When I go to concerts and shows, my mind always drifts to a world where I actually get to meet the performer I'm watching.

My grandparents have taken me to see Frank Sinatra (we made eye contact a whole bunch, I'll have you know), Frank Sinatra Jr, (I've met him!), Debbie Reynolds (she talked to me during her show!) and Steve and Edie (I got to shake Steve's hand). The showrooms where they perform are small compared to venues like Arco Arena or big stadiums

I am about as cool as a cucumber when I meet famous people, folks. Yep, that's me. Cool. Calm. Collected. Oh, everybody should be so lucky.

NOT!

When I met Dan Marino (Yes, THE Dan Marino, one of THE GREATEST quarterbacks to ever play the great game of football) he liked the notebook that I asked him to sign. He had never seen that notebook before. It was simply a spiraled notebook with college-ruled lined paper and a picture of the man himself in action, throwing a perfectly spiraled pass on a beautiful football field. Mr. Marino said, "Cool notebook, where did you get it?"

Quiet

Mouth opens WIDE

Still quiet

I'm thinking: My Grandma got it for me. Say, "My grandma got it for me."

My jaw hits the floor. Because I'm also thinking, "DAN MARINO IS TALKING TO ME!"

And even still, quiet!

Just in the nick of time my Uncle swoops in and saves the day! He answers Mr. Dan Marino!

PHEW!

I just keep on smiling!

Tact, folks. Cool, calm, collected and tact, I got it!

When my Grandma chased Mr. Sinatra Jr. through the casino in Lake Tahoe and started talking to him, I walked up to them.

This is what I think as I listen to my Grandma politely ask if we may listen to his rehearsal: Tell him you've seen him before. Tell him you love his music. Tell him your life as you know it would not be the lovely life it is with out HIS music...TELL HIM!

Or, just smile. Smile, Missy. Your mom says you have a pretty smile. Make eye contact and smile.

So, that's what I did.

Grace under pressure! Oh yea!

So, when I'm sitting is said concerts, I start writing letters to these performers in my head. They are quite eloquent letters letting them know that younger generations are still touched by their music, etc, etc.

Then, I think what a good idea it would be to write a letter in advance and put it on the stage after the show because surely the cleaning crew will make sure said performer receives my beautifully crafted composition.

Then, said performer is so moved by my letter that they contact me and we somehow become friends.

And we all live happily ever after.

Yes, I'm a freak.

But, a happy freak.

I can't help but think, though, "Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you...if you're young at heart."

You might be aware that I am also a KISS fan. You might wonder if the aforementioned fantasy occurs in my head in big venues, like where KISS performs. Rest assured, they do! In my head, I have become great friends with KISS.

And that, folks, is a little piece of what happens in the head of Missy.

Thank you and good-night.