So I was watching Airborne the other day because Steve and I are aware it’s a complete classic from growing up in 90’s. If you aren’t familiar with this movie I wouldn’t say I highly recommend it but it definitely has its moments. Quick summary, a surfer guy from Cali moves to Ohio and falls for a girl while earning the respect of her brother in a rollerblade race down Devil’s Backbone. Anyway, they have a scene where Mitchell is talking with Nikki and the following conversation ensues.

Nikki: So, if you could have lunch with any three people in the entire world – alive, dead, fictitious, I don’t care. Who would it be?
Mitchell Goosen: Well, I’d have to say Tom Curren; greatest surfer in the world, now that would be cool. And, um, maybe Ghandi. Not for lunch though, he wouldn’t eat lunch.
Nikki: And the third one?
Mitchell Goosen: I’d have to say you.
Nikki: Me? You can have lunch with anyone in the world, and you would choose me.
Mitchell Goosen: You’re not just anyone. You’re special.

What a good pickup line. I wanted to give my 3 people I’d have lunch with though because I thought it would make for a good entry. I also want to point out that I could probably pick 100 people but this will get me started and maybe we’ll see a part 2 later.

Pete Rose

For those who might not know baseball here’s a quick Wiki bio: Rose, a switch hitter, is the all-time Major League leader in hits (4,256), games played (3,562), at-bats (14,053) and outs (10,328). He won three World Series rings, three batting titles, one Most Valuable Player Award, two Gold Gloves, the Rookie of the Year Award, and made 17 All-Star appearances at an unequaled five different positions (2B, LF, RF, 3B & 1B). He’s arguably the best baseball player to ever play the game. However being the best baseball player is only a small facet of what makes Pete Rose so interesting. As a manager, and possibly as a player, he bet on the games he was coaching. He claims to only have bet on his own team (I’m not sure if that makes it better) but I assume that would be more ethical as a manager. You’re getting paid to win so betting on your own team isn’t really doing anything completely unethical. The whole scenario though is fascinating because he’s admitted to it and the his wish is to be entered into baseball’s Hall of Fame. Considering he’s one of the best players ever, you can see why this omission might make a man depressed. I just feel that Pete has been through so much and to sit down and hear his side (assuming he’s telling the truth) would be fun. The feelings of someone who is one of the game’s best players can’t make the Hall because he bet on his own to team to win and he’s being paid for his team to win. It’s just a really great story.

Led Zeppelin

I’ve been reading a biography on them and this is just an amazing band. I’ve grown to love their music and I’d probably list them right next to the Beatles. Slightly ahead in terms of enjoying the music but not from musical significance. The band was formed in 1968 with Page being 24, Plant 20, Paul-Jones 22, and Bonham 20. This group of guys were able to produce the greatest rock and roll in their early twenties. The meticulous producing and vision of Page at such a young age is just remarkable. The music is unbelievable and the more I read and understand it, the more I appreciate their work. Not to mention all the stories these guys would have from their touring days. I just read one where they tied a naked girl up in a bed and put a shark and some other fish they caught that day up her snatch and ass. This would be one of those lunches that you would never want to end. Music 40 years later still can’t touch this group. They are Rock and Roll.

Forrest Gump

A fun one obviously. I feel like I know people who are like Forrest. They are retarded yet somehow everything pays out for them in spades. You can’t really tell if what they do is the right way but they seem to make it work. His story is already told in the movie so I wouldn’t need to talk to him about his life. I think it would be entertaining to grill him on serious questions like “what’s the purpose of life” or “where do humans fit in the universe” and see what he says. His answers would sound real dumb and simple but probably extremely profound. Like you’d sit there thinking about what he just said and wouldn’t be able to decide if he’s just a complete retard or he actually knows what he’s talking about. I hope this last sentence will sum up why I think he’d be interesting because I don’t think I’ve done a good job so far. When you look at successful people you just assume that they are intelligent and they had to work hard to get there. People usually just don’t get lucky to make it. But a story like Forrest Gump sort of shows that this isn’t always the case. A bit bizarre I know but I still think this makes some point.