Blazing hot! Not Kim Kardashian necessarily but 90 degrees + at the track with all that walking, and all that gear.....what I day!
2010 Indy 500 celebs - Images by Michael Hickey
Personally I don't know how they do it. The Kardashians, that is. Talk about an entourage, you've got the family, cameramen, sound men, makeup, producers, security, and some schlub walking around with a clip board hoping everyone will sign their release so that awesome footage of some anonymous dude sitting on the curb in the background doesn't have to blurred out costing them more in production costs. To have the patience to put up with all these people on a daily basis during the filming season takes a personality trait that I could never come up with. I'd be screaming my head off after the first day, that's for sure. I guess they've gotten used to it. I almost had a "thing" with Kris Jenner over some pictures she took issue with, I thought she was over blowing it a little but I chose my battle and thought it best not to protest, it wasn't worth it. All was good in the end.
Jack Nicholson did say "hi how ya doin'" to me. I couldn't believe it. I know it's not much but I didn't think someone as iconic as he is actually noticed some bottom feeder such as myself. Made my day. Sort of. Not really.
Jewel was actually quite nice, I've heard different things about her in the past. I complemented her on her appearance on Howard Stern recently and she sounded genuinely grateful that I said something. She was good, I meant it, I wasn't just "saying it!" Her husband Ty Murray however wasn't too impressed with me. I found myself on the elevator with them at the end of the day and he was giving me the stare down like I was a calf he about to rope and tie my legs and hands together letting me struggle on the ground on my own. Not exactly sure what I did, but Jewel said on Howard's show that he grabs people by the esophagus that he has an issue with and that usually clears things up. Needless to say I was starting to sweat a little. Longest elevator ride of my life.
Then there was the stifling Indy heat. Whatever the temperature is, you can add about 10 degrees from the concrete that reflects it straight back up at you. Quite miserable. Couple that with two cameras and a good size hip bag with three or four lenses and you've got yourself a long day. Thank God for the Fuzzy suite. Some partners and myself have been doing promotional photography for Fuzzy Vodka which afforded us use of their wonderful suite high atop the Pagoda. Fuzzy Zoeller, I just have to say, is the BEST. I met him a week ago and I feel like I've known him for half my life now. There's not a more genuine, kinder, funnier, life of the party in the entire world. I'm his newest biggest fan! What a great guy.
I also want to thank the wonderful team (Molly, Ashley and staff) from GolinHarris for all their hard work and assistance and asking me over and over if everything was going well throughout the weekend. I can't WAIT to work with them again. TOP NOTCH professionals!
Hopefully the IPL 500 Festival Parade will be back to fine form next year. There was some changeover in personnel which caused some havoc and kept the celebrity count a little low but it will be back next year I'm sure. Good luck Brandi from the 500 Festival on your new job, it was a pleasure working with you the last few years!
