Lemur got me this:
!!!
Anyone willing to accost a rock star in a deli in Ann Arbor merely for my sake deserves a little recognition. Thusly, this feature on Kristina and my Billy Corgan autograph.
As anyone who knows me well should be aware, I love the Smashing Pumpkins. And, as anyone else who knows me should be aware, they performed in Ann Arbor on 4/19/00 (last night, at the time of writing) which I was unable to attend, as I had an exam that evening. Justifiably, I was bummed.
Enter Lemmer. The day in question began as many others begin for Kristina: with stuff. After completing her obligations to said stuff, she made a fateful decision: she would go out to lunch. Such decisions are not entered upon lightly by college students. . . sometimes upwards of 50 empty pop cans must be collected and their deposits redeemed in order to finance such a feast. Thusly, having irrevocably committed to such a reckless course of action, she found herself in front of Amer's Deli in downtown Ann Arbor, along with her friend, Laurie. She entered. She ordered. . . a sandwich. Her friend ordered. . . another sandwich. Just as they sat down to eat, the door opened. A man entered. He ordered food, sat down, ate his food, and left. Nothing unusual. Nothing out of the ordinary. Except for one thing: you're drooling for more information about him! Seriously, forget about this guy! what are you, some kind of stalker? He was just some guy getting lunch. Geez, I'm sorry I brought it up. Anyway, to continue. . .
Aren't we attractive? The Lemur, in person, presentin' me with the goods. We were trying to look cute in this one, but it didn't quite come off.
So Kristina and Laurie finish their meals but "Laurie decided she wanted tea, or something." Thus, the two remained in the eatery for a suspiciously long period of time. The door then opened. A tall man entered, wearing some kind of stocking cap. His presence nagged at Kristina. . . she couldn't quite place him. She decided to pay him no heed, but for some reason vegetables kept colliding in her mind's eye. Someone, at this point, murmered "it's him!" The hamster inside Kristina's brain returned from its coffee break, and suddenly the name "Billy Corgan" clicked inide her head. For some indefineable reason, she immediately thought of me. Maybe it's my rugged good looks, or the fact that I brag about having 3 Gigs worth of Pumpkins-related material on my computer at any given time. Either way, she decided to get me an autograph.
She scrambled for some paper, and found some. Good. Then she looked for a pen. Excellent. Or perhaps it was in the other order-- it is no matter to us. If it is, then get some therapy. So finally it came down to approaching the guy. Now, my firsthand info ends here. . . she didn't say much about the actual approach, but I bet she was a little nervous. I mean, I once saw a local news anchor at Meijer's, and I turned around and stared resolutely in the other direction. How I'd deal with somebody incredibly more famous (not to mention belonging to my pantheon of heroes), is completely beyond me. But apparently, Lemmer just walked up to him while he was trying to pay for his sandwich (damn, forgot to ask what kind) and asked him to sign an autograph. She even made sure he spelled my name with an "h" instead of a "k" !! Now that's service! According to Kristina, he was really nice about it, too. . . here's a poor guy buying himself some lunch, and he's gotta sign an autograph for some kid who isn't even there! So Billy, if you're out there, thanks, man, ya'll made my day!
Thanks ooodles, Kristina! I'm so grateful that I almost considered uploading a better picture of you for the rogues gallery. . . but that one is just too priceless!
Framed for posterity, Turned sideways to produce stiff necks.
