You all know I love MTV. I am the original MTV Model Coach from the hit series “Made” (on set picture to the left). MTV helped shape my career and put me in front of millions of people in over 40 countries around the world. Even after all of that, nothing could’ve prepared me for the roll on the floor MTV caused after I watched Sasha Baron Cohen aka Bruno plant himself between the legs of Eminem. Haaaaaaa…. I mean HAAAAAAA!!!! I was on an international call as I was watching the glorious gay angel fall from the sky and all my Irish friend heard was me screaming on the floor!

Sacha Baron Cohen’s pants-less descent from the rafters of the Gibson Amphitheatre into the outstretched, seemingly outraged arms of Eminem was the most memorable moment of this year’s ceremony. Dressed as Bruno, his gay Austrian fashion reporter alter ego, Baron Cohen flew into the arena on a wire wearing a pair of white wings and a blond wig.

Giving Eminem a front-row view of his hindquarters, Baron Cohen cracked, “Is the real Slim Shady about to stand up?,” while the rapper shouted, “Are you serious? Are you f****** serious?” Just then his dumb-ass body guards jumped up in an attempt to beat the gay out of the poor angel! 

On Sunday evening I headed over The Beacon Hotel rooftop with a few friends. Can you say Miami in DC?? If you read my blog year you’d know that I loved “Coolout” last year. The music by Adrian Loving and crew is awesome and the smooth breeze on the normally not so hot Beacon Hotel rooftop is perfect. This year, there may a bit of not so friendly competition with the grand re-opening of The Donovan House Hotel rooftop, complete with pool (pictured here to the left)!

Fritz Hahn from The Washinton Post’s opinion about  ”Coolout” is pretty specific;

Year before last, it was the poolside happy hour at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, which kicked off in August and lasted only a few weeks. For 2008, it was the Coolout, a Sunday afternoon happy hour and outdoor lounge on the rooftop deck at the Beacon Hotel in the District.

Every Sunday from 3 to 9 p.m. local DJs Adrian Loving, Harry Hotter and guests spin up-tempo soul, Brazilian beats, house with soaring vocals and rubbery bass lines — anything that will get the guests grooving while they socialize.

My weekend with the girls is going fabulously! I love my nieces! We watched movies and had a nice, long talk about what’s going on in their worlds. It’s so interesting to see the reaction from kids when you sit with the TV and music of, sit and ask them about their friends, what’s happening in school and what’s on their mind. As Uncle Paul, when I ask my girls “What’s going on with you”, I’m not into the answer “Nothing much”! I pull and probe until the flood gates open up and they let loose and let me into their lives.

I’m really interested in finding activities for my 13 year old niece this summer. Any suggestions? I’d love to hear from you. We really need to keep our kids busy so they’re little minds don’t get pre-occupied with a lot of crazy business.

Let’s work on this together! I may start a little summer internship program for teens that are in high school. I’d love to do my part to help the kids in our community stay focused and happy!

Happy Sunday

Paul Wharton xx

Last night was my friend Delband’s birthday so we made plans to meet up after our seperate dinners. I headed out with Alexander to Oceanair Restaurant and enjoyed Shrimp Ceveche, Crab Cakes and Soft Shell Crabs.. After that we hooked up with Erika, Donnell, Delband and Trishia Arrington (LaVar’s Wife) for a night of table top dancing at the hot new club Policy. It was my first time at the 14th Street spot. The verdict is still out but I do know that I had a really good time. The music was good and the Mango Mojitos were delicious!

After that we headed to my Cheers - L2. Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name (and what you drink :-)!

The weekend is in full swing, My three little nieces are coming over tonight, I’m soo excited!!

Cheers,

Paul xx

My talented friend Dr. Lawrence Singer of DC Smiles is getting started on my dental “refresher” today. My teeth are in good shape, their healthy and pretty white but I’d like to enhance the look of my smile a bit and I found just the man to do it! The best in DC. I’m heading out to Dr. Singer’s Alexandria office today to be fitted for Invisalign.

Invisalign is a new orthodontic treatment system that works to straighten teeth through the use of a series of clear plastic molds. Invisalign “invisible” braces eliminate the metallic smile that is characteristic of traditional orthodontic braces.

To ensure the most precise outcome, Dr. Singer will use computer imaging to create your invisalign braces. After taking bite impressions of my mouth, he will use the invisalign three-dimensional computer imaging system to create a series of clear retainers. The first one will fit my current configuration of teeth. Each successive retainer will act like invisible braces, using gentle pressure to move my teeth to their target alignments.

The number of invisalign trays used depends on each individual case but the average is between 18 and 30. Each clear invisalign retainer is removable and worn for two weeks (24 hours a day, except during meals) and then the next aligner is used. This process is repeated until the teeth are in the desired position. The entire invisalign treatment takes the same amount of time as traditional orthodontic braces.

Wish me luck! I’ll be sure to tell you all about the process!

Paul Wharton xx

Now I’ve never really watched an entire episode of Jon & Kate plus 8 but I have googled and done my research. First of all, all of this media attention…. All of this media attention…. I don’t even know what to say about it. Why are we following this crazy ass woman? Her hair alone is enough reason for me to turn off the TV. Jennifer Anniston, she is soo not. And Jon with his Frumpy meets Dumpy affair. YUCK!

What about the kids people?!?! You all know Paulie looooove the kids :-)! I really can’t get down with how they put the camera’s all up in their crying little faces. Seriously, what is the intrigue? Why are 9.8 million viewers tuning into the show?

When people watch ‘Jon & Kate’ they feel better about their own lives,” says Dr. Debbie Magids, author of “All the Good Ones Are Taken”. “A lot of TV shows make people feel worse about their own lives since people on TV are happier and sexier and better able to work through their relationships. But with Jon and Kate, it’s what’s going on in everyone’s home. It’s not always perfect and smooth, and up to now, it was about a marriage that was making it.”

The couple’s highly publicized spats aren’t dimming our devotion to Gosselin family, Magids says, at least so far.

“With the new scandal, now there’s a wrench and it’s not working,” she says. “But affairs also happen in many homes. A lot of people are trying to get past an affair, whether it is physical or emotional cheating, because they want to work it out to keep the family together. They look at Jon and Kate and say, this is what it’s like for them and in many other households where people are struggling, too.”

On a more fashionable note, Aidah Collection celebrated their one year anniversary at L2 lounge last night. The fashion and art were magnificent! Janelle Morris of DC 50 and I sat front and center for the fabulous festivities! Janelle is pure comedy. The girl knows how to have a good time :-)! Congrats Aidah.. To see more about Aidah’s collection, go to TrenDC’s Fashion & Lifestyle section and check her out!

Ciao,

Paul Wharton xx

On Tuesday Bravo announced it is expanding its Real Housewives franchise beyond Orange County, New York, New Jersey, and Atlanta, and is spinning off a show with a new bunch of ladies in Washington DC.

No word yet who it will include other than “alluring and discriminating residents” who frequent “important cultural events, political galas, gallery openings and fundraisers in Washington society.”

I’m so excited about this hot new show coming to our town… I may a little inside information about this project but I’ll never tell. You’ll just have to wait and see!

Cheers,

Paul Wharton xx

I’m going to be like Oprah for a moment and talk about the big, purple elephant in the room! Now I know you all read about all of my boxing lessons, personal training sessions, bootcamps and long runs, etc. Well about 6 weeks ago I stopped going to my personal trainer and I haven’t so much as been to a gym, taken a run or done anything to stay in shape. I am so dissapointed with myself. I’ve put on about 5-7 pounds from the time I stopped going. After being on Martha’s Vineyard over the weekend, I decided to seriously get my life in primo working order. How in the world could I do that without taking care of my body. So, I’ve decided to get started again on a very serious diet and exercise program starting today.

For those of you out there that may have had a few false starts yourself, here’s a little advice;

The current consensus among health experts is that dieters should attempt to lose 1% of their body weight each week. Attempting more than this will likely only result in frustration. It will also likely lead to gaining the weight back, since you aren’t developing realistic eating habits. Additionally, losing more weight than that is simply not healthy, at least on a long-term basis.

To give you some sample numbers, if a 300-pound person loses 1% of his/her body weight per week, that person will be 180 pounds in a year. Remember that as your weight drops, so does 1% of your current weight, so weight loss slows down. Remember that a year can go by quite fast, and you are not in jail for that year, nor are you starving. Think about how you look in a bathing suit at 300 pounds, and then think about how you will look one year later at 180. People who don’t see you in that year will simply not recognize you, and of course you’re losing weight steadily for all that time.

First of all, note that you will likely lose 5-10 pounds of water weight in the first two weeks of any new diet. While this is good, it is not loss of fat, and that amount of weight loss will not continue. Let’s look at some numbers for someone who is trying to lose 2 pounds per week. A pound is 3500 calories, so two pounds is 7000. Divided over a week that is 1000 calories per day. To lose two pounds in a week, you will need to have a 1000-calorie deficit per day. It is just that simple. A good way to do this is to eat 750 fewer calories than you usually do each day, and burn 250 more. The 250 more can come from taking about a 30-minute brisk walk each day, or doing the equivalent exercise. The 750 fewer calories eaten can come from eating slightly smaller portions, and eating slightly healthier foods. Stay away from sugar, flour, oil, and all related products as much as you possibly can. Small changes can really add up. You are probably eating about 6 times per day. If you shave 125 calories off each meal, you accomplished your goal. Even if you do nothing but reduce your portion sizes, you might be able to reach your goal, but of course also eat healthier as well, to make the task easier.

Now, I’ve told more of my deep, dark secrets. Let’s get back in shape together! Keep me posted on how you’re doing!

Cheers,

Paul Wharton xx

I’m not sure what my expectation was for Memorial Day weekend on Martha’s Vineyard. Maybe it was to chill out and relax, meet new people, eat delicious seafood, drink fine wine… To tell you the truth, I don’t really remember. What I do know for sure is, this trip has changed my mind about a lot of things.

Sometimes we have to break out of our day to day routine. We have to get away from the same people, places and things that we think are holding us back from moving forward, living joyously and achieving our goals.

Sometimes it takes getting far, far away to realize that nothing and no one can hold you back but yourself.

Each night on the Vineyard, before I went to bed, I’d step out onto my balcony, feel the cool breeze on my face and watch the water softly brush against the shore. It was on one of those nights that I realized, it doesn’t matter where I go, I can’t hide from myself. If my life isn’t going the way I want it to go, all I have to do is find the closest mirror to find the issue. And then I have to deal with it.

There are no more excuses people. If you want to do something big in your life, start today. If you’ve been holding on to 20 extra pounds, change your diet today (don’t round up to next week). If you want to start your own business but you’re afraid of failing, pull out your computer and start writing your business plan. You may not think you know what you’re doing, but just keep writing… Don’t stop, don’t edit yourself. If you’ve been secretly in love with someone for a long time but you’ve never had the nerve to ask them out or tell them how you feel, pick up your phone and call them. Let them know how much you care, even if they don’t love you back, at least you are being true to yourself.

I am inspired. I’m holding myself to a higher standard. I’m listening to my inner voice and I’m allowing nothing (not even myself) to hold me back. Thank you to Tiffani, Joelle, Anthony, Donnell, Selia and Mr. and Mrs. Trotter for a wondeful weekend.

Happy Memorial Day.

Peace,

Paul Wharton xx

Because of Martha’s Vineyard’s many high-profile residents, movie stars, politicians, writers and artists also band together with residents in fundraisers and benefits to raise awareness for the fragile ecosystem of the Vineyard and to support community organizations and services. The largest of these is the annual Possible Dreams Auction.

Well-known celebrities who live on or frequently visit the island are former president Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, comedian and talk show host David Letterman, Bill Murray, Ted Danson and wife Mary Steenburgen, Larry David, the Farrelly brothers, Meg Ryan and musician Carly Simon. Also, retired anchorman Walter Cronkite and Mike Wallace of 60 Minutes are summer residents of Martha’s Vineyard. Other regularly appearing celebrities include film writer/director Spike Lee, attorney Alan Dershowitz, comedians Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi, politico Vernon Jordan, and television news reporters Diane Sawyer and Charlayne Hunter-Gault. A slew of celebrity visitors have been spotted in recent years, including Reese Witherspoon, Jake Gyllenhaal, and “Charlie’s Angel” Kate Jackson, Stanley Tucci, Beyoncé Knowles, Jay-Z, Tom Welling, Steven Tyler and Ray Romano. Despite popular perceptions of the Vineyard as “Hollywood East”, the island is very low-key and quiet; celebrities go to the Vineyard to enjoy the atmosphere, and not to be seen. Locals tend to be protective of celebrity privacy. Most Vineyard social life occurs in private, down country roads, and not in the small towns, only two of which even sell alcohol.
Naturally for my group, we’ve found both of them!

Cheers,
Paul Wharton xx