*This article/story was written by my cousin Kim after I convinced her that it was too juicy not to share with the rest of the world.
Ahh…fieldtrips. They sure are fun aren’t they?
Ok. Scratch that.
I’m a teacher and fieldtrips usually aren’t that eventful WITH the exception of one I took about four years ago with the other third grade classes to the Los Angeles Zoo.
So, on these trips, we have way too many parent volunteers, which is great because that means teachers get to just roam around on their own.
Free day! Woohoo!
Okay, so another teacher, Barb, and I are walkin’ around, killin’ time, when we come to an area with a bunch of dinosaurs that the kids can take pictures on. I immediately get excited and jump in line.
As we’re standing there, this absolutely gorgeous man, literally the tall-dark-handsome kind, walks up behind us with what I assume is his beautiful son. Well, seeing that I probably shouldn’t be posing on a dinosaur in the first place AND I don’t want this beautiful human watching me, I decide to let them go in front of us.
That’s when I heard his voice. His low, sexy, French voice. 
(ok maybe a little sexier than this?)
YES! That's about right! Now back to the story!
“Are you sure?” he says.
"Oh, yeah, I don’t wanna break it and not give your son a chance to take a picture,” I say sheepishly.
He smiles and says something polite. I really can’t say what because I was mesmerized by his tall, dark, hot, handsomeness.
So as he puts his son on the dinosaur and says something in French or whatever it was, Barb and I exchange a glance. Oh come on, you know the look between girls when something hot walks through. It was that slightly flush, jaw half-opened look. He was that pretty.
They get off the dinosaur and begin to walk away as I step up to take my turn and I ask, “Excuse me, but do you mind telling me what language you are speaking? It’s beautiful.”
What I really meant was he was beautiful, but whatever.
He says, “Oh, thank you. It’s a French-Italian dialect…”
That’s when it happened. CLICK! Awkward silence as we turn towards Barb, the disposable camera pointed so obviously at the beautiful man.
“I…I…couldn’t help myself,” she stutters.
All I could say was, “Whaa?!?” running out of breath and suddenly feeling a bit woozy.
“Oh, no, no, no,” the hot French guy says continuing to use that sexy voice that is driving us crazy, “You got my bad side. You must get my good side.” He walks over to me and wraps his arms around me…mind you, I am straddling a dinosaur at this point. I can’t move, can’t speak, just blushing and smiling this absolutely ridiculous smile.
Oh and did I mention the hideous matching tie-dyed shirts we were wearing?
Anyways, she takes the picture and we part ways but pass each other often throughout the day.
He flirts. I flirt.
He smiles and winks.
I melt and wanna cry.
By the end of the day I needed to know his name, so I bravely walk over and introduce myself and he says his name is, ok, get this, ladies.
First off, think of the French accent as he grabs my hand and says in the sexiest voice I’ve ever heard, “Gilllll.” Pronounce that with a kind of zsh sound for the G.
Alright. I’m dying by this point.
He was absolutely adorable and talked for a few minutes and then graciously took a picture again with me and my colleagues.
Needless to say, this man was topic of many conversations over the next few weeks and that’s when we saw it. He was a model in the Gottschalks ad. Every week, there he was. You can’t be that pretty and not be a model. And yes, it was definitely him. I compared the pictures.
Well, that just adds more juiciness to the story doesn’t it? By this time, I have my zoo pictures and Gottshalks ad with me to tell the story when deemed necessary.
Ok, I’m starting to sound obsessed huh?
Fast-forward to the Sex in the City premiere. I’ve been an avid watcher and girls night out was mandatory. The movie just got better…because he’s the sexy man next door to Samantha. Oh yeah! That was Gill.
Could I be any more giddy? I’ve got two words ladies. Full Frontal.
Then, Dancing with the Stars, which I wasn’t a fan of before, but don’t miss an episode now. I even vote. Seriously.
Ha…yeah, that was my LA Zoo guy. So my cousin Twinkie calls me up and says to go to www.gillesmarini.com and check it out. He has contact information and manages the site himself.
So, I do.
I don’t let my email sound nearly as pathetic as this, but I give him the whole bit that I’ve been following his career and with his success my story gets better. I’m a bit embarrassed because I’ve NEVER written a fan letter to anyone.
Wait! That’s a lie. I was in love with Michael J. Fox during Family Ties and was a member of his fan club, but that doesn’t count. 
Besides, I won’t get a response anyway, right!?
Not even four hours later, OMG! He writes me back! Totally charming! Are you kidding me? This keeps getting better and better.
He’s hot and all bull aside, a fabulous dancer. Have you seen him move those hips?
But remember, he’s MY LA Zoo guy!
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Don't forget to check out www.gillesmarini.com for all things Gilles Marini. Join his fans message board, send him a message, buy a photo, check out the site! And whatever you do, don't forget to VOTE for him every Monday night on Dancing With The Stars!
Posted by
Twinkie Tuesday, April 14, 2009 - 07:43
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Guess who's going to the taping of Dancing With The Stars????? YAYAYAYAYYAYAY
My cousin Kim, her friend Barb (both in the pictures above) and our friend Lynn. YAY! We're going Monday. I'm so excited.
You totally called it, then Barb! And I would have to agree with you. Gilles is too damned hot to be part of normal America! Did you read his bio on his website? He came to the United States on a mission and I think he's close to succeeding his goals!
I'm the teacher who clicked the camera which sent a flash all through the LA Zoo! After snapping the photo in response to Kim's question as to why I did that, I replied, "That guy's soooo handsome, he should be banned to Hollywood!" I guess he went voluntarily.
BTW that's me, on Gilles' left, opposite Kim, arm around Gille with a REALLY cheesy smile.
Click,
Barbara
message via facebook from my cousin Chanda:
message via email from my friend SusyQ:
OMG! I am SO jealous! He is the most sexy guy in the world and I, too, never miss Dancing because of him. He looks born to dance, doesn't he? His wife is gorgeous, too, lucky girl. I just saw "Sex and the City" movie on TV a few days ago. Lord have mercy! The sex scenes with him. Hot!