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Things People Might Not Know About Me Part 2 - Brushes With Fame

A few years back, I wrote a blog about ten things people might not know about me.  It was all very personal stuff, but things I felt were easy enough to let on about and maybe, if anyone read it, they might have some insight into who I am or why I am the way I am.  Here's a link if you're interested. http://hopsthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/08/ten-random-things-people-might-not-know.html

I was thinking about things the other day and thought about the people I've met and the places I've taken for granted, that are in fact, part of me.  So here's a list of some other things people might not know about me.  I won't go into great detail, like in the other blog, but just some interesting notes on my life.

One of my neighbors in Brooklyn, Noel Pointer, was a grammy nominated jazz musician.

At different points in my life, I went to the #1 rated school (St Ann's in Brooklyn) and worked at the #1 sleepaway camp (Pierce Camp Birchmont) in the United States. I went to St. Ann's while Beastie Boy Mike D, actresses Jennifer Connolly, Mia Sara, Michelle Hurd & Katherine Healy and Director Noah Baumbach, who I was good friends with, all attended. Also attending were Sam Sifton and Eric Asimov, both of who wrote for the times dining section.  At the camp, I met Charlie Dolan, Kathleen Turner, the owners of Bic pen and a few others.

One of my parents good friends was Owen Lattimore, who was one of the country's most noted scholars on China and Mongolia.  He was once referred to by Senator Joseph McCarthy as the "the top Russian espionage agent in the United States," during the Red Scare.

While not deliberately, nor very hard, I once hit YES announcer Michael Kay with my car down by Yankee Stadium, to which he replied "Fuck You!" Ironically, and unknown to me at the time, I was teaching his nephew tennis.

I have taught tennis to a celebrity's kid, but I honestly can't remember the celebrity's name.  Some Katie Couric like TV personality.

I once hiked to what claimed to be the highest point in Connecticut at Bear Mountain. It took us about two hours to make the peak and during an 80 degree morning, it was snowing at the peak.  Two hours to get to the top and 28 minutes to get back down.  Did I mention I hate hiking?

I once played chess against a ten year old who was nationally ranked.  He beat me in about 11 moves.

In High School I was running down  the street and turned a corner and knocked someone to the ground.  It was Gene Shalit.

My cousin was once roommates with Madonna....but before Madonna was Madonna.

My parents used to hang out in the same bars as Sam Shepard and Janis Joplin.

While trying out for a college baseball team, I once had a double off of a pitcher who eventually got drafted by the White Sox, named John Quirk.  I made the team, but quit the next day.

As anyone who knows me is well aware, my love of film is second to none.  So this holds a special place in my heart, but with a twist.  My name appears in the credits of a small movie called Timeless, directed by my film professor from Westchester Community College.  I believe I am listed under film editors.  I helped edit for two days and was invited to the opening, but was away.  The irony?  I've never seen the movie, so I've never seen the credit.  I've rented it twice, but both times, the movie wouldn't play.









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