Yes, B.J. Novak, actor, writer, and producer of ‘The Office’ was in OfficeTally’s hometown of Palo Alto, CA, yesterday. And I found out completely by accident!
He had emailed me and mentioned that he had been at the Peet’s Coffee in the Town and Country Center earlier in the day.
As this was B.J.’s first time writing me from an email address, I demanded that he verify his identity.
Here’s part of our conversation:
tanster: I need to make sure this is really you, so I have to ask you a “security question.” At The Office Convention in Scranton, do you remember taking a photo with me? Where or when was that? Second, you were here in Palo Alto!? I live like walking distance from that Peet’s Coffee. Wish I had known, I would have loved to have stopped by to say hello!
B.J.: Right after Writers Block by the auditorium door at the VIP after-thing, right? Yes, I am in Palo Alto! Visiting a friend who works at Facebook. Wish I had known. Peets is like Starbucks, but burned-er.
tanster: Congratulations, you passed! You are B.J.! Yes, I’m usually a Starbucks-aholic. I’ll drink Peets occasionally but it always feels like it’s burning a hole in my stomach lining or something. Are you still here tonight?
B.J.: I am off to the Facebook Christmas party tonight. I am supposed to leave tomorrow am. If I get up early (which would be a shame considering the party will go late), I’ll let you know and if you’re free maybe we can hit the ‘Bucks, which I also prefer.
Heehee. Love that he calls it “the ‘Bucks”!
(Quick, Tallyheads, which episode is that in reference to?)
B.J., you hereby owe me a grande nonfat latte. No foam.