If you're into soaps there is no doubt that you know who Deidre Hall is. On June 21, 1976, Deidre Hall taped her first scene as Dr. Marlena Evans on the daytime drama "Days of Our Lives". No one could have predicted on that first day, when she walked into Salem, that she would become one of the most recognized and loved stars on daytime television. This encounter, if you can call it that, was a total shock because I was just attending a John Kerry rally only hoping to get his autograph.

       I had secured a great position at the barrier and was minding my own business when I spotted Deidre Hall and Josh Taylor, Marlena and Roman! They were across the way signing some autographs for a couple of fans that also spotted them in the crowd. There was a huge gap between us consisting of the red card only handicapped section. I felt so helpless just watching other fans going up to them and getting autographs, it was like autograph collector hell.

       This was some kind of torture for me, but what was an autograph collector to do? I have been able to meet many stars from Days of Our Lives, but have always wanted hers the most. I wasn't about to let this opportunity pass me by so I took a chance and asked a lady on the handicapped side if she could pass over my comic cardboard to get signed by both of them. The lady was very nice and gave it to someone she was with, who happened to be deaf. She signed to her that I wanted an autograph and tried to point out where they were signing. The other girl smiled to me and nodded accepting my request, which was much to my delight.

       She started heading in a different direction and I starting to get the feeling that the lady didn't explain it to her well enough. Then she started to head back to us signing something to the lady... but she wanted a pen. The lady signed back saying they have a pen and to go on, I couldn't believe she couldn't see that Deidre and Josh had sharpies. Why oh why did I have to drop my Sign Language class for Japanese?

       Once again she headed in a direction far from Deidre and Josh, but I thought she just saw a better opening over there. Instead she started talking to another lady and I started to believe she was trying to have the other lady pass it down the line to Deidre (which would make sense actually). This wasn't the case at all because the other lady found a pen and signed my comic book cardboard!!! I couldn't believe this and it was actually quite comical. First of all who is this lady that signed and obviously she gets asked for autographs.

       She finally came back happily bearing the unknown autograph and we had to tell her she messed up. Finally the lady was able to point out Deidre and Josh signing and the girl felt embarrassed and now understood the mission. I gave her another comic book cardboard and she was off. This time around she chose wisely and both Deidre and Josh graciously signed my item.

       The girl stayed around a couple more minutes trying to communicate to Deidre (finally resorting to writing on her own hand) and had them sign a Kerry sign for her. She came back and apologized and I said there was no reason to apologize, but instead thanked her so much for helping me out. Soon after John Kerry took to the stage and well into his speech Deidre and Josh left (beating the crowds). I'm so happy that I asked for some help, because otherwise I would've been out of luck.