A Moment Too Late, Part 1 | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

A Moment Too Late, Part 1

Sometimes brushes with fame can come a few seconds too late!

18
A Moment Too Late, Part 1
Center for Performing Arts

I am such a fan of actors and actresses, singers, reality stars or any one who entertains. I always have been intrigued by these people. When the moment actually does occur I meet someone with some fame, I become this raging dork. I cannot speak clearly and become so tongue tied I am sure the person makes eye contact with the nearest security person.

My first brush with fame would probably be the Hanna-Barbera characters at Kings Island in the late '70s. I have some pretty cute pictures to capture those moments. I think though the reality that it really wasn't that character, but a person in a costume came to my 5-year-old attention when Scooby-Doo made a visit to Hope Heritage Days in 1980. My mom and aunt were trying to get to Scooby-Doo. By the time they found "Scooby," the actor who had been in the costume opened the trunk of his car and showed us that Scooby was in the trunk. That would be my first example of being just a moment too late. I missed Scooby-Doo!

Throughout the '80s, I imagined meeting soap stars from General Hospital and All My Children. I imagined meeting Michael Jackson or Boy George. My greatest hope was meeting a Smurf. That chance happened when they were part of the Ice Capades. My mom and aunt took my sister, cousins and I to Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. I was decked out in my Smurf attire, ready to go. In the Smurf segment, the Smurfs went into the audience and brought kids onto the ice and they got to ride in these little gondolas. I tried to get their attention. I took my Smurf hat off and waved it. But, alas, I was a moment too late yet again. I missed a Smurf!

When I got into college, I still had that over-active imagination about meeting someone famous. Paula Abdul, Janet Jackson, Garth Brooks and Reba McEntire were some of the celebrities I wanted to meet. During this time, I became really interested in country music. I became a huge John Michael Montgomery fan — I even joined his fan club. He ended up being the opening act for Reba. I, along with some of my friends, got tickets to the concert at Deer Creek Music Center. By being a fan club member, I submitted for a back stage pass to meet John Michael. I hadn't been to many concerts and this would be my first meet and greet. We get to Deer Creek, I find the place to get the pass, got the pass and went to the concert. I had asked when and where the meet and greet was. The person at the booth told me it was after the concert. After the concert, I went to the place, and I was informed that John Michael had left and that he left after his concert, not Reba's. I missed out on John Michael Montgomery!

As I have grown older, I have been able to go to shows with people I admire. I was able to see Bea Arthur in her one-woman show and Jerry Seinfeld doing a live comedy show. Of course, there weren't opportunities to meet them. In April of 2012, I saw that Candice Bergen, who I admired as "Murphy Brown," was in a play called "The Best Man" in New York on Broadway. I found a flight, hotel and got my ticket. I headed to New York by myself. I even broke out my Murphy Brown sweatshirt that I begged my mom to get me for Christmas in 1990. The show included James Earl Jones, Angela Lansbury, John Laroquette, Michael McKean and Eric McCormack. After the show, I ran to the stage doors hoping to get a picture with Candice. I tried to get closer to the barriers. As she came out, I yelled (in dork), "I loved you on "Murphy Brown!" Of course, she didn't hear me. I was just a little too far away. I missed out on Candice Bergen!

In March of 2015, I found out that Viola Davis would be speaking in Indy. I found out where she would be and bought a ticket. My heart about beat out of my chest knowing I was going to hear her speak. I have admired her work so much. "The Help" is one of my favorite movies. When I got there, I found out that one of the courtesies was a picture. My heart almost exploded at the thought. All I could think about was what to say! What would she say back? They called one table at a time. I was at table 50 out of 51. The ladies at my table just told me to go because they already went. I waited until table 49 was back. As I walked up, I heard one of the assistants say, "That's it." A few minutes earlier, and who knows what I would have said to her. I may have fainted! I missed out on Viola Davis! The silver lining though was I heard her amazing story about her life and career. So maybe I didn't meet her, but I did hear some intriguing words.

Last November, I saw a picture of Sophia Loren on Facebook. My first thought was that she had passed. Upon closer inspection, I found she was going to be in Carmel, Indiana at the Center of the Performing Arts. She was doing a talk about her film career. I bought a ticket as soon as they went on sale. I bought one that said VIP, even though I wasn't for sure what that entailed. In March, I went to the theater. There was a special envelope on my seat. It was like I had been invited to Hogwart's. I was invited for a backstage meet and greet with Sophia Loren. I was so excited! My heart was just as loud and boisterous as when I was in the presence of Viola Davis!

This time I was going to make sure I didn't miss out! I will never forget the moment she walked out onto that stage. Sophia Loren, 81-years-old, as stunning and gorgeous as she always was, was in my presence. I hung on to her every word, her stories about Cary Grant and other stars of bygone days, with movie clips interspersed showing her amazing career.

Before the show began, we could submit questions. I submitted my "What's your best advice to another actor?" I waited for the Q&A. It was time! The host began to pull questions. Then I heard him say, "Pete Law of Hope, Indiana wants to know..." I wanted to stand up in that crowd and yell, "That's me!" She said the words that will be embedded in my memory "To be kind. To be sincere. To work hard."

When the moment came for the meet and greet, you better believe I was where I was supposed to be. The usher took the group of us on stage of the theater. They escorted Ms. Loren out. I waited in line patiently. My mind was racing on what to say. I was suppressing my inner and outer dork. As I walked up to this screen goddess, this Oscar winning actress, I said, "Thank you for coming to Indiana. It is such an honor to be in your presence. You answered my question about acting!" She smiled at me. We posed for the picture, said "Thank you!" again and walked away. It was a moment I didn't miss out on! I didn't miss out on Sophia Loren!

There will be a Part II next week!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

185199
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

11464
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

455420
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

25076
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments