The sun sets on another day…
Sunset was a spectacular veil of colors across the western sky as I drove home. The steady drone of the truck kept my thoughts company as I reassembled my perceptions into something new. Today was a day of fantastic learning.
I started this post early, poised with excitement and a fantastic idea of meeting two of my favorite actors. I had planned for some time to go to Motor City Nightmares and pre-purchased a ticket for the sole purpose of seeing two people. I achieved my goal but in the process the two people I met opened my mind to a different point of view and the event was awesome.
Alice Krige and Tom Savini have long been favorites of mine for two different reasons. Alice Krige is a versatile actress with the ability to impart emotions easily and a distinctive style that makes her memorable in any role. Though she has played in many horror movies I saw her first in Chariots of Fire. I was impressed then, and she followed with Ghost Story and the shift intrigued and amazed me. I have seen many of her movies and as I scanned them I found a few that I will be watching soon.
Tom Savini is a master of everything he touches. I have read his books on makeup and they are astounding. His approach is super realistic and he creates the illusion of life and death as easily as you and I breathe. His time in front of the camera is equally as memorable. I enjoyed him in “From Dusk to Dawn” and many other roles and idolized him for creating “Fluffy” in Creepshow, a fantastic monster that lives in a crate. (There is a story there but I will not digress)
When I arrived it was an interesting time, and I enjoyed the conference as I waited for my times. When I took my pictures with Alice I was not sure what to expect. I have met many actors and their demeanor is sometimes less than what you would think, often more than a little off. I was overwhelmed. The actress portrayed on screen was stunning and a little more. The woman I met was far superior. We had a few minutes and talked for just a moment. She was far more real than many of the real people I know and modest, kind, and engaging. We made a few jokes, laughed a little more, and took a picture that I will cherish and be reminded of often. As I laughed with her for a moment I knew that for all the people in the world, she was real and spectacular.
Tom was different. He was surrounded by people often. He is, of course, a legend in the genre and his work speaks volumes for him. I watched him interact with people and I laughed at how direct he was. He was not a man of many words and was a positive force on those around him. I am glad I met him and his picture will go next to another I have of him with Fluffy from a long time ago.
The talent was exciting but it was the two people that made my day. That along with hundreds of people I interacted with along the way made the day awesome, and the moments more awesome. As I pondered the perils horror I made note for a moment, it is the people inside that make us all. It is the people inside that build moments and amazement. I smiled as I drove past sunset and into the night, satisfied with more than an event, but with a new experience, and all that goes with it.
So as the sun sets on another day, I feel great about my time today, and great about each day and how the world finds a way. I wrote each a letter and left it with a copy of one of my books. It was just something that maybe would mean more than just a few dollars in their pocket as I saw them as people most of all, and wanted them to know it meant something to meet them. I hope you can find some time to see your heroes, and tell them how much they mean to you. Find a way to enjoy life every day, no matter what.
Sleep sweet, love life, and little toads…