I first met Michael Stipe after a political rally in Athens when I was a student at UGA. I was a volunteer at the rally and he was a speaker. Afterwards, a friend and I were walking downtown and we saw him approaching. My friend was about to faint from the excitement of him being so nearby, and I told her she should say something about his rally speech. She was way too nervous, so as he walked by, I stopped him and thanked him for participating. I told him what I thought of his speech, and he was very gracious. After he left, my friend of course about died.
After that initial meeting, I began to see him all the time around town, especially at Monday Night Disco at the 40 Watt. He was always really friendly and seemed like he was having a good time. I’m sure he appreciated the fact that for the most part, people left him alone. I saw him so frequently that we would say hi and smile at each other in that friendly, “I see you all the time but don’t know you at all” way.
One night, I went to the Digable Planets show with some friends and he was there too. Thing is, he had brought a friend along—Neneh Cherry. She was one of my idols…I totally loved this girl.
Anyway, I was hanging out at the back of the Georgia Theater with my friends and Michael Stipe was hanging out in the same area with his friends. My friends and I had been silly that evening and had drawn little tattoos on each other with black Sharpies. Michael saw a marking on my leg and said, “You’ve got something on your leg….” I giggled and explained it was Sharpie and it was on purpose. He shrugged it off, probably thinking “stupid kid.” :P
So the attention for some reason turned to Neneh at that point, and I couldn’t help myself but gush, “She is a goddess!”
Michael looked at me kinda funny, and then he just turned away. I guess the fact that I still got a little starstruck made me less cool or something.
Oh well…it was fun being on “speaking terms” with him while it lasted! :)
