I checked in through the self-service machine for my flight on American Airlines and noticed the option to upgrade to 1st class. I didn’t even think about it to be honest, I just said heck yeah! Scheduled flight time was 4:40pm. Because of storms, actual flight time was 7:30pm but about 30 minutes before that, here comes a very, very tall fella who I recognized right away. You could hear whispers all around saying, “It’s Shaq!” What was even more funny is that those whispers were from GUYS! Clearly they were sports fans but it was hilarious to see the guys go gaga.
Shaq boarded the plane while we sat another 30 minutes before boarding. Now I knew he would be in first class of course but it never dawned on me that *I* could be the one sitting next to him. NEVER. But then I walked onto the plane and who do I see next to my 5E seat???? Yep, Shaquille ONeal. How.freakin’.cool.
I just smiled, then he smiled. I said, “Soooooo, I know you have over a million followers but you should totally follow me on twitter ’cause I’m kind of a big deal.” Yep, those are MommySnacks words but I couldn’t resist! He said, “What’s your twitter name?” I told him and that’s when he twittered,
Now he was telling me he was twittering this so of course, I touched him. Then he twittered this,
Yes, it was sorta setup but who cares! I won a prize and Shaq twittered me! lol Not only did I gain a ton of followers after that, I got a lot of tweets asking what the prize was. Well, there really wasn’t a prize to be quite honest with you. I told him, “People are asking me what the prize is so I’m just gonna tell them it’s me getting a seat by you on the plane.” He said okay and we started talking about family. I showed him my bag with my boys and man on it and he asked who that was riding that horse. I told him who it was and what he was doing. He was amazed…so amazed in fact he didn’t believe me and asked the people around us if they’ve heard of wild horses and such. It was hilarious. Then he tweeted this…
It was really funny because it was time to turn off our cell phones and he kept hiding his. He kept tweeting and did not want to put it away. So the flight has started and we are comfortable. I got my feet up, crossed in my seat and he took his cap and shades off. We started talking more about guns, ranches, him being a U.S. Marshall, his 6 kids who range from 13 down to 2, his wife of 5 years who says, “37/12”. His real age and how he acts. lol It was great conversation and we laughed a bunch. He even had this little gadget that when we both placed our thumbprints on it at the same time, it told him exactly who I was and my complete address!!! Can you believe that!
After a long conversation, Shaq slept for a bout 15-20 minutes or so. Then is was supper time! He ordered the Chicken Parmesan and I got the Tortellini. He asked if my Tortellini was good and I said very good….so I asked if he wanted to try it. So he did, then he took more and put it on his plate! He also burned his mouth after he just saw me blowing mine off to cool it. He ordered Diet Coke. I said, “Diet??” He said, “Yeah, I gotta maintain this body.”
He asked me to take a picture of him and tweet it. He said to tell everyone that he was snoring so loud. Yes, that’s the 12yr old coming out! lol
One thing I noticed is how other people who were trying to talk to him sounded so fake. It made cringe really to see how stupid someone can sound when talking to a celeb. I honestly think Shaq saw how genuine I was, which is why about 30 minutes before the flight was to end, he looked at me and said, “I want you to have these.”. I said, “Oh gosh no, I can’t take your sunglasses. Those are Prada and cost a lot of money, but thank you very much. It’s been a treat just getting to chat with you.” He just smiled and said, “No really, I want you to have them..please.” So I said okay.
By the way, he said don’t smile…”It’s cooler not to smile.” LOL
For the rest of the duration of the flight, he played with my iphone. He has a Blackberry and said the iphones are too big. He really liked the Lightning Tap game I had on it and wanted to “battle”. So we battled. I got .38 seconds, he got .36 seconds and started singing “we are the champions”. Then I got .23 seconds and then guess what he got??? .02 seconds. Are you kidding me??? I told him he’s a cheater!!! I said you can’t cheat! He started singing, “I am the champion, you are the loser” using Queen’s song of course. It was really funny actually. He finally gave me my iphone back and said that he might just have to get one for the apps. By this time, we were landing and he told me to tweet that fake snoring picture of him, so I did.
It was the most awesome thing that could have happened after a crappy 3hr delay of sitting at the airport. He was the nicest person ever! Too bad the only camera I had was my iphone:( Oh well, it was still all awesome!
We shook hands and swapped some info and said goodbye.
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I love to hear about celebs that are really nice! (I was just telling my husband about you meeting & tweeting w/ Shaq. Of course I made it sound like we were super duper best friends–since I follow you on twitter– and, in a six degrees kind of way, I was now bff w/ Shaq.) :)
Will Blog For Shoess last blog post..Today Could Be The Best Day of My Life. Or It Could Be Pretty Crappy.
Well, let us know when you and your new BFF will be hangin’ out again.
That is such a neat story. And way to go using Twitter to break the ice.
~Donna
[email protected] last blog post..Mama Braggin’ Monday – Memorial Day
You are cool! And, you are a BIG deal (feel free to use that whenever you want too :). I’m sure he saw you were a real person – a cowboy cookin’ momma who does a lot of homework!!! You should have invited him over for dinner!!
Andrea @ Mommy Snacks.nets last blog post..Meijer Snack: Sale Week of May 24
I did Andrea!!! He LOVES Mexican food so that was a plus on my side. I said, “You know where I live now, you’re welcomed anytime you want to get away and I’ll cook all day long for ya!” :)
This post had me cracking up! It really sounds like you had a lot of fun.
I also get annoyed with people who act fake around celebrates. They are just people after all.
Hollys last blog post..Where I Get My Inspiration
How cool is that!
Katis last blog post..Memorial Day Weekend
very cool, lori! and omgoodness those shades! you look awesome in em :)
Shaqs on a Plane. Coming soon to a theater near you.
(Looks like ya’ll had fun!)
Busy Moms last blog post..One more time
That’s hilarious. It’s so fun to hear about celebs that are nice.
Sarah at themommyloguess last blog post..Dearest Cabin-ers: Part II
Dang, girl, you have all the luck! He sounds very sweet and genuine. You did tell him to follow all the cool chix, right? :P
Tara @ Deal Seeking Moms last blog post..Harris Teeter: Triple Coupons This Week
Very cool!
Oh my word! How cool is that! I had always heard he was a nice guy but to give you his Prada sunglasses! Seriously! That is one cool man. Thanks for the play by play. Felt like I was there!
When I saw your tweet, Lori, I seriously squealed! What a fun flight!!
What a great way to spend the plane ride home! Looks like lots of fun!
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That’s just TOO COOL Lori!
Christines last blog post..Your New AMERICAN IDOL
You are such a big deal! Don’t be gettin’ too big for your britches now tho!
Adriennes last blog post..Decisions Decisions
That is sooo awesome!!! And those glasses!!!!!!! WOOT!
Woohoo! How awesome is that? He sounds like such a teddy bear. So happy to hear how sweet he was to you! :) Who wouldn’t like you? :)
Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parentings last blog post..To Do Tuesday Week 16
This is just the coolest thing ever! I had to show hubby your pics with Shaq, he is uber jealous of you right now! (and so am I!) He always seems so personable and fun to be around when you see him on anything. Glad you had a good flight!
Whata a cool story!! He sounds like a super nice guy!
Leahs last blog post..Chicken Burittos! Muy Delicioso!
What a cool story! I live in Phoenix, but followed his LA career long before. I’m glad he’s cool in person. People who “fawn” with fake crap are SO transparent!
Gave this post a stumble on SU ~ thumbs up it if you’re passing by folks!
Lorettas last blog post..Changes ~ A Puberty Kit and Guide for Girls
That’s so awesome – how fun! I knew Shaq was pretty cool, he was groovy on Twitter and all. But then I read about his being at that restaurant with that other blogger. (A guy – did u read about it?) And after that I knew he was ‘just a person’ – so great when celebs are still ‘just people’, you know?
But now this – wow, he’s even cooler! Very awesome. Nice that he was so real with you.
Man, I get so nervous sometimes around any type of celebrity that I almost don’t even want to meet them. LOL So I’m sure when I actually do, I wind up sounding like an idiot, too! Ha!
The glasses? Wow, that was cool.
The gadget? I have to know more about that thing! Please tell us more!! (The thumbprint one…)
Too cool! I would have been all over him!!
Amys last blog post..Free Arby’s Items on Wednesdays
You go girl!…How Cool is that???
its nice to hear when celebs are so nice…
glad you had a wonderful trip..
hugs
brenda
Brendas last blog post..WHAT’S UP WITH ME?
You go girl!…How Cool is that???
its nice to hear when celebs are so nice…
glad you had a wonderful trip..
hugs
brenda
That’s freaking awesome! You ROCK!
Great for you Lori for being “REAL” with him! Very cool experience for you :)
See you in a few days!
Toni-Lynn
Hahaha i showed my bf your twitter picture sitting next to shaq and he was like do you know her? i was like yeah! Well…sorta. I follow her on twitter. He mumbled somethig about the damn computer and walked away. He only uses the computer to look up sports news and fantasy football – thats it. no email, no twitter, no facebook nada!
Glad to hear Shaq is so nice!
I could just die. That is such a cool story – like one of the best I’ve read. SOOOO cool! Pictures & prada glasses. SEEEE! Nice gals DO finish first!!! woohoo!!!
Debbies last blog post..Transformations…
That is the coolest thing EVER! I am green with jealousy- I never get to sit with anyone cool. You are making me think I should upgrade that seat next time :)
Thats so awesome! How much fun for you :) Love that it was such a real experience between friends, not a cleb and a stalker!
Kim ~ Craftymamaof4s last blog post..Welcome To My New Home!
So cool! I think it’s great that someone as famous as him is still so down to earth.
Jills last blog post..Unspoken reasons I am a horrible mother…
How fun! Good for you. The no smile is bad ass!
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LOL- i love it… i haven’t ever really heard anything bad about him- except from haters. i heart shaq daddy!!!! i would have sat on his lap and pretended to fall asleep. lol
That is the best story. Certainly the coolest flight ever. The more I hear about Shaq, the more I like him. So cool!
Reizas last blog post..“We can survive functional illiteracy or shattered windows of vulnerability, but not the demise of The Decent Cup of Tea”
What a fun story. I bet your kids were over the moon to hear about your encounter with Shaq. :)
No way! I love it. I think I love Shaq even more than I already did, and that he wasn’t afraid to tweet in public and get to know someone!
Marie {Make and Takes}s last blog post..Chocolate Chip S’mores Surprise
OK. This is the coolest post, ever! And I didn’t know you got to KEEP the PRADA glasses. UM, hello!? If you ever need someone to polish them… I will! :) Love this! xoxo Audrey
That is so neat! I’ve never met a famous person (to my knowledge). The Man Beast has! When he worked at Universal, he met tons of famous people – Johnny Depp, Christian Slater, and Will Smith!
Iva @ Horizontal Yo-Yos last blog post..Wordless Wednesday…naw, not really
That is so cool! What a fun experience. He sounds like a lot of fun.
SO FREAKIN’ COOOL!
Katjas last blog post..Honoring Soldiers with Wieners & Panties (for reals)
OK how AWESOME is that!!! I love love this story. Shaq seems like such a genuine nice guy. Love it. :)
p.s. are you still wearing the glasses?!?
Jamies last blog post..Swim, Bike, Run, Grump
This totally rocks. And how cool he was such a genuine guy like yourself. Those were some hot sunglasses too and this was totally the coolest blog post ever. I loved it and adore you! xoxoxo col
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Even he can see how “real” you are. This so totally rocks!
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I had so much fun reading your post. It shows that neither one of you are fake. You treated him like a human being, not a celebrity. Oh, fantastic sunglasses!
So cool! Thanks for the play-by-play.
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Lori, I’m so glad I got my act together and came to get the 411 on the Shaq avatar. What a GREAT story! My aunt still tells her story about flying with Hulk Hogan back in his WWF days in the ’80’s. And I love that you were able to bond over Twitter. What a great life!
very cool about the whole thing. Love how he was so friendly and how into twitter he is! Sounds like a fun trip…probably one of the highlights of the whole trip, right? It would be for me.
Cracking up over the guys going gaga for Shaq! He is one that you can’t miss no matter how clueless you are about sports…lol!
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YAY! I can finally comment on this!
I was SQUEALING over your tweets and the picture!
Yay for you!! Such an awesome experience. Being a real person appeals to everyone xoxo
Wow – that’s pretty freaking cool! You look great in the shades, too! I sat behind Dennis Rodman on a flight from NY to St. Louise back in the day. He didn’t speak to anyone. Sounds about right, eh?
Southern Fried Gals last blog post..Saturdays with Southern Living at HOME – Rock Me Like a Hurricane
Wow! Gotta love a celeb who’s cool, ya know? What a sweetheart. I wasn’t really a Shaq fan, because he was on the Lakers and my husband despises the Lakers, but, now I’m a fan and I just told my hubby so…
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Wait that thumbprint thing sounds scary. How could they find all that out about you from your thumbprint.
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Shaq sounds so nice and it was lots of fun hearing your story! Thanks for sharing! :)
You gotta love a celebrity who is a great person at the same time. I’ve met a few celebrities when I worked at the airport a long time ago. They are not all cool. It sounds like it was a real awesome experience.
Oops, screwed up the order of my blog address and Twitter ID. Trying again.
[email protected] with Momss last blog post..Conversations – Why Men need Women
Now I totally have to follow Shaq on Twitter and be all “hey you shoult totally follow me back becase ‘A Cowboy’s Wife’ said that you were really cool”.
Yep, that’s my plan.
Michellew_s last blog post..Can You Relate?
Awww, lucky girl! I’m an LA girl, so Shaq has always been a favorite of mine!
Wow…that is sooo cool!
Sounds like a fun trip! He’s one of our Cleveland Cav’s now- w/ Lebron.
Lori, I knew you had a super attitude by working together on a few things at Collective Bias, but giggled all the way through your post here. I needed a break from the documents I was writing and you reminded me to take a moment to smell the roses (or play iPhone games with celebrities!)
Thanks for the fun read,
Sarah
.-= Sarah Daigle Scott´s last blog ..Snow Garden =-.
This article is wayyyyyyyyyy cute. I loved how real it was. So glad you met him! Made me smile.
What a COOL story! Love it!
Sweet! This was a awesome story and something to remember forever. I love “real” celebrities.
Lori! That is the best story! Love it! You are too cool! And we Louisiana folks love our Shaq!
OMGGGGGGGGG!! HOW COOL!! I LOVE ME SOME SHAQ!! I can’t wait to show my son your post LOL!!
OK that was one freaking cool story! You lucky Lady LOL Did you invite him to the ranch? Please tell me you did LOL
I was talking to my boss today and he was complaining abouthis back hurting that he needed icy hot. That’s where Shaq comes in. Had to tell him this story and he wanted to read about it. thanks again Lori for sharing your stories, they do bring up conversation and a “smile”, sometimes a tear. Love ya!