jaytan

I'm sick and want to keep this short. We'll see how THAT goes. . . already rewriting.

Got to meet two heroes of mine, Dave Meltzer, of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, and one of the baddest MCs in the world, Big Bad Brother Ali. Meeting Dave Melzter was a huge thing for me, as I've been reading his newsletter since high school. His is a small, do-it-yourself operation, and for years I'd been wondering how it is he is able to put together such a comprehensive, insightful publication, week in and week out, by himself. . . Meeting Brother Ali was a bit more of a surprise, as I simply didn't think I would run into him, but I did, and at that point, like Dave, it was just good to tell him how much I appreciated his work and music. That was a cool moment. That got me thinking. . .

Now I've been lucky enough to meet a few celebrities in my travels, and although its easy and natural to "mark out" for a moment and gush over the excitement of meeting someone you feel like you know so well, when you step back and take a second look at them, especially in light of whatever situation in which you meet them, you really do start to appreciate them as simply people who have something going for them (such that it deems them public notoriety).

I don't know that this particularly takes the shine off of them, as I'm still excited about meeting said "celeb," but by that point, I think my appreciation takes a different turn, one in which I stand in awe, envy, and maybe in hope to learn from some of their talents. Not that I particularly get that out of the experience. But usually, its just good enough to encourage them and express how much I enjoy their work. Well, even then, I'm still a mark. Just for more complimentary reasons, I like to think.

I once met Chris Rock and asked him to put me in a headlock (still have the picture). I once borrowed a quarter from Ice-T to make a phone call. When I interviewed Black Panther founder Bobby Seale, he farted. Loudly. Such that he apologized for it. These are some of my favorite memories, as the are dull, humdrum, quiter moments in the life of someone I admire(d), and in being there, it was my moment to know them as people. Nah, no comic genius, ferocious rhyme style, or political bravado rubbed off on me, but I was able, even for a moment, to feel like I knew a little bit about the "real" of those I'd called my heroes.

One man who I never got to meet, but who was a very pivotal part of my influences, is Gordon Parks, Jr.. A brave, brave man.

And other women whom I would LOVE to meet. . . they include Ayane, Elly, and the fascinating Fatality. Smooches, Sweets.

Damn, I didn't think 'til now how that sounds: "I would like to meet fatality." Hmmm.