Tuesday, March 16, 2010

George Clooney...Here's the 411

Today is the day you’ve been waiting for.

Okay, maybe not.

But it is the day I’m going to attempt to recap in detail for you,
the night I met George Clooney.
Hey, this blog aims to please.

Let me begin by saying this….you’re gonna want to lower those expectations right down.

That’s better.

Because this little story has taken on a life of its own and I’m pretty sure the actual event is not going to measure up in any way, shape, or form to the discussion preceding the re-telling of the actual event.

It was about 8 years ago. The hubs and I (yeah, he was there too but is just an incidental character to the story) were in NYC for the weekend. We were living in Maryland at the time and were in the city for a weekend with some of his work colleagues…some sort of team meeting that week and then spouses were invited for the weekend events. And no, meeting George Clooney was not part of the planned activities…that was just a little icing on the cake so to speak.

Anyway, we happened to be staying in the same hotel.

And by we I mean George and I.

Oh and my hubs too of course. We didn’t actually find this out until later in the weekend because George was staying in some super secret section of the hotel that we didn’t even know existed. Nevertheless we (that would be George and I and you're going to need to pay attention) were staying in the same hotel this particular weekend.

Friday night hubs and I had gone to dinner and a show with our group...42nd Street, which was fabulous btw. We arrived back to the hotel about midnight and off to the side of the hotel lobby was the hotel bar. A great big bouncer man was standing in the doorway and we chatted for a second while we waited for the elevator. I asked him if anyone famous ever came into the bar and he said, “You just missed George Clooney”. And we all nodded our heads and winked and said ‘sure, sure’ and went on up to our rooms for the night.

Saturday was filled with lots of fun shopping and sightseeing and another nice dinner out. Once again we returned to the hotel and most of us headed straight up to our rooms. One couple, who will from here on out be referred to as J and B, popped into the bar before going upstairs. We got up to our room and I was changing clothes and had my makeup partly removed when the phone rang. It was B telling me I better get downstairs because

GEORGE CLOONEY WAS IN THE BAR!

Yes, she shouted.

She was giddy.

More on that in a moment.

I confess I actually debated about going back downstairs. I mean I had taken off the party clothes, the makeup was already partly removed, blah blah blah. Hubs said I should definitely go because I would be mad at myself the next day if everyone was talking about it and I had missed it.

Yay hubs!

Perhaps he is not an incidental character.

Perhaps he is actually key to the whole thing because without him I very well could have slept thru the big event. (Using the term ‘big event’ loosely, ‘k)

So we (you didn’t think he was going to let me go alone did you?) get back on the elevator and as we descend I am contemplating my approach. I decide to play things oh so coolly, like I meet celebs every day of the week and ho hum, impress me George Clooney.

We step into the bar. I remember it was kind of funky with a lot of pink lighting. It wasn’t very big and the second I stepped into the room I lasered in on George.

Oh my.

Yes, definitely handsome.

Where was I?

Oh yeah… our friends J & B were standing right beside him. I was mostly succeeding at the whole nonchalant thing when our friend B (remember I said she was a little giddy?) lifts her hands over George’s head and starts pointing down at him as she whisper-shouts, “HE’S RIGHT HERE!!!”

Just in case I hadn’t seen him.

Like that would happen.

And fyi-the whisper shout thing never works because hello, you’re shouting something that should be whispered.

Anyway, we casually walk over and I have the brilliant idea to send the husbands to the bar for something. Anything. I cannot have George Clooney thinking I came all the way downstairs just to see him right?

Pathetic I know. B’s husband J kept piping up every few minutes with this line, “He looks just like my college roommate!” J & B are adorable. They were quite a pair that night.

The husbands finally take the not so subtle hint and leave B and I alone.

With George.

We try very hard not to act like we're in 7th grade.

And so we talked. He was really friendly. Yes he is every bit as handsome in person as he is on the screen. In fact, at one point my friend B said to him, ‘You know, you are even better looking in person than you are on TV.” To which he replied,with a grin (Swoon),

“I’ve been told that before.”

Now not many guys could get away with a line like that one.

George Clooney most definitely can get away with a line like that one.

We talked about a couple of his movies and we told him our favorites. When my friend B said, “I loved The Perfect Storm,” he asked what she loved about it. She replied, “YOU!”

Oh brother.

He laughed.

Did I mention he is extremely handsome?

I’m sure we were only there about 15 minutes but it was fun while it lasted. Next thing we know the bodyguards sweep in out of nowhere and form a human force field. George is escorted into a private booth and our little moment of glory is over. Husbands roll their eyes and are good sports about our ridiculousness in the elevator ride back upstairs.

Which may or may not continue eight years later anytime someone mentions George Clooney in our presence.

And that my blog/facebook friends, concludes the story of the night I met George Clooney.

Did I tell you he was extremely handsome?

26 comments:

  1. Such a great story! Your friend B's reaction had me belly laughing. I could just see/hear her. Thanks so much for sharing. Blessings, SusanD

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  2. Very Funny! "Impress me, George." lol We had an encounter (albeit, brief) with Liza Minelli in Central Park one time! She played This Little Piggy with Cameron's sweet baby feet. She was lovely and let us take her picture even though she wasn't all "made up".

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  3. Lucky you and what a memory to have!

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  4. What a story! I probably would've passed out if I had seen George; look what I fool I made out of myself with the local meteorologist! Glad to hear he was nice; he seems very down to earth when you see him in interviews.

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  5. What a great story. He was in Greensboro a few years ago filming a movie, but I did not go see it. Too crazy. I did enjoy the articles in the paper and on the news. He is very handsome. Love & blessings from NC!

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  6. Love it....what a wonderful memory to share with all of us.
    Hugs, andrea

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  7. What a fun memory! You crack me up, Joyce! :)

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  8. I just want to know a few more things: how much makeup did you reapply and did you put back on your party clothes for this?

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  9. What a great memory! You didn't say, but did you take the time to put your makeup back on?

    And you didn't grab a camera?!

    Just sayin'

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  10. Sigh. What a guy. Why can't they all look that good?

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  11. Hilarious! Great story!
    I don't think I would have had the guts to talk to him!!

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  12. Joyce,

    What a great story. Sounds like he was a pretty nice guy with all the attention I am sure he is used to getting.

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  13. dipenk;lcvy audsepo dsifpo[e
    Sorry! I can barely type with all these stars in my eyes!

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  14. Oh how fun! I can just see your friend, and he was probably watching her in the mirror behind the bar. lolol. He is good looking, dang he is drop dead gorgeous! What an experience and a wonderful memory!

    until next time... nel

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  15. So funny! I can just imagine it. And now I know a person who has my George!! I´m so in awe! :)

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  16. What fun! Thanks so much for the telling the story. I've been curious ever since you mentioned it a while back. Your humor in the telling definitely lived up to the curiosity. Thanks!

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  17. Wow you are the luckiest girl I know! I love him and he really is gorgeous!

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  18. How fun are you? That story is absolutely precious! He is on a small list of men that age very very well. Have a wonderful Tuesday!

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  19. Wow...Joyce, I could picture EVERYTHING as you drew this story with your words! Of course, I have a very vivid imagination, but you are such a wonderful writer!
    And I would have loved to have been in that elevator with you, your friend and your husbands, as you were going back upstairs! LOL
    It sounds like you handled yourself very well, but your friend? :-) Too funny!
    Oh, and I meant to ask....is he really THAT handsome?

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  20. So do you think the pink lighting in the bar helped your lack of makeup?

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  21. I love this story, mainly because now I only have ONE DEGREE OF SEPARATION between me and George.

    It's my own version of the Kevin Bacon game.

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  22. Wonderful story! I'm so jealous! Love how your story unfolded. Quite humorous!

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  23. Extremely cute story. I love the way you wrote it. He is so handsome. Good for you!

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  24. Um, just one question...is he handsome???

    I am sure you put your party clothes back on and not otherwise!

    Whisper shouting is never a good thing...I know this cause my daughter tells me I am awful at it! Never take ME when you want to meet "handsome" celebs! ; )

    Hey...I've been in his Aunts house.

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  25. I don't know how I missed this post!
    How fun!!! I'm sure glad your husband urged you to go down.
    You definitely would have regretted it.
    George is so handsome on the big screen. I can't imagine that he'd be even more handsome!

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