Rachel Roy’s Lace And Brick Dress – my early 2010 Valentines Day present to myself…

Tried a new hairstyle this weekend. A simple, loose bun. I used to wear my hair in pigtails in high-school- which was all the rage when I was living in Tokyo. They call it “odango [japanese dumpling] with pigtails…and it looks like two horns on the top of your head.

Melissa is the Club Manager of the popular Clubhouse. It was voted “The best comedy club in town” by the San Francisco Chronicle as well as receiving San Francisco Magazine’s and 7×7 Magazine’s Best of the Bay Area 2009. The fact that you can BYOB is probably the selling point of this mega popular club, but I’d like to say my friend Melissa deserves the bulk of the credit!

How did you become the Club Manager of the Clubhouse?
I’ve been involved with the San Francisco Comedy College (SFCC) since its inception in 1999. I was already marketing the shows and classes there when the CEO Kurtis Matthews decided to open a second, larger performance space at 414 Mason Street. We had been selling out our weekend showcases in the 7th floor theater space (which seats 60), so when the larger space on the 5th floor became available, the position of Club Manager was offered to me.

Who are the most popular comedians?
San Francisco has several comedians who have built a following. Two of the most popular comedians in town who trained at the SFCC are Ali Mafi and Reggie Steele. A few more comedians who have built a following in San Francisco are Ali Wong, Will Franken, Marga Gomez and Brent Weinbach.

Your most favorable guest?
My favorite audiences are the really enthusiastic comedy fans who keep coming back and bringing more friends each time. Generally, people who are polite, stay fairly sober and do not heckle are the best.

What are the biggest challenge/s in being a Club Manager?
My biggest challenges are filling the seats every day and dealing with drunk or crazy people once in a while.

Who are some future guests/comedians slated for 2009/2010?
We’re have Hasan Minhaj slated for Thanksgiving weekend and Joe Klocek headlining our annual New Year’s Eve show, which also features Ali Wong. Last year, our Valentine’s Day weekend was our busiest ever, so I hope to break our record!

The Usuals…

Why do you do what you do?
I love comedy and I enjoy working with funny people.

What makes you want to wake up in the morning?
Knowing that I will have some really good coffee soon. Usually, I have several to-do lists that motivate me.

Who is your inspiration?
I get inspired by many women, including my mom. She taught me to work hard and enjoy life.

If you were given the chance to relive your life all over again, who would you be?
Probably someone else.

What is your favorite indulgence?
Vietnamese food.

Your three rules to live by?
Try anything once.
Attitude is everything.
Acceptance is the first step to change.

Your favorite brand or jewelry item?
I like H&M and Target.

Your city/country of origin?
Skokie, Illinois

Your proudest accomplishment?
I’ve made people laugh and brought joy into the world.

1. Swim naked in the ocean
2. Sign up for surf lessons with a local (cute a +)

3. Eat Zippy’s Chili…absolutely the best chili in da Island
4. Dine & watch sunset at Duke’s Waikiki

5. Lunch at Shirokiya (Ala Moana Shopping Center)-Diiver approved bento
6. Hike at Diamond Head…the view is breathtaking
7. Stay at the historical Moana Surfrider and sleep like a Royal
8. Snorkel in Hanauma Bay

9. Ride The Bus to the North Shore

10. Try the unbeaten path

I took some sights of the night life in San Francisco with my iPhone. I love this city…

Crazy isn’t it? Check out the video…they climbed up the wooden ‘tower’ and stayed put for a few hours…for the love of religion!!

Human Ladder…Crazy Nepali!!! from diiver on Vimeo.

I heard about this idea when a friend saw a large object suspended from a crane when he recently visited Las Vegas. What appeared to be a work crane was actually a group of people sitting comfortably on a table (he heard no screaming) suspended several feet in the air.

The idea is simple, yet uniquely unforgettable – I have yet to try this dinning experience – and was launched in Brussels, Belgium. Dinner in the Sky is hosted on a table suspended at a height of 160-180 feet by a team of professionals. The rig accommodates about 22 people around the table at every session with three staff in the middle (chef, waiter, entertainer).

My friend emailed me the pictures, I did some research on my end and kept on thinking, “Why didn’t someone think about this before?” So I contacted one of the co-founder, David Ghysels and we got talking…

How did the idea of Dinner in the Sky come about?
As any idea it comes from an “accident” between an idea we had for the “Jeunes Restaurateurs d’Europe” Association who wants to communicate that they were the “Gastronomy at the top” and a project that Benji Fun had developed to allow people on various manifestations to have an overall view…Associations of ideas, meetings, connections, curiosity… always the same story… ;-)

What was the biggest challenge/s in creating Dinner in the Sky?
Convince people that this was not a crazy idea…

So far what is the most unique location requested for Dinner in the Sky?
Requested? Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, Moscow Hyatt (to do it at 230 meters high)… but these stay only dreams so far.

What are some future projects/partnerships slated for Dinner in the Sky?
Golf in the Sky (see here enclosed) is definitively something that we will develop in the future.

The Usuals…

Why do you do what you do?
The pleasure to make things happen, the make people’s dreams reality.

What makes you want to wake up in the morning?
Make my dreams reality.

Who is your inspiration?
Sharing pleasure.

What is your favorite request so far from a client?
What about the restrooms!!!.

Your three rules to live by?
1. Work for living and not live for working.
2. Happiness exists only if it’s shared.
3. The best is still to come.

Your favorite gadget?
My rosary.

If you were given the chance to relive your life all over again, who would you be?
Me.

Your city/country of origin?
Brussels/Belgium.

Your proudest accomplishment?
My 3 daughters: Tatiana, Elisa & Cleo

Wool And The Gang, I love the name of this creative powerhouse. Wool And The Gang (WATG) is a Ready-To-Knit / Ready-To-Wear fashion brand selling DIY knitting kits as well as a limited selection of hand knitted pieces. So far, they have launched 3 collections to date:

Crazy Sexy Wool (CSW) with an extra chunky and funky Peruvian wool;
Shiny Happy Cotton (SHC) with an extra soft and luster Peruvian cotton;
Sugar Baby Alpaca (SBA) their first collection for babies with the best yarn for babies.

Short interview with Co-founder Lisa Sabrier of WATG:

How did the idea of Wool and the Gang come about.
Sick of the overconsumption, a meeting with a wool ball and a walk toward a fantastic team. 

Where did you grow up and what is your background?
Grew up in the countryside, former model, mother of five children. 

What was the biggest challenge/s in creating WATG 
Wool the world

How did WATG get involved in Fashion Night Out in NYC? 
Because WATG is an authentic and truthful gang

What are some future projects/partnerships slated for WATG? 
Still super secret

The Usuals…

Why do you do what you do? 
To make people happy 

What makes you want to wake up in the morning? 
The run with my dog Apple

Who is your inspiration? 
My trips

If you were given the chance to relive your life all over again, who would you be? 
Mère Théresa or Leelo (the 5th element)

What is your favorite type of wool to work with? 
Of course the MITU from Peru

Your three rules to live by? 
Respect honesty and having fun

Your favorite cuisine? 
Anything with chocolate

Your city/country of origin? 
Bern  / Switzerland

Your proudest accomplishment? 
My Children