First off, go see the new X-men movie, not just because I worked on it, but because it’s also a good movie.

Secondly, I thought this would be an appropriate time to tell you about the time I met Magneto himself, Sir Ian McKellen.

I met Sir Ian McKellen while he was attending a film festival put on by the school I was teaching at.  I was at one of the coveted after parties often held at the festival, perhaps it was extra desirable since the celebrity was expected to be there.  I don’t remember all the details of the party, but I remember this part rather distinctly.  When I entered the room I saw him swarmed by massive amounts of students, taking pictures and trying to speak with him (in fact, I seem to remember hearing how some of the students planned on trying to make out with him).  I, a professor, thought that it would be in my best interest to approach him and ask him if he needed anything, perhaps a drink.  I wriggled my way through the masses towards the idol and approached him.

“Hello sir,” I said, “Let me know if I can get you anything perhaps a drink.”

“I just sent someone to get me one,” he replied, “but thank you so much”.

I was a bit worried thought I was just some silly student trying to buy him a drink.  I tried to cover.  “Well let me know if there is anything you need me to do, maybe get rid of some these students,” I joked, “after all I am a professor here.”

He looked at me at and smiled, ” You’re a professor? You are very young.”

“I am.”

He put his arm on me and looked me in the eyes and said in a very soft voice, “You won’t always be.”

I felt like I had just received more than I ever thought possible.  I just received advice from The White Wizard himself.  Legendary actor, Ian McKellen, personally gave me wisdom.

…or he just said something obvious like “the sky is blue”.  I mean, “you’re going to get old” isn’t that profound.  But for some reason, when he said it, it felt that way.