Famous People You've Met

[Bostondevil]

Have we done this one before? I don't remember. Who have you met that is famous? Duke ball players count. I got the idea from EarlJam's Us/Them thread.

I'll go first.

Athletes:
Michael Jordan, yes, it's true. He was very nice.
Kevin Youkilis
Johnny Dawkins
David Henderson
Kenny Dennard
Chip Engelland
Tommy Amaker
Danny Meagher
Tate Armstrong
Gary Melchioni
Coach K

Entertainers:
Regis Philbin
Jimmy the Greek (does he still count, it was a LONG time ago, obviously)
William Hurt

Intellegentsia:
Dudley Hirshbach
Norman Ramsey
Eric Cornell (stayed at my house)
Wolfgang Ketterle
Stephen J. Gould
Atul Gawande (does he count, I've known him a long time, he gets on TV and he's won a MacArthur, he could also be on the authors list)
John Tukey
David Cox (from Box-Cox fame)
CS Rao
Edwards Demming

Authors:
Michael Ondaatje
Robertson Davies
Nick Hornby
Jhumpa Lahiri

That's all I can remember for now.

[CathyCA]

Well, I worked for Coach K as his office assistant for 3 years (thank you, devil84!), so I know him and all of the players and recruits from that time, but I met him before any of the 3 national championships propelled him to superstardom. Does that count?

I met Donny Osmond a few years ago. He was my first celebrity crush. I had saved my Donny Osmond lunchbox from the 4th grade, and I had him autograph it.

[DukePA]

CathyCA, Donny Osmond was my first crush too!

Here's my list:

Dukies:
Jon Scheyer
Greg Paulus
Shavlik Randolph
Jamal Boykin
Mike Gminski
Mark Alarie
Billy King
Marty Clark
Robbie West
Jay Bilas
Danny Ferry

WBB
Krista Gingrich
Georgia Schweitzer Beasley
Monique Curry
Emily Waner
Abby Waner
Alison Bales
Juanisha Smith

Duke drs:
Henry Friedman
Alan Friedman

Others:
President Gerald Ford
Dickie V
Bob Harris
Dave Duerson ('85 Chicago Bears)
Michael Jordan (danced with him in chapel hell, very much the gentleman)
Rick Danko (The Band)
Steve Earl

Most importantly: Tilly Galore!!! She's so cute!

That's all I can think of for now!

[CameronBornAndBred]

Sports related

Duke 73'-74' basketball team. They all came over to our house for dinner.
John Madden


Entertainment

Katie Couric, Matt Lauer, Al Roker (my uncle is on staff for the Today show, got to watch them broadcast it)
Peter Arnett

Politics

Gary Hart
Jesse Jackson

Other

Sandra Day O'Connor (She was my favorite. She was at a dinner party I went to when she was still on the Supreme Court. We had about a 15 minute conversation. At the time, I had a foot long mohawk, with my hair died jet black, and the fuzz on the sides of my head bleached white. She never once judged me for my appearance. She did ask about it, but for nothing other than curiosity. For the most part we talked art.

[EarlJam]

Wait a cotton-pickin' minute. Donny Osmand was MY first crush too!

No.

That's a mighty good list BostonDevil! More later, but my "high water mark" was when Fiona Apple spit on me.

-EarlJam

[TillyGalore]

When I was in their dressing room.

[mph]

I might do a complete list later, but I met Alan Alda at a resort on St. John while my wife and I were on our honeymoon. Nice guy.

[camion]

I prefer to think of it as "famous people who have met me." ;)

[OZZIE4DUKE]

I met Vice President Hubert Humphrey in 1966 or 67, before he ran for President.

I met Arnold Palmer in 1966 at Doral CC in Miami. He signed a dollar bill for me (my Dad asked him to do that). I also met Emit Kelley, the world's saddest clown, the same week.

I played golf with the Scooter, Phil Rizzuto (which I mentioned in his RIP thread).

I see no point in naming all the Duke players I've met.

[mapei]

I'm not going to do a list, but since someone mentioned Justice O'Connor I have to say that she had tennis time at my club on the same night that I did, right after my group's time. So I saw her more or less weekly for years. She was always the very definition of gracious.

[Bostondevil]

Most importantly: Tilly Galore!!! She's so cute!



Oh yes! Me too! I've met Tilly!



My first crush was Bobby Sherman. My second crush was Gary Melchioni. My third crush was Tate Armstrong. My fourth crush was Jim Spanarkl. I learned early. My current cougar crush is still JJ Redick. I think he's the only young man I could go cougar for. (EarlJam, I'm not enough older than you for it to count as a cougar crush.)

[EarlJam]

I see no point in naming all the Duke players I've met.

Back in 1993, I slept with the entire Duke football team.

-EarlJam

P.S. It was an odd time. I was confused, incoherent.

[RainingThrees]

Not my favorite President, but i met Jimmy Carter.

[billybreen]

Well, I beat Chris Carrawell in 3-4 games of ping pong a day during freshman year in Bassett Hall. Excluding Duke people, I met recently deceased author Robert Jordan many times when I was in middle/high school.

[Cell-R]

I live down the street from Nicholas Sparks :-)

His son happens to be one of my friends...

We went on a ski trip with the Sparks and a couple other families a few years ago.

And my dads name is in the acknowledgements for one of his books.

Other than that... Not too many people

Recently I met Dmarc

[Bostondevil]

Veering off my own topic, I feel have to clarify that what I feel for George Clooney is not a crush, it's true love. And actually, I hope to never meet him. I really wouldn't want reality to spoil the perfect notion I have of him.

Back on topic

Politicians:
Joe Kennedy

[knights68]

Imet Uncle Paul (Local WRAL TV Kids program guy back in the early 70's)
Greg Fischel
Charlie Gaddy
Pam Salisby

On the world stage, I met Mick Foley (Professional 'wrassler)
and I s aw Reba McIntyre in the buff... lol
and I too have had the Honor of meeting TillyGalore!

[Clipsfan]

I live in LA so can run into/sometimes actually talk with quite a few people from the entertainment world. Others who have been interesting to talk to were:

Had lunch with Warren Buffett

Played a round of golf with Larry Brown (and was civil)

Played a few rounds of golf with Dick Riordan

The Great One (mainly remember that because I was talking to him and suddenly looked at him and thought "You're #99!", one of the few times I felt celebrity shock)

Sampras, but paid more attention to his wife (much more my type)

[CameronBornAndBred]

and I s aw Reba McIntyre in the buff... lol
and I too have had the Honor of meeting TillyGalore!

Wow, I'm jealous. One day I'll meet Tilly, too.

[jimbonelson]

i live in Aberdeen Maryland.Home town of the Ripkin family. I went to school with Billy,playing on the same soccer teams and baseball teams in high school.often staying at the ripkin house overnight. i have often played baseball with cal, also soccer, i Even played basketball in Cal's house, he has a indoor half court. A couple of times a year we ll get together and drink a few beers.

E.j. Henderson of the Minnesota vikings also is from Aberdeen and i used to work out with him

[Indoor66]

I was fortunate. My father was outgoing and met many people and I benefited from that through him and learning from him.

I met, through him:
Chuck Yeager (Speed of Sound)
Paul Tibbets (Enola Gay)
Byron Nelson
Sam Snead
Arnold Palmer
Jack Holt (actor)
Tim Holt (actor)
Patti Berg
Louise Suggs
Betsy King
Nancy Lopez
Darlington Hoopes (Socialist Candidate for Pres of US)
Whitey Ford
Del Ennis (Phila Phillies)

Through my efforts and life, I met:
Pres John F. Kennedy
Pres Lyndon Johnson
Sen Strom Thurmond
Sen Harry Byrd
Congressman Nick Galifanikas
Sen Jesse Helms
VP Bob Dole
Sen Elizabeth Dole
Sen Malcom Wallace
Gov Dan Moore
Gov Jim Holshouser
Gov Jim Hunt
NC Atty Gen Rufus Edmiston
Gov Jeb Bush
Buddy Hackett
Jimmy Snyder (The Greek)
Wayne Newton
Evil Knivel
Ken Venturi
Wayne Huizenga
Donald Trump
Phil Anshutz
Al Taubman
Bob Newhart
Maynard Furguson
Billy Joel
Wallace Wade
George McAfee
Ace Parker
Eddie Cameron
Tom Butters
Gov/Sen Terry Sanford
NC Sec of StateThad Eure
NC Justice Bill Whichard
Gov Luther Hodges
Vic Bubas
Chuck Daly
Hubie Brown
Carl James
Bucky Waters
Doug Knight (Duke President)
Sam Gantt
Bones McKinney
Steve Vacendak
Jack Marin
Jeff Mullins
Brad Evans
Mike Curtis (football)
Steve Jones (football)
Leo Hart (football
Jean Berry (football)
Mike McGee (football)
Bill Foster
Gene Banks
Kenny Dennard
Mike Giminski

I know there are others who don't come to mind. I have been very fortunate. One thing I have missed and wish I could experience would be to be served a beer by (or, more appropriately, to) Bill Werber! :)

[throatybeard]

Excluding a bunch of Duke BB people everyone will have on their list:

mostly famous musicians. Off the top of my head:

Renee Fleming
Denyce Graves
Hillary Hahn
Ben Heppner
David Daniels
Lynn Harrell
Thomas Hampson
Marilyn Horne
Fredericka von Stade
Cecilia Bartoli
Gil Shaham


and

Maynard Jackson
Alex Haley

[DevilAlumna]

I couldn't even dare to dream of having a list as long and full of eminence as I66's, but I'll add one that some Duke fans might appreciate --

Bill Jackman occasionally came over to our house for dinner when I was little. Back in the day, my dad was an active booster for U of N, and we were a "home away from home" for another basketball player; Bill would often join him when we'd do Sunday dinners and such. I kind of had a crush on him.

[dkbaseball]

Excluding a bunch of Duke BB people everyone will have on their list:

mostly famous musicians. Off the top of my head:

Renee Fleming
Denyce Graves
Hillary Hahn
Ben Heppner
David Daniels
Lynn Harrell
Thomas Hampson
Marilyn Horne
Fredericka von Stade
Cecilia Bartoli
Gil Shaham


and

Maynard Jackson
Alex Haley

Oh dear god, throaty, I think you've condemned me to terminal fogeydom. These are famous musicians? I honestly haven't heard of a single one of them.

I had a couple of well-known baseball coaches at Duke -- Tom Butters and Hall-of-Famer Enos Slaughter -- and played with Leo Hart. Through Slaughter I met Ted Williams in the Washington Senators' locker room after a game against Maryland. Baseball fans will also recall Frank Howard, the largest man in baseball at the time. When Slaughter introduced me to him as "the little feller who won the game today," Howard lifted me about four feet off the ground and said, "way to go little feller."

Had dinner a couple of times with Pat Buchanan. Met a slew of other high profile right wingers, such as Robert Bork, Robert Novak and Fred Barnes. This was in a previous political incarnation.

Jud Heathcoate
Jeff Mullen
Played handball with or against three former national champions, who were athletes of such skill and accomplishment they should be household names, but aren't.

[dukemomLA]

As someone who will be 60 this year, I'm almost embarrassed to respond to this thread. As someone who spent most of my career in entertainment & as a political activist...the list is endless. Thus said, I'll list a few of my favorites.

Isaac Stern
Duke Ellington
John Kennedy
Robert Kennedy
Martin Luther King
Mikail B
Rudolf B
Stephen Sondheim
Yogi Berra
Phil Rizzuto
Nolan Ryan
Kareem
Dalai Lama
Paul McCarney
John Lennon
Mick Jagger
Ronald Reagan
Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward
Fran Tarkenton
John Wooden
Earl Warren
Neil Armstrong
Jean Claude Killey
Mark Spitz
Bruce Jenner
Carol Channing
C. Chazez
Desmond Tutu



Okay... I'm done here...My list could go on forever. Thank you for this thread. It's made me appreciate how blessed I am.

[2535Miles]

I met Dr. Gertrude Elion and Dean Smith both in one day. Dean flirted with one of the girls in our group, she was 5'11" (taller than Dean) and he tried recruiting her to play ball at Carolina. She ended up at State. :D

I've also met a few other political heads and athletes but none of them really stood out in my mind. Oh, and I'm friends with a character from the Real World Boston and Road Rules, but I didn't even know she was on those shows until after I knew her.

[budwom]

I drove Bobby Kennedy and some of his family around for part of an afternoon, and did so without benefit of a driver's license...which qualifies me for EarlJam's Illegal Activites thread, too.

[dkbaseball]

Yikes is right, dukemom. Or should I say Forrest Gump? You've got to have about 15 of the 20 most prominent figures of the second half of the 20th century on that list. Singing at the Berlin Wall when it was torn down. Saw the Miracle Mets, U.S. hockey in the 1980 Olympics, a leg of Secretariat's Triple Crown. Who holds the screenplay rights to your life story?

[aimo]

I ate BBQ once with Yogi Berra. And he, the Yankee, was explaining to me, the North Carolina native, that pulling it straight from pig was the best way to eat it.

Pshah!

[Lavabe]

As a kid, I met Walt Frazier and Roy White.

As an adult, I met Jane Goodall and Bill Nye.

billybreen is one of my DBR friends.:rolleyes:

Cheers,
Lavabe

[Ben63]

Im young and haven't had alot of opportunities to meet famous people, but I have met:

Dirk Nowitzki
Steve Nash
Derek Jeter

I think thats it. Not a bad list but I'm really hoping to add to it in my lifetime.

Though I'm going to meet Matt Ryan and Chad Henne in early August. My head football coach at my school was an assistant at Wilson when Henne was there and I have a friend who is family friends with the Ryan's.

Unrelated... Jim Cantafio was the head coach at Wilson when Henne was there and he has a famous pregame speech that found its way onto YouTube. I attented one of Cantafio's camps last weeks and he is every bit as crazy as in the video.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6BFmsOkjt_8

[Bostondevil]

Two more - Paul Wylie (swoon) and Jerry Lumpe. (Ozzie, I got to see his World Series ring too, well, one of them.)

Oh, and did I ever post my most embarassing brush with celebrity moment? I think I did. Stop reading if you've heard it before. I was waiting in the security line at Logan Airport one time, staring off into space, really. I was deep in thought until I realized I was kind of staring at this guy. Just as I realized this and started to look away, he caught my eye. It was Fabio. I kid you not. Fabio thinks I have the hots for him. So not true, but what are you going to do?

Rode on a plane once with Marshall Faulk and Jim McMahon but I didn't actually meet them.

[blublood]

My first crush was Bobby Sherman. My second crush was Gary Melchioni. My third crush was Tate Armstrong. My fourth crush was Jim Spanarkl. I learned early. My current cougar crush is still JJ Redick. I think he's the only young man I could go cougar for.

It's o.k., Mrs. Robinson. I still think Brodie Croyle (was quarterback at Alabama a couple of years ago, now in the NFL) is adorable. I sort of inadvertently discovered that this was a cougar crush when I was thinking about how hot was he during a ball game and then I was like, "Wait a minute, he's a junior in college. I'm not in college anymore. I haven't been in college for quite some time. He's, wait, how many years younger...?!" It could never have worked out between us.

O.k., sorry, back on topic....

[SupaDave]

Back in 1993, I slept with the entire Duke football team.

-EarlJam

P.S. It was an odd time. I was confused, incoherent.

This is just doggone funny....

[SupaDave]

As someone who will be 60 this year, I'm almost embarrassed to respond to this thread. As someone who spent most of my career in entertainment & as a political activist...the list is endless. Thus said, I'll list a few of my favorites.

Isaac Stern
Duke Ellington
John Kennedy
Robert Kennedy
Martin Luther King
Mikail B
Rudolf B
Stephen Sondheim
Yogi Berra
Phil Rizzuto
Nolan Ryan
Kareem
Dalai Lama
Paul McCarney
John Lennon
Mick Jagger
Ronald Reagan
Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward
Fran Tarkenton
John Wooden
Earl Warren
Neil Armstrong
Jean Claude Killey
Mark Spitz
Bruce Jenner
Carol Channing
C. Chazez
Desmond Tutu



Okay... I'm done here...My list could go on forever. Thank you for this thread. It's made me appreciate how blessed I am.


Wow - Incredible...

[blazindw]

Jay Haas (golfer)
Vinnie Johnson (Piston)
Dave Bing
Bill Davidson
Theo Ratliff
Sen. Carl Levin
Donna Shalala (former HHS Secretary, President of Tha U)
Bill Laimbeer (high school)
Chris Webber (high school)
Jim Furyk
Esteban Toledo
Dickie V
Steve Lavin
Grant Long
Joe Dumars
Larry Coker
Barack Obama


Dukies:
Rick Wagoner (known him since high school)
Nan Keohane
Dick Brodhead
Grant Hill (when he was a Piston)
Shane Battier (high school)
Coach K
J.D.
Wojo
Chris Collins
almost all the basketball players from Class of 2001-2007
John Hope Franklin
John Koskinen
Paul Jeffrey
Mike Gminski
Jay Bilas
Bob Harris
Joe Alleva
D.C.
Alana Beard
Iciss Tillis
Vicki Krapohl
Monique Currie
Lindsey Harding
almost all the football players from Class of 2001-2007

There are others, I just can't remember them all...the perks of once being HLM.

[godukerocks]

I've met many many athletes, so excluding them, I guess the most famous person I've met is John Glenn.

[lmb]

I met my childhood hero about a year ago - Joe Montana!

[SupaDave]

Wow - well as impressed as I am with DukemomLa's list, I'd like to share my own little list. This could get interesting...

Met Deion Sanders at his old club Primetime21 in Dallas - one of my best party experiences of my life. William Floyd was also in the house.

I partied with P. Diddy (Puffy to me) and the Notorious B.I.G. as far back as 1994. Partied with Jay-Z and Puffy in Miami in 1999. Like seriously, they should give out awards for this.

Civil Rights Icons:

Herman Russell
Nikki Giovanni
Danny Glover

All kinds of business folks that you probably never heard of with the exception of Julian Bond and Vernon Jordan.

Politics!

Governor Jim Hunt!!
Harvey Gantt

Some of my frat brothers I have personally met:

Shaquille O'Neal
Michael Jordan
Steve McNair (a night to truly remember)
Vince Carter
Billy Granville (a TRUE Dukie would know this guy)
Jesse Jackson (not happy about it right now)
Jesse Jackson Jr. (he gave the speech at my graduation)
Douglas Wilder (former Gov. of Virginia)
Joe Torry (comedian)
Terrance J from BETs 106 and Park (actually my chapter brother and I pledged him)
Rickey Smiley
Tom Joyner
Carl McNair (brother of Astronaut Ronald McNair - both of whom are my chapter brothers)
John Salley (man is this brother cool)
Shammond Williams (pledged him too!!)

As a kid/teen growing up in Durham...

Johnny Dawkins
Tommy Amaker
Grant Hill
Tony Lang
Roshawn Mcleod
John Lucas
Dwayne Washington (a pro-bowler from Northern Durham)
Rodney Rogers (better known to me as T-Tot)
Antwan Jamison
Jerry Stackhouse
Jeff McInnis
Phil Ford (actually used to attend my church)
Rick Fox (way too cocky for my tastes)

Just out and about...

Donnie McClurklin
Theo Ratliff (who also supports my writing career)
Elton Brand (bought TEN of my books)
MC Shan
Tyrone Poole
Allen Iverson (when he was Bubbachuck!)
Michael Vick (is he STILL considered famous?)
Mayor Shirley Franklin
Allan Houston (a God-fearing man)
Joe Dumars
Doug Collins
TJ Ford
Shaun Livingston
Michael Redd
Flavor Flav
Chuck D
Malik Yoba (from New York Undercover!)
Mobb Deep
Mutumbo
Deion Grant
Rodney Peete
Daniel Ewing
Dahnte Jones
Jermaine Dupri
Mya (the singer and boy is she FINE)
Kelly from Destiny's child
Roderick Rhodes (in Kentucky he's still a star)
Talib Kweli
Dougie Fresh
Morris Chestnut
The Goodie Mob
Charles Oakley
Scottie Pippen
Shawn Barber
Jamie and Darren Sharper
Naughty by Nature
Outkast
Fat Joe
Mase (the preacher and the rapper)
TLC
Carl Lewis
Sheryl Swoopes
Cynthia Cooper
Charles Barkley (he's a cool guy man...)
Rafer Alston (also known as "Skip-to-my-lou")
Lebron James
Spudd Webb
Mugsey Bogues (just had to put those two together)
Shirley Ceaser
Special Ed (hip hop icon in my world)
T.I.
Diane Sawyer
Robin Roberts
Charles Gibson (OK - I was on Good Morning America)
Luther Vandross (a treasure)
Mo'Nique

OK. Whew! I'm tired of thinking. That's in my little world so I hope it's added something.

[2535Miles]

Oh, and did I ever post my most embarassing brush with celebrity moment? I think I did. Stop reading if you've heard it before. I was waiting in the security line at Logan Airport one time, staring off into space, really. I was deep in thought until I realized I was kind of staring at this guy. Just as I realized this and started to look away, he caught my eye. It was Fabio. I kid you not. Fabio thinks I have the hots for him. So not true, but what are you going to do?
You have options:
1. Point and laugh doing your best Nelson impersonation: "haaa haaaaa"
2. Calmly approach and ask for his autograph: "Hi Mr. Schwarzenegger, I really liked you in the Terminator but secretly Commando is one of my favorites. Can I have your autograph?"
3. Do nothing and pray that he doesn't rip off his shirt and gallop up on his white steed to sweep you off your feet.

[SupaDave]

Two more - Paul Wylie (swoon) and Jerry Lumpe. (Ozzie, I got to see his World Series ring too, well, one of them.)

Oh, and did I ever post my most embarassing brush with celebrity moment? I think I did. Stop reading if you've heard it before. I was waiting in the security line at Logan Airport one time, staring off into space, really. I was deep in thought until I realized I was kind of staring at this guy. Just as I realized this and started to look away, he caught my eye. It was Fabio. I kid you not. Fabio thinks I have the hots for him. So not true, but what are you going to do?

Rode on a plane once with Marshall Faulk and Jim McMahon but I didn't actually meet them.


Shoulda asked him who does his hair... LOL!

[DukieInKansas]

My list isn't nearly as long as most of these but the most memorable are:

Buck O'Neil - who should have been voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame while he was alive. What a classy gentleman.

Muhammed Ali - he wanted to know how tall I was

Hubert Humphrey - I was young and didn't know much more than he was a politician.

Yasunari Kawabata - Nobel Prize in Literature

Lynn Swann - got to try on his 1st Super Bowl ring - tried to convince him that he was getting a 2nd one and didn't need it any longer.

[blublood]

Well, I beat Chris Carrawell in 3-4 games of ping pong a day during freshman year in Bassett Hall. Excluding Duke people, I met recently deceased author Robert Jordan many times when I was in middle/high school.

No way! I probably know who you are then - I hung out in Bassett constantly because all my friends were there. PM if you'd like to explore this fascinating topic of conversation further.

O.k., so I guess included in the famous people that I've met is billybreen. And uhhhhh.... I guess that's it. I'm dull and clearly not very well-connected. :)

[SupaDave]

No way! I probably know who you are then - I hung out in Bassett constantly because all my friends were there. PM if you'd like to explore this fascinating topic of conversation further.

O.k., so I guess included in the famous people that I've met is billybreen. And uhhhhh.... I guess that's it. I'm dull and clearly not very well-connected. :)

If you're HERE. You're well connected buddy!

[blublood]

If you're HERE. You're well connected buddy!

Why, thank you, that makes me feel better. :)

Actually upon reflection, I did meet Pat Conroy once, but I was so awestruck by his mere presence that the conversation went something like this:

Pat Conroy: "Hi, there! Nice to see you here! So what do you do, ma'am?"
Me: "Uhh.... I mean... I, uh... kind of...."
(Mr. blublood rides to the rescue): "I work for a church so that's what we do the majority of the time. We so enjoy your work, Mr. Conroy. The Lords of Discipline is one of our favorites."
Me: "Mmm-mmmmm. I mean... yeah....uh...."
Pat Conroy: "Thank you, that's so kind of you. Next in line, please!"

[Bostondevil]

I completely puddled when I met Michael Ondaatje. I went to a reading of Anil's Ghost but I took along my first edition The English Patient too, just in case. I put it up on the table for him to sign. Like most big name authors, he had an assistant sitting next to him who opened up the books to the appropriate page. She slides over my two books. He looks at my EP, goes back to the front piece, sees that it's a first edition, and asks "Whose is this?" I said that it was mine. He looked up smiled at me and winked. I'm his forever. He signed it too.

Nick Hornby was fun. He signed the hardcover he was promoting but he also signed my slightly ripped up paperback copy of Fever Pitch. It says "For Lisa and For Duke, Nick Hornby". During the question and answer portion of the reading, I asked what color jerseys Arsenal and Liverpool wore during the FA Cup Finals in 1971. (It's a long story.) The question got a reaction from the crowd but Mr. Hornby said, "Now that's the kind of question I like, it's got a definitive answer."

[Lavabe]

I'm dull and clearly not very well-connected. :)

Now wait a minute. Don't you hold the DBR record for most friends?:):)

I agree with SupaDave!!:D

[BluDevilGal]

Well, my list certainly won't impress this crowd since it's basically all ACC mens basketball players and coaches... I grew up in Greensboro and therefore met most anyone on an ACC team in the late 90's... the highlights:
Tim Duncan
Rusty LaRue
Bobby Cremins
Drew Barry
Coach K
Chris Collins
Wojo
Trajan Langdon
Elton Brand
Nate James
Chris Duhon
Casey Sanders

And the only non-basketball related celebrity that comes to mind is Kyle Petty.

[Clipsfan]

Oh, and did I ever post my most embarassing brush with celebrity moment? I think I did. Stop reading if you've heard it before. I was waiting in the security line at Logan Airport one time, staring off into space, really. I was deep in thought until I realized I was kind of staring at this guy. Just as I realized this and started to look away, he caught my eye. It was Fabio. I kid you not. Fabio thinks I have the hots for him. So not true, but what are you going to do?

Most likely. I remember having dinner/drinks a few years back with some friends at a club when we noticed him at another table. One of the women at my table made the mistake of making eye contact, he started spitting game later that night and was apparently very surprised she wasn't into him.

[2535Miles]

Muhammed Ali - he wanted to know how tall I was

Okay so how tall are you? :p

[dukemomLA]

No one has the 'rights' to my 'lifestory.' Nor would anyone be interested in such. I have been blessed to be part of the history of the 2nd half of the century, but have only been an observer/worker bee.

This thread made me realize how fortunate I am. To be part of most of the extraordinary events that have changed time -- Wow. How lucky I am.

At the time, most of what I experienced was just a 'walk in the park'. It wasn't until years later that the march from Selma to Montgomery, Woodstock, the 69 Mets, the I Had a Dream Speech, getting teargassed in Chicago in '68, being at the Ambassador Hotel in L.A. when Bobby was killed, meeting Alan Shepard & Neil Armstrong, shaking hands with Edmund Hillary, etc. became awesome experiences.

My hope and prayers are that this current generation will have the opportunity to have experiences that rival mine. One never knows what will 'become history.' Be part of it!!

Younger posters on DBR -- GET WITH THE PROGRAM!! Life's a'wasting.

[Indoor66]

No one has the 'rights' to my 'lifestory.' Nor would anyone be interested in such. I have been blessed to be part of the history of the 2nd half of the century, but have only been an observer/worker bee.

This thread made me realize how fortunate I am. To be part of most of the extraordinary events that have changed time -- Wow. How lucky I am.

At the time, most of what I experienced was just a 'walk in the park'. It wasn't until years later that the march from Selma to Montgomery, Woodstock, the 69 Mets, the I Had a Dream Speech, getting teargassed in Chicago in '68, being at the Ambassador Hotel in L.A. when Bobby was killed, meeting Alan Shepard & Neil Armstrong, shaking hands with Edmund Hillary, etc. became awesome experiences.

My hope and prayers are that this current generation will have the opportunity to have experiences that rival mine. One never knows what will 'become history.' Be part of it!!

Younger posters on DBR -- GET WITH THE PROGRAM!! Life's a'wasting.

Well said and so, so true. :)

[allenmurray]

I have been blessed to be part of the history of the 2nd half of the century,

This thread made me realize how fortunate I am. To be part of most of the extraordinary events that have changed time -- Wow. How lucky I am.

March from Selma to Montgomery,
Woodstock,
The 69 Mets,
The I Had a Dream Speech,
Getting teargassed in Chicago in '68,
Being at the Ambassador Hotel in L.A. when Bobby was killed,
Meeting Alan Shepard & Neil Armstrong,
Shaking hands with Edmund Hillary,


Are you Forest Gump?
Sorry, I just couldn't help it. And god, I hated that movie.

[allenmurray]

Oh dear god, throaty, I think you've condemned me to terminal fogeydom. These are famous musicians? I honestly haven't heard of a single one of them.


Fogeydom? His list included some of the most promiment opera stars of the last 40 years. It may be more a musical choice thing than an age thing.

[allenmurray]

I prefer to think of it as "famous people who have met me." ;)

What a great line. You are now my hero.

[allenmurray]

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. I aproached him at RDU (he was sitting ouside on a bench waiting for a ride. He was wearing old sweat pants and a Harelm Jazz Festival t-shirt. He looked like he was tryng to "blend in", which is proabbly hard to do at 7' 2"). I asked if I could have his autograph for my then 13 year old son. All I had was a scrap of paper. He said, with a huge smile, "I can' do better than that sir." He opened a small leather portfolio that had about 100 basketball cards in it, took out a pen, and autographed one. He was incredibly humble, self-effacing, and nice. The next morning I told a co-worker. She said, "yeah, he was in my Yoga class this morning".

I have also met alteran from the PPB.

[DukePA]

Why, thank you, that makes me feel better. :)

Actually upon reflection, I did meet Pat Conroy once, but I was so awestruck by his mere presence that the conversation went something like this:

Pat Conroy: "Hi, there! Nice to see you here! So what do you do, ma'am?"
Me: "Uhh.... I mean... I, uh... kind of...."
(Mr. blublood rides to the rescue): "I work for a church so that's what we do the majority of the time. We so enjoy your work, Mr. Conroy. The Lords of Discipline is one of our favorites."
Me: "Mmm-mmmmm. I mean... yeah....uh...."
Pat Conroy: "Thank you, that's so kind of you. Next in line, please!"

Pat Conroy is my all-time favorite author. I'm reading My Losing Season for the first time. I just finished the part where he described playing baskteball with Art Heyman at a Virginia basketball camp. Awesome!

[ArkieDukie]

I met Yogi Berra's sister today; she lives in the same nursing home as my great-aunt.

I met John Daly once at a party in Fayetteville. (Wait; how many people haven't met John Daly at a party? :rolleyes:) He was still an undergrad at the time, so it was before he became famous.

I've met throatybeard, too. That's gotta count for something.

Almost forgot: I have met (and sung with!) Jessye Norman. She did a benefit concert for a college in LR, and our church choir sang backup for her on "There is a Balm in Gilead." It was amazing.

[CameronBornAndBred]

No one has the 'rights' to my 'lifestory.' Nor would anyone be interested in such. I have been blessed to be part of the history of the 2nd half of the century, but have only been an observer/worker bee.

This thread made me realize how fortunate I am. To be part of most of the extraordinary events that have changed time -- Wow. How lucky I am.

At the time, most of what I experienced was just a 'walk in the park'. It wasn't until years later that the march from Selma to Montgomery, Woodstock, the 69 Mets, the I Had a Dream Speech, getting teargassed in Chicago in '68, being at the Ambassador Hotel in L.A. when Bobby was killed, meeting Alan Shepard & Neil Armstrong, shaking hands with Edmund Hillary, etc. became awesome experiences.

My hope and prayers are that this current generation will have the opportunity to have experiences that rival mine. One never knows what will 'become history.' Be part of it!!

Younger posters on DBR -- GET WITH THE PROGRAM!! Life's a'wasting.

You are awesome. Seriously. Some time tomorrow I'm making my step-kids read what you wrote. Not because you were there to witness events of magnitude, but because through however you have chosen to live your life, you put yourself in a position to be a part of events of magnitude.

[ArkieDukie]

You are awesome. Seriously. Some time tomorrow I'm making my step-kids read what you wrote. Not because you were there to witness events of magnitude, but because through however you have chosen to live your life, you put yourself in a position to be a part of events of magnitude.

I'll second what CBB said, DukeMomInLA. Also, with regard to meeting Yogi Berra's sister today, you get some of the credit for that. I read your comments yesterday and realized that you're absolutely right: we each have to get out there and get involved in the world in order to fully experience all it has to offer. I did that today and met someone really interesting that I wouldn't have met otherwise. (The full story is in the LTE; I won't repeat it here.) Thanks for being an inspiration.

[DukieInKansas]

Okay so how tall are you? :p

About 5'9" at the time.

[dukemomLA]

No One knows what is "history in the making." Beyond politics is all of the arts. Teach your children well. Let our children also feel that they are "blessed" by their experiences which can shape the future.

Yahoo. My new grandaughter is wearing her new onesie. At five weeks she is "ALREADY SMARTER THAN A UNC GRAD."

[ricks68]

Met Robert Shelton while at Duke during a rally at five points downtown.

Met Andy Varipappa at the Coliseum in Miami.

Acquainted with Vinnie and his wife, the former Sandy Lansky (daughter of Maier Suchowlijanski). Talked with a number of times at my parents' and other family funerals. (My uncle really was Maier's accountant---I have some very interesting tales to tell.)

Deke Slayton's former wife and also the "go to" woman (secretary) for all the real Air Force pilots (astronauts and Chuck Yeager) in the movie "The Right Stuff" were patients of mine.

Other than that, less interesting ones such as knowing some CFO's, founders and owners of some big time companies, which I am sure are all similar to others on the board, and also some of the usual Duke bball connections .

Oh, I forgot. I spent some time two years ago with the Emperor of China.

ricks

[CameronBlue]

A lot of folks but I'll give just two. One who changed my life dramatically and has made it richer over the years just by his presence and another whom I hope to never meet again.

Oliver Sacks and Pete Rose.

Pete, I swear, I'm gonna get a restraining order buddy....

[YmoBeThere]

I'm a legend in my own mind...so that's one.

(Really? No, not really.)

[ricks68]

That's a Hondo Crouch line of long ago. Oh! Oh! I'm beginning to smell BBQ.

ricks

[throatybeard]

Oh dear god, throaty, I think you've condemned me to terminal fogeydom. These are famous musicians? I honestly haven't heard of a single one of them.

What Murray said. Classical/opera.



I've met throatybeard, too. That's gotta count for something.

Almost forgot: I have met (and sung with!) Jessye Norman. She did a benefit concert for a college in LR, and our church choir sang backup for her on "There is a Balm in Gilead." It was amazing.

I appreciate the props, but I'd brag on Jessye, not on me.

Oh and I forgot, I met Alex Haley shortly before he died.

[ArkieDukie]

What Murray said. Classical/opera.



I appreciate the props, but I'd brag on Jessye, not on me.

Hey, I'm just glad that someone else knows who Jessye Norman is. Most people say, "Who's that?"

In the scientific arena, I've met Linus Pauling.

[weezie]

No joke...I was in Detroit a few weekends ago and rode down in the elevator with Kevin Bacon. We both walked into the bar and ended up at adjoining tables. Chatted a bit and the two groups each bought a round for all. He was in town for an appearance with his band. A very pleasant guy.

Many years ago I was at Rose Bowl event and went through a buffet line just ahead of OJ Simpson. He wanted more roast beef and reached past me saying he was hungry and would I mind. This was when he was still cool from the Hertz commercials and the movies. Talked a little about whatever team Michigan was playing. He seemed nice at the time, barring the table manners.

I am now a player in pop history.:cool:

[dkbaseball]

What Murray said. Classical/opera.

Actually, I think I'd rather stand indicted as a fogey than as a philistine. But there it is. Don't know from opera.