Not sure where the fascination came from, but it started back in the late 60's. I would visit my aunt in the summer (who was going to Howard University in Washington, D.C.) and we would take the train to New York City on the weekends.
My aunt would take me to off-broadway plays, museums, restaurants, and the like. One day while walking down one of the New York City streets, I spotted Cassius Clay - (he wasn't Mohammad Ali yet). I remember asking my aunt if I could ask him for his autograph. I got that autograph, but have since lost it in my many moves throughout my life. *sigh*
More recently, about 10-12 years ago, I was in Phoenix, Arizona with a girlfriend for a mini-vacation to go to a Phoenix Mercury basketball game, and at half-time I spotted Mike Tyson across the way. And although I had never been a fan of the guy, for some reason I couldn't pass up the chance to get his autograph.
So I marched right over to where he was sitting and was stopped briefly by his bodyguards, but was able to get through and get his "john hancock" on a piece of paper I had torn out of my little notebook . . .
During that same weekend, we were at a P.F. Chang's restaurant having drinks at the bar and the bartender told us that Sammy Sosa was having a business meeting upstairs in a private room.
Mind you, I was no fan of his EITHER. Not for the same reasons as Mike Tyson, it's just that I've never been a baseball fan. But that didn't matter. I still wanted his autograph! Waited for well over an hour, but I got it . . .
I thought I had outgrown the whole autograph thing, but this evening when I was at Selma's over in Rancho Santa Margarita, I looked out the open door of the restaurant and saw Vicki walking out of Philly's Best next door going to her car. Vicki who? you ask . . .
always working - just like on the show!
Vicki Gunvalson from The Real Housewives of Orange County. Yep, and I don't know what got into me at 57 years of age, but I grabbed my camera, walked outside (at least I didn't run!), walked up to her sitting in her suv and asked if she minded if I took a photo. She stopped texting long enough for me to get a better head-shot . . . I quickly thanked her and let her get back to whatever it was she was doing. I don't think her autograph will be worth as much as Sammy's one day, so I didn't ask for one!
Just another day in The O.C.
Who have YOU run into lately?
7 comments:
It's amazing who we run into isn't it. I saw Prince Charles a few weeks ago in Tenby, Wales and couldn't believe my luck to be there at the same time he was greeting the people in his principality. Of course, I didn't get an autograph like you did! LOL
Keep your eyes open-you never know.
Funny! When I lived on the upper west side of Manhattan, celebrity sightings were just about an every day event. I shopped at the same deli as John and Yoko. I shared puppy training stories in the early A.M. with Roberta Flack. I fell out of love with Don Johnson when I saw just how short he really was.
Biggest difference in our stories....a native NYer would DIE before acting anything but sophisticated and jaded....no autograph requests, ever...not even acknowledgment of celebrity status allowed. LOL! I missed a lot of autograph and picture opps by trying so hard to act above it all.
Eileen
Prince Charles?!! Oh yeah, me running into Vicki isn't even CLOSE to The Prince! LOL
And early morning puppy training stories with Roberta Flack? Yes, that would have been nice. And of course John and Yoko at the local deli? Niiiiice.
I haven't really met many celbs. The few that I have met are James Brown, Red Skelton - have his autograph, Wyton Marsalis - have his autograph, George Benson and Rachelle Ferrell.....got to sing on stage a bit during their concert, then talked with George Benson backstage. I also met Lech Walesa while in Poland.
I really enjoyed your post. Your blog is awesome!!! You always keep things fresh and interesting!
hmmm, well I ran into the local town
crazy panhandling this afternoon, but I don't think that is what you are looking for.
I've 'seen' a lot of celebs in town as our little town is often used
for movies (small-town Ontario, becomes small-town USA). I've never met any though.
Cool post!
Hugs
i've met you, sherry! you're a celeb to me! ;>)
xx
marilyn g
That's so cool! Glad to hear that she was nice enough to pose for you - I love it, Kristin xo
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