OK, not anatomically, but at least in interests. I grew up playing video games, having Power Ranger action figures, and watching basketball on the reg (a fan since the 94-95 season, I became obsessed with the Orlando Magic in the finals and would adopt Penny Hardaway as my fave player/crush of choice.) I would read the sports section daily, specifically to check the scores, player stats, and team standings (I woulda killed Fantasy Basketball if they had it back then.) I rocked basketball jerseys (I had the blue Penny jersey, my brother had the black one.) I even chose my favorite numbers based on players (1, 8, and 23… Penny, Kobe, Jordan. I still claim these numbers as favorites to 14 years later.) When Michael Jordan made that final shot in game 6 of the 1998 Finals over Bryon Russell? And it was obvious that the Bulls had won? Yeah….I cried. Like, a lot. I could care less that my older brother graduated from UC San Diego that day… what mattered to me was the fact that the Bulls had just played their final game of the season, and I knew in my heart that my favorite player, Michael Jordan, would be retiring from the game (well, um, sort of. There was that whole stint as a Wizard that everyone seems to overlook.)

JM & SK

So since today is sorta a big deal in the Jordan world (the “Concord” Air Jordan XI shoes came out today, and apparently widespread violence along with it to cop a pair), I thought I’d share that story of my boyish childhood, as well as share details on a shoot I did back in May with a diehard MJ fan (heck, the guy’s name is Jordan Michael. Coincidence? Hardly.)

Here’s a quick overview. Jordan Michael Geller, a diehard sneakerhead, built a 9000sf museum-like shrine to Nike. TWO-THOUSAND SHOES! I visited. He gave me the rundown of Jordans since 1985, the way pop culture inspired shoes (from beer to the Simpsons to Elmers Glue and more), and yeah. Here are the associated videos. I demand that you watch. And educate yourself. At least the first one. It’s really cool. (Just Do It.)

History of the Jordan Sneaker

Overview of the ShoeZeum: 2000 Pairs of Nike, 1 Warehouse

And if you’re too lazy to sit through many minutes of dope footage and interviews and knowledge, here are some photos I took that day of some of my favorite sights:

M&M-inspired. Not to be confused with Eminem-inspired…

…Eminem-Inspired. Literally.

Eat my shorts! Or um, shoes.

…Because you "dunk" Oreos in milk? Eh? Maybe?

With great power comes…shoes designed after you.

I <3 cookies

Why not put Denver Broncos shoes on a Bronco truck?

Their soundtrack = my first CD

Original Jordan XI's

Nintendo & Playstation shoes

Shoes can fall under "school supplies", yeah?

Shoulda been more futuristic?

1996 Olympics, anyone?

Personal favorite. Final Photo. Bye, Bye, Bye.

Justin Timberlake does a lot of things.  He sings. He dances. He acts. He hosts. He jokes. He runs a record label. A clothing line. A tequila line. Probably has done other lines (yes that’s a reference to cocaine.)

Anyway…. for the most part, I’ve supported all these endeavors since I decided in 1998 that he would become the crush of my lifetime (or well, half lifetime, since there was a time before JT.) I’m a very loyal girl. Don’t screw me over and I’ll be by your side for better and for worse.

And well, since the word “worse” has been brought up, I must address something that has bothered me over the last few weeks, in regard to the usually amazing and talented Timberlake.

Let’s just say that JT is trying to be JZ (Jay-Z actually, it just visually looked better written like that when trying to make the comparison.) What I mean by that?

He’s…. rapping.

Yes, rapping. As in, speaking words at really a rapid rate while rhyming, most commonly done successfully by black people, Eminem aside.

Now before I show you the video, where JT joins his Tennman Records artist FreeSol in the song “Role Model” – I’d like to break down some of the lyrics.

First off, he claims to “ball like a Laker.”

Yo Justin, this may have been a great reference in 2010, but this song came out in 2011. I don’t know if you know this but… the Lakers sorta dropped the ball this year. And got swept. So, in your defense, I hope you meant “bawl like a Laker”… as in shed tears over the fact that rapping isn’t your greatest talent.

He also tells us “I’m going hard like the opposite of soft” – I see no brilliance in this. Honestly, I just feel like if you’re gonna rap, it’s gotta be clever genius like Drake, Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye, even Weezy…  but, this is straight Diddy (which means Justin will be more successful in rap if he just manages other rappers careers.)

I will say the one time I smirked is when Justin says “Oops did I take it too far? Superbowl!” and then pulls his shirt to the side. That was a reference to the CBS drama when he took the Superbowl stage with Janet Jackson and well, had the “wardrobe malfunction.” Way to call yourself out and admit to the crime, JT. #7yearslate

Anyway, I’m not gonna analyze every line because….well, then I’d have to think of clever things to say about everything, and writer’s block is setting in. So please, just watch this video for yourself, and make your own judgment on JT’s rapping skills.

PS. Viewer Discretion advised… (Side Effects include: shock, horror, a decrease in attraction, a mild case of amusement,  and an occasional laugh.)

PPS When it comes to rapping, clearly… THIS Justin does it better:

Michael Jackson's Bassist

Alex Al… never heard of him? Well even if you haven’t, he has a pretty cool name, so that warrants a blog entry in itself.

But no in all seriousness, you may not know him, but if you’re one of the thousands that have checked out MJ’s concert movie, “This is It,” you’ve at least seen him. He was Michael Jackson’s (RIP) bassist. He also writes and produces music, and as if MJ wasn’t a big enough deal, he’s also worked with the likes of Christina Aguilera and Usher.

I recently did a sit-down interview with him at a music studio out in Burbank.

Before I continue… I must say, if I haven’t already, that I love music.

So, waiting around in a music studio? Heaven! I love the music industry and if I could find a way to combine my loves -music and television news (*cough*MTVNews*cough*,) I’d be absolutely content professionally (well at least til age 30.)

Anyway, I roamed around the halls, took photos of various posters of artists who have worked there (part of me squealed when I discovered Eminem had done work here,) and discovered that the band in the studio next door were rehearsing for… *gasp!* The Backstreet Boys.

OK so back to AA (Alex Al.)We chat for a minute on cam (err…15 or so to be exact,) he tells me random Michael Jackson stories (MJ used to pray in Jesus’ name during every practice, the last thing AA said to MJ was “man we’re here for you, we just love you,” and that he found out about his death while sitting in traffic on the 101 on the way to rehearsal at Staples…) and then we end up chatting off cam for quite a while because he says that he can genuinely tell that I love music (I take this as a compliment.)

I discover that he and a handful of other talented musicians are part of George Lopez’s band for his upcoming late night show – super cool, right? It kinda explains why this make-shift parking spot was outside…

I expected a better "Reserved Spot" sign

George Lopez's future band rehearsing

After our side chat, Alex Al kinda makes my day– he wanted to take a picture with ME! Yes. Not the other way around. He had said something about how I was gonna be a big deal someday? Haha, clearly I was flattered.

Anyway…it was a fun convo. The future of Alex Al? I can’t say. As far as our new friendship? Who knows. I’ll be looking for him when I see “This is It” and well, if I ever catch an episode of George Lopez’s new show.

SK and AA… future BFFs??

Not gonna lie…Nick Cannon was a joy to talk to the other day (June 22nd.) I had some preconceived notions about him, simply because of all the media attention given to his high-profile marriage to his “cougar” wife.

• Nick says he hardly sleeps, that on your average day… he’s up about 20 hours, but says that’s a good thing. He’ll usually sleep heavily on Sundays to make up for whole week.
• He’s hosting this season of “America’s Got Talent.” What’s his hidden talent? Well… to be honest, he’s not hiding anything. Nick says he’s probably exploited every talent he has, and jokingly suggests that he hasn’t shown the world his origami skills yet (perhaps he can make paper cranes?)
• One person with a hiddle talent? Wifey Mariah. He proudly shares that his number one lady is a really good free-style rapper and that he doesn’t even try to compete with her skills.
• Speaking of Mariah? Hear about her new song “Obsessed?” Is or isn’t it an attack on Eminem? Cannon’s take? He jokes around for a bit and says it’s about him cause he’s obsessed with his wife, but then says straight up, “If the shoe fits, whoever it may be, they should put it on.” I’m not sure what it means, but I’m going to assume it means yes. It’s about Em.
• Oh and he actually LIKES Eminem’s new album Relapse. No hard feelings Slim Shady.
• “Obsessed” comes from the “Mean Girls” line “Why are you so obsessed with me?!” Nick says Mariah is like obsessed with that movie moment.
• Regarding him and MC’s marriage? It works because they understand eachother’s schedules and they value their time together. Aww?
• And what about kids? Nick says he wants astro-kids! He wants to send ‘em to the moon, not the stars (entertainers,) and plans on starting his kids in calculus at age 2.
• Fun fact? Nick started in stand-up comedy at a super early age. He likens comedy to a bad drug that you can never stay away from, and says he’s coming out with a Comedy album next year. But it’s not like an album full of comedy. Rather, a compilation of humorous songs? Yes. Cannon has a song about people getting drunk. The catch? he doesn’t drink.
• We talk twitter (of course.) He gets really excited talking about all the ridiculous things he tweets, like “What does the K in K-Mart stand for.” He never told me what it stood for.
• Oh. And I asked him about “swag.” He says he’s done with the swag, he only rocks his wedding ring now.

Eminem. Jay-Z. Same Stage. "Renegade."

Jay-Z. Eminem. Together…on the same stage. Yes, it happened weeks ago, but I’ve been on blogging hiatus and instead of recapping older events and going chronologically, I’d rather talk about the most exciting one.

June 1st. 2009.

So basically it’s the launch of “DJ Hero,” a new videogame like Guitar Hero…well, without the guitars. DJ AM is the face of the game, so obviously because of his A-list status, the party is… poppin’.

In fact, a lot of the big celebs skip the carpet entirely and just chill inside. Sightings? Leonardo DiCaprio, Usher, Tobey Macguire and others hanging in the VIP balcony area (later I find out Christina Aguilera, Ashlee Simpson and others are up there,) plus…Rihanna chillin downstairs… where all the other ballers are (yes, ballers. Literally. Ron Artest and Grant Hill, just to name a few.)

Anyway. The show itself was SO sick. I learned about Jay’s problems (apparently he has 99 of

Jay-Z: My President is Black

them,) Eminem’s game-winning strategy (he just loses himself in the moment,) and that neither of them are afraid to say what’s on their mind (any given time of day…they’re like renegades or something.) DJ AM and Travis Barker did their set before Em and Jay took the stage.

In terms of red-carpet fun? See for yourself. Sure there were tons of “fun” moments that didn’t make it on air…but I’m too lazy to recap all of it. Here are some bullet points.

• Travis Barker skips all TV media but he’s willing to talk to us?! Too bad I was so caught off guard I asked really generic questions
• DJ AM… He winked at me. More specifically, he winked when I probed into the Eminem/Bruno Movie Awards incident. Was it staged? A wink was all I needed…
• Was it a wink, or a blink? Well Blink-182′s Mark Hoppus and Fallout Boy’s Pete Wentz walked the carpet…together! Which makes our ridiculous banter about them being a couple and having a child all the more believable (ok not really, two guys CAN’T give birth.)
• I end up rapping with the girlfriend of one of the stars of “Mad Men.” It didn’t make the cut. We bonded over our love for “Forgot about Dre.”
• I told Baron Davis (LA Clippers) that I saw him rap at Opera/Crimson (the lounge/club) once. He laughed. We then bonded over NBA video games. I think I was the only one on the carpet excited to see him.
• Vanessa Minillo talks about her love for Rockband. I’m not sure if she got the memo… this is a Guitar-Hero sponsored event… :-/  (I also convinced her that her and I go WAY back)

WATCH BELOW!

Afterwards? H.Wood…only my favorite socializing spot in LA. Spotted? Leonardo Dicaprio, Nikki Hilton, and E from Entourage (I think he gets that a lot.)