I Ran Into Josh Peck at a Philly Street Corner, and Nobody Noticed

I just saw Josh Peck, you know the “Hug Me Brotha” from Drake & Josh.

Yet after all my celebrity meetings/sightings and interviews this was the most anticlimactic yet…but my absolute favorite.

Why?

I had just gone through a brutal 9 hour work day where I had to somehow manage to sneak into the building, prove I’m Brian Nealon without any ID on me, and scrap together a lunch as best I can with a $5 bill. (Thank you Kait for spotting both my commuter fair & treating my sorry ass to a beautiful lunch date:)

So at the end of the day, you can understand my eagerness to head home. I was excited that maybe I would be able to leave just on time to find my wallet. It is my life after all. And after nearly passing out on the early morning train thinking about losing the most important piece of black fake leather I possess, leaving on time would’ve been my saving grace.

But, like all great stories, it didn’t happen.

Cause all our executives came into the office today for a last minute meeting. Not a problem at all, but instead of leaving at 5 – now it’s like 5:30.

And after having a (kinda) shitty few days, I needed a boost. I tend to be really hard on myself at times, and get overwhelmed when I think about the future of my career. And today of all days, I needed a reminder from some higher power that I’m on the right track.

Even if I’m not please God lie to me. (Oh the irony of that statement.)

See I haven’t written for the blog in a while cause of my crazy life, I have to make some serious decisions in my career, and days are running out in pursuit of some of my life-long dreams…What happened to acting Brian? What happened to the video series you wanted to create for the blog? You interviewed a ton of people Brian, why haven’t you released anything yet? You said you’d make music, you perform with Ed Sheeran yet? Etc…these are voices in my head at the moment. I needed a spark.

I’m not a religious man, but I figure it’s times like these that all men pray.

So, on a day where I lost my wallet, my E-Z Pass disappeared from my pocket, wasn’t allowed into my office building, had no lunch money, wore a sweater in 85 degree weather (swear it was freezing yesterday), and started drowning in a culmination of a few shitty days….God answered me.

Sometimes you have to look around.

I woke up next to a beautiful soul, who drove me to the train when I was late, helped me pay my fare when I had no money, sat with me when I was alone at lunch, I had the security guy at my office cut me slack & say “hey man, happens to all of us. Don’t normally do this but you can go”, and after a long day at work I look up a few blocks before I head on the train home….I look up to see a man that I recognize…

I nod, he nods, he walks off, I walk off. Nobody notices, except us. this purely intimate moment between two totally normally dudes at a Philadelphia street corner.

I needed a hug from life and it gave me one. A “Hug me brotha.” Because that man was Josh Peck.

So yes, God answers prayers. See it sucks for me cause when it rains it pours…But I’ve finally seen the rainbow.

Now time to find my wallet.

(Edit: I found my wallet)

(And she found the salad she wanted in a random spot in the supermarket)

(Edit 10/3): Josh Peck has officially responded. Day made.

Good nodding at you my friend, glad you found your wallet 😘

— Josh Peck (@ItsJoshPeck) October 2, 2018

Brian Nealon

I’m a journalist, filmmaker, and photographer who has done work for the New York Rangers, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, SBNation, Men’s Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Kelly & Ryan, Good Morning America, and more. I also can’t sing, but somehow made my way on tour with Kelly Clarkson. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯