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Monday was a very special day and night indeed. It’s the day Michael and his COO, Nicole, came to TNG and The Academy and set a new direction for education, products, inspiration and down-to-earth fun.

During the day, Michael’s sold out cutting class was filled with awe-inspired hairdressers. Many commented they learned more in this class than any other. They loved the energy, commitment and devotion Michael shared. It was great to see.

Day followed night with the sold out launch party. Instead of 3 models as originally planned, Michael did 6 models while keeping the audience glued to the stage. Nicole made sure the music was in gear and Michael’s high energy carried him throughout the night.

Here are some photo highlights:

All in all, it was a great success. We are now getting ready for the Label.m launch party and Tiffany featuring DREAMS event October 3 at Andiamo showplace in Warren.

Happy Wednesday!

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Michigan voters went to the polls yesterday and made a statement: Career politicians have failed us, we need jobs, and it’s businesses that hire people and bring prosperity, not the government. Snyder already has a 80% to 20% lead on his Democrat challenger, Bernero.

Max Sortino turns 54 today. I’m not sure if he will be celebrating his birthday in Manhattan, the Hamptons or Paris. But one thing for sure is he won’t be celebrating it in the cafeteria at 575 Fifth Avenue.

Why is it that drivers who turn right off their side street without stopping at the stop sign and cut you off always drive at least 5-10 miles below the speed limit? So irritating.

Speaking of irritating, do you watch Hell’s Kitchen? Gordon Ramsey is quite the TV character and has made “Piss-off” famous. Who is going to win top chef at the Savoy?

I know everyone loves to read about controversy and that is what made the TIGI blogs last week so fierce. While I’m over it, I have to add one comment that a fellow salon owner said yesterday to us, “The TIGI manager came into my salon without knowing me, offered 10% off retail to buy direct and yada, yada, yada. I said to her why didn’t you give me 10% off all these years before? I was livid and the TIGI manager was speechless.”

Michael O’Rourke’s hands-on class sold out in 1 day. Way to go Michael! We are pleading with him to do another one on Sunday, August 22. Stay tuned.

What time to do you go to sleep at night? I have this theory. Average go to bed time based on age: 20’s: 11-12PM; 30’s: 10-11PM; 40’s: 10PM; 50’s: 9-10PM; 60’s: 9PM; 70+: 10-12PM. Personally, 9PM works for me.

Hear ye, hear ye! We received a Shellac shipment and it included Base Coat!!! Sorry, we shipped all the backorders we could, more is coming.

And speaking of color, today is the first day salons can sell the new OPI Swiss collection. Incredibly we sold out the A collections and have more coming. Seems like polish is the one salon item consumers are still snapping up in this economy. Thank goodness.

Our next company barbeque is Friday, August 20. I’m grilling world famous Black Angus quarter pound dogs. If you never had these, you don’t know what you are missing. Grill’s on 12PM – 1PM.

BP contained the oil well, the government claims at least 75% of the oil has either evaporated or been sucked up. Good news indeed for the gulf coast but where is the media on this story? Not interested. Good news never sells papers or magazines.

And finally, Vince Davis thinks I don’t say nice things about him. Hogwash. Vince Davis dresses as well as Paul Sharnsky. In fact, they could be brothers. Hmmm???

Happy Wednesday!

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Paul Dykstra and the CCA held a monopoly in the Chicago market for more than 20 years. Without competition, they were free to make decisions that best suited the CCA and not the exhibitors and ticket paying attendees. But when you are the only game in town, you hold all the cards.

Sad but true, even monopolies fail when they get to be so out of touch with reality that even the diehards say enough is enough. 2010 will be the last year of the ABS as the CCA knows it because finally competition is coming to town.

The PBA (Professional Beauty Association) which produces two other shows confirmed their debut in Chicago in 2011. And guess where the location is? You got that right: Rosemont Convention Center. And guess when the PBA decided to hold the show? Well, you were almost right, instead of 2 weeks before, they decided 2 weeks after the ABS show.

Sources have it that Paul and the CCA still have outs and can partner with the PBA before it’s too late.

In the meantime, the 2010 ABS show was a huge disappointment. If not for L’Oreal’s triumphant return to show business, there would not have been a single major player present with the exception of TIGI. Both Paul Mitchell and OPI were no where to be seen. Procter & Gamble’s Wella, Sebastian, Graham Webb and Nioxin brands all took rain checks. Schwarzkopf and Goldwell didn’t make it across the pond for different reasons.

So who was there? Michael O’Rourke! Dear, dear Michael. He’s been spun over hot coals but yet he continues to re-emerge with the same style, same energy and same inspiration. He somehow managed to conjure up 4 styling items in time for the show and like old times, there he was on a round mini stage with his groupies watching. That my friends was the extent of the excitement.

Perhaps the PBA will get the majors back into the show business. I’m not so sure. Regardless, it’s another chapter of our changing industry and another chapter that’s not filled with good news.

Happy Monday/Tuesday!