Thousands of celebrity encounters are missed everyday as thousands of heads down phone zombies obliviously ankle their way around the streets.
1
A few years ago, when I didn't get into the NYC marathon by lottery, I raised money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation. The next spring, I was taking a running class in Central Park, listening to the instructor, when I felt someone lightly punching my back. I turned and I was face-to-face with Michael J. Fox who said, "I just want to thank you." I told him about fund raising while teaching real estate in Iowa, and that several people had come up to thank me, and to mention how much MJF meant to them with their Parkinson's. As he walked away, between his two BIG dogs, just another New Yorker walking his dogs, I turned back to my classmates...who then realized that I was wearing my indestructible MJF T shirt from my fund raising a year earlier.
8
One of the best things about living in NY is casually bumping into celebrities, and ignoring or acknowledging them with just the right amount of sophistication . It makes us feel that somehow we are part of that inner circle.
My two best sightings: I went to MOMA to see Marina Abramovic twice; she was fantastic . The day after her performance event closed I was at my hairdresser , bemoaning that I hadn't had a chance to see her again . "If you want to see her again " my colorist whispered, " she's sitting two chairs down." And so she was.
But my absolute best sighting was 40 plus years ago. I was in a pretty empty cafe one night with a friend. I looked over at the next table and there was Jacki O, with her friend! Even young New Yorkers know not to bother celebrities and I deliberately did not look at her for the hour that we sat there, although she was in my direct line of vision. When we got up to leave, I could not resist glancing at her, and Jacki O smiled at me. She was incandescent.
My two best sightings: I went to MOMA to see Marina Abramovic twice; she was fantastic . The day after her performance event closed I was at my hairdresser , bemoaning that I hadn't had a chance to see her again . "If you want to see her again " my colorist whispered, " she's sitting two chairs down." And so she was.
But my absolute best sighting was 40 plus years ago. I was in a pretty empty cafe one night with a friend. I looked over at the next table and there was Jacki O, with her friend! Even young New Yorkers know not to bother celebrities and I deliberately did not look at her for the hour that we sat there, although she was in my direct line of vision. When we got up to leave, I could not resist glancing at her, and Jacki O smiled at me. She was incandescent.
3
I was walking with my wife in Soho and I spot Meryl Streep walking towards us. I said to my wife, look it's Meryl Streep. Unfazed my wife replies, well she's got to live somewhere.
12
Great answer!
Tune of “Fame” (an update)
Baby, look and see
It’s whoozis from TV
What’s his name, I don’t have a guess
You would know him from C-B-S, oh yes
You would be in shock
That he’s here on the block
Is it Mike or Andy or Scott
Ooh, you know I do not -
Remember his name!
(Blame) Now you’ll blame me forever
I thought I gave it a try (Try!)
Now long as we are together
I’ll bear this guilt til we die
(Blame) He’s on each Sunday at seven
You’ll say it’s really a shame
(Blame) Now you’ll blame me forever
‘Cause I don’t remember his name
(Remember, remember, remember, remember)
(Remember, remember, remember, remember)
Baby, hold the phone,
Since this guy’s real well-known
Let’s go look on I-M-D-B
Surf that site and surely you’ll see his face
No it’s not too hard,
We’ll check out who has starred
On that news show each Sunday night
And that should set us right
(To find out his name)
(repeat chorus)
Baby, look and see
It’s whoozis from TV
What’s his name, I don’t have a guess
You would know him from C-B-S, oh yes
You would be in shock
That he’s here on the block
Is it Mike or Andy or Scott
Ooh, you know I do not -
Remember his name!
(Blame) Now you’ll blame me forever
I thought I gave it a try (Try!)
Now long as we are together
I’ll bear this guilt til we die
(Blame) He’s on each Sunday at seven
You’ll say it’s really a shame
(Blame) Now you’ll blame me forever
‘Cause I don’t remember his name
(Remember, remember, remember, remember)
(Remember, remember, remember, remember)
Baby, hold the phone,
Since this guy’s real well-known
Let’s go look on I-M-D-B
Surf that site and surely you’ll see his face
No it’s not too hard,
We’ll check out who has starred
On that news show each Sunday night
And that should set us right
(To find out his name)
(repeat chorus)
17
Have you thought of publishing your lyrics. You and the Times should collaborate on publishing the Metropolitan Diary entry followed by your lyrics. I've always thought the MD could be published chronologically. I think it would be not only interesting as slices of NYC life--but I think it might show the shift in the city over the decades its been published. And your lyrics are terrific!
9
Eileen, so nice of you to say that. I did self-publish some lyrics under the name 21st Century Oldies on Amazon's self-publishing arm Createspace. (Hoping it's OK to mention here since all gross royalties go to Jewish charities, as they're purely a calling card rather than anything to make a potential profit). As always, it"s so great of the Times to allow all types of comments. Some other sites really aren't that nice about it!
8
Freddie! My wife and I love your lyrics! That made our morning. How creative! Now we can REALLY laugh at it all!
Thank you!
-Bill Quistorf
Thank you!
-Bill Quistorf
5
This interaction reminds me of one when I was at NYU in the 90's. A disheveled, greasy-haired young man lumbered along the North side of Washington Square Park in front of my friend and me.
I whispered to my friend: "That's Ethan Hawke." My friend barked back in full earshot of the young man: "No way! That guy is homeless."
What happened then? Well, Ethan Hawke turned around.
I whispered to my friend: "That's Ethan Hawke." My friend barked back in full earshot of the young man: "No way! That guy is homeless."
What happened then? Well, Ethan Hawke turned around.
14
So...what was the name of that "guy from 60 Minutes??"
I remember faces well enough, names not so much.
The wife is the one who "studies" People magazine, you see.
I remember faces well enough, names not so much.
The wife is the one who "studies" People magazine, you see.
4
It was Anderson Cooper! I have to admit we had to look up his name online.
1
Many years ago, I was walking uptown from work on Second Avenue. It was rather early so the streets were fairly empty as I saw a man walking towards me, going downtown in the opposite direction. As he got closer, I recognized the actor Gabriel Byrne, a great favorite of mine. As he got even closer and saw that I recognized him, a look came over his face that 'said' "please don't stop me"! It's a look I know and respect as a New Yorker who frequently sees celebrities! So I passed by, silently thanking him for his performances!
4
Dick Gregory was walking on the other side of a small side street from me in Greenwich Village years ago. I waved hello. He waved back. That was nice.
1
I think it was about 1993. We had come out of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and started walking up 81st to our car (Jerseyites...). And who should come out of the grand looking apartment building on the corner, surrounded by about 3 beefy guys, but Imelda Marcos. "Hey look, it's Imelda Marcos". Both kids: "Isn't that the lady with all the shoes?". You got it, kids...
6
it's amazing who you can run into on a city street. my family visited philadelphia when i was ten. leo g. carroll strolled by and i exclaimed in wonder, "it's Topper!"
on a trip to nyc in my twenties mikhail baryshnikov came my way on the sidewalk in the village and i saw doc severinsen looking lugubrious in a camel hair coat in a fruit stand.
on a trip to nyc in my twenties mikhail baryshnikov came my way on the sidewalk in the village and i saw doc severinsen looking lugubrious in a camel hair coat in a fruit stand.
6
No good deed goes unpunished, especially from a spouse.
22
Or unpublished.
Thank you for the laugh. Timing is everything. I think every involved/married person has that moment where you are desperately trying to get their partner's attention and the golden moment passes.
16
A decade or so ago I stopped to window shop at Shreve, Crump & Low, a purveyor of fine jewels in Boston since 1796. A man was doing the same next to me; his reflection familiar, someone from somewhere, maybe television. At the time I could not identify him, and to stop staring at his reflection, I focused on his clothes (nice), and then his hands (liver spotted). Only later did I recall that it was Morley Safer from 60 Minutes.
14
We like to think celebrities have no affect on us. But miss one? No way! For a second you've transported yourself to the glamorous life. If only it could be a permanent stay ...
12
Effect, not affect
2
One of my favorite things about living in NYC is the anonymity most celebrities, (or at the least) well known actors or musicians have in the city. I say have, although that has changed somewhat in the nearly 3 decades I spent living there, (from Spring of 1988 to summer of 2015).
In my business (a truly niche market) I had the honor and pleasure (usually) of working for many many celebrities. Additionally, I lived almost half of my time there in SoHo, and was with a block of numerous people who, if elsewhere, would draw much attention.
This is because as a rule, most people living in the city ignore celebrities. This is done (in order) mostly out of respect, being self absorbed and ignorance.
Usually, at most (if I was with a friend or loved one) I would nudge them and say something like "Hey, that's Roy Scheider", or whoever it was.
I saw people like Greta Garbo; my best "sighting", (what we referred to this as), to odd ones like Imelda Marcos (she had gorgeous shoes on), to Paul Newman, etc., etc.
For professional reasons I will not name anyone we worked for, except to say one of the wealthiest billionaires in the world, one of the most famous composers alive, and multitudes of very famous actors.
I and my staff treated all of them the same: with respect and professionalism; no matter who they were. This is the most important thing.
So, I truly understand the humor of this brief article.
In my business (a truly niche market) I had the honor and pleasure (usually) of working for many many celebrities. Additionally, I lived almost half of my time there in SoHo, and was with a block of numerous people who, if elsewhere, would draw much attention.
This is because as a rule, most people living in the city ignore celebrities. This is done (in order) mostly out of respect, being self absorbed and ignorance.
Usually, at most (if I was with a friend or loved one) I would nudge them and say something like "Hey, that's Roy Scheider", or whoever it was.
I saw people like Greta Garbo; my best "sighting", (what we referred to this as), to odd ones like Imelda Marcos (she had gorgeous shoes on), to Paul Newman, etc., etc.
For professional reasons I will not name anyone we worked for, except to say one of the wealthiest billionaires in the world, one of the most famous composers alive, and multitudes of very famous actors.
I and my staff treated all of them the same: with respect and professionalism; no matter who they were. This is the most important thing.
So, I truly understand the humor of this brief article.
8
I'm married 49 years.....just admit that you are a insensitive beast, and that she is long-suffering. That will bring closure, and she will no longer be upset. Voila!
Stop trying to win the argument. Happy wife, happy life.
Stop trying to win the argument. Happy wife, happy life.
25
I've been on both sides of that kind of exchange plenty of times, so my sympathies are with both of you!
7
Your wife sounds like a pill.
38
Man vs. Machine. Sorry you lost, man.
23
Don't be too hard on yourself, another one will come along. In the meantime develop some codes "R2D2 at 10 o'clock"
45
The Douglas encounter was as I was traveling home on Christmas break , 1962, age 17, and was enjoying the window at Schwarz when Douglas came out.
We made eye-contact and for some reason still unknown I said, "I am Spartacus". He immediately came over, hand extended and said "Thank you. That means a lot." It was a while before I learned the back-story...