After last week’s Colors! post, someone pulled me aside and laughingly said, “You don’t really have a would-like-to-meet list of noteworthy people, do you?” Laughing in return, I said, “Why? Don’t you? Doesn’t everyone?” And right then and there I knew this had to be done. So Jean, perk up your ears because here’s a post on the fly, totally off schedule and completely out of character for me. Enjoy! : )
The current and ever-changing Noteworthy People I’d Like To Meet List top entries are…..
Nigella Lawson—because she’s divine!
John Mayer—for his incredible insight into the female mind that is displayed in his lyrics.
Jane O’Conner—is she as fancy as Nancy?
Pierce Brosnan—for his business savvy, of course! No, really.
Christopher Paolini—he’s so young, so successful. How does he do it?
FYI….Clint Eastwood and Linda Howard were once on this list. But then, I’ve met them and I’m happy to say they both now live in the People Who’ve Influenced My Life List because they were everything I imagined and more. I like lists. Can you tell?
Okay. We’re all listening, so do tell…who’s on your (still living) noteworthy people to meet list and why?
I don't really want to meet famous people. What if I met Jimmy Buffett? He doesn't want to meat me. He's got his own friends. At best, he'd pretend to be interested. At worst, he would be rude. I don't want either. If he was rude, it would ruin his music for me, and that would be a sad thing.
ReplyDeleteI know of what I speak. When I was a librarian, I met authors all the time, but I was particularly excited when there was this certain children's poet in town doing a workshop. He wrote hilarious brilliant verse for kids. Had several award winning books, that I could not keep on the shelves. (Which is a good thing; you want people to check out books unless you are an Evil Librarian.) Anyway, I used his material in story time all the time. Loved him. Well. Another librarian had a private dinner party for him and invited the newly married The Guy and me.
This nameless poet was an a$$. He was snide. He made fun of the south. He made fun of my accent. The Guy said he was flirting with me. I don't know. I was much younger, thinner, and cuter in those days so it's not out of the question, but no better. In fact, worse. That was no way to go about it, even if it had been okay. He made fun of the men at the party because they wore ties and jackets.
After that, I still used his poems in my programs, but with a lot less joy.
Sadly Jean, I've met people like that too. One crime novelist I met recently comes to mind and I'd like to dropkick him to the furthest parts of the universe for his pomp-a$$edness!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the top 5 of my current list are celebrities, but I do have others on the list that are the unknown noteworthy people. It's really not so much about their fame or lack of it that intrigues me. It's their ideas, their makeup, their spunk to get where they got that gets my attention (not that my attention is worth a hill of beans to anyone either).
Take for instance the guy that invented that little gizmo that tells you how close you can back your car up before hitting the one behind you. I'm notorious for backing into things, so he got my attention. How exciting someone thought to do this! And yes, it's likely due to me backing into his car. : /
Another on my list of noteworthy folks is someone I heard of that processes our military back into mainstream life after serving overseas. And I'd like to meet them for how they handled the individual returning stateside's life with care and concern and honor. They may never make headlines or cause fan-mania, but they have character. And so in the end, yet again, it's about character.
So though I didn't enjoy the company of the crime novelist, he at least gave me the flip side of respectable character. And just so you know, he got a strikethrough instead of getting moved to the list of those who influenced my life.....
Hmmmm... Character is everything, isn't it? I've always hesitated to meet someone I admired because of concern the real person will disappoint. No one is perfect. Somehow we, the world, get an impression of a person, who's talent or ingenuity has skyrocketed them to fame, without grounding that image in reality.
ReplyDeleteJimmy Buffet is a fantastic man, a real man who uses his music to heal and energize. His efforts to help those affected by hurricanes and AL's recent oil spill disaster give him credit.
George Clooney and Brad Pit, along with Angelina Jolie, have reached out across the world to help those who need it. They've created businesses and programs with global outreach.
Ultimately, I would rather listen to my music, read my books, watch movies without forming other opinions about these very real people. That said, I've met amazing authors, Generals and their wives, Senators, actors, and the one thing that remains clear, they are people just like me. Good or bad, love 'em or hate them. We are all the same no matter how much notoriety or money we have.
Great point Kathy. We're a well-rounded world, aren't we. And this world affords us opportunity all around ;)
DeleteHmmm, I have never really had a list of real folks that I would like to meet. There are some fictional characters I would love to have a sit down visit with!
DeleteOh wow! another list...? Let's see...Cal Bonner's mother for sure, from SE Phillip's "Nobody's Baby But Mine" and following titles; Hawkeye and Uncas from "Last of the Mohicans"; John Medina from Linda Howard's "All the Queens Men"; Matilda Goodnight from Jennifer Crusie's "Faking It"; and of course (I am female), Janet Evanovich's Ranger.
DeleteMmm...I like this new list. Thanks Stephanie!
Oh! I want to meet Hawkeye and Uncas!!! The Count of Monte Cristo! Mr. Darcy!!!!! Mr. Rochester!!! And... da, da, da, The Phantom of the Opera!
DeleteHahaha....I'm thinking this could be a very long list! But a fun one for sure! <3
DeleteI really would like to meet Johnny Depp and Gerard Butler. I don't want anything to ruin my crush! ;)
DeleteI have always wanted to meet Stephen King and Dean Kootnz. I think King and I would get along - we like the same things. Kootnz I don't know about. I like both of their writing styles and I love their books.
ReplyDeleteAs for celebrities, I have been pretty much disappointed when I have met them. One particular one, Gene Simmons, was a real a$$ and I told him so. Needless to say I didn't get his autograph. ~g~
Oh my gosh. I have a long list, but I'm trying to get my chance to meet Jimmy Buffett. I know that I would fit in his world and would be able to help him out more if he ever needed it. I have some gifts and talents he'd love to have a piece of.. Or, at least I'd like to think so. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Karen! Never doubt what you have to offer. ;)
DeleteMaybe Jimmy could write a song for you?