tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post3259378928134660421..comments2024-03-14T03:43:02.583-04:00Comments on EPBOT: The Other Side of the TableJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11888187687405622408noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-12611594644282539352011-04-06T17:14:42.780-04:002011-04-06T17:14:42.780-04:00I'm a 51 year old woman, been a stay-home mom ...I'm a 51 year old woman, been a stay-home mom for about 20 years, went back to school last year, like to stay in my house and read blogs, I write a blog (actually 2), and I KNEW EVERY NAME IN THIS POST. Even my kids call me a geek.<br />You are in good company. And my name is Jen.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14907927065378243188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-36981653616181818562010-06-11T10:32:09.907-04:002010-06-11T10:32:09.907-04:00Is it sad that I recognized the background immedia...Is it sad that I recognized the background immediately as that little outdoor giftshop in Hollywood studios next to Backlot Tour? That you took it during Star Wars Weekends? I would say that I spend to much time at the parks, but then again, I work there. <br /><br />Working at Food and Wine at EPCOT, I got to work with several famous tv chefs (Cat Cora is like 5'1", so was wearing heels [with a chefs jacket, weird...] and I still towered over her at 5'8", Buddy Valastro from Cake Boss is kind of a fame junkie, all about the autographs and pictures, Keegan Gerhard from Food Network Challenge basically admonished us for not interning at his bakery, awkward, Jacques Torres was very aloof but that could be the Frenchness) but I verbal diarrhea-ed with all of them! And I had to see them repeatedly over a few hours which made it awkward...Gailnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-63045196085384387672010-06-05T00:35:37.641-04:002010-06-05T00:35:37.641-04:00I have trouble talking on the phone to "norma...I have trouble talking on the phone to "normal people," let alone anyone remotely famous. I'm ridiculously shy most of the time.<br /><br />A friend and I have a list of things we're not to let each other say if we ever meet Nightwish, and some of them are bound to come out anyway. Hopefully none of the really weird questions come out. *crosses fingers*Tindinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-40561182531280895312010-06-04T11:42:38.324-04:002010-06-04T11:42:38.324-04:00This may be the geekiest comment ever...but after ...This may be the geekiest comment ever...but after your definition of the typical introvert, along with your love of cake, Star Trek and all things geeky, and the use of the term "hobbit" to allude to your shortness in the car post, I have to ask...are you ME??? It's too bad we live so far apart because I think we could be great friends...or maybe not, you know, because that would require being social and all. Anyway, keep up the awesome work!ZoomZoomZoomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06581096244556938694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-8282140863293607932010-06-03T13:39:20.474-04:002010-06-03T13:39:20.474-04:00Loved this particular post - at your book signing ...Loved this particular post - at your book signing in Atlanta you'd ask people what you should write and we were all tongue-tied. I was thrilled you remembered the photo I sent to you of our wedding cake (the chubby bathing beauties) and that we got to talk to you.Joanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06988235526497952233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-3441176857625028242010-06-03T12:18:47.058-04:002010-06-03T12:18:47.058-04:00While at the Ocean City boardwalk in New Jersey, f...While at the Ocean City boardwalk in New Jersey, figure skater and my (at the time) Olympic crush Elvis Stojko walked through the food court area my husband and I were eating at. A few of the food vedors yelled "Hey, Elvis!" over at him and he waved at them, but most of the people around didn't have a clue who he was. I--on the other hand--lost the ability to speak, breathe, blink, and swallow the mouthful of pizza I had been chewing. My husband insisted I go over to him and ask for a picture/autograph, but I refused to. Elvis was with his family and bothering him seemed incredibly rude.<br />On the other end of the spectrum, I had no problem accosting wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin in a bar after a WWE event I had attended. I think it had a lot to do with the Coors Light I had been pounding back.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18035371053836444489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-4689658419700173882010-06-03T11:31:20.011-04:002010-06-03T11:31:20.011-04:00A few days late here, but I thought you were terri...A few days late here, but I thought you were terrific at the Orlando book signing. I'm not sure which category my family fell into there (other than, I'm sure, overwhelming) but you and John were beyond gracious. The crazy awkward part was when the guy from the New York Times called me wanting to do a phone interview about your book signing. I am soooooo NOT a phone person. I think I epitomized all of your favorite features - the donkey bray, the babble, the struck silent. And then I made a crack about my married name being the same as that of a famous stripper (seriously - many firewalls block my website as porn!) and OF COURSE he knows the *real* Heidi Mattson and is best buddies with her. I wanted to crawl under a rock and hide! I was probably the last person anyone should have called to help you out with publicity o.OHeidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14006176893792484505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-79966172900576984542010-06-03T10:41:12.400-04:002010-06-03T10:41:12.400-04:00I work in a theatre in the UK, so consider myself ...I work in a theatre in the UK, so consider myself a little jaded when it comes to meeting celebrities. However, when George Takei appeared as the Emperor in our Christmas Panto, I was nervous as hell that I'd completely show myself up if I came face to face with him. My boyfriend forced me to ask him for his autograph, because he knew I'd regret it if I didn't. Mr Takei was soooo lovely and warm and friendly, and I was instantly at ease; though the moment when he said "Oh, my!" when I handed him the picture of himself I wanted him to sign, will stay with me forever!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-59614191069549928322010-06-03T08:15:03.598-04:002010-06-03T08:15:03.598-04:00OK, seriously. I shouldn't have read this. I w...OK, seriously. I shouldn't have read this. I would have been much better at meeting Nicholas Lodge yesterday if I didn't have this post int he back of my head reminding me to be nervous. Grumblecakes.mandihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07670799885506954886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-72034312724851965412010-06-02T22:36:54.701-04:002010-06-02T22:36:54.701-04:00I got to meet Wil Wheaton at the LA Festival of Bo...I got to meet Wil Wheaton at the LA Festival of Books last year, and the first thing I did was babble on about the "nice weather we're having!" The weather? <i> The weather!!!!????</i><br /><br />Then, I got up the courage to do something that I was thinking of doing that morning... and asked him to "bless" my d20 die. I put it down and it was on a 1 (bad roll) and I said, "Ooohhh no, but not on a 1! Here, I'll roll it!" And I rolled it.... right off the table and into his crotch!! I thought I was going to DIE!!! He retrieved it as I looked anywhere but, saying "Ok, do it again, but this time try not to roll it into my crotch!" ... ... "yeah."<br /><br />Actually it was a great ending. I rolled it, and he came up with this AWESOME ad-libbed blessing that I wish I could remember.. something about the blessed order of the polyhedra, etc. etc.<br /><br />Anyway, that was the best/worst experience I've ever had!Carynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06841626725092081956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-56693062020183592292010-06-02T19:26:23.061-04:002010-06-02T19:26:23.061-04:00Jen, I am loving your blog! Like you, I'm a Sc...Jen, I am loving your blog! Like you, I'm a SciFi and Disney geek.<br /><br />Hubby and I did a lot of the Trek convention circuit way back when and got to meet so many people who were on the show. It was so fabulous! But you never really know what to say, do you? <br /><br />James Doohan was one of my favorites. We hung around to the end to get a photo with him. He grabbed me and pulled me down onto his lap and was generally a big flirt. But my favorite was meeting Anthony Daniels (C3PO from Star Wars). We actually had a question for him! And he said nobody had ever asked him that before! *geek heaven* We had just been to Disneyland Paris, and we asked if he did the French C3PO voice in Star Tours there -- which he did. Hubby's favorite was probably Yvonne Craig (Batgirl from the '60's Batman series). He was twitterpated to meet her anyway, and then the two struck up a conversation about Wallace & Gromit since he was wearing a Gromit shirt. I think if he had to pick between me and Yvonne Craig, she would win! <br /><br />Now I work for a NASCAR driver and have spent a fair amount of time around him as he's signed autographs for fans at organized events. It's a different perspective from behind the table for sure! I love meeting all the fans, and it's so fun to watch my driver's interaction with them. <br /><br />I hope to meet you across the autograph table some day!!Raehttp://www.mattkenseth.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-3708977483055716992010-06-02T18:57:27.433-04:002010-06-02T18:57:27.433-04:00I was, many years ago, as a fan-fic writer and fan...I was, many years ago, as a fan-fic writer and fanzine publisher (on paper--that dates me, yes?) a bit of a celebrity in a certain fandom. One time at a con, I got on a dangerously overcrowded elevator and next to me was... a fan of mine. A *gushing* fan. A LOUD gushing fan. Who proceeded to carry on, at the top of her voice, in this packed car that of course stopped <i>at every floor</i> and took what seemed like HOURS to reach the lobby, about what a thrill and priviledge it was to be in the same elevator as her HERO and on and on and ON. With every person on that elevator staring from her to me, her to me, her to me, ALL THE WAY DOWN.<br /><br />Wanted to die. Just die. Just DIE! <br /><br />Oh, your post made me laugh, Jen. There's no one like fans... there's no one like fans. There's no one...... :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-63076182923850053932010-06-02T17:07:19.800-04:002010-06-02T17:07:19.800-04:00A friend of mine went to meet Peter Facinelli (of ...A friend of mine went to meet Peter Facinelli (of Twilight fame) at a comic convention with her husband. Now, seeing as how this man is ridiculously good looking, you would think that she'd be nervous, but she was a pro. Her husband on the other had was a nervous wreck and managed to blurt out to Peter, "You're married to Jennie Garth right? I love her sitcom!!" He actually captured the whole exchange on video and I think it's one of the funniest things I've ever seen!<br />Love the new blog Jen, reading it is definitely one of the highlights of my day :)Liesanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-87184688261603694102010-06-02T16:02:34.325-04:002010-06-02T16:02:34.325-04:00I loved this. When you're at the front of the...I loved this. When you're at the front of the line acting like a complete fool in front of one of your idols who you'll probably never get a chance to meet ever again, you convince yourself you're the only one who is like that, the only one who manages to flub up a memorable moment like that, the only one with jitters and nerves who can't control them. It's so nice knowing I'm not alone. I still remember being 4th in line to see one of my all-time heroes. When I got up to the front he actually held my hand while he signed my book (as he did for everyone) and I was so nervous that I was touching my idol that I TOOK MY HAND AWAY. He just let me of course and acted like I hadn't done anything weird. I slipped away in shame. I will never forgive myself for that. But it is nice to know I probably wasn't the only one with a problem that day. :)<br /><br />If it helps my image, I did much better when I was younger and met James Doohan. I was the youngest kid in line, and definitely the only girl, and he actually stood there and had a conversation with me. Now that was a proud moment for me. <br /><br />Thank you for posting this. Wonderful, wonderful post.Abbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11024012133951388516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-72780925627291488312010-06-02T14:03:10.821-04:002010-06-02T14:03:10.821-04:00I got teary-eyed just reading that.
Cheers.I got teary-eyed just reading that.<br />Cheers.lisadhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01680270109965535296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-75439690778226933242010-06-02T12:23:14.045-04:002010-06-02T12:23:14.045-04:00Haha, I like this post. I went to my first Otakon ...Haha, I like this post. I went to my first Otakon (anime convention) in 2004, where I went to an autograph panel for some voice actors. I was pretty much full-body shaking the entire time I was in line and getting my picture taken.<br /><br />Two weeks later, I had to get my wisdom teeth taken out. I was more nervous about the panel than I was about the surgery, and I admitted this to the surgeon :)<br /><br />I've been to lots of cons since then and my nerves have lessened some, but I still kinda babble anything I say.Karihttp://kariohki.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-65571922555788772002010-06-02T09:45:17.492-04:002010-06-02T09:45:17.492-04:00Okay, Star Trek celebrity encounter story #937... ...Okay, Star Trek celebrity encounter story #937... :)<br /><br />Hubby and I have been to quite a few ST cons in our time, but my absolute favorite was meeting Jimmy Doohan. What a doll! He was so patient, so kind. During the Q&A, one girl stood up and asked him, "What does it feel like to beam up?" Despite all the groans from the audience, he answered her. "Well, it's all really just special effects - we stand there, they film us, they stop filming us, we move aside, they film again and it looks like we've disappeared. Then they add the special effects. That's all there is to it." <br />Same girl, several minutes later, "But really, does it hurt when you beam up and your molecules all come apart?" O_O<br />He was so kind, he answered her question all over again.<br /> <br />We had read that Mr. Doohan served in the Canadian military and landed in Normandy on D-Day. So, we stood up and asked him about that. My goodness, you should have seen how his face LIT UP! "A question that DOESN'T have to do with Star Trek! YESSSS!" He talked about that experience for quite some time, much to the boredom of some of the really serious geeks. We loved the story, though, and when we went up to meet him at the end, he had a big smile for us and a "Thank you."<br /> <br />My big hang up is that I don't want to keep the line waiting because I know how antsy I have been to meet and greet, so I try to take up as little time as possible. I guess I should learn to take my time - I earned the right to stand there and chat for a moment as much as the next guy!<br /><br />Jen, love the new blog, love CW and laugh to read words that might have sprung from my own head. Kindred spirits, all of us! Amen!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-33216346266679159862010-06-01T13:35:52.041-04:002010-06-01T13:35:52.041-04:00For the introvert/starstruck questioners: I think ...For the introvert/starstruck questioners: I think it is a different kind of starstruck than extroverts might have. I assume their struckness is more "how cool! I loved him/her in ____! I have seen everything he/she was in! - want to party with him/her!"<br />I think introverts have a more personal struckness, imagining a friendship, imagining how they must be in person (Twitter stalking helps with this.) So the pressure to impress and make a connection on meeting is paralyzing. <br /><br />I am glad I saw Patrick Stewart from outside the door of the room. No risk of panicking and disappointing. I too laugh like a donkey (very unsettling in business meetings). <br /><br />Cwise: Nathan Fillion seems like a really nice guy. He is on my list. :)<br /><br />Jen, I was nervous to meet you too.<br /><br />AlexAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-14342095428805383772010-06-01T10:18:37.750-04:002010-06-01T10:18:37.750-04:00I spoke with you and John in KC last November. I ...I spoke with you and John in KC last November. I got last in line, just so I could have a few extra minutes, then got tongue tied! You guys were so cute and we had a great time.Laynehttp://braintwinkles.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-39192050314465722672010-06-01T03:37:57.131-04:002010-06-01T03:37:57.131-04:00Jen, I LOVE this post! I'm a total introvert t...Jen, I LOVE this post! I'm a total introvert too, and since small talk with "normal" people is already not my forte, chatting with famous people really turns me to pudding!<br /><br />Most of the famous people I've met are musicians, and the one that meant the most was Weird Al. I've been a fan since his first album. He was SOOOO gracious! I wish I'd had a camera with me, because he posed for pictures with folks. <br /><br />I would love to meat Damon Lindelof & Carlton Cuse, but I'm sure I'd be dumbstruck. My brother is great with famous people, so I always try to go with him so at least one of us isn't a babbling idiot.JunieGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01706669551954753345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-7259349767610300702010-06-01T01:35:38.441-04:002010-06-01T01:35:38.441-04:00I know I've been tooting this same horn endles...I know I've been tooting this same horn endlessly every time a tour is mentioned, but...but...but...<br /><br />You REALLY need to come do a tour in Australia! We would like to laugh like an idiot, start crying, and possibly vomit on your table as well, ya know.<br /><br />Come on, Jen -- I can show you where all the cool Kangaroos hang out...<br /><br />ari from australia<br />(cake wreck fan down under)ari from australianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-7862272567924377842010-06-01T00:00:12.908-04:002010-06-01T00:00:12.908-04:00I haven't had a lot of experience meeting &quo...I haven't had a lot of experience meeting "famous folks", but I have met you and John. My daughter & I saw you in Denver and were very pleased to meet you.<br /><br />I've also met two of the vets from Emergency Vets on Animal Planet...does it count that they live here? ;o) I saw a third vet from the show at the gas station, but I didn't go say anything to him.<br /><br />And that's about it! I too am nervous, but I think that I do a pretty good job covering it (unless you remember me and tell me otherwise...that's my story and I'm sticking to it!)Renee Nefehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-83480099425408444622010-05-31T23:16:34.981-04:002010-05-31T23:16:34.981-04:00Enjoy being star struck! Once you lose that feelin...Enjoy being star struck! Once you lose that feeling and realize that they are regular people it's not nearly as much fun anymore. My husband and I both work regularly with various celebrities and just don't think about them being special anymore. <br />It is fun to watch other people though. I think its great when people are excited about meeting someone. With only a few exceptions most of the celebrities I've worked with have enjoyed meeting their fans. As long as people are polite and respectful of the persons time.Heathernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-88734695182288264622010-05-31T22:46:11.253-04:002010-05-31T22:46:11.253-04:00The closest I've gotten to a famous person was...The closest I've gotten to a famous person was a very crowded yet incredibly awesome panel with voice actor J. Michael Tatum. I didn't get a chance to see how I'd react to actually talking to him. I'd probably just make a ton of incoherent squeaking noises and then do something stupid like hug-attack him and get myself thrown out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-9069844303006706152010-05-31T22:22:30.265-04:002010-05-31T22:22:30.265-04:00I've only gotten two autographs (not only am I...I've only gotten two autographs (not only am I an introvert but I live in a small town near a small city where no one visits) and each time was terrifying. I was so jealous of those who were chatting away when it was all I could to to make "hi" "thank you" audible.Limhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04793317828752889357noreply@blogger.com