My Night with Leonard Nimoy

22 October, 2002 || 22:27

Sorry about the lack of updates; so busy. I don't really even have time to write this; I just need to while it's fresh in my head.

So, my night with Leonard Nimoy. Don't get the wrong idea; we weren't sitting in some high-zoot hotel room drinking red wine and discussing European politics and how Madonna's "Like a Virgin" has influenced Bush's domestic policy, interesting a concept as that might be. No, this is a truly sad and pathetic tale.

I was studying statics at the Union with my friend Bob, and was unable to sit still. I was tired, and had had quite enough of statics for one week thank you very much. I told him I was going to get a snack. He gave me two bucks and asked for a thing of coffee.

I went downstairs and the Commons Coffe Company was just closing. I had gotten the sugar and was disappointed that I'd taken just long enough for the store I could get snacks from to close. I was heading back upstairs, then realized that I hadn't gotten enough sugar for a 16 oz cup of coffee. So I went back. I then decided to be lazy and got in the Union's Incredibly Claustorphobic Elevator - fun for the whole family - with three other people. I didn't look up from the coffee. When I got out, a random observer said something to me: "Was that Leonard Nimoy?!"

My jaw dropped in sudden cognizance. He was indeed giving a speech in the Texas Union Ballroom this evening. I then (quietly, as there were people around me studying) reenacted the scene from Animal House in which Bluto, D-Day, and Flounder escort Niedermeier's horse into Dean Wormer's office and accidentally kill it. And Bluto stands there, screaming "Holy s***!" over and over and over again.

Strike one.

I then went to statics class, where I was informed the following:

1: The TA did NOT know our grades;

2: He had NOT graded any portion of our tests;

3: He had not even LOOKED at them;

4: He did NOT know any of the answers; and finally,

5: Dr. Grinder WAS our daddy.

I feel so wonderful about that test we took yesterday...

I then proceeded to tell the elevator story over AIM to my friend Neko, who tells me "I'll meet you by the information desk in the Union Lobby." What did I have to lose?

We went to the last half or so. It was great. When we were there, he was talking about his new book, and all the symbolism in it. It was very intriguing, although I didn't agree with everything he said. But I won't bore you with that now; I couldn't begin to write about it and get any of the subtlety in here, or why I thought the logic was invalid. But I stood up to ask a question. Here's the format: there were two aisles, with a microphone at the head of each. He'd go back and forth between each aisle, answering questions. The guy on the other side right before me asked the same question I was going to, with almost the EXACT phrasing I was going to use. Mr. Nimoy then moved to me so fast I didn't have time to step out of the way, and by that point I had nothing to say other than "I was going to ask the same thing." I wanted to kill the little jerk (who asked the question, not Mr. Nimoy). Not as though it was his fault, but it was very embarrassing.

Strike Two.

At least I didn't ask him the question involving the phrase "How many molecules are in Leonard Nimoy's butt?"

They then proceeded to cancel his booksigning due to some unforseen circumstances. Although I did lose my chance to redeem myself in his eyes, that part wasn't my fault.

So I've twice been incredibly stupid in the presence of Leonard Nimoy. Woooo. Ah well. Life goes on, and the truth is that it was a very minor incident. Still felt dumb, though.

Well, that's two strikes. I figure I've got one left. Any time you're ready, Mr. Nimoy.