Well, today was the big day that I head out to Washington DC for a week of briefings before I head off to The Middle East. The day began ordinary enough. My dad and Topaz drove me to the airport, I got out of the car, checked my bags, and headed over to the security li
ne with all of the other lemmings to take off my shoes, empty my pockets, take out my laptop and walk through the scanner. It is a tedious and slightly dehumanizing process, but one we all must endure together - one of the "great equalizers." So, I'm standing there, and from behind me I heard the security guy that checks the travelers' i.d. s say, "Were you here on business?" And I heard a distinctive, booming, baritone voice say, "I was narrating a concert." Not quite enough words to place the voice but I assumed it was some sort of famous sports announcer or something. I turned around not really expecting to recognize the person and realized, to my surprise, it was George Takei or Sulu from the old Star Trek episodes.
We made our way through the line and I made some kind of a joke about how "fun" this part of travelling is. He laughed and agreed with me. We put our shoes on after making it through security withou
t having to go through the "whole body scanner." No one else seemed to notice or recognize him and I quietly said something stupid like, "I love the old Star Trek series. It was an important part of my childhood and I'm pleased to meet you." He was very nice and thanked me and then I said something awkward like, "Have a good flight," and picked up my pace so we wouldn't have that awkward When Harry Met Sally airport scene moment. It turned out we were going to the same concourse and I ended up behind him at some point. He was flying to LaGuardia out of D2 and I was flying to Reagan International out of D11. I actually followed him all the way to his gate. I really wanted to get a picture but I felt stupid asking. Plus, I figured the poor guy probably wants his privacy and if I draw attention, then maybe everyone will want a picture. So I stalked him instead.
First, I tried to get a picture on the escalator, but from behind he looked like he could have been ANY older gentleman. Then, I sat down a few rows behind him (this part of the concourse was almost deserted) and tried to stealthily take a picture from behind. Still no good. I tried from a different angle - nope. The I went to the ladies' room, put my camera on zoom and tried to sneak a picture from the front, but he had the damn newspaper in front of his face. Now I'm wondering how many people are actually watching me with suspicion as if I'm some kind of terrorist doing surveillance on the airport (Irish Republican Army? I don't know). I went back to D11 feeling defeated. I still had about 20 minutes before my flight was going to take off, so I decided "Screw it, I'm asking for a picture, th
e worst he can say is "no."
By this time, his life partner had returned from doing whatever he was doing and two other men were standing there having a conversation with them. I walked right up and waited for a pause in the conversation and said, "Excuse me, it's ok if you say no, but would you mind obliging me with a picture?" I was SURE he was going to say no. To my surprise, he said, "Sure, I'd love to!" and stood right up and put his arm around my shoulder. I handed my camera to one of the men, he very dramatically exclaimed, "You want ME to take the picture?" Like I was asking him to lick my shoes. I said, "Yes please." Thankfully, George's partner stood up and said, "I think I should take the picture." He looked in the view finder and said, "Wow! This is really close." I had forgotten that I had the zoom on while I was stalking him! He took the picture and it actually turned out really great. George asked me where I was heading. I told him I was on my way to DC and then off to Egypt to teach. He told me a story about his nephew that went to Japan on vacation and loved it so much that he studied Japanese and is now a CPA in Japan. Then he asked me when my flight was and I said, "In 15 minutes actually." I thanked him and then sprinted to my gate and made it just in time!" What a really gracious person! Thanks George! Live long and prosper!
ne with all of the other lemmings to take off my shoes, empty my pockets, take out my laptop and walk through the scanner. It is a tedious and slightly dehumanizing process, but one we all must endure together - one of the "great equalizers." So, I'm standing there, and from behind me I heard the security guy that checks the travelers' i.d. s say, "Were you here on business?" And I heard a distinctive, booming, baritone voice say, "I was narrating a concert." Not quite enough words to place the voice but I assumed it was some sort of famous sports announcer or something. I turned around not really expecting to recognize the person and realized, to my surprise, it was George Takei or Sulu from the old Star Trek episodes.We made our way through the line and I made some kind of a joke about how "fun" this part of travelling is. He laughed and agreed with me. We put our shoes on after making it through security withou
t having to go through the "whole body scanner." No one else seemed to notice or recognize him and I quietly said something stupid like, "I love the old Star Trek series. It was an important part of my childhood and I'm pleased to meet you." He was very nice and thanked me and then I said something awkward like, "Have a good flight," and picked up my pace so we wouldn't have that awkward When Harry Met Sally airport scene moment. It turned out we were going to the same concourse and I ended up behind him at some point. He was flying to LaGuardia out of D2 and I was flying to Reagan International out of D11. I actually followed him all the way to his gate. I really wanted to get a picture but I felt stupid asking. Plus, I figured the poor guy probably wants his privacy and if I draw attention, then maybe everyone will want a picture. So I stalked him instead.
First, I tried to get a picture on the escalator, but from behind he looked like he could have been ANY older gentleman. Then, I sat down a few rows behind him (this part of the concourse was almost deserted) and tried to stealthily take a picture from behind. Still no good. I tried from a different angle - nope. The I went to the ladies' room, put my camera on zoom and tried to sneak a picture from the front, but he had the damn newspaper in front of his face. Now I'm wondering how many people are actually watching me with suspicion as if I'm some kind of terrorist doing surveillance on the airport (Irish Republican Army? I don't know). I went back to D11 feeling defeated. I still had about 20 minutes before my flight was going to take off, so I decided "Screw it, I'm asking for a picture, th
e worst he can say is "no."By this time, his life partner had returned from doing whatever he was doing and two other men were standing there having a conversation with them. I walked right up and waited for a pause in the conversation and said, "Excuse me, it's ok if you say no, but would you mind obliging me with a picture?" I was SURE he was going to say no. To my surprise, he said, "Sure, I'd love to!" and stood right up and put his arm around my shoulder. I handed my camera to one of the men, he very dramatically exclaimed, "You want ME to take the picture?" Like I was asking him to lick my shoes. I said, "Yes please." Thankfully, George's partner stood up and said, "I think I should take the picture." He looked in the view finder and said, "Wow! This is really close." I had forgotten that I had the zoom on while I was stalking him! He took the picture and it actually turned out really great. George asked me where I was heading. I told him I was on my way to DC and then off to Egypt to teach. He told me a story about his nephew that went to Japan on vacation and loved it so much that he studied Japanese and is now a CPA in Japan. Then he asked me when my flight was and I said, "In 15 minutes actually." I thanked him and then sprinted to my gate and made it just in time!" What a really gracious person! Thanks George! Live long and prosper!
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