Monday, November 29, 2010

Star Struck

I cannot dance. Actually, that's not entirely true. I can do the club dance, the bump and grind and whatnot. I used to go dancing all the time in college. But I can't actually dance.

For a year I had a roommate who was a dance major - tiny little thing who bounded around like she was on springs. One time while imitating her I fell and busted my ass, because that's what I do. My mom always told me that once I grew into my limbs I'd stop bumping into things but that did not happen. I am not coordinated. In eighth grade it took me two days to learn how to click my heels to play an orphan in our school production of Oliver! Two days. On the upside, I can still do it.

I can move to the music, but I cannot do anything with any kind of rules, is my point.

So when I watch So You Think You Can Dance it is with nothing but admiration. I am baffled by what those people can do, often moved, and ever since a friend showed me years ago that routine with the ping pong table I've never missed an episode.

My very favorite dancer on that show is Mark. Oddly enough, this is my favorite of his routines on the show:



He's ethereal and masculine, sexy and quirky all at the same time. I am always thrilled when he makes an appearance on the show.

So today at Trader Joe's I made eye contact with this really good looking, tall guy in the aisle next to me and suddenly realized it was Mark shopping for groceries with a woman I assume is his mom.

Now I have had conversations with celebrities before. Sometimes brief, sometimes longer. I was not nervous even a little bit when I met Amber Benson, Danny Strong or Katee Sakhoff, and I carried on lengthy conversations with Jane Espenson on two occasions. There have been others - when I talked to them I was always fine because I know exactly what to say to those people. I know what to ask them or what kind of clever stories to tell. I have no idea what one says to a dancer other than OMG YOU'RE AWESOME. Plus I looked terrible. No makeup. I threw on sweat pants and a work-out T-shirt, thinking "Who am I going to see at Trader Joe's on a Sunday afternoon?" Who indeed.

Yes I know he's gay. That's completely irrelevant. And for the record he's so cute and very tall. It always surprises me how much taller celebrities are in person. Except Danny Strong and Katte Sakhoff - They're really short.

In LA it is an unspoken rule that you don't bother the celebrities. You can say you like them, but don't pester them, particularly when they're out buying bread with mom. I'm not one to break the rules.

So after pondering for like five minutes my plan of action, I waited until he turned in my direction, then said in my cute little girl voice the following statement:

"You're my favorite."

He smiled all huge and thanked me, and I immediately turned around and put all my attention into bagging my groceries to hide my nervous red face and shaking hands.

5 comments:

  1. That is some seriously lovely dancing (and they're both graceful, unexpected (had to look up show (my notion of dance shows is entirely derived from less graceful bits that appear on Soup)). A man who can dance is truly, truly yummy (Hugh Jackman? Already hot from Wolverine, then finding out he can move so gracefully, doesn't get sexier.)

    Lived poor in Soho during art school, always weird schlumping around with dirty laundry in ratty sweats on laundry day (way underdressed for neighborhood (on other days my slumming was at least more surface fashionable, eg, ancient jeans, doc martens, schlepping obviously artsy supplies). Goodly amount of famous folk. Always aimed to not disturb, never a problem on laundry days, but otherwise couldn't resist with creatives whose work I loved (allowed myself one quick shout-out, with specific reference to something lovely they did/made/sang/acted). And they were all so nice about it. Yay you met Mark! And you didn't trip!

    ReplyDelete
  2. That's pretty cool. I love a neighborhood where creativity thrives and everybody's all in it together.

    And yeah, once you get past the audition phase, SYTYCD has some ridiculously amazing dancing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Not that I've seen/run into too many celebrities, but I've made several visits to L.A. and they film quite a few movies here in Winnipeg, so I've had a few encounters.

    Usually the people I admire are comedians or musicians, who I find are easier to approach and engage in an actual conversation with. Of course, the only time I've done this is at a bar -- anytime I've seen someone out eating dinner or at the store, I've just whispered to the person I'm with "that's so-and-so!" or, if I'm alone, send out some texts. But I've had some nice conversations with folks like Cary Brothers, Nate Corddry, and Shaun Majumder.

    (I've also interviewed a ton of "famous" people who I admire, which is so fun to do, and probably doesn't help stop me from approaching others. :P)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous7:22 AM

    Letter to Editor/Publisher/Owner/CEO of Bamboo Killer- Emily Blake

    Since most of the comments and retard legal advice to her on Done Deal Pro are pure bullshit.

    Could you please get an entertainment lawyer or pro writer on your plog to answer some question about her problem. And help us out so we don't get in trouble and not make any mistakes.

    Bottom line -we are shocked you are not taking about the lawsuit from Fox-suing our beloved PJ LIMMAMA.

    Why?

    Don't you want to help PJ. To get the word out so we can get proper support and advice. Not like those clowns from Done Deal Pro talking out there ass.

    Sorry for being crude. I think because you have a very popular and powerful blog you should post on this matter.

    Thank you.
    Ayo L

    ReplyDelete
  5. Since I am not a lawyer, I am not dispensing any advice to PJ. I will post something about it once I know more about the case.

    ReplyDelete

Please leave a name, even if it's a fake name. And try not to be an asshole.

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.