(Photo credit: Ryan Parma)

Pentatonix Keeps The Art Of A Cappella Hip And Alive: Interview With Kevin "K.O." Olusola and PTXmas Album Review

Interview
Rock Star Album Review
Holiday Gifts
November 13, 2012
@LifeofaRockStar

Rock Star Photos ★ Kevin "K.O." Olusola ★ PTXmas ★ Tour ★ Pop

If you're a fan of NBC's The Sing-Off then you will recognize this five member a cappella band from Arlington, Texas is from Season 3. Pentatonix--Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Avi Kaplan, Kirstie Maldonado and Kevin Olusola--wowed with their extraordinary talent and won the competition. Pentatonix has yet to sit still for a moment since. Currently on a sold-out nationwide tour that keeps the singing sensation busy nearly every single night--with more 2013 North American concert tour dates announced--the a cappella band has created their first-ever Christmas EP, "PTXmas" which was released today. Editor, Nicole Hanratty spoke to Kevin Olusola via phone on Friday, November 9th and his voice filled the line with a tangible energy and excitement as he spoke with a genuine appreciation for his art. Read More...

Life of a Rock Star™ Tags: Pentatonix•Kevin Olusola•K.O.•Rock Star •PTXmas•Interview•Album review•Holiday gift•Photo•Photos•Rock Star photos•Celebrity•Holiday•Pop•DUBSTEP•Hip Hop•Electronic•Dance•Pop music•Cello beat boxing•Music•A Cappella•Band•Madison Gate Records•Tour•Concert tours•Concert•NBC•The Sing Off•94.7 The Wave•The Wave's Christmas Concert•Hollywood Christmas Parade•American Music Awards•Coca Cola•2012•Fonda Theater•Charlie Parker•The Christmas Song• Holy Night•Manhattan Transfer•Take 6•Naturally 7•Quincy Jones•Montreux Jazz Festival•David Guetta•Swedish House Mafia•Skrillex•Trey Songz•JessieJ•Payphone•Maroon 5•YouTube music videos•Playlist•Shelly Bunge•Mitch Grassi•Scott Hoying•Avi Kaplan•Kirstie Maldonado•Life of a Rock Star•Nicole Hanratty

Medal Count • The United States in the lead with eight medals while Germany is close behind with five.

The athletes are hitting the slopes and my family is glued to NBC watching every competition and race. It is rare for us all to be interested in the same broadcast--we usually battle between Disney, Discovery, History, Fox and CNN--but the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics have us all captivated.

Olympic mania is usually a family phenomenon and the Vancouver Games are no exception. They are gender neutral, age equalizing and conversation sparking. (My hubby and I are still debating the Apolo Ohno silver medal win where the two Koreans knocked each other out of second and third place allowing Apolo Ohno to come from fourth place to take silver and tie Bonnie Blaire's record as the most decorated Winter Olympic champion. I say he won fair and square, my husband says he should be embarrassed to accept that medal and should hand it to the Korean who was knocked out by his own teammate.) We curl up in bed at night and holler at the television as if the athletes can hear us cheering for their wins. We backseat ski and critique their styles as if any of us had the talent, drive or dedication to have a real opinion. We gasp when they fall and cringe when they are injured. We were mournful when Nodar Kumaritashvili lost his life on the Luge at the tender age of 21. We let out sympathetic groans when world class athletes see their Olympic dreams vanish in one split second with one bad fall or a missed shot.

Most importantly, when we are watching the Vancouver Olympics as a family we talk to each other about fun exciting things that have nothing to do with school, work, finances or chores and that is a beautiful thing for family time. Even if it is just for a few weeks, we can all use a break from the usual bickering and enjoy rooting for the same team. Read More...

Life of a Rock Star™ Tags: Vancouver•Olympics•Nicole Hanratty•Life of a Rock Star

(Pictured left: Breakfast delivered right on time.)


New York Fashion Week, Part One
by Nicole Hanratty

It was the ultimate Life of a Rock Star™ experience. Sponsored by Prestige Tickets, this LA mom got to put the laundry aside for one weekend of high fashion and adventure. Strap on your seat belts, it's going to be a wild ride.

Dear Virgin America at Los Angeles International Airport,
First off, I speak for all of your loyal travelers when I ask, "Where is the lounge?" Second, and this is an important one, no one wants to hear this song while waiting to board your flight: "Bye-bye Miss American Pie...singing this will be the day that I die." New playlist, please.

Dear Flight Seat Mate,
Fair warning, this safety obsessed mother is not a good flier. One bump of turbulence and I will grab you--it really doesn't matter that we've never met--and scream, "We're all gonna die!" (I've done it before and I'll do it again.) If you see me heading towards your aisle, I advise you to move, or spike my drink. It's your choice.

Dear Man Traveling with Wife and Baby,
I realize your wife may not appreciate you standing in the aisle with your baby staring at me while turning your back to her. However I equally do not appreciate my aisle seat being claustrophobotized* by your cargo bearing rear end smashed up against the side of my face the entire flight. I do love babies but if yours can't sit still for the flight, please feel free to move about the cabin.

*New but appropriate made up word for a very uncomfortable situation.

Dear Town Car Driver,
Your placard with my name on it is calling me back into my natural habitat of luxury and city life. God bless you. Bye-bye carpool mom. I'm calling the shots from the backseat now baby.

(Pictured left: Forever 21 store in Times Sqaure at midnight)


Dear Manhattan,
I heart you, even with the bad smell that emanates from your streets and alerts my olfactory system I have returned. It's midnight and you're still OPEN! Such a lovely change from my small town where the sidewalks evaporate when the street lights illuminate. Plus, I've already been recognized on the street by a fellow Virgin American traveler. My dress seems to have made an impression on him... I love a town that is fashion focussed. And no, I am not worried that I am here on the weekend that overlaps the ten year anniversary of 9/11. With the NYPD stationed at every corner, I am feeling quite safe with a side of patriotic.

Read More...

Life of a Rock Star™ Tags: Fashion Week•Commentary•Nicole Hanratty•Life of a Rock Star

California Firefighters Take a Stand to Defend New York, America
by Nicole Hanratty

While it may look like we were having a good time--okay we were--these Oakland, California firefighters, (Tony the Tiger Tarek, Joe, and Big Mike from Station 8 pictured above), spent time talking to me about honor, service and dedication to their own.

They packed up their courage, kissed their beautiful children goodbye and boarded a plane to New York City. In the face of increased terror alerts, these brave firefighters prepared themselves for anything--paying their own way--to be ready for any call to service.

They define "above and beyond."

Tarek, Joe and Mike--heroes in my book--will wake up this morning on the ten year anniversary of 9/11, dress in their Class A uniforms and attend a special memorial service for their fallen in a show of powerful devotion to their lost comrades.
Read More...

Life of a Rock Star™ Tags: Nicole Hanratty•Life of a Rock Star•Commentary

Prestige Tickets sends Nicole Hanratty on a Life of a Rock Star experience

Pack up your suitcases fashionistas--leave the Malibu shores behind--and grab the next flight out to New York City. Mercedes Benz Fashion Week is descending upon the world's hottest destination. Where will you be when Spring's trendiest 2012 looks are sauntering down the runway?

Life of a Rock Star's Nicole Hanratty will be on a whirlwind trip experiencing the high fashion Manhattan hot spots up close and personal. Can't come along? Then follow her live tweets @LifeofaRockStar.

Brought to you by PrestigeTickets.com, this sponsored rock star vacation is a dream experience. Editor Nicole Hanratty will travel the elevated skies with Virgin America from Los Angeles to New York where she will enter the elite world of high fashion.

Read More...

Life of a Rock Star™ Tags: 2011•Nicole Hanratty•Life of a Rock Star•Commentary•Fashion Week•Fashion

(Pictured left: WWF game. Names have been deleted to protect the losing opponent.)


Words with Friends
by Nicole Hanratty
WWF user name: TheWiner

Words with Friends can be anything but friendly.

Warning: It will keep you up at night and be the first thing you think about in the morning. If you have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, this could be a landmine for you.

Words with Friends is a Scrabble-like word game that is as addicting as crack cocaine, maybe more. Download with caution. Kids, teens, and adults can't get enough of this online game that allows you to play your move when you want without anyone looking over your shoulder. (Hint: integrity seems to be optional.) Throw down any letter combination you can think of and Words With Friends (WWF) will let you know if it counts as an acceptable word. Trying crazy combinations, or knowing words like "nomoi," can be the difference between victory and defeat. The added bonus--you get to trash talk your opponent or whine about your awful letter rack via a chat bubble screen that is attached to every game. It doesn't get better than that.

WWF is currently trending as the number one online game download. It is a sweeping frenzy that has families and friends battling it out and my family is no exception. "You're totally cheating!" Accusations rip across the room at formerly peaceful family gatherings that have now become showcases for high scoring games whose outcomes are always photographed and texted with bragging rights. Read More...

Life of a Rock Star™ Tags: Words With Friends•Life of a Rock Star•Nicole Hanratty•Commentary

Honest Food Identification
by Nicole Hanratty

Sometimes things catch my eye when I am out shopping and prompt me to stop and ask, "What is this?"

While recently browsing the refrigerator section of Smart and Final--one of my favorite supply stores--I came across this imitation pasteurized process american cheese. (Try saying that three times fast.)

Call me crazy for questioning how closely aligned to cheese this food product really is, but with four other descriptive words, (including the word "imitation"), before the word cheese, I'm wondering what exactly is in those 120 slices. At least it requires refrigeration, that seems like a start. And maybe this cheese gets a second point for honesty in labeling--we could use more of that these days.

After re-reading the label multiple times I emailed a picture of it to my husband with the question, "Do you know what this is?"
Read More...

Life of a Rock Star™ Tags: Commentary•Nicole Hanratty•Life of a Rock Star

H1N1 Vaccine

by Nicole Hanratty

As a world community, we are up in arms over H1N1. We don't know if we should brush it off as an over-hyped media blitz reminiscent of the Richard Heene story, a government hyped political story to get health care reform passed (as Rush Limbaugh would argue), or whether we should just follow along and line up for the vaccination. Either way you slice it, the mounting number of young people from H1N1 this fall flu season is--without question--alarming.

Throwing paranoia to the wind, I admit I found myself in line. The benefits seemed to outweigh the risk with my family full of underlying conditions. (Everyone will handle this crises differently and opinions seem to get heated when you bring up the topic for discussion, so I am not in any way suggesting that any one should get this vaccine. Consult your doctor, your priest, your personal guru or your mother but do not interpret this as advice in way, shape or formation.)

For three hours I was entertained by the countless number of cameras, photographers, reporters, news vans, satellite dishes, radio djs, and personalities, including the man in front of us who listened to me quiz my child for a history test then explained a little more that we should know and told us about the book he wrote that he was promoting while in line. (Here's another plug for his book: Jacob's Rescue by Michael Halperin.) Hundreds of people, mothers with toddlers, pregnant women, health care professionals, teachers and critically ill patients were all brought together for one common cause: to fight the flu (or to report on fighting it).
Read More...

Life of a Rock Star™ Tags: H1N1•Mayor Villaraigosa•Commentary•Nicole Hanratty•Life of a Rock Star

Time to Twitter


When certain friends and family members in my life ask me, “What is Twitter?” I wonder how I know and they don’t. These people are not grannies in nursing rooms, they are young, hip and technologically advanced. (More advanced than me anyhow.) How can they not know what Twitter is? Even my dog is on Twitter.

Nope, I’m not kidding.

What doe she tweet about? Typically she likes to post information about her favorite treats, toys and napping locations. However, her mommy insists that she must also be philanthropic in her tweeting, so she posts tweets (and re-tweets) with information about doggies less fortunate than herself that need new homes. Sometimes she even tweets about outbreaks of illnesses in the news, such as Parvo, to remind pet owners that we need to keep our pets vaccinated and safe. Check out one of her recent tweets:

@SpoiledDog “RT @BigLapDogParvo outbreak at Pomona animal shelter; 50 puppies & dogs euthanized http://bit.ly/s87Bp”
10:09 AM Apr 23rd from web

When @SpoiledDog opened her Twitter account she was worried she’d be the only dog in town, but to her surprise there are tons of canine friends to tweet with online! Check out some of her them: Read More...

Life of a Rock Star™ Tags: Commentary•Nicole Hanratty•Life of a Rock Star

Buzzwords at Home

The Time report on the Top Ten Buzz Words for 2008 got me thinking about how these popularized words are impacting my life now in 2009.

10. Topless Meeting
While no one has asked me to turn my phone off in a brainstorming meeting, my husband has strict rules for date night. I am not allowed to text, email, google or twitter, much less take a call. And while I would like to bring my laptop along for quick access to movie times and reviews, restaurant suggestions, access to information that would settle our debate of the evening, and maybe sneak in a blog post while he is paying the bill, my computer is not allowed along either. Some might call this Topless Dating.

9. Tweet
Twitter is at my fingertips 24-7 with my favorite Tweetie iphone app. I can’t leave home or climb in bed without it. My favorite function of Tweetie is the Nearby feature. I love to see who is Tweeting in my neighborhood. Just one year ago, I wouldn’t have even known what the Tweet was going on. Read More...

Life of a Rock Star™ Tags: Nicole Hanratty•Commentary•Life of a Rock Star

"How To" Refill the Soap Dispenser
by Nicole Hanratty

It's tricky, I know. You actually have to pull the top off of the soap dispenser to squirt more liquid inside. It takes a bit of effort but the rewards are spectacular! Once you replace the lid--Voila!--one press produces enough soap to wash a sink full of dishes.

Just follow three easy steps: 1) Remove top. 2) Pour more soap inside the container--we keep the refill bottle under the kitchen sink--and leave an inch or so of space on top. 3) Slide the pump back inside. Read More...

Life of a Rock Star™ Tags: Life of a Rock Star•Nicole Hanratty•Commentary

Funny Signs of the Times

by Nicole Hanratty

Seems as if the financial credit markets have finally loosened up. Fortunate Southern California residents can apply for financial aid for... their hair cuts*?

Yes, times are tough and no one can get a loan to purchase a house, car or help stock their small business shelves but this is an encouraging sign that some aid is still available. Read More...

Life of a Rock Star™ Tags: Nicole Hanratty•Life of a Rock Star•Commentary

'Slamdog Millionaire'
by Nicole Hanratty

It was late into the show when my child said to me, "That Slamdog movie is winning everything..." As a rule, I don't correct mispronounced words, they are too precious and such cherished innocent childhood moments, that I can't bring myself to eradicate them. For years, my frig was called a "refrigilator" and I was so angry the day my husband finally corrected the word. But as I sat on the couch pondering this title change, I realized there was genius involved. The movie had been predicted to sweep the Oscars as a slam-dunk winner, hence the revised title 'Slamdog Millionaire' could not be more appropriate.

I had heard earlier in the weekend that the mother of the little boys who appeared in the movie had to beg borrow and steal to scrape up enough money to buy the young actors a new pair of blue jeans to wear on the flight to America from India--their first time flying--and my heart melted for their story, their mother, and the real poverty that does exist in India. I was eager to see them on the red carpet because I knew their innocent eyes would be lit up with excitement as they took in the visceral experience. Read More...

Life of a Rock Star™ Tags: Slamdog Millionaire•Slumdog Millionaire•Oscar•Best Picture•Taraji Henson•Amy Adams•Brad Pitt•Academy Awards•Nicole Hanratty•Commentary•Life of a Rock Star

Thanksgiving Disasters!
by Nicole Hanratty

Thanksgiving is coming and so are the relatives, all of which brings up memories of Thanksgiving Disasters Past.

We’ve had knock down drag outs in Mammoth, flues that cleared tables, been lost on roads that seemed to go in circles on our way to Big Bear, and had arguments that made moving to Syberia seem like a completely plausible solution. Read More...

Life of a Rock Star™ Tags: Food•Nicole Hanratty•Life of a Rock Star•Commentary

Multi-Tasking or Attention Deficit Disorder
by Nicole Hanratty

On my way to sit down at my desk to write this article, I heard the dryer ending its cycle. I ventured into my other office--the laundry room--to pull out my husband’s white tee shirts and get them folded while they were still warm and wrinkle-free.

I knew I needed to get my bottom in my desk chair and avoid further distractions, but as I was putting away the fresh laundry I noticed my child’s closet was in desperate need of organization. There were multiple jackets on the floor that needed hangers and shoes that weren’t on shelves. Read More...

Life of a Rock Star™ Tags: Nicole Hanratty•Life of a Rock Star•Commentary

Denise Estrada, (Owner of Melange Apothecary), with producer Mimi Brown from Good Day LA Fox 11
Blending Fun
by Nicole Hanratty

To watch the video clip on Fox 11 at Melange
Apothecary:

Click Here

Some friends are worth a 5 a.m. wake up call and a lot of extra primping. I can’t think of very many people that could make me set my alarm clock for one minute earlier than my normal daily routine already requires, but Denise Estrada is definitely one of them.

Last Friday morning was an exercise in “How to feed the dependents, make the lunches, get through the carpool line, walk the dog, pluck your eyebrows, apply camera-ready make-up, work the hair into an acceptable style and slip into an outfit that doesn’t scream, ‘I’m dressed all wrong!’” Read More...

Life of a Rock Star™ Tags: Melange Apothecary•Blending•Fragrances•Candles•Perfumes•Denise Estrada•Fox 11•Commentary•Life of a Rock Star•Nicole Hanratty