After posting those pictures of Obama-mania, I thought I’d write about Reid’s recent encounter with a celebrity. I bought a subscription to the TD Family Adventures series at the National Art Centre Orchestra back in the fall and the second installment took place on Valentine’s Day. The conductor, Boris Brott, dressed as “Boris the Explorer” in a safari outfit, complete with the knee-high socks and a pith helmet. More importantly, from Reid’s perspective, he was joined on stage by Daniel Cook. Yes, that Daniel Cook.
I hadn’t known that Daniel Cook would be there but my trusty CBC Radio One told me about it on Friday and so Reid and I were pumped about it for a good day and a half. When we first arrived at the National Arts Centre, I said, “Look! It’s Daniel Cook. [bomp, bomp].” Okay, I might not have attempted the musical bit but every time I think of Daniel Cook’s name I hear that part of the theme song. Reid was eager to walk over to see him. We weren’t allowed to join the line of autograph seekers as he had to go backstage but we planned out the quickest route back there from our seats. Once the conference was over, we made a beeline to the autograph table and arrived second. We waited a few minutes and then HE came out. I asked Reid if she wanted to stand next to him for a photograph but she didn’t. I handed her the programme, which had a picture of Daniel Cook on it and she walked up to the table. Then, quick as a wink, Reid tossed the programme in front of Daniel Cook, dropped to her knees and crawled over to hide behind my legs. When he looked up from saying good bye to the girls who had been first in line, Daniel Cook saw a programme on the table and a 37-year-old woman smiling at him. The lady – his mother? his agent? – sitting next to him explained where Reid was and he wrote his name as requested. Reid wouldn’t come up to get the programme but took it from me as soon as we got away from the table. If you’re wondering, he looks about the same at 11 as he did when he was on This is Daniel Cook. He’s taller and seems thinner but I’d have recognized him on the street, especially since he was wearing his trademark orange t-shirt. I bet he doesn’t wear orange when he’s not working!