I have had many, many celebrity encounters in my life. Some as infrequently as once in a blue moon – and some as frequently as once or twice a week. From the stars of the stage, to the stars of the big screen, to some of the world’s most prominent politicians – to the legends in the world of sports and entertainment – I have met so many celebrities that I have actually become so accustomed to it that I am no longer star struck when I meet them…

…except – for some reason – lately.

In the last two months, I have met Christopher Meloni, star of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Fred Schneider of The B-52’s, Keith David, a.k.a. Lt. General Kimsey from Armageddon, Steve Schrippia who played Bobby “Bacala” Baccalieri on The Sopranos – WWE Monday Night RAW Ring Announcer Lillian Garcia, twice – and Jurassic Park and Independence Day superstar actor Jeff Goldblum.

Each time I met them, they were doing, for lack of a better word, “normal” things. Lillian Garcia was shopping for makeup at Duane Reade Pharmacy. Jeff Goldblum was waiting for a taxi outside his hotel talking on his cell phone. Fred Schneider and Keith David were doing some shopping for travel accessories – and Steve Schrippia and Christopher Meloni were simply walking down the street as normally as if it was you or I doing the exact same thing.

The craziest thing is that in my past, I have had some truly personal experiences with celebrities. I have had lunch with Sally Struthers, I sat with Queen Latifah and Jimmy Fallon for the premiere of their movie Taxi, I have had a half-hour phone conversation with Hulk Hogan – and I even went on a lunch date with Playboy’s Night Calls Host Julie Ashton. During each of those events – I never felt that I was with a “star” or a “celebrity” – but rather with a regular, normal person. I always kept my cool and my calm and just acted as if I was hanging out with one of my good friends. But, for some reason, as of late – I am acting like a person who never saw a celebrity in person in their entire life – and I can’t help but wonder why.

Ironically, each time I have met a celebrity lately and called the people closest to me and told them – they have all suggested that I carry a disposable camera on me in the event that I would meet another star. Stubborn and stupid as I am – I tell them that the chance of me meeting another famous person is slim and none – and sure enough – another one comes along. I think that tomorrow – I am going to take them up on their brilliant yet simple idea and purchase a disposable camera – just in case I get the inevitable experience of meeting someone else who has graced either the television and/or movie screen – or made it big in sports or entertainment – because judging from my recent track record – it is pretty much a guarantee.

Where are you Billy Joel and Mariska Hargitay?