I was reading this message posted by admin:

"I note there are a few messages directly addressed to Bob Geldof, but as far as I know he never looks at the board. 

If you want to contact Bob, try geldof@msn.com apparently all messages are vetted and those that are most apt are passed on to the great man himself."

And it brought to mind how difficult it must be for people such as Bob to organize their lives and discern what is of value and what is not in terms of who they should speak to and why; where they should put their time and energy in terms of their music etc. such as concerts and fans - it seems this official website would be a good place to start a quick regular browse., maybe while on the plane to Africa or Ireland, Europe. 

It also must be very difficult for a man such as Bob to really discern who is approaching him, who is genuine, and what value or benefit it is of him to receive the person, without being opened to something that might turn out to be unhealthy or "time wasting"; uninteresting.  Especially difficult it is for such people when they are relying on the thoughts and impressions of others to censor their emic world - and very protective those loyals will be - in some cases (but certainly not suggested here) to the point of overjudgement. 

I remember my first encounter with Bob very well.  I had just immigrated to the UK, and was in my home territory, the South West of London.  I was hanging out for a decent continental style cafe (hard to find in those days).  I was walking up the Kings Road and suddenly spotted across the road a coffee house with tables and chairs out the front - a good indication of something decent brewing inside...  I could see a man sitting at one of the tables as I crossed the street, long spindly legs with long gray curly locks and wearing a peaked cap - but to be honest, my eyesight was very poor, I was supposed to have glasses or contacts - but I didn't have anything - so the identity or close features of the man was unknown to me.  I see auras, and I noticed a strong glow around him, and he seemed to be well dressed, but somewhat agitated in his energy. 

As I crossed the road, I smiled brightly to him and the waitress standing behind just inside the door.  I am a very compassionate friendly sort of person who smiles and talks to nearly everybody so for me it was just my usual warmth.  Yet the man reacted very strangely - he snorted, grimmaced and threw something down on the table (pen probably).  I just thought "he's having a bad day, and decided to smile even more warmly in the hope of lightening his mood.  It had the reverse effect, he got very aggressive, started mumbling something and as I passed him and walked into the cafe he got up, muttered some rude words and stormed off down the footpath. 

Wondering if this strange display of behaviour from a total stranger was because he might be one of those many mentally disturbed or troubled patients that have just been thrust out on the streets (I once encountered a bag lady who would periodically stop, put down her bags and beat herself) of London, and feeling such sorrow for his plight, I enquired of the waitress if she knew of that "poor man".  "Oh, it's just Bob Geldof" she replied.  I realized straight away he must have thought I was "stalking" him - but what could I do - chase him down the street and tell him I was just having cofee?  he he.  Ironically I later worked across the road from the same cafe, so it became a regular place to be.

In Bob's case, paranoia could be justified (although I don't know what I would have done to him (sat on his lap and give him a cuddle and a kiss, stroked his whiskers, miaow?) as I was seemingly making a beeline toward him, being the only one seated outside the cafe.

Yet I had another experience like this once in Australia with a minor celebrity which I thought was just hilarious...

A lawyer friend of mine lived in Bondi.  In 1997 was overseas in working on my unique village product model for my charity, and as I ususally do when on these sorties in third world countries - come back to earn some more spondoolies when my pockets are completely bare.  I emailed my friend who had agreed I could stay the first few days of my return at his flat.  But somehow the dates were mixed up, and I arrived a week early - when he was away.  Arriving at his flat around two am and not sure if he was a night out on the town when I knocked - I waited awhile, then faced with the difficulty of accommodation at that hour I decided to sleep on the stairwell (being used to sleeping in airports and all kinds of remote out there places; local buses with livestock and grouping men et al - this was relative luxury).

My friend lived next door to two celebrities on the same floor, and the guys who run OBar were upstairs.  When the morning came I was disturbed by Wendy Matthews (she is an Australian singer) opening the door to her apartment.  She looked at me, grumped and slammed the door.  Then began to complain loudly and angrily about some fanatic stalking her and waiting outside her door.  At first I was amused. 

Later the other neighbour - a celebrity from the Hoo Doo Gurus came out to collect his paper, smiled, said hello and we chatted for awhile before he went inside again.  Still too early to go to the bank, and hoping my friend would return for a wash, I waited longer. 

Then I saw Wendy's door open a crack, suspciously and the door quickly slam shut "She's still out there" she said angrily to an unknown male on the other side of the door, and some other words I will not repeat. 

At this stage I thought I better tell her that I was not a fan, so I knocked on her door and called out - but of course no response.  Luckily the O'Bar team from upstairs returned shortly after and filled me in that my friend was out of town for a few days, so I vacated the stairwell. 

This left me wondering what kind of life people choose to lead when they try to become rich and famous.  Some people take it in their stride - it's been bestowed upon them for their deeds and talent rather than marketing (I think of Bob's humanitarian like this).  Others must live their life in complete denial and fear.  Others completely vain.  Personally I prefer the Hoodu Guru approach: "Miss Free Love".

Anyone else done any "stalking" lately?  Ha ha.