Friendly Encounters

This is a weekly feature highlighting friends who have met celebs.

When we last saw Nick Verveniotis, he was hanging with the Simpson family in Ireland. Today, Nick is featured with another cultural icon, but much closer to home.
Nick's a great guy and not just because he usually plugs his appearances here on his Facebook page. Nick is much beloved and not just because he is willing to play catcher in 12 inch softball. I am sure Nick is already looking forward to recapturing his past dominance on the football field on Thanksgiving.
On a trip to Memphis, Nick saw Elvis and had the foresight to capture the moment for a Friendly Encounter (even before Friendly Encounters existed). One might ask why Nick is giving the 'metal' sign to Elvis (even Nick questioned it). This conjures weird images of Elvis trying to capture a new audience by releasing a metal cd. (There has been worse...see Pat Boone).
Anyway, it's always good to feature Nick here. The site viewership always spikes (by at least one) when Nick appears.

Nick Verveniotis and Elvis in Memphis, TN-Summer 2008.

Friendly Encounters

This is weekly feature highlighting friends who have met celebs.

When we last saw Nick Verveniotis, he was hanging with Ronnie "Woo-Woo" Wickers (not Ronnie "Woo-Woo" Burke). That appearance on Johngy's Beat surely brought Nick a lot of exposure and probably some endorsement deals. Nick has been hounding me ever since to allow him to appear again in Friendly Encounters.
Nick's a good guy, but people are waiting in line to appear in Friendly Encounters. Okay, well maybe some day they will be, but it is an internet sensation. Okay, fine, it is a well-read regular feature on this site.
Still, I must hand out Friendly Encounters' slots judiciously. I couldn't have Nick reappear so quickly. It would look bad, despite how popular Nick is. It would look like I couldn't get others.
Now enough time has passed (and softball season is upcoming and we might need an occasional sub), so it is time to highlight Nick again.
Last time, Nick was with a figure who is extremely animated. This time he is with 5 actual animated characters. I am only reasonably sure he knows they aren't really alive. Even if he doesn't know, he is still probably better off than with his usual friends (me included).

Nick Verveniotis and the Simpson family in Dublin, Ireland-mid 2000's.

Friendly Encounters

This is another in a series of meetings of my friends and celebs.

I have known Nick Verveniotis for several years. I don't think we ever officially played on the same softball team, but I know we have each subbed on the other's team many times. Nick usually allows me to take the catchers position (mainly because he can play any of the other positions better than me).
I have also played a few Thanksgiving Turkey Bowls with and against Nick. A couple years ago, wearing the gold and black of the Steelers, Nick was a man on a mission, intercepting 3 passes and being named our MVP.
Today however, I am featuring Nick for another reason. Nick met Cubs legend Ronnie "Woo Woo" Wickers at a game last season. For those who don't know of Wickers (oh how lucky you are), he is a mainstay at Cubs games. He is easily found (or heard) because he screams "Woo" incessitantly. Usually, he places the "Woo" in between a player's first and last name, as in "Geo woo Soto woo Geo woo Soto woo Geo...", seemingly only stopping for an occasional breath (or beer).
Nick also adds that he once saw WooWoo at a wake and he was in full Cubs gear. Nick swears that he is not kidding us either. Unfortunately, I believe him on that one.

Nick Verveniotis and Ronnie Wickers in Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL-Summer 2008.