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I’m not smooth at all when meeting someone I admire. The minute they enter the room I get nervous, my face starts turning red and I start practicing appropriate conversation starters in my head. Just when I feel like I won’t open my mouth and puke, I approach them. However, instead of saying all those witty things I had rehearsed, I end up saying something like “OH MY GOD it’s YOU!”
When I met Jen Lancaster at a book signing I was really nervous at first, but three hours in line does wonders to calm nerves. We shared a few laughs and I was on my way. About a year later I was at BlogHer when I heard a familiar voice behind me. I turned around and it was Jen Lancaster. Instead of taking the Mickey Mouse ice cream out of my mouth and re-introducing myself, I turned around and yelled “OH MY GOD it’s YOU!” (See? I wasn’t lying up there.) She walked away soon after saying “Oh my god it’s ME!” I tweeted, asking her for a do-over, but I never got the chance.
BlogHer 2008
So when Stephanie Kline, another favorite author of mine walked up to Glass‘ booth at SXSW, I vowed to not make the same mistake. I had met Stephanie at BlogHer two years ago so I immediately recognized her (She has beautiful hair! I mean that in the least creepy way possible.) I quickly pulled myself together and opened my mouth to say “Hey! Thanks for stopping by the booth!” or something along those lines. Instead? “OH MY GOD I know YOU!” I followed that up with “I’ve read your books!” Way to sound like a stalker Jenn.
She smiled and didn’t walk away, so I figured I was over the hurdle. I asked if she heard about Glass and proceeded to give her a demo and invite. Before leaving she asked if I had a blog and told me to write it on the invite card I gave her. Honored that she even cared I scribbled my URL on the card.
S.K.: “Free and Flawed? I know you. I see you on Twitter.”
Me: …
Internal monologue: OMG! SHE knows ME! SQUEE!Me: Oh cool! Guess I’ll see you on Twitter then!
Internal monologue: Smooth Jenn, smooth. You’re practically BFFs now.
I. Was. Floored. I was beyond flattered. One of my favorite authors actually knows who I am. That’s an incredible feeling. You know I turned my back to the table and had a fangirl moment.
I had a lot of those moments at SXSW. I couldn’t believe how many people actually came up to the booth looking for me. Some of the people who inspire me actually said the same about me. Whoa. My mind is blown. I still can’t even find the words that would do justice to the epic-ness of the last five or six days.
Who has made your day this week? What happened that just completely blew your mind?
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Comments
03.21.10
Funny post. I feel that I'm the opposite when it comes to seeing people I admire. Once at a Tricky concert, I saw the man himself outside of the venue and people were talking to him, he looked very approachable. I didn't know what to say other than, "Hey, I'm a fan of your music." (I mean, obviously -- I'm here). So I said nothing and wish I'd thought of something to say.
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