getting to see scout master ward, in real life

Eddie Nortie!

My place of business had their largest fundraiser of the year last night at Pier 36 in Manhattan. With a goal of 3.2 million dollars and almost eight hundred attendees, the event went off without a hitch - and this year's spring benefit was a lot more star-studded than last year's! (Cynthia Nixon was last year's emcee and the only famous person I noticed in the room.) This year, Sandra Bernhard emcee'd the event and one of the four honorees was Susan Sarandon. Sitting directly across from Sandra and next to Susan was none other than long-time High Line supporter Edward Norton (who my abbreviating sister likes to call Eddie Nortie). Also in attendance was Andre Leon Tally (fashion) and Bill T. Jones (choreographer). This was the first year we had a paddle raise - technique used to raise money at the event where people raise their hands to donate money, not actual paddles - and I was stationed directly next to Susan Sarandon's table. To my surprise and delight Eddie Nortie raised his hand (!!!), so I not only got to deliver a donation card and pen to him, I also got to stand near him and wait for him to fill it out AND collect it when he was done. Although not life-changing, it was exhilarating to be next to a star that big. He is adorable - his wife is also gorgeous! - and what most people don't realize is he was one of the first supporters of the High Line, well before it was an actual park. Although exhausted from a very late, it is always fun to attend events in New York City - you never know who you will bump into.