kinda cool....brushes with greatness

[Aardvark86]

So last night while I was bouncing around on an airplane back from a client visit in Georgia and getting diverted to Dulles due to very high winds (probably a good thing given that I have already done my quota of touch-and-go's at DCA at this point in my life), Mrs. A went to a belated birthday dinner with some of her friends at our club. As they were sitting at their table, Justice Kennedy and his wife walked in, and one of Mrs. A's friends introduced the Justice to the table and told him they were celebrating Mrs. A's birthday. After dinner on his way out, Justice Kennedy walked over to the table, pulled his pocket constitution out of his jacket, autographed it with a "happy birthday" note and gave it to Mrs. A, and posed for a picture with her (which I will not post here).

Always liked the guy as a voice of civic reason.

 

[the Donny Difference]

F'ng A

 

[Moral]

Better send that book in to be graded. You could be sitting on a real gold mine.

 

[Aardvark86]

Better send that book in to be graded. You could be sitting on a real gold mine.

got the dog-eared pages and everything!

 

[hawkeyetraveler]

Pretty sure I’ve told this story before but my grandmother was close friends as young adults (and throughout their lives) with Annie Glenn, otherwise known as Mrs. John Glenn.

Anyway, when he was running for President they stopped at my grandparents house for dinner and I got to meet Mr. Glenn. I didn’t give a shit about the presidency back then, to a 12 year old young hawkeyetraveler meeting an honest to God astronaut, fighter pilot and war hero was pretty awesome.

Anyway, that is my one brush with true greatness. America could use a few more John Glenn’s in this era of divisive politics.

 

[markfromj]

My mom was a Notary Public.

 

[hawkeyetraveler]

My mom was a Notary Public.

 

[Aardvark86]

Pretty sure I’ve told this story before but my grandmother was close friends as young adults (and throughout their lives) with Annie Glenn, otherwise known as Mrs. John Glenn.

Anyway, when he was running for President they stopped at my grandparents house for dinner and I got to meet Mr. Glenn. I didn’t give a shit about the presidency back then, to a 12 year old young hawkeyetraveler meeting an honest to God astronaut, fighter pilot and war hero was pretty awesome.

Anyway, that is my one brush with true greatness. America could use a few more John Glenn’s in this era of divisive politics.

oh man you ain't kidding on that one. Glenn was great.

astronaut-types really do resonate with people. a few years back i got to watch a caps-penguins game with the pens' brass in their box (our firm does some work for them and they were looking for some ideas on stadium area redevelopment so i brought a developer buddy). I was sitting a few seats down from the Pens' president (not super-mario, the business ops guy) when during a time out, they did the "salute to the troops" in the stadium. I looked up at the board to see who the "veteran" of the game was, and he seemed vaguely familiar so I tuned in. It turned out to be NASA legend Gene Kranz (A13 mission control, failure is not an option, the kranz dictum, etc.). I looked over at the Pens president and when he realized who it was, he instantly turned into a 10 year old boy. It was delightful to watch - astronauts just inspire us to possibilities

 

[The-Dude-Abides]

I see Dan Gable doing his thing around town at least every few months. Not quite the same but always interesting to see him just living his life. His daughter told a story once that many years into his career at Iowa he still didn't know how to get to basic common places around town. He was that laser focused on his job, just Carver and home and back.

Also, I'm a notary public as well. Don't mean to brag, but

 

[THE_DEVIL]

It happens to me everyday. Whenever I meet someone they are excited, greatful and even giddy.

 

[TJ8869]

I see Dan Gable doing his thing around town at least every few months. Not quite the same but always interesting to see him just living his life. His daughter told a story once that many years into his career at Iowa he still didn't know how to get to basic common places around town. He was that laser focused on his job, just Carver and home and back.

I remember seeing video of him returning home after the 1972 Olympics and a reporter asked him a question about the terrorist attack. He had absolutely no idea what the reporter was talking about. Now that is tunnel vision.

 

[SoProudNole]

I stood in line next to Joe Piscopo at Disneyland in 1986.

 

[tarheelbybirth]

My wife taught Mike Ford's son when Mike was working at Wake Forest and his wife, Gayle, was a room mom. She would tell my wife "Grandpa will be in town this weekend" to explain why her son would be out on Friday. We were invited to stop by the house one Saturday and got to spend some time with grandpa and grandma...Jerry and Betty.

 

[LuteHawk]

I heard a speech given by President Ronald Reagan in an
auditorium in Peoria, Illinois. Afterwards I got to shake his
hand and talk for a few minutes. He was a friendly guy.

 

[ozzie8]

Took a piss next to Mike Tyson at Spearmint Rhino back in the early 2000s

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

My 17 yr old self stood next to Walter Payton for a couple minutes in Platteville, Wisconsin.

Bears had training camp there, Sweetness didn't practice because of his knee but was riding his bike down a road next to the practice field. He stopped, a crowd formed, I wedged my way up next to him. Didn't get an autograph but at the time he was my hero so it was pretty cool.

 

[FlickShagwell]

Opening day at Dodgers Stadium in 2016 my buddies and I were looking to scalp tickets. Saw a group of guys huddled around someone distributing tickets, what I took to be the telltale sign of a scalper. Went up and asked if they were selling. The guy handing out tickets, who just so happens to be Charlie Sheen, looks me in the eye and says “no.”

My best lady friend married Dana Gould and I hang at their house every few months.

Also Tyler the Creator made fun of my KU Jayhawks shirt at the Target in El Segundo in 2011.

So I hobnob with my fair share of the glitterati.

 

[THE_DEVIL]

Does this count?

Back in the day I was working at the then Holiday Inn downtown Iowa City. Roseanne and Tom were staying and apparently Roseanne misplaced her expensive sunglasses. Myself and 3 others were tasked to find the glasses in the commercial trash dumpster. We found them.

 

[TJ8869]

Does this count?

Back in the day I was working at the then Holiday Inn downtown Iowa City. Roseanne and Tom were staying and apparently Roseanne misplaced her expensive sunglasses. Myself and 3 others were tasked to find the glasses in the commercial trash dumpster. We found them.

Were they in the trash dumpster? Because why would she want to wear them after that?

When I was in high school I worked at a Hardee’s. One day a couple frantically informed us they had accidentally thrown away their son’s retainer when they threw away their trash and it would have been $250 to get a new one. I showed them where the dumpster was and said “help yourselves.” No way in hell I was digging through bags of trash to find some random kid’s retainer.

And why would he ever want to put it back in his mouth after that? Just get him a new one and make the kid mow lawns or something until he pays it off.

 

[jasonrann]

Have CSB'd this one a few times, but wifey (no pic) and I were out in Orange County about five years ago. Left the kids with the grandparents and went for our 10 am cocktails. Dennis Rodman was hanging at the end of the bar and when his homey left, he struck up a conversation with us. We hung out for a couple hours and wifey ordered him an Uber on his flip phone. Dude was still massive, but a pretty cool dude. He was getting up to leave and he says "yo, why don't you take a picture of me with your wife?!" . Naturally, I did.

 

[ThorneStockton]

Took a piss next to Mike Tyson at Spearmint Rhino back in the early 2000s

I saw Mike Tyson's bare ass, less than a week ago.

 

[lonestar50]

A story passed down in my family.
My grandma (no pics) was at the Mayo Clinic to have some kind of procedure done. Walking to the elevator doors she said "hold the doors" and a gentleman held the doors for her. As she got on the elevator she saw it was none other than Mickey Mantle, who was there to get his knees operated on.

 

[LuciousBDragon]

who just so happens to be Charlie Sheen, looks me in the eye and says “no.”

Consider it a compliment. Charlie hardly ever says “no.”

 

[Colonoscopy]

When I was a kid Terry Branstad let me touch his mustache

 

[CarolinaHawkeye]

Does this count?

Back in the day I was working at the then Holiday Inn downtown Iowa City. Roseanne and Tom were staying and apparently Roseanne misplaced her expensive sunglasses. Myself and 3 others were tasked to find the glasses in the commercial trash dumpster. We found them.

Were they till on Roseanne?

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Pretty sure I’ve told this story before but my grandmother was close friends as young adults (and throughout their lives) with Annie Glenn, otherwise known as Mrs. John Glenn.

Anyway, when he was running for President they stopped at my grandparents house for dinner and I got to meet Mr. Glenn. I didn’t give a shit about the presidency back then, to a 12 year old young hawkeyetraveler meeting an honest to God astronaut, fighter pilot and war hero was pretty awesome.

Anyway, that is my one brush with true greatness. America could use a few more John Glenn’s in this era of divisive politics.

My grandpa and John Glenn were in the same HS graduating class.

 

[QChawks]

several years ago and a hawkeye football victory my buddies and I made it downtown for celebrating and we ran into Merton Hanks. I mean, who could miss that mans neck

for whatever reason, he took to our group and we hung for probably 2 hours as he filled us full of drinks and told story after story about Hayden Fry and his time as a 49er.

really cool experience.

 

[seminoleed]

Bumped into Hank Aaron in a small lunch bar where my office was located on Peachtree Street. Turned out his lawyer's office was higher up in the building. Sat down and talked to me for a half hour, about baseball and his life. Finest gentleman I ever met. I didn't even ask for an autograph, as I got one in Tampa during Spring Training when I was much younger.
One reason to hate your boss: At the time, I couldn't stand the guy I reported to, and he solidified that when I returned from lunch. I was obviously excited and told him about meeting Aaron at the lunch counter. His response was, "Did he ask how I was?" Was so glad when he got fired less than a month later.

 

[poophawk]

met then bulls coach phil jackson at a gas station in cedar falls circa 1996, he was putting gas in his little sports car that he driving back to chicago in from whever he used to offseaon in the dakotas. big guy/little car

 

[St. Louis Hawk]

Talked briefly with Jennifer Garner way back in the day. Her friends’ pool cabana was next to ours at the Hard Rock in Vegas. Friendly. Impressive group there.

Hung out for a few drinks with Ernie Els, Ian Poulter, and Ian Woosnam at a bar in STL. As a golf dork, I was one of only a few people that recognized them. Good guys.

Woosnam’s caddie was there and someone asked him does anyone drink more on tour than Woosnam - his response “nobody that is still alive.”

 

[FlickShagwell]

My grandpa and John Glenn were in the same HS graduating class.

My great grandmother went to school with Amelia Earhart in Atchison Kansas.

 

[jneffer]

i peed next to comedian todd barry once

 

[BelemNole]

Similar story to OP-
I was sitting in the airport bar when Pauly Shore and his new girlfriend sat next to me. They were heading to vegas for the weekend. I'm guessing that Tiffany Amber Theisen didn't know as they were supposed to be dating at the time.

 

[PoopandBoogers]

Took a piss next to Mike Tyson at Spearmint Rhino back in the early 2000s

 

[The-Dude-Abides]

A story passed down in my family.
My grandma (no pics) was at the Mayo Clinic to have some kind of procedure done. Walking to the elevator doors she said "hold the doors" and a gentleman held the doors for her. As she got on the elevator she saw it was none other than Mickey Mantle, who was there to get his knees operated on.

Reminds me a bit of this Moth story. Relevant part starts at about 8:40, but the whole story is pretty good.

 

[Breastman]

At a car show in Fort Worth a few years ago, took a piss next to Johnny Bench.

No runs, no drips, no errors.

 

[BrianNole777]

Have CSB'd this one a few times, but wifey (no pic) and I were out in Orange County about five years ago. Left the kids with the grandparents and went for our 10 am cocktails. Dennis Rodman was hanging at the end of the bar and when his homey left, he struck up a conversation with us. We hung out for a couple hours and wifey ordered him an Uber on his flip phone. Dude was still massive, but a pretty cool dude. He was getting up to leave and he says "yo, why don't you take a picture of me with your wife?!" . Naturally, I did.

Pic of Dennis Rodman and your wife?

He was on "Celebrity Rehab" years back. I think it was for alcoholism...it makes sense he was at a bar at Noon lol..

 

[BrianNole777]

My grandpa and John Glenn were in the same HS graduating class.

I know two people that worked with John Glenn in D.C.

Both said "he was a saint."

 

[BrianNole777]

Were they in the trash dumpster? Because why would she want to wear them after that?

When I was in high school I worked at a Hardee’s. One day a couple frantically informed us they had accidentally thrown away their son’s retainer when they threw away their trash and it would have been $250 to get a new one. I showed them where the dumpster was and said “help yourselves.” No way in hell I was digging through bags of trash to find some random kid’s retainer.

And why would he ever want to put it back in his mouth after that? Just get him a new one and make the kid mow lawns or something until he pays it off.

Did they find them?

 

[BrianNole777]

Similar story to OP-
I was sitting in the airport bar when Pauly Shore and his new girlfriend sat next to me. They were heading to vegas for the weekend. I'm guessing that Tiffany Amber Theisen didn't know as they were supposed to be dating at the time.

Did you talk to Pauly?