It's a Hit - School for Scoundrels opens 9/29 in NYC

Guests at the premier of School for Scoundrels were still laughing as they left the theater recounting the scenes they had just seen on the screen at the Loews Theatre Lincoln Center. It's not always easy finding these screenings; occassionally they are listed in the gossip columns, or in the entertainment sections, but for the most part I rely on one of my connections to pass me a tip. For this particular screening I was surprised that only the guy who gave me the tip, and myself and my friend from Lee Ann visiting from Philly, were there to greet the celebs as they left. Here the actors, producers, and friends exit the screening. It always surprises me how easy it is to get the celebs photos as long as you know where to go. For the most part, it is low key and they are accomadating. First to leave was Billy Bob Thorton. It seems like just yesterday he was in Sling Back or was carrying around Angelina Jolie's blood around his neck.Sarah Silverman Sassy, sharp tongued actress / comedian / writer from Beford, New Hampshire girlfriend of comedian Jimmy Kimmel. Michael Clarke Duncan, used to be a bodyguard for Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Jamie Foxx, LL Cool J, and Notorious B.I.G.; he let a friend take over for him the night Notorious B.I.G. got shot, which prompted him to quit that line of work. After coming down the escalator, they exit the theater to their waiting SUV's to whisk them off to the Afterparty or AP. Which was at the Mandarian at the Time Warner Center. Lee Ann and I were off to another movie icon place with the same name as a John Cusack movie - ok it was Serendipity on 59th near madison.

I finally got my last major player from Sex in The City - Chris Noth

Earlier this month Chris Noth hosted a fundraiser for the Rainforest Action Network at his Chelsea club Plumm, located on 14th Street near 8th Ave. You may have heard about it before it is where Axl Rose and Tommy Hilfiger got into a fight a few months back, and drinks and fists were thrown. Whoopi Goldberg and Chris Noth Sherri Saum (Rescue Me, Law & Order, One Life to Live) Julianne Nicholson (conviction, Ally McBeal) and Chris Noth

The NYC Premiere of Scorsese's The Departed

"The Departed" premiere was as star-studded as they get last night, as the long-anticipated Martin Scorsese flick about cops and the mob premiered at the Ziegfeld Theatre. Among those flocking to the famed movie palace on West 54th Street were Jack Nicholson, who plays a ruthless Mafioso in the film, and pretty-boy co-stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon, who take on roles as cops in gritty South Boston. Nicholson, 69, sported his trademark black sunglasses - and devilish grin - as he posed for the cameras with his date, 22-year-old Manhattan actress Paz de la Huerta. Martin Scorsese - signed for the dealers at the After Party. His signature is rare.Leonardo DiCaprio Matt Damon Ron Wood and Wife (Mick ran out, but I got a shot of the back of his head) Kevin Connelly and EmanuelleBono. I was excited to capture him since I had skipped the "sure thing" event a few weeks ago because I was tired.Billy Joel Jack Nicholson being very generous and spending a good 10 minutes signing for the dealers, who as you know will turn around and sell the "graphed" photos to the fans. More pictures to come and commentary (it's late, 3AM and I have to go to work in 5 hrs ...)

Oprah is a Media Genius

I took my 2 Color Purple Poster that I bought yesterday at the Broadway Cares Flea Market to the press conference where Oprah was going to announce her new radio program on XM. The new channel, titled Oprah and Friends, is part of the XM Satellite Radio network and extends the former journalist's reach beyond her syndicated talk show and her bestselling O, The Oprah Magazine.I wish this place didn't have double paned windows because of the glare. I also thought no one could see out, but Oprah waved to the crowds surrounding me. As the crowd got larger I was afraid I wasm't going to get the posters signed. After the press conference Oprah and Bob Greene emerged. I surged forward, even deflecting her bodyguards arm which strongly pushed me back. Gail saw me first, and pointed out the posters to Oprah. (if you have been reading my blog for awhile, you know I think Gail is the softer side of Oprah.) Oprah stopped moving forward, took the sharpie I had and signed both posters. I told her I loved the play and was going to see it again, which I am. She thanked me, as the bodyguard pushed me aside. It was awesome, and I was in my glory. I don't know why Oprah has that effect on me. If you are a long time reader of my blog, you know I try not to see a celebrity twice, but Oprah I have seen at least a several times. 3 times in Philly, here in NYC at the Color Purple premiere, at her hotel once, at the Legends Ball DVD Premiere, David Letterman, ok thats it several times. I've seen Gail a few more times than that, all those events plus Usher's premiere on Broadway (which I never had a chance to write about), the Vanity Fair party when she told me she was driving back to Conn., and on GMA. I will try and give them a rest for now on. Gail says she is not going to the view, but will concentrate on her XM talk show. I wish I had my Bob Green book that I have at home. Oprah signed it when she came to Philly a bit back. Hmmm I certainly am having a stalker moment with Oprah.Nate Burkus. I have seen him 3 times too. Still as cute as a button. This photo sucks as my fujo camera often overexposes people unless I set the ISO to something decent like 200.Then the legend of all legends - Maya Angelou. I was in heaven. Last mother's day I bought her new book - Mother - for my mom and for Mike's Mom. She was looking at me because I was gushing over her book. God I heard that Maya Angelou voice, it really was soothing. It was worth being 30 minutes late to work to see Dr. Angelou. I first heard of her when she read the Inaguaration poem for Bill Clinton in 1992.

20th Annual Broadway Flea Market And Grand Auction

20th Annual BroadwayFlea Market And Grand Auction Sunday, September 24, 200610AM To 7PMShubert Alley and West 44th Street - The weather looked iffy, the weather forecast seemed to be even more dire. So I checked the website http://www.broadwaycares.org/events/auction.cfm and if they were a go, then I was a go too, they were and off I went. This year I went early and stayed late. (unlike last year where I went late because I then went to the Katrina Benefit with Liza and friends. I arrived about Noon, and it seemed like I beat the crowd. I headed straight to the photo booth and celebrity table. I was especially curious about where it would be located this year since the very busy Juniors opened and would surely be enjoying another busy lunchtime crowd. I was completely surprised, and heartened that Juniors had donated their outside area for use. EAT AT JUNIORS http://www.juniorscheesecake.com/ Edie Falco and Rollyee - a bigtime fan that I see around town all the time. Being in a wheelchair doesn't hold him back from meeting and greeting the stars. He's an inspiration. In the window you can see people enjoying lunch at www.juniorscheesecake.com Richard Griffiths who had just finished the Celebrity Table John Lloyd Young from Jersey Boys. Won a Tony as Frankie Valli. http://www.jeffbransononline.com/ Jeff notices the deluge of rain falling on our heads.The auction items were covered quickly. I think a lot of the crowd left at this point. I held out, it wasn't a big deal as I only live about 20 blocks away. I went out onto 44th Street. The crowd was thin, I thought this is a great time to go to the "Win Tickets Free Wheel" as the line would be short. I was wrong, people had umbrellas and were patient. I had neither and hung out under the NY Times overhang.To my surprise the rain stopped after about 20 Mins and the SUN CAME OUT!!! I went back to my favorite spot, THE CELEBRITY SIGHTING spot. I mean I have to keep up my "Celebrity A Day" goal, and today was day 427 since I moved to NYC and I needn't disappoint my addiction. Here's John Tartaglia waving to the crowd. He had a fairly long line, but the winner of the day had to be Edie Falco. About 30 people waited in line for her. Although I left at 4PM so I don't know how Harvey Firestein did.I took several table pictures, but I like how the Spelling Bee table turned out the best. Plus I bought the board the guy is holding in his hand. They weren't a big seller as you see there are a lot left on the table. I thought they were clever and were surprised they weren't bigger sellers. At 4 PM, I was out of money and it was time to go. This was the last shot I took, and there was still a decent crowd there.Here is some of my loot.

Posh Spice is in the House

Last week I caught Victoria Beckem leaving the Marc Jacobs Fashion show in a cute little pants number. An hour later she arrived at the After Party, held at the "Top Secret" location of the new Ian Shrager Gramercy Park Hotel, a cute little white skirt. On the right are two "Fans" that are trying to get "Pictures with". I on the otherhand am satisfied with "Pictures Of" and am rarely disapointed.

One Life To Live - Did you know its taped in NYC and you can make an unofficial visit to see the stars

I am actually a huge All My Children fan having been addicted to it for about 20 years, but about 3 years ago, you know the time, when the shows began showing a minute or two into the next hour, so for me to see the next days AMC previews I would have to extend my TIVO recording a few more minutes. Then I got interested in OLTL because of all the two minute clips I would see about their show. Both shows tape in NYC, and I found out that you can visit thier studios and talk to the actors. A few weeks back I visited the OLTL studio and had a nice chat with many of the actors. They were just begining to film the scene where John is critically hurt in a car accident (in reality the guy who plays John was in contract talks, he's signed so he lives - opps those scenes haven't aired yet) This is the storyline that got me hooked... A new major storyline involved Mitch kidnapping sisters, Natalie and Jessica, to figure out which one's heart was a match for their grandfather. Victor had been faking his death. Dorian then showed up as Mitch's new bride, and she became immeshed in a storyline involving a jewel hunt as well as a "curse" which blinded Mitch. Mitch was later killed by Jessica. Pictured here is Bree Williamson who plays Jessica, (born December 28, 1981) is a Canadian actress. I had just seen her at an event the night before and I told her how cute she looked and showed her a photo I had taken of her. She was probably a bit frightened and I wouldn't blame her - LOL Actually she was very sweet. I gave her tips on how to get her pictures taken and published while on the Red Carpet, like Levan Rambin from AMC who I see at many events. Bree on the Red Carpet at the Illutionist premiere the evening before I took the photo above. Hillary Bailey Smith (born May 25, 1957) is an American actress best known for playing Nora Hanen Gannon Buchanan on "One Life to Live". (1994) Daytime Emmy Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. She plays a prosecuter on the show, and I think her costume communicates that well. She was so sweet. Asking me a million questions about what it was like to be on a business trip to NYC for an entire year. (not too bad on some days, but miss the boyfriend and family everyday)I was going to say can you believe this women just discovered that Hugh Hughes is the son she gave up for adoption 25 years ago, but now that I looked up her bio I have to say, WOW she looks damn good for 51. Alexandra Neil (born April 7, 1955 in Boston, Massachusetts) is an American actress. Previously portraying the role of Jeannie Johnson in the 1980s, Neil returned to the ABC soap opera, One Life to Live in the role of Dr. Paige Miller since January 2006. Spencer (Vickers) Truman (May 25th, 2005 to present) didn't want to pose alone, so he grabbed some strangers. Paul Satterfield orginated the role of Spencer Truman on One Life to Live beginning May 25, 2005. Mr. Truman arrived in Llanview with an agenda and will make trouble for a few citizens in town with whom he shares a past. On this particular day it was about 3 days before his birthday, and he said he was excited to return to California that afternoon, to visit his family and celebrate.Hugh Hughes, Hugh came to Llanview as the new Assistant District Attorney, working closely with both the district attorney's office and the police. Not long after he arrived, Hugh was out with one of the many leggy models he often had on his arm when he ran into Marcie Walsh, who was being ridiculed by other writers after The Killing Club debacle, and gave up his evening to take the drunken Marcie home, where she then threw up on his shoes. This began an unusual friendship between the playboy Hugh and writer Marcie, much to the annoyance of her ex-boyfriend Michael. John Casaubon is currently known for his role as Assistant District Attorney Hugh Hughes on the ABC soap opera, One Life to Live, a role he has portrayed since June 2005 and will leave the soap after only one year. He will last air in the fall of 2006. I spoke with him shortly after it was announced he was leaving. He wasn't very happy, as most of the fans I know. We are all perplexed as he just found out that Paige and Spencer are his natural parents. Behind him is David Fumero who is best known for his portrayal of Cristian Vega. He was incredibly nice, he lives nearby and at lunch went to get his dog to walk in Central Park. The always wild and crazy Roxanne "Roxy" Balsom played by Ilene Kristen and her daughter Natalie Buchanan played by Melissa Archer. Melissa is wearing an dog ass ugly bathrobe over her costume. She spent the most of the time practicing her lines where she basically talks to the comatose John, patiently waiting to see if he will re-sign his contract or not. By the afternoon the ink was dry, and John was expected on the set the following week. This weekend you can attend the Broadway Cares Flea Market where many of the OLTL Soap Stars will be there signing autographs, including Illene Kristen, Robin Strasser and David Fuermo. http://www.broadwaycares.org/events/CelebrityTable2006.pdf More fans find the soap stars. After talking to these folks, I found out they were from Maryland and every few months they come to NYC to catch a show, and visit their favorite soap stars.Nathaniel Marston joined the cast of One Life to Life in December 2001, originally in the role of Al Holden. After a brush with death, Al received another chance at life in the body of Michael McBain ; Nathaniel was a complete shock to meet. When I first began watching OLTL my favorite character was Michael McBain who appeared to be completely Metrosexual to me, sensitive and G-Rated. Then he became Al, a little edgier and angry. When I went to the "stage door" and met him I was completely shocked because he is really a little edgier, spitting, cursing smoking, a real man's man. He deserves an Emmy, he is a great actor, as he was completely different than I imagined him. After this interaction I decided one visit to OLTL would be enough I am unable to handle this dichotomy.

A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006) Premiere

A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006) premiere was held tonight in my neighborhood of Chelsea NYC. I love when they are close by and I can pop on over there. It's the gayberhood so the star of A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints can just go clubbing when he is finished with the Red Carpet. The movie is a coming-of-age drama about a boy growing up in Astoria, N.Y., during the 1980s. As his friends end up dead, on drugs or in prison, he comes to believe he has been saved from their fate by various so-called saints. Dianne Wiest not the star, but someone I have always loved.To me it seems that Sting is looking back at his years as a sex symbol and the baton has now passed. Although some would definetly disagree. Sting and Trudy produced the film Starring Channing Tatum, who is shown here being good to his fans. Channing baby couldn't you have at least looked up once with those baby blues?There are others in the movie, but tonight is dedicated to Channing Tatum!!

Fashion Week Randoms

I'm still recovering from fashion week. After getting about 25 hrs sleep last week, I slept 24hrs in 2 days awoke from my coma and caught a great sunset last night.While reviewing my photos from the week I noticed a smiliarity between my Hillary Duff photos. This one is from Fashion Week Fall 2006 which is held in Winter 2005. I took this shot Thursday night. Here's Hillary and Joel Madden leaving the Tents. Last week Betsy Johnson premiered her new perfume and held a bottle signing meet and greet at Bloomingdales. My Friend Katie is a huge Betsy fan. She wore her vintage 1989 Prom Dress to the signing, and the damn thing still fits. Betsy was tickled pink and said it brought lots of memories back to her and announced to the immediate crowd details about making this dress. Christina Milan arriving at the Tents Thursday night. 50 Cents shows up at Marc Jacobs and no one was shot. OK I missed one event, and it was a doosy. For the past two seasons Bono's wife has previewed her line during Fashion Week. It's always held at a super secret location. Simon and I figuered out where it was going to be - The Hudson Hotel. It was at 9PM last Friday, but I couldn't last that long and instead rushed home to sleep. He went with another friend, they were the only ones there, no paparazzi and were able to meet Bono and get a few photos. Thanks for this shot.

Fireworks High Over Manhattan as Lindsey Lohan, Mischa Barton, Brandon Davis and Paris all attend the Calvin Klein After Party

New York is getting smaller by the minute... Oh to be a fly on the wall on the 47th floor of WTC 7 at the Calvin Klein Party with guests like Brandon Davis, Lindsay "Firecrotch" Lohan and Brandon's ex Mischa Barton all at the same party. First to arrive was Mischa Barton with a small entourage of friends. She seemed to be in good spirits unaware of the guests that would be lurking behind her.Lindsay "Firecrotch" Lohan with a huge entourage. I'm not even sure if she saw the fresh from Rehab, bloated looking Elvis in the latter years scumbag, beyond her "people", but her exit from the party at 1AM was well choreographed as she left about 10 minutes after his circus drove off in their various cars headed for Skylight. She was on her way to Bungalow 8. It's well-documented by now what Brandon Davis was filmed saying about Lindsay Lohan (see YouTube.com) -- lengthy and numerous rants disparaging her private parts and their cleanliness, announcing that he is disgusted with how poor she is because she is only worth $7 million, and spitting that he would never, ever sleep with her, before asking the videographer, "Would YOU [sleep with] her?" All the while Paris Hilton is choking on her own laughter, because there's nothing at all trashy about her. He too arrived with a shockingly large entourage which were all allowed access. Quite a turn-around from last Saturday nights party where he couldn't even gain access to the Mario Testino/French Vogue Party until Nicky Hilton came out and talked to the Velvet Rope guys.OK it was only the fake Paris, Tara Reid, but imagine LL's and Mischa faces when she walked in about 15 minutes after Brandon.

Fashion Week is winding down, just Gwen Stefani and Bono's Wife shows left...

Oh sure I said I would go home because of the rain, but I ended up at the tents and got a few good shots. Well actually I went to an event before this one. Robert Cavelli's after party at his store. No one but very wealthy socialites were there. I made it back to the tents in time for the start of Zac Posen's show, and a rain shower. Several people went in the front doors, but the following people went in the back door. Singer Amarie Oh god how many times can I see this girl this week, Emily Rossun First time to see Diddy, although I think he was just successfully sued that barred him from using the Diddy name. A model leaves while having the NYC dinner. A cigarette. If it wasn't so late, 3AM, I would post the rest of the shots from this night. But I gotta work in the morning. Over the weekend I will post more photos and stories of my eventful week.

The Black Dahlia NYC Screening

UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND MILLENNIUM FILMS PRESENT THE PREMIERE OF 'THE BLACK DAHLIA' I crossed my T's and dotted my I's and discovered this awesome private screening of The Black Dahlia. As with event I found out last Saturday night, there were only a few paparazzi's there and only two fans or what people term as "Picture's Of" people. Meaning we only really want to take pictures of people, we really don't need to be in the photo, and I prefer not to unless a celeb asks me to be in it; like DIVA GODDESS Bernadette Peters, designer from Heatherette Richie Rich or S. Ephrata Peterson from L&O. It's great to attend these private events as I can get much better shots of A-List celebs. Lara said she was wearing Max Azria. I think she looks great. Mariska Hargitay. Her parents are Mickey Hargitay and Jayne Mansfield. "Everything has combined to make my life in New York an amazing experience. I told my manager a few years ago that I wanted to move here and try acting in the Theatre. Then this show came up. Now I'm in this show that means something to me and a lot of other people." In 1999 she was cast in the role of Det. Olivia Benson in "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit". After I took a shot of her a photographer congratulated her on winning an Emmy. She said thanks and went into a story about how she missed the NYC paparazzi because they are able to pronounce her name, unlike in LA where they constantly butchered it. Then she asked to look at a photo they took to see what she looked like since she had just given birth June 29, 2006 to her son, August. I can assure you, she is a HOT MAMA!! Then she asked to look at the photos she wanted to see if she looked alright since she just gave birth June 29, 2006; She is 42 years old Rob Thomas and his wife Marisol have established Sidewalk Angels Foundation, a non-profit organization created to aid those in need in and around America's big cities - working with various charities to assist people who are destitute or homeless and get lost in the system; those who cannot afford proper medical care; and animals that have been abandoned or abused. Hmm he smokes. What kinda damage does that do to his Smmooooth Voice? In August 2006, Sandra Bernhard served as the spokesperson in a commercial for Make-up Art Cosmetics (MAC). In the commercial, promoting PlushGlass lipstick, Bernhard referred to someone who might not approve of her outspokenness as a "...little freaked out, intimidated, frightened, right-wing Republican thin-lipped bitch". MAC pulled the commercial after "enormous reaction" from customers and the blogosphere[2], although the video is viewable on YouTube. [2005 Academy Awards acceptance speech for Best Actress in a Leading Role] "I don't know what I did in this life to deserve all this. I'm just a girl from a trailer park who had a dream. I never thought this would ever happen, let alone be nominated. And a working actor, for that matter. And now, this. I thank the Academy. I'm eternally grateful for this great honor. Yesterday Hillary was at Saks 5th Ave to sign bottles of her perfume (only 100). In the end to speed things up she only signed the boxes. You know if Betsy Johnson can sign 500 bottles, I think Hillary should have made an effort. Last week SJP signed 1,000 bottles. (I couldn't find any on ebay) Here is someone I found on Ebay who seems to be a perfume groupie. http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZkgreenenycQQhtZ-1 Finally in a pretty girl roll. Hillary was flanked by two huge body guards at this event. She posed for about 30 seconds and then the crowd moved towards the doors. Hillary Duff and Joel Madden (lead singer for the band Good Charlotte and ten yrs older than the 20 yr old Duff) Reasons to hate her: Performed at 'President George Bush' 's youth inaugural concert. [2005] Reasons to like her: Donated sales from her sold out Most Wanted Tour to the Tsunami victims in South Asia. [2005] As we photographed her, her bodyguard, who is off to the right counted down from thirty to zero seconds and then pulled them away. This was a great get as they rarely pose for fans together. Joel's not big into the Hillary chaos that occurs when she shows up at events.

I was thrilled with the turnout, but a tiny bit sad that Josh Hartlett and his on again, off again GF Scarlett Johannson was missing. They presided at the LA screening last week.

HEATHERETTE FASHION SHOW SPRING 2007

Earlier this year during the Fall 2006 NYC Fashion Show held in February, I made a prediction that came true. I got tickets to the Spring 2007 HEATHERETTE fashion show!!! http://hughe2030.blogspot.com/2006/02/heatherette-fashion-show.html HEATHERETTE front row - These are the best seats which are at the end of the runway. From the right IMG Fashion’s Fern Mallis, Fiola Hughes, and Beth Ostrosky (Howard Stern's girlfriend) and a bunch of guys.

The show was an hour late: Beth Ostrosky and a bored Anna Devanne, I mean Fiola Hughes Front Row - Brandon Davis (orange shirt), Mrs. Ann Slater grey hair shiny jacket Madonna's friend - Ingrid Casares and Mrs. Billy Joel The eclectic crowd, sometimes of which reminds me of the crowd featured in the Rocky Horror Picture Show...which included Justin Timberlake, Trevor Barker, & Brandy. Walking the Cat Walk was #1 Socialite Lydia Hearst, Nicky Hilton; Singers Mya, Kelis, Paris Hilton, Actress Mena Suvari and Porn Star Johnny Hazzard.

MYA Nicky Hilton wearing Heatherette Spring 2007 Tutu wearing model Amanda Lepore wearing Heatherette Spring 2007Kelis (my Milkshake brings all the boys, she is a SWEETHEART, having met her more than once this week) wearing Heatherette Spring 2007 Paris Hilton and model wearing Heatherette Spring 2007 (it's a wedding scene) (Front Row in the dark, still, Oksana Baiul and her sister Snow.) Every night before I go to bed I like to read the Fugly Girls commentary, it is hilarious and informative: http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/ I think they should write about these two, Oksana Baiul and her sister Snow.

We Will Never Forget

Engine 10, Ladder 10124 Liberty St.World Trade Center; The closest Firehouse to WTC which was damaged but has now been rebuilt. 9-11 Memorial Wall is Dedicated to New York City Firefighters in Ceremony at Engine 10 Ladder 10 June 10, 2006; a bas-relief sculpture, 56 feet long and six feet high, made of solid bronze, depicting FDNY members responding to the scene on September 11th. The Financial Center Today. The tall grey bldg above the sailboat is the only new bldg that has risen at Ground Zero. It is WTC 7 on the site of the last bldg that fell at the site.Sphere for Plaza Fountain, 1968-71, Fritz Koenig, Tobin Plaza at WTC. Bronze, 25 feet high. The WTC memorial now located in Battery Park in lower manhattan. This Sculpture was originally the centerpiece in the WTC Plaza. It was damaged in the Sept 11 attack, but survived destruction. It was placed on display as it was found in the debris.Upon hearing the news that the World Trade Center had been hit by hijacked jetliners, Father Mychal rushed to the site where he was met by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani who asked Judge to pray for the city and its victimsThis bus is covered, inside and outside, with 2,876 plastic-laminated black-and-white photos of 9/11 victims. In total, 2,996 people died in the 9/11 attacks, excluding the 19 hijackers. Four hijacked U.S. airliners were involved in the attacksFriday night 9/8/06; The zig zag lights are attached to the Deutsch Bank Bldg which is scheduled to be torn down at some point. The photo exhibit at the site. http://www.911exhibit.com/9/11/05

In May a budding writer and blogger named D. Challener Roe realized that he couldn't name one Sept. 11 victim other than Todd Beamer, the passenger who helped roll the hijackers who planned to fly United Airlines Flight 93 into the nation's capital. "As one of the millions who pledged never to forget those killed on 9/11, I realized I hadn't kept my promise," he wrote by email Sunday from his Raleigh, N.C. home. He thought of writing something about each of those who died, but decided "I'm not that good a writer." But why not put out the call for an army of volunteers? That's the origin of The 2,996 Project, an effort to enlist bloggers to celebrate the lives of those who died in the terror attacks of five years ago today. "It's about making them real to those of us who have never heard their stories," he wrote on his site. While word of his project spread with help of some conservative bloggers, he sought to avoid politics in his project: "Grief," he wrote, "is non partisan." Today, all 2,996 posts should be online, posted on mom and pop sites around the country. There are memorials from a family of fundamentalist Christian home schoolers in Virginia, and from a mad-about-martinis mother in Colorado. Two boys, ages 4 and 6, wrote tributes.

Mario Testino French Vogue Party with The Hilton Clan, Theadora Richards, and many more

Someone give Theodora Richards something to eat before she breaks in halfNick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, reluctant to pose but finally gave me a peace sign and no face time Nicky pulling the glum faced Paris into the party Leelee SobieskiThe oh so hot - Aaron Eckert Kanya WestGemma Ward (born November 3, 1987) is an Australian supermodel and actress. I hear she is the IT model Right Now!! She spent alot of time outside the party, chatting, dancing and enjoying her NYC dinner, chain smoking. This shot reminds me of that episode on Sex in the City where the photographer catches Carrie on a bad day and puts it on the New Yorker and titles is "Single in the City". Which reminds me last night I completed my Sex in the City actor shots finally bagging the last main character Mr. Big at an event. Photos to come shortly.

The Last Kiss Private Screening NYC

Directed by your favorite villian from GHOST, Tony Goldwyn.Staring Zach Braff who is rumored to be dating (you cant see him but right behind Zach is Mark Ruffalo who must have gotten a ride to Tribeca with Zach. He didn't go into the movie, instead just walked down Church St) Rachel Bilson, but they didn't arrive together, in fact they arrived on opposite sides of the driveway. Emmy Rossum, a guest at the screening. Hollywood's best smile after Julia. Jacinda Barrett stars in the movie the always hunky http://www.christopher-meloni.com/ and his beautiful wife Sherman Williams

VIVA Glam II after the party was over Shots

Fashion week kicks off. There were several events going on last night with only 2 events with listed celebs. One was the Elton John private concert for Conde Nast employees and friends, the other was VIVA Glam Mac Cosmetics. I had read in the paper that the VIVA Glam thing was going to be an intimate dinner with new spokespeople Lisa Marie Presley, Dita, Eve and Debbie Harry. At lunch I checked the photo wires and I saw that everyone showed up except for Blondie. Hmm I have a good chance at getting Lisa Marie, will I get close enough to ask her about MJ, did they really sleep together? I chosed the right party, as I checked the wires today and see only a few celebs showed at Elton's and most of them came to VIVA afterwards, it's interesting how that works. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the security kept me across the street and I had to shoot with my long lense. I decided that since I wanted to get Dita and Lisa Marie I needed to wait til the end of the party when they would collect their cars. After 3 hrs for I finally got some great close up photos, but not of Lisa Marie Presley, she slipped out through the kitchen exit up the street and it just wasnt worth the bother to try and get a better shot of her. Desperate Housewives newcomer and former Sex in the City husband of Charlotte - Kyle Mclaughlin. I didn't even see him go in.Former model Carol Alt who's been in over 40 TV movies!! At 46 she still looks hot!! Who is this? Definitely a model and I knew her name last night, but after 3.5 hrs sleep I can't recall it. FORMER "Laguna Beach" star Kristin Cavalleri will do anything to keep her 15 minutes of fame going. After her ex, Brody Jenner, ditched her for Nicole Richie, Cavalleri made sure paparazzi snapped her in a "You Can Have Him" T-shirt. Here's Kristin enjoying a smoking break with Marcus Schenberg. He is way too D List for her to hook up with, although after the party I did see he got into Carol Alts car as they were all going to a club for drinks and dancing. Emmy Rossum has appeared in 20 different operas singing in five languages, besides starring in the movies "A Day After Tomorrow" and "Phantom of the Opera". Last night she said she is working on a CD in the genre of a David Gray style. Dita Von Teese (aka Mrs. Marilyn Manson) sweet as can be. Put her gift bag in her car and came back to talk to us and pose for photos. Lil Kim HOTTT HOTTT HOTTT and tiny. Also put her things away and then posed with us and chatted a bit. Super sweet. Miss Amanda Lepore arrived in the late 1980's, a Blonde Venus with Jayne Mansfield's camp sexuality, Marilyn's breathless delivery, and Gypsy Rose Lee's wardrobe of rhinestones and plunging-neckline gowns. She has glittered in various night settings throughout the Nineties, scenes as varied as Disco 2000, Jackie 60, Beige, and Buckingham. As a spokesmodel and cover girl, Amanda's future seems luminous -a recent David LaChapelle designed Swatch bearing her image was an immediate sell-out and she also has a perfume line. After many years at the Patricia Field makeup counter on 8th Street, she now works more than fulltime as a living Work Of Art. We can't think of anyone who we'd rather consult about all things beautiful. When I lived near the East Village I often saw Amanda walking around the neighborhood. I was glad to finally get this picture of her at an event.

VIVA GLAM MAC Cosmetics Party

I went to a fun party tonight but the event security wouldn't allow me to cross the street to take the photos. I think they came out pretty decent. First introduced in 1994, M·A·C VIVA GLAM has become one of the fashion world's most glamorous and successful fundraising initiatives of all time. M·A·C Cosmetics continues to underwrite all VIVA GLAM related expenses and along with its retail partners, contributes 100% of the retail selling price of each VIVA GLAM lipstick to the M·A·C AIDS Fund. You know the drill here is the ranked #1 Society Girl of NYC, Lydia Hearst, daughter of Patty.Salman Rushdie (I found him)Sports Illustrated Model Anna Beatriz Barros Dita von Teese and Eve Richie Rich and Trevor Rains are the two that make up Heatherette; a fashion show that I was able to score tickets to Tuesday night. Short & Glam0rous Lil' Kim... Eve, Christina Aguilera and Lisa Marie Presley doing the lineup

Gwen, Gavin and Kingston in the Village...

Sunday I stooped to a new low. Sure I said I would never take photos of my celeb neighbors, but then I thought about Rick Santorum. That's right, otherwise known as Prick Santorum, I was thinking what the hell are we going to do to unseat Dick. He's like the Manchurian Candidate. If we don't get rid of him now he could step into the shoes as the next president. Don't tell me you didn't see DUMPrick standing behind Dumbya when he placed his hand on the Bible and swore he would abide to the laws of the land and do right by U.S. He's part of the Republican Machine, he's next in line. Why do you think he is often the guy asked to do the supportive speech after the President makes his State of the Union address. There are a plenty of things that really stick in my crawl about Rick Santorum and the motivation behind me stalking poor Gwen and family for the big bucks (in the past I was offered big bucks for shots I took of Gwen when I asked her to pose, I turned that shit down as I felt all icky for selling my soul after my platinum blonde beauty allowed me to shoot her earlier this year, and last year). But today was different, TODAY I have a cause and it's why I offered the photos to People Mag, The National Enquirer, and In Touch magazines. It's why I promised each one I wouldn't post the pixs on my blog until I heard back from them (I was rejected by all three as they got photos from professional paparazzis see Gawker.com sightings for 9/4 or check out People.com for the awesome shot they bought from one of them). But I will tell you my story and why I would risk my honorary New Yorker I know who you are, but I will just pretend that you are living in a shoe box, eating Romain Noodles, and shopping at Goodwill too kinda blank nonchelant look; I will tell you why, I need money, and I need a lot of it to kick my home state's sitting senator Rick Santorum's ass back to his home schooling, conservative catholic, no birth control, no homos, no diversity life in Alabama, Pennsylvania. (Philadelphians and Pittsburgh folk consider everything in between the two cities Alabama)

• When the Supreme Court moved to strike down state anti-sodomy laws in 2003, he said it would lead to the legalization of polygamy and “man-on-dog sex.” The second term senator, who also served four years in the House, is a lead sponsor of the failed Marriage Protection Amendment to the U.S. constitution that would ban same-sex marriage or the benefits it would entail. He called the amendment “the ultimate homeland security.”
• Last year he said because of the costs of Hurricane Katrina had made it necessary for Republicans to reconsider whether they should extend some of the president's tax cuts -- such as the lower rate on capital gains and dividends passed in 2003.
• "Sadly the propaganda campaign launched in the 1960s has taken root," said Santorum. "The radical feminists succeeded in undermining the traditional family and convincing women that professional accomplishments are the key to happiness." excerpt from his 2005 book.
• Santorum states that schools are not mentioned in the Constitution and writes that he believes America's founders agreed that education would be best accomplished by the family and voluntary associations rather than the state. "By asking the right question, we can see that when it comes to socialization, mass education is really the aberration, not homeschooling," he writes. "Never before in human history have a majority of children spent at least half their waking hours in the presence of 25 to 35 unrelated children of exactly the same age (and usually the same socio-economic status)..." he writes. "It's amazing that so many kids turn out to be fairly normal, considering the weird socialization they get in public schools."
• The Philadelphia Daily News reported last week that anti-choice and anti-gay activists are donating thousands of dollars to the Green Party candidate in the Senate race, hoping to draw votes away from Casey.
• Rick for President in 2008; Already, Santorum has asked his advisors to purchase the domains for websites like ricksantorum2008.com, ricksantorum2008.net and santorum2008.org. Hoping to create a conservative counterpart to the internet movement that propelled Governor Howard Dean into the spotlight, Santorum is already moving on his national agenda.
• If you like my photos of Gwen & Family, and even if you don't - Please help support the cause in ridding our society of Rick Santorum. This is not just a Senate race, it's a race for our country's future. Check out http://www.bobcasey.com/ and Donate to https://contribute.bobcasey.com/form.html?sc=1 Thanks!!

After Gavin shot me this look I felt like a real scumbag for invading their privacy. I will return to the Red Carpet events this week where the celebs expect to be shot...ho hum....

The VMA's and Radio City Music Hall and JLO

So after work on Thursday I go to Radio City to see how close I can get to the action. Hmmm not close at all, it was a zoo. To get near the Red Carpet you had to be a radio contest winner. I would later meet someone who told me what it was like to be a seat filler, something I had applied for but couldn't meet the standards, 1) get there by 1PM, 2) dont bring your camera 3) If you see Madonna, ignore her, don't speak to her, don't look at her. Well that last one just killed it for me.After circling the building I noticed J-Lo's car heading to her house. So I headed up to well I'm not gonna tell you were she lives silly. (I guess it's scary that I know her car, eh) On my way to JLo's, I passed the Parker Meridian where people (connections), that the Pussycat Dolls were just about to come out. They did and here are four of them. At this point someone told me that JLO and Marc were inside. (Which was strange since I know she practically lives 1 block away.) Well I had to trust them, even though I didn't see the car. Suddenly several people ran into the hotel to the back door. Sure enough there was the car. A few minutes later the regal couple emerged. It was all so hurried I didn't have a chance to yell out the question on my mind, like are you two going to be parents, soon?

Pharrell Williams' soiree at Chinatown Brasserie

Across town, it was a little crazier at Pharrell Williams' soiree at Chinatown Brasserie - "There was a fire across the street, so on top of the insane crowd, there were four fire trucks," Then, as Pharrell Williams, Snoop Dogg, Kanye West and Common did interviews on the red carpet, a vicious fight broke out that had to be broken up by the cops. It was truly a mess and not a place I was comfortable being at 1AM. After a few shots I jetted out of there. Marlon Waylans not wanting to pose with the crazy fans that chased him to his car. Rhianna posing and signing. Check out the "Dealers" in the foreground with their file folder which contains the celebrities photos they hope to see tonight so they can sell them to you. Pharnell greeting one of his friends. Paris Hilton making the scene. Notice how long her hair is tonight.

THE PRE-VMA Parties - Stuff Magazine

After the last guest walked the Red Carpet at Nick Lacey's Party (Amanda Fields of "Project Runway")Ice T, his wife Coco and the twins leaving Nick Lachey's Party with their Style Villa gift bags. I went over to the Stuff Magazine party Hosted by Jeramie DuPree where the guest of honor was Janet Jackson. Now I know I have seen Janet before, and I try not to duplicate the stars, but the picture I have of Janet isn't the best as she is about 2 feet away from my lens and a close up Janet is scary. Janet should be viewed from about 5 feet away, full length in all her glory. So that is why I waited 3 hours and this is what I got. First up, Party crashers. They didn't get in. Thank god it was a warm night otherwise the chick in her underwear might have gotten a cold. Actually some in this group did get in as they knew one of the rappers, but the other hanger ons, like the chick in the underwear, did not get in. For once she couldn't use her fine hot body to social climb. Behind me was a window that had a sign outside that said Glass. For the longest time I couldn't figure out why it was there. Then a few girls came to use the bathrooms (see where the door is ajar). I then realized what was glass on our side was a mirror to them. They could not see out, or hear anything (3 inches thinkc we were told). So while we were waiting for anyone, somebody please, to show up for the Stuff Magazine party, we watch girls and guys at the unisex bathroom wash their faces, pop their pimples, pull wedgies out, ask their friends if their butts looked big in these pants, it was kinda funny.Jason Wahler - Munky from Korn was so drunk he had to be helped out by minders. This was one of the few times he could stand up straight. It was a sad sight. I guess they wouldn't have gotten in the parties without dragging his drunk ass around. Topher Grace decided not to walk the Red Carpet, but I was able to ask him for a photo. A rapper, I have no idea who it is, but it was a rapper and I liked his buddies jacket. Finally Jeremy Dupree showed up (far rt lower corner), bummer no Janet and I realized I picked the wrong damn party to stalk at. I run into the paparazzi pen to talk to my friend Janet. She agrees this is the worst party she's been to in a long time. Then another Pap, Carole tells us that across town, it was a little crazier at Pharrell Williams' soiree at Chinatown Brasserie. I grab my peeps and we are off to the 3rd party of the night. It doesn't matter that it's Midnight and tomorrow is a work day.