SPECIAL THANKS TO VH1 FOR SUCH AN EXCELLENT ARTICLE. PLEASE VISIT THE ORIGINAL BLOG POSTING HERE! Also, more contestant interviews, pictures and inside scoop about The PickUp Artist 2 can be found at PickUpTara.com

Last season on The Pickup Artist, International Man named Mystery turned a gaggle of lovable but lady-challenged boys into set-opening men who could bounce with the girl of their choice.  It warmed our cockles to see eight underdogs all have a chance at love, not just with the ladies, but also by learning to love themselves. And as Ms. Whitney once said, that’s the greatest love of all. The winner of last season, Kosmo, has traveled the world as one of Mystery’s wingmen, teaching other down-on-their-lady-luck men how a pluck of the eyebrows can make all the difference.
This season, Mystery is joined once again by his wingman Matador, and kissing instructor Tara takes a role as wing woman. From the get-go I decide it’s my own personal mission to figure out what all the text behind Mystery actually says in the opening credits - perhaps they are transcripts of his teachings.

I was trying to read all the scrolling words but was distracted when a cocoon of butterflies exploded from Mystery’s palm.

Next time, I won’t let myself get off target.

Unlike last year, Mystery gets tough from the start and this first episode will mean elimination for one of our contestants. First off, we’re introduced to Todd, 26, the “every gal’s best friend” guy and Rian, a 28-year-old virgin from Portland…

…before cutting back to Tara who’s sitting at the pool at the guys’ new house in Phoenix. Tara tells them to pick rooms in the house and get ready - the guys will be meeting Mystery soon.

Next up we meet Simeon, a 27-year-old poetry-slammer who lived on a boat.

In Simeon’s interview, he professes his desire to have someone to sleep next to and take away his loneliness. At the house, we cut to him jumping on the bed yelling “Bounce test!” which only reinforces that. You want to make sure you’re providing your sleeping lover the firmness she needs, he’s clearly just being sensitive.

Karl, 21 and brokenhearted, stayed with a cheating girlfriend for three months and was the only guy in the group to not have a rolling suitcase as they walked along the blazing Arizona pavement.

Judgement will be reserved once we see how he is around women. Immediately we’re loving Matt who calls himself a mix of Austin Powers and Lauren Hutton (how many 26-year-old guys make Lauren Hutton references?) and in his audition tape he pulls up his shirt to display a small throw rug of chest hair that adds to his insecurity.

Greg is the resident long-haired guy whose makeover (spoiler alert!) features the Coming to America braid-chop.

Brian wins us over by telling us that the only place he’s ever planted his lips is on his mom’s forehead.

We do wish someone would show Brian Crocodile Dundee, though, doesn’t every kid learn what a bidet is from that movie? Kevin, 21, is the VH1 online winner who is sick of being shot down by the ladies.

And rounding out the bunch is gold-chain wearing Alex, who women assume is gay.

At this point, Mystery calls the house and, bless these guys for never working in a soulless corporate office, they can’t figure out where the conference phone is when it’s ringing. Once they realize that it’s the thing that looks vaguely like a Cylon Raider sitting on the counter, they cool out and answer it.

Mystery tells them to hop the Bus of Destiny and meet him and his wings downtown where they’ll be released into the wild so Mystery can assess their skills. Brian, at a loss for well, common phrases, tells us that his first impression of Mystery is that he’s “smokin’ balls tonight”. Is Mystery even into that?

Over at the Acme Bar and Grill, the guys prove to a bundle of nerves and failure, with Kevin asking a group of girls if he can go deeper with them (ew) and Matt asking girls the price of their drinks. Hirsute Simeon gets told he looks like Osama Bin Laden.

When Alex fails to act on the attention he receives for his gold chains, Mystery throws his hands up in frustration and decides to show the boys how it’s done (without wearing his signature hat or goggles as conversation pieces). Mystery and Matador work the room while the guys watch from the Surveillance Truck of Watching and Learning. The M and M’s hug and kiss their way through the club with such smoothness that the guys nearly pee with excitement.

The next day is makeover day! Man, do we love a good makeover, and when Mystery asks “Do you look like the type of men who are sexually active?” and the resounding answer is “No”, the boys start to love a good makeover too. They learn that accessories are sexual and that all white suits make you look a touch Miami Vice.

Hair and makeup (and in Matt’s case, dental and waxing) are endured and in all honesty, these boys clean up nice.

Back at the ranch, Alex throws his gold chain into the bulk-metal recycling bin…

…and the fashion show begins for the rest.

Simeon struts his clean-shaven self and Tara calls him Osama Bin Sexy. Rian, who has a slight breakdown at the clothing store looks preppy-pimpy and totally adorable. While there was no official winner of the episode, our vote goes to Greg, whose braid was ceremonially chopped and he became unrecognizable and flat-out hot.

The guys are grilling up hot dogs to celebrate their nicely fitting pants when dun dun DUN! Mystery arrives to ruin the fun by telling the guys that one of them will be going home. Ultimately, like a parent trying to teach his children, Mystery explains that the one contestant he was most disappointed in at the bar the previous night was the one who was actually approached and hit on and couldn’t even respond - it’s game over for Alex. Like his gold chain before him, Alex is out of the house, but it’s only the beginning for the rest of our future pickup artists.

]]> http://pickuptara.wordpress.com/2008/10/13/138/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:54:23 +0000 pickuptara http://blog.pickuptara.com/2008/10/13/138/ Tara of PickUpTara.com Interviews Alex from VH1's The Pickup Artist 2 PART 1

Tara from PickUpTara.com and VH1's The PickUp Artist 2 interviews Alex about his experience on the show, what changes he has made in his life and how it felt being the first person kicked off of the show. Make sure to check out part 2 of the interview and visit www.pickuptara.com. Go talk with Alex now on his PickUpTara.com profile page: http://www.pickuptara.com/profile/Alex

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Wigan Athletic

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Everton

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West Bromwich

Hello Everyone,

Spoon, from Season 1 Of Vh1's The pickup Artist, was nice enough to let me interview him. Enjoy the read!

• What is your idea of a perfect date?
--- A date that’s as random as I am. I like to pickup my date on my vintage motorcycle. It’s a great way to get close and really enjoy the surroundings. Oregon is a beautiful state. We would just ride around exploring new areas. Sometimes I like to stop and just check out a new restaurant and see what kind of DELIOUS foods they have. Well, ok sometimes the food is shit. :)

• How would you describe your ideal dream woman?
--- Tara, you are my idea dream woman. And I’m dead serious. I like gals who are down to earth, clever, kind hearted and have a great sense of humor. It’s really similar to who I am. But sadly we could never be. Jdog already said he has dibs on you first. Hahaha. I love that guy.

• What person living today do you most relate to and why?
--- I would have to say Jdog (Co-Host of Vh1 The Pickup Artist Season 1). After I left the show Jdog really showed some heart and character. He really wanted to help me change my life. So for a month he coached me (for free which would normally cost a lot) 1 on 1 and turned my life around. A lot of people don’t even recognize me anymore. I dress differently, talk deeper, and lost a lot of weight, covered with tattoos and piercings and exude personality. Plus we have the same taste in women :)

• What was your experience with women before being on The Pickup Artist Season 1?
--- I was a geeky guy who played video games pretty much all day. My social life was non existent. I was pretty damn depressed. Innocent and naïve, I had no concept whatsoever on how to be around women. I just plain didn’t know what to do. PERIOD! I wanted a girlfriend or a female I could hangout with, but didn’t know how I would meet them or attract them. I attempted to pick up women. I would always start out by saying something funny. I thought if I could just make them laugh all the time they would like me. I found out that in doing so I was only seen as entertainment for them. I would provide them with humor while other guys would come in with their confident, smooth demeanor and sweep them away right before my very eyes.

• What went through your mind when you were picked to be on the show? What were your expectations?
--- I was totally blown away when I found out I was picked. It was always a dream of mine to be on TV. I wasn’t sure what to expect from it at first till I was actually on the show. But I knew that I needed this to change and grow as a person. I knew I was an amazing guy. I just didn’t know how to show it.

• How did it feel to go into the club that first night in Austin?
--- It was horrible. It’s like you got into a car accident and then another car hits and then another hits, and another hits, etc... The longer I stayed in there the more I panicked. I’m not really the club type of guy. In the past I wouldn’t stay any longer then 10 min in a club. It’s generally not the type of people I would want to meet or get to know.

• When we were in the club that second night and you froze up, what exactly were you thinking at that moment?
--- I kind of blanked out and didn’t know what to do. Thinking about it now and I don’t really have words to describe it. But I do remember you (Tara) coming and giving me the support and motivation that I needed for that one moment. That made a huge difference for me and I was able to talk to a group of women successfully. I felt alive. I didn’t think something like that would be fun and exciting.

• Do you regret your decision to leave the show?
--- Yes, very much. BUT that’s only because I’m not the same person who left the show. Back at that time it was the right choice. The pressure of being on TV and doing what I feared most really put a lot of stress on me mentally. The pace was to fast for real change. I really want another chance to show everyone that I didn’t fail at change. I really feel that I actually changed the most.

• If you could go back and do it again, would you? What would you do differently?
--- I would do it in a heart beat. The energy I would give out. The confidence would be at a whole new level. I want that second chance on TV again to show change and to help change other people’s lives. But mostly because I want guys who were like me to know there is hope. Plus I wouldn’t have held back at wanting to fight Kosmo. I don’t like the punk ass or how fake he was on the show.

• How is your love-life and experience with women now?
--- Fantastic. I usually try and go on a date with someone new each week. I work at a jewelry booth at the Saturday Market here in Portland selling handmade women’s jewelry. So I interact with women a lot and it’s a great place for me to expand my experience with women. I get numbers all the time. Some have even bought me lunch.

• Do you think that the being on the show and learning pick-up made you change your personality?
--- My personality is still the same. I didn’t really get the chance to express who I was when I was on the show. Being shy and nervous kept my true personality on pause. Thanks to Jdog I can be who I am. Myself! I am a guy who loves women.

• How is your life now, a year after the show?
--- Looking back on myself then and who I have become now it brings a tear to my eye due to how much I’ve changed. I am definitely more confident and secure in who I am. I am not afraid to show my sensual side, I am more ‘touch’ oriented and I am definitely more comfortable around women.

• Boldest Pick-Up move?
--- Here is the scene. A beautiful, dark haired, fair skinned woman who looked like she was from Europe is sitting in this vegetarian restaurant. I approach her and begin…

Me: The falatio here is great. I know an even better spot for it.
Her: *pause*
Me: It’s right down the street.
Her: *pause* Don’t you mean ‘falafel’?
Me: Isn’t that what I’ve been saying? What does falatio mean?
Her: That you know a great place for oral sex down the street.
Me: Shit!

• What advice would you give the new guys on Season 2 of The Pickup Artist?
--- Have fun and enjoy.

• What would you tell guys out there who have difficulty with women and are in the same position that you were once in?
--- If you really want to change your life you have to really want it and be ready to work for it. Commit to the change and make it happen. Contact Jdog at http://www.myspace.com/artistjdog or http://www.askjdog.com and ask for some personal help. He wants to help and I know he will help you.

• Closing thoughts . . .
--- If you have any questions on what I have been doing exactly to change my life. Leave me a message on my MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/iknowspoon because now you can say you know Spoon.

Thanks Spoon! Keep up the amazing self work!

XOXO,
~Tara

911 exists for emergencies. Of course, emergencies come in all shapes and sizes, and an emergency for some may be an inconsequential matter for others. For help on this, let's consult the dictionary definition of emergency:

emer•gen•cy -  \i-ˈmər-jənt-sē\ n.  -- an unforeseen assault on decency or the resulting indecent state that calls for immediate action

So we can gather that from the above definition and purpose of 911 that any time our collective decency is in jeopardy, 911 is a legitmate resource to turn to. Still unclear? Party fouls, saggy boobs, bogus jams, overcooked steaks, a Patriots losing streak -- these are all catastrophes that warrant proper authories being notified. And if the fuzz ain't helping you (this is important because the fuzz can sometimes stray from decent causes), find the nearest Decent Community member, quickly consult with them, and stabilize the situation in a way that only those in our Community know how.

I want to throw out a big thanks to Mike Stoute and Bobby Rio of TSB Radio and TSB Magazine. We talked about lots of fun topics including:

- Whats in store for the second season of The PickUp Artist
- My thoughts on pick up artists in general
- The kissing contest we did on season one of The PickUp Artist
- My thoughts on peacocking
- How to pick me up :)
and much more!

Good news! There are several ways to listen to a recorded copy of the show. You can:

- Listen to it on TSB Magazine' s website
- Listen to it on GreatSeducer.com
- Download it on Apple iTunes

I join the show at 23:16, sor the 23rd minute and 16th second.

Hope everyone enjoys it!

XOXO,
~Tara

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Middlesbrough

COMMUNITY MEMBER CORRESPONDENCE:

Dear Decent Community,

I wanted to share this video of my best friend (also a Community member) taking a sobriety test after getting pulled over. It's been going around the internet, but I'm not sure if you guys have seen it. We were talking about the video yesterday and we realized that every move my buddy pulled was very Community-like. He obviously knows how to control his buzz, he's a friendly guy, has good balance, he's a great dancer, has a sharp mind, shows poise under pressure, and ultimately, he's a truth teller. While we realize drinking and driving isn't a decent thing to do, we thought you may get a kick out of this footage.

Exchanging Decency,

Marty

Just released by VH1. Click here for original blog posting. Get ready to cringe all over again: your extended look at the second season of The Pickup Artist is here!

Remember: the new season debuts Sunday, Oct. 12 at 10/9c on VH1!

XOXO,
~Tara

Just released by VH1. Click here for original blog posting. Get ready to cringe all over again: your extended look at the second season of The Pickup Artist is here!

Remember: the new season debuts Sunday, Oct. 12 at 10/9c on VH1!

XOXO,
~Tara