Josie & April's Photo's & Story Of Kevin
Costner
Charity Benefit Sunshine kids Aspen
1999
Somebody
mentioned something about Kevin Costner appearing in person on some date,
someplace in Aspen. That's all I needed to hear. I was on the phone immediately
trying to get tickets, and then to my girlfriend April to tell her she was
going! Ok, I spent $200, but it was for a good cause, I mean besides me. Kevin
was doing an interview about his film career for a charity benefit, the Sunshine
Kids. April is crazy like me--we both love movies with a passion. I knew she
would wait in line, do whatever it takes to get to see, really see Kevin Costner
with me.
And we did that----and more!!!
As Kevin was being introduced, this took
place in an Aspen school, we all stood up and clapped. I thought he was entering
from the left stairs. That's where I was looking anyway. We were all clapping,
it was very exciting. But where was he? Then I felt this touch on my arm. I
whirled around. It was Kevin going down the steps on my right. He was looking at
me with this big grin on his face, as if he had gotten a big kick out of nudging
me, hey I'm over here! I smiled back. I didn't stop smiling that night, the
entire night. (Do you know how hard it is to sleep when you are smiling?)
But there's more . . .
.
Kevin gave a wonder talk. He really has the
gift of gab. And he is funny. For the most part I like what he stands for. He's
not perfect, but he has ideals and dreams. And he certainly isn't boring. He's a
fighter. He makes you get excited about his movies, at least the journey getting
there. The results are not always great----you can't have a Dances with Wolves
every time. But he had a strong desire and reason to do each of his movies, even
the ones not as popular, or not as good. The evening ended; I was a little
disappointed that he had not taken questions from the audience. We walked up the
stairs and were about to exit. I saw a crowd of people to my right. I took one
look at April and started moving, to the right. Apil followed behind me. There
was Kevin and people were shaking his hand. There were only about 3 people ahead
of me. My turn came and all I could do was say my name and how nice it was to
meet him. I really could not come up with anything. And I have met quite a few
movie celebrities. Kevin is the only one that had me tongue tied. (yes, unlike
the other movie guys, I have a tremendous crush on Kevin. I could (and have)
been standing next to Bruce Willis all day long and not bothered to bat an eye.)
Kevin was very polite and charming. I shook his hand and started to walk on. He
took a few steps back to talk to me. Did I like the interview? Could I hear
alright? Still tongue tied, all I could say was, yes it was wonderful. Not, here
Kevin, here is my card, I really love your work in Dances, No Way, The
Untouchables, Bull Durham, JFK, Perfect World, Field, how about dinner sometime!
No, people, that did not come out of my mouth. April knows I kick myself to this
day. He walked back up to the crowd. April shook his hand and then joined me.
Then I saw that some other people that I knew had a camera! They were taking
pictures with Kevin. I walked back up to Kevin (I am not shy!) and asked if we
could have our picture taken together. He gave me a big squeeze around my waist
and I on his waist. Ah! You see the results. I was smiling really big. Too
big--look at that crooked smile! April wanted one. I told her to go up. She did
and grabbed him, nicely! He looked at her and said , Whoa you remind me of Steve
McQueen's daughter. (one of his anecdotes: Steve McQueen's daughter, very
beautiful, had aggressively followed him into a men's bathroom at Morton's--he
thought she was just another fan, but instead she wanted to thank him for his
input on her dad.) So you see April's big smile! We had a great time. It was an
evening I will never, ever forget.
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PHOTO
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