Saturday, October 13, 2007

LS + WC = BFF

Squee!

Faithful Pajiba readers are probably by now familiar with me singing the praises of Winnie Cooper Danica McKellar -- and so as one may imagine, I was beyond thrilled to get the opportunity to listen to her speak and subsequently meet the woman herself, when she came to speak at the local University (which happens to be my alma mater) Friday evening. I've never been starstruck before, but I have to admit when it was my turn to go have my book signed I felt a little like Ralphie in A Christmas Story. Some words spilled out of my mouth about how I write for a pop culture site and how much the readers all love her, and what an awesome person she is -- and she told me my sweater was cute and graciously thanked me for writing about her.

If I thought Danica was an amazing person before, my adoration has increased at least ten fold. I grew up with "The Wonder Years" and even today it remains as one of my all time favorite shows of all time, which is saying a lot coming from a total TV junkie/critic like myself. In the past decade or so, I've loosely followed her career, both in academics and acting, and have always admired her for the path she's chosen. But listening to her speak really drilled home what a warm and caring person she is. Maybe math isn't my, er, forte -- but hearing her speak about it so impassioned was refreshing. Both the president of the University and the professor who put the event together both emphasized just how darn nice she is -- and I was blown away with the same impression. During the Q&A session she cordially and thoughtfully answered both serious questions about the education system and questions about her television career with the equal amounts good humor and heartfelt honesty. When someone went so far as to ask her why Kevin and Winnie didn't end up together, at first she talked about the writers were maybe trying to capture the bittersweet nature of the show, and then laughed and said, "I don't know -- I didn't write it! I would've had them end up together, though."

So yeah, I got to meet one of my idols, and it was awesome.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

awesome!!! congrats for you.

Unknown said...

I was going to put up a post about how I once met Corky from "Life goes on", but I'm not ready to relive that nightmare just yet. Some wounds just never truly heal...let's just say that those stories about "'tard strength" are not exaggerated.

Unknown said...

Wow, how jealous is Vermillion right now? Very cool indeed. I always get really embarrassed when meeting my idols. Cue blushing, stammering and an inability to look them in the eye.

litelysalted said...

Heh heh heh... Yes Vermillion has been noticeably quiet! I think he's smashing his head against the wall.

And Manny -- 'bout fuckin' time!

VermillionBrain said...

...
...
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Screw you and your stupid autographed book by the greatest woman ever that I am not at all jealous about.

I bet she smelled nice, too.

I hate you. Don't bother coming to my slumber party, either.

*runs off crying*

Beckylooo said...

You are so fantastically, adorably red in that picture!

shay said...

I've never commented before but I read your blog occasionally and Pajiba religiously so...

I just had to say...I'm sooo jealous too! I loved Winnie Cooper and I love what she's doing in her "real" life now! Lucky you!

PS: I love your sweater too!

Anonymous said...

I just read your review of Supernatural season 3 (on Pajiba) so far and I agree with everything you said. You write an excellent review!

p.s. I never watched the wonder years... Sorry!

sme said...

It's been forever since you last posted. I'm going through withdrawal over here. What gives? Don't you live to blog? Jeez.

Unknown said...

Dance, monkey! Dance!

litelysalted said...

I haven't even been on my own site in so long I don't know when you guys even posted these comments. I do live to blog, but the problem is that I write for three sites and this is the only one that doesn't involve deadlines, a paycheck, and commitment to other people.

However, I do promise for my next installment of Ask Salty by the end of the week. For real promise, this time!