I am sure you’ve seen the AP photo of President Bush standing on a chair next to a very, very, very tall guy in a tux. Well, that guy happens to be my really good friend Dave, and yes, he really is that tall. Six foot seven to be exact.

I have to admit I am insanely jealous of him. It’s not only because he got a ticket to the coveted White House correspondent’s dinner where he got to shake the leader of the free world’s hand. It’s not only because he got to see Bennifer II up close and personal (that’s Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner for all of you not in tune to pop culture). I am not even totally jealous that he got to meet Henry Kissinger (OK that is pretty damn cool)… or pee next to a Jonas brother (for my readers who are not 16 year old girls, the Jonas brothers are another creepy trio of brothers who can sing…Just think Hanson Brothers of the Millennium.)

Dave had a 15-minute conversation with Kumar. As in THE Kumar from “Harold and Kumar go to White Castle”. Please don’t even try and pretend that you don’t love that movie…or that a new found love for Neil Patrick Harris --“NPH” -- was resurrected in a way that you didn’t think possible since the death of Doogie. That movie is pure genius and it reminds me of many Friday nights a few years ago, when I was in what you might call my “early 20s”. (Note -- since I have left my early 20s, I no longer validate that distinction. I now feel all of the 20s are equal.)

I used to live on Southport near Wrigleyville which is conveniently located down the street from…you guessed it…White Castle. That would be 3212 West Addison St. I feel no remorse for blatantly plugging the place like a publicist. Prior to living in such close proximity to the fine burger establishment, I did not truly understand the underground obsession with the place. That is until I had it one late, late night after shamelessly going to Big City Tap. Words cannot express what I felt that night and I am not even going to try. Just know that I woke up to a tower (an actual one) of burger cartons. It was beautiful.

What was even more beautiful was that Harold and Kumar came out just a few months later. It was a force to be reckoned with and so relevant to my life. How did I not think of that screenplay…it’s a sensitive subject to this day. To add insult to injury, my friend Dave actually had one-on-one face time with the man. I immediately asked if they discussed the much anticipated “Harold and Kumar escape from Guantanamo Bay”, which is yet to be released but I am sure had some relevancy given the subject and the partygoers.

To my disappointment, Dave said that Kumar stuck to much less relevant topics like the election and Barack Obama. Dave said Kumar was eloquent, intelligent and engaging. That was enough to bring me back fondly to my White Castle years and reflect on that special time in Chicago.

Oh yeah, he said Kissinger and Bush were alright too. Now if only Dave met NPH too. Actually no…my envy levels might have gone to new levels.

White Castle…may I repeat 3212 West Addison.

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