This past Saturday started out like any other - sitting around the house trying to figure out what to do for the day, which quickly progressed into a very common (and frequent) conversation that typically goes something like this:
(me) "Want to go to the beach?"
(Joe) "Do YOU want to go to the beach?"
(me) "I don't know - kind of. What beach do you want to go to?"
(Joe) "What beach do YOU want to go to?"
(me) "I don't know - how about over to Pyramid Rock?" (Joe) "Nah. Kailua Beach?"
(me) "Nope. What about Lanikai?"
(Joe) "Do you want to go to Lanikai?"
(me) "We could drive to North Shore and go to the beaches up there."
(Joe) "I don't really feel like driving all the way up there."
(me) "Okay, so it looks like we're not going to the beach."
And we're back to square one. Awesome.

Now, I knew that the "Lost" final season premier was going on in Waikiki that night, and I knew there was no way I was going to get Joe to agree to go with me. In all actuality, I really can't blame him. I hate big crowds, being packed in shoulder to shoulder like sardines with thousands of other people. Hate it. However, my fascination with celebrities is unparalleled so it definitely would outweigh my dislike for crowds. But it didn't matter - we weren't even going to Waikiki. We continued to brainstorm on how to spend our day. Finally, it was agreed that we'd go see Avatar at the Imax downtown. I moseyed around the house, got ready to go, making sure to dress for the cool movie theater by wearing jeans and short sleeved shirt. We drove downtown to the complex where the movie theater is, only to walk around in circles looking for the theater. We knew it was there somewhere, we just couldn't seem to find the thing. After walking around for close to 10 minutes, we were guided in the right direction and headed across the street to the theater. And wouldn't you know, Avatar was sold out, and there wasn't anything else playing in that time frame that looked at all appealing. Well, appealing to me, yes, since I like chick flicks. Joe, not so much. So for all of our efforts and brainstorming, it seemed we were back at, yet again, square one.

Now, whenever we visit downtown, we always seem to visit the Yard House, which is this restaurant in the heart of the tourist area that has over 120 beers on tap and the most amazing mac & cheese I've ever had in a restaurant (yours is still my all time favorite ever, Mom!). And by this time, it was getting to be almost dinner time (now mind you, had we been in the theater watching Avatar, a disgustingly large tub of golden-y, delicious popcorn topped with finger greasing, clothes staining butter would have sufficed for a meal) so we headed, where else, but to the Yard House. Since I'm still not that familiar with the city, I tend to confuse where we actually are with where I think we are, and trust me, it's never close. I kept glancing at my phone, checking the time, mentally planning "what-if" scenarios. As in "what if I got to go to the red carpet arrival of the actors from Lost? What if I wanted to walk down and check out the scene? Would Joe be mad if I went?" And this was, of course, all very silly because by this point we were already at the Yard House - home to 120 beers on tap. It would be as if I brought him into the Victoria's Secret holiday runway show...he was so blissfully happy that I knew he'd be okay to stay in those particular surroundings while I went and got my celeb-watching on. And so I did.

Since we planned to go to the movies and I was in jeans, let's just say it was pretty freakin' hot shuffling down the street to get to the red carpet arrival before any of the actors started showing up. Being so short, all my pants are stupidly long and I was wearing flip flops that seemed to gain a mind of their own and became inverted, to which my response was to curl my toes, walk faster and put my weight towards the outside of the flops. About half way to the event, I could feel it. There was the familiar burning on the heel and toe of my right foot, which in an instant, I knew would become the mother of all blisters. But I couldn't let it slow me down. I had to get to my destination before I let the flops stop me in fit of agony. As I weaved in and out of the crowds of tourists, I concentrated on the prize that was awaiting me - a plethora of celebs that would soon be arriving. And believe me, once I got to my destination, it was worth every excruciating step in those demonic flip flops (which, once I found my spot at the end of the "red" carpet runway against the barrier, came off immediately).

And then I saw it. The fist limo, pulling up, the crowds screaming and cheering (although I'm fairly certain the majority of them didn't even know who it was at the time. It was more like the involuntary release of adrenaline and endorphins in the form of a whole lot of screeching (if you're wondering, I did not partake in the screaming or flailing of my arms). I watched as the first limo pulled up, released it's contents and left just in time for the second limo to pull up and follow suit. And so the ritual began - limo pulled up, fans screamed and waved, actors got out of the limo, limo pulled away, actors went to greet fans. It was really quite fascinating - much like being at the zoo and watching the animals from afar. Only this time, the animals were the actors from "Lost" and they (actors) were interacting with the people watching them (the fans). Oh, and there was no cover charge to get in, unlike the zoo. :)

All in all, it was a great experience, watching (in person!) each actor unload from his/her limo. It was really nice to see how each actor seemed truly humble about their fame, and instead of walking down the path lied out for them, they all walked over on the grass, down the barrier to meet and greet fans. There was one couple who whored out their baby and passed their little one to each of the actors willing to hold the child, while the parents snapped photos. Which, this made me slightly uncomfortable watching, but it was super cute to see Hurley, this huge guy, holding this tiny child, snuggling up to him like it was his own. The celebs seemed genuine in their appreciation of all the fans coming out to see the premier of the last season of their show, which was really nice to see. It also gave me the once in a lifetime experience to be within a mere 3' from well known celebrities, and even more, a realization that even though they are celebrities, they're still people (with emotions and feelings, just like the rest of us), too.

To see the pictures I took at the premier of "Lost", follow the link provided below:

http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=1947167020/a=158077871_158077871/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=memolinkcobrand/