Up Close and Personal: Oh Miki

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. The thing about graphic design is that I'm more a fine artist rather than a technical person and the technical stuff kills me! I much prefer raw creativity...like a pencil and paper. It's weird 'cuz I hate computers, but I'm on the Internet all the damn time! I did enjoy designing my Web site though. Actually, I'll be redoing it shortly, so look out.

2NR: Have you had a lot of guy drama?
MIKI: I use to cause a lot of guy drama! I'm really spontaneous, hyper, a little annoying and very feisty, so I really need to have some sort of balance with a guy. He needs to be patient and mellow, yet not a total pushover. I had tons of guy drama before I figured out what type of guy that I'm compatible with. Man, I was high drama! Over the years, I had to learn to date guys that are not exactly like me. Sharing similar interests is one thing, sharing the exact same personality traits, especially negative ones, is a completely different deal. That was the whole problem. I wish someone could have just told me that! Then again, I was always attracted to the bad boys. Basically, I always need someone to keep me in check.

2NR: What do you think about sports?
MIKI: I use to be into BMX bikes when I was younger. I remember actually taking my bike apart and putting it back together. Scary! I did that with my guitar, too--not a good idea. I like watching more extreme-style sports rather than football or baseball-type sports. I hate to disappoint, but you won't find me racing home to watch the big game!

2NR: What type of food are you into?
MIKI: I love good Sushi! Salmon rolls and sashimi are my favorite. I love that stuff! I'm really into trying different types of food. I've traveled quite a bit with my family, so we've eaten some crazy food in some crazy countries. I don't think we even knew what the hell we were eating half the time. I love Mexican food, too, as long as it's not like a major chain restaurant. I like the small holes-in-the-wall for Mexi food. I also have a total addiction for Godiva chocolates.

2NR: I understand you are allergic to alcohol. Tell me more about this.
MIKI: Well, with certain types of alcohol my heart rate goes crazy, my face gets flushed, I can't breathe well and I'd better have a place nearby to sit down. When I first started drinking, I was the one at the party that was always puking outside on the side of the house. Oh yeah, that was me! It took me a while to narrow down what I can and cannot drink to tequila and beer and an occasional Bailey's or Kahlua drink. What a selection. Unfortunately, I love the taste of the "classier" drinks like Martinis and wines, but I can hardly handle them. I think it's a blessing in disguise because I'd probably be drinking a little too much if I just could. Good story...one time in high school my friends and I were waiting out in front of this liquor store near my house trying to get someone to buy us some beer. As luck would have it, we asked this guy to buy us a 12-pack and he turned out to be an off-duty cop. He said, "I don't think you really want me to do that." Then he flashed his badge. Lucky he was such a nice guy. We just had to laugh about that one. There's plenty more stories where that came from, but that's a tame one that I can actually tell!

2NR: Damn, You guys lucked out. Now for my last question, real or fake?
MIKI: They're real--real fake!

2NR: Wow, I thought they were real! They hang...er move so freely!
MIKI: Yeah, I didn't want to go really big, I just wanted to go with what fits my body best. I figure a 34C fits me just fine.

2NR: Yeah, I think that fits me just fine, too!

"I was playing life safely, so I decided to take a more mainstream major like graphic design"