I Ain't No Paris.

So we took the kids to the Beijing Aquarium yesterday. It was amazing, probably the best one I've ever been to (sorry, Boston) and we all had a fabulous time. Then we all went over to the Beijing Zoo for a flying visit to see the Pandas. They were also amazing, so funny and human-like in their interactions with each other.

However, that's not what I'm here to blog about. What I'm here to blog about is this:

I now know (not that I didn't before) that I really, really, really don't want to be famous. Ever.

This was the first time we ever took the boys "out and about" inside the Third Ring Road. I guess we had just gotten accustomed to being No Big Deal out in our expat-heavy area of Beijing, and had forgotten that we are, in a word, weirdos. But we were quickly reminded of that fact when each of the boys was snagged by strangers at least 5 times in three hours to pose for pictures with random Chinese children. Not to mention the countless times we were surreptitiously photographed as a family by people pretending to take pictures of fish. It was really weird, and totally freaked Cletus out, especially. I realized we should have warned him, but I'd forgotten that he hadn't been with me on any of my shopping trips downtown.

Anyway, he was pretty embarrassed and uncomfortable, feeling conspicuous and picked on, until we sat next to what was clearly a Swedish family to eat our lunch. After watching these two poor little platinum-blonde girls get mauled (there's no other word for it) he seemed to decide it was okay, and both he and Lemmy were soon smiling happily for pictures. Next time, we'll get pictures of the people taking pictures. It's pretty funny, when you aren't the ones involved.

Now as long as I don't learn how to understand the critical comments from old Chinese ladies about how Leafy Isaac will get pneumonia and DIE if even one inch of his stomach is ever exposed to winter air, everything should be just peachy.

Big M's Celebrity Sightings

So Big M has seen several "Celebrities" (and he wants me to stress that the quotes are, in fact, very necessary) in all of his gallivanting around airports of the world.

Like, he saw Dustin Hoffman once in the London airport.

And, he sat RIGHT NEXT to David Hyde Pierce (aka Niles Crane) on a Southwest flight once. Unfortunately, though Frasier would become one of our favorite shows a couple of years later, at that point he had never seen it, so didn't know who he was sitting by.





And, he once saw a Wrestler, later discovered to be "Cactus Jack" in the airport bookstall. He only knew he was famous because he was wearing a shirt with his own face on it. Big M's Professional Wrestling Knowledge, though impressive in its scope and detail, dates firmly from when the WWE was the WWF.


And, Big M and I once saw Blues Traveler walking through the airport. Big M recognized them. I did not. (I refuse to put a picture of Blues Traveler on my blog. Wrestlers are one thing, but come on . . . )


So this got us thinking--what "celebrities" have you guys seen in airports?



And then, that got ME thinking, can any of these celebrities help me win the Kevin Bacon Game?Therefore, I call on Kevin Bacon Game Uber-Champion Thomas to assist us in this endeavor. You guys post your celebrity airport sightings, and Thomas, if he is willing, will help us Kevin Bacon them. (I know, Thomas, I know--Dustin Hoffman is WAY too easy and beneath your specialized talents. Sorry)



Ready? Set? GO!

Famous Person

Did everyone see this? Well, NOW I'm going to vote for her! I mean, a Famous Person says she won the debate!

Those dang Elitists, demanding a real name!