Hmm. I’ve had several celebrity encounters, and a few conversations, but to “know” anyone famous suggests, at the very least, that they would know my name.
That whittles it down to two very unremarkable (well, as far as fame/recognition goes) people:
Eric whats-his-face from the 80s hair band Warrant, although now he’d probably just look at me quizzically, knowing me from somewhere, and wonder if he’d “done” me in his rocker days. Truth is, I was in a church worship/singing group that met at his house; his roommate was a friend of mine. The blond lead singer–Brad? Something?–was also there, and quite a cool guy. I had no idea who Warrant was at the time–even when the roomie I was friends with hummed a few bars of Cherry Pie.
Then there’s
Bruce Headley, who virtually no one outside of the horse racing world would know. He’s a highly respected and successful trainer, and one known for being a true horseman–not a slick businessman. I’m actually pretty good friends with him and his wife, in a certain respect, and their generosity has opened up an entirely new, and foreign, world to me. The millionaire–and occasionally billionaire–owners I meet are, to say the very least, an eclectic and…uh…interesting lot. Though the hubby feels a bit out of place, this elementary school teacher finds the whole scene fascinating. The last time we were at the track in the Director’s Room, one owner–a decently successful one who was more of a gambler/gamer than one dabbling in an expensive hobby–placed both of his hands above me to extend a blessing so that I may someday own a racehorse. Umm…okay…