If you have read my previous blogs, you know that I am a celebrity hunter. I love meeting celebs no matter what “list” they are on. Each time I go to approach one I get all giddy, and my palms start sweating, and before you know it I have forgotten how to speak…or I can’t shut up. Here are a few short stories of some of my encounters with some really cool celebs!!!
Patti Smith
When I was studying to become a photographer I had to do a research paper on Robert Mapplethorpe. I loved his art and his background story. I also loved the connection he had with his best friend, Patti Smith. One day I was reading the final draft to my best friend and she was so excited when I mentioned Patti Smith. I did not know how big a fan my Tuna was of Miss Smith, but she used the word “idol.” After the reading, we sat down and compared the many similarities that our relationship had versus their relationship. We were in fact both reincarnate of Mapplethorpe and Smith’s younger selves. Like fate, that same year Patti Smith wrote a book entitled Just Kids. It was the story of her and Mapplethorpe growing up in the 60’s. I tore into that book like it was nobody’s business.
Well one day I was on a little excursion in the city and saw a sign at the library that Patti Smith was autographing her new book on December 10, two days before my birthday. I immediately bought two tickets and told Tuna she had no choice, she was going out with me on the 10th. She asked a dozen times what we were doing, and I kept it quiet for a few weeks, but she wore me down a couple days before the event. She couldn’t contain herself and the 10th could not get there soon enough.
Next thing you know we are headed to the city for the big night. We had simulcast tickets, but we still enjoyed it. Patti was interviewed and she read excerpts from her book and gave a surprise mini concert. I was enthralled and I swear I saw a tear running down Tuna’s cheek. Yeah I made her happy that night.
Then it was time for the book signing. We stood in line and then the nerves started acting up. I had a couple CD covers and my book I wanted her to sign. Tuna brought her diary. Everything was going fine till Jew Fro approached us. Side Note: I have nothing against Jews I love them, in fact me being a Christian is like being an adopted Jew, but this guy needs to go!!! He runs the special events at the library. He rushes you and won’t even help you get a pic with your favorite celeb…worst person ever! I think all he needs is a nice hair cut and some serious action in the bedroom and he may lighten up. So any way back to the story…Jew Fro approached and wouldn’t let Tuna get her diary signed because it was not something from Patti Smith herself. I in turn gave Tuna, my CD covers to get signed while I kept the book. Tuna, got to chit chat with her idol and we got at few pics and then I got my book signed and also hobnobbed with Miss Smith herself. As we walked out completely satisfied I gave my Tuna a hug and handed her the book that Patti had signed for her. It was the cherry on top of the perfect night.
John Lithgow
A couple months ago, I heard that John Lithgow was coming into town on his book tour. I was ecstatic! I love 3rd Rock from the Sun and one of my favorite childhood movies is Harry and the Hendersons. I could not buy the tickets fast enough. I had my Anna Banana go with me and we had a blast! We hit a happy hour first and went to see the show. It was phenomenal; JL is even funnier in person. He told jokes and sang songs. Our favorite part was when he sang The Manatee Song. We sang along and laughed obnoxiously. After the interview was over we all moved upstairs for the autograph session. We were one of the firsts to get in line and the line was surprisingly short for an actor of his caliber. While waiting in line, always the entertaining crew, we did The Charleston. Half way through our number, Mr. Lithgow walked right in between us. Our eyes widened and we smiled and shook his hand. OMG!!! We just shook John Lithgow’s hand!!! We were as giddy and Tracy and Penny were when Link said hi to them in Hairspray (the new one.) We were like 5th and 6th in line.
I meet authors often so I know the procedure now. We tucked our book covers into the title page for easy access and I slid my Harry and the Henderson’s DVD cover in the book as well…AND THEN JEW FRO SHOWED UP!!! Ugh I don’t hate the guy, but if he takes my shit out of my hand one more time I will call him Jew Fro to his face…after I get my pics and signatures. He approached, grabbed my book, took my DVD cover and said “Put this away Mr. Lithgow isn’t signing anything, but his book.” I in turn said “Ok no problem, but don’t take my stuff out of my hand again.” I used to be a magician so with a slight of hand the cover disappeared and reappeared in my book cover. I turned toward Anna, and said “If he loves his fans, he’ll sign this for me.”
Finally it was our turn to go up. Giddy and all the two of us shuffled up to the table I took Anna’s pic as she got her book signed. I then handed her the camera and within a blink of an eye my H&H cover was in front of Mr. Lithgow and my book was right behind it. Beat red, Jew Fro stepped up to the table and said “I told you he’s not signing anything but the book.” I winked at him and turned toward JL and said calmly “Mr. Lithgow I am such a huge fan and this is my favorite movie. It would mean the world to me if you just initialed it.” I must be part Jewish because my mom and I know how to lay the guilt on someone. JL looked up and said “Of course, I love my fans.” He signed on both items “Steve Thanks for being a fan. John Lithgow.” I WIN!!! I looked up, smile beaming from ear to ear, said thank you, shook his hand, sent a cocky smile to Jew Fro and left.
Josh Ritter
For those of you who don’t know Josh Ritter, I think you need to get to know him. He is an amazing folk singer with a voice as smooth as butter accompanied by a gruffness of grated cheese. (Don’t question my metaphors; enjoy them.)Also he is NOT the son of John Ritter…that would be Jason. Anyhoo, I saw that he was coming to the Philadelphia Library to promote his first book. I love his music; I love him so of course his book was going to be great…which it was!!! So I bought a single ticket (because my friends are losers and did not want to tag along.) Josh and Carly Simon are the singers I listen to, to calm down or go to my happy place. I came prepared with my CDs, book, and camera. The interview was great he seemed like a really nice guy. Although you’ll never notice it when he sings, he has a stutter when he gets nervous…makes him even cooler than he already is. He performed a few of his favorite songs for the crowd. After the impromptu concert us fans headed up the stairs to stand in line for his autograph.
Sadly there were only like 20 people who stayed for his autograph; happily I was 3rd in line. He took forever talking to the girls in front of me. Then just as I was about to approach, my arch enemy, Jew Fro, stepped in front of me. This time he didn’t take anything out of my hands, but asked me if I wanted him to take a pic of Josh and me. I was dumfounded, my enemy had found my weakness, kindness. , I of course ecstatic, practically threw my camera at him, and walked up to Josh.
Josh, unlike most authors, was not sitting, but standing to greet his fans. I walked up and extended my hand to shake his. He asked “What’s that for?” and opened his arms for a hug. OMG! A celeb wants to hug me??? YES PLEASE!!! Going with the flow, I hugged him. Not going to lie, the hug lingered long enough for me to catch his scent. He smelled of pine trees and fresh streams with a hint of pot. We NEEDED to be friends. We chit chatted for a few minutes. At the time I had been really stressed at work and home so he was constantly playing on my IPod. I thanked him for keeping me sane in the down times. We posed for some pics then he invited me (and a few others) to join him for a drink afterward. I did. He also put my name on “the list” for his next concert in Philly at World Café Live.
I went to my car and drove to the club it was some house club in Center City. I walked in and there was a small crowd. I was by myself, which makes me nervous, but totally gives me a chance to be amazing! I saw the two girls who were in line before me. We chatted for a second in line so that meant I was their new bff. We had a beer before Josh arrived. There were about 5 other fans and his entourage that joined the party. Oh, and Jew Fro was there. We actually got to talk he’s a nice guy, single. As soon as he told me I was like “I knew it!” He totally needed to get laid that’s why he’s so cranky. Josh was cool he talked to everybody, made us feel like family instead of a fan. By the end of the night I had a friend request from JR. I was on cloud nine!!!
I never made it to his next concert due to a business trip. But I tore through his book in a day. I gave it an amazing review. We still chat on fb one or two times a month. He is the example of how celebs should treat their fans. JR is amazing and you will love his music and his book, Bright’s Passage.
Thanks Josh, you are the best!!!
To Be Continued
Please stay tuned for the following celeb stories:
Freaking Out Tina Fey, Trembling With Mark Wahlberg, and Salad Dressing and Monica Potter!!!
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