Here I am…..blogging live from the Portland Opera’s production of Cosi Fan Tutte…..

Patrick and I just wrapped up a pre-show backstage tour and I sent him off for a martini while I write a little bit about what we have seen so far. I hear the bartender makes a fabulous martini….I may not see Patrick again for a very long time.

The first person we met when we arrived was Jim Fullan, Director of Marketing for Portland Opera, who gave a few insights into this production. This opera, written by Mozart, hundreds of years ago, has a plot that could have been ripped from an episode of Punked…..two guys, decide to test their fiance’s fidelity. They pretend to go off to war, only to sneak back in disguise and try to seduce the other guy’s girl. What could possibly go wrong? Haha! I guess we will find out. Jim gave us the heads up that the plot is discovered in act 2…..and then, it gets really interesting…. I’m intruiged! Who hasn’t wanted to test their significant other’s faithfulness. Maybe today these guys would invent fake facebook profiles to run their scam, but the basic need to see if you REALLY know the person you’re with has not changed over time…at all. This should be good!

I’ll load the pics from backstage when Patrick gets back from the martini bar. The set is stunning! Imagine a giant disco ball, turned inside out….all the better for dancing in! In fact, I found myself wishing I could pack it up and take it back to the Buzz for us to host an artist lounge in…..I’m thinking Lady Gaga would LOVE to play this space.

Prop blackboards…..”cosi de tutte” translated is “women are like that”……hmmmm, something tells me the guys plan backfires….

Orchestra pit pre-show

**update***

It’s intermission….and everyone is here in the lobby, getting adult beverages….I am writing thoughts on the first half of the show….

First of all, I cannot say enough about the music. The music is by Mozart and it is brilliantly interpreted by the orchestra and actors. I am amazed that there are no mics. There is such power in their voices, even when singing softly. The actors’ voices are finely tuned instruments and it is a beautiful thing to take in. I also cannot say enough about the comedy of the performance. Yes….comedy at the opera. Half of the fun for me has been to watch the facial expressions and the body language of the actors. Ryan MacPherson, who plays Ferrando, has some pretty sweet dance moves that had the gentleman behind me (along with most of the crowd) laughing himself out of his seat at one of the most crucial scenes.

It looks like the crowd is heading back to their seats…….I will blog more after the opera has concluded. I do want to say….in defense of the ladies, whose fidelity is being tested…..their men ditched them…..then, two just-as-handsome men started lavishing them with attention and giant boxes of chocolate……I’m not sure any of us could blame them.

Jason Castro from American Idol season 7 is coming to Portland and I want to bring him to YOUR office to meet you & your co-workers. We’ll bring treats…..Jason will play a couple of songs…..FUN!

Click the link and sign up!!

Here’s his new song for you to check out. What do you think?

Forget the beer & pizza….most of us will be munching carrots & celery while watching the Super Bowl on Sunday. So says a research group, who asked people “What is your favorite thing to eat or drink at a Super Bowl party”?

I am a little shocked that chips & salsa is not on the list…..that is my MUST have at any Super Bowl party. What’s yours?

The top 10 list of Super Bowl Sunday foods (according to NPD Group)

1. Vegetables

2. Potatoes (Must be all those potato chips)

3. Carbonated Soft Drinks

4. Total Salty Snacks

5. Sandwiches

6. Salads

7. Chicken

8. Milk

9. Pizza (should have been higher)

10. Tea (really? who drinks tea at a Super Bowl party?)

One of the hottest selling fashion items in England right now is shapewear for men. They are kind of like Spanx, but made for guys. The company that makes ‘em, Body Max, says these will take at least an inch and half off the spare tire…..and make those man-boobs look like nice, firm pecs…..all for only 20 bucks. Too bad they are only available in the UK, because I think these could be HUGE here. *no pun intended*

Seriously, though…..check out the before & after action.
You guys would spend 20 bucks on this, right?

It will be premiering on VH1 this weekend, but I wanted all of you Bon Jovi fans to see it early!

p.s. Don’t forget to keep listening at 7:20am, 11:20am, and 4:20pm to win Bon Jovi tix…..AND qualify for the ULTIMATE Bon Jovi VIP experience, which includes: inner circle tix, dinner in band catering, a welcome cocktail, $150 worth of free Bon Jovi merch….and MORE!

Simon Cowell put his cell phone to good use after news of the devastation in Haiti hit. He called up a lot of his friends and people who have appeared on his “X Factor” show in Britain to ask if they would be part of a charity single. In just a matter of hours, he had an all-star lineup ready to record and they just premiered the song on the BBC. It’s a cover of R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts” and here’s who you will hear when you listen below: In order of appearance: Leona Lewis, Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey, Cheryl Cole, Mika, Michael Buble, Joe McElderry, Miley Cyrus, James Blunt, Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Jon Bon Jovi, James Morrison, Susan Boyle, Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes, Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams.
The track is available for download on Sunday.

I know all you “Lost” freaks (ahem….I mean, FANS) do. This is really cool of her. She is auctioning off a lunch date with herself to help raise money for orphans and widows in Rwanda, a country that has been devastated by civil war. The auction ends Thursday, so click this link if you want to bid!

Josh Duhamel called in to talk about “When In Rome”, which opens today! I was warned to NOT ask anything about his personal life…..but, he was so cool, we ended up talking (a lot) about Fergie. *Warning* He kind of spoils the movie’s ending in the first clip below….BUT…if you didn’t figure out that in a movie like this, Josh Duhamel WILL get the girl….you probably don’t go out to very many movies.

Hopefully, we can get him in portland and in our studio one of these days. I definitely got the vibe that with more time (and perhaps an adult beverage or two), Josh would really do some talking.

You can see Josh on Ellen today….on The Grammy Awards Sunday….and in theaters in “When In rome”….he’s everywhere.

Josh talks about his new movie, “When In Rome”
josh duhamel on When In Rome

Josh talks about the Grammys…Black Eyed Peas….Lady Gaga
josh duhamel on grammys

Josh talks about when/if we’ll get a new solo CD from Fergie
josh duhamel on a second fergie solo cd

Josh talks about his anniversary surprise for Fergie and Valentine’s Day plans

Josh talks about his anniversary with Fergie and Valentines Day plans

Josh Duhamel talks about the best movie (besides his) that he has seen lately
josh talks about the best movie he has seen lately

Josh Duhamel talks about which he had more fun making: “When In Rome” or “Transformers”
josh duhamel talks about when in rome vs transformers

So he finally realizes that he BLEW IT by dumping Jennifer Anniston and that he’s not likely to do much better (Duh….you think?) Anyway….baby steps, baby steps….but maybe there is some hope for him yet…..c’mon! I’m an optimist! Haha! You can read more from that interview here.

Speaking of Jennifer Anniston….John’s new song, “Heartbreak Warfare” is rumored to be about her, so I REALLY wanted to hear the story behind that song, which VH1 conveniently edited out of this clip. (grrr) John Mayer Storytellers on VH-1 premieres tonight, so check it out. you know you will, even if it’s just to hear what scandalous thing he will say.

Here’s a preview

After chatting for 10 minutes this afternoon with Michael Buble, I can honestly say I can’t wait to see him when he comes to Portland. I love that you can ask him anything and he will be completely honest. We talked about how he met his fiance (and how she was convinced he was gay)…..his advice for Greg Oden (after dealing with the whole nude pics on the net thing himself a couple of years back)…..why he LOVES coming to Portland….and more! I’ll be posting more clips later today….but enjoy my faves below!

Michael talks about how he met his fiance….and why she thought he was gay:
michael buble on how he met his fiance

Michael on jealous guys that want to fight him:

michael buble on guys wanting to fight him

Michael talks about Greg Oden and how to survive the embarassment of naked pics of yourself on the web:

michael buble’s advice for greg oden

Michael Talks about American Idol & X-Factor:

michael buble on American Idol and X-Factor

Michael talks about SNL…Mad Men…Lost…and Dexter:

michael buble talks Mad Men, Dexter, Lost, and Saturday Night Live