Once upon a time, my poetry was selected to be read at a benefit for "Friends Outside," which is an organization for friends and family of prisoners. It was a great honor to be featured at this event and to stand and be recognized for my writing. While they had the authors in the audience, they had actual celebrities read the work. Mine was read by a lovely lady (not pictured), but I was really excited to see Ed Asner and Ed Begley, Jr. and made sure to get a picture with them. Ed Asner was especially gracious and we discussed his having a brother in prison at the time. Although I look like I work at See's Candies in that dress (seriously, what was I thinking?), it was a really great day.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Ed Asner and Ed Begley, Jr.
Once upon a time, my poetry was selected to be read at a benefit for "Friends Outside," which is an organization for friends and family of prisoners. It was a great honor to be featured at this event and to stand and be recognized for my writing. While they had the authors in the audience, they had actual celebrities read the work. Mine was read by a lovely lady (not pictured), but I was really excited to see Ed Asner and Ed Begley, Jr. and made sure to get a picture with them. Ed Asner was especially gracious and we discussed his having a brother in prison at the time. Although I look like I work at See's Candies in that dress (seriously, what was I thinking?), it was a really great day.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Coulda Woulda Shoulda
There are a few celebrities I've met that I didn't get a picture with. Well, actually, there are a lot, but I'm talking about celebs I've had some sort of exchange with (say, a conversation) and then didn't get a picture. Or, I got a pic and the camera didn't work. Or, the person was in a casino (no pics allowed). Here are my top three "misses" from long ago.
The first one is Luke Perry. Shortly after "Beverly Hills 90210" came on the air, I was at Disneyland with my cheer squad and we saw the cast of 90210 walking around (yes, the whole cast). I think they were on their way to a radio broadcast or something. All I know is I saw Luke Perry first and called out, "Hey, Dylan" or something, since at the time I didn't even know his real name. Yeah, nice. He stayed back and talked to me, while the rest of the cast walked on. We had a conversation about Bionic Heroes, since previously that week I'd used Dylan McKay (his character on the show for anyone living under a rock) as an example in my Honors English class as a Bionic Hero. He even knew what that was and seemed really flattered. At the time, I didn't want to bother him for a picture (what was I thinking?) or even an autograph, I just thought having the encounter was cool enough. Silly girl. 
A few years later I was at a Dodger game in LA and saw Jerry Seinfeld and his friend Larry Miller sneak in during the sixth inning. Jerry freaking Seinfeld!!! I went and talked to him and let's just say, he wasn't the nicest person I've ever met. Granted, I'm sure he just wanted to enjoy the game and I totally infringed upon that, but still. I really thought he was going to be hysterical. A week later I read an article about him where he said he hated when people approached him. Oops - that would've been nice to see before the game. Oh well. I did get his autograph and we did take a picture with some crummy disposable camera we'd bought at the game, but the pictures didn't turn out. The horror!
Larry Miller was REALLY nice, though. He made me feel much better about bugging them. :)
The last encounter was with Emilio Estevez, who was gambling at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. I went and asked him why his dad and brother had a different last name (since I happen to have a special place in my heart for their last name) and he said he shared his grandfather's name. Oh. So, my sharing the same fake name as his brother and father probably didn't impress him. Hmmm. Interesting. He did give me an autograph before going back to his game, but I have no idea what to do with autographs. They seem silly to me. I'd much rather get a picture with someone than an autograph, but I guess to each his own.
The first one is Luke Perry. Shortly after "Beverly Hills 90210" came on the air, I was at Disneyland with my cheer squad and we saw the cast of 90210 walking around (yes, the whole cast). I think they were on their way to a radio broadcast or something. All I know is I saw Luke Perry first and called out, "Hey, Dylan" or something, since at the time I didn't even know his real name. Yeah, nice. He stayed back and talked to me, while the rest of the cast walked on. We had a conversation about Bionic Heroes, since previously that week I'd used Dylan McKay (his character on the show for anyone living under a rock) as an example in my Honors English class as a Bionic Hero. He even knew what that was and seemed really flattered. At the time, I didn't want to bother him for a picture (what was I thinking?) or even an autograph, I just thought having the encounter was cool enough. Silly girl. A few years later I was at a Dodger game in LA and saw Jerry Seinfeld and his friend Larry Miller sneak in during the sixth inning. Jerry freaking Seinfeld!!! I went and talked to him and let's just say, he wasn't the nicest person I've ever met. Granted, I'm sure he just wanted to enjoy the game and I totally infringed upon that, but still. I really thought he was going to be hysterical. A week later I read an article about him where he said he hated when people approached him. Oops - that would've been nice to see before the game. Oh well. I did get his autograph and we did take a picture with some crummy disposable camera we'd bought at the game, but the pictures didn't turn out. The horror! Larry Miller was REALLY nice, though. He made me feel much better about bugging them. :)The last encounter was with Emilio Estevez, who was gambling at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. I went and asked him why his dad and brother had a different last name (since I happen to have a special place in my heart for their last name) and he said he shared his grandfather's name. Oh. So, my sharing the same fake name as his brother and father probably didn't impress him. Hmmm. Interesting. He did give me an autograph before going back to his game, but I have no idea what to do with autographs. They seem silly to me. I'd much rather get a picture with someone than an autograph, but I guess to each his own.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Josh Brolin
When I was a sophomore in high school, I was sitting in a cheerleading competition in some random high school in LA watching my Varsity squad perform. My JV squad was too young to perform (or we weren't ready, I'm not sure which), so we were only there to lend support. Suddenly, I saw someone who looked exactly like Josh Brolin (who played Brand, the older brother, on Goonies) get up and walk outside. Although we weren't entirely sure it was him, we were willing to take a chance, so I grabbed my dear friend Katrina, yelled at our Cheerleading Gerry to follow us, and we ran out after him. He must've been walking really fast, or we took too long trying to get out of there, because he was halfway down the block before we caught up to him. As luck would have it, it WAS him and we were able to have a little photo session. 
Turns out, he was there to support some friends who were performing (what a loyal friend) and was just about to make his getaway on his hot stuff motorcycle before we caught him. He was really nice and genuine and I'm so glad we trusted our instincts and went after him. Gerry had her fancy camera and was able to document the experience. How freaking excited were we?!?! It was like a dream come true.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Jason Bateman
When I was 12, my parents built on to our house. Once it was completed, they said I could have a party to celebrate. This was amazing news, especially when my best friend and I decided that we'd invite our true love celebrities: Ricky Schroder (of course), Sean Astin (Mikey on The Goonies), and Jason Bateman (who was also on "Silver Spoons." So, we wrote these silly, girly letters inviting them to the party. In return, we got....an empty mailbox. Well, actually, that's not entirely true. We got "the Heisman" from both Ricky and Sean, but from Jason (or his fan club, I should say), we got an invitation to a play he was starring in down in Hollywood. 
How could I pass that up? My mom and I drove three hours to the play, loved it (well, from what I remember, although I just as easily hated it, but loved having Jason so close), and somehow convincing this really nice girl named Anne to help me meet him. This is officially my first celebrity photo. I was hooked. From that point forward, I loved having my picture taken with celebrities. I've never looked back.This might possibly be my favorite picture, though, for the following reasons:
- How big is the smile on my face?
- Could my hands be clasped around his waist any tighter? It's like I was never going to let him go!
- Gotta love the 80's do, the 80's outfit and the turquoise bangle bracelet.
It was definitely an opportunity I'll never forget.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Pinky's Fandance
From a very young age I've been interested in celebrities. I don't know why, I just am. When I was five I used to kiss the picture of "The Fonz" above my bed goodnight. When I was twelve, I had Ricky Schroder's face put on my birthday cake (and I ate his lips). My room was plastered with pictures lovingly torn from Teen Beat, Bop, Tiger Beat, etc. So, it should come as no surprise that I'd grow up to be the person who can spot any celebrity in a crowd. I like to think of it as some sort of gift.
A few years ago, my dear friend Scott Peehl decided to follow me around the Sundance Film Festival (where I now get most of my pictures) and make a short movie about me. What better way to start the blog then to share the video which started it all?
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