Rest in Peace Phil Donahue

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23. he's my most famous celebrity encounter i didn't recognize

how i didn't recognize him, well,.. that's my autism i guess, or something...

one year, my wife roped me into going to the new york times' annual crossword puzzle championship.
i used to do their crossword puzzles daily on my commute into the city, but once it became a driving commute, i got out of practice. i wasn't keen on going, but my wife knew i would enjoy it, so she signed me up anyway.

well, i've spoiled the punchline, but phil donahue was also there, as just another contestant, and i happened to get sat at his table. honestly, i didn't recognize him and to this day i can't remember which of us sat down first. i would have just looked for any open seat.

anyway, aside from the quiet periods doing the actual puzzle tests, we had plenty of time for table chat. people came up to him to shake his hand, thank him for everything he's done, take selfies, and get autographs. i get the hint that he was someone of note, but still had no clue who he was. i thought he was some retired local mayor or something.

toward the end of the 3 hours, i was able to talk to my wife (she wasn't allowed in the playing area) and she was shocked to fine i couldn't recognize him and clued me in. as soon as she said it, i was, duh, of course!

anyway, real nice guy and obviously very down-to-earth and normal guy other than having been on tv a ton.