^ Taken a few hours ago in an Irish bar, midtown (pretty sure it's called PJ Clarke's), none of the staff was Irish..anyways, they claim to have one of the oldest toilets in NYC. They said they are "over 100 years old". WOAH, that's really old (not!). Baby USA lol…..
I went to PJ Clarke's after a stop in at a bar called 2A, because it's on 2nd street and avenue A. When you ask for a wine list, they roll their eyes and say "red or white, that's our list!". The snotty bartenders barely look up from their Blackberry pearls, so good luck getting their arrogant service. Two good things about the place though are (1) the music (the bitchy bartenders have great shit on their iPods) (2) It's dirt cheap. Just thought I would throw a little review in there, heh heh.
It's bloody cold here in NYC. Been swamped with things to do, people to visit and packing for my journey back to Berlin in a couple days. Once I am settled in, I will spend hours uploading the many pictures I have taken over the last couple of months. I supposed on one hand it's good thing when one is too busy to blog properly, but I find it therapeutic and it helps me sleep better once I've unloaded all the shit flying around in my mind onto my blog. Sadly, I can't write everything I would like to, as certain people in my life read my blog religiously and get upset, jealous, etc.. that sucks as I wish I could just write everything I am doing, thinking, etc.. but I do try to write in a way that one can read a tad between the lines. Censorship sucks ass.
My fingers are KILLING me from doing so many massages. Fuck, my knuckles hurt so bad. I have been massaging pretty much non stop since I was 5 years old; starting on my mom and her hurtin' back and feet and it's taking a toll on my fingers as I don't just pet people, I insist on doing extreme deep tissue, which gives the patient lots of energy, but it takes mine. Guess that means at least my hands are getting old. dam!
Massage therapists are like shooting stars. They usually shine really bright for a few years, but they can't last forever. Usually people start doing massage at around 20 and throw in the towel after ten or 15 years as it is really taxing on the body (schlepping the heavy massage table up and down stairs, working odd hours usually spontaneously.. it is a difficult profession. I started WAY young and so I am feelin' it. I have met therapists that retired at age 40 already (well, they do other things for a living after; things that are not as physically taxing).
The rest of me feels great, it's just my knuckles and wrists that are aching. Tried wearing a copper bracelet for a while, I didn't notice a big difference. I wonder if that is just a scam/hoax?
It's gonna be tough leaving NYC again, this place is wild, ambitious, fast, loud, exciting, quirky, liberal, wealthy in every way and packed with talented people from all over the world, but most of all, it's FUN. Like Arnold said "I'll be back"
x
"A long, long time ago… I can still remember how That music used to make me smile. And I knew if I had my chance, That I could make those people dance, And maybe they'd be happy for a while. But February made me shiver, With every paper I'd deliver, Bad news on the doorstep… I couldn't take one more step. I can't remember if I cried When I read about his widowed bride But something touched me deep inside, The day the music died."
I went again to massage Kim and her man; two nights in a row! WOW, they love the Doctor! I am so excited to see her new show, which starts tonight February 7th, 2008.
The same lady who wrote Sex and the City wrote this as well. A lot of the same people who worked on Sex and the City are working for Lipstick Jungle. Patricia Field is doing their wardrobe, just like she did for Carrie and the girls.
"Lipstick Jungle," also stars Brooke Shields and Lindsay Price.
"We're honored to have that audience come to us," Raver said. "`Sex and the City' was such a fantastic show, but this is a different show. It's a different entity."
I was pleasantly surprised that Kim posed for me and impressed that she did so without make up/hair-do…. fresh from the shower.. naturally gorgeous and very cool. Some people are so beautiful you just look at them and think DAM! Nice genes!!
I noticed in her oldest son's room (the young one is only 4 months old) he had a home made drum set and home made guitars, all made of card board and bits of metal etc.. HOW CUTE. A mini rock star in the making. When Kim saw my rock and roll laden massage flyer, she said "wow, my son is gonna love this!" So sweet. It boggles my mind how she juggles being a nursing mother of two (she only nurses the baby!), has a husband and more than full time career (she works 12 hour days, every day) AND she still looks like she just slept 12 hours (read: rested and radiant).
I shall just call her "wonder woman"
If you are home and have nothing to do besides eat and shag, take a break and tune in to see her in action….
I just finished massaging Kim Raver (the lady on the right in the above billboard ^) and her husband. They have been regulars of my massage team here in NYC but this time I massaged them personally. What an amazing couple and how beautiful is Kim? As you know, I sometimes take pictures and get autographs, but I always use good judgment as far as timing goes and it was just too chill, to private to ask. Maybe another time. There are many celebs that I have massaged, sometimes numerous times, without every asking for a picture, for example, Jerry Garcia, Joe Jackson, David Bowie (well, I got his autograph a few times, but never asked for a pic), a German star named Ester Schweins as well… big star, but if the right moment doesn't arrive, I don't ask.
Kim used to star in the series called "24" and now she is in one of the upcoming series, which will premiere this coming Thursday Feb 7th, on NBC. This show is supposed to be similar to Sex and the City.
Since the writers strike, TV in the USA has been absolute CRAP (apart from Animal Planet, of course). This show will be a breath of fresh air for those who actually have time to watch TV. Kim is a mother of two but you would never know it. She looks like she just got off the runway and that's without any make up on. She is absolutely stunning (and sweet as pie). Gorgeous feet too
Anyways, last night I went out and sang with a live band at Arlene's Groceries .. lots of fun. You can sing with an AMAZING live band every Monday night there.
I really have to find time and make a massive blog with loads of pics.. pics I took on my trip to Georgia, pics I took all around NYC, sigh, I am so swamped, I feel guilty for neglecting my blog. NYC is so fun and busy, I just don't have the time like I do when I am in Berlin.. I go out here a LOT more than I do in Berlin because (1) There is NO SMOKING allowed here in bars, cafes, restaurants, etc.. and my eyes and lungs don't hurt the next few weeks like they do when I go out in Berlin…even though Berlin claims to be Smoke Free now, I have heard from mates back in Berlin that it's a fucking joke. (2) NYC is more fucking fun and the people are friendlier too. My face hurts from smiling too much when I am here in NYC..
So much for me making a decision (Berlin or NYC)… can't do it. Jasmine will be buzzing around Berlin forever I guess and so I will always want to have one foot in Berlin and NYC, well, my life here is more productive, fun, wild, exciting, busy busy busy! Each place has it's ups and downs..which I have gone over repeatedly over the last few years..sigh.
I will fly back to Berlin soon (if I miss an opportunity to massage Madge (Madonna!) while she is in Berlin for the Berlin film fest, I will fucking flap. I land there in a week or so and I am crossing my fingers that I don't miss any exciting massage situations. ugh. I can't be every where at once.
Super exciting that Penthouse Forum will start running my sex column (they will call it "Calling Dr. Dot) which was my idea..it kinda sounds like that Kiss song "Calling Dr. Love" heh heh. They also said I will be on their May cover, so I hope that all works out. It is 7am NYC time and I am STILL AWAKE. I voted for Hillary, massaged that couple and then went all over Hoboken with Danny filming random people in random shops..we are working on a little project, I can't wait to post it, it's hilarious..
Gotta hit the hay, it's freakin' LIGHT OUT.
ps. Iggy, the owner of one of my hang outs in NYC, called, Iggy's , insisted I post this pic of us online. This was taken this past Sunday night by my mate Jill ( I will post more pics in upcoming blog, which include her
Iggy is aiming to have the BEST karaoke place in NYC and I hope that turns out to be true really soon. Iggy's is on the Upper East Side and has karaoke 7 nights a week, they just need to get a bigger song list and organize things a bit more, pimp the sound system more and bingo, it's karaoke paradise (most people sing rock and roll tunes there, not much ABBA or Britney going on there).
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, Silence the pianos and with muffled drum Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come."
Heath Ledger died today. Heard it from a few friends per text as I woke this afternoon. Yes. afternoon. Then I got a call from Access Hollywood, asking me if it was me that showed up today to massage him at 3 pm:
"It wasn't immediately clear if Ledger had committed suicide. He had an appointment for a massage at a residence in the tony neighbourhood of SoHo, NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said. A housekeeper who went to let him know the massage therapist had arrived found him dead at 3:26 p.m."
I told him, Pills kill. Massage heals. More massages, less pills. Had Heath booked with me, he'd still be alive, as my massages are worth hanging on for. Great massages make you look forward to the next appt. My clients know I am anti-pills. If you receive proper massages on a regular basis, you don't NEED sleeping pills. The guy was reaching out for peace and relaxation, even up to the last minutes he spent on earth.
I am however, calling all of my massage assistants in NYC to find out if it was indeed one of my team. All bookings are made through me, so if they did book with him, they did it on the sly, so they may not want to come forward OR Heath may have booked with an unknown therapist, as you can find them a dime a dozen on craigslist. Would he be nutty enough to book someone on his own? Anyone who is nutty enough to take too many pills is indeed unpredictable and nutty enough.
Fame kills. Artist are usually overly sensitive souls to begin with, then if they get famous, they usually snap. You have to have TOUGH skin or be stable as hell to withstand the constant brown-nosing, lying, scamming fucks around you when you are famous. There are LOADS of hanger-ons around each celebrities who constantly feed them pills and drugs to keep the star high, to make themselves indispensable to the star, to keep them so high, they won't notice they are being manipulated for financial or celebrity gain. It makes me fucking sick. I feel sorry for the celebs in that situation, which is pretty much the majority of them. They have NO idea about all the shit that goes on around them and behind their backs. All the power games and backstabbing; it's revolting.
I am sad about Heath's early death and fear that Britney, Amy Winehouse and Mischa Barton are sadly on the same path. Fame, pills, booze and drugs are a lethal combo.
sigh.
"I make my living off the evening news
Just give me something-something I can use People love it when you lose,
They love dirty laundry Well, I coulda been an actor, but I wound up here I just have to look good,
I dont have to be clear Come and whisper in my ear Give us dirty laundry Kick em when theyre up
Kick em when theyre down Kick em when theyre up Kick em when theyre down
Kick em when theyre up Kick em when theyre down Kick em when theyre up Kick em all around
We got the bubble-headed-bleach-blonde who Comes on at five
She can tell you bout the plane crash with a gleam In her eye
It's interesting when people die-
Give us dirty laundry Can we film the operation? Is the head dead yet? You know,
the boys in the newsroom got a Running bet Get the widow on the set!
We need dirty laundry You dont really need to find out whats going on
You dont really want to know just how far its gone Just leave well enough alone
Eat your dirty laundry Kick em when theyre up Kick em when theyre down
Kick em when theyre up Kick em when theyre down Kick em when theyre up
Kick em when theyre down Kick em when theyre stiff Kick em all around
Dirty little secrets Dirty little lies We got our dirty little fingers in everybodys pie
We love to cut you down to size We love dirty laundry
We can do the innuendo We can dance and sing When its said and done we havent told you a thing
We all know that crap is king Give us dirty laundry!" DON HENLEY
Omg, been so busy it's insane. Just got back from London, where I was since last Sunday massaging Simon Cowell, who is by FAR my all time favorite massage client. I will do a blog about London and the Rod Stewart show I worked at but I have to sleep a day or two lol..
Jasmine is in NYC and I am so nervous I can barely sleep, so that is adding to the sleeping disorder here.. Berlin is freezing, damp and dark (when I go to bed it's dark, when I get up it's dark). One good thing about that is you don't have to worry about sun damage to your skin
For the last year, Harry Connick, Jr.and his entourage has been using my massage team while on tour. I know the managers Ted and Tom very well and they love our team. Harry does too. I had never met Harry until this past wednesday, but that never stopped him from talking about our massage team WHILE on stage, during his show. He has done this a few times already. The managers and my massage assistants have reported back to me "Harry spoke about us on stage, he said "I want to thank Dr. Dot and her wonderful massage team for making us feel good" etc. This is the BEST form of PR one could ever hope for. How sweet is he to do such a thing?
My heart was melting each time I head that. What a man I thought. EVERYONE on my massage team that has massaged Harry and his entourage was taken by his charm and their warm hearts. I have been anticipating meeting him myself for a long time now.
I spent Tuesday massaging Arturo in the Ramones museum (video to come) and then Tuesday night massaging Tom, one of Harry's managers (artist usually have a few with them: tour, production, assistant, etc). Then Wednesday I went to the Schiller Theater to massage them all. I had been there a few times before, namely to massage Hans Klock , the Dutch Magician, who has since carved a huge name for himself engaging Pamela Anderson in his new Las Vegas based act.
< Happy + proud to say, this is a standard view of the backstage area of most
Harry Connick, Jr. shows
The Schiller Theater must be an OLD building as many folks on the entourage were agreeing that it looks like Adolf used to hang out in there. It has a big Nazi feel to it, really. It's scary!!
I hung out while Harry napped and massaged his lovely assistant Megan. Young girl from NYC, suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuper sweet. She went to wake Harry and told him "you know that massage team "www.drdot.com" we always use? Well, the REAL Dr. Dot is here today to massage you". He came out of his dressing room all sleepy eyed (read: cute) and saw me sitting there and said "You're the real Dr. Dot!??" and before I could even answer, he said "You're GREAT Dr. Dot!!" . I was laughing so hard. He is SO sweet!! His Southern accent and genuine way of speaking and looking you in the eye is so refreshing. I told him "how do you know? I haven't massaged you yet" and he went on to say he loves my team and can't wait to get a massage from me later.
The sound check started. I counted at least 14 people in his band. Big band set up, which has a swing/jazz vibe to it .He stood facing the band, conducting them and singing without a microphone along to the music. I heard that he is VERY spontaneous, never has a set list and this keeps EVERYONE on their toes, especially the sound techs. He has a cult following and has sold over 40 million records. I had never seen him live before so I was excited to see what he was all about. The sound check took hours because it was their first day back after a tiny break. He is a perfectionist, I could tell, like Mr. Zappa. The band was tight so all the hard work pays off. There aren't that many artist today, that write all their own music, lyrics, sing the songs themselves and play at the same time. There are a few, but not enough in my opinion. He is extremely talented and the show sounded PERFECT.
The Schiller Theater is one of those venues that do not allow you to simply go in and out of the main hall without assistants. As in, they don't want people making any noise, disturbing the crowd or audience, so if you leave to piss, the guard will have to escort you back in ONCE the song is over. The Germans really take the spectator thingy to a whole different level. Which is good, as they REALLY pay attention when someone is on stage. They are not talking about their love life, children or what they ate earlier to their friends during the show. I wanted to view some of the show, but not all as it was hot as hell in there and maybe someone else wanted a massage during the show (management, truck drivers ,etc).
So I like to pop in and out, which is tricky in such a venue. I sat at the sound board for a few songs and I can tell you, the sound was absolutely PERFECT. It sounded like you were in his recording studio with him. His piano playing, voice, band, were all flawless. No wonder he has such a big following. It doesn't hurt that he is extremely attractive either. The ladies were melting. No wonder it was so fucking hot and moist in there.
Speaking of truck drivers, I got along really well with an English driver named Al. He made me laugh and blush till my face hurt. Told me how everyone on tour now a days has to multi-task. It's not enough to just be a driver anymore, you have to also run the spot lights. Same with tour managers, they usually end up being the body guard or running a monitor or two during the show. I feel bad for the people who tour for a living, it's hard work, they get lonely and massage is the least I can contribute to the people who make live music a reality. Bless their hearts.
I was wondering why every one had NOLA written on their hats, shirts, etc. Nola is short for New Orleans, that is where Harry is from and that is the name of his current album too. The stage was set up to look like you were in New Orleans. Street lamps and all. There was no opening act and I am almost certain the show was about 3 hours long.
After the show, we all went out back to leave for the hotel and Harry was surrounded by fans and he took his time making sure everyone got their autograph. He is really nice to his fans. They weren't just female fans, it was 50% male, 50% female.
A driver was packing my massage table into a van and I was about to step into it as Harry approached his limo and he said "Dr. Dot! I want you to ride with me! I want to get to know you, get in!". He said this rather loud and everyone heard. I said ok, and hopped into his car with him. Makes perfect sense, as if we don't chat in the car, we would waste precious massage minutes chatting. Not good.
So, in the back of the car, there was Harry and I and in the front, the driver and his assistant, Megan. Harry was full of questions about my massage team. How did I start out? When did I start out? He was also full of compliments, saying how brilliant an idea it was and how great each one on my team is. We both laughed about the nut case I had to fire in Vancouver. I won't mention her name, but she did give a good massage but otherwise she was a fucking NUT! First of all, my team lost the Buck Cherry account because of her. The guitarist Jimmy gave me his cell number ages ago, and said to have my team check in with him to see if he or the rest of the lads want massage at each stop on their tour. Dumb ass up in Vancouver CALLED him at 8am, demanding to know how much she would be making, how long they would want her there and if she would be fed. Naturally he told her to fuck off and hung up on here because NO ONE in the biz should be disturbed before NOON! Artist should never be disturbed before like 4pm, managers noon. What a dumb bitch. She claimed she didn't know (yeah right, rock stars get up at 8am every day, wtf?) so I gave her another chance.
Big mistake. At the Harry Connick, Jr. show in Vancouver, she was in the massage room with Harry and instead of going out of the room and letting him get undressed and get on the table, she stood there watching. Trying to be polite, he said "oh, you can come back in a minute" and she just said "no, that's fine, I'm ok" and just stood there and watched him undress like a horny dude watches strippers undress. THEN during the face massage, she looked deep into his eyes and went off about how she can "see into his soul" and how she "knew what he was thinking" and how they were "as one" blah fucking BLAH, what a freak!! You should not talk during a massage let alone talk BULLSHIT during a massage. I hate that voo-doo bullshit some therapist pull out their asses during a massage. Less voo-doo please, and more fucking massage work!!
She freaked him out so bad, he had to stop the massage and leap off the table, grabbing his clothes and beat feeting it out the door. Then management tried to politely ask her to leave, but she hid! No one could find her. She ended up in the press pit or some shit like that and then once she was brought backstage demanded to be fed. OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nightmare from hell.
Harry and I had a laugh about her. He said that he never would let one rotten egg spoil a dozen good eggs, and all was forgiven. In fact, it was me who brought her up, he had already "forgotten about her". Whew!
Harry asked me many questions, he was wide eyed and all ears, listening to my story of how I became Dr. Dot and formed my team of "Dot bots" as many people on tour cunningly name my assistants. Then, he started dialing on his iPone as I was still talking and he interrupted me by starting a conversation with his wife back in NYC "Honey, you know what? I am riding next to the legendary Dr. Dot!". I swear to God I am not making this up. I was smiling ear to ear, as was Megan in the front seat, it was SO CUTE! He then went on to tell her how he always uses my team but this time he was about to get a massage from the "REAL Dr. Dot!". OMG, I was in heaven. I love it when people are so into massages. He definitely LOVES massage.
And as I found out during the massage, he loves DEEP TISSUE massage. I mean, seriously deep tissue. I was trying my hardest to make him whine from pain, and sadly, I could not. I mean, am I getting old? Losing my painful touch? Or is Harry Connick, Jr. made of some secret steel found only in New Orleans? No music or talking, the room was silent for over two hours. I was sweating my ass off trying to go as deep as possible. Finally found a spot where I could make him at least acknowledge my "hands of steel", the arch of his feet. I can go mad deep on the feet. yay! He did say several times during the massage that it felt great, but I had the feeling I wasn't strong enough. He is a solid man, solid as a rock… super fit!!
Normally I ask artist/stars to pose for a picture before the massage as I know I will make them an oiling, puffy mess from the massage. Harry opted to pose after the massage. Takes a brave person to do that lol, I know I would avoid posing after I get a massage at all cost as I am puffy and greasy, hair looks like Nick Nolte's did after his arrest (mug shot), but hey, Harry still looks amazing. Those blue eyes, oh LAWD!
My gay uncle Jack is thrilled I finally massaged Harry, as he was a regular on Will & Grace for ages, so he has a big gay following too.. I heard he has been in a few movies too, but I haven't seen them..
Anyways, I am mad impressed by Harry and his talent. He is on tour, so if you read that he is heading towards your area, go see him, it's worth every cent, every minute of your time. Pure pleasure.
Nov 5 Madrid, Spain Teatro Circo Price Nov 6 Malaga, Spain Teatro Cervantes Nov 7 Zaragoza, Spain Sala Multiusos Nov 10 Barcelona, Spain Palau de la Música
11/13/07 Dublin, Ire RDS Main Hall
11/14/07 Belfast, UK Waterfront Hall
11/16/07 Glasgow, UK Clyde Auditorium
11/17/07 Birmingham, UK Symphony Hall
11/18/07 Birmingham, UK Symphony Hall
And last but not least, I showed some of the Harry Connick, Jr. crew around Berlin^
It is sunny in Berlin, but really cold. Not just the weather either I have to say it is getting harder to adjust each time I go back and forth from NYC to Berlin. Takes longer each time. The differences are amazing. It's cleaner here in Berlin and more organized but the people just do not smile on the street and if you make eye contact with them and grin, they look at you like you must be drunk and/or crazy. Note to self: stop smiling.
Jasmine is back from Italy and can speak really good Italian (she would stop me and correct me "It's NOT GOOD, it's WELL!!" but hey, I think if James Brown sang "I feel well" it just wouldn't have had the same impact. I feel GOOD dammit. Well, not really, my throat is still keeping me down, making me sleep 10 hours a day. Going to a new Ear, Nose Throat Doctor today, see what SHE says. If it's true the American Doctor "Forgot loads of tissue!".
Anyways, it is sooooooo great to see and squeeze Jasmine again. My true love. My sweetie pie. She's a big girl now and wants to go live in NYC for 5 months or so. NOT Hoboken, she wants to live directly in Manhattan and will do so soon. OMG, more sleepless nights to come. I often ponder having another kid but would I just worry even more? Does the love outweigh the worry? I am sure it does. I am so stuck in my ways now though, I love sleeping in; sleeping until I feel like it. Traveling where and when I feel like it. If I have another child all that shit will come to a screaming halt. But I now have the funds and capability to have a nanny, to do the boring work: laundry, shopping, cooking, cleaning.. which would leave me more time and energy to give more fun love to the child and sneak in a jog or two as well as regular concerts and karaoke nights.. oh the decisions. I am a Libra and can never decide anything.
My Birthday is this Friday. I hate birthdays. I think anyone over 30 hates Birthdays. BUT it is a fact, we all grow old (unless we get shot, run over or die of cancer before old age sets it). I guess one has to embrace it, but I will remain immature and youthful as long as possible. I am very immature. I admit it. I find myself gravitating to older women (STILL) to get my Mommy fix. Never got that motherly love so I crave it, still. Any women who read this and have a child or are thinking of having a child, be sure to love your child the best you can, as often as you can or they will grow up clinging to older women, like I do, it's pathetic.
Joe Jackson just called, he will come over again for another massage. He came last week and pointed out something to me that has never, in 18 years of flying back and forth from Berlin to NYC, occurred to me. Joe was trying to get a massage at like 8 pm last week and I said "Oh, no, I fall asleep at 7pm for a couple weeks after landing, thanks to Jet Lag". Joe says something that made me feel dumbstruck. He goes "Wot? You go to bed at 7pm and get up at 6am, that means you have Backwards jetlag Dot". LOL!! We talked about it and he is right. It makes NO fucking sense that I get up early after flying from NYC to Berlin. If I go to bed at 7pm here (Berlin) it is 1pm in NYC. Then I get up at 6am here but it's only midnight in NYC. But that's how I've been doing it for the last 18 years. So I have Backwards Jet Lag, as diagnosed by Mr. Joe Jackson. heh heh.
Anyhow, the two pictures below were taken on my balcony in the USA (notice Danny in the background)..Someone from myspace sent me (well, my assistant in Baltimore) this t-shirt to me as a present. I LOVE IT.
My family (Dad's side) down in Georgia just called and they said they won #1 place in the corn bread competition and 10th place (out of 300 hundred applicants) in the annualStone Mountain Chili Cook off!!!!!!!
Lisa is down there with them raising hell and they are so ecstatic they took a giant trophy for their corn bread! They call themselves the Killer Bee's Chili team and they compete every year at this Chili Cook off down there. I think I will join them next year, sounds fun. They told me there were several cover bands playing at the all weekend festival, a Hendrix cover band called VooDoo was the best (my Dad said).
From left to right ^ My Dad's sister, Aunt Caron, her son JC, Aunt Nancy (Dad's other sister + favorite Auntie ), Allyson my Dad's wife of over 25 years, My DAD :), Melissa (Aunt Caron's daughter + my niece) + the girl Kneeling is Chantel a friend of Melissa's who helps them every year at the cook off.
So congrats to the whole Fam Damily for their cooking talents
Last night, the 28th, was 10 days after my tonsillectomy and even though I probably should have just stayed home and rested, I couldn't resist the call of the wild and went to the Steve Vai show at the Starland Ballroom, in Sayerville, NJ, my favorite venue in the world. I used to work at like 2 concerts a week there and know the whole staff. This place is SO FUN to go to, I love eveyone there, the cook, the bar backs, the roadies, managers, they just all rock.
Everyone always hangs out in the kitchen and cracks jokes. I warned everyone that I would be coming but couldn't speak loud or much thanks to a hurt throat but that plan went out the window, I simply had to speak and catch up with my old friends. One friend in particular was in dire need of some tender loving care. Two weeks ago, Pauls wife of one year gave birth to their first child, a baby boy. The wife died 4 days later due to complications from her c-section. So he is beyond gutted. I couldn't massage last night because my Doctor said you can't workout or work for at least a month after a tonsillectomy but I brought one of my best massage assistants with me, Koree, to be there to massage anyone who needed it at the Steve Vai show and so I treated Paul to 30 minutes of massage from Koree, who has hands of steel, like butter, I love her. Paul LOVED his massage and felt a little better, the poor guy
Paul is a massive Dead head and always has the Dead or solo Garcia playing in the kitchen, even during shows. He just cranks his stereo up louder to drown out whatever act is on stage lol
Nick is a fucking NUT ^ I love him madly. He makes everyone who enters the Starland Ballroom howl with laughter.
< I know a few people with that tattoo
It was great to see the "mad fiddler" again,Ann Marie ^ I am just kidding, she is a violinist..
When Steve introduced the band on stage, he mentioned how he "stole her from Jethro Tull" with a sharp laugh. It is true, I asked her. She was touring with Jethro Tull and then auditioned for Steve Vai and instead of doing the next leg of the Jethro Tull tour, she joined Steve on the road and the rest is history. This woman is so talented and gorgeous, it's hard to take your eyes off her when she is on stage. She challenges Steve during the show, her violin, his guitar, it is amazing to see and hear, absolutely mad!
The Bass master, Bryan brought his parents and introduced them to me. He looks just like his Mom. The NJ native was beaming all night but you could tell backstage that he was missing his cutie Kira Small, who is on tour with her band at the moment.
Zack is young fresh guitar blood. Read about him by clicking HERE
Steve is giving this 20 year old guitar genius a chance to shine by letting him open for him at every show and even invites him on stage every night for a number or two. Frank Zappa did the same for Steve when he was 20, plucked him fresh out of the Berkley School of Music. So I guess Steve is keeping the faith and sharing his spot light with Zack as Frank did for him. What a man Steve is. Zack showed me all the movies he has made on his lap top and I am pretty sure he will end up a movie director one day, as he is amazing at it.
Speaking of Lap tops, everyone on Steve's tour except for Bryan Beller uses an Apple. I feel so old fashioned using a PC still. I have to get a Mac I guess to keep up with the times. Steve said PC's are crap compared to Apples and he said Blackberry's are junk compared to the iPhone. Why oh WHY did I just order a new version of the Blackberry (the Curve). I wish I hadn't now that I have seen how fucking cool the iPhone is. Oh well, maybe I will just give my Curve to Jasmine and get a freakin' iPhone next.
I got to spend a lot of one on one time with Steve before and after the show, yay. He showed me his iPhone for about 20 minutes and it made me loathe my Blackberry with a vengeance. He showed me how you can type in any address and zoom in on it with the satellite and we found my house and saw it on his phone! He is indeed Mr. Gadget. Love the pic he gave me ^ I think I will have it framed in silver and wear it as a necklace charm.
We talked a lot about Frank Zappa and his music and his son Julian, who is currently in Massage school, inspiring to be a member of my massage team. That would soooooo rock, having a Vai on our team. I have yet to meet Mrs. Vai, maybe next time. I hear from everyone that she is as sweet as Steve is.
Steve has a great sense of humor. Somehow we got to talking about my sex column and I told him about the time a woman wrote in asking for advice about how to hide her farts on long weekends at home with her man. Steve said "Farts are like God's joke on us". He fucking cracks me up. I ordered a fart machine and had it shipped to my pal Christin's house, who will see him up in Boston in a few days… she will give it to him for me. I can't wait to hear how he reacts.
Steve trying the Bite Method on me ^ ?
His famous guitars ^
During the show, as I said before, Steve introduced the band and directly after, he said "Special thanks to my friend Dr. Dot for coming out tonight to make us feel good, give a hand to Dr. Dot everybody" and he pointed at me on the side of the stage (I was next to the sound/monitor man Roger). Oh my God, I was NOT expecting that and blushed ten shades of red.
Steve is by far my favorite client, there is no other artist that sweet. He is the absolute fucking bomb and that show last night was brilliant. It was PERFECT.
After the show I was soooooooooooo hungry, it has been 10 days since I've had a real meal and I couldn't take it anymore and nibbled on a tiny piece of pizza; chewed it REALLY good and got it down. That tasted so good I ate the whole thing. It took me about 30 minutes to chew it all, but I got it down and man it felt good. SO it looks like I am pretty much healed now. I still have a sore throat but I am on the road to recovery
Steve Vai leftovers ^
We were talking about my Tonsillectomy and he told me about his when he was 6 years old. He said the first thing he asked for when he woke up was Potato Chips. He said his Mom called the Doctor and said "Doc, he wants Potato chips!!" and the Doc replied "Aaaah, then give him Potato chips" LMFAO!!!!!!!! So he got Potato chips. This is one tough cookie.
Steve noticed I was finally eating and offered me his left over pasta which Paul, the cook whipped up especially for him. Whole wheat Ziti Pasta with bits of Tofu and red & green peppers and zucchini coated in a Balsamic Vinegar sauce. I am in fact eating Steve Vai's left overs as I type this and man are they yummy. Heh heh. He ate most of the Tofu though..dam him! heh heh
Me- sleep deprived forgot to cut the music clip from “Philly Part 1” so the music goes on 3 minutes longer than the freakin’ video footage. Oh well, at least it’s a great song.
I told my uncle Jack that for some strange reason, I felt ‘at home in Philly. He said “probably because when your Mother was young, Philly was her stomping grounds, her play ground for raising extreme amounts of hell”. My Mom was born in Camden, NJ and even though I hear it’s a shit hole now, it was apparently great back then.
I was asked to go to Philly to massage Mr. Simon Cowell, who is on the American Idol audition tour. I left NYC around 2am and Pooh and I got there at 3:55 am. Last time I was in that area, well, Camden, to massage Sting, it took me SIX HOURS because of traffic, so I learned one should never attempt that route in the day time, if in a hurry.
Had a wonderful sleep on the floor of my Four Seasons Hotel room floor. The bed was as soft as Hugh Hefner’s balls. They need to invest in some new mattresses. I prefer the floor anyways.
I find the Philly accent so amusing. Especially the way the say “Coffee”. I pretend I didn’t hear them and make them repeat it over and over again. It’s hilarious. It’s like “Cawfee”
Danny, my ‘Boken buddy, reminded me that FET my top friend from myspace lives in Philly, so we finally got to meet and make some cheeky pics & videos.
Don’t let him fool you, there is Beer in that there jug ^
Fet and I had a BLAST from the moment we met. He is a good laugh and has a good heart.
I didn’t know which way to point my camera, there was so much action, so many sights and things to gawk at..
People are STARVING and yet us American’s still invent and drive these obscene gas guzzlers that destroy the Ozone at an alarming rate, just to show off and be “cool”.
I am at a loss for words….
Doesn’t that look like a beautiful day to you? LOVED it.
This is where the naughty behavior started; the statues were oh so inviting.
“Ride ’em in RAWHIDE!”
< A gift from Danny
Danny insisted I give Simon these silly collectors card, which pokes fun at him. I wasn’t sure how he would act, but I love to push people’s buttons, so I handed it to him and he just laughed. Simon and I chatted for a half hour before I started the massage, I guess so he could get some insight as to what I was like as a person. After a while he realized that I was extremely cheeky, very sarcastic indeed and he said “wow, and I thought I was mean. Dr. Dot you should be on my show; you would even make ME look nice”
Ahh, music to my ears. Heh heh. Yes, I am MEAN. Love it! The Grinch all year long in fact.
Anyways, Simon even posed with the silly card, as you can see below. He is so fucking cool. Some celebs are stuck up or stuck on themselves and refuse to pose and some even snicker at giving an autograph, but Simon was fine with me taking his pic and signing an autograph for me. What a sweet heart.
Danny is over the moon about this ^ fyi
You can tell he is a nice guy by his smiling eyes..
I STILL can’t figure out the f*cking self timer on my camer, so I took this one with my left hand ^
I don’t have a scanner here, so I had to photograph it ^ Doh!
He is for sure one of my favorite clients now. SUPER polite and generous; an English gentleman.
Typical situation here ^ All bed clothes on the floor, where I sleep, and Pooh close to my heart (I have had him over 20 years & can not sleep without him)
work, work, work, it never ends ^ and since I LOVE what I do, it doesn’t feel like work.
OMG!! LMFAO!!
On my way back up to NYC, one has to pass through Cherry Hill, NJ and I was speeding along, on the phone when this guy above, caught my eye. I nearly caused a major car crash by zipping over a couple lanes of traffic at full speed as not to miss the street closest to this amusing Diner. I even went up a one way street, the wrong way and pulled an illegal u-turn to get into the parking lot.
This is one of those old fashioned diners, where the people still eat in their cars. ^ I couldn’t BELIEVE it. That old couple couldn’t believe that I have never seen one before.
The Elvis impersonator was out there, alone, with a TINY boom box and an Elvis cd, singing away, to NO ONE. He was so sweet to perform for me and pose. I gave him a massive tip and a hug. It was around 90 degrees out that day, so he must have been sweating his great balls of fire off in that red polyester jumpsuit. Poor fella. The stuff I come across is so bizarre, I am So happy I have my camera on me at ALL times now a days. Wish I did that when I followed the Grateful Dead. That was a nonstop freak show. I was too care free to carry a camera or a cell phone or even a beeper. If it didn’t fit in my back pack, it didn’t come with me (and yes, Pooh was there with me too).
It was so fun to meet the photo-shop King in person (Fet). Look at the funny things he makes me ^
ps. The Elvis impersonator can be contacted at: mcmichaelshark@yahoo.com and/or 1-856- 665- 2249
< Happy + proud to say, this is a standard view of the backstage area of most
I have to say it is getting harder to adjust each time I go back and forth from NYC to Berlin. Takes longer each time. The differences are amazing. It's cleaner here in Berlin and more organized but the people just do not smile on the street and if you make eye contact with them and grin, they look at you like you must be drunk and/or crazy. Note to self: stop smiling. 
< I know a few people with that tattoo
OMG!! LMFAO!! 
