By Mark La Monica
My wildest birthday party consisted of Mama La Monica trying to figure out how to make me a Pac Man-shaped cake when I turned 10.
OK, there were a few wilder ones once vodka-cran and rum-and-coke became legitimate replacements for record holders and NERF footballs as birthday gifts.
However, I doubt anyone reading this blog has ever had their birthday bash on a huge boat with more than 800 invited guests. And corporate sponsorship! (If you have, shoot me an email because I've got a few side projects we should discuss.) Then again, perhaps the Entourage boys are fans of this Internet nook and cyber-cranny.
If the Las Vegas episode from Season 3 didn't make you want to call in sick to work on Monday morning from the pool at the Hard Rock, then this episode will make you wish your birthday was around the corner and your crew had some juice.
Imagine you had a high five-digit budget to throw your friend (and best financial asset) a sick birthday party. You'd need to cash in three sick days and a personal day just to recover from the afterparty. Then again, with a Victoria Secret-sponsored birthday party on a beautiful luxury yacht with the beautiful Alessandra Ambrosio on one arm, do you really need an afterparty?
People, this is possible. To some degree. The beautiful people are up to you, but the other stuff is doable.
Take a lesson from Turtle. Alcohol companies will donate plenty of bottles for parties. All you need is the right phone number and the right pitch. Of course, Turtle can just say "Yeah, my boy, A-list movie star Vincent Chase will be photographed drinking your [insert preferred type of booze here] at his birthday party which will be loaded with plenty of young, hot people in the Hollywood industry that set the trends for young regular people all across the country."
We Z-list people may not have that luxury, but the free swag is there for the taking. We're not dressing up in a bright-colored suit with question marks all over it to prove it to you, but you can find free stuff for your next big bash if you know where and how to look.
Seriously. Google some PR companies. They love to give out clients' free product more than we cringe at paying ATM fees.
Gift bags aren't hard to create. Call a company that thrives on reaching the young people with some disposable cash. Say the right things and they'll force your local UPS or DHL person to buy a new pair of workshoes. Start with magazines and cosmetic companies. Take a look at small clothing boutiques. Can't hurt to try, right?
Bottled water is another great avenue to drive down for your party. It's a competitive world. Make the call. It's worth a shot.
Cartier won't throw wristwear with diamonds in them at you for a small gathering at the local dive bar. But you might be able to get free T-shirts out of Billy Bob's Pizza and Rib Road House. You never know. Again, it's worth a call.
It all depends on what you believe you can do.
Thing big. Think small. Huh?
Cast as wide a net as possible and hope to reel one in. Aim high, but have a Plan B, C, D and E.
This good life doesn't have to just be for celebrities in Hollywood or New York City. You can get a taste.
Just be sure to invite me. I'll bring the Pac Man cake.
P.S. Plenty more thoughts on Episode 1 below.
P.P.S. Check back here on Friday for a BPL big announcement.
Comments (2)
Mark: Loved the episode, loved the tension between Ari and Vince, LOVED the party. But was it just me or did Kobe Bryant wearing last year's No. 8 jersey at the Lakers game make the whole thing feel dated? Not saying it ruined the show for me, just made me cringe a little.
TR,
Great catch. I doubt the producers even caught that.
However, it didn't bug me as much as Kobe punking out and changing his number.
That's the real problem.