J and the girls were gone last night, so I went out for a little while. Had a pretty good time. The place we went to filled up fast and we were lucky to have the in-the-middle-of-it-all seats that we did. Some of the "occupents" of this place were well-known names for this small town we were in. It's one of those deals like they are a God of some sort in that place, they created the frickin dirt we stand on in this town (of 11,000 people or whatever). Anyway, these well-known people mingle amongst themselves, chattering here and there, saying hi to this guy or this gal. I know who these people are, and some of them know me (from business or run-ins or whatever), so I say hi to them when I see them... and then go on about my own business. But... there are others that follow that person everywhere they frickin go. They throw their selves at well-known. (And of course the well-knowns are loving that! They wouldn't be who they are without the worshipers.) There are also those that name drop like mad, to sound important I assume. An example? Let's say there is this well-known guy. Complete fictional character here... he's from this small town, (I assume) born and raised. He has a business (hmmmm... we'll say a car dealership) that is thriving in this town. Not a big business, but it looks like Trump Towers in this small town. The guy walks in and it's like his feet pave a path of gold where ever he walks. People throw themselves at him trying to please him in any way they possibly can. "Oh please Mr. Money, let me be your doormat. Better yet... hit me really hard... so I can tell all my friends (and complete strangers) who gave me the black-eye!" The people that don't throw themselves at him (simply because there isn't enough room cause all the other's have him surrounded) they name-drop. Usually the name-dropping comes into the conversation when it makes absolutely no sense what-so-ever.
Person1... (conversation already in progress...) "Yeah, I'm not too big on ale. It's okay and all, but a little too stout for me."
(Mr. Money walks into the establishment in this moment)
Person2... "I had this great ale up at Westport a few months back. It was their own brew. I can't remember the name of that little place but it's definitely worth going to just to try their ale." (all the while watching Mr. Money)
Person1... "I'm pretty picky about my ale..."
Person2... (interrupting Person1 now...) "You know, I passed him in the hospital stairwell last April 13th. He touched my arm." (proud sigh) "Yep... we're good friends like that."
Person1... "Okaaaay?"
... It drives me nuts when people do this! I've got this girl-friend that does this crap all the frickin time! What's even worse... when you don't even know the well-known that the other person is talking about. It's suddenly turned into a brag-fest about a complete stranger that I've never even heard the frickin name of. "I went to the grocery store and got into a conversation about apples with JohnJacobJingleHymerShmit the other day... we're real good friends like that." (Thank you for telling me that odd bit of information that makes no sense what-so-ever, and makes you look completely retarded now.)
What's really good though... is when you happen to strike up a conversation with the well-known himself, and act like you haven't the slightest clue who he is. Like while your waiting in line for the bathrooms--
Well-Known: "There is always a line for the bathrooms in this place."
Girl: "Yeah, it took me 15 minutes of standing in line last time."
Well-Known: "And that is after you've taken 10 minutes to make your way through the crowd to get back here."
Girl: (laughing at the coment... the girl's bathroom is now vacant and Girl is next to enter) "Nice to meet you. What did you say your name was again?"
Well-Known: (complete look of horror) "???" (whips out a cell phone to call his people) "Yeah... people... I have a situation... there is a girl here, and she doesn't know who I am! What should I do?"
Riiiiight. That's good. (I'm betting Tom Cruise would be like this if you actually met him in-person. LOL)
Wishin ya a good weekend!