Read our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy to get more information and learn how to set up your preferences. Just as I made my move, something distracted him and he turned away to wave at some other fans that had followed him.

Sure enough, a few minutes later her and a few other PR reps came barreling through the crowd at high speed and down the exit hallway.

The day proceeded as these things normally do: business receptions, talks, happy hours, and VIP meet and greets. It turned out that she was Richard's appointed handler for that evening and she was just about to pull him out and send him back to his hotel for the night. Just as Richard slipped out the door with security blocking anyone else from following, she just yelled 'GO! At the time, I was working for the UK Consulate in San Francisco covering the entire West Coast region.

As might be expected, the PR woman didn't think that was as great of an idea as I did and she naturally blew me off. To our esteemed colleague, Richard, may your birthday be the start of a year that brings you closer to your dreams. Congratulations on finding Sing Me Happy Birthday Richard; the most wonderful album of birthday songs ever released.I especially took note that there were really only two exits to the venue, and only one of them would be the logical choice to leave from for any VIP departures. Celebrate his special day with lovely and colorful animated images featuring birthday cakes, muffins with lit candles, heartfelt wishes, festive fireworks, bouquets of flowers adorned with glitter effects, amusing characters, and vibrant balloons. And PS - Richard, if you're reading this, thanks for stopping to take a photo with a young guy in a parking lot in LA.

We exchanged a few words - I don't even remember what was said - took some photos, and he was whisked off into his car and away from the venue. While I wasn't going to be able to afford a ticket to Necker Island any time soon, I knew that he usually comes out for these type of events and maybe I could engineer a meeting. I still can't believe that I made it happen - and it goes to show how much is possible when you put determination and effort into making something happen. But every 30 minutes or so I made sure to check in with the PR woman and pitched the idea of doing a group photo with the UK government staff and Richard. While I completely blew my shot to talk to my hero, that tenacity and persistence to win I felt is something that I've always remembered and carried with me through the rest of my professional life.But if I stood at the end of this long hallway where no one else was, next to the exit door, she would make sure he was lined up to see me while hurrying down that hallway. Whether it’s for you, your Nan, your sports coach or your kitty… we have a rendition of happy birthday for one and all. While everyone else in the crowd was bunched up against the door to the green room, she would shortly be leading him through the crowd at high speed to get him out of the building. So in the week or so leading up to the event I quickly invited some start up founders to the events that I knew would be happening around the big launch and bought myself a last minute flight to LA and booked a quick airbnb for the night and arrived at LAX 8am the morning of the event with nothing more than a change of underwear and a toothbrush.