ANALYSIS

Why did Barbra brush by me, while Keanu and I were able to connect?

Context: The urbane garden party at which I met Keanu was a low-stress situation. He didn't have to deliver a teleprompted speech the next day. He was there to have a little fun until the sun came up over Santa Monica Boulevard. Barbra was buried in a swarm of Harvard security, while Keanu merely was.

Cultural differences: Keanu grew up in Canada. Barbra grew up in New York. Ergo, Keanu is by nature more friendly and more civil.

Age: Keanu and I understood each other: we shared a twentysomething angst, while Barbra, who is old enough to be my mother, did not.

Degrees of Stardom: Although at the time I met him, Keanu had just been promoted in the legions of teeny-bopper magazines from `star' to `superstar,' Barbra was clearly the reigning prima donna. I was just another kid to Barbra. I was something more to Keanu--I was Keanu's friend.