This week we went to a reception of the SoCal Alumni Assoc. of MIT at the Beverly Hills Country Club. Aside from the fact we were going to be able to meet the President of the school, Dr. Susan Hockfield, and wishing to extend our sincere appreciation for all our son has gleaned from drinking out of the firehose during these past four years, I was looking forward to stepping into the BHCC. I expected opulence, nouveau riche a la Rodeo Dr. It was quite the opposite.An unassuming building in a traditional, established residential neighborhood in Cheviot Hills. I am guessing mid-century to early 60’s nondescript design. No golf, just tennis. The interior needed updating I thought as I sipped my well drink and nibbled my new potato, creme fraiche and caviar combo. The evening was very enjoyable with over 200 guests attending. Dr. Hockfield even answered a question of mine, the last of the evening. I prefaced that we were parents and I was given strict instructions by my son not to ask any question until after he had graduated. That got a round of laughs and she said it was a good question. I later thanked her personally which was a thrill.

What finally caught my eye as being distinctive in the building was a wall I noticed a man looking at. Unfortunately, I was unable to linger beyond a quick glance as we were on our way out and our car was waiting for us. There, I saw many distinguished names serving on the Board – Wolfgang Puck, Nancy Sinatra, Tina Sinatra, Tom Selleck, Dr. Buzz Aldrin. Buzz was in attendance as an MIT alum. I had a very nice conversation with his wife in the ladies room that continued in the foyer. They have been married 22 years, she is an alum of Stanford, is under 5 feet tall with long white hair, frail and dressed like an aging rock star with rhinestones covering her fingernails on both hands. Very eccentric. I wondered what Buzz was like.

Because I took just a little too much time extending my gratitude to Dr. Hockfield after the reception was formally over, Buzz slipped into the room where the evening was to continue for a private VIP dinner. I missed my photo op with one of the few men to have landed on the moon. That would have been a thrill for me almost as much as seeing Tom Selleck’s name close up and personal knowing it had direct involvement and purpose being there. I felt giddy.

My only other star struck moment was when a co-worker of Mr. P. M. told us in confidence her sister was married to Tom Hank’s brother. While she described having family dinners at his home, I hung on every word. Perhaps I have a thing for guys named Tom.

I am sending Dr. Hockfield some decorated cookies to commemorate her visit.
I’m sure she’ll give me a shout out at graduation.