have i told you my jeff gordon story?

i don't think i have. 

about 14 years ago, i was in indianapolis for work. i was checking out of my hotel at the front desk. no, there were no hotel apps back then, although i probably didn't have to go to the front desk to check out. i chose to do so, however, because i wanted to dispute the rate they had charged me for my room.

as i was explaining myself to the attendant, she looked past me and said "i will be right with you mr. gordon." i glanced and saw that she was talking to jeff gordon, the nascar driver. i realized at that moment that i could have asked to have all charges waived and she would have said "ok" - she was that determined to be the one to help the guy.

i finished my business quickly and, since i figured gordon was in town for a race, i said hello and wished him luck. by this time there were some other nascar folks in the lobby, but i didn't recognize any of them. one guy was wearing a jimmie johnson team shirt. i don't know anything about nascar, but i recognized gordon and knew johnson's name.

many years later, i added this 2009 press pass fusion card of gordon

to my "meaningful and just because" mini-collection to represent this chance encounter.

based on his reaction to me, i think gordon was surprised that i didn't ask him to sign anything as i was carrying a clipboard at the time, but i really didn't think of it at the time. when i got to the office and relayed my story, i was roundly admonished for not having him sign something. i told them i just figured it was a common occurrence to see him around indy. that's when they started throwing office supplies at me.