Constantine

Family and friends came to visit me this weekend and I surprised my mom with a couple of tickets to "Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me." We had a great time, as we are both uber Martin Short fans. But as we left the theater, I saw something interesting. A young girl, probably 14 or 15 years old, walked by with a big, baggy, Pray for the Soul of Betty sweatshirt on. This, of course, is the catchy name of former American Idol Constantine Maroulis's former band. I was tipped off that it was indeed Pray for the Soul of Betty merchandise by the fact that the lettering was as large as Wham's "Choose Life" messages. Clearly, Pray for the Soul of Betty fans are a proud bunch. I pointed the sweatshirt out to my mom and noticed that the girl was heading across the street to the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, where Constantine is finishing up his run in "The Wedding Singer." It was only 4 in the afternoon, but she was clearly not straying too far from her idol.

Later that night, my mom and her friends went from restaurant to restaurant trying to find a place to eat. They learned that my neighborhood is the worst place to try to find a table between 6 and 7, because it's packed with theater-goers who are desparately trying to grab a quick, $100 meal before seeing a nice, $250 show. I tried to offer some places in other neighborhoods that we could go, places where I could get a substantial meal, but I was quickly rejected ("We just had vegetarian for brunch, I can't have it again for dinner"). I tried to explain that "vegetarian" can't be singled out as a food style, as it is far too broad, but I had no luck with this crowd. So while they hopped from restaurant to restaurant, unable to find a place with a wait time of less than an hour, I went home, watched Cheap Seats, and ate a leftover burrito. When they finally got a seat somewhere, at a place on Ninth Ave., I left to meet them.

As I got to Ninth Ave., I crossed to the East side of it, like I usually do, figuring the restaurant was on that side. I was wrong. So wrong. But I now realize why God sent me across the street that night. As I was walking between 46th and 45th street, I passed a long haired man who looked familiar. I knew exactly who it was. Constantine Maroulis. We made eye contact and he gave me one of those looks that said, "Yeah, you know me." It was that very same luring gaze that captured the hearts of tweens all across this great nation. I just kept walking, aware that a high kick from him could land me in the hospital for a couple of weeks. But I wondered what that girl I saw earlier would do if she was in my position. What Would The Girl In The Pray For The Soul Of Betty Sweatshirt Do? So the next time you see a rock idol, nay!, a rock GOD walking down the street, ask yourself, WWTGITPFTSOBSD?