Star Struck | Jill Halliday — THE TEN COLLECTIVE

I have never understood the crazy behaviour and complete loss of one’s composure in the presence of “celebrity”. Imagine becoming awestruck, speechless, overwhelmed, paralyzed even, simply because you are momentarily sharing a space with Another’s “FAME”.

Pfffh.

I imagine that, should I ever run into a famous ‘Whatever’, I would be happy to meet them, sure, however I would not make a complete fool of myself. I’d be cool. Composed.

For instance, let’s pretend that I found myself waaaay up, waiting for the elevator in the same building as Tony Bennett’s apartment, on Park Avenue, NYC. You know. The one overlooking Central Park. And. When the elevator doors opened, he, alone, the man himself, Mr. Bennett, would be standing there. Upon seeing me, (a total stranger) he would cheerfully say “Good morning!” to which I would calmly reply “Good morning Mr. Bennett” after which we would continue to chat and laugh, and exchange creative ideas for the long ride down to the *Main Level* where our witty and charming banter would be abruptly interrupted by the elevator’s *DING* to which we would laugh and agree that the *Main Floor* arrived way too soon, but that that was alright because we’d see each other later at our plein air workshop in the Park after which he would be attending my dad’s birthday party at my place, and Tony, so excited to hear that I have a rare eight foot Heinzman grand Piano, asked if I would mind terribly if he brought Bill Evans along, to which I sighed “Well if you must.”

See. Cool as a cucumber.

***************
So. Here I stand. Paralyzed in their presence.

I’m so close, I can touch them, but I won’t. Their Security Team would break my hands, and drag me away screaming through the crowd of the other fans who have also paid to see them up close.

So. Here I stand. Paralyzed in their presence.

I own every book about them. I have their posters framed and on my walls. I’ve collected calendars, key tags, fridge magnets, yes, all the merch!

So here I stand. In person. Awestruck. Speechless. Overwhelmed with unbridled gratitude and admiration as Ishare this sacred space with something so much bigger, more important somehow than anything else in this moment. I am doing everything in my power to avoid making a complete fool of myself in the presence of these Canadian Icons. Jill Halliday

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Star Struck | Jill Halliday