This one time in L.A......

Even though I work in NYC, I haven't experienced too many celebrity sightings here. But this one time in L.A., I did have a close encounter with Ryan Seacrest.

Now theoretically, I am sure we all would like to believe that if we crossed paths with a celebrity, we would maintain our composure. After all, they are just fellow human beings like ourselves. No big deal. I mean maybe you’d try to sneak a peak through the corner of your eye. Or maybe you'd inconspicuously look over in their direction at the interesting something or other behind them... but nothing crazy.

Then on my first trip to L.A. a couple of years ago, David, Flo & Aaron took me on a one day, all-inclusive grand tour of just about anything you'd ever want to see in Los Angeles, Hollywood, Santa Monica and Beverly Hills. During this excursion, Aaron was driving, Flo was in the passenger seat, I was behind Aaron, and David was behind Flo.

So we're cruisin along and David's pointing out the local hot spots and how one time he saw so and so eating there, and this person can often be seen at that club, and there's the House of Blues... Then while looking out her window, Flo says rather nonchalantly… “Oh there’s Ryan Seacrest.”

Upon hearing this, I look over to my right and sure enough driving a black Mercedes was Ryan Seacrest. Without hesitation, I lunge over David and smack my face, and David's, on the window, all the while screaming, “Oh my gosh RYAN!” and things like that… I wasn’t even a fan, but still I was overtaken by some incredible force that rendered me unable to keep myself from acting like a crazed 14 year old groupie at a NKOTB* concert in the late 80’s. There I was, both hands plastered to the window while crushing my fiancé and screaming as if Ryan was going to hear me through both car windows and, what… respond?

I don’t know what I was thinking, clearly I wasn’t. All I know is that Ryan seemed to be trying not to notice the freak in the car next to him. But looking back… I think it would be safe to say he also appeared slightly frightened.

Ever since then… I feel like we have this connection.

Just kiddin. I don’t feel connected to Ryan Seacrest whatsoever, but I have become a fan. Now when I’m watching American Idol and he’s on, I catch myself with this goofy grin on my face…. I can’t help it.

I also wish I could say that I learned from my L.A. celebrity sighting experience and that awareness somehow taught me to be more incognito the next time around, but it hasn’t, and I wasn't. A few months later, I found myself eating lunch next to Christina Applegate and there I was, staring in aw as the poor girl tried to eat her tuna salad. At least I didn’t start screaming, that’s an improvement.

You know how they say you learn a lot about a person in a moment of crisis… well I hope it doesn't also hold true for the moment you experience your first celebrity sighting.



*NKOTB a.k.a New Kids on the Block (I was actually NOT a fan...but I was a HUGE fan of Debbie Gibson.

Pop Quiz

What type of writer are you?

You Should Be a Film Writer

You don't just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind. You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life. Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling. And nothing would please you more than millions of people seeing your story on the big screen!

What Type of Writer Should You Be?