'Catholic Guy' confesses to his share of imperfections

Lino Rulli just admits it: "I'm a screw-up."

That kind of honesty, sometimes while tongue is firmly in cheek, is part of the irresistible charm of the St. Paul native, Sirius XM Radio's popular "Catholic Guy" and now author of the book "Sinner."

Rulli was home visiting his folks, Gina and Angelo Rulli, and promoting his book. "Second book I ever read, first book I ever wrote," said Rulli, who got his start in broadcasting in the Twin Cities with an internship at KARE11 arranged by anchor Diana Pierce. He also did an Emmy-winning cable show, "Generation Cross," a behind-the-scenes look at the Catholic Church and its people, when he lived here.

Rulli allowed me to tag along with my video camera as KARE11 anchor Julie Nelson and photographer John Drilling taped an interview last week at the State Fair. They scoured the fairgrounds looking for examples of the Seven Deadly Sins.

"When people have asked me to write a book I say, 'What do you want me to write about? The only thing I really know is me.' There are plenty of theologians and people who can tell you all about God. I can tell you about me and my relationship with God.

"To me the whole point of writing a book was, 'I'm a screw-up.' Look, I just ran through a red light," he said. Mercifully, my attention was focused on videotaping him at that moment so I was spared the panic.

"The bottom line is, I can try to be faithful, try to be religious. Like most people in our lives, we're not good at what we strive to be good at, whether it be our professions or our personal lives. Everybody talks behind your back: 'He's not that good at whatever.'

"And to make money."

There was no shortage of book publishers interested in what he had to say. "Believe it or not, several publishers wanted me to write a book," he said. "The advance, that's the whole reason people write books. There was nothing I desperately needed to share with the world. I've gotten the public convinced that I'm literate."

Beware the sex tapeAwkward and embarrassing. That's a New York tabloid's account of a chance encounter on an airplane between Kris Humphries and Ray J, his new bride's co-star in a 2007 sex tape.

An independent source tells me the story is likely true about the newlywed NBA player and the rapper sitting in first-class, across the aisle from each other, on a Sunday flight from L.A. to New York with a stop in the Twin Cities.

Humphries reportedly changed his seat, moving away from Ray J. Of course, Ray J has no class, and he reportedly approached Humphries, who feigned ignorance of the identity of singer Brandy's brother. After being pressed by an offering of congratulations from Ray J, Humphries reportedly acknowledged he did know the rapper and apologized.

That sex video will not stop biting Kim K on the butt. It is unlikely Vivid will give up control of it, with it continuing to make money, most notably on the weekend of the Kardashian-Humphries nuptials.

Janet Charlton of janetcharltonsholly wood.com thinks she knows who is behind the Tennessee attorney who is trying to buy the rights to the video.

"Kim Kardashian or her mother," said Charlton. "Who else would try to buy the tape? It keeps coming back thanks to Ray J."

Ray J has denied sending out a Twitter quip on the day of the lavish wedding, remarking that Kim had him to think for all of this. Like many, Charlton does not believe Ray J's denial.

Privately, Ray J probably loves the notoriety and the money the video garners. The video may make money for a long time.

"As long as that video is out there, Kardashian can't be the princess she wants to be. They [her family] thinks she is royalty. And this can't happen to a royal."

The video is a cautionary tale for princesses in training everywhere.