In the movies that followed, John often portrayed men of mixed emotions, complex natures and dark undertones. Some examples include “The Grifters,” “True Colors” & the recent “The Ice Harvest.” But it is when John portrays the outcasted, hopeless romantic that I most want to be with John. In “Gross Point Blank” he was brilliant as the professional assassin going home to Michigan to attend his ten-year high school reunion and to make right with Mini Driver, whom he stood up at the prom one decade ago. In “Serendipity” he pursues true love all the way to an empty ice skating rink, where true love finds him. And, in “Must Love Dogs” he is a man in love with Diane Lane. A man who is also into music and kick boxing.

But the movie where all things John Cusack comes into play most is “High Fidelity.” Shot on location in Chicago, it is a tale of misunderstood John searching for love and managing survival as the brilliant soundtrack of life marches on in constant cadence.

For the past twenty years John has waited for me on a basket ball court, he has been out with me on a date and once he’s even kissed me. We have had silent discussions and fleeing, but deep, emotions. There have been moments where, upon waking up from another random yet vivid dream I felt closer to John than to most men that I have physically met.

And I am not alone in this particular pursuit. Back in the late 90′s, when Jamie-the-Girl moved from Indiana, down my block on Briar St. in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, and into my life, she and I were fixated with trying to find John’s condo, John’s bike, John’s coffee shop. I don’t know if it ever mattered if we would ever spot John; what mattered was that we were hopeful.

In reality, I have experienced two incidences of Six Degrees of John Cusack. In high school, another drummer, Martin Bany, once told me how he and his father knew “Johnie’s parents.” The second event happened the night before I left for business school. Sis Masha took me to see Madonna in concert and, outside the stadium, after the show, Joan Cusack, John’s sister and wonderful actress, was standing, talking to her friend. Chris Forillo and I came up to her and then I took a photo of Chris and Joan.

I recently read that John is single. And someone told me that he’s difficult. But who isn’t? John Cusack is an accomplished and award-winning actor, successful in comedy, drama, thriller and, of course, romance movies. His strong sensitivity, obsession with music and love of film are just a few of the things he and I both have in common. Not to mention the Chicago roots.

I wonder if I will ever meet him or if the man who I will fall eternally in love with will share the same characteristics? But am I really that interested in John Cusack, or in his portrayal of my favorite leading man, Lloyd Dobler?