Me and Mr. Bean…
Posted by Ron on October 19, 2006
When I was in England last month for the Goodwood Revival with my friend Dan, we went to the cricket match that is hosted there each year the day before the races start. This is an unadvertised social event between the drivers and some of the event organizers.
It’s a fun time. A few hundred people show up, there’s food, waiters walking around with pitcher’s of Pimm’s, and there are lawn chairs around the field so you can take in the cricket action. There’s also a lot of vintage cars. As far as the eye can see.
So, I’m watching the match, enjoying the outstanding weather (it was low 70’s there compared to low 90’s at home) and looking around at all of the people.
As I look around I noticed Rowan Atkinson off in the distance. I start snapping a few pictures and figured I would add it to the collection of famous people I have run into over the years.
Well, as I snap my pic’s I notice that he is walking in my general direction. This is great. I can get a close-up of him as he walks by. I figure he’s been pestered long enough while I was there I wouldn’t bother him for a picture or an autograph. I’d probably be seeing him later in the weekend anyway.
I snap a few more pictures and I notice he’s now moving in my exact direction. Now, he’s standing right next to me. He noticed that I was taking his picture. He said it was OK to take his picture, but he didn’t want any pictures taken of his wife or kids. He was nice about it and I guess I can understand the request. These days, you never know who is lurking out there. But, at the same time, he is at a public event and anyone could have snapped his picture un-noticed.
After he left I looked at the pictures I took and noticed his stance. You can see his fist is clenched and he’s not exactly looking happy. I guess I could have had a Sean Penn moment. But things worked out for the best. I got to talk to Rowan Atkinson, his family has their privacy, and I have a nice little entry for the blog.
R.
