Ever have a moment in your life when entropy and happenstance collided?  I'm not talking about when you met your wife or husband for the first time - I'm talking about genuine magic.  This is exactly what happened to myself, Adam and Sharon this early November.  

We had just finished a short shopping trip at the mall and were heading for the car.  As we snaked our way through Sears we spotted the kind of thing that can only happen to the truly blessed (thanks Luis).  There was a celebrity signing today in the tool department.

I know what you are thinking...Norm Abrams?  No.  Tim Allen?  Nah.  Maybe the tool chick from Mikita?  Nope.  The man himself, Bob Vila was there!  The legend from such shows as This Old House, Hot Shots Part Deux, and Bob's...Funny...Tool...Accident Circus.  Anyway, he's famous.

We investigated the line and were promptly presented with a bag of swag!  A Craftsman bumper sticker and key chain, a 8 x 10 picture of Bob and a small Craftsman clamp.  A look at the Sharon's watch revealed that it was 2:20pm and the signing was set to begin at 2:30pm.  Oh, we were so staying!  I couldn't believe that we were about to meet Bob Vila...or more to the point, I could not believe that we were waiting on line to meet Bob Vila!

The crowd was tense as 2:30 rolled by.  Toolbelts were tightened, calloused hands were clenched, and babies held closer.  The entire line became a community united in tools as people began exchanging stories about their battle scars.  The man in front of us shared how he was nearly killed just this past summer in a router accident.  If not for an alert buddy, he would only be here in memory.  The scar was startling and thankfully required no disrobing.

With building anticipation, the crowd, that was perhaps 30 or 40 deep, waited anxiously.  I remember this sort of feeling while waiting for Santa Claus when I was a child.  And then there he was!  He walked to the signing table like a miniature tool god, then quickly to the Sears personnel.

He was ushered to the waiting police officers in their dress uniforms that are so ubiquitous in these parts since September 11th.  He then signed a toolbox to be auctioned off for a charity.  His every movement electrified the crowd - well, except for the guy that actually had been electrocuted in a construction accident.  He came pre-electrified.

Bob settled into his chair and then began signing.  He posed with children and truckers alike, signed pictures for friends, bosses, and wives before we managed to get to the front of the line.  It was magic time.

I vaguely heard Adam say "Hi Mr. Vila" and request his autograph.  Bob obliged and then it was my turn.  I blurted "Hi Bob, how are you?"  while thrusting out my hand to vigorously shake the icon (not a Peter Gabriel song).  No Mr. Vila, no respectful salutation, no props.  I greeted him as I would any friend I've seen in my house countless times.  I asked him to sign it to my parents and then he asked "Would you like a hat?"  Seconds later I had an autographed Sears hat too!  Sure he gave them to everyone else too, but mine was special somehow.  Deep down I knew  he slipped me the best one they had.

So we left, better for the trip.  Touched by a celebrity and playing with our free clamps.  Who knew something so incredible could start from the sound of a rake at the window (Adam's traditional means to wake me up).