You get to plan a dinner party for 4-8 of your favorite writers/artists/musicians/other notable figures, whether dead or alive. Who do you seat next to whom in order to inspire the most fun evening?

If I were to plan a dinner party for my favorite notable figures, it would include Paul Walker, Apolo Anton Ohno, Ian Somerhalder, Colbie Caillat, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Oprah Winfrey, Princess Diana and Justin Timberlake. I would seat them exactly in the order that I mentioned their names in this post. I think Paul Walker and Apolo Ohno would enjoy talking about sports since they are both very active people and love the outdoors. Paul is an avid surfer and Apolo is the most decorated winter olympian who finished his first thriatlon (IRONMAN 70.3 Boise) just last month. Since both are also philanthropists, they may even talk about their projects and probably even collaborate on something. If only Paul was still alive :(. Next would be, Ian Somerhalder and Colbie Caillat. Both support environmentalism and are also ocean lovers just like Paul Walker so I think they would have plenty to talk about. As a matter of fact, Ian Somerhalder has a foundation (ISF) which promotes helping mother earth and its creatures. He is also the new UNEP Goodwill Ambassador while Colbie Caillat supports animal rights and promotes earth friendly products.  The following two seats would be reserved for Dr. Wayne Dyer and Oprah Winfrey who are good friends and often talk about life struggles and ways to encourage people to believe in themselves, to have faith and never give up. I actually first heard about Dr. Dyer when I saw him on Oprah a couple of years ago :). So I think they will really enjoy seating next to each other because they’ve known each other for years. The last two on my list would be Princess Diana, also known as The People’s Princess and Justin Timberlake.  We all know about Princess Di’s life story and how the trials that she went through caused her to have an eating disorder called bulimia. The reason why I think it would be perfect to have her seated next to Justin Timberlake is because Justin is someone who also suffers from a disorder. He revealed a few years ago that he has both ADD and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). Both Justin and Princess Di have spoken about their illness with the media and became advocates in spreading awareness regarding the said illnesses. I think they will be comfortable sitting next to each other because they can relate to each other in that sense aside from being popular and loved by many.

I chose these eight people because they have inspired me and continue to inspire me in so many ways. They all have done great things to help those who are in need. Among these people, I’d say the one person I admire the most is the late Paul Walker. I never met him (I wish I did) but many people have said wonderful things about him. Many people have praised him for being such a humble and giving person. One of my friends knew how much I admire Paul Walker and he used to send me photos of Paul taken with their common friend. I would always beg him to introduce me and from 2009 until last year I’d ask him that as a birthday gift. I used to always say that it would be the best birthday gift ever :D! Unfortunately that dream of mine never came true. Anyway, looking through the photos that my friend sent me, Paul seems like a really down-to-earth and genuine person so when he passed away and his charity (ROWW) work was revealed to the public, my admiration for him grew even more. I am so impressed that he never used his charity to gain more popularity. Instead, it seemed like he didn’t want the public to know about that side of him. He didn’t just lend his name for the charity, he actually walked the walk. Truly an inspiring act of humility.

*DP