I had to go to New York City to experience my closest celebrity encounter. About 15 years ago I stood three people behind Uma Thurman while waiting in a Ladies Room line at Carnegie Hall. I pretty much just stood there and stared while thinking, “Wow. That’s Uma Thurman. And she has to pee.”
Southern New England is not considered a hotbed for celebrity sightings. You may get lucky now and then if you attend a Celtics game or go to a political fundraiser. Well actually, I take that back. We do get our share of sports celebrities.
I once saw retired Patriot player Ted Johnson seated across an aisle from me at a Golden Fork. I pretty much just sat there thinking, “Wow. That’s Ted Johnson. And holy crow, he has a really thick neck.”
I also saw Patriot running back Laurence Maroney at an Italian restaurant near Gillette Stadium. I just sat there thinking “Wow. That’s Laurence Maroney. And he’s got some serious hair.”
Are you seeing a trend? I’m not the type to get all giddy and run up to a perfect celebrity stranger and say “Hi, you’re So-and-So, and I just love you. Can I have your autograph?”
I prefer the I-am-too-cool-to-bother-you-and-will-purposely-look-away-save-a-few- glances method. I therefore surprised myself several years ago while traveling down I-95 in Rhode Island.
There we were moving along when I looked over and saw a Roto-Rooter van. Driving the van was none other than Jason Hawes from Ghost Hunters. Now they are based out of Rhode Island, so a random encounter with one of the TAPS crew should not be all that shocking. But how did I react? Oh, so embarrassing.
It was in the spring; I was riding in the passenger seat, and both of our windows were down. I saw him and immediately shoved my shades atop my head for a better look. I started bouncing up and down in my seat and shouted, “OH MY GOD!!! IT’S THE GHOST HUNTERS GUY!!! LOOK! IT’S THE TAPS DUDE!”
Just as I was in full swing with my bouncing, pointing, and eye bulging hysteria, Jason Hawes looked at me. It didn’t even occur to me that I looked as ridiculous as I surely did. Tony, in all of his my-god-my-wife-is-losing-it horror drove quickly on by. Jason Hawes, with what can be described as a look of partial incredulity and partial amusement smiled and gave me a little wave.
I vowed that the next time I ran into a member of TAPS I would act decidedly much cooler.
This summer Tony and I went with my parents to a PawSox game. Sitting in the stands I looked over into the next section and spied a young man carrying a video camera and filming the fans. I recognized him immediately.
“Hey Mom, that’s Dustin from Ghost Hunters.”
“Looks a lot like him, but that’s not him.”
“Yes it is! That’s him.”
“No, I really don’t think so.”
This conversation continued on for sometime. No one believed me, except Tony who flat out didn’t care, but I knew better. So I sat there, calmly I might add, thinking to myself, “Wow. That’s Dustin Pari from Ghost Hunters. And that is a huge camera.”
That night as soon as I got home I went online and looked up Dustin Pari’s Twitter account (Notice I keep using first and last names with intended My So Called Life Jordan Catalano irony). Sure enough, he had tweeted earlier in the afternoon that he would be working at the PawSox game that night.
“I KNEW IT!” I screamed out to no one. My next step was to prove it to the world by Facebooking and Tweeting the following message:
What I can’t show you, because somehow I accidentally unfollowed him (a horrible act which has since been rectified), was his reply back. I SWEAR he messaged me and said, “You have a keen eye, my lady!” Well. I was needless to say thrilled. I pondered to myself, “If a celebrity tweets me, have we technically met?” Oh, I know…probably not.
But then on Saturday my friend and loyal reader Sherry showed up on my doorstep and surprised me with this:
It turns out the old saying in our area that you always know somebody who knows Somebody, has once again proven itself to be true. Sherry knows someone who knows Dustin Pari. For the first time ever I have my very own personally autographed photo, and I could not be more geeked! (i.e. really, really, really happy)
To my friend Sherry, who truly does good deeds just for the sake of it, thank you!!!! And to Dustin Pari, wherever you are (hopefully somewhere dark and whispering “What the hell was that”), thanks for being such a great sport and signing my photo…even if our meeting was only ever virtual.
What did he write?
That’s so cool. Unfortunately, I’m the freak that screams and jumps up and down at the mere thought of a famous person in the same room or within sight of me. It doesn’t happen very often which is probably a good thing. I’m totally jealous of the picture, but think it’s awesome that you got it. Congrats.
I got a smile from the Queen Mother once, while she was touring Niagara-on-the-Lake and I was standing on the sidewalk waving at her. Once when we were having lunch at the Prince of Wales Hotel, also in N.O.T.L., we sat close to Charles Bronson. My husband even spoke with him. I just sat in my seat trying to breath and be cool. He isn’t even a hottie or anything. I kept saying to hubby, “If that were some actor I actually adored, I think I would faint and then completely die of it’s-too-much-to -handle. What is it about celebrities? What makes them so larger-than-life and so mesmerizing? They’re just people like you and me, just walking around, living their lives in public. hmmmm
Rosemary
Hi Bethany, do you mean on the photo? You can click on it to enlarge it, but it says, “Maria, Happy Hauntings!”
Thank you! It is very cool. : )
A smile from the Queen Mother is something to remember! But I know what you mean about certain celebrities, and why we act the way we do. For me it would be Tori Amos. I think I would crumple in a ball of blubbering sobs if she were even anywhere near my proximity!
Dustin tweeted the link to this post! (and hi from Skirt!land! I recognized the name in is tweet!)
Hello fellow Skirt! Setter! He is very cool. : ) Thanks for stopping by!
That’s truly fabulous–such a great picture. Once I saw James Woods at the Capitol Grill in Providence and was impressed with how young he looked. I was also excited but didn’t get up to ask for his autograph. It’s difficult to remember they have to eat and sleep just like we do!
We love GH in our house
My husband got a laugh a few years ago when I managed a jewelry store. We had a plumbing problem so I submitted the online maintenance request through corp office and they sent Roto-rooter… THAT excited me! And we don’t even live in New England!
Definitely bookmarking this site
I Just met amy and Kris the other night and I didn’t know how to react there was no one in line at the meet and greet and I’m by no means a shy person but I clammed up and didn’t know how to react and was nervous, but 5 min later i finally got the nerve to walk up to the table.
Loved this! lol I’ve seen a few “famous” in various airports and clubs around, but my favorite “sighting” was in this cafe my husband and I were lunching in. Now I know I’M madly in love with my dude, but the buzz of whispering and pointing from the front of the place was seriously distracting until I picked up the words “Val Kilmer” and nearly choked on my panini. He does look like the man–even has long hair usually pulled back in a pony tail……and HE TOTALLY WENT WITH IT! I was trying not to snort my wine, he’s signing autographs and shaking hands! While impersonating a “famous” wasn’t on the list that day–it certainly made our day–and theirs! I wonder if they tell that story….. “I once met Val Kilmer and his wife and they were SO nice!”
That is an awesome story!!!! And kudos to you btw for having a man who looks like Val Kilmer. : )