I never said I was smooth. Ever. In fact, the level of social awkwardness that can overtake me at times is pretty distressful.
Really, promise. Just ask anyone that knows me. Good thing I can cook…
Yesterday, after hosting a baby shower for my amazing friend Emma, Nate and I headed down to the Tattered Cover bookstore (it’s amazing…you MUST go there if you’re in Denver!) in LoDo to see Ree Drummond, aka The Pioneer Woman, aka my favorite blogger. To say I was a tad nervous is an understatement of the highest order.
I was adjusting the settings on my camera and totally missed her walking by me…so I took a picture of her back. See Nate smirking? He’s probably laughing about how oblivious I was. Awesome. Good thing he loves me!
I was number 377 in line, which basically meant that we would be waiting around 4 hours to see her. That’s 4 hours of rehearsing what to say in my head. 4 hours of agonizing over the lameness of the potential conversations I was imagining. 4 hours of Nate saying he didn’t know what the big deal was but that I looked beautiful (God love him) and that I would do great (if only). 4 hours of reading and almost finishing Black Heels to Tractor Wheels.
Did I mention I was a bit nervous?
Finally the time came.
I was next in line.
She smiled and said hi.
And then everything went black and all I remember is laughing with her about how amazing my hubby is for sticking with me for 4 hours to meet her. And then she signed my books, graciously thanked me for coming out, and I walked off.
In case you were wondering, none of the lame scenarios for conversation starters crept out of my mouth. They would have been significantly better than anything I did say. I think. Like I said, I blacked out and don’t remember a thing.
Again, I never said I was smooth. Actually, I’m quite the opposite. But Ree Drummond was beautiful, both inside and out, and did an amazing job. Heck, the woman waited around for over 5 hours to see everyone that came to see her! That’s a winner in my book.
And that’s a signature in my book. Both of them to be exact.
God help anyone who meets me in public. I swear I’m (sort of) cool once you get to know me! 🙂
Have you ever met a celebrity? An author/blogger that you look up to? How’d it go? I need some good stories!
I met her in SanFrancisco at Blogher. Well…I kind of met her. I stood by her and said something dumb. But she was so sweet and gracious.
Great post! It was a fun read.
I would have been totally awkward, too. I tend to say things to get a laugh in those situations, which I’m pretty sure makes me look like a weirdo. 🙂
I met Mama Pea from Peas and Thank You….she’s awesome!
I love Ree! Pioneer Woman was the first blog I ever followed 🙂 I met Arnold Schwarzenegger on a chair lift in Sun Valley, Idaho…I was in 7th grade and had no clue it was him until my dad and I got off and he told me who we had been chatting with. He looks ancient in person! ahhaha
Ahhhhh I’m so jealous!
How awesome! I would probably be the same way, black-out and everything! I recently met HEAB and I was soooooo nervous that I was going to sound/act like a complete dork in front of her. I rehearsed different conversations in my car the whole hour drive to meet her, but surprisingly after about a minute of talking with her, all that nervousness disappeared and it felt like we’d known each other for years! And, as far as I know, I didn’t say anything too dorky! 😉
That is so awesome you got to meet her! She is completely fabulous! (and so are you!!)
Hey girl! Just gave you the Stylish Blog Award! Check out my latest post! https://food-hound.blogspot.com/2011/02/stylish-cocktail-for-stylish-food-hound.html
I met Anthony Bourdain (if you recall) which sparked a big spat between Pea D and I about whether or not vegans do or do not have sex. You remember. 🙂
https://peasandthankyou.com/2010/06/22/i-like-it-medium-raw-giveaway/
You kind of look like Ree!!! 🙂
oh my gosh, that is so sweet! saying i look like Ree, not you and Pea D duking it out.
thank you 🙂
Cool that you got her signature and that it was worth waiting in line. Yes, Nate is a saint.
Ok, many of you are too young to know who Bruce Jenner was, but back in the day he was the best Decathalon athlete in the World (Track and Field). I aspired to be like he and Jackie Joyner Kersee (the best female heptathlete). I had a chance to meet my hero, Bruce Jenner. Was highly disappointed that he was so old and not the hunk that I knew him as a kid. But hey, we all age and I should have known, but it took me by surprise that even superstars age. Ha! Noone is immune. He was a nice enough guy and got my picture with him.
Agh!! Fun!! I’m sure you were fine — it’s hard to feel normal when you’re nervous and hyperaware of everything you’re saying/doing. And actually, considering how much she writes about being nervous… maybe she felt the same way!! 🙂
Ahhh! So envious that you got to me THE Pioneer Woman. I love this lady.
I am the queen of social awkwardness.
P.S. Nate is a saint.
I met JTT when I was 11. At the Autorama. It’s a car and motorcycle show. I gave him a necklace. I was convinced we would be married soon after.
How fun! I’m totally awkward like that, too. 🙂
how fun! I can’t wait to start reading her book, it looks so good
So much fun! I love that Nate waited with you. Great photos. I’m awkward, too. I literally bumped into Steve Carrell on the street in NYC and started rambling something – not sure what, but somehow I ended up with a photo. 🙂
I love PW! That’s awesome that you got to meet her in person. I really enjoy her blog and seeing her on TV appearances. I got to meet Curtis Stone (don’t be jealous!) at a cooking demo/book signing event almost a year ago. And talk about turning into a little school girl! I swear by the time I got up to him, I had forgotten my own name. He was so hawt in person and just so down to earth and lovable! *sigh*
I waited in line for two hours to meet Ann M. Martin. You know the author of the Baby Sitter’s Club series. I was so nervous. I think I muttered, “Claudia is my hero,” she signed my books and my Baby Sitter’s Club calendar. I got so excited when my birthday rolled around to see “Happy Birthday! Love, Ann.”
So cool you got to meet the Pioneer Woman herself.
I met Ron Clark once, he’s Disney’s former teacher of the year, wrote a book, and Matthew Perry was him in a movie about his life. I should have been inspiring as a future educator. However, I got tired off waiting on him all day. Picking up his Subway, getting him cold water, etc.
Ahhh, jealous!!! So cool that you got to meet her– I would have blacked out too 😉
That is so awesome you met her and great pic!
Ah I had NO Idea she was there!! Sheesh, I need to keep up with events around here 😉 Cute pics, lady!!!
I totally would have been star struck by Ree! That is so exciting that you got to meet her at all.
Did the bookstore stay open late to accomadate everyone in line? I waited in line here in Orlando at a signing several months ago, but after 2 hours, She had gotten through such a small portion, it would have taken till after midnight to get to me, so my son, although he was being watched by hubby wet his pants and we took off. I never found out what happened to the people near the end of the line, but when I was there, there were more people leaving out of line, than actually seeing her. However, there were a TON of people in line.
Well, the signing started at 2pm, so they didn’t have to stay super late. They just told us every 100 people would take about an hour, and I think there were another 50-100 people after me. From what they were saying she would stay til the very last person came by!
I know I would be right there acting lame with you!
Ah! So jealous you met her!! I’ve just started making some of her recipes and I’ve been impressed every single time! I think I might buy her cookbook! But it won’t be autographed like yours 🙁
That is so cool that you met her! I would be star-struck and totally awkward too! 🙂
I’ve never really MET anyone famous. Just seen 🙂
Very cool Heather!
wow, youre a lucky lady! And you two are just gorgeous!