munro

Guest of a Guest

Radar Online

X17

Socialite Life

Destination: Hollywood Starline Tourbus

Inspiration: Keith Rivers from the Cincinnati Bengals, “Go on a hollywood star tour!”

When Janae called to say we were going on the star tour for her next 30 before 30 moment, we both knew we were in for some laughs and quite an experience….

For 2 hours we were going on Mission Sightsee LA!

For 2 hours we were going to ride on a bus and hear about the town we’d been living in for  years.

For 2 hours we were going to see where celebrities lived. ha.

You laugh.  That’s your inspiring moment?

Try it.  I dare you. Rewind the clocks and experience LA through newcomer’s eyes.

Janae brought along 5 cute boys who made Mission Sightsee LA 30 times more fun – Tom Tom, Tony, Geordie, Ben and Jesse, we’ll call them The Entertainers.

Here are some highlights of what we learned and why we laughed -

• David – our bus driver. David had a heavy Boston accent and was Mission Sightsee LA oozing of Cheeeese.  The Entertainers teased him but he was half the fun!
• We rode on a topless van and heard about the places where we lived and worked and visited – our hometown. The Entertainers provided the best commentary. There’s the Rock&Roll Ralphs –  it’s the meat market of singles grocery shopping in LA.
• Landord! Will Ferrell and Orlando Bloom are neighbors!  Do you think the landlord has ever paid Orlando a visit?
• “Anyone know Phil Collins? You might remember his song “take me home” – well I just took you to his home!” – Driver David
• In Beverly Hills, go to Roxbury Street above sunset!  ”A lot of famous people used to live here but they’re all dead now so we call this celebrity row.  Remember Elvis?…..dead.  the guy from BH Hillbillies….dead.  Diane Keaton….not dead.”
• Driver David got excited and told a british passenger, ” Did you see that the girl with the rack jogging was wearing a London T shirt?”
• In Bel Air David said very matter of factly “Guys, that person on the corner is going to wave to you now.”(lady waves)  ”That was not a woman – it was a man.”  Ok Boston. It was clearly a woman.
• There’s Tom Cruise’s home back there. You can’t really see.  He keeps it private……
• “This is David Beckham’s house.  One time I saw Posh walk down the driveway.”  Driver David stops on the street next to the Beckham driveway. We all look at DD then at the mailbox then at DD..all this for a good 15 seconds. Someone really likes the Beckhams.

Sightsee tour Moment- check. Mission completed- check. Inspired – check.

We laughed.
We were reminded of some of the greatest talents who lived.
We were reminded of our first experiences in LA and how far we’ve come…how much we’ve achieve and what we plan to achieve.

Sharing moments……

My friend Janae turns 30 next month – below is the letter we sent to the influential people in her life.

Janae wanted to be rejuvenated so we have set out to re-janaevize with help from her friends.

Perhaps it will inspire you to send out an email to the people in your life who inspire you!  Or maybe you have a moment to send us to experience-comment below!

Hi everyone,

My 30th birthday is right around the corner and I want to turn 30 rejuvenated, inspired, and ready for my 30’s! My amazing friend and super LA publicist Angie Banicki – following in her 30 before 30 tradition – is helping me do my own 30 before 30 and we plan to blog some of it on www.angies30before30blog.com

How it works:

I need 30 inspiring moments in LA county (and anywhere that is a close drive away  - Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, Big Bear even) before I blow out my candles on May 6th! Think of your favorite memories, favorite places, wackiest experiences, most inspiring moments . . . Be as simple or as creative as you want,  and then Angie and I will hit the road to do and document them!

You might have seen our escapades and moments in Australia.  (I even got my own moment when we landed back in the U.S.A.!). We did everything from  bat hunting in Sydney thanks to Dax Shepard, to the Mechad Brooks mission of eating Morton Bay Bugs in Melbourne, to Lil Jon making us drink till we dropped in Lorne, to watching the rove show for Jay Leno.

One of my favorite moments was when Robin Williams sent us to Palm Beach.  We had an amazing dinner beachside with a fantastic crew of newfound Aussie friends that ended with me zooming through the streets of Palm beach on a super charged motor scooter in a dress and sneakers!

Each moment I was on with her brought new experiences, new fun, new friends, a new found fondness of life that I cant wait to do all over in LA. Being that 30 is such a pinnacle year, and since you have positively effected the course of my career and life, I want you to be a part of this mission with us . . .

I HAVE TO GATHER MY MOMENTS QUICKLY SO I AM HOPING TO HEAR FROM YOU THIS WEEK!

Here are a few questions to get you started and thanks so much in advance . .

*What is one of your favorite memories in LA? Where’d you go and why
*Where did you meet someone new and unexpectedly?
*If you could tell a traveler where to go in their first trip to LA where would you send them? Could be a restaurant, museum, hotel, landmark, street corner
*Do you know someone we should go see? i.e. When people ask me about Australia I always send them to see our Aussie mom Lynn at Byron bay who completely took care of us girls and has the most caring soul and positive outlook on life. She spent hours with us talking about life and love and showed us what a true quality of life should be!
*Is there an event in April/May or specific event or tradition that we should take part in?
*Are you going to be in town during the next month and if so could we bring you on our journey

Stay tuned to www.angies30before30.com to see our adventures

Janae

Destination:

Pepsi Refresh Cafe
8403 Melrose Ave
West Hollywood, CA 90046

Inspiration: Teri Hatcher: “I’m bringing surprises for egg decorating!  See you at the Cafe.”

Actualization:

As I finish up The Happiness Project I must pass along one more inspirational happiness tip.  “Spend out” is one of Gretchen Rubin’s personal commandments and says that we should be generous and give back.  And that’s exactly what I got to see celebrities do last week at the Refresh Cafe.

Teri Hatcher spent out and gave back extra when she arrived with her surprise!  Not only did she give up her time to come decorate eggs for charity, she showed up with 4 eggs of her own already dressed in costume, adorned with yarn as hair and designed like the 4 stars of Desperate Housewives! Teri spent time and energy for a great cause and then also used the egg decorating project to spend quality time with her daughter.  I love seeing overachievers at work and Teri’s eggs were definitely the work of an overachiever and someone who spent out!

If you have a great idea and way you’d like to spend out for a good cause, go to Pepsi’s Refresh Everything website and apply for a grant!  Pepsi is giving away $2 million dollars a month to fund great ideas!

Or if you want to give back and bid on the eggs that were decorated by celebrities for their charities go to www.clothesoffourback.org My favorite was David Arquette’s egg – but you know I’m partial:) David Arquette Moment!

Happy day after Easter!  I hope you didn’t spend out like I did yesterday when I gave up half my head of hair to a drunken hairdresser!

Photo courtesy of Rachel Krupa

Realization:  Do something to boost your happiness this week and donate to charity. My recommendation is the Children’s Hospital in Boston – www.childrenshospital.org Maybe you’ll even get a little wealthier from it too!  Arthur C. Brooks’s article in the November Portfolio magazine, Giving Makes You Rich presents analysis showing that people who give money to charity end up wealthier than those who don’t give to charity.

Your Moment:

Go Donate!

http://justjared.buzznet.com/2010/03/30/celebs-do-egg-cellent-work-for-pepsi-refresh-project/

http://www.buzzbox.com/news/2010-03-30/Egg:Marcia_Cross/

http://americanidolizing.com/gossip/Celebs-Do-Eggcellent-Work-for-Pepsi-Refresh-Project-2040439.html

http://www.whosdatedwho.com/fashion/look_view.asp?ID=32814

Destination:

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors

Staples Center, Downtown Los Angeles

Inspiration: Baron Davis gives us VIP seats at the LA Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors game.

Actualization:

Watching basketball on Sunday Funday -it doesn’t get much better than that….until you sit in Baron Davis’ seats front row!

When Kate called me to go to the game with her, I immediately said yes and changed all Sunday plans. I may not be a huge Clippers fan, but I am a big Baron fan and there’s nothing like going to an NBA game!

Part of my Sunday plan had been to finish reading Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project and so I decided to seek inspiration for  my own happiness on this trip to the Staples Center.

Kate was numero uno on my Sunday Happiness Project.  The first chapter of THP is BOOST ENERGY.  Kate is a ball of energy and it’s contagious. Within minutes of walking into the stadium, Kate was hugging and helloing everyone from player’s wives to security.  She was like the adventure tourguide taking me through the underground of the NBA.  When we made it to our seats on the floor Kate sat like a true fan, business partner, but mostly supportive friend.  She cheered for Baron, yelled at the refs and sometimes even scolded his teammates.  I fed off of Kate’s energy and it added happy to mine!

Numero dos was Baron himself.  Baron is magnetic.  I tried to watch the team but my eyes constantly moved to him.  He was a leader on and off the court.  Baron made me want to AIM HIGHER ,Chp 3 in THP – just like he did whether it was towards a basetball net or achieving more in life. “Happiness is a critical factor for work, and work is a critical factor for happiness.”

You could see and feel that Baron enjoyed himself on the court but was also very serious about the game.  I think a big test of happiness is losing.  For a pro athlete the effects of losing are enhanced because of press and fans.  Baron’s attitude after their loss was disappointment-had to be- but he still had a smile under that beard!  Maybe he used the “fake it till you feel it!”  I don’t know what it was but I know I am now a Baron Davis fan for life.

Game Stats:

Realization: Since he’s my new happiness idol, I thought I’d share some inspiring Baron quotes

“But you live and you learn and that’s the whole thing,”

“My personal expectation is that I definitely want to finish as the best point guard in the NBA, and that translates into us winning, … If I’m the best point guard in the NBA, it means that we’re winning and we’re a playoff contending team. It’s just motivation for me to know that a lot of people have me low on the totem pole right now. I’m just trying to prove them wrong.”

Your Moment:
Check out Baron’s site here!

http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=300328012

http://www.nba.com/clippers/

Destination: LA’s new hotspot Trousdale

Inspiration: “She’s Out of My League” Geoff Stults pilots the flight plan to Angieland.

Actualization: Geoff Stults and Stacy Keibler were set to take off to try the rum at La Descarga… until they heard about the night my crew had planned.

Stacy and Geoff flew into Trousdale before us and we arrived just as the fire marshall had. I felt a bit like Molly from “She’s Out of My League” when security pulled us through the crowd, past the ropes and into the club for a star studded night out.  Check out some of the sightings here: E! Online CelebBuzz

This was our security dude stopping Lindsey

Our pilot ended his night early while we being the flight attendants found a new captain (aka driver) to take us on another adventure….

Realization: Probably should’ve ended the night when our pilot Geoff did, but it was worth a little jetlag (aka hangover) to stay out and play!

Destination: Hot Tub Time Machine

Arclight Cinema

6360 W. Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA
(323) 464-4226

Inspiration: E!’s Film Critic Ben Lyons

“The movie is hilarious, and the screening will be a lot of fun (i.e, boozing encouraged) so I hope you can make it.”

Actualization:

Kick Some Past:

Hot Tub Time Machine follows a group of best friends who’ve become bored with their adult lives: Adam (John Cusack) has been dumped by his girlfriend; Lou (Ron Corddry) is a party guy who can’t find the party; Nick’s (Craig Robinson) wife controls his every move; and a video game-obsessed Jacob (Clark Duke) won’t leave his basement.  After a crazy night of drinking in a ski resort hot tub, the men wake up, heads’ pounding, in the year 1986.  This is their chance to kick some past and change their futures- one will find a new love life, one will learn to stand up for himself with the ladies, one will find his mojo, and one will make sure he still exists!

If you had a Hot Tub Time Machine what year would you go back to revisit?  Would you change the course of your life or find something out?

I can think of a few hot tubs I might revisit….hmmm….I think I prefer to focus on the ones I’ll be stepping into in the future.

Watching John Cusak and friends go back to the 80s via hot tub was a trip.  Hot Tub Time Machine was hilarious and reminiscent with songs like Salt N Pepa’s Push It and Motley Crue’s Home Sweet Home.

Craig Robinson was my favorite hot tub-er, partially because of the red onesy he wore out of the tub AND partially because he plays Nick Weber, a name shared by my college crush.  Nick Weber goes back to play out his dream as a musician. Craig Robinson/Nick Weber can we please karaoke Jessie’s Girl together?

Clearly I don’t review movies. Do a shot, hold your breath and dive into Hot Tub Time Machine.

Realization: “Embrace the chaos.  Life just might astonish you.” – Hot Tub Time Machine

Your Moment:

Release Date: March 26, 2010

Kick Some Past