I saw this bus the other day when I was in Van Nuys. I’m a big fan of Parks and Rec, so I got excited for two seconds, took a picture, then promptly forgot about it. Living in LA, you get used to seeing the fake world of film and television bleed into the real world of your life. One time, I saw a car crash into the back of a semi truck by the Hollywood Bowl, then keep driving full speed with its front bumper dragging amidst a shower of sparks. I looked around for a few minutes trying to figure out where the camera was before I realized it was real life, not a stunt.

Another time, I was going to a concert at Universal Studios, and Jay Leno was filming a Jaywalking segment right in the middle of the Citywalk. My friend and I were in a hurry, blew right past, and said to each other “Seriously, could he pick a more annoying place to do that?”

It’s not that we’re all jaded. It’s just that there are so many famous people and so many TV shows and so many movies and so much BS that we just don’t have time for it. We would lose our minds if we cared about even a third of it. So we don’t. 

Except for those times when we really do. Because, come on. I LOVE Parks and Rec. And it’s not every day you see Leslie Knope’s campaign bus. (Although, I’ve seen it a total of three times now, so it’s not exactly a one in a million thing either.) On that note, here’s a list.

My List of Surreal Los Angeles Experiences That I Cannot Even Pretend I Wasn’t Totally Psyched About:

• One time, Fabio explained his bicep surgery to me, in depth, while flexing said bicep. I wish video existed of this conversation.
• My friend Richard and I happened upon a crew filming a Super Bowl commercial at 1:30 am in Los Feliz. The crew appeared to be bored, so we entertained them by doing a dramatic reading of our New Year’s Resolutions. Mine included “Bitch slap Kanye West.” Every time they started filming, Richard and I yelled “rolling rolling” at the top of our lungs.
• Adam once did an ab workout next to Neil Patrick Harris. When I walked up to say something to Adam, I was struck dumb, because there were the two men of my dreams being all sorts of manly. (Yes, I am aware NPH is gay. I’m sure we could work around it.)
• I saw Amanda Bynes walk into a plate-glass door at 6:45 in the morning. She then gave me her full credit card number and asked me to take care of signing her up for a gym membership. The conversation ended with her saying “See you in yoga,” and me being charmed despite myself.
• One time I explained to Matthew Perry how a parking garage works, because the valet stand was closed and he was genuinely confused.
• One time I explained to Mandy Patinkin how a parking garage works, because he is from New York City and nobody from New York City knows how to operate a motor vehicle, let alone park one.
• Craig T. Nelson, the man we all know as Coach, once patted me on the knee and asked me “How you doing, kiddo?”
• I met Nathan Fillion on the set of Castle, and was so starstruck I made some inane comment about the weather and then mumbled a bit.
• I attended the Dunder Mifflin Company Picnic.
• Taye Diggs gave me $20 he found on the ground.
• I had to cry while wearing a neck brace and praising Jesus in a movie directed by Mark Ruffalo, and he personally thanked everyone after we were done shooting.

I’m sure there are more I’m forgetting. I’m also sure there are plenty of times I’ve walked or driven right by something insanely awesome happening without even giving it a second glance because I’m thinking about what I need from the grocery store, or how many miles I need to run. I’m okay with that. I live in LA. I don’t have time to care about all of that.

But if you see Nathan Fillion, please make sure to get my attention because I’ve loved him since Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I’ve thought of a million better things to talk about than the weather. Thanks.