Just Hanging Out

For my first blog post, I've decided to go down memory lane when my hair was ten inches longer, and I had the best summer of my life. Fresh from my freshman year of college, I was lucky enough to get a job as an extra for the upcoming movie, The Perks of Being A Wallflower, based on the book of and directed by Stephen Chbosky. Now, Chbosky happened to grow up in the next township over from where I live, and his book was set in the area, Pittsburgh and its suburbs (as a side note, the novel is very enjoyable and a quick and easy read, so I highly recommend it). Because his high school was deemed "too modern" to be set in the 90's, the movie was filmed at the middle school and high school in my township. And, of all the quinkydinks in the world, Emma Watson was to star in this movie (along with Logan Lerman, Johnny Simmons, Nina Dobrev, and Paul Rudd). Now, anyone who knows me basically identifies me by my Harry Potter obsession. In fact, I had been planning a Harry Potter party for the midnight premiere of the final movie, which would be coming out a mere three weeks from this time, and I was to be dressing up as Emma Watson's character in the films, Hermione Granger. So seeing Emma Watson in real life, acting and walking around my old middle school was unbelievable. A bunch of my friends got to be extras in the movie as well, and we were all enjoying the experience together. I also met some great people, both extras and production assistants, from other areas around Pittsburgh, and throughout the nation. If I wasn't so set on the career path I have already chosen, I'd definitely go into the acting business. :) Sadly, but understandably, the extras were forbidden to approach Emma on the set. So I had to be content with the sight of her, and the occasional arm brush as she walked past me after a take. On the final day that I was scheduled to shoot, I was in a slightly bad mood because I did not see much of Emma, nor was I able to hang out much with my favorite production assistant. But, when I was done filming for the day, I drove to a restaurant that's open 24/7, Eat n Park, with three of my friends who were also extras. Seeing as it was after 1 am, we didn't have many choices. For some crazy reason, Johnny Simmons walks into the restaurant while we are there. My friend Justin is very outgoing, and he just started up a conversation with him. As he was rumored to be dating Emma Watson, I shouldn't have been surprised when she comes waltzing through the door five minutes later. But, I was still starstruck. I pinched Justin's arm and just became speechless. I'm pretty sure my jaw was resting on the floor at this point. She came over and joined us, while her and Johnny were waiting for their takeout order. We talked for ten or fifteen minutes and discovered that she likes pie over cake and doesn't know what sherbet is (although I'm pretty sure that's just because they pronounce it differently in the UK). I finally worked up the nerve to ask for a picture with her, and she seemed happy to pose with me for it. We only had our phones, so the first take turned out a bit blurry, and I felt a little bad about asking her for a redo, but hey, this was a once in a lifetime experience!!! Then, a bunch of the restaurant workers came out and surrounded her, asking for her autograph and such. Which I was annoyed with because they were supposed to be working, but I probably would have done the same. However, after that, Emma and Johnny grabbed their food and basically bolted out of there, so I was kind of sad. But I still got a hug from her and was able to tell Emma how much I loved her in the Harry Potter films, and to thank her for all the work she's done. All in all, it was a good day, and probably the greatest quinkydink of my life! :)