Normally the Import Tuner staff starts the cover car and model shoot at about 10 a.m. On average, it'll take over 8 hours to wrap up one of our shoots, ending about 6 p.m. I usually come in about an hour early to schmooze with the model. It's a fair amount of time to get her comfortable enough to accept my flirtatious ways (rub hands together and insert wry, devilish smile here. Oh, the joys of interviewing a cover model). On this day, however, me and my homie, Mike, arrived a little late to the shoot-about 7 p.m.-but it didn't matter because our super-duper, on-point, workaholic editor accidentally forgot to book the studio that afternoon. He's always on top of things. So began our 8-plus hour Friday night.
Mike and I watched the end of Old School and had a couple beers (non-alcoholic, of course) before we headed to the studio. We figured since we weren't going to make it out to Hollywood anyway, we might as well make it a good evening. We pull up to the studio, and I get out of the car, grab my stuff, and glance up to see a full moon (for we Cancers, that full moon is a good sign). As soon as the car door slammed shut there she was-Sandy Jordan. Funny, it seemed that we somehow ended up in Hollywood.
It was crazy. I mean, there were like spotlights and camera flashes going off. People screaming. A red carpet suddenly appeared that led directly to ME. It was like a friggin' movie premiere. I walked across the red carpet, shook Sandy's hand, introduced myself and nervously told her I'd meet her inside in a few minutes. She walked in the building and, as quick as it appeared, away went the "Hollywood." It must have been the full moon and beer. Nice moon...damn good beer.
2NR: I understand that food is the best way to your heart. Any food in particular?SJ: I like spicy food-Asian food especially. I can eat it all day. I love Thai food. Spicy Lemongrass soup, beef salad...I like the chili peppers.
2NR: Beef salad? I think our Art Director likes that. What is it?SJ: It's like a salad with meat on it-with special dressing.
2NR: A more manly salad would be a Taco salad. Anytime you can finish off the meal by eating the tortilla bowl...mmmm. So, you like to cook?SJ: Yeah. I make the best spring rolls. My mom taught me a lot. I didn't cook when I lived with her but I watched her all the time.
2NR: Being so close to Louisiana, how do you like Cajun?SJ: I don't care for Cajun that much. I had Jambalaya once...and I think I had a bad one. It had soggy rice. I don't know if was supposed to be like that but yeah, it had the sausage, rice, bell peppers-it was a little too soupy. I don't know, maybe one day I'll open up my own restaurant. It'd be Thai or Asian cuisine.
2NR: Thai? You know you're Vietnamese, right? I guess that's OK because it seems no matter the type of food made, it's done by a Mexican cook.SJ: I went to Pho 2000 in Koreatown and the place is owned by Koreans but they have all Vietnamese cooks. Mmmm. I love pho. I could eat that now.
2NR: What would you like to cook?SJ: I would start off with my spring rolls. I'd do a beef salad for an appetizer. Then I'd have fried rice with maybe some seafood...
2NR: So when am I coming over?SJ: (She giggles) Come over anytime!