Former Beatle actually waved at me

Viewpoints

Discussion

September 9, 2009

Anonymous The North Jefferson News Wed Sep 09, 2009, 04:25 PM CDT

Commentary By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News

A few weeks ago, I had the chance to be within 40 feet or so from one of my heroes.

Former Beatle Paul McCartney, also known as Macca by his friends (one of which I am not), was playing a benefit concert in Piedmont Park in Atlanta. My fiancee, Lensey, lives across the street from the park, so it was our grand plan to listen to the show from the luxury of her courtyard without having to pay for an $80 ticket.

Unfortunately, all of her neighbors had the same idea. We later walked down and stood on the street, directly behind McCartney’s stage.

When the show was over, McCartney’s bus emerged from under the stage. I was on the phone at the time and Lensey started hitting me in the arm saying, “It’s him, it’s him!”

I turned around just in time to see McCartney standing at the front of the bus waving to all of us cheapskates who didn’t pay the $80 to see him. While everyone else was leaving the show and heading for the Marta station down the street, I was waving and squealing like a school girl.

Granted, I didn’t actually get to meet him in person, but I’ll probably never get that close to a living Beatle again. Sadly, with just Paul and Ringo left, I was as close as I could be to the only living Beatle I’d ever want to meet.

When I was 10 or 11, I had the chance to meet my boyhood hero, Dale Murphy. For those who don’t remember, “Murph” was the centerfielder for the Braves when they were usually found at the bottom rungs of the National League standings. Much like they are today.

He was signing autographs at a hotel in Oxford, Ala., and my dad took me to see him. I remember being extremely nervous and I don’t remember saying anything to him as I handed him my 1988 Donruss baseball card to sign. He shook my trembling, sweaty hand, gave it back to me and said “Thanks for coming out.” I’ll never forget it.

As I sit here writing this column (wearing my Dale Murphy t-shirt nonetheless), it’s a good feeling to know that I’ve met at least one of the heroes in my life and been 40 feet away from another. Some people never get that chance. Others meet their heroes and are sadly disappointed by the behavior of those they admire.

Luckily for me, my all-time favorite heroes are my parents, who I get to see just about every weekend. They never disappoint.

Text Only

Viewpoints

One positive for bingo: It wakes up the masses
To bingo or not to bingo? Who would have ever thought the question would have gone this far in Alabama?

April 16, 2010
Community service should draw bigger crowd
The people of Gardendale had a great opportunity this past weekend to help clean up their city.

April 15, 2010
The good and the bad: Lessons learned in first week
My hat is off to Adam Smith. After sitting in his chair for a week, it all makes sense. No, that is way too optimistic: It is only beginning to make sense.

April 2, 2010
Palm Sunday was just the beginning of long tradition
I heard a preacher say that the only good thing about Good Friday was the promise that Sunday was coming.

March 31, 2010
Second week of 2010 proves to be quite eventful
Being an Auburn fan, it would have been just wrong if I hadn’t thrown up a few “hook ‘em horns” while the game was getting ready to start.

January 14, 2010
Strange remedies may keep you free of ailments in 2010 In the spirit of wishing everyone a healthy 2010, here are a few home remedies that could help you avoid the doctor and prevent a blow to your pocketbook. These remedies, potions and concoctions were taken from “The Foxfire Book” and two Web sites, earthclinic.com and folkremediesforyou.com.
December 30, 2009
May 2010 be everything that 2009 wasn’t And so we kiss another year goodbye.

The year of double-ought nine luckily proved to be filled with more ups than downs (knocking on wood) for yours truly. I actually managed to accomplish quite a bit personally and professionally. I hope you were able to do the same.
December 30, 2009
To any confused families, my husband is not Santa Now Raygan tells all of her friends at school that Santa is her daddy and I’m pretty sure that there are about 30 parents ready to kill us for ruining Christmas for their families.
December 22, 2009
I (kind of) braved Black Friday insanity Yes, after years and years of politely declining invitations to push and shove people in the name of commerce, I made up my mind to take part in the insanity. I was, in fact, going to do it out of love.
December 3, 2009
Halloween costumes have lost horror and pizazz For the low price of about $5 per accessory, I could go as Michael Jackson. Nothing should evoke fear in the hearts of children as dressing like an accused child molester with a disfigured face who is also now dead.
October 27, 2009
More Viewpoints Headlines

Viewpoints

Search Results

Discussion

Former Beatle actually waved at me

Site Map

Contact Us