TRIBECA WINDING DOWN

The festival is almost over. It was a great run. I enjoyed volunteering. I met lots of enthusiastic, great folks in and out of the film business. One woman is a therapist, another guy a brand-spanking new attorney maybe interested in entertainment law, and lots of students and people from all walks of life -- we all had one thing in common -- we love movies.

So everyone asks "Did you see any stars?"? I was so busy working (and I do mean WORKING) that I only saw a few familiar faces (some I didn't know their names). I did see the guy who plays Larry David's agent on "Curb Your Enthusiasm". We exchanged a few words at the lunch buffet line. He seemed like a nice guy.

I missed seeing one of my faves John Travolta by a day!

Okay, let me explain -- I was madly madly in love with JT growing up -- I mean, "Welcome Back, Kotter", "Saturday Night Fever", "Grease", "Urban Cowboy" and "Pulp Fiction" are all soundtracks to my life. I adore that man and always thought he was tall and sexy and that someday I'd meet him.

I heard the bartenders say that Travolta "lost all that weight and looked great, man." Now you know when bartenders say you look cool -- you do. They're a jaded bunch (especially at a celebrity filled hotel) and don't hesitate to speak their minds.

Leaving the Tribeca Grand Hotel, I saw Paul Giamanti of "Cinderella Man" and "Sideways". He was strolling along looking in shop windows. Great actor.

Tom Cruise invaded our city yesterday for "Mission Impossible III". Word at the festival was that he might swing by, but he never did -- he had bigger fish to fry uptown. The closest I came to TC was his security men. One security guy I talked to was part of the team to watch over Tom while in NYC. Security guys are a lot like bartenders -- jaded, not starstruck and speak their minds.

So, I never got to meet John Travolta... but I will someday. It would be a thrill to look into those blue eyes and shake the hand of Vinny Barbarino, Tony Manero, Danny Zucko, Bud, and Vincent Vega. John, long and lean in his heydey, will always be sexy to me -- heavier and over 50 now -- he'll always be my man.