I was up late one evening finishing a college paper on the computer when my email box received a last minute update from the John Kerry campaign. Actor Ted Danson was coming the next morning to get out the vote for Kerry supporters and this was one autograph I didn't want to miss out on. Unfortunately because this event was such short notice Sterling couldn't break his plans to attend the event, so it was just lil' old me. After finishing my paper I found a picture of him and quickly went to bed, knowing I would need some rest for the early event.

       Autograph events act as great alarm clocks for me, which made it easy to get out of bed and head for the park he was speaking at. I arrived on the scene and was surprised to see such a small turnout (compared to the other large rally's I've attended), which was the result of no publicity and the short notice. I was able to get a great position in front of the podium and waited patiently for his arrival.

       Ted Danson must've had a harder time getting up in the morning because he showed up an hour and a half late. He arrived in a big John Kerry tour bus and exited the vehicle with his entourage surrounding him. After a brief introduction Ted Danson took to the stage and informed everyone about the havoc the environment has been taking since Bush took office. I hoped that he would be meeting with the public after the speech and was on eggshells until then.

       After the speech Ted Danson lingered around and as a result fans swarmed over to him like vultures to a carcass. Ted was a very nice man and enjoyed talking with and meeting each fan there. He was signing autographs left to right, but unfortunately was signing them with a ballpoint pen. It was finally my turn to greet Mr. Danson and before getting anything signed I asked for a picture with him, which he happily agreed to. Before I could ask for an autograph, another fan diverted his attention and now I had to play catch up if I was to get my picture signed.

       I hurriedly found a spot a couple of paces in front of Mr. Danson and his assistant marveled at my picture when they got closer. He was so impressed that he took my binder/picture and blue sharpie and handed it directly to Ted and said, "Does this guy look familiar". Ted laughed and said, "a little bit" and added 'cheers' along with signing his name to the picture. Before he could give back my picture I quickly whipped out an index card and asked if he could sign it for my friend Sterling. After helping him spell the name correctly, I shook his hand and thanked him. After taking a couple more pictures of him working the crowd I headed off in triumph.