Lone Star Jam!

I have run into a couple of celebrities in my lifetime. Actually for the longest time, they were all athletes of some sort – I live in Houston for God’s sake! It’s not like I’m going to run into George Clooney at El Gallo or Warwick Davis at The Galleria. For example, while I was at the University of Texas, I ran into Major Applewhite at a college party once. People were almost lined up to meet him and shake his hand. When it came to me, he shook my hand and introduced me to his girlfriend. I thought that was weird (In case you don’t know, he was the quarterback for the UT football team at that time. He was kind of a big deal then). I don’t know why I was introduced to his girlfriend. Maybe he was trying to get rid of her and by introducing her to every guy, the odds of her leaving with someone else were greater. Probably not though.

I saw Regis Philbin in an airport when I was coming back from Las Vegas once. He looked SUPER old, like he was wearing a rubber mask – kind of like an older Muammar Gaddafi. I saw Shawn Kemp (ex-Seattle Sonics star) at a restaurant once. He had hoard of children with him. I saw Flo Rida in Vegas the last time I was there. That’s it. I just saw him walk by me.

Ultimately, I have no real interest in ever meeting any celebrities. I kind of don’t get why it’s cool to meet them. In fact, it would pain me to stroke their egos! And, why would they give two shits about meeting other non-celebrities? I know I wouldn’t if I were a celebrity. “Sweet, some chick from Salem, Ohio, thinks I’m awesome.” People who suck up to celebrities are sad, hopeless people.

This all brings me to my main point. I went to the Lone Star Jam, a festival that showcases several small, Texas country bands, in Austin last weekend. One of my favorite bands right now, Turnpike Troubadours, played at 1:30 or so and put on a fantastic show. They only have one album so there was no worry of them playing songs I don’t know. If you haven’t figured this out already, they are not a hugely popular band, but they were just great live.

 This isn't from the concert but it's a pretty sweet song.

Well, after they finished playing and the crowd had dispersed, my wife and I happened to walk by the stage on the way to the port-o-potties. As I’m sure you could predict with all of my simple foreshadowing, we ran into the band. We talked to the bassist and the lead guitarist until I basically excused us. They were nice, normal people who seemed happy that anyone cared about their music. I was giddy as a school girl, and I ended up getting a picture of them and my wife.

Later, we walked by their merchandise stand and we saw the lead singer. I patiently waited my turn (still giddy like a school girl) and got a picture with him. After the initial euphoria wore off, I felt like a complete idiot. My whole life I had decried the idea of jocking a celebrity and there I was jocking a celebrity. I might of well have asked him to sign my breasts.

Oh well, I guess I am just a sad and hopeless person now.

Maybe he’ll remember me and spot me in the crowd the next time I go to one of their concerts.

Yeah, sad and hopeless stalker sounds much better to me.

Just kidding. :)