Hey! Welcome to 52 weeks until I’m 50 years old! Actually it’s now 46 weeks until I’m 50! If you are new to my blog, below are other subjects I’ve pondered and written about. Some may resonate with you or at least give you a chuckle. If you are counting down with me, thank you and let me know how I’m doing!

I’ve always wanted to be a rock star. Play guitar, wear crazy wicked black boots, belt out lyrics that make people feel something…connect with the audience as they fist pump and sing along with me…a real rocker. Vocal range somewhere between Sheryl Crowe and Pat Benatar. Big voice coming out of a little girl. That’s me…in my rocker fantasy. Why a rocker? Mainly because music causes a reaction inside of me. I can sing at the top of my lungs and I feel like I’m set free. OK…back to reality. My rock star career ended when I graduated Dillard School of the Performing Arts and had to go to college to find a real life. Don’t misunderstand, I’m still a rock star in my mind. I’m not sad about not being a star. I can’t imagine having no anonymity. Or, the constant ridicule that comes with stardom. I’m not one of those girls who has a desire to meet George Clooney or Bradley Cooper (OK…I don’t lie…if Bradley is across from me, I’m going to want to chat him up). But overall, I could care less if I ever met anyone in Hollywood. Now, sport stars…that’s a whole different ball game.

I’m a football and basketball fanatic. Define fanatic. A person with excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion. Yup, if you know me. That’s me. I follow my college basketball and football players into the NFL and NBA. I can’t wait to watch them develop and continue their careers. I admire hardcore athleticism and the will to play beyond what you believe to be possible. I’ve followed many of my favorite Miami HEAT players and Florida Gators for years. I call them my boys. And, with them, I am completely star struck.

At 49 years old and 46 weeks until I’m 50, I can now totally admit that last Saturday night at an event with Miami HEAT basketball players, I was totally star struck like a little kid. I thought all week about what I would ask/say to each HEAT player I might have an opportunity to chat up. I tried to be strategic about it. You know, a 5’2″ girl talking with 6’9 plus elite athletes can be kind of daunting even for someone who knows their stuff! So I was prepared. I had the rock star inside me. And then…there it was…the butterflies, the silly giggle, the wide-eyed gaze, a smile from ear to ear that wouldn’t quit and the neck bent way back to look up to all my favorite players. Who am I? Who is this girl? Am I a sports freak or just a freak? I was paralyzed. My guys were all coming in at the same time walking straight towards me. I grab Haslem. I’m mumbling some kind of Gator chant. Then I steal Anthony for a few moments. I realize while I am looking up that he’s cracking a grin at my blabbering chat about his rebounding and defense. I see Anderson, the Birdman. I’m totally paralyzed. I can’t even catch his eyes cause I’m too star struck. Chalmers, Super Mario, is next to me and so shy. I’m just smiling. Click the picture. Tell him how the game changing basket at Kansas was awesome. And then, my buddy who is as struck as I am…like a little kid  in awe, grabs my hand and pulls me over to one of my favorite HEAT forwards, Shane Battier. I’ve watched Battier interviewed. He’s a Duke man. So smart and articulate. And incredibly handsome in person. And then I can feel her… the rock star inside me. She’s confident. She’s smart about her sport. She’s ready to rock. And…then…She didn’t belt it out, she babbled it! My buddies recollection is as follows: “Ran…when you walked up to him, Shane Battier (in front of his wife), this is what came out…”I loved you when you played for Duke, and I love when you are wide open on the three-point line and you are going to shoot, I know it’s going in,and I love..” That’s when he said…” Randi, let’s take a picture of you with Shane now so he can enjoy the rest of the evening without hearing your babble! Shane threw his head back and let out a howling laughter before he pulled me in and took the picture. His wife was laughing as well. I believe I thanked him and then began to walk away. I turned to my best buddy and said, “What the hell did I just say to him…and did anything make sense?” LOL!

I have pictures with a lot of athletes. I’m so fortunate to have worked with some and met others. And no matter how many times I pretend I can handle my excitement…it’s just not possible. These guys fly, sometimes hang in the air at unbelievable speed. They have strength and muscular stature in person that’s quite impressive and skill beyond anything that seems real sometimes. I find myself in awe of them when I meet them as people. They’re approachable, kind and even willing to let a little chick like me babble on. Thank you Chalmers, Battier, Haslem, Anderson, Anthony and Howard. You made me believe I was a rock star again just for a moment!

Thanks for visiting and I hope you had a chuckle. You can subscribe to be notified when I blog below by clicking, follow me on Twitter @GatorgirlPress or Twitter @Diningduchess, follow me on Facebook @RandiAileenPress or Facebook@DiningDuchess. Or if you’d like to write me directly, my email is randi@52TO50.com.