When you ask me what it was like to go to the "American Idol" finale live, I will tell you:

1. There's a person -- "the warm-up guy" -- who actually wants to be Ryan Seacrest.

2. We are old. But not without spirit.

3. Celebrities on the down-low try to pretend they're just hanging out at the mall, but we know that what they really want is to catch a glimpse of Constantine like the rest of us. I'm talking to you, Lisa Rinna.

4. Yeah, the Kodak Theater is in a mall. (The photo I wish I took: An adjacent Origins store, advertising "Get your American Idol makeover here!")

5. Scott Savol's bodyguard doesn't like taking pictures.

6. You won't remember everyone's name -- and neither will the after-party's bouncer.

7. Don't arrive without your signs.

8. Vonzell's daddy's teeth aren't entirely gold.

9. My hair idol is teenyteenytiny in person, but still, with great hair. I think she likes Bryan.

10. When you see Randy Jackson at "Revenge of the Sith" four days later, he'll look incredibly tired.

SATURDAY WAS PROM NIGHT -- 1989.



You might have noticed that I haven't been blogging a lot lately. I admit it: My attention has been rather diversified. For one, there's the aforementioned Yahoo! 360. But truthfully I haven't posted there much either. I've been working a lot, training new people, and going to weddings and hosting houseguests. And, then, most consumingly: I've been stuck in 1989. And in 1989, I don't have a blog. I have no Internets, barely any computers, and I certainly don't know how to share my photos without an annotated scrapbook.

What I do have in 1989 is mylar and music and dresses that go "poof." I have large hair, crushes on boys, and a penchant for peach-flavored wine coolers. 1989 is, like, totally the perfect year. It's half high school and half college, has old friends and new friends and is the end and the beginning of everything. I will never stop loving you, 1989.

Come on over and see my prom pictures.

Before John and Elizabeth's stupendous wedding,

I attended her dress fitting.
Sue taught them how to dance.
And we all had some bachelorette fun.

At the wedding,

The beautiful ceremony was held in a clearing surrounded by tall, dark trees.
The boys looked adorable.
And so did the girls.
But not as good as Elizabeth.
We ate.
Bryan gave a not-a-dry-eye-in-the-house speech.
And then, John breakdanced (brokedance?).

After the wedding,
We had our own after-party.

And in the morning,
Eugene still wore his seersucker suit.

It was really quite a whirlwind.