Saturday, July 14, 2007

Andy Knackstedt is my star

I have a confession to make: I am an Andy Knackstedt fan girl.

It is worse than that, one of the things that led me to set up this blog nearly a year ago was a desire to post this and see if I got other Andy Knackstedt fans commenting. In fact what I'd like someone else to set up an Andy Knackstedt fan site. I'm too embarrassed to do it myself. If there is one already please send me a link.

Now the question on some of your minds will be: who is Andy Knackstedt? He is spokesperson for Land Transport NZ and before that was spokesperson for the LTSA. He appears in the news saying sensible things like "carrying groceries or dead animals in your car does not make it a hearse" with deadpan humour and a twinkle in his eye.

The other question you have may be: why Andy Knackstedt? Well there is all those usual things - appears to be good looking, intelligent and have a sense of humour, and I don't have to deal with him as a real human being. (I'd show you a picture but google has failed me.) But why not a movie or pop star? Why spokesperson for a government department? Well, I don't know, but I think the fact he seems more like someone I'd have something in common with is appealing.

I've happily considered Andy Knackstedt to be thinking woman's crumpet for several years but occasionally reality intrudes. My problem is not that he disappoints but that he appears. You see, there may be six degrees of separation between a Maasai cattle herder and me, but it is all I can do to maintain two degrees of separation to Andy Knackstedt, any less and I feel I need to start thinking of him with a greater degree of circumspection.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Andy has been a mate of mine for many years. I know from first and second-hand comments that you are not alone in your admiration. I can confirm that he is indeed an intelligent, humorous and good-looking guy (not that I'd tell him that!). I'd also add that he's a person of tremendous integrity, is a fantastic friend and great fun.

Anonymous said...

The hearse/groceries item was one of my favourites, too. I have seen Andy wave hello to young children who recognise him as he cycles to work - intelligent, funny, easy on the environment, AND good with kids.

Anonymous said...

I have been a fan of Andy since I had the honor to meet him in 1993. Unfortunately I have not had the pleasure of seeing him in action recently due to a rather extensive continental divide, but I can tell you that all the great things that have been said about him are true, plus he really knows his US state capitals.

Anonymous said...

When I knew Andy he eschewed cars for bikes and trains. He can run faster than anyone I know to catch the last train out of town. No wonder kids love him.

Anonymous said...

I have been a great fan of Andy Knackstedt's since I met him while chewing on some sushi at the home of a Japanese ambassador in 1993. Indeed, Andy does have friends in high places. It was not long after that that Andy became my hero in an airport when he offered to carry my impossibly heavy suitcase for me in spite of having his own luggage to haul - which I suspect was jam-packed with cds and probably quite heavy. Andy was of tremendous help to all of us who had the good fortune of becoming his friends. You can always count on him to offer a helping hand, a witty remark and some spare change for the beverage machines. He never missed a good party - but then, it never would have been a good party without him anyway so that's a mute point. New Zealand's gain is definately Canada's loss! Oh Mista An-do-roo - what are you doing in my father's organge grove?

Ruth said...

I met Andy way back in 1995 when we were both extremely drunk at a party in Japan. After our drunken encounter we dated for 4 or 5 months, much of which time was spent partying and drinking and generally being outrageous, and I can tell you that he is a really nice guy, I'm not surprised he has such a following! I haven't seen Andy since July 1995 when we went our seperate ways - literally, me to Scotland and he to god knows which south east asian country, but it's great to know he's doing so well - Andy if you're reading this then I'm sending a big Hello! from Scotland - believe it or not I got married in 1998 and have a little boy called Rowan and another on the way in December. I have to behave like a mature adult now - imagine that! My husband works for a NZ company hence how I stumbled on this - small world!

Anonymous said...

Yay, I was just watching Fair Go and saw Andy. I am always pleased to see him on the tv!

RUTH said...

Yup. I saw Andy on Fair Go too. You can sponsor his Movember mo here.