Better Than Walter Matthau In A Pale Yellow Linen Suit

Last night, I had a celebrity sighting. 

I live in LA, and I’m a tv writer, so celebrity sightings are about as common as red lights.  Just this morning, driving across the 20^th lot, I almost hit T.J. Thyne from Bones with my car because I drive a hybrid and they’re SO QUIET, and when you’re zipping around on a little bicycle, you just don’t know I’M RIGHT BEHIND YOU.

In the last ten years, I’ve had some fairly big sightings.  Stephen Spielberg on a corner in Beverly Hills.  Walter Matthau, also on a corner in Beverly Hills, but a different corner, and obviously that was a while ago, because he was alive.  Cyndi Lauper just a few weeks ago.  She looks GOOD, and seriously, ‘Time After Time’ does not get old.  Leonardo DiCaprio at a party in The Colony (that was back in my assistant days, my oh so fun assistant days of scheduling pedicures and brushing dogs’ teeth).  Tom Hanks (quick aside: I took my mom to see ‘Mission Impossible’ when it came out a hundred years ago, and I couldn’t figure out why she was all excited to go, because my mom doesn’t really like movies, and when it was over we walked out and she said, “Now, who in that movie was Tom Hanks?”).  Gabriel Byrne.  A bunch of American Idols.  Suge Knight.  Cuz that’s how I roll.  Oodles of sitcom people.  Colin Firth.  I like him just as he is.  All the Grey’s people.  Ben Stiller in the elevator up to my old office.  A few months ago, when I was leaving work, Hugh Laurie was right behind me on his motorcycle.  I like him just as he is, too.  Ice Cube, who was behind me at a gate going into a different studio.  I could see his diamond studs in my rearview mirror.  HUU-YOOGE.  Katherine Keener and Dermott Mulroney (back when they were married and Daisy was a puppy and they wanted to pet her and because I’m nice I let them), Alecia Keyes, Nathan Fillion, Neil Patrick Harris, I have to include Felicia Day because I think she’s an internet genius, all the casts of all the shows I’ve written, Elvis Costello, Stanley from The Office, who gave me sunscreen when we were on strike and picketing in the hot sun…

I could go on and on until the internet ran out.  It’s LA.  They’re EVERYWHERE.  In general, there’s that little moment of “Oh, that’s… whoever!”  And maybe you relive a childhood memory or two, or do a spur-of-the-moment critique of whoever's last movie, then you go on with your day.   

Yesterday was different.  I recently (as in two days ago) joined the Single Mothers by Choice listserve on Yahoo!  Pretty much just lurking at the moment, learning the ropes, trying to figure out the lingo (BFP? BBT? AAARRRGGGHH.). 

So I’m reading away, gleaning all I can glean, and I read one particular comment, and I think, this woman’s story sounds familiar…  Where have I heard this before?  And her son’s name is Scott… and I go HOLY CRAP!  This is Louise Sloan!  Louise Sloan, who wrote “Knock Yourself Up!”  LOUISE SLOAN, people!!!

Taking a moment.

Now.  When I saw Walter Matthau on the corner in Beverly Hills, he was wearing a pale yellow linen suit, and I’ve never seen anyone or anything more magnificent.  Truly.  And I’m including the Grand Canyon and the Eiffel Tower at night.  The man was a STAR.  It emanated from his pores.  He was old as the hills and doing nothing but standing on a corner, and he was absolutely riveting.  My throat got tight.  I can remember the feeling to this day.  He died not long after that, but just having seen him made me feel a connection to a different Hollywood, a more magical Hollywood.  Though he was barely twenty feet away, it may as well have been a million miles. 

But Louise Sloan, who must be thousands of miles away, was RIGHT HERE.  On the computer in my breakfast room.  I could join an internet conversation she was having RIGHT THEN.  I could ask her a question, just by pressing some little buttons that form words, and hitting send.  This is why the internet is CRAZY.  Because as cool as Walter Matthau is, he didn’t change my life.  Louise Sloan kinda did.  Reading her book was one of the key things that made me believe I could be a single mom.  It helped me decide what path to take. 

And I think I’ve decided.  It’s been settling in slowly for awhile, and I think it’s here to stay.

So let me take this opportunity to say:  Thanks, Louise.  

Comments

[MissGoldBug]

Hello Ms. Starfish,

I stumbled upon your blog from elsewhere in the blogosphere. I love it! Your life sounds so glamorous in El Lay... I have only seen one celebrity on a corner in New York... who actually asked me for directions, Spike Lee. I knew, too... Which is a minor miracle considering I am from the Midwest and was on vacation! Perhaps it was the handy pop-up map in my purse?

I don't know Louise Sloan, but it sounds like you were meant to cross paths. You must be on the right track for yourself if the stars aligned for you to chat. How exciting!

Best of Luck!

MissGoldBug

[Sarah Fain]

MissGoldBug-- I'm from the Midwest, too. Yay, Midwest! Sadly, I didn't have the guts to actually chat with Louise-- but I think she's on the SMC listserve often, so one of these days I'll work my way up to it... Celebrities can be intimidating!

[Elizabeth Hickey]

When my husband and I were first together, my in-laws would take me to the Ivy because I'm really good at recognizing people and would tell them who everyone was, down to the last member of the cast of Party of Five. But I feel like a huge dork if I inadvertently catch their eye. Some look genuinely terrified, though I would never approach anyone.

[Heather]

I know what you mean. The two times I saw Bob Hope (he even SMILED at me once) were like seeing God. Even better than lunching three tables away from George Clooney in his ER days.

[Lexi]

I live in New York and I've seen so many celebrities that I no longer get starstruck. It's always cool though. Would have loved to meet Paul Newman at some point, but alas.

I think it's great, Sarah, that you are going after what you want even without the love of your life in the picture. It takes a lot of courage and I commend you for it. There's no reason you shouldn't have a baby just because Mr.Right hasn't come along yet!

I am in my late-20s and while I'm definitely not ready for a kid now, I believe I'd go the single parent route when the time comes. I believe there's a great person out there for all of us, but we won't always necessarily meet him in accordance with our biological clocks.

[Liz]

Congratulations! Choice made! Moving forward! This is incredibly exciting. I have no doubt that there will be a woman out there asking herself the same questions you are... and you'll be HER Louise.

[Maria]

Very nice piece. Tight!

[Mr. Alexander Simon]

March 23rd, 2010 Mr. Kirk Douglas, I/C: The Firm, 2049 Century Park E., Suite 2550, Los Angeles, California, AMERICA 90067-3139. To Mr. Douglas and with respect: Please when can to forward a E-Mail MY WAY.! Regarding "ACE-IN-THE-HOLE;" The Porter Hall & Arthur Duo is really a Tribune on The Western Journal; this Programme was brought in by U.S.A.; the reason I am notifiying you regarding this tabloid is due to nine competing tabloids near The Bronx were ARMED.! In the course of 10 years, 500 new NEWS-PAPERS were brought in with a flury of TALENT.! "The New York Times"; were the "Ace In The Hole;" by forwarding many new Writers that could spell and well...many earlier had difficulty with English prose.! For example, Mr. Douglas, if I can call you Kirk; as I have forwarded demanding (as a fan-Friend) prior: If any man (or girl); try and edit an actor's REHERSAL.!! The point here is: MANY MEN NEED A GREAT GAG IN COMEDY; such as; "WHY DO WOMEN LOVE $??;" the reply; "BECAUSE; $$ IS AVAILABLE," the meaning; "WOMEN, TO ME HAVE A GREAT PAY-LOOK!!" Sir, I thank you for considering a write. My mother, a grande WOMEN is nearly to be released from The Grey Nuns Hospital; She is being treated for HEART THROBBING; this could be to a series of un-needed PRESCRIPTIONS; a CLINIC called JUSTIK combined near The Nuns'; refuses my CATHOLIC know in what is ailing Margaret (Simon) Ban; also Catholic; imagine; if your own son Michael neglected your need due to negliegence?? My point is as true clean People and my is very Human; and a fan also who I know has hidden Academy Recognition including starring with Ms Golide Hawn as well as Mr Walter John Matthau in Alernoun Studio 9; I feel The MEDICAL World is lacking in TRUSTING the ageing in alerting their Off-Spring with full knowledge of their true condition and my mother being a Registered true full Roman Catholic, like I have been Registerd; needs similiar Mind; not a green new TURN-AROUND.!!! I thank you as a Friend and TRUST ME; I care!! alexandersimonea@gmail.com xx

Read more at Suite101: Ace In The Hole – Billy Wilder Buries The Lead: Film Review of the Caustic Cult Classic from 1951 http://classicfilms.suite101.com/article.cfm/ace_in_the_hole_billy_wilder_buries_the_lead#ixzz0j33UsM2g