Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Star struck



I have 'almost' met a couple of famous people in my lifetime.



Oprah was one. Not kidding. She walked in-between me and my sisters as we were blocking her way into Christie's while we were in NYC. It happened so fast, I didn't have time to react. One moment she was storming out of her big black SUV, (with 2 bodyguards mind you,) while I was quickly rummaging through my purse to find my camera, next thing I know, her bodyguard is asking us politely to step aside, I look up and there she was, right in my face. Or maybe I was in hers. Never found my camera, couldn't have gotten a shot off anyway, this was skinny Oprah and she was in good enough shape to walk the few feet in 3 seconds flat. Anyway, it all happened so fast, we didn't even have time to come to our senses. None of us said 'HI', or 'We love you', or 'You're skinnier in person', or anything. We just stood there with our mouths hanging open, all of us thinking the same thing. Did that just happen? Did we just almost meet the Big O? You'll be happy to hear I did get a picture of her big black SUV. It's proudly displayed in my scrapbook.



My other famous almost got to meet, was David Letterman. Yeah, no kidding. Same NYC, this time with my husband. We were one of the lucky couples chosen to sit on the 2nd row. I'm not sure if this had anything to do with the fact that we actually watched the show (this was before we found out his true adulterer character, of course) and knew who what's-his-name was. Not the bald piano band leader, the black guy that always wears the headphones.
Did I mention Tary was with me? You know, my husband who remembers every little thing...like people's names? Anyway, the Letterman people must have been so impressed with our Late Night knowledge, they put us on the 2nd row. That night, David was in the audience playing "Stump the Band", which by the way, I tried out for, but they weren't impressed with my rendition of 'I stuck my head in a little skunks hole'. I'm just guessing that the band already knew that one and it wouldn't have been a challenge for them, that's why they didn't pick me. Anyway, the lady they did pick was sitting directly behind Tary. So David was standing right behind and to the side of him. Tary, of course, had to play it cool, since his face was on the camera, but I, on the other hand, got to turn and look at him, up close! It was so cool. He's taller in person.



Well, a couple of months ago, I got to meet another famous person. And I actually said Hello! And she said Hello back to me! I was starstruck...and I so wanted to run back to the truck and get my camera and have Tary take a picture of us together...but I didn't want to seem like one of those crazy fans that jump up and down and scream and cry...so I played it cool and pretended to be normal, when really my insides were jumping up and down and crying and screaming for me to go get the camera! Ugh! I should have listened to my inner voice, but I didn't! I came home so disappointed in myself for trying to be so cool. Cool is so over-rated.



Then last week, I had a chance to redeem myself. I got tickets to go see a taping of "Good Things Utah" at the channel 4 studios where she was going to be a guest on. I was so excited! I packed my camera, making sure the battery was fully charged. Left an hour early for the 15 minute drive so I wouldn't be late. Found a parking spot up front...went inside...but the receptionist wouldn't buzz me in. She pointed to the sign that said, "No purses. No photography. No jumping up and down and crying and screaming for our guests." Just kidding, but not about the camera part! So I returned back to my car and locked my purse and camera inside. I would have smuggled it in if it was a small, sleek little thing like the one I got my husband for Christmas and saw on his dresser that morning, and thought about taking, but decided against it because mine had a bigger zoom lens. UGH! I couldn't believe this was happening again!



Well, I made it inside safely. The rest of her fan club made it too. When she walked out on stage, we clapped and cheered, and inside I'm sure we were all jumping up and down and screaming and crying. Can you guess what happened next? Out came the camera's. Of course, they were all little, and sleek, and able to be smuggled in. Heavy sigh. No one is going to believe my story, because I didn't even jump in the picture when she had all her home girls gather around the set for a group hug.

Failed again, I was ready to shuffle back to car for a good cry...but I couldn't, no I wouldn't, let another opportunity go by. So I marched back to my car, grabbed my big ol' zoom lens camera, smiled sweetly at the receptionist till she buzzed me back in, then floated back to the green room where my dear sweet cousin took a picture of Me and Vanessa...together...at last!



By the way, she is much littler in person.

4 comments:

Faund Images said...

Oh my goodness, that was FUN! Thanks for coming to the show!
AND for spending time bargain shopping Khols with me... wouldn't be fun without you.

V and Co. said...

Ha! I was reading your post and was all intrigued who you were talking about and then I started laughing because you were talking about me! Thanks for being so nice! Whenever you are in town just tell faun to call me and you can take as many pictures as you want! ;) and you can even see the chaotic mess we call our life!

Susan said...

Wow Linda! How does it make you feel that a celebrity reads AND comments on your blog! You'd never get the big O to do that!

GGMa said...

Loved your stories as usual. I'm glad you finally got to meet one of your celebrities. Cute picture of you and V. I think you are just as talented as any of them. You just haven't sold your self yet. That ok too.