Yes, that’s Jennifer Grey and me at the “Disney Epic Mickey” launch. She is not seated in the corner. Just sayin’.
In case you’re wondering, I’m holding up a print-out of my blog entry from September 12 in which I asserted that she was the main story for DWtS and was being largely ignored by the media. She particularly liked being referred to as “Jennifer Freakin’ Grey.”
We also had a lengthy conversation about spinal surgery, since she’s going in for the exact same procedure I had. I felt kind of badly, because the Disney store employees kept trying to shoo me along since they (justifiably) felt I was monopolizing her time, while Grey kept asking me about pain management and recovery time. Meanwhile Caroline was spending time running around with Grey’s daughter, looking at the array of princess stuff, while Kathleen chatted with Grey’s husband about his wife’s time on DWtS, and later with Kyle Massey, sharing notes about where they respectively grew up in Atlanta.
The launch itself was a blast, with game creator Warren Spector being deluged by press and fans alike while the much-anticipated game was set up at the far end of the store. I tried my luck with it. After a few misfires, and realizing that I needed to switch the targeting remote to my dominant hand, I made my way through the Clock Tower sequence that was the main demo, so I felt pretty good about that. Heads-up to fellow lefties: The game set up actually has a left-handed setting you can utilize so you don’t get your wires crossed.
And it was great to see various denizens of this very board taking the time to come by and contribute to the game launch. And remember, I’ll be back in the city tomorrow for the signing at the Borders at 34th Street.
PAD
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So I’m guessing you didn’t pitch my “Dirty Dancing With The Stars” idea? It’ll make tens! 🙂
She has to finish her project with Kevin Costner first, “Dirty Dancing with Wolves”.
Awesome of you, PAD.
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I’m reminded of one of my favorite bloggers, Ed Morrissey of Hot Air. He went in for back surgery, too, and out of the blue got a phone call from someone he’d never spoken to before. Ed had talked about being nervous about the painkillers for his recovery. The guy on the other end spent about an hour talking about back pain, painkillers, how addictive they can be, the warning signs of addiction, and all sorts of things. He gave Ed a lot of good advice, info, and help, and Ed went on to a speedy and quick recovery.
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The guy? Rush Limbaugh.
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Glad you could be Jennifer’s Rush.
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On the lighter side… I was one of the seventeen or so fans of “It’s Like, You Know,” but I miss Jennifer’s old nose.
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J.
I LOVED ‘It’s, Like, You Know’!!
(And I also miss her nose.)
I really hope Peter’s not upset about being compared to Rush.
(But there are so many similarities– Rush has written books, Peter writes about politics sometimes– it’s kind of freaky when you think about it.)
Well, we’ve now got three of the seventeen fans of It’s Like, You Know on here. I thought that show was a spot-on satire/commentary on L.A., probably more so than any other TV show or movie. It basically WAS L.A., neatly encapsulated in thirty-minute doses.
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I think of that show often (especially when I go to the Valley and experience its extreme and bizarre heat).
PAD and Rush Limbaugh – Compare and contrast. Wow, talk about thread fodder for a slow day.
Politically, I’m closer to Rush than PAD. MUCH closer. But I’m a much bigger fan of PAD’s than I am of Rush — never listen to the guy. Just doesn’t “do” anything for me.
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But the back story (pardon the expression) was just too much of a parallel to pass up — but I had one detail wrong. Rush’s initial outreach wasn’t a phone call, but an e-mail:http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/007236.php
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PAD and Rush? Two public figures who have had back problems, and have been willing to go out of their way when someone they admire and respect is facing similar problems and give them the benefit of their experience. Both guys who are capable of being real mensches when they have a chance to help someone else.
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I’d never vote for PAD for elective office, and would be very unlikely to vote for any candidate he endorsed. But I’ve repeatedly traveled hundreds of miles to see him and hear him speak, while I cheerfully turn the dial on the radio when I hear Rush.
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J.
We also had a lengthy conversation about spinal surgery, since she’s going in for the exact same procedure I had. I felt kind of badly, because the Disney store employees kept trying to shoo me along since they (justifiably) felt I was monopolizing her time, while Grey kept asking me about pain management and recovery time.
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The obvious solution would be to slip her your phone number for further discussions.
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And then she can talk to you about neck surgery, after Kathleen nails you with a frying pan after finding out about the private chats.
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J.
Why would she be in the corner? It’s my understanding that that’s something that is never done, by anyone.
I did it once, but I had to face the wrath of Swayze.
Well, Odysseus did it once.
Peter, thanks again for posing for me, and for asking Mr. Spector to do so next to you. My photos of the event are at: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Epic_Mickey_launch_party, as well as in the respective Wikipedia articles of the subjects I photographed. 🙂
Peter, I had a great time at the launch — much thanks to you and Kath! The picture I took of the two of you turned out great. I’ll email it to you when I get back from my business trip.
Oh, and I caught myself telling a few friends that I had seen “Peter Freakin’ David” at the launch. Unfortunately, the first question they asked was “who’s Peter Freakin’ David?” I will give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that they just didn’t recognize your new middle name. 🙂
Cool picture. Sounds like you had a great time and so did the family.
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Based on the demo, do you recommend the game?
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PAD, how is the back this day? Are you having to stretch and exercise regularly specifically because of the injury/surgery?
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I prefer the new nose but there was nothing wrong with the old one.
Yes, I absolutely would recommend it. Of course, in the interest of full disclosure, since I wrote the Digicomics and the graphic novel, I have a dog in this hunt. But based upon my utterly biased feelings on the matter, yes, you should definitely get it.
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And the back’s fine. The only downside was that the change in my spine threw off my bowling for several months, but I’m finally getting my stroke back.
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PAD
Any chance bowling might had something to do with you getting hurt in the first place? I ask because my uncle and aunt use to be bowlers and both suffer from back problems now. I guess if your doctor say it was OK for you to continue it was not related.
I’ve had back problems since I was in a car accidents about 8 years ago. It is not a constant problem but I can now easily hurt my back. One time I was just putting a sock on and BAM! I couldn’t straight myself out. The last time it was putting my son in his carseat.
I am glad you are doing OK and thanks for the game recommendation.
The doctor didn’t seem to feel that was the cause. Also, I’ll wager your aunt and uncle tended to stand in the old style of bending forward in their stance with their feet planted evenly. That could cause some wear and tear. I have a different stance that’s far easier on the back.
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PAD
The thing which always get me about her is the quiet and sure-footed way she came down the house stairway in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off before finding Mr. Rooney. For some odd reason, that scene always impressed me — probably the competence and confidence that she wouldn’t make noise.
By the way, not everyone who uses opiate pain medication risks addiction. You have to have the receptor gene for it, just as with nicotine or alcohol addictions. If you don’t have the receptor, you can’t be addicted.
I meant “the thing which always got me about her.” I’m getting more typo-prone as I get older, but I’m not illiterate. Sorry.
Very, very cool picture!
BTW, has anyone considered the possibility that the reason no one puts Baby in a corner is because she’s being pursued by the Hounds of Tindalos? Makes DIRTY DANCING downright Lovecraftian, it does…
Happy Chanukkah, Peter!
PAD,
Glad to hear that your back is doing well. Take care of yourself. Your family and all us fans of your writing need you.
Peter,
Looks like you had the time of your life.
Also cool to learn that you’re a south-paw like me.
We had the good fortune to be at Walt Disney World the day of release, and even better fortune to be in their computer gaming store at Downtown Disney. I watched a few people play the game and was amazed at the graphics. My daughter, however, warns me that I probably will suck at it because a) I don’t have a Wii and b) apparently lefties suck at Wii games.
In revenge I took a photo of someone playing the game and emailed it to her with the title “GUESS WHAT I SAW TODAY?”