okay..so where were we? ...

Oh yes...the velvet ropes and all...

Kevin Costner is being very gracious, acting like a host when really, he is the guest of honor. He invites me to the Afterglow Party and the entourage makes its way to the Cabaret Theater where the private party is being held. I look over at Seth and realize there is  no way he is letting me out of here until I experience this "Hollywood" party in Connecticut.

We turn the corner and there is the gauntlet...the Red Carpet. Brilliant white lights, flashes of digital cameras, glaring TV cameras, microphones everywhere, and...Carmen Elektra.

Carmen is about 4 foot 11 and her eyes glaze over as she strikes a series of elongated poses for the cameras. It looks excruciating but she obliges. Kevin has gone off somewhere and has yet to land in the fray. So Seth and I just stand there and mingle with the Mohegan folks (who are great by the way...good people who are great at what they do...) - Craig Ferguson comes by...Marlo Thomas...Ruth Buzzi...the guy that played Shaggy in the "Scooby-Doo" flick...Joan Allen is around somewhere, as is Jerry Seinfeld and Drea DeMatteo.

Kevin finally shows up and everything begins to buzz. Seth points him in the direction of an interviewer, telling the press he will only do a single interview...When he is finished, Kevin turns to do more, going down the line. I dutifully follow him.

I run into Joe Smith, publicist for Mohegan Sun who is completely amused that I have ended up on the Red Carpet. A few interviews later and we are whisked past a screaming crowd and into the theater...

So what's an exclusive Hollywood party really like? Well I stood with my back against the wall listening to the band...so pretty much like any other party I end up at...