Oideyasu! Please take off your shoes.
When my wife puts her mind to something, watch out, brother. After spending a few days last November following leads and trying to track down Tom Cruise who was shooting part of "The Last Samurai" in Kyoto, Yoshiko and her best friend since elementary school Michiyo made plans to do it again this year for the movie's premiere. I heard some of their telephone conversations as they considered likely locations to encounter Tom. I was having a good time snickering at their teenybopper enthusiasm while Yoshiko was getting serious, sort of. She made this poster last night with Tom's catch phrase from his breakthrough hit, Risky Business.
Today (Friday) was the big day, and Michiyo was all over town before breakfast, literally. She went to Nijo Castle, she went to the hilltop heliport where Tom's helicopter comes in and out of town (Kyoto doesn't have an airport). She scoured likely hotels, then she got serious, too. She shook down a cabbie and got the lowdown: 1 p.m. at the heliport. Yoshiko caught up with her and they headed for the top of the hill.
Jackpot!
photos by Yoshiko Ferry
Not only did Tom see the sign, he came over and taked with them for a while. Michiyo got the whole thing on video and showed it to me later. I have to figure out how to edit with iMovie and upload it. They talked for longer than I would have believed if it wasn't on tape.
Thanks for making two schoolgirls happy, Tom.
Autograph
Yoshiko has impressive tenacity! How exciting this meeting must be for her. :D
Posted by: Melissa on November 22, 2003 04:20 AMThis is too cool. hats off to your wife and friend. I needed a great big laugh today. This has to be the coolest entry in blog history.
thanks again for the laugh and smile.
Tom
I have a friend that works at the hotel where he's staying and knew the room number and everything....impressive okakke skills, though!
Posted by: Bianca on November 22, 2003 10:25 AMDude. Great story over all but I gotta tell ya. The byline for her photos is THE perfect touch. And more power to the ladies :D
Posted by: Randy on November 22, 2003 01:22 PMWow! That's awesome. My wife was really jealous when I showed her the pics. Great work you two!
Posted by: aaron on November 22, 2003 05:39 PMImpressive Tenactiy is probably what I would title her biography. You don't know the half of it.
And now we're off to the sneak preview, putting a cap on Tom week, as it were.
Posted by: nils on November 22, 2003 06:42 PMShe got a sister? *smirk*
Posted by: Randy on November 23, 2003 11:14 AMright _on_! :D that's so cool that he was so nice, and chatted with them and stuff. *is envious*!!!
Posted by: Rahvin on November 25, 2003 12:05 AMAs others have said, very cool story and pictures. My wife will be jealous when I show her - Tom is always good value at the press conferences etc in Japan.
Something not so well known about Japanese women (unless you live here!)is that once they get their teeth into something, they just do not let go.
Wow, talk about determination. Geez, takes me back to my heyday as a 14 year old fan semi-stalking Iva Davies. Natsukashii!
Posted by: Kinki on January 19, 2004 09:20 AMOne should notice that there are hidden considerations in every discussion. Once getting awared to them your attitude usually changes and becomes more positively balanced. Please find the hidden consideration in your point of view. The common one is lack of understanding of the drivers that make people think differently then us.
Posted by: Online Kasino on February 21, 2005 01:27 AMWay to go, girls! This story really brought a smile to my face and brings real meaning to the saying never say die.
Posted by: lobin on April 27, 2005 06:58 PM
