I actually met him in an airport in Ohio. It was amazing because I was having a terrible day - my flight had been delayed forever, then I ended up having to take a different plane that went through Ohio instead of Atlanta- I was on my way to Lexington, Kentucky from California, where I went to school, to visit family for Christmas. Johnny was actually on his way from Lexington (where his mom lives also)to California. I was walking through the airport to catch another flight when I spotted him out of the corner of my eye! I just happened to turn my head and look into a bar and there he was sitting behind a post at a table with several other men. I nearly died, as I am a HUGE fan. Before that I always wondered if I would actually recognize him if I ever saw him in person, but at that moment I had no doubts. He looked exactly like he did in the movies, but as I've told people after, who never believe me, I think he's actually more gorgeous in person- which is very intimidating! I was freaking out and started pacing up and down in front of the bar trying to decide what to do. I saw a woman in the bar go up and shake his hand and decided I would do that (even though at the time I wasn't even old enough to legally enter)! After briefly looking for a pen (which I couldn't find) I marched up to him and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around kind of surprised and I immediately started gushing like an idiot. I'm not sure what I actually said to him but he was very gracious and humble. He asked me about myself and where I was going and was surprised when I said Lexington. I told him I was a film major at school and how much I admired the quirky parts he played in his film, how talented he was, blah, blah, blah. He said he had been extremely lucky and couldn't believe he kept getting offered such good roles. He then shook my hand!! It was really great for me, I remember seeing that he wore lots of rings and had a tatoo on one of his fingers. He was smoking a cigarette and was dressed very nicely, with his hair about ear length and falling in his face just like it always does in pictures. He had a really heavy beautiful coat on, that was black - so did all the men at the table who were staring at me like I was a nuisance. Johnny didn't treat me that way though, he was really very sweet and understanding for someone who has to deal with this sort of thing all the time. I started feeling very silly, so I said I had to go catch my plane (plus I was carrying a big bag full of Christmas presents). I didn't really want to leave because when would I get a chance to ever be about 6 inches from his face again (he was sitting on a bar stool and was exactly eye level to me standing)! I left though and when I was a little bit away and just about to turn the corner I decided to look back one more time and was so surprised to see him still watching me - and then he waved! I smile and waved back and then left. Hmmm. I wish I could do it all over again - it was such a lucky chance and I was so silly and flustered. Oh well, it was still an amazing experience, but next time I think I would have gone for a hug (as one of your other writers got) and not just a hand shake! Sorry this came out kind of long, and unfortunately I have no pictures to go along with it but I thought I would share my experience with you. Most people are only mildly amused when I tell them (including the forty people near the pay phone in the airport who laughed when I called my mom screaming to tell her who I met:), but I still get giddy when I think about it!

Cary

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