I was enjoying one of the perks of Election Day today by ‘voting’ for about 3 hours. So while I was on my way to pick up Johanna for lunch I passed a group of guys that at first glance looked like any other group of businessmen going to a late lunch on the dreary November day. But when I looked a little closer I noticed the guy in the middle was in a full Carolina blue Jordan brand velour jumpsuit. It was Derek Jeter.
I tried my best to keep walking and not openly gawk, but I am not sure I succeeded. He turned the corner and went into Dean and Deluca and once my feet uprooted from the pavement I scurried into Johanna’s office. After I rushed through the pleasantries I told her who I saw and even she was excited. We ran into Dean and Deluca but apparently just missed him, but the guy behind the counter was proudly showing off his autograph and the place was still buzzing. Johanna was disappointed to miss him, but excited for me and put up with me as I recounted every athlete encounter I have ever had.
Then I noticed a curious thing, the office upstairs was all against the glass window looking into the atrium, and every person walking past seemed to be lingering at the table behind us. When we got up to leave we noticed that right behind the pillar we were sitting next to was Jeter himself. Johanna and I walked past him about 3 different times, and watched countless people ask him for an autograph and a picture.
We were satisfied with the sighting, and I am of the belief that unless you are a politician, Hollywood star, or my own personal favorite athlete then I am leaving you alone. I may look and ogle, but I will leave you alone. But not everyone is of this same mind, Mike Hanley is probably the exact opposite. So this raises 2 questions for me:
1: What do you normally do when you see someone famous?
I am “the cool guy/the wuss”. Look at my follow up post to see more on this
2: Who would you approach no matter what?
I say any significant politician (they want to shake hands anyway right), an uberfamous person (Ali, Pitt, Clooney, etc.) or any of my childhood heroes (I would turn into a blubbering mess for Flipper Anderson)
What type of fan are you?
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2 comments:
The Acoster (Mike Hanley)
This person will approach anyone, anytime, with any semblance of celebrity and ask for an autograph, picture, or at least a handshake. Nothing will stand in his way, and although he may stalk this person for a while (Marty, Tom Jackson), ultimately a confrontation is imminent.
The Vicariously living Father (Moester)
This guy will use his kids as an opening to any athlete or celebrity even though they really want to see them more than the kid. My dad will drag me along and chase down any famous athlete or other celebrity and “introduce me” to them. At the Muhammad Ali appearance in Cincy my dad nearly pulled Oscar Robertson’s arm off to have him shake my hand. While I appreciate the gesture and will always remember the event, it was obviously a big deal for my dad to have that happen.
The Best Friend/ the Name Dropper
I see Dav as this with Jay Bilas and other significant Duke Alumni. This guy who goes up to the famous person and acts like they have known them forever and will use loose associations to show that they are really connected more than they actually are. HE usually forces the “Oh yeah, cool, say hi to him for me” reaction as the athlete slinks off as quickly as possible.
The Asian Tourist
It doesn’t matter how awkward the situation, this person is getting a picture, and usually 5 or 6 pictures. Jeter could have had an entire bite of sirloin sandwich in his mouth and these people will get their pic. I saw a blonde girl sit in the chair next to him and have her friend take 3 pictures with her IPhone
The cool guy/ the Wuss
They act like they are not star-struck, they act like they just want the famous person to have a normal life. But they are really just afraid to accost them. Chris Anderson…..
The Giggly Girl
Ever seen the girls in a hard days night? Or the opening seen of Austin Powers? Like that. The sad part is there are many guys like this.
The Sleuth
The person who will go to any length to get a picture without the subject noticing. One of my coworkers asked why I didn’t take a picture like when I was throwing my food away or pretending to take a drink.
Definitely the cool guy/ the wuss.
2 reasons:
1) After the VP debate at Centre in 2000, I shook Joe Lieberman's hand. Kinda wish I hadn't now.
2) Celebrity is all about perception. As the Eastern European father who runs the diner in The Muppets Take Manhattan says: "Peoples...is peoples."
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