Sundance Isn't Just for Movies.

Having lived in Utah almost all of my life, I don't think I really understood the hype that is Sundance. It was always something I had heard about, even ventured out to Park City a few times to see what the fuss was about. (Keep in mind my Sundance adventures were usually at night towards the end of the festival. So literally nothing and no one was there. Shame.)

But in recent years I have started to pay more attention. (How many Sundance movies was Anna Kendrick in last year?? I must see them all!) So this year, a few days before the festival began, a friend of mine asked me a very simple question. "Sundance?" My reply, "I'm so there it's insane."

So we grabbed out boots and coats and ventured to PC. What we saw there we were not expecting. ($60 for parking? Are you serious??) We cruised Main Street (at a whopping 0-5 mph) and took it all in. The clear mountain air, the crowd of eager celebrity stalkers, the too cool for school attitude of most of the media. It was majestic. We parked, (at a much more reasonably priced establishment,) and trekked over to the main event. 

Our main goal this trip was to see high profile celebrities. (Or even low profile celebrities really.) (Isn't that why most people go to Sundance? Wait... You mean they screen movies there too?!?...) I'll admit, I am fascinated (to an extent) by celebrities. But mostly the behind the scenes aspects of the entertainment industry is what really catches my eye. (The casting process, the production, editing, etc. etc.) 

Every club was for VIP's, (what do you mean we have to have credentials?) so besides walking up and down Main Street and getting free yogurt and protein bars, our adventure was far from being adventurous. That is until we hit the mother load. 

We found it. The tent that housed all of our hopes and dreams. The white tent of happiness. It was... The interview tent. The place our beloved celebrities came near and far to enter. Mecca if you will. 

This is where the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Kidman, Winona Ryder would flock. We knew there had to be a reason people were congregating in that area. So we decided to join the crowd of onlookers, so we stopped and we waited. And waited... And waited... Keeping our senses peaked and our eyes peeled. Scanning the crowd for a familiar face. Nothing. 

It took a little bit of time, (and some skepticism on my part), but it happened, our first sighting of the day. The one and only Connie Britton emerged into the glorious Park City air. That's right, Tami Taylor in the flesh. While I was as giddy as a school girl about seeing one of my favorite TV moms in the flesh, I didn't want to be "that girl" who freaked out when she saw celebrities, so I didn't snap a pic. I tried to play it too cool for school, and immediately regretted my decision. I love Tami Taylor. Like I LOVE HER. Why oh why was now the time that I chose to listen to my pride?? 

Oh Connie, so close, yet so far away!

After the Tami Taylor/Connie Britton incident, I quickly forgot about what little pride I actually had when Keanu Reeves and Molly Shannon graced us with their presence. Cut to myself quoting Speed and Superstar... 

Molly.

Keanu.

Oh and who is that you see? Why Jason Sudeikis! Followed by Kevin Bacon and Kera Sedgwick. (THE BACON!) My brain was on overload. They were all really here. This is real life. I couldn't believe it. We were still reeling from our celebrity success when it happened.

Jason.

Bacon. 

He emerged.(After a little bit of waiting and a little bit of frostbite brought on by freezing temperatures.) It was almost like I could hear angels sing (or those angels could have been screaming girls... it's still a little hazy.) THE Chris Pine. Captain Kirk. Prince Charming. My imaginary husband had finally arrived.

My future husband. 

Sure he didn't stop and say anything to his adoring fans, he was clearly a man on a mission (as Captain Kirk always seems to be), but he did what any Prince Charming would do, and blew us all a kiss. I may have had to share it with a hundred other screaming onlookers, but I know it was meant just for me. I could feel it. Our connection was real. 

And just as quickly as it had happened, it ended. That was that. Chris entered the tent and we went about our way. While our fake relationship will last lifetimes, our real relationship was over. 

After my Chris Pine heartbreak, our Sundance experience was over. We walked back to our car, revived our frozen feet, and headed home. All in all it was a successful outing. We may not have gotten into any clubs, or seen any movies, but we had seen our fair share of stars. One day I will be able to tell mine and Chris Pines imaginary kids about the day that we almost met. It will be magical. 

While this year was mildly successful, next year I will be more prepared, I will have a flawless game plan. Or, it is possible, next year may play out the same way as this year. And you know what? I would be completely ok with it. Until we meet again Sundance. Until we meet again. 

Me and Tiff hitting Main Street.