Taylor Hicks. Again.

Well, it seems Taylor has become a regular at the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival's Eat to the Beat concert series (which is quite a mouthful).  So having seen him perform the 2nd year in a row, there I kinda knew the drill and where to plant myself after the show to catch a glimpse.  This year, however, he seemed to successfully evade the waiting fans just before the fireworks.  I however, have superman vision and spotted him sneaking away via another route.  So my friend and I followed and snuck in a picture which he graciously smiled for.  As I called after him to ask him a question, to my surprise, he invited me to walk with him (really, really fast, mind you).  So I did and we chatted for a few minutes and he consented to try and squeeze in a song request in the next night's shows.  Then he shook my hand, smiled and said he'd see me tomorrow!  Luckily my friend was quick enough to capture the moment in a photograph...

Bruce Jenner

Bruce Jenner was the American Hero Gold Metalist in the Decathlon in the 1976 Olympic Games. Now he is a motivational speaker and TV personality. I saw him when he was the keynote speaker of the Drive the Discussion "conference" as a part of the Republican Party. Since the conference had an "open tweet" policy, I was able to leave my phone updates on and ironically received tweets from Ryan Seacrest regarding the show on E! starring Jenner's stepdaughters Kourtney and Khloe.

Ming Na

Ming Na, as you might remember, made appearances on As the World Turns and ER, but we knew her as the voice of Mulan. I didn't mention being "good friends" with her sidekick, Mushu, but we did share a pleasant conversation about Disney World. I asked whether she gets to see much of the parks while she's here, and she responded with a sarcastic, "No, they keep me locked in a cage and occasionally throw me some bread." She signed a postcard with a very teeny picture of Mulan in the corner for me and posed for a couple pictures and then we were on our way.

John Cusack

I had the opportunity to attend a screening of the film Grace is Gone at the ShowEast Convention in Orlando, FL last October. It was kind of an exciting event as we entered on a red carpet and were treated to free all-you-can-eat popcorn, sodas, and candy. My favorite part, however, was how John Cusack introduced the film, in person! I wish I could say he stayed and shook everyone's hand after the movie, too, but that's not the case. Still, it was fun to see him live and to watch him on the screen right after he introduced the film himself. Apparently, he was awarded the ShowEast Star of the Year 2007 award, which he kindly thanked all of us, for. Well, John, you're welcome! Glad I could help!

Fred Thompson

Mr. Thompson visited Celebration, FL just a week after announcing his candidacy for president. I found out about 45 minutes before he was to arrive, so we hurried and headed out there to see him. After his address, we, like many others, crowded toward the front for the chance to get an autograph. He signed for many people but stopped before we could get close enough. Dad was able to shake his hand before he headed back to his bus, and I got lots of pictures and videos. Mom was interviewed by a newspaper in Palm Beach before we headed back to the car and out to dinner.

Acapella

I had the opportunity to "share the stage" with Acapella at the 2006 North American Christian Convention, as the group was the featured artist for the week. I was a member of the worship ensemble and got to talk to some of the members of the group once or twice.

Dick Vitale

Mr. Vitale was covering an IU basketball game during my sophomore or junior year of college and I was fortunate enough to be a member of the pep band at the time. Knowing he would be there, someone made Dick Vitale masks for all of us and we all had them at the game. He came over and joked with the band as a whole, but I didn't interact personally with him...still have my mask though.

Sean Hannity

This was another accidental meeting and I'm starting to think I'm rather political with all of these recent additions to my "Wall." At any rate, we caught word he was broadcasting from Radio Disney at Disney-MGM Studios (soon-to-be Disney Hollywood Studios). Again, Dad bought his book and we dropped by the station where he graciously signed and posed for pictures as well as chatting with us for a short while. He naturally assumed I was 12 and had little to say to me except, "Are you enjoying Disney World?" Of course, I was.

Former Vice President Dan Quayle

My first encounter with Mr. Quayle was during the 92 campaign trail, which again included a stop in my home town. My high school band was brought in to perform for the event with various patriotic tunes and such on hand. Several years later, I was walking along in Chicago and noticed he was doing a book signing in the Barnes and Noble and my Dad bought his book so he could sign it for him. During the conversation it came up that I had played in the band for the rally and he very kindly thanked me.

Former President Ronald Reagan

Again, not my pic, but I was really too young to hold a camera. He visited my hometown on his first presidential campaign and by accident, my family arrived at the rally not on time, but early enough to get some really great seats...or spot staked out. When he arrived, he even stopped to visit with us...or rather most of us, because being as young as I was, I apparently refused to talk or shake his hand. Dad then told me "This is going to be the next President of the United States," trying to coax me into greeting him, but the president responded with a smile, "She couldn't care less." I am now of course a big fan, but then, he was a stranger, and I had been taught not to speak to strangers.

Johnny Depp

No, this photo is not from my personal collection. And I cannot give many details regarding our "exchange." I can tell you that I waved and blew kisses and he smiled back. And it wasn't too far away from the Caribbean...a stone's throw, really...