billy's following me, I thought it was the other way around?

Tonight Jeff called a mandatory emergency manager's meeting. Jeff, Clint, James & me. The lone girl manager.

This was rough on a couple of fronts, one, I had been there since 8am, and now had to return at 9 (till 12am) and two, it's opening night of football season. I saw only fifteen minutes of the game, that's sad!

After we finished up at the store (we had some things left over to do from the remerchandising) we headed next door to Bennigans for our meeting.

After much discussing about what can be done better and who can be doing better, I went to the ladies room before heading home. There over the loud speaker is my future husband, Billy singing 'Big Shot'. I get in my car, and "You're only human" is playing (another Billy song). I change the channel to more music (I had to take a break from Fox News, it is depressing me to a point I am unwell) and there it is, the old faithful, the gold standard, "Piano Man".

Those of you who have been reading me a while know the story of my English teacher who turned me on to Billy Joel. I went to my first Billy concert at sixteen, have seen him solo seven times and twice with Elton John. Now, I do love Billy, I used to be on the mailing list, had the screen savers and everything.

In 2000 during the "Millennium Tour" I noticed the tour dates were always two apart. Now, me being the smarty pants that I am figured he must be arriving a day early to set up. I decide I am going to try and stalk him a wee little bit to see if I can actually meet my idol.

I think, what is the closest, nicest hotel to Lakewood Church (formerly The Compaq Center, formerly, formerly The Summitt) answer - The Four Seasons. I look up the number and call them. Now, any experienced stalker will tell you, you can't just ask for Billy Joel's room. Of course not. I call and ask for Mark Rivera, his sax player. "One moment please" and I hear ringing. BINGO! I call Larry, I am going down to the four season and meeting Billy Joel. He laughed, but knew I was crazy enough to do it. I throw some clothes on and down I went.

I found a spot in the lobby that provided me with ample viewing of both the elevator and the front door. If he was in fact here, he wasn't getting by me. I wait.

Fifteen minutes after I got there, the elevator opens up and out walks Billy. I actually gasped. He walks over to the front desk, and I meekly head his way. I am thinking, "please don't let him be a dick, please don't let him be a dick" You have heard horror stories of people meeting their idols and they are so rude to them.

He turns around, and there I am. "Hello, I love your music, would you mind signing my ticket?" "Sure! Can you get me a sharpie?" he asks the person with him. I have him for seconds while the sharpie is being fetched, "Can I get a picture?" "Well, I don't want to cause a scene" Now, I'm thinking to myself, Mr. Joel, you are not nearly as young as you used to be, you should be lucky that this 30 year old is even here wanting you. But I don't say that, I think the deflated look on my face said it all.

So, he turns, and casually puts his arm around me and starts walking, "We're just walking out, no big deal" Hand the guy my camera, and snap, there's my picture, my moment captured forever.

So, that's my famous I met Billy Joel story. And tonight, he was following me.