#Fact: If at first you don't succeed, become a legend
Wow what an AWESOME quote from last night and what an AWESOME evening spent with the one, the only ...
Ru ...
Paul ...
Lemme break it down for you all now on how I got to meet him and how all of this even happened.
I can only think of ONE song that could EVER go with this post!!
So, on Sunday I went to a friend's housewarming BBQ. It wasn't just "any" backyard BBQ though, we were in this MAASSSIIVVEEE mansion on top of Laurel Canyon.
The views were BREATHTAKING!!!
I love love love this group of friends, btw. I met one of the girls, Chelsie, almost 7 years ago when we were on a shuttle to the Playboy Mansion. (She is the one that let me crash at her place when I had the cockroach infestation in 2007 and lost everything I owned.)
Either way, Rosanne and I were talking at one point to these two dudes and she of course then starts blowing up my spot with what I do.
One of the dudes seemed super interested, so as I went to go refill my drink and sit down by myself just staring out at the scenery, he of course followed.
We got to chatting and come to find out they had just met the host at another party I think the night before.
Rad, I said. You're with good peoples.
His other friend then came over tapping him on the shoulder telling him he had to go, so he asked for my number and then peaced.
I left a short time later as the .7 mile walk down the windy road wasn't going to be pretty. (Even in my Nike + kicks!!)
Then, yesterday, I woke up to a text from him ...
He then told me to meet him there at 7:30.
You have NO idea btw how excited I was ALL DAY at the possibility of getting to meet RuPaul. He's SUUCCHHHH a legend and while I don't have a lot of familiarity with the cross dressing world, I KNEW that this was going to be a celebration of awesomeness and openness and THAT I was game for.
7:30 came around before I knew it and right as I was walking up, I greeted my new friend.
Hello, I said giving him a big hug.
We were both then blinded by flash photography and the red carpet which was RIGHT at the entrance to the Abbey.
IDs please said the door guy.
I struggled to find mine being barely able to see.
I finally hand him my ID and we both enter the party.
This guy, btw, is a total suit (and was literally in a suit). I can't say who he is or what exactly he does in the entertainment industry without blowing up his spot, but he's super fancy pants so of COURSE within seconds of entering the party I am then introduced to no less than 20 other super fancy panted people.
Producer after producer, agents, and lawyers peppered in with celebrities and drag queens. I could NOT imagine a better place for a nerd with ADD to be kicking it!!
It was FASCINATING watching the dynamics play out.
You do know if I get close to Rupaul I am going to have to ask to take a picture. I hope that is okay with you, I say to my new friend.
Of course, he says laughing. Let's go up and say hi to him if you want.
My eyes light up.
YES!!!!
We then walk over.
What do I call him/her?
Call him Ru, he says.
Perfect.
We then approach Ru who is being interviewed by some publications.
The second Ru sees my friend his eyes light up.
Well, at least this guy is legit, I thought.
Ru then walks over.
They exchange pleasantries.
Ru, this is Jen.
Hi, I say SUPER excited.
Hello, he says back, composed and SO elegant.
Could I trouble you for a picture, I ask just getting right in there.
Of course, he replies.
My friend then snaps this ...
Ru has to be HANDS down one of the nicest people I have ever met in LA. What a very present person!! He was SO FREAKING SWEET!! I couldn't stand it!!
If he wasn't so much taller than me I would have picked him up and put him in my pocket to take home!!!
Wait, just kidding, that's called kidnapping.
Either way ... we got to then watch the premier of Drag Race All Stars and I have to say it was REALLY entertaining. I've never watched anything on Logo before, but being there WITH all the drag queens AT THE ABBEY was quite the life experience.
I laughed to my friend saying, this show is like America's next top model meets Project Runway.
He smiles saying, that's exactly how it was pitched.
It was very very very entertaining, and very very very funny - to my delight as well, not only did the show have sponsorship from Absolut but they also provided all the alcohol for the party.
YAY CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS!!!!
We then left after the episode aired and grabbed burgers across the street at Hamburger Haven.
He then opened up to me about his life, and love.
It was really cool talking to someone who could not BE more "scene" and to have him actually be pretty chill and incredibly real.
We then bounced a short time later, but when I got back to my apartment I couldn't help but spend a solid half hour dancing around to Supermodel.
I remember being a kid and holding a tape recorder up to the music video of that to get the song on tape (I was too cheap to actually buy it with my allowance), and listening to it over and over and over.
Rupaul is a cultural icon. He is someone that has paved his own way and never looked back. Whether or not you agree with his sexuality, or way of life - you can't deny the cultural impact this man has had, and the SHEER drive and WILL exhibited that all of us entrepreneurs can be inspired from.
As Ru puts it, "we are all born naked and the rest is drag."
Well played, sir and thank you so so so much for the AMAZING evening!!
Own your awesome nerderinos, and keep on keeping on!!
oh yeah and ...
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