crisp mornings, pumpkins and butternut squash at the farmers market, the comfort of hot tea

Today was one of those terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days. The sort of day where you just want to go home, crawl under the covers, and cry. I don't have these sorts of days very often, for which I'm grateful. But today was one of them, for several reasons, some of which aren't going away anytime soon. The majority of this is work-related, with the typical regular life stuff thrown in as well. At the moment it's all just a bit too much for my sagging shoulders.

After work I spoke with my mom, and as I poured everything out to her, I felt that I was doing an admirable job maintaining perspective. But I think the universe had taken note of my sullen attitude and could tell I was in the planning stages of a pity party, because this evening at the rescue squad I certainly got a lesson in appreciating life.

First my rescue buddy, who's in college, told me that last week his girlfriend was diagnosed with lymphoma. Then we got a call for an interstate traffic crash with vehicle entrapment. And then, before the shift ended, we took to the hospital a woman who was having a heart attack, The Big One.

All of this in the span of four hours. Suddenly my bad day seems like the best day ever. Nothing like an evening at the rescue squad to give a little perspective.

I know, right?! I don't even know where to begin. I'm utterly verklempt over the whole thing.

Most everyone who reads here knows my passion for John Stamos. He is my lifelong crush, my one true celebrity love. Posts to this effect are all over this blog - do a search for John Stamos and you'll have hours of reading, including my initial obsession confession which was one of the very first things I blogged about. And let's not forget mrtl's Google campaign. Or how I got to faux-meet him, thanks to a blogfriend's rocking Photoshop skills.

But people? It's faux no mo'. Because I have officially met, in person, one Mr. Stud Stamos.

He's currently appearing on Broadway in Bye Bye Birdie, and upon discovering this I immediately announced to Rob that we would be taking a trip to New York. I just wanted to see him in person, to be in the same room as him - it did not occur to me that I might meet him. But I follow him on Twitter (HUGE thanks to Mainline Mom for alerting me to the fact that he is Twittering) and he happened to mention one day that folks should come say hi at the stage door after the show.

So there we were. At the stage door, after the show. I had prepared meticulously for this moment. I had chosen a proper Meeting John Stamos outfit. I had brought along a point-and-shoot camera for the occasion, since I wasn't sure our huge SLR would be permitted in the theatre. I had a Sharpie in my purse in case he forgot one. And I had a remark prepared, because after teasing Doreen about her encounter with Scott Bakula, I did not want to fall prey to any lame "You're awesome!" comments that would render me unmemorable.

Eventually, he emerged through the doorway, and I was the first to notice. "There he is!" I cried. And a feeling I can't even describe washed over me. Thrilled disbelief, maybe? I mean, John Stamos was standing right there! John Stamos!

(Rob was in charge of taking photos, which was not an easy task given the low light conditions and crappy camera. (Although I find it a bit suspicious that the photo he took of the female lead is not at all blurry...) However, I have to say that these photos perfectly convey my experience - the entire thing was so completely surreal.)

He slowly made his way down the line, signing Playbills and smiling. And then he was signing the Playbill of the person next to me. And my mouth went completely dry and I couldn't even swallow and it seemed quite likely that when my turn came I wouldn't be able to get any words out and would just thrust my Playbill at him, stupidly.

Even the way he signs autographs is sexy.

I somehow snapped myself out of it, refusing to have this moment ruined. And then there he was, standing in front of me. As he reached for my Playbill, he looked directly at me. Our eyes locked, you could say. And as he signed his autograph, I mustered the strength to speak.

"I'm loving you on Twitter, by the way."

His look of concentration changed to one of almost sheepishness, a bit of a scrunched expression that was immediately familiar to me, that reminded me that this face is one I've spent much time studying on TV.

"I never know what to say..." he confessed.

I had thought he'd just smile and say thank you, so I was unprepared when his comment left an opening for a response from me. As I opened my mouth to reply, it struck me that I AM HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH JOHN STAMOS. At which point my brain shut down and I turned into a gushing preteen, not unlike the ones who had been chasing Conrad Birdie around on stage.

"No, it's perfect!" I exclaimed. "It's awesome!!"

Fuck. I just said awesome.

He moved on to the next person, whom I hated immediately because she asked him for a photo. The way things were set up it seemed nearly impossible to get a photo with him, and since no one ahead of me had done it I didn't try to find a way. I wasn't sure of the etiquette and didn't want to annoy him. But then the lady right after me went for it, asking him to lean over the gate for a photo with her. Why the hell didn't I do that? I would have had to fling some women out of the way, but this is John Stamos we're talking about - bitches can move.

But at least I was quick enough on my feet to do the next best thing - insert myself into her photo while frantically gesturing at Rob to get a shot. It is the worst photo of me ever, a really awful angle, but I don't care because that is ME WITH JOHN STAMOS!

It will come as no surprise that I'm already planning a return trip. Although I promised Rob that next we will stalk Tina Fey.