SEEING RANDOM PEOPLE IN WEIRD PLACES

I purchased Brad Paisley concert tickets for Saturday afternoon, a father's day present for John from our extremely thoughtful pups. We didn't end up seeing the whole concert (long story) but we did bump into our favorite Philly drycleaner.


When she saw me, she yelled out, "John, I didn't know you liked country music!" (She calls me John because our dry cleaning is under his name and never corrected her or the owner who calls me Mr. Cunningham – it’s just easier that way.)

Now, it’s not like me and my drycleaner are super close friends, we see each other once a week, but we’ve never grabbed bears and chilled out to a cover band or anything…so I’m not sure why she was so shocked to see me at a country music concert – she did, however, make me feel like a sell-out since I’m not really a country music fan.

I’ve always run into people in the oddest places. While shopping for underwear at Target I saw my high school boss from my job at Moto Photo. He was across the aisle looking at tighty-whiteys and I was checking out the hot dudes on the underwear packages. (Looking back on this incident, I was a sexually deprived gay kid looking to be aroused by pictures on underwear boxes, very sad – and another story all together!

Last year I was eating breakfast at my favorite San Francisco breakfast spot Stacks, my waitress commented on my Chicago Cubs Master Card, "I love the Cubs too, I'm from Chicago," she said. I then found out that we went to the same high school and she was my yearbook editor when I was a freshman. Double dog-gone weird!

Most people know about the “six degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon” rule – most celebrities are only “six degrees” of separation from Mr. Footloose. In fact, since you know me, you are “six degrees” from Bacon….my high school friend dated Ashton Kutcher in college, he’s married to Demi Moore who was in "A Few Good Men" with Kevin Bacon. Fun right!

These days I'm mostly stopped by older women who ask, "Did you know you look like Josh Groban?" Which has finally stopped being annoying and become the norm...so go ahead, tell me how much you love or hate him, I don't care anymore. And I often feel one degree separated from him.

And if you see me at out buying fetish underwear, porn, condoms, whips or anything else you might find embarrassing, make sure you say hello, as I enjoy meeting up with random people in weird places!

WHAT I LOVE THIS WEEK!

ANOTHER JOSH GROBAN SIGHTING IN CHICAGO

I went to dinner with my brother at Rockit Bar and Grill on Friday. We went there without a reservation and enjoyed a couple beers before dinner in the upstairs bar while we waited. We made our way to the main dining room and were seated in a booth in the corner of the room. My friend Melissa and her husband Jim were there too. She came over to our table and I introduced her to my little brother.

We began perusing the menu and chit-chatting about something and a waiter came over to our table, extended his hand to me and said, "I'm Jason, I have had the privilege of serving you five times in the past and wanted to thank you for coming in and let us know if you need anything at all." I think I mumbled an obligatory "THANKS!" and he walked away.

I then tried to remember having him as a waiter when John and I had MANY meals there in the past. My brother asked if he was hitting on me, as he was really good looking guy who most likely was gay. But I didn't really catch that vibe.

It then became obvious, he did this because he thought I was Josh Groban. We had really GREAT service during our dinner. I guess it wasn't to horrible having this happen but I will need to second guess strangers being nice to me in the future.

My all time favorite stranger seeing Josh Groban "incident" was at a benefit for the Lincoln Park Zoo and some older (when I say older I mean seniors out of the nursing home) ladies thought I was hired to sing at the event. It ended with a lot of disappointment when they found out I couldn't sing/wasn't willing to sing. Disappointed older woman at the zoo in their Sunday best - including big fancy hats - equates to pounding as many free drinks as possible and leaving the party REAL quick.

At least no one asked me to serenade them after dinner on Friday, I hate disappointing Josh's fans.

JOSH GROBAN PERFORMS SMASHING PUMPKINS

Josh Groban performed Smashing Pumpkin's hit "Disarm" with Billy Corgan at the Bridge School Benefit on Sunday and I grabbed some footage. I thought it was a really cool version. What do you think?

THE BRIDGE SCHOOL BENEFIT ROCKED MY WORLD

The Bridge School Benefit (formed by Neil Young - benefiting the school for handicapped children they run) is a 22-year old concert tradition in Palo Alto's Shoreline Amphitheatre. This annual event has showcased every music legend under the sun. This year was no exception.

This epic all acoustic show ended the year's outdoor concert season and was definitely the musical highlight of the year for me! The lineup included, in order of appearance: Cat Power, Wilco, Death Cab for Cutie, Smashing Pumpkins, Josh Groban, Norah Jones, Jack Johnson and Neil Young.

We had great seats close to the stage and felt like the talent just progressed from one great performer till the next. Neil Young came out and did some amazing duets with several of the performers. Here are a few of my thoughts of the performances and some random thoughts on the performers...

Cat Power: Although I heard of them before - I think they played at Lollapalooza - this is the first time I've seen/heard them perform. The leader singer was a dead ringer for Fiona Apple, equipped with the quirky facial expressions and the smokey-bluesy-soulful sound - she even looked super strung out. Decent - not extraordinary.

Wilco: Finally I got to see Wilco! Many of my friends love-love-love them. I would say they were so very talented, Jeff Tweedy has a great voice! But I need to hear more before I start to pour on the love. Jeff Tweedy - most likely to rock out in his whitie-tidies!

Death Cab for Cutie: They were awesome. I knew almost every some and they really excel in a acoustic show. AND a small note - Postal Service was too cool - come back with more! I dub them the coolest geeky-chic band around.

Smashing Pumpkins: Billy Corgan showed up with his unique raspy voice and performed songs from his new album which were good - but I didn't hear a song that could be radio hit. Josh Groban took the stage to sing the only hit song they performed from the 90s. Billy Corgan - the coolest weirdo of my generation.

Josh Groban: He rocked it acoustically. Listening to his version of Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge over Troubled Water" was like watching a maters class in vocal talent. I guess I am finally coming to terms with looking like him...and since he is so talented, I guess it is cool. I vote him most likely to succeed -AND-hoping to get as skinny as him real soon.

Norah Jones: With her new light brown short hair - she brought country western songs, backed by two accompanists, bassist Catherine Popper and banjo player and guitarist Sasha Dobson. She mentioned they are looking to form a group and looking for a band name. Norah, with her sweet sound and vocal prowess - definitely prom queen.

Jack Johnson: I have always wanted to see him perform live, and FINALLY this was my chance. He sang my favorites, some new tunes I haven't heard before and most of all, he brought me from a casual listener to a big big big fan! Jack Johnson, you make it look so effortless. I aspire to be as cool as you. Mr. Prom King himself stole the show...the best talent of the night by far!

Dear Mr. Neil Young:
Although I am not too familiar with your music and didn't know this 22-year old tradition even existed until I showed up on Sunday, I hope to come back every year and see the amazingly talented group of musicians you bring to the stage for the most worthy of causes. I appreciate your hospitality and hope to see you next year!

YOU KNOW WHO YOU LOOK LIKE?

I was just minding my own business walking back to my desk from lunch and out it comes, "You know what you look like?" I turned around expecting to answer to another Josh Groban sighting, and out of no where my vice president tells me I look like Kevin Nealon with curly hair. AND his secretary agreed with him. IRG!

Do you think I look like Kevin Nealon? I see the Josh Groban comparisons, but Kevin Freaking Nealon...I guess maybe in the nose a little bit, we both don't have a chin and both are tall.

Maybe I will get a nose job so I can stop looking like other people. But what if the nose job makes me look like someone else? What I need to do is get real famous so people can tell Kevin Nealon and Josh Groban they look like me!

I am just a wee bit annoyed right now, it will pass shortly.

Enjoy the clip of Kevin Friggin Nealon - this is from one of my favorite shows, "Weeds." Leave me a comment and tell me if he looks like me.

JOSH GROBAN SEEN ALL OVER SAN FRANCISCO

I've been receiving the daily Josh Groban questions: Has anyone ever told you? Can you sing? The resemblance is just uncanny! Have you ever impersonated him? I was wondering why Josh Groban would shop at Target. My sister loves you, will you take a picture with me! Will you sing a line from, blah blah blah song? Seriously - you think I look like him?