Yeah ... We hung out with John Cusak today ...

O.K. ... "Hung out' is probably a little too strong of a term for what we did today, but it was SO COOL nonetheless. The day started with back to school meetings, but the staff was abuzz with gossip about the scene they were filming outside the school. During the break we went out to take a look ... it looked like some sort of presidential scene or something. No famous stars ... nothing. We go back to work, but none of us are really concentrating. Around noon we break for the day to go work in our classrooms, etc. Pete and I head back for lunch .... AND ON OUR WAY WE RUN INTO JOHN CUSAK!!!!! Are you kidding me??? He's with about three other people so we don't say anything even though I'm walking side by side with him. When we get home I am kicking myself for not even saying, "Hello" or "Welcome to Bulgaria." I'm determined to make up for it. So ... the scene they are filming is in the back yard of the house next door, which is the president's house. He and some kid are shooting hoops. One of the other International teachers comes over to tell me that the producer said it's O.K. if we watch them shoot. SO ... we go over there and watch them shoot the same scene over and over again of the two of them playing basketball. Then, the break for lunch. A couple of people got there pictures taken with him at this time, but I missed it because I was trying to find Pete who was diligently working in his classroom. Anyway ... Pete and I and a girl named Treena go over by the trailer to see if we can get a good look. While we are there, one of John's assistants comes up and asks us if we know of any American restaurants around here. We name some places, but really nothing tastes like it does back home. We start telling the assistant of a pretty good Italian restaurant and he says, "Do you mind going over and telling John about his choices?" Ahhh ... so Pete and I follow Treena over to John's trailer where she gives him a whole list of options and he chooses kabobs. Then, she gets in the Mercades with his driver to go pick up his food and Pete and I are left standing there. So ... we say a couple of things like "Wow ... this is a lot of excitement!" "I tell him I haven't been able to work all day." Then, I say, "We're big fans." He says, "Thank you." Then Pete says, "High Fidelity ruled." And John say, "Thanks Man." Then his assistant shut the door. We had to go to another meeting after that, but then we watch the shooting the rest of the afternoon. I never got a personal picture with him, but I did manage to sneak a few on the set before the lady yelled at me to quit taking pictures. Anyway ... here's what I have .... most of them are of John playing basketball. The rest are of the set and all the vans and such. Can you believe this??? Anyway ... it was a great day! Oh ... I forgot to mention that the film takes place in Spokane, Washington!!!!!