As Kevin was being introduced, this took place in an Aspen school, we all stood up and clapped. I thought he was entering from the left stairs. That's where I was looking anyway. We were all clapping, it was very exciting. But where was he? Then I felt this touch on my arm. I whirled around. It was Kevin going down the steps on my right. He was looking at me with this big grin on his face, as if he had gotten a big kick out of nudging me, hey I'm over here! I smiled back. I didn't stop smiling that night, the entire night. (Do you know how hard it is to sleep when you are smiling?)
Kevin gave a wonder talk. He really has the gift of gab. And he is funny. For the most part I like what he stands for. He's not perfect, but he has ideals and dreams. And he certainly isn't boring. He's a fighter. He makes you get excited about his movies, at least the journey getting there. The results are not always great----you can't have a Dances with Wolves every time. But he had a strong desire and reason to do each of his movies, even the ones not as popular, or not as good. The evening ended; I was a little disappointed that he had not taken questions from the audience. We walked up the stairs and were about to exit. I saw a crowd of people to my right. I took one look at April and started moving, to the right. Apil followed behind me. There was Kevin and people were shaking his hand. There were only about 3 people ahead of me. My turn came and all I could do was say my name and how nice it was to meet him. I really could not come up with anything. And I have met quite a few movie celebrities. Kevin is the only one that had me tongue tied. (yes, unlike the other movie guys, I have a tremendous crush on Kevin. I could (and have) been standing next to Bruce Willis all day long and not bothered to bat an eye.) Kevin was very polite and charming. I shook his hand and started to walk on. He took a few steps back to talk to me. Did I like the interview? Could I hear alright? Still tongue tied, all I could say was, yes it was wonderful. Not, here Kevin, here is my card, I really love your work in Dances, No Way, The Untouchables, Bull Durham, JFK, Perfect World, Field, how about dinner sometime! No, people, that did not come out of my mouth. April knows I kick myself to this day. He walked back up to the crowd. April shook his hand and then joined me. Then I saw that some other people that I knew had a camera! They were taking pictures with Kevin. I walked back up to Kevin (I am not shy!) and asked if we could have our picture taken together. He gave me a big squeeze around my waist and I on his waist. Ah! You see the results. I was smiling really big. Too big--look at that crooked smile! April wanted one. I told her to go up. She did and grabbed him, nicely! He looked at her and said , Whoa you remind me of Steve McQueen's daughter. (one of his anecdotes: Steve McQueen's daughter, very beautiful, had aggressively followed him into a men's bathroom at Morton's--he thought she was just another fan, but instead she wanted to thank him for his input on her dad.) So you see April's big smile! We had a great time. It was an evening I will never, ever forget.
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