John Mayer, who hasn’t been seen in the company of Jennifer Aniston for quite a few weeks now, was spied enjoying a quiet Mexican dinner date with a mysterious blonde woman in Santa Monica, CA last night. Now, it’s entirely feasible that this mystery chick could be a friend or family member but then again … she could be something else:

She could be an employee or a co-worker, mebbe someone connected with that variety show he’s reportedly developing for CBS … she could be anyone. HMMM. I wonder if Jennifer Aniston knows who she is. Any guesses who y’all think she might be?

[Photo credit: X17]

As y’all should be well-aware by now, Joaquin Phoenix has decided to given up his successful acting career for a career in music … rap music, to be exact. Early last week we saw photos and video of Joaquin’s attempts to rap in Las Vegas and because of the insane ridiculousness of his performance, folks began to speculate that he is merely trying to pull a fast one on all of us. In response, a rep for Phoenix has issued a public statement that insists that he is very serious about launching a genuine career in rap music, that it is no hoax. HMMM. Here is a pic of the rapper-wannabe (wearing a Miss Kentucky sash) posing with some of the 2008 Miss America Contestants at The Palazzo in LV on the weekend that he performed:

Doth the rep protest too much? In the wake of Entertainment Weekly’s having speculated Wednesday that Joaquin Phoenix – with the aid of his brother-in-law, Casey Affleck – was performing an elaborate ruse regarding his transition from Oscar-nominated actor to falling-off-the-stage rapper, Affleck’s rep said this career switch is no hoax at all. In a statement to PEOPLE on Thursday, the spokeswoman said, “I believe the transition from one career to another is never smooth. Unfortunately, Joaquin has had to make this transition in the spotlight of fame.” She added, “He comes from a musical family and won a Golden Globe and an Emmy for his portrayal of Johnny Cash. He intends to explore his musical interests despite speculative, negative or positive reactions.” As for Affleck, who has been filming Phoenix around L.A., his rep says, “Casey intends to document this transition and hopes to create an unprecedented, intimate portrait of a very private yet famous person.”

Now, I don’t know whether he’s really serious or if this is just another component of a suspected elaborate hoax … but I do know that Joaquin Phoenix appears to have lost his damn mind. When a person goes from being an accomplished Academy Award nominee to lookin’ like a smelly hobo in the span of just a couple of years … well … hoax or not, I think he’s flipped his wig. Whatever the hell is going on, I can’t wait to see what he tries to pull off next. I suspect there is more wacky fun to come from Joaquin Phoenix.

[Photo credit: Getty; Source]

After David Beckham thrilled Italian soccer fans in Milan by scoring one of the goals (his first for his new team) that led to AC Milan’s big soccer win last weekend, Becks and the Milanos were back in action yesterday to take on Genoa in another soccer match. Becks scored AC Milan’s sole goal of the game which, unfortch, did not win the game but did allow his temporary team to tie with their competitors. Here are a few pics of Becks in action yesterday afternoon:

David Beckham scored from a free kick with England coach Fabio Capello looking on but Diego Milito tied the game three minutes from the end and AC Milan settled for a 1-1 draw with Genoa on Wednesday. A victory would have put Milan into a tie for second in the Serie A standings with Juventus, which lost 2-1 to Udinese goals from Italy forwards Fabio Quagliarella and Antonio Di Natale. League leader Inter Milan won a drama-filled match 2-0 in Catania with 10 men. Midfielder Dejan Stankovic put Inter ahead five minutes in, heading in a cross from Julio Ricardo Cruz, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic made it 2-0 in the 71st minute, shooting into an empty net after Catania goalkeeper Benjamin Bizzarri misjudged his attempt to intercept a pass from Stankovic. Inter leads with 49 points, Juventus was next with 43, Milan 41 and Genoa 37. Also, Francesco Totti returned from injury and scored in AS Roma’s 2-1 win over Palermo, and Fiorentina took advantage of Napoli’s fourth-string goalkeeper in a 2-1 victory. Beckham’s second goal in two games arrived in the 33rd minute at San Siro, a trademark curling shot from the left of Genoa’s area inside the near post. Beckham is hoping to be called up by Capello for a friendly against Spain on Feb. 11 and equal Bobby Moore’s record of 108 England caps for an outfield player. Apparently bothered by a muscle problem, Beckham was replaced by Mathieu Flamini in the 71st. Beckham nearly scored in the opening minute, with Genoa goalkeeper Fernando Rubinho forced to push the former England captain’s shot wide. Beckham picked up a yellow card in the 30th minute for a foul, shortly before his goal. Beckham’s fellow midfielder Andrea Pirlo hit the crossbar twice with free kicks. Argentine forward Milito scored his 13th goal of the season from close range, although he may have been offside. “This was a misstep that I’m not pleased with,” Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “We weren’t able to win a game in which we played very well, and for what we did, we deserved to win.” Milan has not lost since Beckham joined the club on a two-month loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy, winning twice and drawing twice. “I’m very upset because the team is going through a period in which everything is going right, but the season goes on,” Ancelotti added. Beckham has indicated he was considering staying with Milan beyond the loan period. “He’s appreciated and thought very highly of and if he stays we’ll be happy,” Ancelotti said. “But he’s got to resolve the problem with (the Galaxy).”

While I am very happy that Becks is doing so well with his temporary new team, I’m still really bothered by all this talk of “the problem” with the LA Galaxy. There is no problem. David Beckham signed a very lucrative contract (which allowed him to buy a new mansion, new cars, new tattoos and a very expensive purse for his wife Vicki B.) with the LA Galaxy to play soccer for the team for a set number of years. No problem. Should he wish to get out of his contract, which I’m not sure the Galaxy is at all interested in, I’m sure giving back the $50+ million he was paid would be in order. BUT, that is a discussion for another time. After the jump, check out a few more pics of Becks on the soccer field yesterday — celebrating his big goal …

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Jennifer Hudson, who has been staying out of the public eye in the weeks since members of her immediate family were slain in Chicago, IL, is slowly resuming work in order to try and move on from the tragic loss of her mother, brother and nephew. It has been reported that J. Hud will be singing the national anthem at this Sunday’s Superbowl in Florida but she’s already gotten some other word taken care of, as well. Jennifer has already filmed scenes for her next music video for her new single If This Isn’t Love … here she is on set:

As you may or may not already know, J. Hud’s self-titled debut album received four Grammy nominations including one for Best R&B Album. I understand that this new music video will debut the week of February 9. After the jump, check out a couple other photos of Jennifer on the set of her music video …

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It looks like I am not the only person who is moving into new digs this week … roommates Lauren LC Conrad and Lauren Lo Bosworth have packed up the shizz at their home in the Hollywood Hills and have moved to a highrise apartment building in Westwood, CA. I suspect we’ll be seeing all about it when new eps of the MTV reality TV series The Hills return this Spring:

Lauren Conrad and Lo Bosworth are heading out of the Hollywood Hills. The two roommates are ditching their house for a high-rise complex in the Westwood area of Los Angeles. “She wanted more security, and being in a building with a doorman will allow her that,” says a source. Just [this past Tuesday], friends such as Stephanie Pratt, Brody Jenner and girlfriend Jayde Nicole were at her home for a barbecue—all taped by MTV crews, of course. Could it have been a going-away party, perhaps? Maybe L.C. should have considered a block party. No doubt neighbors won’t miss having the Hills camera crews and constant paparazzi presence that came with having her in the neighborhood. Lauren’s and Lo’s rep had no comment.

Man, LC changes homes more than some people change their underwear … I believe this is at least her third move since The Hills went on the air a few years ago. It’s like she just keeps moving higher and higher. To be honest, I considered highrise apartment living for me and David when we started making plans to live together … I thought it would be a nice transition for him since he’s used to living in tall buildings with doormen. Just think, we could’ve been LC’s neighbors … and then David would’ve prolly turned right back around and flew back to NYC :) I understand that LC’s new building is one of the swankier buildings … can’t wait to see what it looks like from the inside.

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]

Moving preparations continued yesterday as I started to pull things off my walls and pack other things into their boxes. I’ve been spending most of today leaping between piles of boxes and crazy clutter in every room. I still have a few things I want to box up on my own but I’m really looking forward to having a team of movers come in and do all the tedious rest. Blah.

Nothing at all exciting to report … last night I placed the last food delivery to my apt. Tonight I’m meeting with Jordan for dinner and tomorrow I’m heading out to celebrate Kirsten’s birthday … David arrives Saturday and then I’m outta here on Sunday. I’m at t-minus 3 days and counting. I am SO looking forward to getting the move over with … it’ll be nice to start settling again, putting together my new home with David. I’m getting really excited now … wee!

• President Obama signs his first bill — equal pay, for equal work.
• Patrick Swayze denies that he has given up on cancer treatment, continues to fight on!
• Wait, the mother of those octuplets already has 6 other children, possibly no dad? Whoa!
• Sources reveal what sent Kelly Osbourne back into rehab.
• Paris Hilton wants the world to know that she isn’t stupid.
• Mickey Rourke pulls out of appearing at this Spring’s Wrestlemania.
• Click HERE to see the tracklist of the new Depeche Mode album Sounds Of The Universe.
• Have you heard of this new fad called Twitter?
• Peace the Spork Out goes to Rosie O’Donnell’s blog.
• Calvin Klein amps up the sexy factor for their new campaign.
• A bi-sexual bird?
• Adriana Lima loses her top for DT magazine.
• Jessica Alba shows off her tattoo.
• Samuel Kai Watts-Schreiber meets LA.
• Lisa Rinna is desperate for a Melrose Place spin-off … homegirl needs work.
• Sara Gilbert (Roseanne) is 34, Heather Graham is 39, Oprah Winfrey is 55 and Tom Selleck is 64 years old today. Click HERE to see who else is celebrating a birthday today.
• President Barack Obama puts a ring on it.
• Get better soon, ONTD!
• Miss my Lost recaps? Entertainment Weekly posts a pretty comprehensive recap every Thursday, HERE is the recap of last night’s ep.