Georgina, she does everything. She’s great.

I was in New York for the past three weeks, and it was one of the best times of my life. Sure, a good part of it was devoted to school work, but that’s not to say that a fair portion involved leisurely activities. I have some yarns that involve an adopted concept called “The Tyson Zone,” but that will be explained in another blog all together. The story I want to tell you is about my adventure resulting in me getting into the Saturday Night Live studio audience. Buckle your seat belts ladies and gents, for you’re about to go on the ride of your life.

On the 9th of May I was getting my drink on with some of my colleagues. After knocking back a few, my SNL pals, Brendan and Dave, stopped by my room and told me it was time to go wait in the line in front of 30 Rock. I was stoked, and I was drunk. It was a recipe for both fun and success. Once we readied the necessary provisions, we were on our way at approximately 2 in the AM.

While we waited in the subway station one of our party noticed strange figures in the tunnel, and we just assumed that they were ghosts. If you’ve seen the Ghost Busters films, you’ll know what I mean. Dan Aykroyd represent, yo. Then Brendan and Dave started reciting lines from Daredevil of which I’ll never forget: “You see that light at the end of the tunnel? It’s not heaven, it’s the C-Train!” I think the line is hilarious on it’s own, but when you’re given a Christopher Walken-ized rendition it’s that much funnier. The train eventually came, and we were rapidly approaching our destination.

We got off of the train, found 30 Rock, got some food, and then we watched Walk Hard. We were pretty close to the front of the line, so I was pretty sure that we were going to get in. As the night went on, we just hung out and laughed like a couple of girls at summer camp. It was glorious. When 6:00am rolled around we were asked to stand up and wait another hour, so we did. Finally, a stern-looking blonde woman came out and told us how the standby line operated. While she was talking I remembered that I was going to see the David Mamet play November, and that I wouldn’t be able to join the others in the dress rehearsal. My compadres shook their heads in dismay, but I was optimistic that I’d be able to get into the live show, so I was stoked when I got my ticket. I was number 22 and I figured that this would ensure my entrance and would bring my year-long dream of seeing Shia LeBeouf in person to fruition.

We went home and slept all morning, and afterwards had a little bite to eat before the big show. November was hilarious and Nathan Lane was a laugh riot. After the play, I hustled over to 30 Rock to get in line. It was once again explained to us how the whole procedure was to go down, and at this point I was jittering with anticipation. The line started to move. I got through the metal detectors. I was on the elevator and was now ascending to the eighth floor where comedic magic was going to occur very shortly. I was given my bracelet and I took my seat in the far right corner. It wasn’t the greatest seat, but who was I to complain? I was going to see Saturday Night Live, live.

The show was unreal. That’s all I’ll say about that. It’s what happened after the show that made that night so special. Since my seat was one of the furthest from the exit I was one of the last to leave, but unbeknownst to me at the time, this would prove to set me up for an opportunity of a lifetime. When I finally got into the final stretch of hallways I looked around to take it all in (that’s what she said), and that’s when I saw him. That him was no other than Bill Hader of Superbad and SNL (obviously) fame. 

All I could think was “Oh my God… He’s right there.” I waved to him, and he waved back. I had to talk to him. I walked over and extended my hand which he thankfully received in a handshake. I told him it was an honor meeting him, and that I was stoked after waiting so long in the standby line that I got to meet him. He kindly told me that that was awesome, and in my head I was in total concurrence. Those thirty seconds were unreal. I met Bill Hader, and nobody could take that away from me. Had I of known I could’ve brought my camera I’d have physical proof of the actual encounter, but I do have my bracelet if that’s any certification. I have a new appreciation for Saturday Night Live, and I think you should all know that Bill Hader is the man.

                  

 

 

The day I met Dan Aykroyd

Last night, as I was paying for my beer at the liquor store, a poster caught my eye. It said that Dan Aykroyd was coming to the very liquor store I was standing in, and this made me happy. As a young man, I loved watching The Great Outdoors, and the notion of meeting Dan Aykroyd was almost unfathomable. Every year on the drive to summer camp I’d watch The Great Outdoors, and it’d excite me, for I would aspire to have as much fun as John Candy and Dan did. Anyway, I saw this poster, and I decided that I had to meet Dan.

Today I woke up, and scoured to find all of my Dan Aykroyd movies. Today would be the day I got to meet a man who’s not only starred in some of my favourite films, but actually knew, and was friends with John Candy. This would be a day that would go down in the history of Alex. My friend Greg came to pick me up, and we headed to the mall first, so I could buy the double feature gift set of Ghost Busters. I got the dvd, and we set sail for the liquor store.

It was pandemonium. I had never seen the likes of it before. People here really dig Dan Aykroyd. I went inside the store, and got in a line that would take 2 and half hours for me to go through. Dan was set up in the middle of the store, and he was swimming, so to speak, in a sea of euphoria. I was so excited, I could barely contain myself. As the line went along, I got more anxious. I was going to meet Dan Aykroyd. 

When I finally made it to the end of the line and was staring at the man who would make my day, I let it all out: “Hello Mr. Aykroyd!” 

“Well, somebody seems to be full of the Christmas spirit,” he replied.

I was so excited my hands were shaking like John Miller’s from Saving Private Ryan. I told him that finally getting to meet him was like waiting for a ride at Disney, and finally getting to go on it, and he said something to the extent of “I sure hope that the wait was worth it,” and I very happily told him it was indeed. But I didn’t say “indeed,” ’cause he’d probably think I was a dink if I did. I introduced myself and asked him if I could shake his hand, as I gave him my dvds, and he let me. I got to touch Dan Aykroyd, and it was unreal. As Dan signed my dvds and wine bottles I asked him if it would be possible if I could go behind the counter and get a picture with him, and he let me. I felt like I was going backstage at a concert or something, but it was way cooler than I could ever have imagined. After I got my picture I said “I have one last question for you,” and he said “What’s that?” I asked, “What was John Candy like?” He paused for a second, and then praised him. I can’t recall his exact words, but I was elated, for he said something along the lines of John being one of the greatest people he had ever known. I gathered my memorabilia and thanked him. As I paid for my wine I was essentially shell-shocked. I had just met Dan Aykroyd, and it turned out that he was one of the coolest and nicest people I have ever met. Needless to say, today was amazing, and Dan Aykroyd is one of my new favourite people.