I could say it began a month ago when I was contacted to be part of a show being produced by a Japanese television network. I could say it began ten years ago with one of the most enduring mysteries of modern times. Or perhaps it began millennia ago with the myths and legends of a primitive people.

For my co-workers, the moment began when a crew of four began following me around. "You're going to be a big star. Everyone will know who you are." said the Japanese translator. Not what I wanted to hear, for I rather relish anonymity. But I'd agreed to meet Mr. Takano and his posse on a Friday morning. They wanted to interview me about The Phoenix Lights of March 13, 1997.

The four of them showed up wearing bright orange jackets with their camera rolling. Nearly every moment was videotaped, from the initial meeting with them to saying goodbye four hours later. Yeah- four hours. The followed me to my desk. They videotaped me on the phone, writing email, reading the paper, and then reviewing old videotapes from 1997 and beyond.

The giggles, the stares, the smirks and the phone calls were impossible to avoid. Producers I work with called my phone during the interview to crack me up. Andres Diaz first called for the "scoop". Jacque Ober instantly dubbed the Japanese crew my "Little Orange People". Thanks, guys.

Apparently, I'm an "expert" now on UFOs. That could be a bad thing. Well whatever- it is what it is, and 20 million Japanese are about to find out. Yeah- 20 million. The show is scheduled to air in October on the Japanese network NTV. That's pretty much their equivalent of NBC, and the show is their equivalent of Dateline.. only with lots more people watching. And now they tell me that I'll be the main person in the show- from the prologue/opening montage to the final credits. Ughhhhh.

If you're bored with this, sorry. I just wanted to set the tone. The real reason I'm writing about this is because I couldn't for the life of me understand why people from around the world would still have such interest in something that happened ten years ago. I got my answer yesterday.

Another quick-thinking producer I work with suggested I put together a story on the Japanese fascination with The Phoenix Lights. I thought, "Ok, I'll turn the tables on them and put THEM in the spotlight," just as they'd done to me. So we arranged to meet at one of their last shoots for the week- at the home of one of the most famous witnesses, Tim Ley. My photographer Dina Banning was more prepared than I was, for she had dressed to be on TV. She foresaw what was about to happen.

We did our interviews with the Ley family. The NTV crew showed up (again in their orange jackets, despite the 100+ degree heat) and got to work, as Dina shot them shooting the Leys. When the time finally came for us to interview their producer Mrs. Okuma, her photographer turned their camera on me once again. I glanced at Dina, who gave me a quick smile to let me know she knew this would happen. So as I interviewed Mrs. Okuma, she interviewed me. Once again, not what I had bargained for. I'd ask her a question and she would answer, then she'd ask me the same question and I'd have to answer for them. Beaten at my own game! As we shot them shooting the Leys, they shot us shooting them.

Little Orange People. I think I'd prefer Little Green Men.

But overall the thing is that in Japan, UFO sightings are not subject to the same ridicule they are here in the US. They take such reports seriously and give the topic considerable investigation and thought. Mainstream US media scoff. American witnesses are made out to be fools, fringe or just plan freaks. No wonder people who have such experiences often keep it to themselves.

What we need are the Little Green Men to make an appearance. On camera. The Little Orange People are waiting. And so am I......

Here's the story we aired on them and their orange jackets.