Chillin' With A Plain White T

Have you ever met a celebrity? If you have, did you sit with them and just have a normal conversation? I don't mean talking about their career or traveling around the world or anything like that; I mean just hangout with them for a moment in time and see a glimpse of what they are really like? I have, and I didn't even know I was talking to a celebrity at the time.

A few years back after I had started working at the Casino, the Plain White T's were performing in July. I remember being really excited about the show because they have quite a few popular songs that have been on the radio and their name is really out there. For some reason even though I knew their music, I really didn't know what they looked like. I mean, I was a fan of the music but I never really took the time to learn about the band members.

Before the show that night I was prepping and getting ready for the show. I remember it was a really hot day and inside the building it was just so hot. I had to take some empty boxes outside out back and I was relieved because I desperately needed fresh air. When I went outside and discarded the boxes I decided to sit down on the back stairs for a couple minutes so that I could cool off. The back stairs is also the area where the tour buses are and where the bands were hanging out. I don't know why I never put two and two together that I was basically hanging out in the area where the Plain White T's were but I guess at the time I was just tired, and possibly a little out of it.

So I'm sitting there, staring out at the parking lot when I see a figure sit next to me on the other side of the stairs. I kind of look over at the corner of my eye and I didn't recognize the person so I kept on looking straight ahead. A few seconds later the guy goes, "Wow, I can't believe I've never been to New Hampshire before, this area is great!" I just looked at him for a second and smiled. (Damn, why was I so unfriendly)

Another few seconds go by before he talks again. "Sooo, are you from around here?" Honestly at the time I don't know why but i just wasn't feeling talkative and now this random stranger is asking me questions like this!?

So I responded, "Yeah, I work here I'm just getting some fresh air before I have to go back inside and get to work." Smooth Mary, real smooth.

Then the guy goes, "Yeah, I'm with the band, gotta get back to work soon too. But hey, what's fun to do around here? Some buddies and I were thinking of going out around here or something maybe you know some places?" Okay, this guy is nice. So I started telling him about some cool places in the area and then he started mentioned some places around the country he's been to and he was actually a really interesting guy. We talked for a few more minutes before I had to go back inside and he had to get back to work with the band.

A couple hours later when the concert had started, the opening band, Mae, had just finished performing and Plain White T's were up next. I was all excited to finally see them up on stage and live in person! The crowd was going crazy! The guitarists and drummer go on first and then all of a sudden the lead singer emerges and MY JAW JUST DROPPED IN THAT INSTANT. The second I saw him step on stage I was in shock. The lead singer of Plain White T's was the guy I was sitting and talking to on the back stairs a couple hours earlier. OMG. How could I not know who this guy was? Did I really have an entire conversation with this guy and not know that he is a huge celebrity who travels the world and is the lead singer of a band?! Yeah, that happened. I met this guy and I didn't get an autograph, or picture, or anything! Ugh!

At first I was so mad because I realized that I had totally just treated this guy like he was any other guy, and I wasn't even that friendly at all. But then, I realized, he probably really liked that. Being a celebrity he always has girls all over him trying to talk to him, get pictures, beg him for autographs and all sorts of stuff. I was the total opposite. He probably enjoyed being able to talk to someone who had no idea who he was. I realized that I had made a celebrity feel like a normal guy for just a moment in time, and that actually made me feel good. I don't have proof that I met him, all I have is the memory. What I do know is, while Tom, the lead singer, is mobbed by millions of people every year, he will always remember me as the regular girl who treated him like a normal guy. (Even if I didn't know it) ;)

Boating Life

So this weekend I took a little break from blogging, because, well, I basically took a break from everything. I am sure many of you reading my blog are not from New Hampshire, but if you ever find yourself in the area, take the time and go to Hampton Beach, NH. There are so many things to do in New Hampshire. You know, a lot of people think that New Hampshire really doesn't have a lot to offer, but we do. New Hampshire is one of the few states where there are the mountains, lakes, rivers, beaches, farms, and heavily wooded areas. Where I live in NH, I am only 1 hour away from ski mountains, 45 minutes from every major beach on the coast of Maine, NH and MA, I'm less than an hour from Boston, and am also near tons of lakes. My state is THE place to be if you are the outdoorsy type. The one thing I really enjoy though, is the boating life.

My family has a boat and we keep it in the marina near my house. I have had the opportunity to learn so much about boating and I love it. My mom just recently got her boating license and it's been so cool watching her learn the ropes and it's inspired me to learn too. I just got the book for it and I'm currently studying to get my boating license. Hopefully, I will have my boating license in just a few short months! Or at least by the end of the summer! I've discovered that being out on the open water is something I really enjoy, and I don't mind the hard work it takes. I've been telling some friends about how someday I want to get my own boat and really put my skills to the test. I get a lot of raised eyebrows because I'm a girl who is doing something that is really male dominated. I know girls who have their boating licenses, but mostly just so they can ride jet skis on a lake.

I think it's cool though. I want to be able to show my friends a good time and I will feel so proud of myself if I am able to do that using the skills I am working really hard at perfecting. Also, I think people don't realize how many females actually are into boating. There are actually a lot of women down in my marina who are into boating just like me. It's really awesome being surrounded by women who also share the same hobby as me now. It makes me feel good that I have plenty of people there who are helping me learn how to be successful at this. Some of them are older, and a couple are my age, but regardless of their age I still feel like they are going to be my life long friends, and in a different way than any other friends I have ever had.

I encourage all you women to do what you love, even if it is male dominated. I feel like sometimes girls shy away from doing things they really like because they are afraid of being judged by boys. I can easily just tell you that you need to be more confident in what you do and not care about what boys think, but I know that it isn't that easy. I've been in that situation where I haven't done something because I was afraid that people, like guys, would think I was being too boyish or not feminine enough. Want to know what I think though? I think that if you are a girl and you are confident and doing what you love, that right guy is going to think that whatever you do is sexy, even if that means you are doing dirty work on a boat!