How I Got This Idea

One night I was at a hockey game in Los Angeles where I watched a fan approach a celebrity. It was just what you would expect. They took a photo together. The fan seemed totally excited and the celebrity looked pleasantly bored. I got to thinking; yes, meeting a celebrity is a unique opportunity. And that is one approach. But what if everyone rotated their position in the equation and the celeb was behind the camera? Same place, same players, but everyone just adopts a different spot in the game. What if? It could be interesting—could be incredibly offensive. I wanted to see what a celebrity would do when approached with my unusual request.

11. Robert Wagner

November 16, 2000

While in quick transit from the VIP backstage area to the main room of the Muhammad Ali fundraiser (slash) awesome party, I saw Robert Wagner. He was the only person in the hall that wasn’t headed towards the festivities. Rather, he was standing alone, tall and fancy in his tux with no real expression on his face (as if he was waiting for his date to return from the baño). Hummm…. Robert Wagner…? Let’s see. I can’t name any of his movies pre-Austin Powers (in which he did a fabulous job as implied potty humor). And I really only remember watching him on TV (while eating dinner in my yellow bean bag) in Hart to Hart. (1970s baby!!!!!!!) But he’s a celebrity so he counts. I stopped by for a quicky. “Um, hello. Can you take my picture?” (In a nutshell.) Click. And we’re out. Thank you, NEXT! Just 100 seconds. A brief interaction that neither of us would remember if it wasn’t for this imperishable testimony.

photo credit: Robert Wagner     © 2000 Rebecca Costell

10. Bo Derek

November 16, 2000

It wasn’t hard to decide who’d be the next celebrity photographer invited into my collection. I need more women and there she was. Bo Derek. She was just as beautiful as advertised, a 10 for sure. Quietly and without much animation, she was talking with someone. At least that’s what would be the natural assumption – the other woman was talking and Bo was facing in her direction. No real motion on her part however.

I didn’t want to interrupt. While waiting for a lull in their *conversation*, my friend called attention to her unusual shoes. They were extremely pointy, witch-like shoes. That said, she was still incredibly gorgeous and the shoes weren’t doing anything to detract from that. (Though they might have had something to do with the fact that she wasn’t moving.)

The lull came. I touched her arm. She was very pretty, yes, but not all that receptive. She glanced at me to her side and I spoke to her profile. (I could have been talking to a wax figure of Bo Derek for all I know.) “Um, excuse me. Could you do me a favor?” Finally, she turned to fully look at me with a blank (albeit beautiful) stare and I continued “I have this celebrity photo album. It’s just a bunch of pictures of me taken by celebrities. Would you take my picture?” She didn’t seem to care at all about what I was saying, (and come to think of it, I didn’t ever see her blink her eyes) but seemed relieved I didn’t want a picture with her. She relaxed slightly and said, “Sure,” (She’s alive!) She took the camera, backed up and quickly snapped a picture. It happened so fast I am not even sure what I was doing when she took the picture—I think I was just so happy to have finally made contact… She handed my camera back without a smile or any conversation. Okay by me. I moved on.

Moral: Don’t be fooled by the oldest trick in the book. When someone is playing possum, poke ‘em.

photo credit: Bo Derek    © 2000 Rebecca Costell

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9. Robin Williams

November 16, 2000

“Backstage,” still in the VIP reception for the Muhammad Ali party, I was a little gun shy because of that mean, blond woman who told me to put my camera away. Once I saw so many recognizable faces in the room though, I got a rush of bravery and a trigger happy finger. Blondy was a distant memory and I was back in business.

My friends were entertained by my boldness and were pointing out celebrities so they could watch me in action. There were big stars everywhere so I had to strategize. I could just move from right to left and get celebrities based on proximity. Or I could hunt and peck. Hummmm…. No time for planning. At this particular moment it was clearly between Billy Crystal or Robin Williams. I had to move fast. But how the heck am I supposed to make that choice? I am too young to have ever enjoyed watching Soap, but I watched every episode of Mork and Mindy…. Gooooooooood Morning Vietnam—I had my answer! Billy looked mahvelous, but I chose Robin who, tonight, had platinum blonde hair. (Most likely because he was filming the movie “One Hour Photo.”)

Now I had to wait patiently for just the right moment to move in. From where I was standing it looked like a calm Robin Williams was busy talking to some people so I stood back until I could have him all to myself. As the small crowd broke up, I was now in his sight line and he politely said “Hello.” I smiled and said, “Hi…. Can you do me a favor?” That’s all I had to say and he was *on*. (I should really try working in some small talk once in a while—it’s only polite. Plus, these are prime opportunities for memorable conversation with some real nut-jobs. Creative, talented nut-jobs, but nutty nonetheless.) This particular one was so animated it was incredible.

After I told him my idea, his eyes lit up and he excitedly said he’d help. He took my camera and got right into character. “Now work with me.” He lead the way like a gay fashion photographer on speed. “Give me what you’ve got. Work those hands.” I did some move which was obviously way under par. He pulled the camera away from his face and gave me some very professional, “Birdcage,”  direction. “More like this,” he said as he motioned his hands. I mimicked what he did. He seemed pleased and quickly put the camera to his eye. He didn’t want to miss the moment. “Good!!” A woman saw what we were doing and offered to take a photo of us so what the heck, we let her. Together, we’d had a solid three minutes of fun. I thanked him, got my camera back and moved on—to Bo Derek.

Moral: It’s safe to bet that “Put that camera away and don’t let me see you with it again or it will be taken from you” means “Keep your camera close, there is more good stuff to come.”

photo credit: Robin Williams and some woman at the party     © 2000 Rebecca Costell

8. Muhammad Ali

November 16, 2000

It is really much different to do this when I admire the celebrity. I was at a comedic “Roast” of Muhammad Ali at the Century Plaza Hotel in LA. It was about 6pm on a Thursday night. My friends and I had VIP reception passes so before the roast we were back there, mingling. Right as we walked back, there he was. Muhammad was greeting people and being just as gracious and fun as always. He was taking the time to honor everyone who came to say hello. I wasn’t sure if I should bother him since he was surrounded by people taking very good care of him. But I love him so much I couldn’t pass it up. I walked up to him and his eyes lit up. I’ve met him a few times before and he has remembered me in the past, but I don’t know that he did this time. He leaned over and whispered (as he does) “You are beautiful.” I smiled and said “I just wanted to say hello, because I love you so much.” He smiled. He was talking to me quietly, but I couldn’t understand what he said. (I hate that! He must hate it more.) As I stood holding his arm, I told him about my idea and, with much respect, I asked if he’d take my picture. His eyes lit up and he nodded. He is a prankster and has a great sense of humor. I knew he’d get it. (And believe me, there is absolutely no way I would have asked if I thought in the least bit that he would feel offended.)

As I handed him my camera, he said “Do I just push this?” and pointed at the correct button. I said “Yes” and he slowly held the camera up. His hands were shaking but he backed up slowly and seemed to want to do it. It seemed hard for him to get the camera up but he really seemed to want to do it, so I leaned down. I wanted to help him. He is so playful and kind for even trying.

I know his mind appreciates comedy. And I know it is just his body that can’t respond correctly when his mind tells it to do something. I think he pushed the button although I didn’t see a flash then he handed my camera back. A couple of his people came over wondering if I wanted a picture with him. (I already have a couple so didn’t really need it.) I said no and briefly explained to them what I was doing. They smiled at the idea and I left. I should have gotten the picture with him anyway. I love Muhammad. He is definitely the Greatest Of All Time.

As I walked back to my friends a woman came out of nowhere and strictly said, “You can’t have that camera here.” I paused, nervous that she was going to destroy my film. She continued very forcefully, “If you try to leave with that, it will be taken from you.” I said “…Okay.” and just planned a good hiding place. For the rest of the night I avoided her. Come to find out her name is Anne Dunsmore and she was responsible for the whole event. Seems she has also spent more than three decades raising money for Republican presidential candidates. Very interesting—but she didn’t get my camera! Hee-hee.

Moral: Just get yourself invited to the party.

Because he tried, and pushed the button as far as he is concerned, that qualifies him to have a photo representing his effort. Muhammad didn’t actually push the button, however, and it didn’t register on film so this is what that frame would look like if developed. Black.

© 2000 Rebecca Costell

7. Mel Gibson

November 3, 2000

It was a Friday afternoon and there I was at the Santa Monica Homeopathic Pharmacy, just buying vitamins and minding my own business. I glanced up on the wall and noticed all the celebs who had given their signed head shots in support of the place: Kareem, Magic Johnson, Mel Gibson, etc… Just then a guy snuck in under my sight line and crouched down, looking intently at the bottles of supplements at my feet. I didn’t notice anyone else in the store and thought it was a bit odd that he was keeping to himself so much since we were so close to each other. (I tell ya, sometimes these celebrities act like they are 3 years old. If they don’t look at me they figure I can’t see them either. Silly.)

I saw his profile as he looked at some bottles and thought, “He looks like Mel Gibson.” Which was quickly followed by, “Nah, I must have Mel on the brain since I was just looking at his picture on the wall.” It could have gone either way. So I waited. I wanted to hear him talk. That’d be the clincher. I knew Mel Gibson has an Australian accent so I figured if this wannabe invisible man did too, then it was him.

An employee came out of nowhere and brought me a basket to hold my collection of bottles. I said thank you and faked an interest in more vitamins where we were standing so I could get more clues that it might be Mel. He didn’t look so glamorous. And from my point of view the most I could see was his hair. This guy didn’t have Lethal Weapon hair. That would have been too easy. His hair was short and light, almost grey. The helpful employee slipped back into the netherworld and the wannabe invisible man walked up to the counter to check out. I followed since, really, I was also done. He and I created a checkout line but we needed a checker. He put his very full basket up on the counter  and said, “It really rattles.” I smiled at the confirmed Aussie and said, “Yah, mine too.” “This rattles more,” he said. He had 4 times as much stuff. ($300 worth!) He decided I wasn’t much of a threat and turned around again looking for someone, anyone, to help us.

After a minute or so of polite distance, I said “Um, can you do me a favor?” His facial expression responded with “Darn! I thought she was harmless.” But he politely said “Okay.” I said “Well, I have this celebrity photo album…” Again, he was clearly thinking “LAME!” “…It’s just a bunch of pictures of me taken by celebrities. Could you take my picture?” He said “Okay” totally unimpressed. He was surprisingly mellow. Quiet. Polite. Unassuming. Just what you would expect of a serial killer.

As I handed him my camera, he smiled. “Can it be of anything?” he asked. “Yah!! I just have to be in it.” “That could be a dangerous thing you’re asking for.” He started to get into the idea as he backed up to take a traditional photo of me. There were now about 6 employees in the store watching. (Where the heck did they come from?) Smiling, they watched. I said “It could be of my hair. Or just of my hand…” I stretched my arms out to the sides. “…whatever you want.” He said “Can it be of just your toes?” I said “Yah!!” And I did a Ta-Da! move showing off my toes. I think he took a full body picture of that – at an angle.

He handed my camera back and after a moment of deep thought, he very calmly said “….This is……a……pretty good idea…..” He seemed to be considering it from all angles. He continued, “….I don’t know that anyone…. has ever done this before.” I said “Yah, that’s what I hear. That’s the idea, really. To do something different.” He seemed glad to have heard an original idea from a regular person-on-the-street. I told him that some friends were telling me to publish this once it is more of a collection and asked if he thought I might have to get the celebrities to sign some sort of release for that. (I was doing a little on-the-job research while I had him.) He said he didn’t think so, “…well maybe…No. Probably not. But people won’t believe I took the picture.” I said “But ‘cha did!” He said I would need some sort of identification from him for proof. “…like my license, or papers.” I paused and said “I wouldn’t ask you for that, Mel.” But I would like to ask him what all those vitamins were for. Holy smokes! I don’t remember seeing any make-me-invisible-to-regular-people pills on the shelves, but maybe (with the fancy concoction he had) he was going to mix up some of his own.

A second checker opened, probably wanting me to leave his famous customer alone. I said “Thank you” again to Mel and went to the other counter. When he was done, he smiled as he walked past me and out the door. He seemed tired of his fame.

photo credit: Mel Gibson     © 2000 Rebecca Costell

6. Mark Curry

October 26, 2000

Good or bad this is always a blast!! It was about 9:20 on a Thursday night. LAX. United terminal. My plane was delayed so a friend was waiting with me at the gate. (This was pre- 9/11.) We were just people watching and were sure that, in a matter of time, someone would walk by who we knew personally. We figured it would be an ex-boyfriend or something. Within minutes of our prediction, an airport shuttle/golf cart thing drove up and stopped right in front of us. Mark Curry stepped off. Neither one of us could remember his name, nor did either one of us know him personally, but we both recognized him. He was tall, dressed in all black and wearing sunglasses—looking like a big shot. He hopped off the cart and hurried to to his gate. I didn’t want to keep him from his plane, so I didn’t follow. But then he came back! He was headed toward the escalator going down but as far as I was concerned, he was asking to take my picture. I grabbed my camera and went after him. Before he stepped on to the escalator I politely said, “Excuse me.” He waved his hand above his head without looking at me, said hi to the air and started down the escalator. It was rude. He seemed way *too cool* to pursue and I had to get on my plane in a couple minutes anyway, so I let him go.

Once he was on the escalator though, he turned around and waved me over to follow him. My friend said she’d watch my stuff so I rushed down the escalator stairs to meet him. Over his shoulder, he asked me my name. After I told him mine I wanted to ask for his, but I didn’t. Instead I said “So, this is a little weird, but I have this celebrity photo album…” He seemed completely annoyed and still wasn’t looking at me—I had nothing to lose at this point, so I proceeded. “…It’s just a bunch of pictures of me taken by celebrities. I think you qualify.” I touched his shoulder, hoping to break his icy composure. The guy in front of him was listening and started laughing. Mark realized he must have missed something so he replayed what I’d said in his mind, then said “Wait, you want me to take a picture of you?” That did it. “Yah!” I said. He lightened up, smiled, laughed (actually made eye contact) and said, “Okay! Cool!! I’ve never heard that before.” He seemed thrilled that I didn’t want anything from him. We stepped off the escalator and I handed him my camera.

Once he realized I had a creative idea , he was really fun. He said “Ok, um… how about over here by the baggage claim sign.” (Boring.) I said “Okay—or how about something weird? Something unique.” I casually turned my back to the escalators (for, at least, a more interesting background.) This made him turn towards me. He said “Yah. There!” and pointed to the area between the two escalators. “Get up there.” He was so into it now. It was hard to hop up there because the hand rails were both moving downward but I did it. He was framing the shot and said “Can I do whatever I want?” I said “Yah. It’s all you! Get creative.” He took one of me sitting up there and started to get in the groove. He wanted me to run up the escalator (which was coming down) but as we walked over to scout the location he dropped my 35mm camera. “Oh! I’m sorry,” he said as I picked it up. We both saw that it had opened a little and I was hoping just one of these pictures would turn out—I guess either way it is all part of the story. We discussed how the shot may have gotten ruined but he encouragingly said “Well, it didn’t open too much.” I didn’t think to advance the film before he took the next picture, so we’ll see what I get.

Anyway, I ran up the escalator until he said, “There. Now! Turn around.” I turned around and casually rode the escalator down as he took a photo. He said he didn’t think it worked. Bummer. The woman who was riding the escalator behind me followed me off and said sweetly “Would you like me to take a picture of the two of you?” He quickly responded “No. She just wants me to take one of her!!” He was laughing, turned to me and quietly said, “I got her in the shot too.” (So sneaky.) I thanked him for playing and realized I didn’t know how to get back upstairs. Both of the escalators were coming down. He helped me find an elevator and we each continued on our way. I am so glad I had a friend to watch my luggage and so glad I didn’t miss my plane. I hope the pictures turn out.

Moral: First impressions are telling, but second impressions can be really fun.

The biggest problems came where I went to get the film developed. When I dropped off the roll, I said “I know numbers 14 through 17 are probably screwed up, but I want the printed anyway, okay?” The guy agreed but wasn’t listening. When I got the pictures back, numbers 14 through 17 were missing. I asked again for these exposures to be printed and the girl hesitantly said “Um, they didn’t turn out.” I said “I know. That’s okay. I want them anyway.” She took the negatives and sent her manager over. He said “Uh, ma’am… You sure you want these? They’re all purple.”I said “I know. I really want them printed. In fact, I want two copies of each.” He said “Well, uh….it’s costing me a lot in paper….” Hoping that would change my mind, I guess. I said “I’ll PAY for them.” (Duh!!!!!) Fifty-three cents later I left with two copies of each. Hello. That was weird. What’s the big deal?

photo credit: Mark Curry   ©2000 Rebecca Costell

5. Bruce Willis

July 31, 2000

It was Sunday afternoon and I was at the Ralph’s in Marina Del Rey. I was walking from my car to the front door when a big, old, black, Pontiac Bonneville type convertible drove up slowly behind me. I looked back to make sure I wasn’t walking in the car’s way and saw there were three guys in it. As they drove up, I saw that Bruce Willis was sitting in the back seat. I did a double take to see that it was really him. Then he looked up at me and said “What’s up?” all cool like. I said “Hello” sweetly; knowing that (providing the car stopped) he was going to take my picture. They drove a little farther and stopped right in front of the store. Perfect. After his friend got out of the passenger seat to go inside, I met up with the car. Bruce said to me “Excuse me, I have a question for you.” I looked over at him and said “what’s that?” He said “How do you say ‘El Niño’ in Spanish?” Apparently, this is Bruce’s little test. Obviously, El Niño is already in Spanish but I was a little distracted and didn’t think to give the rational answer. Instead, I smiled and said “Big, crazy, weather condition.” He smiled, nodded and said “Right…” I don’t know if I passed or failed, but without skipping a beat,  I said “Okay, now I need a favor from you.” I reached in my purse and he said, “What do you have in there, a gun?” (Oh brother!) I said “No! A camera.” He said “No. No, no, no. No pictures. No pictures. No pictures.” I quickly said, “I don’t want one of you.” Pause. “I want you to take one of me.” He considered the oddity of my request, then said “Okay.” I handed him my camera and he directed me to “Go stand by the sign.” (The Ralph’s sign I guess.) He turned the camera—landscape or portrait?  Landscape or portrait?—to see how it looked best. Finally, he said “Okay, ready?” took the picture and finished with “Nice.” He handed the camera back and asked for my name. “Rebecca,” I said, and out of habit I almost asked his name but before I finished the thought he said “I’m Bruce and this is my friend ______ .” I forgot the name, but it was the guy driving the car. (Sorry _____ .) Bruce held out his hand for me to shake it. I shook both of their hands, said thank you and good bye. As I walked into Ralph’s, I passed the produce guy who was standing at the door. I guess he’d been watching the whole thing because he said “Was that…?” I said “Yeah.” He said “That was COOL!”

When I was done shopping, I saw Bruce Willis again. This time he was at the checkout stand, along with Demi Moore, on the cover of The National Enquirer.  According to the headline, they were deep in divorce.

Moral: You can’t go wrong when they make the first move.

photo credit: Bruce Willis    © 2000 Rebecca Costell

4. Joe Sample

July 11, 2000

Well…. this was an awesome week. I was in Switzerland, attending concert after concert at the Montreux Jazz Festival.

One night after an amazing show, I was hanging out at Harry’s Bar with some friends. Jazz legend Joe Sample was there just drinking and chatting away with others in the bar. He was sitting by himself and totally approachable so I grabbed my fruity, girly drink and walked over to say hello. This hello turned into a conversation which turned into a week-long friendship (the kind you make when you’re traveling). Our conversation soon revealed an odd six-degrees-of-separation coincidence involving my dad who worked in the music business for almost thirty years.

See, about twenty years ago my dad did some engineering work with a guy (we’ll call him Mr. H) who never paid my dad for his recording services. And back in the early 70s, Joe and Mr. H used to play in a band together. The connection was so obvious, I just had to ask. It went a little something like this:

Me: “Hey Joe, do you know Mr. H?”

Joe: “Yeah I know Mr. H. That motherf***er owes me money.”

Me: “He owes my dad money!”

Turns out Joe was in the process of suing Mr. H to get his money back. I said that he should tack a little bit more on to the suit to cover my dad’s loss as well.

The next night, my friend and I went back to Harry’s Bar and there was Joe again. He waved us over to sit at his table. We were old drinking buddies by this point. We socialized with some other new friends (a.k.a. complete strangers who were at a nearby table) for a while and when he was about to head back to his hotel, I finally mentioned my unusual request. Fearing I might look like a dumb fan, I explained, “I have this celebrity photo album. It’s just a bunch of pictures of me taken by celebrities. I think you qualify and it would be great if you’d be in it.” That was a winning approach with Joe. He seemed really happy to take my picture, carefully directing me and framing the shot. I don’t know if I really made my idea clear, but the camera was in his hands and I was in front of it, so for this purpose that’s all I needed.

Some guy I had never spoken to walked over to get in the picture. That was odd. I suppose he just wanted to join in on the fun—whatever. After that picture, the mystery guy asked if I wanted a picture of Joe and I together. I paused because I really couldn’t decide. Posing with the star completely goes against the purity of my reverse celebrity photo request. But, since we had been hanging out all week, I did kinda want the picture. During my long pause, Joe said “Yah, take one of us together.” He scooted closer and the guy took this shot. One minute later Joe said his goodbyes and that was the end of that. He was cool. But that’s not much of a surprise, he’s a jazz musician. (It’s a prerequisite, right?)

Moral: Never be afraid to ask for what you want. And if someone offers you more than you want it’s okay to go ahead and accept that too.

photo credits: Joe Sample, some random guy in the bar   ©2000 Rebecca Costell

3. Dana Carvey

July 5, 2000

I was at LAX in the United Airlines Red Carpet Club trying to book a new flight to Europe. I already had tickets on one flight, but it was extremely delayed and the last thing I wanted to do was sit at the airport for the next several  hours. As I was talking with the United employee in the front lobby, Dana Carvey walked in. Turns out his plane was terribly delayed, too.

So now it was just the three of us. Since I wasn’t getting much accomplished (and it was Dana Carvey) I let him belly up to the counter. No big deal except for the fact that, well… I have this little hobby, see…. He looked exhausted but very nice and told us his flight was delayed seven hours. Small talk was taking place and guess who felt comfortable enough to jump in? Me.

SOOOooooo, in an appropriate lull, I told him about my celebrity photo album. I wanted to present this as a fun opportunity and if he was willing to participate,  he was looking at seven hours of total creative freedom. “Okay, what do you need me to do?” he said. Since he was obviously drained of all pep, all I said was, “If you could just take a picture of me, that would be great.” Quick and easy. You’re in, you’re out with  6.75 hours left to spare.

I handed him my camera and as he prepared for the shot, he temporarily perked up. “Who else has taken your picture?” he asked. But when all I came back with was Greg Kinnear and Weird Al, he quickly deflated. “That’s it?!!” Today wasn’t working out for Dana Carvey.  I didn’t think to tell him that he was getting in on the ground floor. He snapped the photo and I made a mental note: promoting the idea as an elite club to future celebrities may be the way to go. (This elite club with only three members is not so enticing quite yet, however.) At any rate, I was still refining my approach and this one went well, all things considered. The lady behind the counter offered to take a picture of us together and I didn’t turn her down. Dana was a good sport and almost instinctually struck a pose. Click. “Sorry about your delay,” he said and headed off to the far corner of the bar to wait for his flight. Now’s when a nap room would really come in handy, United.

Moral: Celebrity loves company.

photo credits: Dana Carvey, United employee behind the counter     © 2000 Rebecca Costell

2. Angelyne

May 22, 2000

Oh please. Angelyne said no. I got all fired up after the Greg Kinnear success only to be turned down by someone who’s famous but not really famous at the same time. In Los Angeles, colorfully exaggerated  paintings of this woman we don’t know are posted on giant billboards along with contact information. But what does she do? Who knows. I saw her at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood and stalked her as she ate lunch. She didn’t see me. I was being sly (a.k.a. respectable). I waited for her to leave her table and go to her pink Corvette (often a co-star in her billboards) that I could see parked in front. As I was lying in wait, I struck up a conversation with the hostess. A waiter overheard the two of us talking about Angelyne and told me that she likes when people recognize her. This was good news. I figured I’d lure her with a couple fake shots from my camera (it’s just film) then ring her with the ol’ “Now can you take a picture of me?” Bait and switch, Angelyne, bait and switch.

Anyway, I had a plan. She finally walked out of the dining area and I approached for the set up. “Excuse me,” I said sweetly, “can you pose for a picture with me?” She said she couldn’t because – get this – her ‘agent wouldn’t let her.’ Um, okay… What!!?? Maybe that’s why she’s not famous. She obviously needs a new agent. Stunned and being careful not to laugh, I collected myself and said, “Oh, well can you just take a picture of me, then? It would mean a lot to me?” Angelyne just looked at me and said, “I don’t know how to use the camera.” I showed her. “It’s really easy,” I explained, “you just push this button right here.” But now she was apparently in a rush to leave and kept repeating that she didn’t know how to use the camera. Seems the waiter was wrong about that whole “she likes to be recognized” business. As she rushed out, Angelyne handed me her card. This was an interesting turn but not exactly the one I was hoping for. And anyway, what the heck does she do?

Moral: Flattery may get you nowhere.

Update — Early October 2002

I was on the 405 freeway headed north. Two  cars ahead of me and one lane to my left was a pink Corvette. Angelyne’s infamous pink Corvette! It had a beat-up bumper that somehow never made it to the billboard (in LA we call that retouching) but it was her!? The license plate proved it sporting some combination of the letters A-N-G-E-L-Y-N-E. In preparation, I rolled down my window but the traffic started to move. The race was  on. I did some fancy, L.A. driving maneuvers but she ditched me as she crossed a few lanes and exited to the 10 east (see photo). I don’t suppose she knew I was hot on her trail for the second time, but still. Ho-Hummmm. Missed opportunities.

photo credit: Me   © 2000 Rebecca Costell