Diablo à Deux, or I'd Like to Get Stabbed on My Own Merit.
Back in November, at the beginning of the WGA Strike, I was mistaken for Juno screenwriter Diablo Cody.
I even provided a handy Slackmistress-or-Diablo? guide which you can find here or here.
A couple of weeks ago, my friend Kate Coe at Mediabistro's Fishbowl-LA alerted me to a blog written by an aspiring screenwriter named Rodney. Rodney, although not a member of the WGA, has been out on the picket lines supporting us. Rodney also has nine things in common with Diablo Cody.
Rodney has been trying to get in touch with Diablo, presumably to share those nine things. Rodney also has started to picket at NBC - the same place where I picket.
Today I showed up wearing something akin to the outfit I'm wearing in the picture above. I arrived at the corner of Alameda and Olive when my friend Tomàs grabbed me.
That guy over there is obsessed with Diablo Cody, he told me.
Is that the guy with the blog? I asked. Because that guy is cra--
Before I could finish, Tomàs exclaimed I can't believe it about your Oscar Nomination! You're so young! And to think you used to be a stripper.
Without missing a beat, I answered. I know, but it's weird since they mention the stripper thing so much I always feel like everyone's trying to picture me naked.
The man made a beeline for me - so quickly, in fact, that I was convinced that I was about to be stabbed. Those fleeting moments weren't about my husband or my dog, but the fact that I was about to be stabbed because this guy thought I was someone else.
Dammit, I want to get stabbed on my own merits.
He stuck out his hand. I'm Rodney, Diablo, I've been trying to get a hold of you, I sent you a message through MySpace.
He oozed insane but I felt terrible. Plus I didn't want to get stabbed. I'm sorry, I told him, it's a joke everyone plays on me when I show up. People think I look like Diablo Cody, but I'm Nina. I stuck out my hand for him to shake.
Oh, he said, well, you look like her. Are you a writer?
I am, I wrote for 17 episodes of Lizzie McGuire, as well as a bunch of animation, I told him.
Oh, I bet you're nice like her.
Um, thanks? Well, good luck with your quest--
I have nine things in common with her, he continued. D'you know we're both from Minnesota?
Actually I'm pretty sure she's from Illinois, she grew up not far from where I grew up, I told him. So it's really more like eight things.
At this point Tomàs and our friends Patty and Arturo took a couple of photos* and dragged me to safety.
Diablo, I rode the crazy train as your amateur lookalike for you this time. But next time, doll, you're on your own!
*Coming soon!
Yeah, if you're gonna get stabbed, you totally want it to be over something worthwhile. Like control of the TiVo remote.
Posted by:Belinda | February 07, 2008 at 07:37 PM
I guess there are far worse people you could be mistaken for, but here's hoping there's no stabbing going on!
Posted by:Jodi | February 07, 2008 at 10:48 PM
OH MY GOD. I can't believe I didn't think of being a crazy obsessed stalker in order to become a screenwriter.
But who to be obsessed with? Diablo replies to my MySpace messages, so that won't work.
Wait, I have a better idea! I'll cut my hair (it's barely a bob anymore) and then YOUR stalker can mistake me for you and stab me.
Wait. This still doesn't seem quite right. Back to the drawing board.
Posted by:Annika | February 07, 2008 at 11:17 PM
incidents like these are really the only reason i'm glad i don't live in southern california.
maybe next time take daisy to picket with you so that she can growl at the weirdos?
Posted by:kermit | February 08, 2008 at 03:55 AM
Daisy's not a growler. A homeless man once tried to break into my house and Daisy did a little dance and got ready to show him where I keep the silver.
Posted by:the slackmistress | February 08, 2008 at 05:26 AM
To add insult to injury, you'd get stabbed by a crappy stalker! Lazy stalkers who mistake their prey for other people... That's just lame.
Posted by:Alyce Smythee | February 08, 2008 at 06:46 AM
I'd like to be stalked just once, but alas...I don't look like anyone famous.
Posted by:Karen | February 08, 2008 at 07:35 AM
bravo, loved how you just went right into character. very cute. i am glad you didn't get stabbed, did you make sure he didn't follow you home?
Posted by:Piglet | February 08, 2008 at 07:36 AM
SCARY. Keep those pretty eyes peeled for stalker boy. And don't worry, I'm sure one day you'll have your own stalker that wants to stab you just for who YOU are!
Posted by:HeyJoe | February 08, 2008 at 09:22 AM
You DO look like her! Way to take one for the team. She owes you!
Posted by:surfergrrl | February 08, 2008 at 09:56 AM
GAWKED!
The media, they LOVE you!
Posted by:BD | February 08, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Well...at least you didn't get stabbed.
Posted by:Caveman | February 08, 2008 at 02:39 PM
That's hilarious...and scary!
Posted by:nanette | February 10, 2008 at 07:40 PM
Hey, were you picketing in front of NBC last Thursday? I noticed your fishnets. I regret not making the effort to do it up right for the picket line. Respect!
Posted by:Linda | February 10, 2008 at 08:17 PM
@Linda: Yup, that was me!
Posted by:the slackmistress | February 10, 2008 at 08:21 PM
Ever go to Eight Ball in Burbank? You have yet another lookalike there -- Naomi, I think her name is, the shop owner. Cute shop.
Posted by:Linda | February 10, 2008 at 08:27 PM
Hi-larious. Kudos on not getting stabbed. :)
Y'know, I've been told all my life that I look like Winona Ryder, but these days I'd worry less about stalkers mistaking me for her as much as I'd worry about police or store clerks doing it.
Seriously, I do it all for research! Why don't they understand that?
Posted by:Emily | February 11, 2008 at 09:40 AM
FYI video of Diablo's seriously confused stalker is now posted at YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu9SfgGzWaY
It would be funny if it weren't so, uh, creepy (dude says he's been a DJ in strip clubs...mmm-kay...it was definitely time to picket another gate)
And for the record, no I couldn't care less about Diablo Cody (I live in the country far from arthouse theaters where I could possibly have seen 'Juno' by now. But I know me some Lizzie McGuire...fun show!)
S.E. Olson
Moderator & Law & Order Criminal Intent Fan Liason
http://community.livejournal.com/wga_supporters/
Posted by:VDOVault | February 12, 2008 at 05:06 PM
mmmmmichelle just pointed this out to me and i'm giggling like a fool. i <3 diablo and really want to meet her myself, but hello, what a creep.
xo.
Posted by:des! | February 25, 2008 at 11:44 AM