KB Appears Again and Again: Star Sightings for Intellectual Types

Last night I had a dream that I ran into Ken Burns (of documentary film-making fame) on the steps of the new lab building at UCSF. I said, "I love every one of your documentaries!" He responded, "Didn't I meet you in Florida?" I answerd, "Yes."

This is not my first run-in with Mr. Burns. I had a non-fantasized interaction with him at a visitor's center in Denali National Park on a snowy day in August of 2003. That time it went something like this:

[Traveling team gets off of bus and walks toward visitor's center to see Mt. McKinley. It's snowing and traveling team walks quickly to reach warmth.]

Traveling friend #1: 'I think I just saw Ken Burns walk by.'

J.Po: 'NO WAY!!'

[J.Po makes 180 degree turn to chase down KB. Remaining members of traveling team follow with hesitation. J.Po finds van of film crew and points in amazement at KB. Film crew manager gets out of van.]

Manager of K.Burns film team (sporting a fine fleece jacket with the Jazz documentary emblem): 'Would you like a photo with Ken Burns?'

Traveling team: 'YES!!!'

[Ken Burns emerges from van.]

Mr. Burns: [After noticing sweatshirts of traveling team] 'Did you all go to Carleton College?'

Team: 'Yes!'

Traveling friend #2: 'You know of Carleton?'

Mr. Burns: 'Yes. [with PBS/NPR-style wit] I've been everywhere.'

Traveling friend #3: 'What are you doing in Denali?'

Mr. Burns: 'We're working on a documentary about the national parks. Unfortunately, Mt. McKinley is blocked by snow and clouds today.'

[J.Po tries to conjure up a comment that would adequately express her love of K. Burns' work. Gets nervous and fails to pull it together.]

[K. Burns lines us up for a photo and puts arm around Traveling friend #2 and #3. Traveler #2 inches closer to KB. Several photos taken.]

[ Photo session complete.]

Traveling team: 'Thank you so much!' 'It was wonderful to meet you!' 'Love your work!' 'Can't wait for the next documentary series!' etc etc etc

[Mr. Burns and Manager return to van. Traveling team waves the van goodbye and turns back toward visitor center in shock, awe, and amazement.]

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Turns out Traveling Friend #1 had another real Burns sighting recently. He reported to traveling team:

[My wife] and I were in New York last weekend, crossed

the street,got to the other side and thought, hey,

that guy with the Yale sweatshirt on looks familiar.

Yep, it was Ken Burns. Tempted as I was, I did not

chase him down to ask if he remembered me.

My response:

WOW WOW WOW!!  It is quite a shame that I was not

there with you so that I could stomp across the

street and point at him like a nervous school girl. 

That's my recollection from last time, anyway.



I am stunned by your good luck. 



J

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I was more excited about meeting Ken Burns than I would've been meeting Brad Pitt. Is this a sign that I am a geek at heart? I hope so.