I found myself one day hanging out at A'PEX Integration, just poking around trying to find any type of new story, when I discovered something even better, the January Tuner cover model. Actually I didn't find her, it was really R&D manager, Jensen Oda, who did. (He threatened to act like a little baby if I didn't mention he was the one who found her.)
Anyway, while Jensen was looking for a model for A'PEX's booth at the SEMA Show, he found Miki at www.ohmiki.com. This is where we also first laid eyes upon the beautiful Miki. After viewing the too-few pictures on her website, we sensed the look of Phoebe Cates in her days of "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and also Catherine Zeta Jones in "Zorro."
It was 12:30 p.m. and I never thought I would do a model interview at the Beverly Center mall. It turns out Miki is a compulsive shopper and one of her favorite places to shop is Bebe's. If there is one thing I don't know, it's fashion. Give me a B-Series Honda engine and I can assemble it blindfolded, tell me to pick out something in the latest women's fashion for you and I'll make you the laughing stock of a party. The plan was to meet at Bebe's, as we did, but I had no idea that we would be in there for two hours. Of the 12 different outfits Miki tried on I said 12 of them looked good on her. What can I say? You could put her in a clown outfit and she would still look good. Besides, it's not how good the clothes look on her, it's how she looks when they're off.2NR: So, how many people tell you you look like Phoebe Cates?Miki: It happens all the time. It's cool...she looked pretty hot in "Fast Times."
2NR: I understand you play the guitar?Miki: Yeah, I've been playing for about 15 years now, but lately I only play when I have the time. I love playing classical and metal.
2NR: That's a weird mix.Miki: I play tons of lead guitar. I spent years trying to learn Randy Rhoads solos when I should have just been playing rhythm. My family has always been very supportive with everything that I've pursued. I remember playing old Metallica songs for my grandmother. She knew I practiced constantly and while she might not have known or liked some of the music I was in to, but she was supportive and proud of me.
I used to play guitar for several hours a day. My parents realized I was serious so they bought me my guitars, paid for years of private lessons, and even drove me to different colleges across the country to audition at schools with excellent music programs. I ended up getting a full scholarship in classical guitar in Dallas, but I wasn't ready for the whole move-and the timing was just off-so I ended up moving back to Illinois and majoring in graphic design instead. Damn! I blew it, huh? I did learn a great deal from the experience.
2NR: So have you ever played in a band?Miki: I've jammed with a couple local bands before in my hometown, but have never actually been in a band. I'm a perfectionist to the point where it's almost a flaw so it prevented me from joining a band until I was "good" enough. Now that I feel that I am good enough, I don't have the time. I need to make the time.
One time I played a duo of the "Star Spangled Banner" Jimmy Hendrix-style at this little local baseball game for a couple hundred people. I had such a blast and got such an adrenaline rush from it. The best part was that I didn't get nervous and just enjoyed the moment, after downing a couple beers, of course.
2NR: How did graphic design come up?Miki: I went to school to pursue classical guitar, but I kept thinking, "What if I don't make it? What am I gonna do then?" At the time, I was playing life safely, so I decided to take a more mainstream major like graphic design.