A CLIVE OWEN birthday.... (TIFF 2011)

I had such a celebrity-packed weekend, I honestly don't even know where to start. From sitting BESIDE Heather Graham at her own gala, to nearly getting pushed down the stairs while gawking at James Franco during his Memories of Idaho press conference, to Tilda Swinton leaning over my chair to ask security where the door was, to exchanging "hi"s with Jonah Hill -- I could go on and on.

But I guess I'll start with the most surreal: my magical, mysterious staring game with Clive Owen.

It was my birthday, and Clive's Killer Elite gala was scheduled for 1:30. My friend Eden had a connection with someone on the red carpet, and we were supposed to meet at some gate near the square. Alas, it didn't happen. We couldn't get to the right gate in time.

BUT! Happy day! The woman spotted Eden and me in the crowd (after she ushered Clive into the gala *swoon*), and gave us 2 Mezzanine level tickets to the movie. RIGHT NEAR CLIIIIIVE!

Don't get me wrong. I'm really not celebrity obsessed. I'm not out-of-control starstruck. EXCEPT when it comes to Clive Owen. I mean, have I even mentioned yet that Jason Statham and Robert De Niro were there? Robert De Niro? Jason Statham?

Clive Owen is my Brad Pitt.

So at the end of the show, the guy beside me (who knew I had a thing for Clive) told me to rush over to the aisle. So I did. And THIS PHOTO (above) is what I saw, and what saw me....

We exchanged several of these odd, long stares. Of course, who knows what he was thinking, but for me, it was like looking at a shark. So quiet, awesome and sublime. For the life of me, I can't remember what I was saying to him. But I do remember waving subtly, but with my arm stick straight in the air....

As for the movie, I can't believe I watched something so violent. But, Clive's fight scenes with Jason Statham (bottom right in the photo) were ridiculously hot.... And De Niro was, well, totally De Niro. Love!

So much more to come. Including another photo of the stare....

Love!
xo Haley-O

Photo credit: Haley Overland / Todaysparent.com