Called on account of rain

in Random Crap

 Blog called on account of rain.  Mostly because it’s Texas and when it rains here the whole State shuts down.  But I’m not entirely MIA because I’m doing a giveaway today.  See the eyeball necklace on my left sidebar?  That’s my friend, Dr. Brassy and she makes awesomeness with her own little hands and she’s giving away a few gift certificates here today so you can have your own little piece of fantasticness.

Want one?  Just leave a comment and a few of you will be randomly chosen.

Also, I realize that I’ve given you nothing pertinent to comment on so here’s a random topic:  They say you should never meet your heroes because they’ll never compete with what you imagine, but that’s not true because I met Neil Gaiman once and we ended up wearing sock monkey hats and telling stories of beauty pageants.  I guess the moral here is that you should always meet Neil Gaiman, and carry your own monkey hat just in case he forgets his.  (Which is unlikely because the man is magic and I think he carries a suitcase of bad-assery with him everywhere.)

So here’s your question…which of your heroes would you still like to meet?  Or, which have you already met?

Spill, people.

UPDATED:  My God, I love you people.  You seriously pick all of the best people and I think we should be friends forever.  However, only two people can win so using (Random Number Generator) here are the winners:

“You know, I’m going to go with Wonder Woman. I had her UnderRoos and I felt like a badass when I wore them.” ~ Jenbug

“I ran into Joe Piscopo and his ex-wife at a grocery store years ago. Never having seen a celebrity before I followed (OK … stalked) them from the frozen food aisle to the bakery then check-out. A few weeks later I was in a bowling alley and Joe (I figured we were on a first-name basis since we shopped together) was playing pool. I made a beeline for him and shouted “Hey JOE … It’s ME … CHRISTY … Remember? From the grocery store?” To this day I can’t understand why he downed his beer and went out the back door.”
~ Christy 

Also, for being such amazing sports I’m going to pick a few of you to send signed copies of my book, so check your email.

We now return to regular programming.

1,499 thoughts on “Called on account of rain”

Read comments below or add one.

  1. I’m with you on Neil Gaiman. He seems like the kind of hero that never disappoints.

  4. I met Larry Byrd, total disappointment. He’s 80% asshole, 20% snobby jerk. I would still love to meet Jon Bon Jovi. That man wouldn’t let me down.

  9. I’d like to meet Rosalind Franklin. She was an amazing scientist, driven and extremely smart. I don’t think that will happen though, she died a while ago.

  10. FDR, but that’s gonna be tricky cause he’s dead as a doornail. Somehow I know he wouldn’t have disappointed though, unless you were Eleanor (ziiiing!)

  11. I’d love to meet Apolo Anton Ohno and it has everything to do with learning more about speed skating and nothing at all with touching his rock hard thighs.

  13. I met Ed Roland of Collective Soul, a band of which I absolutely ADORE and he told me that he would not sign my breasts because skin freaks him out. Even though he wouldn’t sign my cleavage, he is still totally a favorite idol of mine! (P.S. My boobs are still young and magnificent, so I don’t think it was fear of bad boobage)

  15. Jenny, I saw your interview with Katie last week and I do believe it’s my turn with the RED DRESS!!!! Send it to San Antonio! I need some awesomeness in my life and red is just the color to do it!

  16. YOU Jenny. you are one of my heroes that i desperately want to meet. now that probably sounds like sucking up, and i’m okay with that doing a little double duty, but it’s the absolute truth. i fell in love with your hilarity early on, then came to respect and idolize you for your frankness about pretty much EVERYTHING, but especially things are particularly personal and difficult. you make me feel like my flaws aren’t as big of a deal, and that it’s okay to tell everyone to go fly a kite while i get myself together. love love love you!

  17. I met Neil Gaiman once, he told me I had a Very Good Name and I was delighted.

    I would love to meet Alton Brown, even though he seems sort of crotchety, because he’d a food nerd and I am a food nerd.

  18. OMG! I have a sock monkey hat!! I’m ready to get in on the bad-assery with Neil and Jenny!!!

  20. The entire cast of TNG. Which I got to meet at Comic Con in Calgary this year. They were jamming us through the line as fast as possible, but I stubbornly chose to speak to every single cast member. Highlights? Wil Wheaton and Brent Spiner.

    Also, Amanda Tapping. Met her a few times, she is awesome. She has MY autograph in her house. This tickles me to no end and I giggle to myself frequently because of it.

    My heroes don’t know me from a hole in the wall, but I still love them.

  22. Grant Imahara seems like a guy I’d totally just love to sit down and have coffee with. And maybe plot the takeover of the world with evil robots.

  25. I really think the only people I would be really excited to meet in person are you and Daniel Quinn. I have already met The Yarn Harlot. So I guess one third of my life is complete.

  26. I desperately want to meet Bruce Campbell. I love love love him. He is the king of B movie fame and revels in it.

  28. I would love to meet Tom Waits, but I’m sure it would be disappointing because he is so incredibly bad-ass-cool that I’d just come off as a super dork and have nothing to say.
    Still. Meet him, see him play music live. That would be a dream come true.
    Thanks for a chance to win!

  29. I want to meet Bruce Campbell! I ha ve high hopes every year that he will show up at Texas Frightmare Weekend. Maybe this next one will be the one.

  32. I would love to meet Stephen King. He is my favorite author, tied with The Bloggess, of course, and his writing as always inspired me. Oh, inspired me to write, not try to bring back animals from the dead, or chop up my wife, or anything else creepy like that. Thought never crossed my mind. Plus, he’s a New Englander (like me) and a Red Sox Fan (like me). Aaaaannywho. Yeah, Stephen King.

  33. Stephen King, probably. “On Writing” was amazing. He seems like he would be fun to shoot the sh*t with.

  34. British musician Jamie Cullum. That man blows my mind musically, and I would love to pick his brain.

    Also, in regards to the “never meet your heroes” train of thought, I’ve found that sometimes you shouldn’t follow your heroes on twitter. There are some celebrities that I enjoy and appreciate, but MY GOD I can’t follow their twitter accounts. Some of them are just so… unintelligent and child-like that it breaks my heart.

  35. I would like to meet you, of course, and bask in your awesomeness. But because that sounds like sucking up (even though I can suck up w-a-a-a-y better than that), I would like to meet Anne Wheaton and trade vandaleyes.

    (I’ve met her and I can attest that she is just as amazing and sweet as you’d suspect. ~ Jenny)

  36. Hmmm … I’ve never really considered who my hero is, which is kind of sad.

    But I guess I’d say my maternal grandmother was my hero. She was tough, kind, raised five kids, buried one, lost others before they were born, had a fantastic sense of humor, could rock some hot pink lipstick, and made a mean lasagna and fried chicken dinner. (They totally go together.)

    It’ll be 10 years since she died the end of this month and I still miss her every day.

  37. I used to be a big ballerina fan. I met Karen Kain (Canadians will understand), and she was a cold brick of ice. No warmth from her. She glared at me when I asked her for an autograph as I stood in line with others getting her autograph.

  38. Met Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman (briefly!) at a signing after one of Amanda’s shows in London.
    Heroes met 🙂

  39. I met Neil Gaiman years ago and he was pretty damn cool. I want to meet David Bowie. Don’t have to think about that one for a second.

  40. I’d like an awesome eyeball necklace!

    I want to meet Neil Gaiman, although the fact that I couldn’t speak in the face of meeting an editor who worked on Sandman makes me think that I’d just embarass myself if I did

  41. I think meeting Stephen King would be fascinating. You would probably be pretty fun to hang out with, too :). There’s lots of people. Do we have to stick to living/real people? Because if we can meet dead or fictional people, too, that just opens up a lovely can of worms :).

  42. I would love to meet Neil Gaiman–he seems like…well, magic–well put, Jenny! I’d also love to meet…well, you. Could I just meet you and Neil Gaiman and then eavesdrop as you two wear Doctor Who hats and swap stories of awesomeness? Please and thank you.

  43. Sam Waterston. I refuse to believe you
    can write such mischief and not be fun as hell.

  44. Holy crap, Pixie and I just simulposted Stephen King. That belongs … in a Stephen King novel!

  45. I’d really like to meet Neil Gaiman too… he’s coming to my alma mater soon, but I won’t be in town. Heart=broken. I would also love to meet Wil Wheaton… another wonderful person you have met! You lucky duck!

  46. I would love nothing more than to meet Randy Pausch. He was such an inspiration but sadly, I think his book is the closest I will get to actually being able to meet him. I think he would live up to every expectation I have for him, and then exceed it by 100X. I wouldn’t mind meeting you also!! Your just so totally and completely awesome I think I would pee my pants a little :}

  47. I would love to meet Chuck Yeager. He broke the sound barrier in 1947. Bad ass – test pilot, fighter pilot, POW, damn near honey badger-type bad ass. Probably had rock hard thighs at one point in his life.

  49. I would have to meet Ghandi and learn his chill-out techniques, or well… I’m fresh out of people. Is it odd that I don’t really have a “hero”? I more look up to local heroes that do the right thing, every day, and go out of their way when no one’s looking!

  51. Stephen King. My dream is to impress him so much when he meets me, that he names a character in his next book after me. Preferably a character he kills off in some horrific horrible way 😀

  52. I’ve already met Jacqueline Carey, so I’d have to go with Neil Gaiman. Ha! Original, I know. I almost walked up to him and introduced myself at Worldcon, but I had an attack of The Shy, and was reduced to hyperventilating in a corner. By the time I recovered, he had been whisked away by his handler. Boo. You handled meeting him much better than I did!

  53. I deeply want to meet Sir Terry Pratchett before he ends his life. His work has helped me find words for the way I see the world and has served as a platform to make my dreams come true. I hope we can connect before it’s too late.

  54. The Bloggess of course! But if she turned me down I’d be hard pressed to pick someone else… Maybe, the Me I was before I realized I had to act like a grown up and be all responsible and stuff so I could be a good example for my daughter because her dad certainly wasn’t going to. I’m sticking with The Bloggess.

  56. I would ask The Doctor to introduce me to Dr. Suess. He taught me to be myself because those who matter don’t mind, and those who mind, don’t matter.

  57. Google investigation is essential. Be sure your potential heroes are completely full of awesome before you invest yourself.

  59. I think Tim Gunn would be awesome! Also, Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert I think would provide an awesome conversation :o)

  60. I would love to meet Kim Kardashian!!!

    ….yeah, just kidding.

    I have been reading Nora Roberts books since I can remember. I would love to meet her and tell her how amazing her books are. They have always been the way I escape the awful things that happen in life.

  61. I TOTALLY WANT TO MEET NEIL GAIMAN!!! I’ve wanted to meet him for a very very long time.
    I did once meet Amanda Palmer after a show in New York and it was one of the most magical things that ever happened to me. I got to hug her and tell her how much her music means to me and she was very kind and wonderful. I’m pretty sure I flew away from the venue after.

  62. Henry Rollins: he’s smart, he’s funny, he’s ripped, and he’s not afraid to say anything as long as he believes it to be true.

  63. I would love to meet both Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer. They are both so damnably talented and inspiring. Dreamt I met them the other night actually and was so disappointed when I woke up.

  64. Papa Smurf (Think of the pointers he could give me on how to run my own cult! He had everyone of those little blue acolytes living in Mushrooms. MUSHROOMS!) and Skarsgard (Because he is my nice-ass-and-height hero).

  65. Would love to have dinner with Hilary Clinton. I think she would be fascinating to talk to.

  66. Emma Thompson. She does all the things I really want to do act and write plus she has an Oscar. Plus she just seems like a kick ass lady. I think we’d get on like gangbusters that or she’d think I was a silly person but I doubt the second.

    Also so true about Texas shutting down for rain. I skipped class on Friday and stayed on all weekend. So did my whole family.

  67. Garth Brooks. Before I met him, he seemed passionate, vividly charismatic and genuinely grateful for his success. Had to be an act, right? Then I met him. And he was passionate, vividly charismatic and genuinely grateful for his success. I’m sure there are days when he’s as insufferable as the rest of us can be, but having expectations met by someone who created high ones was lovely. Then, of course, there would be meeting you (*blatant flattery* *also true*).

  68. hmmmmmmmmm….Jim Henson, and I would only allow him to talk to me as Kermit. The Muppets were my FAVORITE growing up and I still tear up when I hear “Rainbow Connection”….oh, and also Jenny Lawson 😛

  69. Honestly, this is just too tough a question. I want to meet everyone! There are so many actors and writers and creative types I see or hear about and think, dang, I bet they would be a kick-ass friend to have! Neil Gaiman certainly being included in that group, lol. I want to meet all the bloggers I’ve befriended and hug them (not in a creepy way) for helping and inspiring me. I want to meet The Simple Dude, just so I could be one of the few who knows his true identity. I swear I wouldn’t tell anyone!

    I’d love to meet JRR Tolkien, but yeah, that wont happen. I did meet the son of a man who was Tolkien’s friend and fellow Inkling. This man I met was a boy when the Inklings were meeting and sat in on some of those sessions, knew Tolkien to a degree, and that was, despite the degrees of separation, SO VERY cool.

    That was not, I believe, the kind of answer you wanted, but it’s what I got for you right now 😛

  70. At this exact moment in time, my hero is this author named Nicholas Basbanes. He writes books about books. Anyone who stands up for books is brilliant to me – I’m an archivist/librarian and let me tell you, that is a hard career path these days. Plus, he’s met a million other fascinating people during the course of his research, so I’m sure he has great stories to tell!

  71. My hero is Amanda Tapping and I have met her several times – she frankly gets more fraking amazing each time. I still have to have tea with an awesome writer known as The Bloggess, I am pretty sure she’s as ass-kickingly amazing as I think she is.

  72. Aside from you? (and Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer) I’d love to meet uh… Okay then, apparently just you three. We should do dinner sometime.

  73. Unfortunately my person I would like to meet has passed on. Anne McCaffery was my all time favorite writer and just recently she has passed on leaving a legacy of incredible science fiction in her wake. My other woul love to meet, was Beezie Madden, who turned out to be a bit of a snob and not at all what I had envisioned her to be. Third & fourthly, are you, Jenny the bloggess who has made
    My depression and anxiety much more bearable by simply reminding
    Me that depression lies, and Lauren Filing Jointly, because she too has made me laugh on the days I’ve felt there was no light left in the world… So thank you. And I hope you decide to make a stop on your next book tour in your neighbor state of Louisiana.

  74. I had a crush on Jarvis Cocker for years. Bloody loved him, but always said he was one person I’d rather not meet, just in case he fell from the pedestal I’d put him on.
    Then I met him, and he was bloody awesome. It was freezing cold (we were backstage at a festival) and he tried to convince me that we could ‘think ourselves warm’, whilst wrapping himself in a crocheted granny shawl. Lovely, lanky, naughty man. I’m thinking of keeping him as a pet.

  76. My heroes are the people who make me laugh the most. I’d love to meet, in no particular order, Jim Carrey, Robin Williams, Demitri Martin and (I swear I’m not sucking up here) THE BLOGGESS (I was seriously bummed I couldn’t make your book tour segment when you were here in Sam Antonio)!

  77. Scott Adams–I admire his intelligence and willingness to p*** people off. I also love the fact that he managed to produce such a following on a comic strip without being being able to draw.

  78. I would totally meet Cruella De Vil if she wasn’t so…unreal. :/

    Hmm. Besides her and my parents (who I’ve met numerous time, and always exceed expectations) I don’t really have any heroes…OH STEVE IRWIN but he’s dead. 🙁

  79. Wow… this one takes some thinking. I wouldn’t mind meeting Leo Tolstoy, if only to smack him upside the head for what he did to me with “War & Peace” while I was in grad school (wordy bastard!).

    I’m sure there’s someone else I’d like to meet more, on peaceful terms… but I can’t think of them right now… clearly this “War & Peace” scar runs deep.

  80. I would love to meet John Douglas, the FBI serial killer profiler. His work and his books are just so inspiring and completely fascinate me. And if he were still alive, I’d love to have a chat with James Stewart. I’m pretty sure we would disagree on everything, but at least I’d get to look into his wonderful eyes.

  81. Met my childhood idols Simon Le Bon, John Taylor & Roger Taylor of Duran Duran (for the 3rd time) just last month! I would love to meet Zachary Levi – he’s too yummy.

  82. I’ve gotten David Tennant’s autograph twice (by reaching over a bunch of other people seeking the same at stage doors), and even got some of his spittle on my hand (that’s what happens when you sit in the front row of the theatre when DT’s emoting Shakespearean dialogue in that Scottish brogue of his), but I don’t know if that counts as “meeting” him. I would officially like to some day, though.

    But I think the person I’d really like to meet these days is Stephen Fry. I’d probably act and sound like a total idiot in front of him, but it would be such a thrill. He’s the dapper, intelligent, funny, gay uncle that everyone should have.

  83. When I was a kid, I love Mike Webster beyond reason. I went to an autograph session to meet him and took a cassette recorder so i could record him talking to me. Years later, I met him as an adult & told him the story and he remembered it. I nearly died of happiness. Then the next year, I met him again, and when I walked up to him, he said Hi Gina! because he remembered me from the year before. He was pretty awesome and I am sad he;s gone.

  84. Oh, very nice jewelry!

    I’d love to meet Phil Plait (of Bad Astronomy fame), because I’ve had a nerd-crush on him for over 10 years now.

    And I’d love to meet Lois McMaster Bujold, because she’s an amazing author (and she’s the only one of my three fave authors who’s still alive).

  85. Wil & Anne Wheaton (they count as one). I guess they’re not your typical eternal earth-changers or anything, but they seem so kind and fun that to play a board game with them would be fricken awesome. Plus they rescue dogs and help other dogs get rescued, so yey.

  86. Um, make that Bill Watterson. Wow, me, way to get your hero’s name wrong. That’s why I shouldn’t meet him. That is exactly the kind of horrifying mistake I would make.

  87. As a writer, meeting Stephen King would complete me. As a Geek, if The Doctor arrived in my front yard – I wouldn’t complain.

  88. I met you! Your blog has always brought me up on my downest days. I know that’s a lot of responsibility, but you’re obviously handling it beautifully. I’m hoping to meet the little bun in the oven I just found out about. Shhh no one knows!

  89. I was totally thinking Jim Henson and someone else already said it. I think he would be awesome to hang out with. Because honestly, how many people think in Muppet? Since he’s not an option I’d go with you! I think you’re hilarious and inspirational. Come to Ohio sometime. We have all sorts of fun weather here but that’s about it.

  91. I’ve met and lost my hero, my grandmother. She was kind, strong and always made me consider my actions. She was a big hearted, big haired Texan that wanted to be the boss of your food intake and couldn’t understand that I knew when I needed a bathroom break. 30 yr old grand kids don’t need reminders, but I didn’t mind. She was always thinking about me, even if it was whether I needed to just “try” once more before we went shopping. I miss her terribly.

  93. Wow let’s see. P!nk, Kirstie Alley, Niecy Nash and you Jenny. To meet women who accept who they are would be awesome.

  94. Not sure I’d call him my hero. But I met Gerardo Rivera once. He was super sleazy! I was in high school and he was hitting on my teacher. I also met Ben Johnson once. I didn’t have any paper so he signed a $20 bill for me.

  97. I have met Kip Winger three times. The first time I met him, I confessed to him that I used to have his name plastered all over my Chevy Cavalier’s dashboard in tiny little labelmaker stickies. He stared blankly at me. I determined he was an ass. The second time I met him, he tossed me out of the backstage area. I suppose he might be a smart man. BUT! Still I judged him assy. The last time, he had dinner with me! He is awesome.

  98. That is an awesome necklace of awesomeness. I would look awesome wearing one.

    I’ve never gotten to spend time with anyone I would consider a “hero”. I’ve met famous people, but only for brief encounters. Nothing long enough to get any sense of what the real person is like.

  99. I would like to meet my husband’s dad. For some reason his mom has kept dad’s identity a secret all these 41 years. Hubs is pretty a’ight and I’d like to thank dad for his contribution.

  103. Tamora Pierce. She wrote ALL my favorite childhood books. Well, I mean mostly of them.

    Ooh, or Clive Barker. That madman has written some of the most messed up, crazily imaginative, funny dark and creepy light stuff EVER. And his drawings! I die!!

  104. I met Pee-wee Herman after decades of wanting to. He was lovelier than I even imagined (both physically and personality-wise).

  105. John Cusack – he seems intelligent and a great conversationalist. I think he would be troubled if I constantly referred to him as Lloyd Dobbler…

  106. I would love to meet Douglas Adams, because any mind that could create The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is someone I would worship. Unfortunately, he is no longer on this planet, but I hope he’s at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe, and that he’ll wait for me.

  107. I want to meet Neil Gaiman QUITE badly. I’m going to hear him speak again soon (9/28!) and until then, I will fantasize about running into him in a hallway or something and actually get to tell him how much his books fill my heart with glee. I know the chances of that are beyond slim but I can dream.

    I also really want to meet Jay Kay (lead singer of Jamiroquai. I would also settle for just getting to see them perform live but they never come anywhere near DC), David Tennant, and Betty White.

    I got to meet Alton Brown at a book signing a couple of years ago. He was incredibly nice and very gracious (at one point I asked him why they hadn’t given him a chair to which he replied “well, you all have to stand so I’ll stand too.”)

  108. I’m with sheri here- YOU!!! I think we can all agree you are awesome beyond words. I was mowing my yard last week and there were a few mushrooms in it and I thought, you know, if there was a boob-shaped mushroom in my yard would I even notice it? I probably would but would I blog about it…..? No. The fact that you can find the most random things and make those things so entertaining fascinates me.
    I got to meet Michael Buble once. He was so nice, sat on his bus steps for as long as it took to sign something for everyone waiting in line in the rain.
    I want to marry Dean Cain but that fact that I’d tell him that promptly after meeting him would kinda ruin my chances. 🙂

  109. Ewan McGregor. He’s just beautiful. And not just on the outside. He seems like he’s quite beautiful on the inside too. He does all this amazing work with UNICEF, seems lovely to his fans and looks badass on a motorbike. Did I mention he sings like an angel? Plus, he’s replied to two of my tweets on Twitter. One of them involved me not drooling in his coffee. I think I should have been a little insulted but I guess no one wants a stranger drooling in their coffee. Actually, I personally wouldn’t want a friend drooling in my coffee so, you know. There’s that. SO my answer is Ewan McGregor. And not to kiss ass, but you’re right there as someone I’d love to meet as well. I mean, you’re full of awesome with what you’ve done with the Traveling Red Dress, and random, spontaneous charity events held on your blog. Plus, you’re incredibly brave and very inspirational. So there. Take that.

  110. Any (or all) of the ladies that make me laugh the most on the internet:
    Jen Yates – Epbot/Cakewrecks
    Hannah Hart – My Drunk Kitchen
    Allie Brosh – Hyperbole and a Half
    You (and HST of course)

  111. I want to meet Leslie Kinzel so she can bitch slap me into loving myself and Terry Prachett so I can show him my pile of books held together with rubber bands (I have read them THAT much) and tell him how comforting he can be.

    Also, in dead people land, I wish I could hang with Grandma Cornell. She was eight separate kinds of bad ass, and I inherited all of her crazy. I want to show her I am using it well and introduce her to Xanax. She woulda LOVED it.

    ~M~

  112. I have recently had the mega-hots for Tom Hiddleston (Loki from the movies). So much so that I’m re-reading The Great Gatsby (because he’s also F. Scott Fitzgerald from the movies).

    I started following him on Twitter and… it’s kind of tedious. I’m so upset about it that I’m considering replying to his “song of the day” tweets with my own “sandwich of the day” tweets. Just to be obnoxious.

  113. I’d love to meet John Prine someday. His music makes me laugh and cry and think. I’d also very much like to meet you, because you have such a tremendous example of dealing with mental illness with humor and grace. You’ve changed the way I perceive myself, much for the better.

  114. Added to that though, husband is an entertainment journalist. Sadly, I learned long ago that some of my musical heroes are douchebags. Some are awesome. It’s balanced thing here.

  115. Most of the people I’d want to meet are pretty long dead, and I’ve already met Edward Ka-Spel of the Legendary Pink Dots. I guess I’d have to go with Juan Carlos II, of Spain, for having been given a dictatorship and turning it into a popular democracy against his supporters will.

  117. Sir David Attenborough. As a biology student, he has narrated most of the naturalist television programmes I have ever watched. Such an inspiration, he’s 80+ years old and still going strong.

    Also, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, all those funny and inspiring women. And Stephen Fry.

  118. I’ve recently come to the realization that I’d be one of those people who would completely freeze upon meeting anyone even remotely falling into “hero” status for me. And then I’d have to move to a deserted island where there was no chance of ever running into another human being again, on the off chance that they knew about my epic fail. That being said…
    David Tennant is the only actor to make me cry through both a TV show AND a Shakespeare play, so it’d be cool to meet him and tell him how awesome he is. And if death were no object, Freddie Mercury and C.S. Lewis. What can I say, I’m a versatile chick.

  119. Anthony Zuiker – read his digi-novel Level 26 which started my on-line social interaction where I made a bunch of friends I’ve never personally met. Which in a round about way lead me to your site, kinda like 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon.
    Anyone who walks into the casino where his mama works with his first big check to tell her her working days are over as he carries her out the door is good people.

  120. I know this sounds ridiculous, but I’d like to meet Jenny. I introduced a friend of mine to the site today with the Katie Couric video and was surprised at how passionate I felt when I talked about how reading the site everyday can make such a difference in a hard day.

    Also, Justin of http://www.animalstalkinginallcaps.tumblr.com which is pure delicious goodness. Another light during what has sometimes been a very difficult year.

  121. I would love to meet chuck palahniuk. I saw him do a reading once but didn’t get the chance to actually meet him.

  122. Jesus. My mother used to tell me “Knock it off or you’re going to meet Jesus!!” I never did. But still want to.

    Closest I cam was meeting Paul Newman. I was 8 yrs old and he offered to buy me a beer. 🙂
    Worst encounter, Philip Seymour Hoffman. BIG jerk. But still love his work.

    Only one left on my list, besides, well- Christ, is JENNY!!!

  123. I would still love to meet Robyn Hitchcock. He signed an autograph for me once, but I don’t really consider that “meeting.” And he seemed annoyed that all I had to sign were the back of my hand-written directions to the venue from my pocket.

    I think the biggest problem with meeting any of my idols would be having anything interesting/witty enough to say.

  126. I would love to totally bask in the glory that is Alton Brown. I am sure he is a bit of an ass, but I kind of love that about him.

  127. I met you, which was totally awesome, but I just fangirled and thanked you over and over for coming to the book festival, which was totally not awesome of me, but you took a picture with my sweet (some call them creepy) dolls, which was totally awesome of you.

    I, too, would love to meet/wake up next to David Tennant, though I don’t think I could put words together if ever I were in his presence.

  128. I did get to meet you in Seattle, which was AWESOME. I’d like to meet Geek God Wil Wheaton, and Paul McCartney.

  129. I’ve met the band Phoenix…a couple of times. They are so nice, sweet and fucking hot!! So I guess the only other person on my wish list is….George W. (hate comments can commence….now… Ha!)

  130. Jenny,

    Today is one of those days where I didn’t open my shade until three in the afternoon. I couldn’t get out of bed, except until my bladder almost burst. I snagged my computer and knew to read your blog because I knew you understood, and that whatever it was you were talking about today would help make me laugh, or it would help make me feel better because of the community you’ve built.
    You are one of the people I hope many choose as their hero.

  134. I would love to meet Tim McGraw. He’s such a great singer and a good husband. It’s nice to know that even famous people can make their marriage work!! I love what he and Faith Hill have and if u believe the stories they are even raising really good, grounded, children!!

  135. Sir Terry Pratchett. I’m not really sure why. I mean, I love his books and an author I’ve read other than him, has Mr Pratchett to thank.
    I also hate the fact that he is, in a way, becoming less the man that wrote the first book I ever read cover to cover as the days pass.
    Not that I would have anything to say other than I adore his books. Then I’d say something that I would regret until the day I die, whatever that would turn out to be.

  136. Hrm. I’d like to meet Neil Gaiman, for sure, and Terry Pratchett, preferably at the same time so I can ask them about Good Omens. Also Melissa McEwan of Shakesville, because she’s amazingly inspiring. I hate I had to miss your book tour when you came to Dallas, but life conspired against me. Yes, you, Jenny are on my list of heroes.

  137. I want to meet Hunter S Thomcat – mostly because he got to ride a unicorn and I want to ask him what it was like.

  139. Living: Paul McCartney, Robyn Hitchcock, any of the actors who played the Doctor, Peter Buck, They Might Be Giants, Trey Anastasio, Colson Whitehead, Questlove…

    Deceased: John Lennon, George Harrison, Frank Zappa, Douglas Adams, David Foster Wallace…

  140. Barbara Loe Fisher from the NVIC. I have a vaccine injured son who nearly died at 13 months and she speaks up for parents like us. I’m almost afraid to post this because i’m not trying to start any nasty debates. I would name someone else, but she’s honestly the first person who comes to mind as someone i’d love to meet. You can delete this if you’d like.

  141. I want to meet Paula Deen. I could show her my new eyeball necklace while eating something made with just a little too much butter.

  142. i already met you, so i guess now everything else is downhill. i want to meet the most interesting man in the world. maybe he can teach me something?

  143. I make sockmonkeys, so I’m thinkin’ Neil and I really do need to hang out. Also Kate Winslet, to see if my girl crush works in person, too.

    Also, @Sarah, sorry, but Jon Bon Jovi WOULD let you down. I heard a painfully lame story about him from a friend who worked with him when he was a celeb ambassador for Habitat for Humanity.

  144. I’ve met one of mine, Terry Pratchett, three times now. Last time, about three weeks ago, I gave him some Salmiak (salty liquorice), in fact. Strange things happens at Discworld conventions…:-)

  148. Ugh I have like so many heroes I would love to meet. Terry Pratchett, um, Laurie Penny because she is fantastic and I literally want to be her, and Caitlin Moran because she kind of introduced me to feminism and as such I owe her a ton

  149. Already met – Christopher Moore, several times. Just as nice and funny in person as online and in his books. Bowling for Soup – really nice guys.

    Want to meet – This one has stumped me. I don’t guess I have a wish list of heroes I want to meet. I guess since I’ve met my favorite author and favorite band I’m good.

  150. I would like to meet Batman but then again my dad is like my own personal Batman so maybe I have already met him? My mother is my hero too but I can’t quite pick a super hero to match her… mostly because to my knowledge there aren’t any roller derby super heros.

  152. I met Christopher Moore but i was too busy having an anxiety attack to be able to talk to him 😛

  153. Sadly many of my heroes are no more. I think that running into them as zombies would definitely leave me in the category of their being unable to live up to my imagination in that they no longer live. I just don’t want the burden of being known as the person who killed the undead reanimation of Douglas Adams.

  156. I got to meet Parachute (a band, for those of you that may be wondering why a skydiving tool was cool.) and Kate Voegele for my 21st birthday.

    I’d have loved to come to a book signing to meet Jenny. That would have been pretty awesome.

    Id also love to meet the cast and crew for Leverage. Everyone seems so awesome and funny and just plain cool.

  157. If he was still alive, I would love to meet Theodor Geisel – Dr. Seuss
    “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”

  158. I had always wanted to meet Patrick Swayze, now I can’t. Sad. Now I would like to meet Chris Burke, as I need he is my (and many that I know) inspiration that life can be great for our children with Down syndrome (despite what some doctors tell me). Oh and John McGinley!! For many the same reasons!

  159. First, you are too awesome for words. Thank you for sharing not only the funny parts of your life, but also the stuff that’s harder to talk about, like your depression. You truly are an inspiration. God Bless You!!

    Second, one of my idols is Joss Whedon. He is just so freaking brilliant. I would love nothing more than to sit and have coffee with him and discuss Buffy, Angel, and Firefly. Especially Firefly.

    Stay AWESOME!!!!!!!!

    XOXOX

  160. Neil Gaiman’s blog is right next to yours in my bookmarks toolbar, and when I meant to come here to yours a minute ago, I accidentally clicked on his. So I read one of his posts anyway (because it would be rude to land on someone’s site and not read anything, kind of like when you push the wrong “contact” button on your phone and you know it an instant later but you don’t want to be that one-ring hang-up-call person so you wait for the person to answer even if it’s just to tell them that you called them by accident) and then just as I was back up in my bookmarks clicking the URL for your page I thought, “Don’t Neil Gaiman and The Bloggess know each other? I thought I remembered reading someone’s post about — ” and Lo and Behold on your page you’re talking about Neil Gaiman. Magic!

  162. I think an eyeball necklace would be a huge help for my job interviews. Because I could then say that MOST employees can only keep their TWO eyes on making sure the business runs well but I have THREE (with the necklace), which makes me a superior candidate!

    I don’t have many heroes, but I did get to meet you and that counts 100% in my book. Plus, in the couple hours before I got to meet you, I got to meet many of the Tribe of Intellectual Misfits and felt, for the first time in, well, EVER, that I “fit in” with a group of people.

    I WOULD like to meet Christiaan Van Vuuren (of “Fully Sick” fame) some time and think that having the opportunity to meet Wil Wheaton would be fabulous. In fact, having dinner with you and Wil Wheaton would pretty much be the best dinner ever!

  164. I got to meet Wil Wheaton who was as charming and decent as you well know. No disappointment there. I would love to meet Amanda Palmer. Pretty sure she wouldn’t disappoint either. Come to think of it, if anyone is my hero, I’m certain they’re all gracious and lovely, which is why they ARE heroes.

  165. I just realized that one of my dearest friends is actually my hero — she’s in the Foreign Service, and if you think it’s a bunch of embassy parties and taxpayer-funded jaunts, well, that’s not what happened at the embassy in Libya. My friend wrote a powerful tribute to the ambassador who lost his life there, and to the thousands of Foreign Service workers who are just doing their jobs. So now she’s my hero (and yes, I did tell her that!)

  167. Hmmm…hard choice. If I had to pick one I’d say Nick Offerman, because Ron Swanson is my hero (and who doesn’t love BACON?). If Megan Mullaly and Amy Poehler happened to be about when this happened I wouldn’t complain…

  168. Was looking for the necklace in the side-bar and saw cat and dog wigs. What about my rabbit? He needs a wig as much as anybody.

    Re: heroes…people I know (such as my family) are pretty much my heroes. Plus teachers n people who answer 911 calls n EMTs n the folks who take care of nursing home residents.

  169. David Tennant.
    Catherine Tate.
    Stephen Fry.
    Wil Wheaton.
    Patrick Stewart.
    Neil deGrasse Tyson.
    Michio Kaku.
    ** My list could go on forever. I will stop here for the sake of brevity.

  171. George Washington Carver has always been my hero. i think if i asked him to my home he would be a humble guest and thankful for whatever i had available to serve him to eat or drink… i think he would appreciate that i buy organic peanut butter. i believe he would delight in enchanting my family with stories of his simple, yet extraordinary life. i think he would also be a charming listener and would ask about our lives as well. The time would end with gratitude that our path’s had crossed, and my children would be forever changed.

  172. Being that I was 10 in 1988, I was very much into a little band out of Boston called New Kids on the Block. Time passed, the boys broke up, I graduated high school, I became an adult. In 2008 NKOTB announced they were reuniting and some part of me that will always be 10 years old rejoiced. I have now met them all and I am happy to report that they (my favorite, Donnie Wahlberg, especially) are warm, pleasant, personable, and very sweet to their fans.
    As Neil Gaiman is one of my favorite authors, I would love to meet him one day and somehow figure out how to hug his brain!

  174. Stephen King!! He wouldn’t dare disappoint would he??? I. Think. Not. Imagine a conversation with him over coffee and doughnuts. Interesting.

  176. Since Neil Gaiman is already taken I’m gonna go with Peter Vankmen of the Ghostbusters… not the actor Bill Murry… Peter Vankmen the Ghostbuster… and I want to go on a ghostbusting trip with him… and bust ghosts.

  177. PS – I did not put Neil Gaiman on my list, only because I was fortunate to meet him twice when I worked at a Barnes & Noble.
    And the only reason you aren’t on my list is because I already briefly met you at your book signing in Mpls.

  178. I would have loved to have gotten a smile and a hug from Mr. Rogers. Pretty sure it would have made everything all right — no matter what — for the rest of my life.

  179. i dont believe in heros. unless you count cartoon superheros and if that is the case, then i totally want to meet superman just to play with that little black curl in the middle of his forehead.

  180. neil gaiman and gabriel garcia marquez. hopefully not in the same place at the same time, though. that would just be weird.

  181. Um, I want to meet the Bloggess. And I promise I didn’t just say that because I’m in the comments of your blog. I assume we could wear red dresses together and go thrifting and give depression the middle finger.

    On second thought, there might be too many people who ALSO want to do this, and if we all came to visit at once it would be like crashing the internet, except instead of the internet it would be your house, and that’s probably not okay. But I still like the concept.

  182. Emma Thompson. Ira Glass. Anne Lamott. And, given a time machine — Jim Henson. : (

  183. I met Douglas Adams once. He was doing a booksigning, and he didn’t bring a pen. It was poorly advertised so there were few other fans there at first, and I got to chat with him briefly.

  184. OooOoh man. I’d SO love to meet Neil. Moffat. Gatiss. Matt Smith. Benedict. I’m not sure they qualify as heroes tho. Meeting Neil and Amanda at once would likely result in my brain becoming unicorn hooved zombie sludge… LOL

  186. Note to self: get sock monkey hat…

    as for meeting my hero anyone from my twitter feed would suffice!
    And I know dreams can come true cause I already met Jenny! So I am well on my way!!!!!

  187. I don’t have any heroes, per se, that I’d like to meet. I think I have an absurd understanding that we’re all just people and no matter how much I try to inflate someone – I always remember that they’re just human. I do, however, thoroughly enjoy how you always seem to make those that I admire come out at good sports.

  188. I second meeting David Tennant, I am mildly obsessed with him. Like every other woman of good taste and class.

  189. Aside from you, you mean 😉 (to clarify, that is totally a creepy old man wink. I may be a 19 year old girl, but I have it down). God, it would be so hard to choose. Probably Amanda Palmer.

    I totally missed an opportunity a couple weeks ago for a proper Famous Person Anecdote. I almost walked into Ian Mckellen and I SAID NOTHING. Because really, what the fuck do I have to say to Ian freaking Mckellen?

  190. I met Douglas Adams many years ago, and that may be my allotment of awesomeness for this life. But if David Tennant wanted to eat crackers in my bed, I wouldn’t kick him out. Provided he cleaned up the freaking cracker crumbs.

  191. I’ve met several celebrities but the best was Simon Pegg, at his book signing. When he saw my name he asked if I was Irish, and when I said yes we had a five minute conversation about how beautiful Ireland was and he was adamant that I go there, as soon as possible. It was so unexpected I could barely speak in complete sentences. He was absolutely charming. I have a laundry list of authors, actors, and musicians I’d love to meet but top of the list would probably be Conan O’Brien and Patton Oswalt, because they never fail to make me laugh.

  192. I just read that Neil Gaiman post and OHMYGOD. Brilliant. I love Mr Gaiman (except for Stardust, the movie was actually WAYYY better (c’mon, Robert Deniro as a gay pirate?!?) but I adored American Gods and Anansi Boys and Coraline but Neverwhere was the best one still) so I would have fangirled out too.
    But as to the current post….I would never want to meet Eddie Izzard because he probably wouldn’t be in drag. He’s best as an executive transvestite 🙂
    But I think it would be AMAZING to meet Bill Murray–I’ve heard the stories. And I believe them!

  193. I met David Tennant once. His father lives in the same town as my parents. He was very nice and did indeed smell of awesome, although I think in shops they call in Hugo Boss. Who I’d like to meet…Charlie Brooker cause he’s a miserable git.

  194. This is going to sound ass-kissy (it IS a word).. but you. Because of you I recently became very open about my anxiety and bi-polar disorder, knowing that someone has the same thought patterns and has the will to share them gave me the ability to do so. Plus you liked my “Viva la Crustacean!” shirt. Another awesome person was Robert Downey Jr. That man was fun, full of life, funny and easy to talk to. We talked about how Iggy Pop was all vein-y and ropey and gross.

  197. Most of my heroes are dead – C.S. Lewis, Daphne du Maurier, Alfred Hitchcock, Gene Kelly, L.M. Montgomery, Oscar Wilde, Barbara Stanwyck – but of those living I would LOVE to meet Joss Whedon and Alan Alda. Joss’ creative genius has been an huge influence in my life and I have always appreciated his portrayal of women. And, while I may be mixing my love of Alan Alda with my love of Hawkeye Pierce, from what I know of the guy – he’s awesome. And frankly, Mr. Alda could just talk all day and I’d be happy; I love his voice.

  198. I think I would like to have tea with Julie Andrews. Tell her about the time in college when I was snowed-in with really lame roommates in a Freak-in FREEZING apartment (the walls could have been made with cheap cardboard) and the only way I made it through the weekend was drinking hot tea while in bed under 3 covers wearing my coat, (three pairs of socks, two sweaters and hand warmers) and watching Mary Poppins, Sound of Music, and other Andrews Classics. Plus, I’d like to know how she does the Umbrella trick.

    I’d also like to meet Bill Nye the Science Guy and Dr. Seuss. (Lets have a talk about Tweetle Beetles…)

  199. Beautiful necklace BTW, I want to meet Samuel L Jackson… Something tells me he’d be down for some good food and some football watching… Also Christopher Eccleston/ Tom Hiddleston because I am a nerd and they both seem pretty cool.

  200. Nobody has mentioned Adam Sandler!! He’s my favorite!!!!!!!!!! And NPH…and Anderson Cooper.

  202. YOU! But we already met at your book signing in Chicago, so does that mean I have to pick someone else? If so… Is anyone still on the Hillary Clinton banwagon? Because I still think she would make a fabulous POTUS.

  203. I think, for the most part, police officers and military personnel are heroes. While I’ve had the opportunity to meet people in these positions before, I’ve never had the nerve to tell them I think they’re doing a wonderful thing and that I’m thankful for their service – for some reason they make me terribly nervous – which I know makes no sense (as I’m a law abiding, non-threatening sort). So, before I list off any far-fetched heroes I may or may not meet one day, I’d like to be able to woman-up and actually thank an everyday hero.

  204. I would like to meet all the people who are willing to go public and say “hey, I have depression and it’s not because I’m weak.” The first two people who come to mind are of course The Bloggess and Wil Wheaton — mainly because they are the ones I know have said “fuck off depression. I’m gonna live a full life.”

  205. I’ve met most of my heroes (except for you!) but I’d really like to talk with Chris Hardwick, Felicia Day, and Wil Wheaton for a more-than-a-quick-photo-op length of time.

  208. I love to meet John Cusack – he made one of my fav books (High Fidelity) into a kick arse movie and I suspect (and hope) he’s similar IRL. I’d also like to meet Jimmy Fallon, because he’s a funny dude and fantastic at impressions of musicians…

  209. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. There is part of Bossypants about Amy chewing out Jimmy Fallon for being sexist, and I just adore it. Strong, funny, smart, beautiful women. Which means I would likely pee myself and run away if I ever saw them irl.

  211. I’ve always been too scared to put myself in situations where I get to meet people I admire because I get scared and anxious over how awkward I’ll be and what I should say (if anything at all). But, I met YOU last month, and it was awesome! You were so genuine that I realized I had nothing to worry about, so thank you! 🙂 The only other person I want to meet, and have wanted to meet for years now, is Alyson Hannigan.

  212. Since everyone is saying Neil Gaiman, I feel like I shouldn’t say Neil Gaiman. But, you know, Neil Gaiman.

    Also, AFP, because I just wrote about how I sickened/chickened out of going to her show on Friday, and Kurt Vonnegut, because yes – badass, plus now I want to know what kind of hats he carries in his suitcase.

  213. I would love to meet my favorite bloggers. You’re at the top of the list of course, then maybe Heather Armstrong, Alice Bradley, Maggie Mason, etc…

  215. I would love to meet Pamela Des Barres, the famous group and writer of I’m With The Band. I feel like she would have so many interesting stories to tell of Rock gods from the past. Plus, we could talk about rockstars’ wankers!

  216. Vincent D’Onofrio, Neil Gaiman, Felicia Day, you, Craig Ferguson… I have a social anxiety disorder and hardly ever go out, so I’m pretty happy when I meet anyone that’s nice & seem cool, but these people would be very awesome to meet.

    Thanks for the neat giveaway.

  219. Hmm… Still to meet? Geez. I would have said Jaime Escalante, the famous teacher who inspired “Stand and Deliever” only I’ve just now discovered he’s dead. That would make lunch awkward. I suppose I’d love to meet Buzz Aldrin some day (soon). I’ve often joked that he was the “Smart One” in that let Neil go first to be sure everything was safe. 🙂 Wow. That has so many more meanings now…..

    As to heroes I’ve met?

    I did meet Sir Patrick Stewart. I was able to be the last question of his last panel at Dragon Con a few years ago. The exchange went like this:
    Me: I’m probably going to get mugged on my way out. I’m going ‘waste’ your last question of the convention on something that’s not about Star Trek.
    SPS: You know, I’ve had a very long and wonderful career that has included many things besides Star Trek and I enjoy talking about all of that as well. I’ll tell you what. Anyone here gives you a hard time, you send them to me and I will personally sort them out.
    Me: ~faint~
    (no, actually I asked him about his production of King of Texas, a retelling of King Lear he did that went straight to TBS and was bloody brilliant)

    After the panel I got his autograph and invited him for some wine and/or beers to talk about the show more, but he had to politely decline as he had a train to catch. I’m very positive that if he had not had a train to catch he would have taken me up on it. ~nodnod~

  220. I’ve always wanted to meet Kermit the Frog so that I could ask him to do that thing he does where he throws his arms over his head and runs away screaming.

  221. Met Jimmy Carter. What a mensch.

    Heroes? Mmmm…most are either dead or fictional.

    Although Scott Carpenter would be nice.

  222. I live near a military base, and am a military spouse, and have fire fighters in my family, so I can cross all of them off the typical hero list. Not to suck up, but the hero I would like to meet most is you. I am not going to go into a bunch of reasons on a comment, but I would be happy to email them to you if you let me know how to get you one. It would be fun for you to read, and would also maybe inflate your self esteem bubble a bit for a moment.. and let us face it, who can’t use a little inflating? of their bubbles.. I know that no physical part of me could use inflating.. well…almost no part of me… okay. Thanks!

  223. I think I’d like to meet Stephen King. Or if I was allowed to meet imaginary people I’d like to meet a lot of characters from books. Not the people that play them in movies but the actual book characters. Honestly, there are too many of them to list.
    I’d like to meet my kidney that I gave to my uncle, I think that organ is a lot stronger than the rest of me, but it’s in my uncle now so that’s pretty impossible. Plus, it can’t talk.

  224. My pick would be the artists Julie Speed and Paul Lafolley. Actually, I had the chance to meet Julie Speed at the opening of one of her exhibits here in Austin about 7 years ago, but I chickened out. I might chicken out if I got the opportunity to meet Paul Lafolley, but it would be awesome to meet him with his lion claw foot (he actually uses it in place of his foot that he lost in an accident, I shit you not.) Both are wonderful, delightfully strange artists. My kinda people, even if I’m too chicken-shit to meet them.

  225. Neil Gaiman is on the bucket list, along with Alton Brown, Keith Olbermann and Bill Clinton. But I would be afraid I wouldn’t know what to say besides fan-girl gush. Gushing is unbecoming at most ages (tweens and teens can get away with it), but even more so when one is in late middle age.

  227. Well I missed my chance to meet you when you were here on your book tour, but I bet you were busy and didn’t have time for sock hats. After you, I would say Chrissie Wellington. She is the female Ironman world champion and such an inspiration!

  230. Tina Fey is my favorite famous person. Her book helped distract me from my early pregnancy when I was scared shitless something was going to happen (nothing did, healthy baby boy, thank God!). I’m afraid to meet her because, much like me, I don’t think she’d be super friendly.

  231. I would love to meet David Tennant and Neil Gaiman. I would like to meet Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. I have met YOU and Anne Rice and Felicia Day. Ooh I also met John Barrowman!

  232. I know, it is too easy to say that I would like to meet you Jenny but it is accurate. We all hoped you might make it to Kansas City or some where in the midwest on the tour. SIGH.

    I would also love to meet David Tennant, Jon Stewart and Bruce Campbell because – well who would not?

    I can tell you that Alton Brown is wonderful in person. Funny, kind, entertaining and smart! Besides – the man cooks!

  233. I want to meet the whole of Arcade Fire; there are so many of them, I would blend in on stage.

  234. I’m afraid to meet my heroes. The one that, although I haven’t met him per say, I have had a conversation with him and he turned out to be a bit of an idiot. Very disillusioning. However, if the opportunity came to meet Andy Bell or Vince Clarke from Erasure, Janet Evonovitch, or (this will sound like a butter up) you, The Bloggess, I don’t think I could pass up the chance. I’m sure there are others that I would love to meet given half the opportunity, but those are the ones that came to mind. 🙂

  235. I would love to hang out with Steve Moffat and Neil Gaiman. And Phil Plait. And you of course.

  236. I met Stephen Colbert for about 2 glorious seconds in 2007, and when I was waiting tables in NYC after college I served a slew of celebrities (though that isn’t exactly “meeting” people, it’s more like, “Hi, here is this terrible cappuccino I just made”). I’d really love to meet Bill Murray, in addition to my very long list of people on my fantasy brunch team.

  237. Aw…. I scroll all the way to the bottom only to find that Becky stole my comment (or thought of it first). I’m not “star struck”, so generally the people I’d like to meet end up being the people I get to know on a daily basis through their blogs. I’d love to hang out with you, for sure!

  239. I want to meet Robin Hobb, my all time favourite writer. As it is, I WILL meet her. Her calender contains the note of a coffee date with me in March, 2013. No girl should be that lucky.

  240. I met Neil Gaiman and it was awesome! He was so polite, signed about ten books for me, and let me read his palms. He did not disappoint. I also heard him read once from the Graveyard Book, and it was lovely. He is a sweetheart.

  241. If we can say dead people, I’ll say Andy Warhol or Freddie Mercury because of their creative genius and ability to affect us all long after their deaths.

  242. Want to meet: you. Cause with your train of thought an mine combined we could take over the world or confuse the hell out of people.

    Met: Singer/songwriter Anna Nalick. You know that song ‘Breathe’ her. So real and down to earth and open…

  243. You, Bear Grylls, and some fictional people like Stephanie Plum, Jax from Sons of Anarchy, Junie B Jones, and a hot vampire of course.

  246. I’m with auroragyps on Vincent D’Onofrio. He’s always been ‘Vinnie Boom Bah’ to me and have enjoyed his protrail of a very complex and haunted person on Law and Order, Criminal Intent.

  248. Neil Gaiman, partially because everyone else seems to think he’s the man to meet and who am I to say otherwise? Plus also he reeks of awesome. And you (book tour to England? yes yes?)

  249. I don’t know if “hero” is the same thing but I’d just like to meet anyone famous. But my ultimate dream would be to hang out with Kevin Smith because he seems like one of those people that it would be great to know. Also Ryan Reynolds just so I can stare at him; preferably shirt less.

  250. Where I work I end up meeting a lot of “famous” people and so many of them turn out to be dicks that this is difficult to answer. How about Wil Wheaton, you make him sound cool. Or Stephen Moffet I would love to know what is going on in that mans mind. And you of course!

  251. Texas shuts down for ice/snow too. But hey, I’m not complaining a bit, because when it snows my agency shuts down!

  252. I would love to meet you. I also want to meet Lance Armstrong. And, I wish I could have met Freddie Mercury. It would be so great to sing a song with him!

  253. I want to meet Craig Ferguson. I watch his show every night and I just think we’d have so much fun together.

  254. I don’t know if I’d want to meet one of my heroes. I mean, Amy Poehler seems so so so amazing… Also Tina Fey and Mindy Kaling and Jenny Lawson (that’s you, not some other Jenny Lawson- the name is kind of common, you could be confused.) But. Well, when I was in high school I was in LOVE with the lead singer of Silverchair, Daniel Johns. They did a meet and greet in Chicago for their album release and my friends and I went. But when I got up to take my turn at getting autographs, I couldn’t even speak. I said not one single word to any member of my favorite band. Maybe I’d be less socially stunted since I’m no longer 16, but I kind of doubt it. I’m like Troy on Community, “I just want an autographed picture of LeVar Burton! You can’t disappoint a photograph!”

  255. I met Wil Wheaton at Dragon*Con 2011. He borrowed my pen during two separate panels, including one time to sign Colin Ferguson’s chest. When I went through his autograph line later, he remembered me, and was gracious enough to take a picture with me. The kindness and respect that he had for each and every fan was astounding, and far exceeded my expectations of how someone would be after having to talk about a show they did as a kid twenty-five years ago.

    Still on my list are Neil Gaiman, Matt Smith, and Elijah Wood. These would be vastly different interactions, but I hope they would all be as awesome as meeting Mr. Wheaton.

  256. I had the opportunity to meet one of my heroes, pre-astronaut Joe Kittinger, when he spoke at an assembly at my daughter’s elementary school last week. I would dearly have loved to meet Neil Armstrong before he died, but never had the chance.

  257. Met: Sarah Vowel, she was super nice although very shy, and Penn & Teller who were both quite amazing.

    Want to meet: Mayim Bialik (whose blog I love though I am not Jewish nor a mother), Jason Mraz (because he seems like the ultimate awesome coffee/tea date), and Doris Kearns Goodwin (an amazing author who loves history and baseball as much as I do).

  259. Man, that’s a tough one.

    My father is one of my heros. I haven’t seen him in 6 years now. I’ll go with that one.

  260. I’ve already met my hero.

    My dad.

    My dad is a Stage 3 lung cancer survivor. He is an 11 year lung cancer survivor.

    I used to think that my problems were the worst in the world. Nowadays, I don’t sweat the big stuff anymore considering what he had to go through and what we went through as a family.

    He is here today. Husband. Father. Grandfather.

    Here’s my dad:

    Thanks for having the contest, Jenny.

    Duke

  263. I never freaking win any of these giveaways. 😐 As for who I’d like to meet … Pitt, Clooney, Gosling. Any of them. Course I’d be an incoherent slobbery mess all over them. Probably not good idea.

  264. I’ve met you, but I’d love to have a meal with you, April from Regretsy, and Jen from Cake Wrecks. Our awesome menfolk could cook/serve/pour.

  265. I’d love to meet Joel McHale. He seems like a fun guy to have a few beers and be snarky with.

  267. Heroes for me depend on what going on in my life at the time. they are ones I can look to and gain strength from. Lately it has been you Jenny. Especially you Depression Lies Video.

    I would love to meet you someday.

  269. Neil Gaiman lives in the next town over from me. I hope to run into him one of these days.

  270. You. I want to meet you!

    Also I would love to meet Emma Watson and Mila Kunis.

    I’d say Channing Tatum but I know he’d disappoint me by being an ass, I’m sure.

  271. I’ve met Tom Baker and Colin Baker (of Doctor Who fame) and Eric Idle from Monty Python. I wanna meet Emilie Autumn next! And maybe Terence Zdunich….

  272. I’d totally want to meet Ian McKellan!! He’s portrayed the best of the best characters and has a grumpy grandfather aura about him, so he seems to be the kind of person that could be super nice one day and sarcastically nasty the next 😉
    I’d also love to meet Christopher Lee. He’s just pure awesomeness!!

  273. I want to meet Jon Stewart. I worship him (of course, you are my first choice but I am assuming that you and I are going to meet Jon Stewart together!

  274. Jenny – I have to admit, you are one of my heroes and I may squee a bit if I ever get to meet you!

    Stephen King – because, well, the man’s a God. Yeah, I said it.

    I tell you, I’ve met a LOT of people that I really look up to and – thank the gods – they’ve all lived up to my hopes. (Thankfully, I’m inclined towards expecting real people with real warts – makes for much less disappointment.) But yeah, you and Stephen King – those are my bucket list right now.

    BTW Jenny – you should totally come to Dragon*Con next year!

  275. who do I want to meet? Tom Hiddlestone, dressed as Loki. Because I love Loki probably a bit too much. And David Tennant, dressed as the Doctor.

    However, that eyeball necklace is ace and I want one

    x

  276. Gaiman was just in our fair city on the Unchained Tour – he is an awesome speaker!

  277. So many people I would like to meet. In theory. In reality I worry that I’d just stand there stammering incoherantly, because that’s what I do when nervous.

  278. You, Neil Gainman, Amanda Palmer, and Wil Wheaton all at the same time for an evening of debauchery and asshattery. We shall call it “Bob”.

  279. I would give anything to meet Rachel Maddow. And if I met her I can pretty much guarantee that it would never be disappointing.

  280. I would like to meet Beyonce. The metal chicken-not the person-ew. And you of course! That would be neat.

  281. I must admit that when I met Wil Wheaton (sorry, so clumsy, let me pick up this name I just dropped) he was an utter delight. I mean that. De. Light. We talked about acting and writing: he quoted Neil Gaiman while I agreed with him by citing Philip Pullman. He signed my friend’s copy of Stand By Me, but since I’d just moved to the city (Portland at the time), I had nothing but an Isaac Asimov book with me. I debated asking him to sign that, but then got caught up in TALKING with WIL FUCKING WHEATON (WFW for short). To this day I am amazed that words came out of my mouth and not a bunch of consonants or a single unending squee.

    Whoever said that bit about not meeting your heroes had some jerks for heroes.

  283. Most of the heroes I want to meet are authors and I been slowly doing it. Other than that I would love to meet David Tennant.

    You’re also not making me miss Texas. I lived in Austin for a few years and have a love/hate relationship with rain. Loved when it did rain because it meant things got watered, hated it because everyone stopped driving like it was the end of the world.

  284. Dead or alive? Dead… my grandmother. I never got to meet her, but I’m apparently so much like her. It would be nice to have been able to see that for myself. Alive… David Tennant. Should I need a reason? Okay fine. He’s the best doctor, and dead sexy. More actors should be as awesome as he is.

  285. I’ve never actually met Neil Gaiman but I went to an event for the 10 year anniversary of American Gods and I was in the front row, so I’m pretty sure that since he must have saw me and thus, by now, I must have ended up in one of his dreams. And that makes me happy.

  286. I would probably lose my mind if I met Neil Gaiman, because he’s been my hero for ages! I also love Wil Wheaton, and Felicia Day.

    I met Robin WIlliams when I was a kid, and he was very quiet, and nice. Not what I had expected at all. Woody Harrelson and I had a flight together out of Amsterdam, and we joked about how we’d both forgotten to brush our teeth that morning because we’d been out way too late the night before. He was AWESOME!

  287. I met the guy who played Herb Tarlick on WKRP in Cincinnati when I was a teenager. I can’t imagine it gets better than that. Of course, I wouldn’t be opposed to meeting Warren Buffett.

  289. Benedict Cumberbatch. That’s a name that just screams for ALL the respect. Also on the list – Matt Smith, David Tennant, Christopher Eccleston, Billie Piper, Karen Gillan, John Barrowman, Eve Myles, all the cast of ‘Firefly’, ‘Buffy’, ‘Angel’, and most of the people from ‘Scrubs’. Then there’s a ton of artists/writers that are dead (boo, death!), Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Kristin Wigg, Patton Oswalt, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Amanda Palmer, Ben Folds, and John Cusak (and his sister, Joan), Amy Sedaris, David Sedaris, Chelsea Handler, Augusten Burrows, Oh, and last, but not least, is the Bloggess. I have a kid and obligations, and the book tour stops didn’t mesh with real-life for me, so I missed my chance to see her when she was her closest to me at about 6 hours away. Maybe next time. I hope there’s a next time…

    Neil Gaiman and April Winchell were on that list, but I’ve met them both, and they more than lived up to expectations… Oh, and I got to meet Boba Fett. The real one. And the new one from Ep. II. Not at the same time. Because that would be weird.

  290. 1. I love that necklace.

    2. I really want to meet Mindy Kaling because her book read like my daily inner monologue (only more Indian…and successful…)

  291. My hero has always been my Grandfather. He was a good man and taught me so much about life. I miss him everyday. Love you, Grandpa!

  292. Lady Gaga. Who wouldn’t want to know if that FANTABULOUS creature is all that she appears to be?

  293. I would love, love, love to meet Eddie Izzard. I actually had my picture taken with him once, but it was after a play in London. Even though he was nice enough to stay until the last fan had gotten an autograph and a picture, I’m pretty sure he was really just trying to shake off the gaggle of fans so that he could meet his family for dinner.

  294. I would want to meet Henry Cele, the actor that played Shaka Zulu in the TV-miniseries. Because there was a period where every African-American stripper with a huge dong would use that as their stage name. That’s got to be pretty cool if everyone with a big schlong uses your name. I bet there’s some German guy named Schlong – that would be cool too.

  295. I would meet Willie Nelson if I could meet anyone. He represents the old outlaw country persona and values that I love.

    Willie for president!

  296. I’d like to meet Neil DeGrasse Tyson because of physics and awesomeness. Or Bill Nye.

  299. The second I get home, I’m starting my sock monkey hat!

    I want to meet that one hot celebrity guy who’s really into slightly chubby, non-celebrity types. Oh yeah.

    🙂

  300. I would love to meet JK Rowling – because of Harry Potter I have the most amazing friends all around the world

  301. Sir Elton John!! He is friends with my friend’s brother, so it’s a possibility, right?

  303. I feel like I’ve told this story all over the internet, but I once got to meet Weird Al. For his concert (and courtesy of my awesome BFF who got to dance as a cheerleader in Smells Like Nirvana that night), I had an excellent 6th row Aisle Seat and during “I Wanna B Ur Lovr”, he comes down into the audience. Well, I was the lucky girl that got Weird Al in her lap during the song! I was so giddy and excited, and forgot that I got to meet him after the show too.

    So by the time we’re waiting in line for autographs after, I become a walking tornado of anxiety. I can’t figure out the PERFECT THING to say to someone I’ve been listening to and worshiping since I was a little kid. I probably came up with something like “Hey, Al, so great to meet you, I’m a big fan…”, but when I got to the front of the line, what came out of my mouth was: ‘THANKS FOR THE LAP DANCE’.

    Al, thankfully, was gracious and laughed and took a picture with me anyway.

    I’d probably pee on myself if I got to meet Neil Gaiman, so maybe I should stop while I’m ahead.

  306. Sheldon from Big Bang Theory. Not the guy that plays Sheldon, but the actual character. BAZINGA!

  307. I would have loved to have met Audrey Hepburn. Her idea of how to live life by giving to those in need and what beauty means (resonates from within) are powerful messages for anyone, but definitely women. And of course her style was classic and timeless.

    Sadly, I don’t think Audrey Hepburn would look good in a sock monkey hat, though.

  308. I’d love to meet Neil deGrasse Tyson…I don’t think he’d disappoint! And that necklace is all kinds of badass…

  309. I don’t have any heroes that I’d like to meet. Although I’d like to meet a few authors. Terry Pratchett for one. I would have loved to met Agatha Christie. That would have been awesome.

  311. Of course I want to me you! I met the comedian Gabriel Iglesias and, while not really a hero of mine, he is one helluva nice guy!

  312. I’d love to meet Mr. Gaiman, and by the same token, Amanda Palmer is high on my list!

  313. As an aspiring author, my heroes are female authors. I have a list of wonderful ladies that I’d love to meet one day. Cassandra Clare, Julie Kagawa, Maggie Steifvater, Lauren Kate, Kelley Armstrong, EL James, Kami Garcia, Stephenie Meyer…and who could forget JK Rowling…just to name a few. I had also hoped to meet the wonderful Bloggess when she was on tour, but darn if the activities of my rugrats didn’t get in the way.

  314. I would love to meet one of my favorite authors. You would be delightful to meet. I also love Neil Gaiman and his wife, Amanda Palmer. I would also like to meet Alexander McCall Smith because he is Scottish, he write happy stories and he is Scottish, in a totally platonic way. Thank you if I am a chosen one. You are an incredible person.

  317. I would like to meet Neil Gaiman, too. I have always loved his books, but then I saw the bit on the “Making of Stardust” where he was talking about how he felt bad that actual people were having to do actual work for long hours to create a flying pirate ship just because he sat at a desk and thought wouldn’t it be fun for his characters to get picked up by a flying pirate ship. He was so charming in that clip. *sigh*

    I would also like to have lunch with Elton John (but that might be a side effect of being raised by gay men). : )

  318. I have met one of my heroes. It’s my mom. She was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer earlier this year and is currently going through chemo. This battle has been tough but she has tried to stay upbeat through out everything. Her last PET scan showed that the cancer was going away. She is one of the strongest women I know. I would love to meet you Jenny, you keep me laughing with every single post. Thank you!

  319. I have already met Nathan Fillion (no, while he was willing to pose for a pic with me, I could not get him to hold twine) and Wil Wheaton (at the bank, just doing some banking), but I have yet to meet YOU! I would TOTALLY love you (and probably freak you out, because of all your, you know, what-nots and other anxiety issues) but I would do my best to NOT freak you out because you’re my damn HERO!

    I don’t even need to win the giveaway. I love you anyway.

    <3

  320. Would love to meet you. You are your own brand of bad-assery and are too cool to even realize it. But, if we did meet, I would sit there silent and awkward because the shyness takes a while to fade. SO, it appears we are going to have to hang for a while until the shy, weird goes away and the fun, weird comes out. I am rambling. Anywho. Love you. Eye thing is bizarre in a way that it must be loved too. Hugs. Because in the South – we hug damn it!

  321. Anne McCaffrey. That isn’t going to happen because she died last year. She was my favorite author as a child and is one of the main reasons why I love to read so much today. I also love Robin Hobb because her books are amazing. My top pick for a living person would be Pink though. She is completely bad-ass, kind of intimidating, but seems like such a “real” person.

  322. Doonesbury artist GB Trudeau. I’ve enjoyed his work practically daily since I was in middle school.

  323. I’ve met Anne Lamott and Ayelet Waldman. I knew Dave Eggers vaguely in college (friends of friends type thing). I’d still like to meet Hilary Clinton and Madonna. I’m curious as to whether Madonna is interesting or a complete B*%*H in real life.

  324. Geeze, heroes? That’s a hard decision. I mean, let’s face it, people can be very judg-y when it comes to who you say is a hero. With that being said, though not necessarily true hero status, I would love to meet J.k. Rowling. She gives me hope that someday my ramblings will amount to magic.

  325. I don’t want to meet anyone. Everyone I’ve ever encountered (which isn’t many, thank God) has been an arse and totally let me down in some way. Thus, I prefer to live my life of delusion and imagine they’re all great and I wouldn’t cock up the conversation in any way.

  326. I met you in Minneapolis, that was fantastic because you’re as awesome as I thought you’d be! Ditto for Dave Barry. I’d like to meet Jim Parsons, Harry Connick, Jr. or George Brett. Kind of shallow, I realize.

  327. Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox 2nd baseman) he is awesome and hasn’t let his size keep him from doing what he loves AND he does it so well. 🙂 My list could go on forever but I will leave it at that.

  329. About seven years ago Neil Gaiman signed my copy of Good Omens. I always wanted to have Terry Pratchet sign it as well, but I fear I will never get the chance. I would love to have the opportunity to thank him in person for all the joy he’s brought me over the years.

  330. Not to sound all kiss-uppy, but I’d totally want to meet you because you’ve made it ok to be imperfect and quirky and fuck the world if they can’t take a joke. Also Ann Richards. Apparently I have a Texas thing.

  331. I want to meet Beyonce…and I don’t mean the singer one either. I want to meet the metal chicken Beyonce. Since she spends her life hanging around in the yard annoying someones husband. Thats hero material to me!!

  332. I would love to meet you and omg i love that necklace!!
    PS I “bumped into” Pierce Brosnan on a family vacation in California circa 1998. He smiled at me and I smiled at him. I was way too shy to even mutter a hello but we had a total moment!

  333. Hmmm… let’s see… I’ve already met YOU 🙂 Then there’s my biggest hero LisaLiscious… she married me, so that’s pretty cool. My Dad’s my hero, know him pretty well. My grrrrrrrlz DangerMuffin and Peanut The Destroyer are my heroes, I met them when they were born, so I’m good there. There’s my wife’s cousins Debbie and Lyn, oh wait, met them… Met a bike racing hero of mine, Seanna Hogan, she married my hero from college, Pat. Hm.

    Oooh oooh, Brad Warner. Punk, Dr. Funk, and Buddhist Monk. No wait. Met him a year ago.

    Tell ya what: I want to meet a hero who doesn’t know he’s a hero yet. That’ll do it.

  334. You Jenny. I would love to get drunk in a fabulously weird bar with you and sing made up songs then go home and watch doctor who. My perfect day. *sigh*

  335. You, Jenny! You’re definitely one of my heroes! I’d also like to meet JK Rowling and Dwayne Wade from the Miami Heat. JK Rowling brings me Harry Potter, which is my world. <3 And Dwayne Wade is such an inspirational person. AMAZING father and follows his dreams. <3

  336. I’ve met Neil, briefly, a couple times. I think I’d like to meet Wil and Anne Wheaton, because they seem like my kinda nerds.

  337. I haven’t really thought about “heroes” per se – is that weird? I don’t know. And I don’t want to get all philosophical on anyone, especially myself, on account of the fact that I’d have very little material to keep an intelligent convo going. But someone I’d like to meet related to your blog is WIL WHEATON. Why, you ask? Well, because I first thought he was so cool for his great since of humor and playing along so nicely with your good-natured antics. Admittedly, I had no idea who he was. Just generally a Good Guy who had a Good Sense of Humor. And then I started following him on Twitter, still not sure who he was, and then I decided it was time to consult Wiki. AND THEN I FREAKING LEARNED HE WAS GORDIE ON STAND BY ME and I seriously wet the couch a little bit. I love that movie so much and have the soundtrack on cassette tape to prove it. And then Wil made me start thinking about s’mores and how much I love those too. So yeah, it’d be cool to meet Wil Wheaton.

  338. Terry Pratchett. One of my fav authors and he actually co-wrote a novel with Neil called Strange Omens. Very good!

  339. The hero of mine I’d like to meet is You. Because you are full of awesome and have saved my life more times than I can count. Really.

  342. I’d like to meet David Brin, who I have sort-of met on G+. He replied to one of my comments.

    Same thing happened with Amanda f-cking Palmer on Twitter, now that I think about it. I’d like to meet her in person as well.

  343. Paul McCartney. He has a reputation of telling people wanting pictures and autographs to F*ck Off and really having Paul McCartney tell me to F*ck Off is on my bucket list.

  344. OOh me want me want. I love free things and cool ones…even better.
    In California, we have “storm watch 2012” with mood music, “1/4″ rain possible, bring in the pets and plants and throw on a sweater, it will be downright chilly in the day time, 65 degrees folks”. No joke. But I got so used to it, that when I went to the Midwest I almost got taken by a tornado. It was sunny, a poofy cloud here or there, drove half an hour to the lake and suddenly the skies were pitch black, severe winds, pounding rain ,and tornado sirens. It was, as I tell my hubby” all…la la la BAM! DEATH!”.

  345. I always dreamed of meeting one of my “heros” until I actually did and then well not so much. He was 110% asshat pure unadulterated jerk. He broke my heart and to think of all the money I spent on him and his band as a teenager it kinda sickens me to think of really. I live with my new hero’s my kids they amaze me every single day and I honestly don’t know how they got to be so stinkin awesome but I am sure glad they have. AND omg that is a beautiful necklace. ^_^

  346. I have a list. Here goes:

    Jon Bon Jovi (because Bon Jovi is one of my favorite bands & has been forever)
    Donnie Wahlberg (because he adores his fans & because I’ve heard he gives amazing hugs)
    Ami James, Megan Massacre & Chris Garver (because they’re awesome artists & I love their work)
    Misha Collins (because he’s crazy in the best possible way)

    I could keep going, but this would get really long, so I’ll stop.

  347. I had someone in mind but as I read through the comments I was all…”Oh yeah! Them! That would be cool!” and “Oh my gosh, how could I forget them?” So I guess I will leave it at I would love to be there when everyone got a chance to meet their heroes and see how it all turns out.

  348. Is it entirely to geeky to say you? I am still working on writing my 8 yr old books and overcoming my multitude of mental issues so meeting you would make my day. Also I used to share your blog with my sister and we would laugh our asses off. Last month she passed away now coming here is bittersweet.

  349. I already met you, sort of. And that worked out pretty great for me. Though I’m massively in love with Felicia Day so if anyone could hook that up for me, that’d be great.

  351. Note to self: Take sock monkey hat to Neil Gaiman’s reading here in town on Friday. Or maybe a hat with a taxidermied squirrel on it, since if the ones in my attic don’t leave pronto, I’ll be forced to become creative.

  352. I would love to meet Maya Angelou. Her book I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings changed the way I thought about people and life in general when I read it for the first time in 11 th grade. The good news is she is coming to Virginia Tech (somewhat nearby) but the bad news is I probably can’t find a baby sitter for my 3 kids. Alas, our meeting may have to wait.

  354. I’d love to meet Ed McMahon. But i’d rather he brought a real check, instead of that big fake one. Oh…and they can skip the confetti and balloons. They probably contract that out like the government and I’d rather that chunk of money just come directly to me. :o) Besides, I’ve worked hard to alienate my neighbors, and have no plans to bring attention to our house and give them a reason to start trying to socialize with us.

  355. I would love to meet Neil Gaiman too. I kinda sorta accidentally started a shrine to the man and his work. If I win, I’ll send you a pic. I didn’t mean for it to be quite so fan girl when I started. Oh well I enjoy seeing it.

  356. I’m going to meet my hero, author Tim Powers, in January. I’d love to think I’ll be charming and that we’ll sit together talking brilliantly about each others’ writing. I’m pretty sure that in reality I’ll be babbling incoherently, and he’ll be giving people the eye to say, “Get me away from this crazy woman, anyone!”

  359. Oh, I also got to work with Betty Garrett and Lee Meriwether and Beau Bridges and who knows WHO ELSE that passed through the portals of Theatre West in Los Angeles. All very cool people. Betty was a hysterical nutjob who could limerick better than any; Lee is still just so damn elegant; Beau (when I worked with him) was genuinely genuine.

    Still wanna meet you, tho.

  360. I have always wanted to meet Ellen Degeneres. I don’t have cable, so sadly, I don’t get to watch her show, but I watch clips from her YouTube channel all the time. I find myself both laughing and crying as I watch the clips. She’s an amazing humanitarian who truly, genuinely cares about the happiness and well-being of others. She is constantly using her fame and fortune to help others rather than herself. Additionally, fighting for LGBTQ rights/equality is something that is near and dear to me, and I know it’s something important for Ellen, as well. In particular, I’d love to work with Ellen on some sort of charity or special cause. She is definitely someone I look up to and admire.

  361. That’s a hard one to pick honestly. I suppose I’d love to meet Nichelle Nichols, Bette Midler because she can sing and is also hilariously inappropriate and I love that, and if he was alive I’d love to talk with George Carlin.

  362. I know it sounds like something you’d expect to see someone say but I’ve always wanted to meet you. (since I missed you when you did the book signing in Miami) You inspire me to be myself and that it’s okay to be a misfit. Thanks to you I know I’m not alone in this world. I’m sure other people feel the same way

    Also Jen Yates from Epbot she’s an undercover hero to the nerd world with her crafty knowledge.
    David Tennant… who wouldn’t and various Doctor Who actors
    There’s a bunch of heroes I’d love to meet honestly.

  363. I love the jewelry and would definitely flash it around town if I won 😉

    I met Michael Buble and really loved him! He is down to earth, realistic, and just plain nice. It made me promise myself that if/when I hit it big, to always be humble and kind like him!

  364. OH, and while I’m thinking about it…

    I would really like to meet Wolff Blitzer. No, not the news guy, the dead wolf. I would like to offer him an all-expenses paid trip with me to Burning Man 2013. I would ensure a very good time to be had by Mr. Blitzer. I can guarantee public adoration, but I cannot promise that I can monitor his sobriety at all times. I would also make sure he made it back home, safe and sound (complete with souvenir playa dust… lots of it…. that will never, ever fully come out, but whatever! That’s Burning Man). He would love it. Seriously, Jenny, let’s talk 😉 😀

  365. I’m not sure I have a hero. I have lots of people I’d like to meet. Da’Vinci, Jamie and Adam from Mythbusters, all my favorite authors etc.

    🙂

  367. Hmm hard question…
    Want to meet:
    1) Ben Folds, because he makes explicit lyrics sound pretty.
    2) Elinor Dashwood, because she is probably my favorite heroine of all time

    Already met and want to re-meet:
    1) Jasper Fforde, cause when I met him I didn’t know who he was and how much I would love his books.
    2) Joshilyn Jackson, because the one dinner we had together was incredible and I want a repeat!

  368. If I had to find a hero who would not disappoint, then it would be WIL WHEATON! Because we could collate together and I like to collate plus I had a crush on him years ago. I’ll bring the paper!

    And if you joined us then I would get to meet two heroes, although your lack of pics of yourself collating leave me to believe you would not be partaking. But I would let you wear a monkey hat and watch.

  369. The Pet Shop Boys. They’re my favorite group, and they have the freakiest wardrobe ever. Who wouldn’t want to be in the presence of someone who makes striped dunce caps and cardboard sunglasses look good?

  370. Amy Poehler, pre-SNL 2000, during Upright Citizens Brigade’s brief run on Comedy Central. She was performing with the UCB gang at an Austin comedy club, and although we were destitute and living in a motel at the time, we scrounged to buy tickets, as that show was my ex’s and my VERY FAVORITE. We told ourselves we’d just enjoy the show and forgo drinks to save money. Amy just randomly appeared in front of us at the bar, and turned to see our mouths agape at our comedy idol. Without missing a beat, she chirped, “Hi guys! I’m Amy! What are you two drinkin?” and bought us a round. Pretty soon the other members of the troupe gathered around, and we asked about their recent trip to Amsterdam, and they sat down with us and told us all about it like we were all old friends. Now that Amy’s got her own network TV show, I watch it and tell people, That’s how she really is in real life, like Leslie Knope. She cares about every person she meets and it shows.

  372. I would LOVE to meet Chuck Palahniuk. Because he is awesome and twisted. And also because I would like to know if the story about his intestines being sucked into the drain of a pool is true.

  373. I really wanted to meet Hunter S Thompson. And also, I would like to meet Megan Fox so I can convince that bitch to change her name and stop making the pizza delivery guy laugh at me when I try to order a pizza. She’s not my hero, but I’m just sayin’. Also, she has toe thumbs. I don’t have toe thumbs. This Megan Fox’s thumbs > that Megan Fox’s thumbs.

  374. I got to meet Katha Pollitt, which was amazing. Oh, and this year I got Margaret Atwood to wish me a happy birthday on twitter and nearly died.

  376. Annie Lennox. My main life goal is to one day be half as cool as she is. I don’t think I have enough time to get that cool, but it’s still my goal. I feel certain that she’s as brilliant as I think she is.

  377. This is going to sound cliche but you are one of my heroes, Jenny!
    And I was so glad I got to meet you at your book signing in Los Angeles 🙂
    You were just as awesome in person as you are on your blog, because you were just being YOU

    I just got married Aug 25th and honestly, all I wanted was to stand in the back of the room and pretend like it wasn’t my wedding because I have severe crowd anxiety even though I was deliriously happy to be marrying my soul mate. It makes me feel awful that I have such a hard time enjoying moments like those but it makes me feel less shitty knowing that even if it’s not “normal,” it’s okay and to accept who I am. And that makes it easier to take a deep breath and get back out there.

    So thank you.

  378. Unfortunately, most of the people I would really like to meet are long deceased- John Hunter, who was the Father of Modern Surgery; Thomas Jefferson (who I kinda met as in I met the man who interprets him at Colonial Williamsburg and is probably about as close to Jefferson as I’ll get while roaming the earth); and other historical figures like that. I kinda feel like those are givens.

    I would love to meet Harrison Ford (on one of his ‘lucid’ days- because really have you seen some of his interviews?), Maura Tierny (who played Abby Lockhart on ER, because I think she’s an incredible actor and person), and Jude Law, because he’s yummy. 🙂

  379. I have a long long list, but I’m gonna go with Matthew Gray Gubler, because he is adorable.
    Also, you of course. But under a table, not in a bathroom. Because I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to be in the opposite sex bathroom. I guess unisex would be acceptable, but that would mean increased bathroom traffic, and thus the whole bathroom escape possibility would perhaps be made redundant.

  381. Dead person I’d like to meet: Walt Disney… I’d love to know if the movies that have come out in the last few years would meet his approval. I’d love to know what he thinks of all the parks too.

    Live person I’d like to meet: My mother’s estranged half-sister. My mother always knew she had a half sister who was just six months older than me but never got an opportunity to meet her. I found her on Facebook a few weeks ago and was shocked that she looks just like my mom! (Mom passed away 8 years ago). I sent my aunt a note asking to meet but said that if she didn’t want to meet, that I’d never contact her again. I’ve never heard anything. I have to let this go but I still wish I could meet her.

  382. Crap. I am terrible at following directions, no wonder it took me an hour to install a cabinet safety latch today.
    Never met my hero, author John Taylor Gatto. But not to sound brown-nosey but Bloggess is my hero too. I did meet Dan Haggerty, Grizzly Adams, in second grade which I thought was beyond awesome, but still one level below Soleil Moon Frye or any Full House character.

  383. I had my chance.. I met YOU, and I totally blew it.. by losing the capacity to speak words or know any kind of language. >.<

  384. Based on the story and many comments, Neil Gaiman moved to the top of the list, but he’s up there with Terry Pratchett and Michelle Obama.

  385. All this talk about meeting famous people makes me feel anxious because every time I meet someone famous, I always end up acting weird. I suppose if we were talking about meeting them in some kind of ideal casual situation, I’d second other people’s suggestions of Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Wil Wheaton – seriously, pretty much everyone that other people have listed because we’re all internet nerds of a feather.

    I’ve already met Bruce Campbell and I have an incredibly blurry camera phone photo to provide it. Don’t hate.

  386. I met a local weather lady at a county fair when I was a kid. I had a panic attack went she asked me to read the forecast live on the air. My sister (who was too young to read) screamed like dirty hobos where kidnaping her because she couldn’t be on tv.
    This is why I never want to meet any of my heros for real. I’m perfectly happy watching them on YouTube.
    Although if I wasn’t married or panicky I think I would have a shot with Stephen Merchant.

  389. I hate to say it, because it sounds like I’m sucking up, but after reading the chapter on the blog summit in your book, I’d like to meet you, Jenny. Or Jeffrey Sachs. Or Billy Collins.

  390. I would love to meet Neil Patrick Harris someday…or any of the Firefly actors. Yes, I am a fangirl. But hopefully not in a bad way.

  391. I would very much like to meet my hero, Loren Walker. She’s not a celebrity, or anyone remotely famous, though she should be. She works with restorative justice models and mediation practices in Hawaii, and is one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever had the pleasure of emailing. I want to learn everything I can from her so I can help others like she does.

  392. St. Francis of Assisi. Why? 1.) Because he was a saint and from what I’ve read of them, the saints were mad as hatters; being a fellow depressive and anxiety sufferer, I can identify. 2.) He chose to be a border-dweller, away from the masses. I can relate. Last but not least, he loved animals; I like that.

  393. Well, I DID get to meet you…we even took a picture making angry panda faces in which my friend was all blurry because the book store guy couldn’t work my phone. It’s awesome. Now that I’ve already met you though, I’d love to meet Salman Rushdie, J.K. Rowling, Neil Gaiman, Patrick Stewart (okay, I’d like to meet EVERYONE who has ever been on any version of Star Trek ever) and about a hundred other people!

  395. I would love to meet the Art Guys, because that would only take a car ride to Houston. Amanda Palmer, because I think she would be fun to hang out with. Terry Pratchett, because he’s awesome and funny in a very British way.

    If I met David Tennant, I would just embarrass myself. Probably the same for Neil Gaiman. Even though I love them both, I would turn into a tongue tied fan girl.

    Katy

  396. I would have loved to meet Douglas Adams. His effortless (seeming) humour was an amazing gift to the literary world.

  397. Not to be suck-uppy, but quite honestly, I don’t have many heroes. There is one person however who sticks out as someone to look up to who truthfully overstepped my imaginary heroicness…She wrote this amazing book and often writes things that everyone can see that I can’t get out myself, and it feels so good to know that someone feels somewhat like I do sometimes, even though I can’t express it.
    I met you in Edina, I wish we were best friends. We kind of are anyways in a strange way. You’ve honestly pulled me through some hard times and for that you are a hero.

  398. I always wonder if Marilyn Monroe would have been any fun, but barring that I’d love to meet Madeline Albright cause she’s just a badass and smart and funny and probably has the best gossip about world leaders, right?! Her story, accomplishments and genuine-ness always inspire me.

    I’d like Javier Bardem to teach me Spanish too. Then I’d go back in time and totally stalk Pablo Neruda cause he is the romantic hero of all romantic heroes for sure! No one can say I loved only fish! Many things conspired to tell me the whole story!

    and I did meet Michael Caine on an airplane once when I was about 9 with my mom. He was cooler than cool and my mom was in some kind of transfixed unreality, but I remember he had a definite effect on everyone. He was a bit demigod-like … !WHO IS THIS CHARMING MAN CREATURE?

  400. You obviously, Adam Levine(because of the hotness) and my grandfather(passed away when my dad was 9) he sounded like a total badass.

  401. I don’t want to meet anyone. I would only like to spy on them. Because if I had to meet them, I’d lose all the parts of me that are normal and I’d get creepy weird. One time I wanted to tell a politician in the store that I voted for him and I was sorry he lost, and I stalked him for 20 minutes, finally got near enough to talk to him, laughed creepily and blurted out random caveman words…. ‘voted, me, you.” I don’t want that to happen to anyone, much less those I admire, like Mo Willems, the genius that wrote “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.”

  402. The Doctor…yes I know suposedly not real but I don’t care I still choose The Doctor b/c really who wouldn’t want to meet The Doctor. 🙂

  403. I really want to meet John Waters. To me, he’s fearless. I mean, you have to be fearless (and a total badass) to rock a pencil thin mustache and not only get away with it, but make it look good.

  406. Well he wasn’t ever really a “hero”, but I don’t have heroes so he’ll have to to do.

    I’ve been to a handful of Violent Femmes concerts, the last one being in 2007. I was in that slutty single girl phase, so I had no problem flirting it up with the security to let me into the backstage area. So I’m at the side of the stage, and probably drunk and showing my boobs. Brian Ritchie sees this, and takes a break during a song and gets off stage. I’m assuming he was coming to see if I was legal or not.

    So anyway, I’m totally fucking excited because it’s BRIAN RITCHIE and even though he’s old enough to be my father I still think he’s the coolest thing ever. We talk for a few minutes (about what, I have no recollection), and then I ask if I can get a photo with him. As soon as my friend snapped the picture, the weirdest thing happened. Brian-fucking-Ritchie sniffed me. A big long inhale from the top of my head to my shoulder, then he whispered, “Mmm, you smell gooood.” I instantly sobered up and got the fuck out.

  408. I got to meet Isaac Asimov at a signing for one of his Foundation books. They were hustling people through the line so I didn’t really get to say more than “Hi”, but he seemed quite nice. As for who I would like to meet, there are many, but I’m sure I would freeze up and stand there looking like an idiot. Which would be fun for both of us, really.

  409. I’d like to meet John Denver.

    (Although not in his current physical form which I’ve heard is a bit…um…disjointed…bless his heart.
    Or his jawbone. I think they found his jawbone at least.)

    If I met him now my FIRST question would be “What the HELL were you thinking?? There’s a reason they call them EXPERIMENTAL aircraft—don’t go buzzing people’s houses in an EXPERIMENTAL aircraft or you’ll end up in bits and pieces in the SF Bay!”

    If I met him pre-incident, I’d wanna know if he was truly as simple and human as he seemed to be.

    And also– how in the hell those Muppet-masters were able to make it look like he was truly amongst Kermit, Piggy, Animal, et al, without gooching him in the butt. Or his manly parts. Although…well I probably shouldn’t go there. He is a nice man. Or was. Till the breakup. (Literally.)

    Where did I put the vodka?

  410. I’d really like to meet Def Leppard. All of them. Or Allie Brosh or Jenny Lawson. Any of those. Or all of them. That’d be cool.
    Oh, and maybe Lady Gaga.
    Crap. Just bring me everyone and I’ll decide if I want to meet them.

  411. Good question

    Answer

    – from my ‘Old Heroes’ I still would love to meet David Bowie, at the time I was pretty sure we met before in another lifetime and the meeting him now would not be too much of a disillusion i guess.
    As right now I would only like to ask him if he actually got my letter 20 years back in time , as someone from our royalty passed it over to him as in those days she was a friend of mine.

    Much more intriguing I would find it if I were to have a real lovely meet and greet with Annie Lennox, as she is both on top of my lists of roll models for girls as an independent career woman as well as I do simply adore her songs, text and music and her enormous efforts for humanitarian causes – and I realized when opening your blog, that hers is a close call to your playfulness – have a look for yourself, I think you will enjoy it, if you didn’t peek before.

    But yes, I would love to chair hats, couches and beds with her!
    great blog you have – discovered it last month

  412. And all of the monkees…I was convinced that if I met them in real life that would be my friends and let me sing with them.

  413. If I could break the space/time barrier? Molly Ivins. Hands down. I’d say that I’d like to go drinking with her but I know that she’d totally drink me under the table. If we are confining ourselves to currently living people, Jon Stewart.

  415. Maynard Keenan from Tool. He’s a genius.

    Also I’d like to meet Chris Evans. And when I say “meet” I mean “maul like a dirty zoo animal”.

  416. I always wanted to meet Brett Favre… but it used to be because he was my hero. Now its because I wanna see if he’s as big a douche as they say he is. I don’t really have a thing for famous people…. I’m sure they’re all dicks. I’d like to meet Jenny Lawson, I suppose…. she’s gotta be cool & down to earth, right?! 😉

  417. That’s a tough question! But I would say old school: Truman Capote, he was just awesome. And new school: Tina Fey, she has crazy girl power!

  418. I dont really have celbrity heros… i would LOVE to meet you and a few other bloggers that rock but other then that I think i am really dull in the hero aspect!

  420. You are my hero(ine)! Iwould love to meet you and I have several of my own monkey hats so i can share with you. My sons may get jealous, and my husband would enthusiastically roll his eyes, but it would definitely be worth it!

  422. I sat and stared at the computer for at least 3 mins *gasp* trying to decide who I would want to meet that is a true inspiration/hero in my life. I think I have met them already tho. My family!! Who else would have the gumption to stand beside me through all my ups and downs. My crazy moments and my not so bright moments there was always someone “family” related beside me reminding me that it would all be ok!! And they were right. Each time I thought I couldn’t get back up in the saddle… I did it.

    Although I wouldn’t mind meeting you Jenny.. simply for the laughs and the inspiration that you provide without knowing the lives you impact!!

  423. I ran into Joe Piscopo and his ex-wife at a grocery store years ago. Never having seen a celebrity before I followed (OK … stalked) them from the frozen food aisle to the bakery then check-out. A few weeks later I was in a bowling alley and Joe (I figured we were on a first-name basis since we shopped together) was playing pool. I made a beeline for him and shouted “Hey JOE … It’s ME … CHRISTY … Remember? From the grocery store?” To this day I can’t understand why he downed his beer and went out the back door.

  424. F.D. Reeve who I didn’t know was my hero until I meet him. Not only was he the most fantastic literature professor I ever had but also had a super smart and dry wit. Not to mention it was Superman’s dad (though he did not find it amusing and would not discuss it with us).

  425. I believe that anyone who reads this blog has awesome heroes, so wonderful in fact that they can be met and will not let you down. Just saying.

  426. there are heroes and then there are people I’d like to meet. I can’t think of any in the former but in the latter:

    you, (not a suck up but the truth)
    Peyton Manning (cause he seems like a great guy)
    Wil Wheaton (another great guy)
    Dwayne Johnson (just so I can hear him say my name, so say the lusty hormones)
    Vin Diesil (Same reason)
    Patrick Stewart (so that he could quote some Shakespeare)

    Hmmm this is all my headache addled brain can produce…I’m sure there are more. Some more females even…

  427. I’m a HUGE horror fan, and I got to meet Gunnar Hanson at Texas Frightmare Weekend last May. He was SO incredibly nice, even though he looked kind of gruff and grumbly. He talked to my boyfriend and me for about 15 minutes about the convention, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and horror fans. He signed the tiny plastic chainsaw that my Leatherface doll holds. Then he looked at me like I was weird (or maybe it was concern) when I said that I keep the Leatherface doll on my bed, chainsaw in hands, even while I sleep. I tend to say inappropriate things to celebrities when I meet them. I also told Norman Reedus he had soft hands. And I told Steve Niles that he smelled good and gave great side hugs. Neither really had any response to those things.

  428. I had Christmas dinner with Annie Lennox (and a smattering of British dudes) in England in 1991. She brought pajamas for the host and after our vegan turkey we all watched gay porn and took a walk!

  429. Tina Fey!!

    Queen Latifa is pretty cool, according to my sisters. They were in an airport in Egypt and she was there. They were eating McDonalds or something like that – some American fast food of some sort – and she walked up to them and asked them if it was as good as back home. She walked up to them. Pretty awesome.

  431. I always carry a sock monkey hat with me. Just in case. Now I have another reason–in case I ever meet Neil Gaiman…

  432. My hero is my grandfather. He always told me “you haven’t lived until you’ve seen naked hookers snowshoeing threw cornflakes! ” True story

  433. Neil Gaman gets around! Am I the only person who hasn’t met him??? I would love to have drinks with Tina Fey and Ellen Degeneres- funny, brilliant ladies!

  435. Well, MOST of my heroes are dead – but it’d be badass to meet Elizabeth I.

    I already got to meet you on your book tour – so that is all checked off my heroes-to-meet-list (which is totally not a real list, because it’d just be two people [who are alive] and a bunch of dead people). And you were totally great.

    The other living person on the list? Alton Brown. He’s made preparing food both entertaining and educational.

    I bet he’d live up to the hype too.

  436. I would like to meet Charlaine Harris. Hands down I need to know that amazing southern woman who has created all of my dream men…. Also- Zoe Deschanel…cause she is the most adorably funny person ever. And Tina Fey. Since she is amazing. Goodness, the list is long….. Maybe I could end it short by saying, Jenny Lawson, because I love you. 🙂

  437. I would be too nervous to meet any of my heroes. I would probably say the stupidist thing and make a fool of myself. 🙂 So I will just stalk from afar. 🙂

  438. So many choices … Barack, Oprah, Nelson Mandela, and you, of course … oh, and I’d also like to meet Elvis should he still be alive out there somewhere, because his Hawaii movies were all kinds of awesome. And speaking of awesomeness, Dr. Brassy’s necklace would look amazing hanging around my awesome little neck.

  439. One time I met the Bloggess…not to brag but we (my fiancee & I) had her draw a bunny picture and take a bunny-ears picture! All I could think was, “So being famous means doing whatever other people ask you to do…kinda sounds like it would suck.” Sidenote: I’d never really heard of the Bloggess before meeting her but have become a fan since (much to the delight of the above mentioned fiancee).

  440. would love to be in the kitchen with Julia Childs cause of her independence. and not taking no for an answer….

  441. I’m a children’s bookseller and I recently met an author whose books I have admired for years. He happened to be stuck in my town for the weekend, so I was lucky enough to get to show him around! There were drinks and jazz and fancy meals and I only remembered that he was a ridiculously talented author/illustrator when he lamented not having won a Caldecott medal yet. Yet. Also, he is working on a book with animals in people clothes. Proper, three-piece suit-type people clothes. My. Favorite. I could not have imagined a nicer person.

  444. I met Zahi Hawass and Jimmy Carter. Those are my nerdy famous people, and I was very excited to meet both of them. I would still like to meet you!

  445. i’d love to meet Jane Goodall, and i’ve been lucky enough to meet Ken Burns once. He’s pretty cool. I then met another woman, Geraldine Brooks, who didn’t start out as a hero, but after hearing her speak i was pretty amazed.

  446. Isaac Asimov – my favorite sci fi author. He wrote a lot of other things too, but he lived in interesting times and I think he’d be fascinating to have a conversation with.

  449. I have always wanted to meet John Cleese. I have never met him, but I can dream. He’s brilliantly funny! I loved him in “Monty Python’s In Search of the Holy Grail”, and the British tv show “Fawlty Towers”

  451. My hero was my father. I would love to see him again…. he died in 2002 and I miss him every day.

  453. I finally got to meet my hero/greatest inspiration, Brandon Boyd (lead singer of Incubus). I told him how much his words have touched me and how much his music has gotten me through. His poetry book has also gotten me through so many bouts of depression when all I wanted to do was hide in the closet and never come out. He was so kind and it actually felt like he appreciated everything I was saying. Then my idiot friend asked him for his shirt spilling to him that I was his biggest fan. Such an embarrassing moment since I work in the music industry and hate looking like a groupie but he actually started to unbotton his shirt to give it to me before I told him she was kidding. Ugh, why did I say she was kidding!? But anyways, I would also really like to meet the person or people who started the To Write Love On Her Arms campaign. They are amazing folks. P.S I am loving those necklaces. Totally creepy but beautiful at the same time. Keep Rockin Jenny. You bring hope and strength to alot of people, myself included.

  454. Mark Twain . . . Yeah, I know he’s way dead and all, but, hey my odds of meeting him are just as high as my odds of meeting any other hero, right?

  455. Chuck Norris! Just because he supposedly has all the answers and doesn’t put up with #*(()@#$#. Or that Dos Equis guy that you see in the TV commercials. Though I’d still go with Chuck Norris. At least then I’d be able to fight off my own chupachabre. Otherwise, I’d have to hope that it liked beer, and that I had enough handy to liquor up the beast into slumber before my escape.

    Yeah. Chuck Norris. That’s the ticket…

  456. I once met the members of this rock band called Breaking Benjamin, it was a 50/50 heartbreak. Mainly the heartbreak was because the lead singer and the lead guitarist were alcoholic assholes. The other members, Jeremy and Mark, were awesome though.

    If I had to meet one of my hero’s it would probably be Brandon Boyd from the band Incubus because he’s an amazing artist, both in writing and drawing.
    Oh, and Matt Damon.

  457. I have a list of people I would risk being let down by, simply because I highly doubt they would let me down.
    NPH (well duh, he is just amazing)
    Emma Stone (She is a goregous and classy ginger of my generation and hilarious too)
    Willie Mother Fucking Nelson (no explaination needed)
    Eli Roth (anyone that twisted could entertain me forever)
    Jared Allen (#69 Minnesota Vikings – makes being a redneck look AWESOME)
    Jenny Lawson (I read your blog daily. If you dont post new shit, I go through your old shit. Beautiful, funny, and you let me know being quite odd, complete understatement for people like us, is ok. And when someone as awesome as you are shares thier deepest secrets with the world about depression and anxiety, it helps those of us who arent brave enough to do that ourselves feel like weights have been lifted knowing we are not alone. thank you <3)

    p.s. I have been eyeing that necklace ever since you posted it 🙂

  458. i really want to meet you and matisyahu. you know, the jewish rapper/reggae guy. preferably both of you at the same time. i don’t even know how that would happen but it just sounds awesome. and like i’m describing a bizarre dream i had once. and then we’d all sing a song together. although, admittedly, i am kind of afraid of meeting matisyahu because i don’t know what to say to him. i feel like i’d have to plan it out first. but for you, i know i could just say the first thing that popped into my head and your security wouldn’t swoop in on me and drag me away. mostly because you probably don’t have security.

  459. I met Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran and for being so posh – he was really lovely. And maybe drunk. Or that could have been me. That was for certain me. I also met Damon Albarn from Blur/Gorillaz. And oh. We shall not talk about that out loud.
    @

  460. i would like to meet terry pratchett before alzheimer’s disease takes away one of the greatest storytellers the world has ever had.

  461. I don’t have too many heroes…The only person I can think of that I would like to meet is you…Also maybe johnny depp.

  462. I’m sure this has been said in at least half of the comments, but I would love to meet Jenny Lawson 🙂 I do not personally have to deal with anxiety and depression, but I know how real it is. You never cease to amaze and inspire me.

  463. I don’t like to meet famous people I admire because I blather on like a complete idiot and say the weirdest things and they probably think I’m nuts. But if I could keep my yap shut, I’d want to meet Maggie Smith. Amazing actress, and I bet she has some awesome stories.

  464. I’d like to meet you so we could discuss taxidermy, anxiety, and depression and say hilarious and unladylike things. Anyone who copes with this BS and lives such a vibrant life is a hero to me.

  466. Would have loved to have the chance to meet Lucille Ball. I met Geena Davis on several occasions and she was super nice and down to earth.

  467. I’ve also met Neil Gaiman and he IS made of magic and stories and Good Things (and some Weird Things and Odd Things, which are also Good Things to Be).

    I’m not sure that there’s one person I’d like to meet. Mostly I’d like to get a bunch of people I find fascinating Like Neil DeGrasse Tyson and You and David Tennant and Wil Wheaton and Neil Gaiman and Alice Notely (poet) in a room together and just talk. With a room to the side for the time when those of us who get overwhelmed need to step out. And a well stocked bar. And good food. Yep.

  469. I don’t even KNOW who my hero is. Seriously, all these people the world considers “heros” are totally awesome, don’t get me wrong, but to me, my heroes are the every day folks doing their thing. (Standby for blantant but sincere ass kissing) I actually love how you’ve built a whole career out of just being a real person (an awesome real person, but a normal(?ish?) person). Those are the kind of things that inspire me.

    Or I’d like to meet Chris Hardwicke. He’s not my hero, but he’s smart, nerdy and hot as hell. I’d sure love the chance to shamelessly pimp myself out. Just in case you happen to want to have me and him over for dinner sometime soon. (I’d probably awkwardly lose my shit and then be too awed to speak and just mumble incoherently, but it would be the highlight of pretty much my whole life.)

  470. I want to meet Dame Maggie Smith (aka Professor McGonagall) because WHY WOULDN’T you want to meet professor McGonagall? And also because she battled cancer while shooting the Harry Potter films and I think that is incredible. And also she just seems especially badass to me. I’d like to confirm that in real life.

  471. There are so many awesome people out there, but I would love to meet Penny Marshall. I bet she is great in a bar.

    P.S. Totally jonesin for that necklace.

  473. I’d love to meet Rachel Maddow. Specifically, I would love to drink gin and tonics (or gimlets) with her. She seems like she’d be an excellent drinking friend.

  475. I love rain and sock puppet monkeys. And eyeball necklaces. Plus a lot of other stuff too numerous to list, but you get the point. And I would love to meet Hunter S. Tomcat and Ferris Mewler.

  477. i should’ve mentioned Alan Rickman, but i’d probably wet myself in his presence – a small price to pay to meet him – i heart everything he does (everyone should watch Snowcake)

  478. I would love to meet either my culinary idol, Paula Deen or my movie/director idol Bas Luhrmann because he is just a movie genius.

  479. I want to meet Jim Parsons. But I want him to pretend to be Sheldon Cooper.

    I saw Jack Hanna in an airport once, and I saw the girl that played in Hot Shots Part Deux and did the “steamy” sex scene where they cooked bacon on her stomach…mmmmm….bacon…..at Mann’s Theatre , and I’ve met a slew of sports athletes. But as God as my witness, if I ever get to meet Keanu Reeves…..

  480. Right now, my hero is one of my best friends, going through a round of MRIs and biopsies and other nasty things to find out what the shadow on her mammogram was. Tomorrow she’s going through yet another test and I wish I could be with her, not hundreds of miles away, stuck in my office.

  481. I would like to meet Stephen King, although I probably shouldn’t, at the risk of acting like a moron. I met Jen Lancaster this summer at a signing and was stricken by stupid fan-itis. All I could do was grin manically and say”hi.” That’s it. It was pathetic.

  482. Of those dead, I think it would have been nice to meet Marion Zimmer Bradley. I love her books and can’t walk by them without giving a little fan-girl squee (much to my boyfriend’s dismay ^ ~). Of those still around, I think speaking with Zhang Ziyi would be spectacular! She has played so many beautifully strong characters.

  483. I’ve met Neil Gaiman & Tori Amos. I don’t know which one of the two is nicer. They’re incredibly gracious people.

    I grew up in Texas & now live on the East Coast. I’ll never forget talking to my sister who had the day off from work because the temperature was “around freezing”. Texas isn’t crzay about any season other than the season known as “Hot”.

  485. Wow, I don’t even know who this Neil Gaiman fella is! I’m Googling him up right now. I met you a few months ago – and you didn’t disappoint! You were fabulous and delightful to everyone.

  486. Today I think my hero has to be you. And I don’t mean that in an Eddie Haskell kind of way. It’s just that I was having a really bad day, a really bad could of days actually, and what got me out of bed this morning was “Depression Lies.” So, today, you are my hero. For getting me out of bed. (Which is ironic since I’m re-reading Let’s Pretend this Never Happened before bed and the opportunity to curl up and read is often what gets me into bed as well.) (That’s a lot of you and me and bed in one post. I think I should get a prize just for that!)

  488. JK Rowling or Nathan Fillion.

    I adore and admire them both greatly for particularly different reasons, obv. Jo is one of my all-time fave authors, hands-down, and I love her to bits. And Nathan, he’s just adorable and I’ve loved him since he played Joey Buchanan on One Life to Live (Yeah, I’m THAT old).

  489. I would love to meet Michelle Obama. She just seems like a super classy, down-to-earth, confident, awesome lady.

    I’ve met Neale Donald Walsch, and he was a pretty normal guy. Which actually inspired me because I hope to someday be someone’s hero.

  490. When the TARDIS shows up at my house, I’d like to meet Ben Franklin.
    He might not think much of me but I’d be traveling with someone who would get his attention.

  491. What a coincidence…I just started my veterinary ophthalmology clinical rotation today. And we did an enucleation (removal of the eyeball) on the cutest little spaniel today who lost a big dog vs. little dog battle. This is clearly a sign that I need one of the necklaces of eyeball awesomeness. Pick me, pick me! Thanks Jenny, you are the best.

  492. Ohh! I met Neil Gaiman a few years back and he was spectacular! There are so many wonderful people I would love to meet. Joss Whedon is high on my list as is Felicia Day. And it sounds corny, but I am sad I missed you on your book tour and would love to one day meet you. Your book and your blog have helped me in ways I can’t even begin to describe. So thank you

  493. I think Bill Nye the Science Guy would be full of awesomeness! Plus I am a science geek so of course I would see it that way 🙂

  494. Double suck-up warning….still here? Goody.

    I got to meet YOU (the Bloggess) and Lauren (Filing Jointly…Finally) at the Dallas book signing and hopefully didn’t embarrass myself TOO much by gushing all over the 2 of you! That was the height of my day/week/month/year!

    NOW, if I ever got to meet Sammy Hagar or Josh Hamilton in person, I would GLADLY embarrass myself, on purpose, in the most inappropriate way possible. Totally worth it.

    <3

  495. Stephen King. No question. I’ve seen him speak/read, and it was enough excitement for me to even be in the same building sharing air with the man. I want to meet him, but only in a hypothetical way; I’m sure if I actually ever got the opportunity to talk to him I’d wet myself, cry, and probably have a heart attack. In that order.

  496. I wanted to meet the hotness that is Chris Daughtry and I got the chance a couple of years ago. I fumbled for words like an idiot and hubby had to tell him my name because I couldn’t remember it (he reminds me of this every time the subject comes up)…lol. I would love to get the chance to meet you when you are in the area to swap “hubby” tales…my hubby and Victor seem to have a lot of the same issues regarding the “normalness” that comes with marrying into a fun-loving family. ;-P

  497. I think on my fantasy list, meeting Joan of Arc would be amazing.
    I’ve met Holly Near, a folksinger of amazing courage and heart. That’s a pretty precious memory. 🙂

    (To Rachel, comment 364..isn’t Gunnar lovely? I was charmed when I had the opportunity to meet him!)

  498. I would like to meet my daughter when she’s all grown up. I am sure she is one of my heroes and since I have to live with her (she’s 13 now), it’s hard to tell. But I’m sure she is now and I am just blinded by the horrendousness that is her bedroom and etc. I would also like to meet myself when I accomplish what I need to accomplish in therapy. I am pretty sure it will take heroics on my part to get through it all and I am determined. I would also like to meet John Stewart and Colbert. They have to be awesome in person. They just have to.

  499. I want to meet Shirley Jackson, Waylon Jennings, Hunter S Thompson or MFK Fisher, but all are dead and I don’t really want to meet a ghost. . IRL I would like to meet Johnny Deep because it would kind of be like meeting HST. But not today because I have both laryngitis and pink eye. Obviously I’m highly contagious and I really don’t want to go down in history as Typhoid Marie for giving a celeb a big dose of the ick that I currently have.

  500. I’d love to meet Jane Austen. We’d have tea and riff on the boobage shown by her contemporaries then we’d laugh and laugh. But she’s dead so I’ll sit here and drink tea by myself.

  501. Wow, that’s a good question.

    First, you! I’d love to meet you. Wil Wheaton seems like an awesome guy same with Chris Hardwick. David Tennant would be amazing to me, even Matt Smith and Karen Gillan.

    I’ve been pretty blessed and I got to meet Chris Carrabba (Lead singer of Dashboard Confessional) He’s an amazing guy and was so sweet. We talked to him after a show for like hours, then at a later show (like a year or two later) he recognized me in the crowd and came over to say hi. I’ve also met the lead singer from Save Ferris, Monique. She was super sweet too.

  502. David Tennant is my favorite doctor as well!!!! Once in an interview someone asked him how he gets in character for the doctor and he said, what do you mean? I am the doctor. Love him. I’m currently watching the library episode.

    But the answer to the question is my great grandfather. He was brought here from Italy at the age of 12 and had to survive on his own. I feel like he would have great stories and wisdom. Plus I have his recipe for some awesome tomato sauce. I’d love to cook with him

  503. Oooo, I don’t usually read the comments on your posts because there’s SOOOO MANY of them– and I very rarely comment myself– but I started scrolling and reading and just couldn’t stop, because everyone’s comments just made me SMILE… and also made me completely unable to answer this question because so many times I kept thinking “Oh yes! Them too!” I mean, sure a lot of heroes may be disappointments in real life, and I can’t speak for any of the people named here (well, ALMOST any– I’ll speak for Fred Rogers even though I met him only briefly in passing– I’ve also known people who knew him very well who vouched for his complete wonderfulness in his real life, too)– but just THINKING of the POSSIBILITY of so many wonderful people just filled me with joy!

    Oh, speaking of Fred Rogers, I HAVE had more interactions and proper meetings with Mr. McFeely, and yes, he is an incredibly nice man, even when not in costume.

    My disappointing-meeting-of-heroes incident was Lois Lowry. I don’t know what it was, but she INTIMIDATED THE CRAP OUT OF ME.

    I love how many people here picked Jim Henson. He’d probably be my answer if you get right down to just-one-answer, too. Except I’m not sure a passing meeting would do for me– my Unattainable Dream Job would have been to work for him. I’m not sure doing what! I just want to work for Jim Henson!

  504. I would want to meet Chuck Palahniuk, but I have a feeling he would be so badass that I wouldn’t be able to talk around him and he would think that I was weird (which I am).

  505. Hey Jenny,
    I am a regular reader of your blog. You are my writing inspiration. Just wanted you to know that. I want to comment, specially respond to your question of the day because I want to share it with everyone who will care to know. My hero is an English comic: Eddie Izzard. He is bananas and hilarious. My friend and I went to New York (I live in DC) to see a play he was performing in, but it was too expensive so we waited outside for the show to be done with so we could meet him. He is such a sweet man. I wanted to talk to him just generally but was all over myself with nervous glee. We took a picture together and I asked him for an interview (which I he couldn’t give then) but he was like we could go for like an ice cream or something! and then he was called away. I DIED HAPPY THAT NIGHT!

    Just wanted to share. I met my hero and he lived up to my expectations.

  506. Ironically, the first time I met Neil Gaiman, it was at a combination sci-fi/sex show in New Orleans. He did some great readings, I think from Coraline and a few short stories, and was a fun fan fixture at the bar during the show. In reflection it seems not all that unlikely, and also at the same time something that could have just as easily happened to you. But probably didn’t. Unless you were there too – but I think I’d have remembered the sock puppets.

  507. I currently don’t have a living hero. I would love to have met George Bernard Shaw. Or Noel Coward. At this point I would very much like to be my own hero. Extract myself from an unhappy marriage and get on with my life. I’m not getting any younger.

  509. At the moment, Felicia Day. Although, I passed up a chance at Origins Game Fair this year to meet her and get a picture taken. I was afraid she would turn out not to be as cool or nice as I imagined. I’d rather keep hold of my imaginary her.

    Why Felicia Day? I both fascinated and impressed by how she has managed to turn her “Queen of the Geeks” status into a thriving industry.

  510. Ok, well, obviously I would like to meet you — in a non-stalker/non-creepy way. However, I wouldn’t exactly call you my hero (no offense but you haven’t quite gotten there yet, your application is still being processed). My favorite hero is Wolverine. Mostly the Hugh Jackman version. Ok, I would like to meet Hugh Jackman while he was in character as Wolverine (and horny and pretty drunk. NO, I do NOT have any ulterior motive! Ok, fine, I TOTALLY have an ulterior motive but don’t tell HIM that). Also, I would probably like to be at the same dinner party as Jane Austen, and I do enjoy me some Patrick Stewart with some Jonathan Frakes on the side.

    So, yeah, you should pick me (if you want your application to rise to the top of the hero pile). Just sayin’.

  511. Alton Brown. I don’t have the motivation to cook anything complicated, but that man’s twitter account is one of the funniest things I have ever read.

    Also, Anne Lamott. I don’t know what it is with all the A names, but she is a gem.

  512. Best necklace ever…wish I had one! I would have loved to have met Marilyn Monroe or Lucille Ball or both, but since that is pretty much impossible I would give my left nut (well, if I had a left nut or any nut really) to meet you. Are you coming to Ohio any time soon?

  513. I already met my hero…he’s my grandson Asher who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor at the age of 11 months and now, almost 3 years later he’s tumor free and still fighting the after effects but he does so with a smile..best hero ever.

  514. I definitely do not miss the flash flooding in Texas! I remember the first time it rained when I moved there, I kept waiting for Noah to cruise by on his Ark! 😀

  515. The two people I really want to meet are P!nk and Joss Whedon. I want to thank them both for the influence they’ve had on my life. Their work brings me so much joy.

  516. I’m with Sarah — Jon Bon Jovi. Even if he let me down, I wouldn’t notice because I’d be too busy crying and wetting myself.

  518. I’ve met all the members of Barenaked Ladies, my favorite band, several times. They are all mensches. And I’ve met a couple of the drag queens from “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” which by golly if that’s not enough to inspire my life then I don’t know what is.

    Still left to go: Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart, blessings and peace be upon them.

  519. Dammit, Jenny. You took one of mine. David Tennant is amazing.

    Ok…truth be told, I’ve met a few of mine…George RR Martin (though I was a complete idiot and I’m sure he just rolled his eyes) and Robert Jordan (at a very sad, pathetic booksigning in a Meijer, which is way less cool than a Costco signing, mostly because of lack of samples. And tires.)

    So….that said…JK Rowling. Mostly because I want to be her. Bitch has a castle.

  521. I’d love to meet Neil Gaiman. If I couldn’t meet him, I’d love to sit down and talk to Alanis Morissette and pick her brain about her songs and why she was so angry when she was younger. And even though she’s passed already, I’d love to have met Shirley Jackson and find out where all those scary-ass stories came from!

  522. I want to meet you Jenny! I couldn’t make it to North Carolina on a work night and I am so sad that you were so close and I didn’t get to go. My other that I would love to meet would be Sir Elton John.

  523. This will completely sound like I’m ass kissing but I’d like to meet you! You are my hero. (besides my mom whom I see all the time). Jenny you inspire me to do much more than I would if I had never come across your blog. I suffer from anxiety but not severe anxiety yet I have let it rule my life. Seeing you travel the world to promote your book or give speeches, or on Katie, or meet Wil Wheaton makes me realize I have no excuses. I have no reason to get out of my comfort zone and live. You are truly my hero Jenny. I am thankful for you and everything you share with the world because you inspire many, not just me.

    Do you have a tissue? I think I have some brown smudge on my nose 😉

  525. i met john stockton in 1998. who’s that? right. i hear that from most people. he’s my basketball hero, and he played in the NBA for the same team for 19 seasons, which is almost unheard of. he even took a pay cut his last few years to finish out his career with the same team, which is the first time THAT has ever happened (probably not, but it sounds legit). i did a pencil sketch of him five years prior and sent him a copy for his birthday, after which he sent me a thank you note, and i about shit myself! and then i wanted to see a home game in utah before he retired, so i made plans to go (by myself). i wrote a letter to his mother and explained who i was and that i was going to be in salt lake city to cheer on my team and her son…and wondered what steps i might take to see about meeting my hero before the game, just to shake his hand. after all, he was the whole reason i started playing basketball. and dammit if i wasn’t watching the oscars in early 1998 when the phone rang, and on the other end was john stockton’s MOTHER! no shit! she said she had just read my letter and remembered who i was (from other celebrity sketches i sent her), and she gave me the contact information for the team’s PR guy to call and set up a meeting with her son. HOLY SHIT! so i did…and i met my hero after the game, and it was totally surreal because he was in street clothes and NOT in his uniform, so it almost seemed like it wasn’t him. he said he remembered the sketch i sent him and told me that i was talented. WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT??? those were golden words coming from my hero, so i simply told him, “right back at’cha!” it was THE best five minutes ever, and it was totally worth the trip.

    and now i want to meet tom hardy… because he’s fucking amazing :p

  526. No one. Because just thinking about it is giving me anxiety and I don’t even take meds for that. I just know it would be a complete disaster. I must submit this because STILL giving me anxiety.

  527. I’m kind of in that camp that I’m too afraid to want to meet any of my heroes. Half because I’m worried they’d be too different from what I imagine but the heavier half from me probably turning into a ball of nerves and fleeing the second I saw them anyways.

    The one that I’d most like to meet (and hopefully least likely to flee from) would be Ellen DeGeneres.

  529. I would like to finally (hopefully) meet MY Prince Charming!! He would be MY hero!! However, I am really starting to believe that it is all just a big effin fairy “tail’ and that some bastard made up the whole story to get a ‘piece’!!

  531. I’ve been really wanting to talk to Emily Dickinson. Also, Voltaire. (Wait, alive you say? I … I’ve got nothing. No heroes. Hmmm. This explains a lot of what is wrong with my life right now. I’ll work on that.)

  532. Dead hero: I wanted to meet Fred Rogers.
    Alive, but not really a hero: I’d like to meet: Al Yankovic. Seems like an intereting guy.
    Alive, NOT a hero, but c’mon what a trainwreck: Michelle Bachmann. She can’t really be like that can she?
    Didn’t even know I wanted to meet: Neil Gaiman.

    I’d love to meet you too, but I think you’d find me insufferably boring. Maybe I could meet Victor while you are meeting someon else, and later he could tell you how you absolutely should have met me instead. That would make me feel less boring.

    Oh, and Christopher McCulloch! Definitely want to meet him too!

  534. Honestly, the hero I’d love to meat would be you 🙂 When I read your book these past few weeks I was going though an extreme bout of depression and anxiety. I thought “If she can go through the same thing and be amazing, why can’t I?” So if I ever get to meat you, my life would be made. Of course we would sit and chat over a wonderful dinner 😀

  536. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone truly famous and hero-like. I knew my grandma and she was a great hero and would love seeing her again. If we go famous people, dead –> would be Katharine Hepburn – she just strikes me as this amazingly strong woman. And if we go alive –> I’d say you for getting the word out about the importance of getting and accepting help for mental illness.

  537. ELLEN DEGENERES! She embodies everything our world needs right now – kindness, compassion, love, light, generosity….

    I also want to meet Roseanne Barr, Alanis Morrissette, Jann Arden, Sarah McLachlan, Kristen Wigg, JK Rowling, and to balance out the estrogen, David Gray.

  538. to meet David Tennant, my fav Doctor of all time… 😀

    And yes I agree with Claudette above, I would enjoy meeting you, just cause you are bloody awesome and I love your blog!!

  539. Terry Brooks. I’ve met him. He’s awesome. And when my husband tried to forget our kids, it made him laugh. Score!

  540. When I was in highschool, I got to see Kim Kashkashian (a violist) in concert. She was totally my hero at the time, and just the nicest person. I also had the chance to get to know Connie Willis through helping at my local literary convention; I was so nervous when I first met her because she’s always been one of my fave authors, and she is also amazing in person!

    As far as people I want to meet goes, of the ones who are still living theres Wil Wheaton, Cassandra Peterson, Laurie Anderson, and you!

  541. I want to meet Adam and Jamie from Mythbusters. I can’t explain it right, but they’re amazing and crazy and inspirational. I hate meeting new people and going to new places, but I’d like to shake their hands.

  542. Heroes I’d most like to meet would be you, Neil Gaiman and Wil Wheaton or all of you at once :D. I’ve never worn a monkey hat, nor owned one.

  543. I’d love that necklace for a girl I went to college with (sort of) who has an awesome blog over here: http://connorssong.blogspot.com/ She’s totally into Steampunk and I think she’d love it.

    I’ve already met you, but still on my list would be Robin Williams, Bruce Campbell and Flea. 🙂

  544. Our family cat Cactus is my hero – she turns 20 on Wednesday. 15 months ago the vet gave her 6 months or less as she has cardiomyopathy. She’s still here and completely engaged in life. She’s taught me much about love, loss and life.
    Beyond that, I’d love to meet Harrison Ford. He’s a hero of a different sort 🙂

  545. I’d like to meet myself when I am really, really, fantastically, grotesquely, OMG-when-will-she-die-already OLD. Because that will mean that cancer didn’t kill me, and neither did any of the myriad of people that I have probably pissed off in my lifetime. And I want to meet a woman like that, because I think I will be an AWESOME old lady 😉

    and Michelle Obama because there’s got to be a secret to having arms like that…

  546. Well, you know… I’d love to meet Eddie Vedder. I’m not sure he’s a hero, he’s more like someone I want to do bad things to but in a good way. (And it’s ok with my paraspouse because he said “Well, if you think you can get Eddie Vedder into bed, you should go right ahead and do that.” We may have been having a fight about my music hobby at the time.)

    Hero-wise, Leonard Cohen or Michael Ondaatje — both of whom better be tormented poets and we could drink wine and talk about why there is no rhyme for orange or something.

  547. I would love love love to meet Christopher Walken but am a little terrified of it turning into a bizzare “the Continental” SNL skit situation, so maybe I’ll settle for Tim Burton… Which isn’t settling at all… And I’m sure he’d have a bag full of creepy toys or goodies we could ogle over an my life would be complete!

  549. I’m pretty sure that nothing will compare to meeting you and getting my boobs signed. Well, maybe John Barrowman, because I mean, COME ON. I bet he would totally sign my boobs too.

  550. Eddie Izzard. Brilliant. Funny. Brilliantly funny. And it he’s in drag, even better. So, what will it be? Cake or death?

  551. Oooo good topic! Let’s see! I still want to meet you, Felicia Day (which I hope to meet next month), Wil Wheaton and Anne Wheaton, and Nathan Fillion. I’ve met plenty of well-known people but I don’t think any of them are on my bucket list of people I want to meet.

    I want to meet you and Anne (preferably together) because I think y’all are both fabulous women, and I’m sure if we got the chance to meet, we’d all become instant friends and have weekly skype calls and meet up for drinks every time we were all in LA or Austin or DFW.

    I want to meet Wil because I’ve adored him every since he was Ensign Crusher on Star Trek and then once he adopted the interwebs and specifically the blogsphere, I’ve just been fascinated in everything he does. Plus, I think if we were to meet and play D&D or Settlers, we’d be instant friends and he’d introduce me to his amazing wife (which would kill two birds with one stone right there) and then to his adorable puppies and kitties.

    I want to meet Felicia Day because to put it bluntly, I want to give her a huge High Five for showing the world that there is such a thing as non basement-dwelling nerd chicks who actually know how to carry on a nerd conversation. I think she’s just amazing and love what she’s doing for the general nerd culture and how she’s representing us to the general non-nerd public.

    And of course, though your twine-feud with Nathan Fillion is officially over… I will ALWAYS carry some twine in my pocket when visiting cons just in case I happen to run into Nathan, so I can hold up the twine in the photo. I’ve adored him since Firefly… I loved him in Dr. Horrible…. and I think he’s fabulous in Castle… but the man needs to have a picture with twine… and I WILL make that happen, whether he holds it or not! 🙂

    Love you and all your awesome craziness!!! AND, yay for rain here in Texas!!!

  552. I think Neil Gaiman would be awesome, but here’s mine–I love Vince Vaughn–and he even cut in front of me in line once in a little tiny airport–but I’ve always said I’d never want to meet him because I bet I’d think he’s a jerk!! Which is why I let him cut in line. But I still love him as an actor, he cracks me up.

  553. Aside from You ( Curse my employer for scheduling an all hands meeting with the CIO during your book tour and yes, id hang out in a bathroom with you during a party in an entirely non creepy, i dont like crowds type way ), Wil Wheaton , John Scalzi, Karen Lopez (@datachick) , Sarah Pinborough (?@SarahPinborough), the acrobats from Cirque du Soleil, Alan Turing, Admiral Grace Hopper, judas iscariot (oh like you wouldn’t want to ask what was really going on there? ) , Neil deGrasse Tyson, I could go on and on and on

  554. I’m in Texas too and we reveled in the rain, it was glorious. As for my hero, I would love to meet Val Kilmer and P!nk. I absolutely love them both for their creativity and ability to tell everyone where to shove it because they won’t follow the crowd.

  555. Well, I live with my true Hero (my husband) and who I would love to meet – Of course The Doctor 🙂

    Matt Smith <3 big ol' pile of mush here

  556. I want to meet Betty White…because, well…she’s Betty freaking White. And will probably die soon, so the chance would be lost.

  559. I was lucky enough to meet Joe Haldeman at a NYE party and that was pretty righteous. If David Tennant would come pick me up in the TARDIS and then take me to Neil Gaiman and Robert Heinlein my nerd girl fantasy would be complete.

    And Brian May because Queen rules. And Freddie Mercury since I have a TARDIS at this point.

    And Penn Jillette because he is brilliant.

    And I want to work-out with Michelle Obama, maybe run a 5k, because she is a bad ass.

  561. It would be awesome to meet Stephen King or Daniel Tosh. I would also like some one on one time With Holly Madison or any of the Sister Wives, just to take them aside and ask them, “Why??????”

  562. I met Bruce Campbell at NYCC a couple of years ago and I swear that man pisses awesome and shits swag. And ps…..SMELLS FUCKING SEXY

  563. I would love to meet Elton John, I know he’s supposed to be a real bitch, but so am I, so we should be besties. The Doctor, because I really want to travel in the Tardis. And you, because you give so many people hope and you’re just funny as shit.

  564. Tough question. I know everyone comes onto your path for a reason and if the paths don’t cross you have to accept that. But the person I’d like to meet once is John Barrowman. That man seems so kind and is talented in so many ways.
    I’d also like to meet Jim Kerr, singer of my fave band. Because his (their) music has been with me for most of my life and helped me through many dark times. Same goes for Leonard Cohen…..
    As I said, I’d like to meet them, but let’s trust providence to make sure it does or does not happen. I won’t kill myself over it if it doesn’t.

  565. I had the chance of meeting the people that inspire me and they were better than my expectations:
    The guys from Barenaked Ladies, they were super sweet and funny, and kind, completely Canadian.
    Neil DeGrasse Tyson, is a bad-ass down to earth super-scientist.
    I met you in a line in Brookline, you were awed and overwhelmed simultaneously, which wasn’t surprising considering how long the line was!
    Bill Nye, awesomely geeky and funny!
    I would have loved to sit in a lecture with Carl Sagan, and have tea with him. He’s the reason why I love science as much as I do, and bring that love into my class every day. His words still wow me.
    And, of course my all-time favorite author, Alan Dean Foster. I would love to have lunch with him. He travels all over the world, and leads an unexpectedly different life than one would associate with a sci-fi writer. I would love to be an audience to his tales for an afternoon.

  566. Terry Pratchett. I came close once but it wasn’t to be. And you of course, that goes without saying. And David Wong because he is just so funny.

  567. I work with hot glass and a torch (I know – cool!) and have been lucky enough to meet and hang out with some of my glass idols. Some have lived up to the height of their pedestals, some fell way short…
    BTW, when I lived in Texas (two of my kids were born there), I used to say that the weather forecast of 20% chance of rain meant that 20% of the viewing area was going to be rained on at any given time. I was right much more than 20% of the time

  568. I’d love to meet Craig Ferguson. He’s hilarious and I love his type of humor.

    And I’d love to win the gift certificate. That’s some awesome jewelry.

  569. There’s several people that I’d love to meet. You of course, Nathan Fillion, Richard Linklater are my top three. There’s some that I lost the chance to meet because they’ve passed away… Ron Santo and Jimi Hendrix top the list there.

  572. Well, I met you, Jenny on your recent book tour. You are one of my heroes and I was thrilled to meet you and you brought a monkey with you, so I guess I can die happy now. Of course, if David Tennant showed up, I’d be cool with that too.

  573. I’d want to meet Jim Lovell, Gene Cernan, and Harrison Schmitt – all Apollo era astronauts – and talk to them about their adventures to the Moon!

  574. Gloria Steinem. We’ll both dance naked by the light of the moon wearing large 70s hippie glasses.
    So I guess we technically won’t be naked.

  575. Lincoln. Yes, THAT Lincoln. Honest Abe. The Gettysburg Address Guy. Beause not only do I think he is still one of the sexiest men to have ever walked this planet, he was one of the smartest, hippest, coolest guys ever to hit the human race’s Fame Radar. Of course, I won’t meet him because, you know, he’s dead. But he would be the one. And I could’ve taken down Mary Todd if I’d had to.

  577. I would like to meet myself at 18 years old. She has been my hero, I can’t find her anymore.

  578. Yeah—- so sappy answer but YOU are my hero…. I hope that someday my own taxidermy collection will be as awesome as yours. 🙂 You do truly brighten my day with your witty and hilarious stories. My husband is now hooked on your writing as well. I’m sure you bring like a whole air steam trailer full of bad-assery with you wherever you go! 🙂

  580. I would meet Mr. Gaiman, because, well, you know why.
    Or Jane Austen. We’d have tea, and be all lady-like.

  582. Um…. is it weird that I don’t have a hero? And that I’m not star struck? I think Danny Trejo is hot in his own kinda way. I’m sure it’s cause he looks so bad ass. Yep so I have nothing. Oh well.

  583. I would love to meet The Bloggess. Maybe next time she does a book tour it will include Indiana. 🙂 I would also love to meet authors Cassandra Clare, Veronica Roth and Suzanne Collins. I love YA novels. I am writing my thesis on dystopian novels.

  584. I have 2 heros that have been dead for a while….Gilda Radner and Princess Diana. They were both amazing women and dealt with some of the same issues as me with grace and in the public eye. When things get too hard I remember they went through the same thing in harder enviorments so I can too.

    My living hero would probably be Jennifer Saunders or Fannie Flagg. I always wanted to become a writer but didn’t think I could….then I found out that Fannie Flagg wrote 7 amazing books and had dyslexia. That was truly inspirational…also, her books are the only ones ever that made me want to live in the stories. Jennifer Saunders is just uber talented and funny and AbFab is the best! Also Tim Curry not only because he is a wonderful actor but also and mainly because he is a Sexy Beast!

  585. Like a lot of people who responded, I too wish to meet dead people. But, you know, while they were living. Nothing is stopping me from meeting their corpses…
    …except maybe the law. Vincent Price and Peter Sellars top the list

    I think I would very much like to meet Tom Hiddleston. He seems like a really stand-up kind of guy. I have this re-occurring daydream where we’re hanging out on a beach discussing armpit hair.
    We become fast friends.

    There are some people I do NOT want to meet; not because I think they’d be douchebags (which is possible), but because I figure if I did meet them, then I could die happy…and I’m too young to die.

  586. I want to meet Brian Cox. And Kim Harrison. And a few people who I can’t meet. Like Fredrick Banting. I have met Rick Steves who is sorta my hero for being the travel guy on PBS.

  587. Paulo Coelho, I always find something helpful or inspiring when reading his book The Alchemist. The rest of his books are great as well, but I always find something that resonates with what is going on in my life with The Alchemist.

  588. Terry Pratchett… but Neal Gaiman would still be pretty awesome! I think that I’d just want to sit there and listen to him talk… forever. lol

  589. You are my hero who I would like to meet. I am sad you weren’t able to come to Utah for a book signing. You are an amazing person who reminds me that I just have to keep on going, even when I don’t want to 🙂

  590. Uncle Kracker! He is on of the only common threads that my son and I share! I love to turn his music up loud and just get lost.

  591. i would have loved to have met douglas adams. unfortunately, he’s having drinks at the restaurant at the end of the universe. if i have to choose someone currently in the land of the living it would be carl pilktington of ‘an idiot abroad’ fame. he just seems like a fun person to chat with.

  592. Mostly I have the theory in mind that if I ever actually saw a famous person, I would try to leave them alone, because I’m scared that I would just exasperate them because they are just trying to eat dinner/catch their plane/read their book, etc and why won’t people leave them alone?? However! There are some exceptions to the rule… Any of the cast of Firefly (probably Jewel Staite most of all… I love her), and any of the cast of Doctor Who… I wouldn’t be able to contain myself. I’d have to go and say hello.

    Also, Neil Gaiman is a cool dude. Wouldn’t mind meeting him, but I am suspicious that he would be intimidatingly more intelligent than me. (<– not really a suspicion and more of a fact. Not to mention I hardly ever have sock monkey hats. I'm lacking in that department).

  593. I met Weird Al when I was 14. Pretty sure he could tell immediately that I was the weird one.

  594. I’d want to meet Abraham Lincoln. I think that might seem odd (and heaven knows he is NOT a vampire slayer), but he faced the death of two of his children before the presidency, the loss of another while president, the tragedy of the Civil War and his own struggle with life-long depression. Yet, he is know for having a sense of humor and being a good story teller. I’m not 100% he is my hero, but I definitely find things in him that are heroic and therefore, I’d like to meet him.

  595. I’d love to meet you and pick your brain on how you deal so well with your depression. Mine seems almost uncontrollable anymore. A bonus would be having a red dress 🙂

  596. Well not everyone would understand but I think (don’t laugh either) Jesus. To stand up for your convictions while being ridiculed is awesome..also on another spectrum, Diane Lane because she’s Diane Lane. I wouldn’t care if she was witchy in her ways I’d still love her work.

  597. I would give a kidney for someone to come over and cook supper for me and the kiddos tonight. Oh, and go to work for me just cuz I don’t want to go.

    Someone I’d like to meet? Tom Hanks. Mundane to some, I’m sure. But he’s successful and seems so NORMAL so I’m wondering if he normal. Or if he carries his “bad-assery” with him everywhere he goes.

    Also, I like to win stuff. Just sayin’.

  598. I am really not ass-kissing here, but I got to meet you and you are all kinds of hero.

    I wish I could have met Princess Diana, but that will have to wait until the next ride around the carousel.

  599. I’ve had generally positive experiences meeting celebrities/idols. People of note are Carrie Fisher, Anne Rice, Patricia Cornwell, Sue Grafton, Pat Conroy, and of course you, Jenny. You were so nice to me when we met in Chicago.

    I did meet Patti LuPone after a concert once and she was rather rude. That was a big disappointment to me since I’d been looking so forward to meeting her. Haven’t really listened to any of her music since.

    People I would still like to meet are of course Neil Gaiman, J.K. Rowling, Emma Watson (so I can propose to her), and Kate Nash.

  600. Too. Many. Choices. I’m going to go with a duo of Joss Whedon and Terry Pratchett. But then I might explode from the awesome. And because we need an amazing cool chick in there (okay other than you) I think I would go with Felicia Day.

  601. I always wanted to meet Ray Bradbury. Unfortunately, that opportunity has passed. Zombie Ray Bradbury would also be fine.

  602. Well, I met you and Kathy Reichs. I would really like to meet Alan Rickman and Stephen Fry.

  603. Sam Elliot. I’ve hada huge crush on him for a long time….and he seems really nice in interviews. I imagine he’d be a pleasure to chat with.

    I met Colonle Klink from Hogan’s Heroes, once in NYC. He was great! We had cocktails and he told me stories about making the series. Quite a gentleman.

  604. Good Lord… 489 comments for free stuff… are you really going to read this far?

    I guess I have found that the closer people get to being a hero, to fame, the more I’m disappointed and I don’t actually care to know them. Thanks for keeping it real so far…

    I guess I’m in love with people that can show me they are their own damn hero. I spend a lot of time trying to convince women that they are better and stronger than they actually think they are, that anyone can inspire them, but in the end, they have to and can do what it takes to succeed. You do that too, in your writing, by sharing your story, by simply leading yourself. I guess that’s the key…

    So I don’t want to meet anyone. I just want the strength to follow my own dreams, to try to be my own hero. Aren’t we all actually just busy saving ourselves right now?

  605. As cheesy as it sounds, I’ve already met my hero: my dad.

    To me, he’s the bravest, most wonderful man that I’ve ever known (or want to know). He’s been a police officer for 28 of my 31 years. He even retired a couple of years ago, only to go back for another department and work part-time. For about 30 years, he was also a volunteer firefighter. He literally ran into burning buildings for free.

    Despite the things he’s seen and gone through over the years, he’s not jaded and is one of the genuinely nicest people I know. He’ll do anything for anyone. Once, an elderly neighbor of my parents’ that they only knew in passing fell in the bathroom at 3am. Not knowing what to do, the wife came and knocked on my parents’ door. My dad, without a second thought, got dressed, helped the man up and helped clean him up, and then helped him back to bed.

    I just admire him so much and there’s no one, famous or otherwise, that could ever be a bigger hero in my heart and eyes than him.

    /cheese

  606. You, you are my hero and I would love to meet you. You kick depressions ass and you live your life true to yourself. And because of you, I have a 5 foot metal chicken in my backyard, overlooking the pool. His name is Julio and whenever we have guests over and they ask about him, I know that they have not read you yet and I get sad for them. Then I give them your website and show them your book and feel better because you are bringing joy to another person!! 🙂

  607. I don’t really have heroes, but there are some people I do admire. I would be a bit afraid to meet them because they might disappoint. That being said, here is who I’d (maybe) like to meet:
    –Eric Clapton No need for an explanation there.
    –Valtteri Filppula (hockey player/Detroit Red Wing) He is just so adorable and I fantasize that if I had given birth to a son, he would have looked a lot like VF. (Both my husband and I are 100% Finnish, too.) And from everything that I’ve read, he is very down to earth and nice.

    I got the opportunity to meet Air Supply last year when I brought my oldest daughter to their concert. (She was/is a huge fan.) They were so nice to us that I felt like we were long lost friends. They are the only celebrities I’ve ever met and I was so happy that they weren’t jerks.

  608. Whoa, there are some awesome answers here. As much as I loved the Jesus and Audrey Hepburn answers, I’m limiting myself to living people. So here’s my short list:
    Jenny – because of all the reasons we all avidly read this blog
    Wil Wheaton – because he is so cool. “Don’t be a dick” should be the world’s motto.
    Hilary Clinton – Did I miss something in my speed reading? Is Cher really the only person who wants to meet her? I don’t necessarily agree with all of her politics, but the woman is fierce.
    Tina Fey – because “Mean Girls.”
    NPH – because he’s NPH.
    Paul McCartney – Living legend.

    But then I thought, “Who would I meet and just not be able to help peeing myself over?” One name came to mind.

    Dave Grohl.

  609. I met (and kissed) Steven Tyler and a whole store of people witnessed it. I was 4 months pregnant wearing my Lisa Loeb glasses and not looking even remotely at my best and he STILL made me feel like I was the prettiest girl in the world.

    I would LOVE to meet Martha Stewart – I have a recipe that I’m saving to give her when we finally meet….

  611. I had a dream once that I met Lionel Richie while on my honeymoon in Chicago and he fell madly in love with me. Which is weird because I’ve never been to Chicago. Ironically, I’m now getting divorced, but I don’t think Lionel Richie had anything to do with that. And, let’s be honest….Lionel Richie is no one’s hero. I also dreamt once that I met Malcalm Jamal Warner and even though EVERYBODY thought we were a couple, we really were just great friends. I dream awesome. Just saying….

  612. I have had a rough year, as many people have, but a co-worker suggested that I started following you to help take my mind off things when needed and I am so grateful. I have turned to you over and over… I hope you know and understand how large of an impact you have made on people and that there are really people out there that consider you a hero for many reasons. I am one of them.. and I know it would be an honor, not a disappointment if I were to meet you. Thank you for everything. xoxo

  613. I would like to meet the Dalai Llama. Just because he always seems so happy! I think our first meeting would consist mainly of grins and snacks. (I like to think so, anyway.)
    Musical Hero? Jim Henson. I. WOULD. LOVE. TO MEET JIM HENSON!!! But alas. . .
    So I would settle for meeting Yoda. (And YES. I KNOW that Yoda isn’t real. What I mean is that I would REALLY like to meet THE Yoda puppet.)
    So, to wrap up, the person I would most like to meet, barring religious icons with snacks, and passed-too-soon celebrities, is a puppet.
    (You should TOTALLY pick me to win, by the way.)

  614. I didn’t really meet Kurt Vonnegut, but I did hear him speak…and he was wonderful…he told the greatest joke of all time “Don’t say f**k in front of the b-a-b-y.”

  615. I met John Waters at a show and book signing and he EXCEEDED expectations. He was tired, annoyed and a little bitchy by the time I got to the signing table. The fuzzy photo of us shows him sneering and me looking like I’m sucking on a mint (for no apparent reason.) When I met you (Jenny) in Gaithersburg and Annapolis, you were gracious enough to let me have a photo of you looking disgusted by me – IT WAS AWESOME! BTW, that makes it a Collection. My niece and I were completely delighted to see you two days in a row, and we treated it is if we were going to Buckingham Palace, except that you have better teeth and weren’t wearing a hat.

  616. I’ve already met you and Carrie Fisher, so I need to come up with someone new…

    Richard Russo or Jon Stewart or Joel McHale or Kristin Wiig or Lori Lansens or Jack Black or …

  619. I would love to meet my favorite authors, but for some reason I imagine doing so in the context of their stories. I want to meet Dr. Seuss in Whoville, or enjoy apple brandy with Robert Jordan at the Winespring Inn in Two Rivers. For the real/living possibility, Bernard Cornwell could show me around Napoleon’s most famous battle sites with Richard Sharpe (played by Sean Bean, of course).

  620. I really really want to say The Doctor, but we live in the real world and even though I’d like to believe he exists, I know he doesn’t so I’ll have to settle for second best…David Tennant.

  621. i would love to meet Kevin Smith…not sure what that says about me … my hero (my aunt) died a little over a year ago and i now am livin to LAUGH MORE OUT LOUD so he might do it for me. as for the eye thingy that is FREAKIN AWESOME….would love one. ( i am totally hooked by your writin but HANDS DOWN LOVE the audio version of your book so needed the laughs i get each and every time i listen THANKS FOR THAT!!!!)

  622. Do they have to be alive? Can we time travel to meet them? I’d like to meet Dr. Seuss.
    And thanks for the word “bad-assery”. My current fav is “fuckery” as in “What kind of fuckery is going on up in here?” and this is a good addition to my vocabulary.

  623. “Ooo ooo pick me!” she said, waving her hand wildly.
    “STOP THAT!” yelled her boss, and threw an empty soda bottle over the cubicle wall at her. Because her boss is just that cool.
    Well, that’s what might have happened if you’d done this contest BEFORE my boss got her dream job 5 miles from her house and left me here all alone. 😉

    At this point, I’d like to meet George Takei. Not only is there the whole Sulu coolness, and his glorious off-the-wall sense of humor on facebook, but I would like to shake his hand and thank him for writing “Allegiance”.

    I learned of the internment camps in 1976 from my sixth grade teacher, whose family was of Japanese origin. He was born in Hawaii…but that didn’t satisfy the hate-mongers who treated them all like spies, even the ones with children serving in the US military. It boggled my little suburban white kid mind that that could happen in America. It was the Bicentennial and we were all marching around in little Colonial outfits for Halloween — and this fantastic man had been sent away from home because of where his grandparents were born. WTF.
    So yay Takei!

  625. Since I am completely intimidated by almost everyone, I might as well say Stephen Fry, who is the ultimate in intimidating man. Also, I would love to meet Craig Ferguson and Russell Brand, though not at the same time because I would be overwhelmed and have to go hide in the bathroom.

    But The Bloggess might be in there, so it would be cool. Xanax and wigs for everyone!

  627. I met one of my heroes recently. Tetusya Wakada, he is one of the top chefs in the world. He also has a world class ceramic collection. Tetsuya came into the cooperative gallery I am a member of, looking for ceramics for his collection and he was incredibly lovely and so so incredibly humble. We ended up chatting about pottery and Tasmania for about half an hour and The “great Tetsuya Wakada” told me that I was very clever and that he wished he had talent. Such a nice man. I was floating on a fan girl cloud for at least a week. I didn’t have a monkey hat in my pocket but sometimes you don’t need one. 🙂

  628. Beowulf! Oh you mean like real, present-day, non-questing heroes.
    I come in late and all the good heroes are already taken!
    You are awesome, but we’ve established that.
    Dipprasad Pun or Dakota Meyer are cool, but would it be an impressive meeting?
    Ilona Staller (Cicciolina) – a porn star elected to Italian parliament who offered to have sex with middle-east leaders to stop the war? Ok, so I want her (or someone like her) to get elected here, but a meeting?
    Great. Now I’m totally bummed. I have no real heroes that are still alive.
    Oh! The Dalai Lama-Amazing story and person with unbelievable insight. I’m guessing meeting over a steak dinner is out, but that’s my answer!

  632. Living in Alaska for most of my life meant that meeting my heroes wasn’t a very likely occurrence. Now that i’m in my adulthood and still living in Alaska, chances are just as slim… But in my imaginary world that I choose to live in whenever I don’t have a four year old attached to me I would meet all of my heroes and I don’t think that any of them would disappoint me. Because in my head, I don’t inflate them up to some impossible standards. They’re human. They are people. They eat, sleep, poop, face their fears, enjoy their fantasies, and occasionally say something stupid/silly/nonsensical, just like everybody else. But maybe it’s because of that knowledge that I want to meet them, because if real, everyday people can do amazing things, then so can I.
    Anywho, here’s my list of heroes I’d like to meet:
    1) Jane Goodall
    2) LeVar Burton
    3) Ellen
    4) Shirley Manson
    5) You (Jenny)
    6) Joe Sakic

    If I could go back in time or pop into some alternate reality where our fictional characters exist in reality:
    1) The Doctor
    2) John Muir
    3) Aldo Leopold
    4) Captain Picard
    5) Catwoman (90’s comic book version or Julie Newmar version)
    6) The entire crew of Serenity
    7) Ned and Charlotte and Olive and Emerson (Pushing Daisies)
    8) She-Ra
    9) Dr. Seuss

  633. I would love to meet Danny Elfman. I want to hear the music in his head. I’m sure at first I would be so utterly stunned to be in his presence that I would be standing there like a gaping mouthed trout statue… but eventually, I hope, I would become a somewhat rational human again, and be able to have the conversations I have dreamed of having with him.
    The other person, I have actually met; But I want to be friends with. I want to hang out with Wil Wheaton. Upon meeting him, and his lovely wife Anne, I felt such an instant kinship. They felt like my people. The kind of friends you can sit and hang out with, talk about nothing, and be endlessly amused. I’m sure it also helps that I have had a crush on him since I was 6 years old. And, he said he loved my tattoo of my birds, that I designed and drew myself. But that isn’t the point. Why can’t I be friends with Wil Wheaton?

  634. I would love to meet Mr Gaiman but I feel I would lose all ability to talk and would just blubber in his general direction, causing me to kick myself for the rest of my life that I was not in any way coherent.

  635. I always count MLK as my hero, but I would prefer not to meet him since he’s dead and that means if I were to meet him that either a) I am dead or b) he’s a zombie.

  636. I would love to meet you, (the Bloggess of course), Lauren from Filing Jointly…finally, and Allie from Hyperbole and a Half. These women have helped me laugh while depressed and even just feel more comfortable knowing that there are people out there that I relate to. I would also love love love to meet Jenna Mourey, otherwise known as Jenna Marbles, because she is my weirdness idol.
    And Channing Tatum… Those abs..

  637. I want to meet Gerard Way. He writes my favorite comic and a small bit of that story is what helps keep me from hurting myself. Wouldn’t mind more help though

  639. I met Felicia Day at this year’s Dragon*Con, and she told me that I’m pretty–which meant more than I could express to her at the time, because just a few years ago I weighed eighty pounds more than I do now. I was always the fat kid, and suddenly I was the girl who Felicia Day thought was pretty. Life-changing, that moment.

  640. Neil Gaiman, JK Rowling, and yourself. As an aspiring writer myself I would love to one day be in the same league. Not only excellent writers, but also seemingly fantastic people all across the boards.

  641. I’ve met a few awesome people at the Houston Comicpalooza. Sean Maher from Firefly was on his BB and I gave him grief for not paying attention to his adoring fans. I’d like to meet Audry Hepburn, she seems so fun and amazing and I hope she would be just as amazing in person. I’m sure she’ll be amazing in heaven because that’s when I’ll get to meet her.

  643. I’m not sure I’m allowed to meet my heroes because I might be inclined to kidnap them and make them be my friends forever. That being said I’m pretty sure Neil Gaiman’s magical mind would turn the drug clouded memories of being locked in my basement into an awesome potatoes fantasy-horror version of Misery and make millions of dollars off it, in which case everyone wins, so I guess he’s the one.
    P.S. I promise to never really kidnap Neil Gaiman, at the very least because it would take way too much foresight and energy, but if he wanted to come over for some tea bonding time I’d definately rally and put the kettle on.

  644. Other than you, (Obviously!) I will forever want to meet Neil Patrick Harris. He just seems like a super fun guy and I’m pretty sure we’d be BFF’s, and hang out forever but not in a creepy stalker way. Also Ryan Gosling, because he’s super dreamy and if he said “Hey Girl” to me, I would die. Happy.

  645. So I finally got your book last week, and last night a friend of mine was over to hook up my DVD player that’s been sitting useless for two months now because I had too many wires in the same box when i moved here. He saw your book on my coffee table and I made him read a chapter. Then he suggested we go see Raiders of the Lost Ark at the theater, so it wasn’t till today that I noticed he ‘borrowed’ your book. Very clever misdirectionand I DID get to see Raiders on a big screen, but I think he forgets I know where he lives!

    I’m on the Bruce Campbell train. Oh-and Peyton Manning because I live in Tennessee and I kinda wish we could sneak him back into school these days

  646. Jesus and Audrey Hepburn are awesome answers, but I’m limiting myself to living people. So my short list:

    Jenny – For all the reasons the other people said.
    Wil Wheaton – “Don’t be a dick.” That should be the world’s motto.
    Hilary Clinton – Did I miss someone when I speed read the comments? Just me and Cher? Really? Even if you don’t agree with her politics (I often don’t), you have to admit the woman is fierce.
    Tina Fey – “Mean Girls.”
    NPH – I don’t think an explanation is needed.

    But then I asked myself, “Who would I just not be able to help peeing myself over?” One name came to mind.

    Dave Grohl.

  647. Does it have to be a real person? I hope not because I would want to meet Jilly Coppercorn from Charles DeLint’s books. Or Buffy the Vampire Slayer (not Sarah Michelle Gellar). Oh, and if it as to be a real person I would like to meet Bono.

  648. I work at a bookstore, so I meet lots of authors. So far, most of them have held up, but the two best are Dan Wells and Jonathan Maberry.

  649. I would love to meet Neil deGrasse Tyson because I think he’s the Carl Sagan of our time.

  650. I totally want to meet LeVar Burton. And maybe Suzanne Collins. And Cesar Millan. And Patricia McConnell.

  651. I have met my hero’s and they have never let me down. These wonderfully awesome Women are my TRIBE and they never fail to amaze me everyday. They are my teachers, my strength, my comedy, my tears, my hopes and my inspirations.

  652. One of my friends just met Neil Gaiman and he keeps needling me with it because he finds it amusing. Stuff along the lines of “y’know, if you had just come to Con with me, I could have gotten you into the party too…blah blah blah.” grr.

  653. I had the chance to meet Neil Gaiman once but my anxiety got the better of me, I was in line to meet him and felt too nervous so I left and I’ve regretted it since.

    However, a couple of years later I got the chance to meet Terry Deary, author of the Horrible History books. I loved those books as a child and I have a copy of Groovy Greeks that I’ve been holding on to for fourteen years. My regret over not meeting Neil Gaiman drove me to fight my anxiety and not let it get the better of me again.

    I queued in line to meet him for more than an hour, I was the only adult there who wasn’t with a child and when he saw my tattered old book he hugged it and he was astonished to know I’d kept it all these years.

    I still want to meet Neil Gaiman one day and I think this time I’d have the courage to do it.

  654. I think I’d like to meet Steve Perry. But then I remember that I’m me, and I know I’d just stand there with my mouth hanging open and if I did say something it would probably be totally inappropriate. But I have a 32 year crush going on this guy so I’d like to think that if the opportunity arose, I would take it and say something witty. The 8 year old girl in me thinks that anyway. The 40 year old would probably tear up and pass out.

  655. I don’t have a sock monkey hat, so Neil Gaiman is out of the question. And, since I’ve already met tons of celebrities, if given the chance, I’d like to go back in time about 20 years to meet the younger me and tell me all the things I would regret not doing, so I would do them while I had the chance.

  656. I would love to meet Dave Grohl because…well, he’s DAVE GROHL. Honestly, he just seems like an awesome guy and maybe he would scream some lyrics for me. Or hug me. Maybe both. I did meet Todd Rundgren once when I was a teen waaaay back in the 80’s. He was cool but his signature on my Utopia album is awful.

  657. I realize that my comment is wayyyyy down here and probably won’t be read, cause by the time you hit 300 I’m sure you’re thinking “why on earth did I ask these people a question” But I have a couple “heroes” that I would love to meet, and some I have. I got to meet YOU, and although it sounds like major ass kissing, I’m cool with that. I got to meet you in Portland, I didn’t have a book with me, I walked over 3 miles to get to the book store, got there right when it started, AND WON A FREAKING BOOK, for you to sign, you said I was awesome…mostly cause I told you to, but ya know, I’ll take what I can get! Another person I was happy to meet was Wil Wheaton, he comes through Portland a lot, and I go see him whenever I can…that sounds kind of stalkerish, but I pay for tickets to his events, and stand in line for autographs. The funny thing is , I never watched TNG…I knew him from Stand by Me, my FAVORITE movie when I was a kid. In fact when I got to the theater that was holding his W00tstock show, the man at the door said “Westley Crusher is in the house” and I said “Who’s Westley Crusher” LMAO So yeah!
    I would love to meet Stephen King though, although not a huge fan of his stories, I love reading HIS writing, when he’s just bullshitting, like his book “On Writing”..amazing!
    David Tennant is a good one too, only cause I have a huge nerd crush on the guy, plus my 8 year old would probably squeel outloud if she got to meet him!
    Sarah Michelle Geller is also one I would love to meet. I grew up watching Buffy ( I still marathon the bitch), and when I get caught in a shitty situation, I think What Would Buffy Do? In fact….I have a WWBD tattoo on my wrist to look at when I need help!
    SO there’s my pathetic rant, and attempt to win an awesome necklace cause…it’s awesome! I hope you survive all these comments, and can see straight when you get down here to the bottom of the wishing well! 🙂

  658. Jack White…..because the man brought back rock & roll. But Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, David Tennant and the Bloggess would be delightful.

  659. Kurt Vonnegut, who I have always thought was just Mark Twain in disguise. Cocktails with the pair of them and Tallulah Bankhead would be brilliant. I could just listen hard and never have to offer an opinion of my own.

  660. I sort of met Neil Gaiman once at a convention I was working. We walked past each other, and he kept doing double takes at me like he knew who I was, but I think he was just confused that I was on a con floor and not attacking him.

  662. I’ve met a lot of famous peeps and, yes, some are jerks but some are awesome too! I’m not going to name drop because then I’d be compelled to tell you about some of the jerkfaces and we don’t need to go there.
    I’d love to meet David Bowie, Tom Waites, Jason Statham and Brock Sampson. Since it’s unlikely for me to meet any of these people I might as well throw in my favorite cartoon character, right? Besides, I’d probably turn into a squeeing lil fangirl if I do get the chance the meet any of the real ones.

    DR. BRASSY ROOLZ!!

  663. Chewbacca in the winter because he could definitely be like a huge Snuggie. But also maybe Josh Holloway from “Lost” because he’s hot. Not sure my husband would go for either.

  664. Believe it or not, I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to meet Chuck Yeager – the first man to break the sound barrier flying the experimental aircraft the Bell X-1 in 1947. He flew Mach 1 (which is 340 miles a SECOND!) And he did it with busted ribs. Then in 1953, he was the fastest man again breaking Mach 2. Simply amazing. He was a pioneer in his field, and inspired me to be a fighter pilot – but at 4’11” tall, and virtually blind (can’t see the E on the eye chart!), that dream is never going to come to fruition. Bummer.

  665. I would love to meet Michael Fassbender. He wreaks awesomness and sexiness and amazing talent. But I guess I have to meet his enourmous schlong first. It gets everywhere 12 inches before he does.
    OMG!

  666. My heroes have always been cowboys . . . Wait, that’s not me. That’s Willie Nelson. I’d really like to say you, because it’s the truth. I don’t want you to think I’m just sucking up to win the fabulous eyeball necklace, though.

  667. Actually, I have a group of ladies that I’d love to meet in person! We all found each other in an online/mom forum back when our babies were still babies (mine’s 12 now); our “meeting site” has changed a few times over the years, but we’ve stayed in contact and have been with each other through several breakups, moves, one college graduation (soon to be two, I hope), job changes – hell, every sort of life change possible, it seems. I have been fortunate to meet a few of these ladies face-to-face, but since we’re spread out across the country (CA, TX, IN, WI, TN, GA, VA, NC), and not able to afford a big to-do, I’m not sure that we’ll ever get the chance to share some IRL facetime all together. I hope so, though…I love those gals!

  668. Dude! I was totally at that Wootstock! I was in the same room with you AND Neil Gaiman! I did not realize I was in the presence of that much awesome. Probably mostly because I was fixated on Neil. I actually babbled at him at a book signing once. And he said “Fuck” because his pen was running out of ink and there were still 100 people behind me at 11:00 at night. But other than that he was gracious and when I told him he was my third favorite living author after Susanna Clarke and Terry Pratchett, he said, “That’s wonderful company to be in” or something awesome like that. And then I sat in a dark corner and burst into tears for a while. So I understand.

  669. I have never posted anything before, nothing has been that important. I would like to me you. You are my hero! I read your book, so giggled so much in the waiting room at the doctor’s office that i was able to recommend your book to the receptionist and some of the fellow patience as well as the nurse who took me back to see the Dr. (who i am pretty sure had no sense of humor). The entire book reminded me of the times and situations i have had with my sisters – there are 4 of us!

  670. Terry Pratchett! And Dylan Meconis. Who, if you haven’t read Bite Me! …you need to do so immediately.

  671. Well, I already met you, so I have to go with the next best thing.

    I’d really like to meet David Bowie, I don’t know if I think of him as a hero per say, but I have idolized him in my mind since I first saw Labyrinth (likely right after it’s original release date). I would like him to be dressed as Jareth, that would be awesomeness. Although, I did find him intriguing as Nikola Tesla in the Prestige.

  672. I live in a place called the tri-cities, as there are 3 cities kind of grouped into one. Anyway, we live in desert land and people hear love it so much they refer to it as the “dry shitties”. 🙂

  673. Without sounding like a but kisser, you’re definitely one of my heroes. I have battled depression since I was a teenager and just recently made my battle public. I first read “Depression Lies” on your site and I now chant it to myself every time I bottom out. Your courage to openly struggle is admirable. Plus, you’re funnier than shit and I think we’d have a great time together. 🙂

  674. Is it wrong that I struggle with this? There are definately people I admire but none that I would classify as heroes……

  675. I would love to meet Neil Gaiman. Any type of storyteller, really. I used to want to meet Nathan Fillian…

  676. I forgot to mention that Michael isnt my hero or anything. I just want to be alone in a dark room with him!

  677. Jeff Tweedy from the band Wilco. He’s my secret crush. I’m pretty sure he would probably have b.o., but I’m good with that. He would make me laugh because he is funny as fuck. I would also like him to sing to me. Preferably a song he wrote for me. He is closely followed, of course, by you. I would love to meet you. The highlight of my month was when you started following me back on Twitter (whatsnewsie) I see a lot of the same twisted funny shit in you that I see in me. Pretty sure you would not have b.o. and I know for a fact you would make me laugh too, because you are the funniest fuck. Can you sing? PS – is it ok to swear in the comments section? I am Queen Trucker Mouth.

  678. You Jenny! I would love to spend a day with you. And it doesn’t even have to be one of your good days. It would be nice to be with someone who understands and gets through the bad days.

  679. Why is Hailey getting so tall? I refuse to accept this.

    Also, the eyeball necklace is creepy in a most delightful way.

  680. DAVE MATTHEWS!!! I love that man. I think he is walking sex. I love his words and his voice and his face. My friend and I go on and on about him. I want him to hold me like his guitar and she wants to be his seatbelt. She wants to sniff his pits and I want to kiss his eyebrows and lick his cheeks. Oh Dave.

  681. It’s raining in Indiana too. Only the whole state doesn’t stop when it pours, we just grill out under the carport instead. The hero I’d like to meet is the person that invented the glue stick–because that product has played a pretty monumental role in my life, and also because that person is probably just some normal dude so I wouldn’t be too disappointed. Er, wait. I changed my mind. I want to meet the person that created Tacky glue. Cuz its for crafts AND its called tacky. Win-win.

  684. Dolly Parton. I grew up listening to her music and watching her comedy hour (and later on all the movies she’s been in). I used to draw pictures of her and design outlandish dresses for her to wear in them (I was 9). I think I asked my gramma to mail them to her but I don’t know if it ever happened. Anyways, rhinestones and down home sensibilty. I have a feeling she roots for the little guy because that’s where she started. Anyhoo, that is all.

  686. I want to win!
    Sadly,most of the people I’d really like to meet are fictional. But meeting you or Jen Yates would be a definite highlight of my life!

  687. Awesome necklace! I would want to meet YOU because you have taught me not to be ashamed of my depression and we emailed about a situation in my life and your words literally saved my life. Also, Don Henley because he writes great lyrics and I would want him to sing to me.

  689. Christopher Walken or James Lipton. A friend of mine met Christopher many years ago and said he is as weird and brilliant in real life as he is in the roles he plays – and I love just about anything he is in. James Lipton – because the man gets to meet everyone who is anyone in film — love “Inside the Actor’s Studio”. If I could go back in time…Richard P. Feynman. That man had an amazing brain, sense of humor and wansn’t too bad on the bongo either so I understand.

  690. The nicest person to meet so far -Shout out to Gavin Rossdale for being the nicest, most sincere, down to earth person ever. He let my brother hang out with him for a whole day. Bumper barraged him with questions and at no point did he ever say, security get this kid away from me. They skateboarded, played games, and he even explained that he was videotaping his bus and backstage to show his kids one day, because all the fame and riches could be gone like that and it is a good lesson to learn to be grateful in the moment. He was a great sport about allowing my brother to hang with him – likely to continue to win Gwens heart, but hey it worked.

    I would like to meet Nathan Fillion and jump into his arms as soon as the photo is taken, so he HAS to catch me and thus be holding twine. I know we were supposed to let it go…but just saying…if wishes were twine.

    Second to that, I want to meet Will Wheatons cat. But I want the cat to wear the necklace as a collar while I photo bomb in the background. Cracks me up on Twitter, that silly ole cat.

    Lastly, if I could finally get to meet you in person and we could skype with Neil Gaiman, that would be fabulous! I couldn’t go to the book signing – was SO bummed about not getting to finally see you in person. My son and I owe you hours of enjoyment because of the life sized Tardis that is now cut out onto his closet door, so that when he opens it, he is getting into the Tardis. Saved my sanity, and big liquor bills by being able to send him back in time while I pee in peace. I live close, can kill snakes, and make you a bowl of cereal that is NOT filled with eggwhites. Oh, and I can cook, and teach you to cook.

    But seriously, I have been coveting that necklace for a long time.

    Have met lots of people who were incredible and nice, and some that were my “heroes” that totally let me down. But I think the important thing I learned was they are people too. Just because I (we) put them on a pedestal does not mean they belong there. Some people I want to take a chainsaw to the F&**ing pedestal. Add to the list, I can operate a chainsaw.

  692. I would like to meet Tom Hanks and have drinks. I think he would be fun to hang around with. Of course, his wife, Rita Wilson, is welcome to join us. I’m not looking to score or anything untoward like that.

  693. I met Glenn Danzig, which was a huge disappointment because he wouldn’t let me put him in my pocket to bring home with me. Of the people I want to meet, I don’t know that I have many heroes I would like to meet. I mean, I would adore meeting you, but I am not sure you are my hero. Hero is something that should involve saving the world from scabies and bad reality TV, and I am not quite sure you qualify.
    🙂

  694. Please let me have an eyeball necklace!! Please!! I’m an eye doctor, it’s my favorite part of everyone’s body!!… Wait… that didn’t sound right… You know what I meant, right?…. Time for another toasted almond from that frozen liquors place…

  695. Ellen DeGeneres. She seems like someone that you would just have a blast with. And Tina Fey. And you! Maybe all four of us could meet up and hang out. That would be even better. And my expectations are pretty low so you all would have to turn out to be huge a$$holes for me to be disappointed. Win-win!

  697. This is a post full of love! I love rain, Neil Gaiman, and those necklaces have been on my favorites list on Etsy FOREVER!!!

  699. I would love to meet Tina Fey. I love how she sees the world, and how respectful she is of others. After reading Bossypants, I knew I’d like to hang out with her sometime.

  700. I’m in the Jim Hensen camp….*sniff* But since that’s not an option I’d love to meet Stephen King – although I’d probably be struck fan-girl dumb.

  701. While my loins are furiously requesting Tom Hiddleston, my mind requests Neil deGrasse Tyson, my dreams request Neil Gaiman (naturally), my inner introvert would love to sit quietly and safely next to you Mrs. Lawson, my curiosity requests Barak Obama, and my soul is requesting the Dalai Lama. My heart is oddly silent.. I think it’s still trying to figure out who I am, before daring to tread out once more into the world.

  702. Maya Angelou. I was at a reading she gave in the early 90s. The minute she walked into the room, the positive energy…presence… whatever it was, was amazingly palpable. I would love to just sit and talk to her. And you, of course, because you make me laugh so hard. I have listened to your audiobook 3 times now and I’m laughing just as hard, or harder each time! Thanks!

  704. This is going to sound hoakie but I want to meet the Dalai Lama. That man makes me smile every time I *read* what he says. I imagine in person he’s friendly and warm and full of joy.

    Having worked at various cons and having gone to many, many book signings I’ve met a lot of people. Most notably are Ray Bradbury, Douglas Adams, Peter S Beagle, Gish Jen, Alton Brown, and you. Authors always hold a special place in my heart.

    I also met the current Governor of Maryland when his band was playing in a bookstore. You meet the most interesting people at bookstores…. 🙂

  706. I was on an airplane with Mr. Rogers once. But I was too shy to talk to him. Lame story.

  707. Today, and the first person who popped into my head when I read that question, was Julia Child. I just loved her sense of humor about cooking and the fact that she was so passionate about it. Ask me another day, I might give another answer…..Love your site and love your book!

  709. My heros are my mom and my grandmother. They are the strongest women I know and knowing what they’ve been through to get where they are gives me something to shoot for, an example to live by. My grandmother had polio as a child and is a 2 time breast cancer survivor. She has been a real estate agent for over 30 years and rarely lets anything stop her. My mom raised me on her own and put herself through college while doing it earning a bachelors degree in Sociology from a great school and landed herself a good job actually using her degree working for the local Social Services department. There’s no one better that I can think of as my heros.

  710. Well, you, OBVIOUSLY. And I got to do that all-too-briefly in Denver. Katherine Hepburn, because she lived her life just the way she wanted to, and I really admire that. And Lilly the Hero Pitbull who lost her front leg when dragging her person out of the way of a speeding train. Truly. We’re Facebook friends. She’s amazing.

  711. I’ve already met you. So now there’s only Glennon Melton, Lev Grossman, and Jesus. I suspect the latter would be a huge disappointment to most people, but not to me. Because of course *my* idea of what he’d be like is correct and everyone else’s is messed up.

  715. Neil Gaiman is definitely one of them. I *just* missed meeting him at this year’s ChiCon and kicked myself. Does it count that my husband met him?

  716. I guess now it would be zombie Steve Irwin. Or Piff the Magic Dragon. Or Jenny Lawson, I heard she was totally bitchin’ and wrote the bestest book ever.

  717. I would have liked Frank SInatra to sing me a song and then call me “Babe.”

    But not like the pig “Babe.”

    “Babe” like he croons in his songs.

  718. The fact that a couple of these comments mention my name has left me flabbergasted because holy crap that is a compliment. So thanks Lauren and Paige.

    Personally I’m right there with you on the Amy Poehler thing, she’s not only funny but she seems like a really empowering person.

  720. I don’t think I have a hero, but since it’s an election year I think I would like to meet president Obama. You know, to see what he is like without a script.

  722. Don’t laugh- John Edwards (the medium) and Sharon Stone. Not heroes, but ran into them both (separately) in NYC. I ran into lots of celebs there, but these two were unique in that I had very long eye contact with both of them that was like an unspoken conversation. Both stuck with me a lot longer than many of the longer conversational meetings with other stars. I guess I’m just curious if it would still be weird to actually talk to them.

  724. Not meaning to sound brown-nosey or anything but first place would be you. Second place would be Christopher Moore, who I not only adore, but who also followed you on Twitter, which is how I found you. So, yeah.

  725. Way back in ’88 in met Lux from The Cramps at Wax Trax in Chicago. He really is that much larger in life as well.

  726. I don’t really have heroes per say, there’s several famous people that I’d like to meet but I’d probably go all mute and stupid … But that said there are people that I’d really like to be friends with… You! Jo Brand, and Sarah Millican to name a few!

  728. Johnny Depp – and not just because he’s delicious. He’s such a good actor, that if he was game, you could be with whomever you wanted any day. Today, I’d like to meet with an Australian anthropologist – and, BOOM, there he is.

  729. I got to meet Count Basie, the jazz god, at Disneyland in 1981. I am a saxophone player and at that point was playing bari sax in my college big band, where we played a lot of Basie tunes. A friend of the band happened to sit by me in the gazebo; I was so surprised that the Basie Band was there I was crying for joy. So this guy takes me over to the band during a break and I got the Count’s autograph and my picture taken with him. My smile is so big I look like Steven Tyler.

  730. I’d love to meet J.K. Rowling, Channing Tatum, David Boreanaz, Nathan Fillion, John Green/Hank Green, and/or Rupert Grint. I’m not picky at all, hahah. 🙂

  731. Marilyn Monroe – I’d love to hear the stories she has to tell. Oh and Queen Elizabeth – can you imagine getting her drunk and finding out what she really thinks about the royal family ?

  732. Probably a toss up between you and Tina fey. You are both hilarious women that I enjoy so much. I have meet so many other people through the conventions I gi to, but you don’t go to conventions.

  733. I would love to meet Stephen King and it is even possible some day as I too live in Maine. But I also want to meet J.K. Rowling, not as possible.
    I love you Jennie and feel like you are one of my sisters. Could I ask you a favor though? Could you put in a “jump to comment” button? You have a shit load of followers who always comment and I feel like I have to scroll forever. I know I probably don’t have a chance in hell of winning either since the odds are so bad, but I wanted to answer this question.!

  734. As a street performer for many years at the CA renaissance faires, there is a league of actors I have admired and thought highly of for quite a long time. I am performing in my first stage show there and one of the acts( a long time force of nature) sharing the stage gave me high marks this weekend. My director is proud of us (a legend herself) and I get to be in the company of my heroes every weekend. I am bathing in performance glory for five weekends in a row!

    Disturbingly happy right now!!!!

  735. I think too many people I want to meet would be imaginary people. Like, the character Doctor Who. I do get pretty fangirly swoony over the thought of meeting one of the kpop or kdrama stars I’m always watching or listening to. Met Bruce Campbell once!! OMG HE IS SO FREAKING COOL. I totally lost it, just clammed up. Told him he must think I’m an idiot because I couldn’t talk. He told me no, I’m obviously cool because I was there. I ALMOST DIED. eeeeeeeeeeeeee!

  736. I just want you to know that I loved your book so much, I have bought it four times for 4 different people. It is what I am giving people who are going through a hard time and need a good laugh!

  737. Who would I want to meet? Honestly and with a lack of ass-kissery, you. Because we are similar types of odd. Plus, I feel like after we became insta-bffs, you wouldn’t judge me for being strange and phone phobic and would be ok with the fact that I don’t call my friends. Also? Jen from epvot/cake wrecks. We could all drink copiously together.

  738. I’d like to meet – and interview – all the awesome science fiction and fantasy authors. I’ve been working on it, I have 22 audio interviews so far and and at least 9 more email or text interviews of authors as well as a handful of actors and musicians. I enjoy learning about their lives, what got them to where they are and what lessons they’ve learnt along the way. Of course when publicists hunt me down to interview their authors, it’s also with a view of spruiking their latest book, which is usually a great point of discussion too.

    One day I hope to go to the world conventions for science fiction and fantasy, but for that I need a day job. Pesky bills.

  739. From the time I was a few years old, watching Lynda Carter on the television, I knew my ultimate hero would always be Wonder Woman, and I thought that I would always like to meet her. Being a super hero, as a grew a little bit older, I I realized that my dream would never really be realized.

    Then I got even older, and some of my amazing cosplay friends formed up something called the Heroes Alliance, where they pretty much dress up like super heroes and go around to under-privileged and sick children and allowing them the amazing opportunity to do what I was never able to do, and meet their own favorite super heroes. So, I guess I would have to say, that a lot of my friends are already the heroes that I wanted to/never could/some of the most-amazing-real-life-people could ever hope to meet.

  740. wow love reading the comments everyone has such great ideas about who would be interesting to meet. I’d love to meet Stephen King, Jim Butcher, Jon Stewert and lots others that have been mentioned. and most definitly you Jenny, I mean look at the awesomeness you introduce into all our lives everything from beyonce to that wonderful eyeball necklace.
    Also I’ve always thought that sitting around a table with Adam Sandler and his band of merry comedians that are in so many movies with him would just be a wonderful and hilarious time. Any time spent laughing is good and precious time!

  741. I don’t have heros. But I liked the necklace ;o) I actually don’t care to meet celebrities either. We had a celebrity come to our community last Winter, and she was celebrity for the saddest reasons, and one lady asked if I met her at the community meeting with her. Uh, no. I chose to not ask Elizabeth Smart for her autograph because she was tortured. I chose to respect her for taking the time to support our local start up of the radKIDS program on behalf of child safety. And by “respect,” I let her speak and didn’t ask to take pictures with her and her father.

    As for you—- I might want a picture. You are pretty cool, and if the anxiety for both of us is not too extreme, I might trip over at least three embarrassing sentences. ;o)

  742. Just one? Ack. I can’t narrow it down. Neil Gaiman, Jane Lynch, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and The Doctor, but, like, the real one.

  743. Mariska Hargitay! She is not only an amazing actress, but she created the Joyful Heart Foundation which is an awesome organization for victims of sexual abuse, domestic violence and child abuse (http://www.joyfulheartfoundation.org/).

    And I’d love to meet you of course!! Missed you in Philly…maybe closer to Lancaster/Harrisburg/York, PA next time???

  745. The old school comic book version of Superman, ALF, Will Ferrell, and John Cleese because all of them are bad-ass in their own special ways. If I had to pick just one though – I’d have to go with John. Or Will. John’s genius makes me want to hump his leg like a rabid dog in heat. But Will makes me giggle-pee every damn time I see that him on anything anywhere. And also the leg humping thing. Hmm… Maybe it would have to be Will?

    Also – I have totally seen those necklaces and whatnot (checked the site out after you raved about them once). That chick is pretty fanfuckingtastic. I had one of those on my personal list of “awesome randomness to buy for absolutely no reason other than sheer amazingness”, but then I got myself fired because I’m a moron and decided to tell my boss off in a few emails. What can I say? One can only handle so much douche-baggery before they step on the damn bag and pop it like bubble wrap. It’s still on my list, but now it will have to wait until I can trick someone into paying me to be awesome at their establishment.

  746. I met you in Boston at your book signing and you were as awesome in person as you are online. I gave you funny sticky notes, can I have a fantasticly awesome necklace?

  747. JK Rowling. Even though I’d have to seriously have to censor my OMGPLZGIVEMOAR fangirl side, just to have to opportunity to shake hands and maybe have her sign my copy of Beedle.

    Also, Joss Whedon. I want to soak up his awesome by osmosis. If he *just happened* to be surrounded by the Avengers (don’t even have to be in costume) I’d probably implode most happily (and very carefully. Don’t want to mess his shoes).

  748. Honestly, the people I would most want to meet are dead (not sure what that really says about me). I would have loved to have met Jim Henson and Vincent Price. I suspect mostly because I grew up on the Muppet Show and the Saturday Mantinee Monster Movie. 🙂

  749. Stephen King lives in the next town over and I’ve bumped into him a few times over the years (his kids are about my age). He seems like a really nice, down-to-earth guy…very much a practical Mainer. 😉

    I have so many people I’d like to meet, it’s impossible to narrow it down to just one! But the list includes Neil Patrick Harris, Wil Wheaton, Craig Ferguson, David Tennant, Tina Fey, and you, Jenny! Really, I’d like to meet anyone who seems like they’d be cool to just hang out and shoot the shit with, you know?

  750. If I can meet an imaginary person it would be the Doctor, hands down. Real life person would be Tina Fey because she’s amazing. And I met you at your book signing and that was lots of fun and now when I read your blog/book I hear your voice in my head.

  751. I want to meet Amanda Palmer. Naturally, she is one of the most kick-ass women in the world. I’ve been to 2 of her shows and have been just blown away by her passion and energy of what she does. I would love to sit down and talk with her, so see her in a natural habitat, to see the Amanda Palmer that shines on the stage and you can hear in all of her music.

  752. There are so many people I would love to meet. However, and this isn’t meant to earn me brownie points, I would love the opportunity to meet you. You’ve given words to my fears and made me feel a little less alone in my depression. You enabled me to embrace myself in my dark and light moments and that, to me, makes you a hero.

  753. Neil Armstrong, but I missed that by a few weeks. Maybe Neil Young. Or Neil Patrick Harris. (does it have to be a hero named Neil???)

  754. Anthony Rapp. But i’ve already met him 🙂

    Aaaaand… I was trying to think of someone besides you…but its you miss Jenny Lawson.
    I even had a dream I met you. In an antique store. It was fitting. Except I’m pretty sure we held hands. Which is really just strange.

    David Tennant is a good one. That’s now on my list.
    WOO

  757. I want to meet Ellen Degeneres for her amazing spirit and generosity. I love the way she uses her celebrity to help those in need. That is, of course, if I couldn’t meet you. But we’d both likely be hiding under separate tables so our conversation would struggle a bit.

  760. Yea, I have to agree! Neil Diamond is totally awesome. One of my favorites growing up. I can hear him now – “We come into America!!”. Ah, good times!

  761. Gabriela Garcia Marquez. I would also need someone to give me the gift of speaking Spanish to go along with my meeting.

  762. I have to agree with Heather (117) and say I’d like to meet Sir David Attenborough. He has been to so many incredible places and seen so many incredible things, and his knowledge of the natural world is inspiring. I can’t imagine that he would be anything other than cordial.

  763. I tend to me not disappointed for the person I would meet for not living up to what I expected, but in myself for painting an incorrect portrait of them in my mind. Then again, I am one of those shameless star struck types that will pretty much leave the meeting of a hero happy no matter what. Still, I would want to meet the singer, Jill Tracy, who sings wonderfully dark cabaret songs of death and the macabre that I wish I could say came directly from my own imagination, but I will concede her imagination is far superior.

  764. I wouldn’t mind meeting Stephen Hawking and hearing him talk about the mysteries of the universe in his robot voice. That would be so fulfilling on so many levels.

  765. Every time I watch Dr. Who I wanna dye my hair red. And then I did. Friday.

    You’re one of my bloggy heroes. Cuz you get to say the ef word a whole lot. My husband read your book before I got to. You’re husband’s nicer than mine. For reals.

    Enough random. Pick me.

  768. Chris Hardwick. I listen to the Nerdist every day at work, and it cracks me up to the point where I have to cover my mouth with my hands and put my head on the desk for a bit. No lies.

  769. The heroes I want to meet are either dead historical figures or are fictional characters. Proof I read a lot.

    But in the real live personage meeting. I met you once at Blogher Chicago. We talked about hobos. It was a meeting full of magic. And hobos.

  770. I can’t think of a hero that I want to meet, because to me heroes are just every day people who do their sometimes thankless jobs in the service of others, and I meet them every day. They are all wonderful. I did meet one of my favorite actors last year, Christian Kane, in Vegas on a trip that I won, and then had a 3 hour lunch with him and his recording studio crew the next day. It was pretty awesome. I’d been wanting to meet or at least go to one of his concerts forever.

    I would love to meet The Doctor, even though he’s fictional. Just for a few hours to experience something so extraordinary that could never be repeated.

    The necklace is amazing, by the way, and thank you for the contest, Jenny!

  771. Who would I be gobstoppered and flabbergasted to meet? Hard one…fictional – Morpheus from “The Sandman” and real person – any of the Monty Pythons, living or dead.

  772. I not only want to meet Neil Gaiman but also his amazing beautiful wife, AFP. They have the most badass couple to ever exist.

  773. I met a hero of mine before I knew he was a hero of mine, and my face was tearstreaked and I wasn’t wearing pants…I fell and blew out my knee skiing, ski patrol had to bring me to the first aid office at Kirkwood ski resort, this was back in the mid 80s. I am on an examination table with a blaket around me and I hear a voice…Tom Hank’s voice…he comes over to the EMT that is helping me to tell her and all of the staff “Thank you” for taking care of his son that was injured the same day…I wanted to ask him for an autograph so bad…but I didn’t…but he became my hero by thanking people that he didn’t have too, I mean he was a star…His big movie “Splash” had been out for a year…

  774. Corny or not….. It’s the Bloggess. She makes the world so much brighter when things seem darker, But David Tennant is the only Doctor I love and if I could I would love to meet him.

  775. i met a famous musician who inspired me to learn how to play and write songs myself. turns out, that person has the maturity of a 14 year old boy. deep lyrics? yes. makes jokes about boobs in real life? also yes.

  776. Jenny, I hope you realize by now that you truly are a hero to so many of us!

    Outside of this blog, one of my heroes is Harvey Levin…because despite the fact that he’s an attorney, he’s managed to find another career that is totally fun and unrelated to the law. I hope to be like him for that reason in the very near future!

  777. I met Margaret Atwood. She happened to do a book signing in my city one year, with a meet-and-greet for local teachers the evening before. My mother, being a professor at our local college, snuck me in. Ms. Atwood is much shorter than expected, but every bit as eloquent as you’d imagine! We chatted about the unique nature of my name.

    As for the future…Neil Gaiman and David Tennant for sure! Perhaps Michael Caine, who seems really interesting.

  778. Mara Wilson, she was the lead character in the movie Matilda. It’s so great when you’re a kid and watching a movie and thinking “wow. Someday I want to be that awesome.”
    And it’s better when you’re twenty and realize that the actress who played that girl has a blog and is actually pretty darn clever, and you’re still thinking that someday, I want to be that awesome.

    Basically, it is really great when a childhood hero is still a hero years later.

  779. Howard Dean. I got to introduce him to a crowd of people and reporters outside of the DNC headquarters many years ago and I got pics! I would like to meet Bernie Sanders.

  780. As a preteen, Maya Angelou’s writing and Joan Baez’s book and music helped me feel there were people who shared my concerns for the world and that there was hope. While I never met Baez, I did get to meet Maya Angelou briefly. I would love to be able to sit down with both, but failing that I did write and let each know how they helped me so much in those hard and scary pre and teenage years, and as an adult.
    My daughter, however, would rather meet Neil Gaiman. I’d be surprised if she found him any less awesome than you did.

  783. We’re the same here in Colorado. Searing heat? No problem. Three feet of snow? LET’S GO GOLFING! Rain? FUCK THIS SHIT I’M OUT OF HERE.

  784. I don’t really have a hero I am dying to meet, but if I have to choose to play along then I say either He-Man or The Tick. Probably moreso The Tick because he was voiced by Puddy who is my favourite Seinfeld character ever. For meeting someone famous whom I admire – NPH, hands down. He makes me giddy like a schoolgirl.

    Also – did they call in the army because it rained in Texas? If not, then as impressive as your day of nothingness due to rain sounds, you still don’t beat Toronto’s Snowmaggedon. 😉

  785. I would love to meet Neil Gaiman too because he seems so fun and clever and approachable. (plus he tweeted me his cherry crumble recipe when I asked about it) But aside from him, I’d really love to meet Marc Maron and give him a big hug. But I think that would make him uncomfortable.

  786. I’ll meet anybody….you are all facinating people and I’m sure we’d have a lot to talk about. I have sock monkeys but sadly, no sock monkey hat. i do have a cheeseburger hat and a cheesehead hat tho.

  787. To be honest.. my hero is you, Jenny!! And yes, I met you in Portland. I was shaking, nervous, even
    my boyfriend was nervous for me that he took BLURRY photos of us that we had to do retake again.

  789. I wanna meet dead people: Roald Dahl, Jane Austen, and any/all of your taxidermy friends. But mostly, I wanna meet Beyonce. I think that would be the ultimate (partly because I’m assuming you would be in proximity). Btw, I saw you on Katie and you were amazeballs. So much love and respect for who you are and how you handle yourself. Thank you!

  791. ELVIS!!!! There’s nothing sexier than a man that can thrust his hips 🙂 One for the money…
    -Alisha

  792. I blame you for the fact that I have half of Dr. Brassy’s store favorited. That’s NOT fair!

    I don’t have extra money to save and spend on more stuff! 😉

    But I WANT most of the things.

  793. I’d have to go with whomever invented cheesecake. Unless they are dead, because i really can’t afford an exhumation at this point.

  794. I met you and Wil Wheaton. You are both as awesome in person as you are online/on tv/ etc.

    I’d like to meet Neil Gaiman and Jill Thompson. Also, a number of other writing/art geniuses. They never disappoint. 🙂

  795. I would like to meet the Dali Lama and Jeff Bridges, together, for tea. I think it would be super laid back and fantastic. But since I posted that somewhere else on your site once, I will say I want to meet… hmmmm. Having a hard time with this one. Joss Whedon? David Mack? Shouldn’t I pick some ladies like Tina Fey or Hilary Clinton or OOH! Maybe Michelle Obama? hmmmm….The Doctor. That’s who I want to meet. Not the actors, the real live Doctor. And not to be a companion, just to say hi as he goes on his timey-wimey way. Yup. The Doctor, for the win.

  796. I am admitting here and now that up until a few minutes ago I did not know who Neil Gaiman was. I read your past blog and googled him. Now I do know who he is and he looks like a total smart-ass. My favorite kind of people. Now I feel duly educated and I am grateful to you for that. I guess if I had to pick a hero to meet it would be Jackson Browne. Not too many people are aware of this but he’s a smart-ass too. Plus he writes great songs and plays and sings pretty.

  797. I would love to meet you. A fellow west Texas girl that escaped the crazy dirty world. I would want to meet Steve jobs but he’s dead now & well on most days I hope it’s a long time before I’m somewhere he is.

  798. So I went to one of Neil Gaiman’s book signings in 2008 and I can’t say that I met him because what happened was that he signed my book while I stared in speechless awe. And then he fucked up his signature and made a joke about it and did a big flourish and I laughed but that was it. I did not manage to speak in his presence.

    Last year at New York Comic Con I met Scott Westerfeld and it would have been similar except that I was startled into speech and then I had a conversation with him that was only partially intelligible. I couldn’t remember anything I wanted to say, and I asked him to sign my con badge because I’d left all my books in Virginia like the scatterbrain I am, and then when I went to take my badge back from him as our conversation ended, he thought I was trying to shake hands, so he went to shake my hand and then realized that I wanted my badge and it was awkward and awesome. AWKSOME. It made me feel so much better about how incoherent I was.

    I’ve been pretty cool around other celebrities but they’ve mostly been musicians and actors. I even got a hug from Nicholas Brendon last year. Nobody can fluster me like an author of something I really love.

  800. Today, my heroes are the Dalai Lama (ref to “chillout techniques” above) and Neil deGrasse Tyson.
    I met Barbara Boxer at a fundraiser in her first campaign; she was a wonderful, bright-eyed idealist. I wouldn’t want to meet her now.

  801. I would love nothing more than to meet Andrea Gibson. She is the most amazing poet I’ve ever come across. She blows my mind. I would also love to meet Dorothy Parker…she’s pretty dead though. There are sooooo many people I’d love to meet!

  802. Yay! People I would like to meet include: Elton John, JENNY LAWSON (*totally* not sucking up – I’d really and honestly love to meet you) :), Bonnie Raitt, and Chuck Yaeger. I’ve never met any of my heroes. But I have met some really inspiring people like Mama Bird Johnson and Billy Taylor.

    I was crushed to learn as a kid that Wonder Woman isn’t real. That totally sucked.

  803. Dude, your meeting-Neil-Gaiman story was AWESOME and I’d be every bit as fangirly and not nearly as witty if I were to meet him. I’d also love to meet Margaret Atwood because I think she’s amazing, or either of the Mythbusters because they’re hilarious, or . . . man, there are so many people. I can’t even imagine who I’d be able to meet without being totally fangirlish, though.

  804. I met Emma Thompson. And I almost met Alan Rickman: we had the same voice teacher & I was having dinner with her once when he called. I get very swept in in what I like to call “historical necrophilia”, meaning that I wish I could meet Prince Rupert of the Rhine, King Charles II, John Keats, and a few other choice gentlemen who are much too old for me.

  805. I wanted to meet George Carlin but that cannot happen now… saddens me on a daily basis.

    I would like to meet Stephen King and I already know how it’s going to happen. I’m going to buy a fixer-upper in Bangor Maine and one day while at the local hardware store I will bump in to Steve. He and I will chat and he will be so amazed with my witty banter and vivid imagination that he will want to become best friends and include me in all of his writing projects. We will also co-host the most amazing Halloween party where I will attend dressed as Inga from Young Frankenstein.

  806. I’d love to meet Margaret Atwood … or Barbara Kingsolver. Atwood was recently on reddit and she kind of made me a little bit more in love with her (or, at least, the idea of her). 🙂

  808. George Lucas. I’d love to tell him how much I’ve enjoyed sharing all the Star Wars movies with my son and how our favorite parts (of even the awful ones) are the “making of” clips. It energizes my son and we have fantastic discussions about the making of movies.

  810. You have absolutely made me want to meet Wil Wheaton. I just want to hang out with him and have him be my best friend, because he seems a lot like the best friend I already have and having two of them would be awesome.

  812. I would love to meet you but my son did, getting a book signed for me in NYC and you were fantastic so that’s even better. Did you ever imagine you could be someone’s hero?

  813. Queen Elizabeth I. You know, the dead one. Not the queen who is currently kicking.
    Please pick me and not so randomly.

  814. An Eyeball necklace oh pretty please let me be a winner
    not to be confused with wiener or whiner 🙂

  815. I have met a few famous people over the years (all by chance, none were people I was dying to meet.) And the problem is always “What do I say?” You know they’ve probably heard almost everything 10,000 times or more. How do you be original? How do you stand out?
    So I’ve kind of lost my lust for meeting a celebrity crush.
    However, having said that, if you could arrange for me to meet Shaun White, Olympic Snowboarder….I would be your slave for life…or his slave….wait, what?

  816. I met you and Ann Richards. Well, not together. And not in that order. But I did meet both of you which means I’ve met the most awesome Texas women EVER.

    And the rain was brilliant.

  817. My 14 year old son would absolutely love one of Dr. Brassy’s cool dragon eye designs. Pick me, pick me, pick me please, please, please, please, pretty please. I’ll beg more if necessary. Love you but really just in a platonic you make me laugh my ass off kind of way.

  818. I met you. And choked and didn’t say all the things I wanted to say because I was just so happy to simply meet you. BTW, how is Alejandro the mustachioed blowfish?

  820. Met Terry Pratchett nearly a decade ago. Well, if you can call me saying thank you in a teeny tiny voice during a book signing counts as “meeting”. I totally count it.

    Oh, and I agree with Cami (794). As an adult who carries a sonic screwdriver in her purse – The Doctor FTW indeed.

  821. Hmmm. A Hero. I had one growing up – my Godmother. But in the last few years, I haven’t really thought about having a hero. Maybe that is what is currently missing from my life – a Hero. I have many people that I look up to – you, Hillary Clinton, woman who struggle and beat the odds, people who are very open about their life challenges. Nicest celebrity I have ever met? Sara Bareilles. So sweet and genuine and a very hard-worker.

  823. I want to meet any of my favorite authors (well, the ones that are still alive. Zombie authors are never as nice in person as you expect them to be), and Tina Fey, Felicia Day, Mindy Kaling, Doug Jones, Joss Whedon . . . The list goes on.

  824. I got to meet Frank Warren– I stuttered at him for a moment then ran to hide in a corner…

  825. Tori Amos and Tina Fey. Maybe both at the same time.. Lol. I would have loved to have a drink with Dorothy Parker but she’s unfortunately no longer with us.

  826. I will never get to meet my hero (Amy Pond) because she is fictional.

    Texas shuts down even worse when it snows. I lived there briefly last year and we got less than an inch of snow one day. I’m from Buffalo, NY, and I’ve been driving in blizzards since I was 17, so I didn’t think this was any big deal. Apparently Texans do, though, because all the stores in our immediate area were closed and several people died in car crashes that day. 🙁

  828. I wouldn’t call him my idol but I would love to hang out for an afternoon cooking with Jamie Oliver!

  830. I want to dance & sing Broadway show tunes with Neil Patrick Harris while he’s dressed as Dr. Horrible.

    And, if we could meet dead people with causing some type of zombie apocolypse, I’d love to meet Katharine Hepburn.

  831. Oh and would so love to have tea with you, and Tim Minchin – life sucks so much these days that I just want to meet people who make me laugh. Oh and since Hunter is just a wee kitty make sure you brush his teeth. Senior cat dental care costs an arm and a leg but I suppose then you’ve probably got a few spare arms or legs lying around with you alligator hand purse.

  832. I would love to meet you Jenny. You have helped me in ways i can barely describe. You are my hero! Thank you for all that you do.

  833. I sorta kinda met one of my heroes a 13 years ago. I became a cinephile by watching the work of Kevin Spacey as I went through high school. Then learning about him & his involvement with the theatre made me want to save up & see his performance in the 1999 revival of The Iceman Cometh.

    So here I am, this midwestern girl less than a year out of high school trekking to New York with her best friend, only really wanting to see my hero on stage. It was an amazing show. Afterwards I we went to the stage door in hopes to get an autograph. I didn’t want to push or shove to make my way to the front, & just as I got there he’d waved one last goodbye to what was left of the crowd & got in his car to leave. He had looked right in my direction, but I was too star-struck to find my voice. He drove away, but seeing that performance I knew I got to meet him in another way only some would be able to experience.

    On the list of heroes I have yet to meet would include Mr. Gaiman (as he seems like such a genuinely kind person with so much creativity that meering being in his presence would be an honor). And not to suck up, but I’d love to meet you too, Jenny, for similar reasons. But also, Felicia Day because that would just be awesome.

    And to throw in one last non-living hero to meet: Jim Henson, because he made me dream.

  834. I’ve always wanted to meet Bill Murray and hopefully party with him! I dress up like one of his characters every halloween, last year I was Steve Zissou, this year I’m ghost-bustin-ass-Bill-MURRAY!!!

  836. A couple years ago I got to meet Dr. Patch Adams at Performing the World. I am in awe of his work,and in awe of the man himself. I really want to go to Ecuador with him one of these years. Work with the people there and learn Patch’s techniaques. If you don’t know who he is http://www.patchadams.org/

  837. You actually met mine, Neil Gaiman. Though I have met him, it was at events in NYC. (Sadly I moved to Japan before your book tour, so I didn’t get to meet you there.) But it was understandably brief. Though he did comment on the books I brought to the signing. Everyone else brought Sandman or American Gods. I have those, obviously, but I brought some of his older graphic novels and short story books. Would love to actually spend time with him though.

  838. I would love to meet Elvira. I have admired her for years…okay, yes like that but also because she is a smart lady!

  839. I can never think of someone I want to meet, because I’d feel like I was wasting their time. “It is SO great finally meet you! I’ve loved your work for years! I have nothing original to add, although those are really interesting shoes…”

    *idol smiles wanly and glances around the room for a graceful exit*

    That being said, I wouldn’t turn down a beer with Mike Rowe.

  840. I want the eye!!! I need it! I covet it! It will be my precious, my own, my…

    *ahem*

    I’d love to meet Charles DeLint. His novels kept me alive during a very dark time in my life. I want to meet Wil Wheaton because he’s awesome. I want to meet YOU – in the most non-stalkery way – because you’re even more awesome than Wil Wheaton. And if I meet you, maybe I can meet other people (like Mr. Gaiman) as I bask in your awesomeness.

    Too much?

  841. I work in child welfare so every day I meet kids who quickly become my heros. And I have learned quickly that they do not need to live up to my expectation, I need to live up to theirs.

  842. Earl Bakken, the founder of Medtronic, he has a kind soul and just wants to help others, we could take a lesson from him. Maybe Steven Tyler, I have had a crush on him since the 80’s.

  843. crossing my fingers and toes because I love that necklace.

    I can’t imagine that David Bowie would disappoint me.

  844. William Shatner – I have always wanted to meet him since I first started watching Star Trek when I was a kid. I saw the original show when it was on the air and have been watching ever since. I saw him once at a convention and I swear he looked right at me! He will always be Captain Kirk and Captain Kirk kicked ass and then some!

  845. I wish I had the chance to Meet Kurt Vonnegut when he was still alive… but I would be thrilled to meet Neil Young… he is my rockgodhero… but I would stuser and blush and stop breathing… so..

  846. Ha! Arizona shuts down when it rains, too, except the churches, because everyone around here takes rain as a sign that Jesus is bringing on the apocalypse.
    This is in no way ass-kissing for that sweet, creepy necklace, but I will say that meeting you last month when you came to Tempe for the book signing was very much “meeting my hero”. For starters, you inspired me to write again, and that is a pretty big deal as I had given up on it some time ago. Secondly, your ability to be open and vulnerable and honest about depression and mental health has helped a LOT of people, and that is amazing as FUCK. I know it’s saved me time and time again. You’re like a modern day Jesus, except a lot prettier and you swear a lot.
    So.. thank you!
    Oh, I’d also like to meet Louis CK. It takes a special person to be a professional asshole.

  847. Most of the people I desire to meet are dead. Let’s pretend I have a time machine… Oscar Wilde, for sure. I’d also like to meet the foul-mouthed sock puppet with a substance abuse problem that I imagine sometimes.

  848. I love those eyeball necklaces. I need to sell something on ebay so I can get one.

    I still want to meet Jon Bon Jovi. I have loved him for years and I really want to ask him if he made a deal with the devil to stay young. Because, really? He still looks pretty good and he is a couple of years older than me. I know I didn’t party as hard as he did in the 90’s. Probably close but he had access to better shit I am betting.

  849. I would like to meet Nathan Fillion, Chris Jericho, and Alexander Skarsgard… preferably naked. But not at the same time.. because that would be weird.

  850. Well, this might be dumb, but my hero is my Grandma, and she lives over 3 1/2 hours away so my goal is basically to call and visit as much as I can while she’s still around. I call at least once a week, so that’s down, but I don’t get to visit as much as I want to/should.

  851. My Dad. He’s been gone a year and a half now… But he was for sure, hands down, my hero.

  852. Josh Groban… his voice melts my special parts, and his personality (via tweets) tickles all my other ones. I’m pretty sure he and I are meant to be besties, or at least meant to share a meal. The universe hasn’t agreed with me yet. Have YOU met him? He needs to read your book. He would TOTALLY get you. Maybe I need to send a copy to him.

  853. Well, I’d like to meet you. But you live in Texas. And sadly, I do not. I’d like to thank you for being brave enough to write your book – both because you were frank about your dealing with mental illness and because you don’t give a shit what anyone thinks about you, warts and all.

  854. Honestly, I would love to meet Dean Koontz…and ANY one over are Pixar except maybe the mailroom guy I suppose I should say anyone over at Pixar that actually makes movies.

  855. George Carlin – I only became familiar with his work a couple of years after he passed away so I never had the opportunity to meet him, but it would have been great I’m sure. He was hilarious and I listen to his stuff all of the time.

  856. Jane Goodall… but I would just sit there and cry the whole time. My husband and I actually have a list of hero types we want to come to our house for dinner. I guess we figure that would be less awkward than just running up to them in an airport. Christopher Walken is at the top of that list… In fact, I believe he holds the first five spots.

  857. I met Gerard Butler once and it was almost everything I hoped it would be. Except I didn’t get to sleep with him and he thought my name was Heather. I told him he could call me anything he wanted to.

  858. I met Tim Curry (and danced with him!) at the wrap party for “Congo.” I know of few things that rival dancing with Frank N. Furter, except the fact that while dancing, he was gracious and kind, and kept a conversation going so I wouldn’t feel awkward.

    Couldn’t help but wish that he had been wearing the giant pearls, corset and pumps, though. That would have completely rocked!

  861. At such a point in my life where the daily toil of caring for four needy kids and needier friends who seem to not care that I’m fighting my depression and just keep telling me what they need me to do for them . . . never offering any help . . . that it is hard to pick a hero! I would like to meet a woman that’s been in my shoes and stuck it out . . . and had kids that are fantastic and a hubby that is satisfied and is comfortable in her skin . . . and not lying through her teeth when she says it.
    Ah Hell, the tooth fairy would be easier. So let’s go with that. Or my fairy godmother guardian angel thingie. Yeah, that would be it.

  862. You mean other than you? I think you’d totally live up to my expectations, too! I would love to meet Nora Roberts.

  863. I would love to meet you, Jenny. I missed my opportunity when you were in Toronto because my 9 month old was sick, but I’d love to maybe do a road trip to the States sometime if you’re doing another book signing. My hero really is my Dad, and I’m so lucky that he lives only about 10 minutes away and I can see him often. I also think Tim Minchin would be a really cool guy to sit down and chat/play the piano with. Thank you for introducing me to him!

  865. I don’t want to meet any celebrity. My husband isn’t on board with the whole – if I meet a celebrity I automatically get a free pass to sleep with them- so it would just be a giant waste if I can’t at least try and have Anthony Keidis’baby. Or Madonna’s.
    Husbands are mean

  866. I’ve decided the most kickass dinner party ever would have you, Colin Mochrie, Wil Weaton, Whoopie Goldberg, and Stephen Fry. Of course, all of my heroes are known to be kinda shy and reticent in real-life (whatever that is) but also incredibly kind – so maybe it would be better have you all to dinner in succession or in pairs (a la the dwarves visiting Beorn in hobbit), but then I’d miss out on all of the kickass conversations you would have with each other. Since this is a fantasy, I am going to assume that I could actually throw something that amazing together and would be able keep you all happy and comfortable.

  869. Just one? Not possible. John Lennon Mark Twain Chief Joseph Jenny, Victor, and Hailey Lawson Rev Al Sharpton MLK Dian Fossey Raul Malo (sp)
    John Trudell I already have all of Neil Gaiman’s books.

    Many more as I am an equal opportunity person.

  870. I’m 99% sure I’d still want to meet Neil Patrick Harris. Or the Bloggess. It’d be a tough choice.

  872. I want to meet Maya Angelou. How awesome is she? She came from a very poor childhood, ran a brothel, has written some amazing books and has been a poet laureate. Plus she’s just badass.

  873. real heroes or imaginary ones?? Cause if it’s imaginary ones, I have a list. Spock, Data, The Doctor, John Pope, Tom Mason, Audrey Parker, Kara Thrace, Dr. Rodney McKay…..oh and Winnie the Pooh and Eeyore.

    My real heroes is a shorter list, though it changes more often. You (duh) and Karen Walrond top the list! I just got her book, “The Beauty of Different” and I am really looking forward to spending some quiet time with it! 🙂

  874. As a recent discoverer (is that an English word? It SHOULD be!) of Steven Erikson I’m having a hard time deciding.
    Whiskeyjack? Silchas Ruin! Oh, make it Lady Envy, so I can have some fun. Or wait, Iskaral Pust! Has to be him.

    Either way, I’ve never been a fan of giveaways, or sponsored posts.
    I usually don’t even read them. But, being a fan of fantasy, I couldn’t help but notice the add of Dr Brassys. Although I was certain ‘he’ was a man. And you are referring to her as a woman – as in not being a man. I really should have known. Only us females can come up with awesome things like that.
    I have been tempted to buy. Still am as a matter of fact.
    Awesome.

  876. I met Neil too! *high five in Neil meeting awesomeness* Although I wasn’t able to share my favorite monkey hat with him, as I don’t have a favorite monkey hat. I still dream of meeting The Counting Crows because their music seriously saved my life so many times I can’t even count. I’d like to meet Seanan McGuire too because her books are awesome and I’d like to tell her so in person.

  878. People I’d like to meet….well, you. Also, Wil Weaton, Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, Craig Ferguson, Lilith Saintcrow and Devon Monk (two of my favorite authors).

  879. I met Dorothy Hamill (I believe in 2008) and she shared her story of dealing with depression. Who my age didn’t want to skate like her? I had a DH haircut but was pretty hopeless with skates, though I had a lot of fun trying. After having idolized her as a child, it was great to meet her in person and find out she was very sweet, courageous and had, like me, found a way to deal with the difficulties that life (and genetics) had served up. Jen.

  880. I would like to meet you and Brene’ Brown- like maybe we could have coffee or a chai latte at Starbuck’s one day, and then I could give you both the grand tour of Waco.

    I would also LOVE to meet Tom Hiddleston, but I’d like to do more than coffee with him.
    What? I was talking tea and a lengthy discussion of Shakespeare in this modern age!!

    Plus meeting Neil Gaiman, the author and creator of Sandman, would RULE as well!

  881. I would love to meet Joss Whedon. I like the way where I would do just about anything to meet him. Also Amanda Tapping. Same thing applies.

  882. I totally love your blog….thanks for that. As for meeting a hero, I’d have to say Mother Theresa. I’d love to hear her speak about her philosophy on life and how she managed to do such selfless things for people.

  883. Tom Hanks, fabulous. Open, warm and he helped my mom when she was looking for my Dad (Mert). Mom was waiting at the men’s room door; someone said, “Can I help you?” and it was Tom. She said she was looking for her husband, Mert. He said,”I’ll check” and he went in. She heard him calling, “Mert” “Mert” and then he stuck his head back out and told her Mert wasn’t in there. This was when we had the opportunity to be extras in his movie, “Nothing in Common”. He was just as great as you’ve heard.

  884. I’d love just ten more minutes with my grandma so she could meet my baby boy. Living? Definitely Bill Murray.

  886. I would LOVE to meet Dave Ramsey! He helped to change mine and my husband’s lives forever. Now we don’t worry about our finances because he helped to change our family tree!

  887. I once met Kevin Max, epic poet and singer. Unfortunately, it didn’t go well. My undue nervousnessness caused severe discomfort for both me and Mr. Max. I’m not sure if I want to try to meet someone else that I admire because I fear it going horribly for everyone again.

  891. I met Kevin Smith when he officiated my wedding. He was nicer than I could’ve hoped and very much a hugger.

  892. Neil Gaiman tweeted an anniversary greeting to my wife and I (I had asked if he would).

    As to meeting a hero, Danny Kaye would have been great to meet, but he died in 1987.

    I can’t think of anyone who is a hero to me now. Does that make me a bad person?

  893. Mr. Gaiman would be great. Also Wil Wheaton and his lovely wife, Tom Jones, David Tennant, and Professor McGonogall.

  894. Neil Gaiman is a decent human being. He signed a book of his so we could send it to our son who was deployed to Afghanistan. We think a lot of him.

  895. Maybe Jim Morrison?? He’s not really a hero of mine, however I have a feeling he’d have something interesting to say.

  896. I always feel awkward when I get asked who my hero is because my heroes are just “regular” people in my life. Sure, famous people can be cool and inspiring, but I tend to really appreciate the amazing things the people in my daily life do. The most recent heroes of my life are accompanists, as they seem to have magic flowing from their fingers (and they’ve saved my butt several times during performances).

  897. I don’t know how to say this without it being a cliche but I’d love to hang out with Jesus. I mean, the thought of meeting a celebrity gives me a panic attack (I mean, what would you SAY to Bono?) but the fact that Jesus liked to nap in boats, have fish fry-ups on the beach and chat over a meal makes me think it would be a good meeting.

  898. All of them, all at once at a mind blowing dinner party. I would get them all drunk and videotape the whole thing.

  901. Do they have to be living? Or is this a “meet anyone throughout history” kind of thing? But Dame Judy Dench is pretty awesome….for a living person.

  902. Neil is high on my list, possibly even top after I went for a walk with him in my dream the other night.

    Wil Wheaton is also up at the top of this list. As is Misha Collins. I suppose It’s not so much as a list as it is a row of names.

  903. Back in the 1990’s when I was working at an AIDS hospice I got to meet Neil Willenson. He started Camp Heartland (camp for kids impacted by HIV/AIDS). Amazing what one person can accomplish. (side note I made a complete ass of myself but still totally awesome)

  904. Holy crap there’s a shitload of comments already. Slim to none for the awesome eyeball necklace, but here goes anyways. I would like to meet Crispin Glover because he is badass and crazy in a genius sort of way to which none can compare. His deliberate insanity is awe inspiring.

  905. I want to meet Wil Wheaton, based solely on what I’ve read on here. He seems like he would be super cool!

  906. I’m too terrified to meet any of my heroes. Even meeting you made me feel all stupid inside, and you’re probably the least scary person ever.

  908. My hero’s are my mom and dad but in terms of famous people I want to meet I would die to meet Paul McCartney and I want to spend a day hanging out with Tina Fey, she is fantastic!

  909. I would think you, but than that just sounds wrong, like a stalker or something like running into Neil Gaiman in a bathroom and taking a picture while asking him about the pending war between zombies and unicorns. You are totally right by the way. The zombies would totally wipe out the unicorns. Your logic is completely sound. I will say I want to meet Trent Reznor as at least I have question for him. But I think I already met him in Milwaukee after a concert during The Fragile tour after we followed NIN over 4 shows in Indianapolis,Chicago, Madison, and Chicago again, is that right? But that isn’t right either, I mean I think I’m missing the meeting your hero (stalker) gene, but I enjoy watching it expressed by others. I loved reading your novel earlier this year and officially started reading your blog, the only blog I have ever read, but that isn’t right either because now that I think about it, I must have been reading Neil Gaiman’s blog for years, but his isn’t called a blog, or is it? I’m not sure. Anyway maybe I associate blogs with women as my wife reads all these feminist blogs, so now I must be sexist and now that I think about it I read David Sedaris, so though his writing isn’t a blog, it is a journal, so very close, are journals blogs? I think you have a blog, I’m certain of it, because it is called the bloggess, and if it were like just a personal memoir and not a blog, that would be fucked up or maybe it is, but personalmemorisess doesn’t sound very catchy, maybe because you’re a woman with a vagina, and vagina as a qualifier because I’m not sure how not to offend the transgender community in some way, I’m sure there is a woman with a penis, not you, but if you have one that is ok , I’m sure it is a wonderful penis, and I’m sure Victor loves you with both your vagina and penis, but you haven’t mentioned that (the penis) along with entries about your vagina. Anyway I have already offended many women, the transgender community, and some men heterosexual/homosexual , maybe those men who have a vagina too, sorry. I should never have mentioned vagina, but I prefer to use the term even if it makes me feel awkward because after the whole Minnesota representative saying ‘vagina’ and getting censored, I really think talking about vaginas shouldn’t matter. I haven’t even gotten to the whole point which was why I want to meet Trent Reznor, which is so i could ask if he ever did get the sock monkey that my wife and friend dressed up in leather and lace like his early videos because really they were obsessed and viewed him as a bit of a hero or something like a hero and they wanted desperately to meet him, and I remember driving up to Madison as they dressed the sock monkey and how excited they were in the anticipation of giving it to Trent and in the end after a couple of hours after the show we just handed it to some roadie on Trent’s bus and we never knew what happened to the sock monkey that had been given such love…although now that I think about it, we did bring a sock monkey to the Chicago show and Trent totally signed the sock monkey (just a normal one this time and not dressed up) and he had this ‘What the Fuck? I’m signing a sock monkey’ look on his face, so that was cool, so thinking about this further I must have met Trent twice. I remember this because I read your blog now and after months I happened to notice the picture of you and Neil Gaiman wearing a monkey hat, and I thought ‘Holy Fuck’ two of my heroes together, how did I not see this picture that is at least a year old on Facebook until a couple of days ago. I must not be very observant, and now two days later after seeing the picture for the first time you are blogging about who is your hero and who do you want to meet . I won’t mention my daughter trying to stalk Johnny Depp in New Orleans and how much this is being seen gleefully as a rite of passage by some I know, but as a father and as one for which the hero stalker gene is unexpressed this has me confused. I also won’t go into detail about our trip to New Orleans several years ago and finding a can of Dinty Moore stew outside of Trent’s house and how this finding was debated until it was pointed out that it was John Goodman’s house and not Trent’s house, and that a can of Dinty Moore outside of John Goodman’s was acceptable, but really I think he would be offended too. I’m sure Dinty Moore is a wonderful product too. I think it is worth noting although you have made us laugh and cry, you haven’t made us pee, because we have read your novel in our bed and that would be gross for us, nothing against those who can’t stop peeing while reading your book or even those who like peeing while reading your book. Mostly though I think it is because you’re not an asshole like David Sedaris who made us totally pull over to the side of the road as we listened to ‘Me Talk Pretty One Day’ for the first time on audio cds in the middle of Nowhere, Kentucky. You should take comfort in this, but this all might have more to do with the fact that I didn’t know you made an audio version of ‘Let’s Pretend This Never Happened’ until yesterday. So really I would say you are my hero and I don’t really understand the desire to meet your heroes, and since my friends do, I would say they would want to meet Trent again. I have a question for him too, plus since I have met him twice already, we must now be close enough to ask sock monkey questions. Yes, I understand that this isn’t a wish fulfillment post and I may get a chance to meet someone, but at least it is my first comment on a blog, so that is something.

  911. My aunt is, and will always be, my biggest heroine. She taught me to track and to forage, to camp and to survive. She taught me how to find humour and patience in just about everything, especially my own screwups. She taught me how to cope with grief that seems endless, and when to put up my dukes or walk away from a fight. Every day she teaches me more and more about how to be not just a good person, but an excellent one. She’s epic and enduring and solid like granite. She taught me that I don’t have to endlessly seek validation from someone else, but to enjoy it when I do. The part of me that will always be six years old thinks she’s immortal, and the rest of me that is grown up doesn’t want to admit she isn’t.

  912. Gotta agree about Neil, definitely. I can’t even remember how long it’s been since I didn’t adore him.
    Terry Pratchett. JRR Tolkien. John Singer Sargent. Douglas Adams. Simon Pegg. Joss Whedon before his head got all swollen. Lots of people I can’t remember right now, and also you!
    I realize that several of those are impossible for varying reasons (death, never happened, non-overlap of geographical area, etc.), but they are still nice to think about.

    I have met John Scalzi several times, and once won lunch with him at a con, a few years ago. I made a big squee sandwich of myself when I found out, but I think I recovered. Mostly.

  913. I would give years of my life to meet Joe Perry from Aerosmith in person. Not to seduce him or anything like everyone I know thinks I would, but just because he’s the epitome of cool for me personally. Not to mention he’s older than my dad, and that could get a little weird.

  919. I want to meet JK Rowling. She wrote something that became a significant part of my childhood. Also, it would be hard for anyone with a British accent to disappoint me :

  921. You of course… and Neil because he’s awesome. Will Wheaton would be cool to meet too.. and game with. Kevin Smith too. I did meet Bruce Campbell.. and he’s not as tall and big as he seems on TV. Very nice to talk to and sort of looked like a professor.

  924. I already met one: you! At a book signing. Although I was too tongue-tied to actually speak in complete sentences. *le sigh*

    I’d like to meet the entire cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Especially Captain Picard and Wesley. I can never afford the tickets when Jean-Luc is in town for a Con. Wil hasn’t shown up at one in Dallas since I’ve been going. LOL

    My others are all dead, so I’ll stop now. The last thing I need to have happen is a ghost visit from Queen Elizabeth I or Eve. (Seriously, how many kids must she have had, anyway?)

  925. Well the hero not living up to expectaions thing, may be kind of like when you have sex with the boy in high school that you used to write is name on your notebook and then the whole experience really sucks and then you are like why did I waste my time and ink to deface a perfectly good notebook.

    Anyway…most people I would like to meet are dead so that might be awkward. I would like to meet Dean Koontz my favorite author(besides you 🙂 anyway)

  926. Who created the Snuggy? Not that they are really my “hero” but, really, anyone that can think of that product, make it popular, and make money well, I guess I wouldn’t mind meeting them. OR how about the person that sold all the pet rocks? You know they were hanging out after painting a house in the middle of some desolated rock covered area and they just happened to make this pet rock and BOOM! Millions! Anyways, I sadly do not know who my hero is! Okay, it is my sister and I have already met her so, I am going with George Clooney because well, he IS George and he lives in Italy and the two together sound fantastic to me.

  927. I don’t know that I want to actually meet my heros. I think I would be tongue tied with a “eerrrr uhmmmm. Nice to meet you now have to run away”

  928. Well, the members of Blue October are fabulous and I have met them numerous times (check it, people, they are TEXANS too). Justin Furstenfeld is a big inspiration and is such a funny, cool guy. As a side note and shameless plug, he suffers from bipolar, depression and anxiety and writes a lot about it in his lyrics. I find them genius! Other than that, I have met Joel McHale, who is as fun and snarky in real life as he is on the Soup! What would be really cool with all these people is hang out time, not just the brief minute you get to blurt out something stupid and continue on your way….and then forever wonder what possessed you to say THAT for godsakes.

  929. I met Walter Cronkite once and meeting him and getting to chat with him about journalism was definitely on my bucket list. Such a great man and exactly as I had imagined.

  930. Gave up on heroes when I had the chance to get Mickey Mantle’s autograph and his breath damn near melted my nerd glasses. Had a chance to hit on Anson William’s wifes twin sister, but she was kinda skanky. Maybe it was just me because I had issues with strong women types at the time. Maybe if I just had the chance to meet the dude who came up with “BIC” lighters or frozen pizzas. As far as I am concerned, anything after that was just showing off…

  931. I actually looked at that necklace as a wedding present but evidently my friend is getting less weird in her old age and would only wear it at Halloween. Whereas I would wear mine as my power talisman whenever I spoke in public.

    I work in social media and would like to get to know the people I’ve met from that world better. I’ve met Jay Baer and Scott Stratton, but I’d like to spend enough time with them to not feel like an idiot if I asked to friend them on Facebook. I agree with you that David Tennant would be awesome to meet. As far as actors go, though, I’d like to hang out with Matthew Gray Gubler – I have a big crush on Dr. Spencer Reid on Criminal Minds and from the videos I’ve seen, Gubler is pretty cool too.

  933. I can’t meet my heroes, I would make too much of an ass of myself.

    Neil Gaiman introduced Kevin Smith when he was doing one of his talky shows at the Sydney Opera House. I was sitting way in back and didn’t realise it was Neil Gaiman because he wasn’t introduced or anything, and I could barely see, but I sat there squinting through his whole bit thinking, ‘how do I know this guy?’, and then Kevin Smith comes on to thank NEIL fucking GAIMAN. I’m the worst.

  934. I don’t know if I have any heroes anymore. When I was little they were cartoons, when I was in my 20’s they were junkies, now I’m just to exhausted to look up to other people. Neil Gaiman would be cool though. Maybe chuck palahniuk.

  935. I’ve met Neil Gaiman and I’ve met Wil Wheaton, so now I just need to meet you, Jenny, to complete the Trio of Awesome!

  937. My very first love, when I was all of six, was Danny Kaye. He was a big star in those old musicals they played on PBS, you may remember him as Hans Christian Anderson or from co-starring with Bing Crosby in White Christmas. The characters he played were always so charming, kind, funny and humble. He was the yardstick by which I measured all future romantic interests. I was fortunate enough to meet and marry a guy every bit as wonderful. I think if I had the chance to meet him and he turned out to be a giant douche it would just break my heart.

  938. Well, I did get to cross Jenny Lawson off my list earlier this summer so that was awesome. 🙂 For a long time I wanted to meet Ursula LeGuin, and then I did, and she was totally cool, in case anyone’s wondering. I told her how much I admired the inclusivity of her writing, and she said – I’ll always remember this – “Everyone is welcome in my universe.” So, yeah, I’d be hard pressed to beat that.

    I was always sorry that I never got to meet Louise Fitzhugh and tell her that “Harriet The Spy” was my bible growing up and that it’s probably the book that defines me more than any other.

    Lately I’ve been thinking that I’d like to meet Ryan Gosling and tell him that I think he was ROBBED of an Oscar nomination for “Drive”. I still get mad when I think about that. But these days mostly I want to meet Jim Parsons and just stand in front of him with a stupid grin on my face, because, well.

  939. I have met Rick Mercer a couple times and I would love to actually get to sit down and talk to him. If you don’t live in Canada he has his own TV show and goes around Canada doing the most random stuff and it is an AWESOME show. Whenever you go to a taping you can met him afterwards and he loves to meet everyone but you never really get a chance to talk to him, I really suggest everyone youtube his show…they are all up on youtube for easy viewing!

  941. I wanted to go to a Con to meet Wil Wheaton because I grew up watching him on Star Trek and then rediscovered his work as an adult through his blog. On his blog he always seemed like he’d be awesome to meet in person. Got to meet him at PAX this year and was not dissapointed in the aweseomness that is Wil Wheaton.

  943. I agree with a couple of the other commenters – I would love to meet Stephen King. He started me on my life-long love of reading when I borrowed The Talisman from a friend at the age of 16. I have never been without a book in my bag ever since. I would like to shake his hand and say thank you.

  944. Boy, it’s amazing how many people respond when they THINK THEY MIGHT GET SOMETHING FOR FREE!!!!! Just an observation. From someone who’s here all the time. Anyway, one of my hero’s is Augusten Burroughs, who is wonderful, because he makes “the rest of us” see that we have a very special place in this world. O.K., it might be in line to get our medication, but still. He rocks because he’s brave, and caring, but still off. And I wish I could meet him, but because of my social awkwardness, I would probably just say, urg…..

  945. Hmm. I met you and Bonnie Hunter, but I’d also like to meet Joshilyn Jackson. And Tom Petty. And Bruce Springsteen. And Eric Clapton.

  946. Um, you. And I would wear my “red dress” … unfortunately this dress is pre-last-baby, so I’d just look like a big ol’ red stuffed sausage, but who cares? I’d get to meet YOU!! ;o)

  947. i would love to meet akira kurosawa — i think that’s why i am not afraid of dying, because he is out there somewhere and i still have a chance.

    maybe we will meet in the ether of after, have some kind of ethereal tea. and he will show me how to pour it right, because he is magical that way.

    or maybe in the next lifetime i will even be able to stand next to him on a space age train or something, look over and get that tingly feeling of someone special holding the pole next to me, both of us rocking slightly in the speeding rush to get somewhere, but knowing in eye contact we’re both exactly where we need to be.

    i’d like to think i have the guts to meet my living hero, takashi miike, but i don’t know that i do. i think i would be happier just working for him, watching him, and learning. i could meet him if it was to help on his films. so my hands were busy and i would not have time to think whether or not i am worthy.

    or don hertzfeldt — i sure would like to meet him. i’ve seen him speak twice and he’s awesome — i tell my classes all about him, remind them they can follow their dreams and make art without having to be someone else’s paradigm of successful.

  948. hm…Meet….
    I guess I don’t really have any heroes but I guess I’d want to meet Douglas Adams if he were still alive- the man’s writing is still fantastic today.

  949. I would want to meet Tori Amos. Her music has helped me through many rough patches in my life, and I would love to have the opportunity to tell her thank you in person.

  950. I’d love to meet Craig Ferguson. I think he would be hilarious to hang out with, he cracks me up.

  951. I’ve already met you, you’re ever as awesome in person as in this blog and your book!
    I’d like to meet P!nk..well that’s my answer today. I wish I had a really deep and meaningful person to say I’d like to meet, but truth is: I’m not that deep and meaningful

  952. I would like to meet Oscar The Grouch (Not the puppeteer…..I want Oscar himself; totally in character) and we would bitch and moan together about random crap, and then I would give him cake to cheer him up.

    Also, I like free stuff! Choose me randomly! =)

  953. You!! You are my hero for not being afraid to talk about mental illness, or giant chickens with shivs, or hiding under your desk. 🙂 I was at a bad point in my life when my bestie Myndie (who met you in Minnesota 🙂 ) told me I had to read your book and find your blog. I was and still am having a ton of anxiety attacks and painful depression. I read your book and laughed out loud. I understand completely about hiding in bathrooms at parties because of the random shit that comes out of our mouths…your blog is such a bright spot in my day. Thank you so much!!! 🙂

  954. Harriet Tubman. It doesn’t get more bad ass or fantastic than leading 500+ people to freedom as a black woman during slavery 🙂

  955. I need to be entered in the eyeball necklace drawing, so I will say that I was ecstatic to meet Chris Cornell and Denise Duhamel (on separate occasions) and both were as nice and awesome as I could have hoped.

    So meeting Stephen Colbert or Christopher Moore is probably the top of my current list.

  956. I want to meet the awesome genius who created the menu at the fair you went to with the fried everything! He/she is my hero!

  957. Many many moons ago, Terry Pratchett agreed to have dinner with a group of fans in Melbourne (on several occasions) . He was charming and interesting to talk to, all the more so in hindsight as he was probably exhausted from signing all day and putting up with the enthusiastic nonsense from a group of teenagers as they shouted him dinner 🙂

  959. I’d like to meet the cast of “Firefly.” 😀 And I’ve already met Diana Gabaldon and the band Slaughter, who were my absolute favorites in high school. Also, that necklace is awesome!

  960. Daniel Johns, former Silverchair frontman I guess would would say, and you Mrs. Jenny Lawson.

  961. neil gaiman is like my book rockstar god. it’s so cool you met him. i think i’d wet myself if i were ever in the same general vicinity as him.

  962. PS–I should state that I work in the entertainment industry and have met a gazillion celebrities–most of the experiences were “meh” or worse. Gerard was my favorite crush to meet. Marlon Brando also rocked it. Funny and charming as all hell.

    My list of “to-meets” is too long, but we’ll just say the Top 4 are David Tennant, Michael Sheen, Richard Armitage and John Barrowman.

    I just missed meeting you Jenny, at a book signing, and I’ve been kicking my ass ever since then.

    Also, I would totally rock an eye necklace. I’d tell everyone that due to age, my 3rd Chakra has dipped from my forehead to my chest. Age + gravity = sagging.

  963. I would love to meet Francesca Lia Block, because the way words and phrases flow out of her books like ocean waves and rock and roll is amazing, and I love how floating-stop-magical they made me feel. Read the Weetzie Bat books if you haven’t!

  964. I’ve known my hero (heroine) a long time. Since birth, actually. My daughter has always known that different does not equal bad, and she’s always stood up for those who are in a bad situation.

    Two recent exchanges I’ve had with her (1st is text, 2nd is phone):

    “Dad, I got nominated for Homecoming Queen.” “WOO! Are you excited?” “Yeah. I’m representing the Theater Club. We have to take formal pictures. I’m going to wear the banana costume.”

    “So dad, we have to make a 2 minute speech about somewhere we would like to travel for this Homecoming thing, and we have escorts, and most of the girls are having their dads, so I want you to be mine, but the school says they have to be male. What about the girls who don’t have dads? What about the girls who might have two moms? It’s bullshit. I want to talk about that.” “I love you, Hannah.”

  965. I was just introduced to your awesomeness when I randomly tuned in to the Katie Couric show. All I have to say is, where have you been all my life!?!! Your blog has me bursting out in laughter and has my family looking at me like I’m a mental patient and spending WAY too much time on the computer every day. I would like to meet YOU!

  966. Um I would definitely love to meet you! I tell everyone that you are my blogging inspiration and I just think you are one of the coolest people I have never met. Totally made a life moment when I saw that you were following me on Twitter. I may or may not have squeeled in delight.

    Also, I would love to meet the person behind Pinterest. They’re a fucking genius.

  968. Am on chapter 6 of your book on tape! Lovin’ it! Glad to know I’m not alone 🙂 Thanks for the opportunity to win… Still waiting to meet one of my many heroes…. Ellen DeGeneres 🙂

  969. Childhood hero: the Bionic Woman… Way less slutty than Wonder Woman;) — current hero? Besides YOU? Odd Nerdrum!

  972. I would love to meet Wil Wheaton. I have absolute confidence that he will be as awesome in person as he is in my head.

  973. Her Royal Highness, Hillary Clinton. Because she is so motherfucking badass and no matter what they throw at her she’s still standing. And because she is paving the way…like so many other badass women….for the world to change for women. Eventually, making fun of what we look like, or calling us lesbian or cunt will cease being the go to move for people who are tight and happy with the status quo. Great question.

  974. I can’t believe I’m even oing to say this because it still pains me.
    I LOVED LOVED LOVED Felicia Day. Then I went to hear her speak at Origins, a gaming convention in Columbus, OH. And she came across very conceited. It really kinda sucked. I guess I held her to this impossible standard of underground, geek-cult-culture icon who would be more down to Earth. It’s also possible I got a horrible first impression based off of one experience. 🙁 I still love all the things she’s made though (Geek and Sundry, the web series The Guild, etc) and the fact that she’s unapologetic about being nerdy.

  975. My heros have always been every day people who get up, make less money than what they need to get by on, raise good kids, help their neighbors and do it day in, day out. I meet heros every day.

  976. Mitch Hedberg but he’s dead, so that is probably out, he was hysterical and had my kind of humor. I would love to meet you but feel like you would maybe think it was lame if I said you were my hero, although my daughter and I have started our own Unicorn Success Club and exiled my husband from it. She’s 15 and at least eight times a day as we are going through your archives (because we live in VERMONT and are hideously shielded from the outside world and did I mention I homeschool my daughter and son so it’s even worse and we just found your awesomeness last month???!!!!) one of us will say “come read the bloggess post here! Anyways, we could hang, I’m just saying. And I wouldn’t even drool or snort (well maybe if I was laughing) and it would be fan-freaking-tastic. Knock knock motherfucker. Don’t be scared, I hardly ever leave Vermont.

  977. Oh my goodness, I met Neil Gaiman as well, he really is just amazing in person! He talks to you like you are normal and not some gawking fangirl (you know, which I totally wasn’t….swear! You don’t believe me do you? You shouldn’t… *sigh*) I also got to meet Howard Jones, who is sweet but a bit standoffish, though not in a mean way. His band is WAAAYYYY out there though, super fun guys!
    I would love to meet Nathan Fillion, and Neil Patrick Harris….and Felicia Day and Wil Wheaton……ummmm I think my Geek is showing again….. LOL

  978. I’ve met Neil Gaiman twice and he was completely lovely and wonderful both times. That man is like Batman, but instead of a utility belt, he’s got some nifty pens and pad of paper. I’ve met some of my heroes, but I’d honestly like to meet you, Jenny. Specifically you and Copernicus The Homicidal Monkey, because I always think of random, murderous things to say, but of course have no one to say them to and I know Copernicus would understand that.

    Also, Gary Oldman because that man is about the most amazing actor ever.

  979. John Stewart, hands down. I told my boyfriend that, if I were ever to get cancer and the Make a Wish foundation knocked on my door, without even pausing to think I would want to be on the Daily Show. He has to be the most badass, fake anchorman ever, in the history of fake anchormen and that includes Will Ferral as Ron Burgandy and that movie was hilarious. That should prove how ademently I feel about this.

  980. I think I would have to say, Lousia Mae Alcott. Little Women turned my on to reading.

  982. I’d jump on the Neil Gaiman bandwagon with you. I’ve been a fan for years and was a fan of his wife’s as well, back when Amanda was still with The Dresden Dolls. So both of them would be on my “hero” list. Oh, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I love his work with Hit RECord!

  983. That necklace rocks!

    I still want to meet you (’cause you’re awesome), and Wil Wheaton (’cause he’s awesome)…and Ewan McGregor (who has been awesome in every movie of his I have seen, even when he had no reason to be ::cough::StarWarsEpisodeTwo::cough::).

  984. Neil Gaiman is my God. I would love to meet him. There’s also this amazing, awesome, and quirky woman who is my hero…..her name is Jenny Lawson.

  985. I would host a dinner party with Oscar Pistorius (the olympian/para-olympian), Temple Grandin, Anderson Cooper, Ellen, Neil Gaiman (because we love sock monkeys in our house!), and Buzz Aldrin. These are people who are significant to us in our home….would be interesting 😉

  986. I met Ray Bradbury when I was 13. He came to my podunk junior high school (whichever school administrator wrangled this one deserved a medal) to give a kickass speech and then actually stayed for hours to sign books in our school library and personally talk to every kid who stood in line. I remember him as being incredibly kind and having the most interesting things to say to everyone. It’s so sad that he’s no longer with us.

  988. Meeting you and Copernicus in Seattle was the highlight of a very rough few weeks for me. I know you must have been tired, too, but you smiled and seemed so genuinely thrilled to see our red dresses–like you love that we love what you have to say.

    As for who I still want to meet, top of the list is Ursula K. LeGuin. Her fiction takes my breath away, and I would love the chance to meet someone who invented so many worlds that leap off the page.

  989. Hm. I don’t know if I have met any celebrity-dream-I-would-love-to-meet-this-person type heroes…but I have several heroes. One of them was a youth leader during high school who as a teen/young adult managed to come back from serious depression and anxiety and ended up making my world a much better place.
    Also, I love that picture of Hailey. 🙂 Makes me wish it were raining here so I could go play in it!

  990. Um…you. (redface) But not if it rains, but I seriously cancel every damn thing when it rains. Which it did in KY today. I feel your rainy pain.

  991. For now I would have to say Douglas Adams. Peter Davidson Jennifer saunders and vonegut (rip)

  992. I just want to meet Gail Simone. She’s my favorite comic book writer and I want to meet her so I can give her a hug and thank her for all of the awesome characters she has written. No one else could ever make me love Bane as she did.

  993. Robert Downey, Jr –I’d like him to read me the newspaper every morning.
    OR
    Daniel Craig—he can clean my pool in the smokin’ hot swim shorts from Casino Royale.

  994. I’m proud to say that I’ve already met my hero, my Mom! She battled her way out of an abusive and poor family, raised her own family, struggled with ovarian cancer and still keeps on ticking! There’s nobody who is more of a hero in my books!

  996. I would like to meet Hugh Jackman, because I hear he’s pretty awesome in real life, and also he’s beautiful.

    I have met Nora Roberts, who is amazing. She’s wiry and says “fuck” a lot and chain-smokes and I love her.

  997. Jane Austen. You didn’t specify they had to be alive. If said zombie apocalypse occurs in the future, she’ll be un-dead and thus available for meeting me for tea.

  998. You! Sadly Tolkien is dead. But I’m not sure I’d have wanted to meet the man anyway. I enjoy this mental image of him as sort of a fabulous super-hobbit, and I wouldn’t want that ruined by something like a squeaky voice or bad personal hygiene. You never know what you’re going to get when you meet someone in person.

  999. I met David Tennant just last weekend (at a convention, not in the post office or anything). He was lovely! And when I was about 10, I met Kermit.

  1000. Eddie Vedder because he is a member of my still all time favorite band AND rocks a ukulele which inspired me to start playing ukulele too.

    Drew Barrymore because she is adorable and awesome.

    Jodi Picoult because she writes such thought provoking books…

  1001. While in college, I worked in the department that fed the Denver Broncos during their summer training camp. We got to meet a lot of them (John Elway and Marcus Allen are probably the most famous)… but the nicest one by far was Steve Sewell. I saw him 10 years later at an event (non Broncos related), and he stared at me and said, “I know you from some where.” I was sure it was a line, but I explained everything to him, he hugged me, and I will never forget it. I was amazed that I could leave even the smallest impression on him. Either that or he has a photographic memory. But really, I don’t care… he made smile. =) Thanks Jenny, you make me smile when I read your blog… and I love it when you’re open and honest about your struggle with depression. It matters.

  1002. Ace Ventura. Anyone who has the balls to crawl out of an elephant’s ass is top-notch in my book. That’s humor!

  1004. I would love to meet Temple Grandin or Ellen Degeneres. Of course I’d love to meet you because you are awesome and since I read your book I am so much more comfortable with myself and willing to laugh at myself (I also have horrible social anxiety disorder plus I’m just horribly awkward in general) so thank you thank you thank you!!!

  1005. I met one of my heroes, Chadwick Stokes, the lead singer of the band State Radio and former/current member of the band Dispatch (they recently reunited). He was very friendly and nice. My fiancee and I didn’t want to bother him too much so we only said hello, that we were big fans, and talked for a minute or two. Great experience. I would still love to meet YOU, Stephen King, Obama (if he’ll come back to Martha’s Vineyard where I live), Kathy Reichs, Diana Gabaldon, Robert Kirkman. I would have loved to have met John Lennon. I was born on the last birthday he had, and I’ve always felt a connection there.

  1006. Hmmm….heroes I’d like to meet. You definitely make the short list, because you are amazingly brave and inspiring and wrote the world’s funniest book. Michelle Obama because she is an amazing First Lady – I love her campaign to get kids to eat better, encourage community gardening, etc. J.K. Rowling – her books were amazing and her journey, even more so. Actually, I guess it really isn’t a short list. I could go on for a while! I guess I’ll stop there…

  1007. I’ve met Neil, at the House on the Rocks event, but I’d love to have another meeting. And then there was you, in Chicago. Hugs! But again, I’d love to have a chance meeting with you where there aren’t a bajillion people around.
    Oh. I did just get to hug all of Minus the Bear, which made my night pretty darn glorious…
    I’ve been pretty darn fortunate, thinking about it…

    There’s still a few other inspiring people that I’d love to meet… Wil Wheaton, for one. That’s just an obvious. And Amanda Palmer. True fact, she intimidates the bananas out of me but I’d be willing to face that fear because of everything empowering she does.
    And there’s also Matthew Gray-Gubler and Pauley Perrette. Yes, I might like crime shows a lot, and I did totally have a crush on Dr. Reid when I first started watching Criminal Minds, but that’s what not made these people into heroes. Twitter made me realize just how unique and amazing all of these people are.

    However, if I never meet anyone else on that list, I will still consider myself beyond lucky for having the chance to meet you and Neil. And blessed that I was able to form coherent sentences in the process, without peeing myself.

  1008. I know this sounds all fan girlie but my hero’s are The Bloggesss and Glennon Melton from Momastery. As much as I would love to meet my hero’s I think it would take more rum and anti-anxiety meds then the world has to supply to get the courage sans panic attack.

  1009. I’d love to meet Amy of Sugarpill or Jessica of Jessica Louise! They may not be well-known celebs, but they are two ladies I greatly admire. Their hard work and resulting success has been highly inspirational to me as I start my own small business. Also, I’d love to meet you. =)

  1010. Funny, but I didn’t even have to think about it. I actually have 2, and I don’t want to just meet them. I want to sit down and have a Beverage Of Choice with them and just talk for hours.

    1. Jon Stewart
    2. Bob Ballard

    While I do think I could control myself if I ever met Jon Stewart, I fear I would turn into SQUEALING FANGIRL if I met Ballard. *sigh*

    Yup. I’m a science nerd.

  1012. Portia de Rossi! It was at her book signing, and I got to tell her that I, my best friend, and my sister were all queer women who had struggled with eating disorders just like she did. I about cried. And threw up. But from nerves, not bulimia!

    Also she was wearing a black blazer with an Iggy Pop t-shirt so I am basically in love forever.

  1013. I read that as “…carries a suitcase of ass-batteries…”

    I would like to meet James May, except I know that I’d turn into a big gibbering pile of estrogen and awkwardness and also have absolutely nothing to say except a tiny, squeaked ‘i like you’.

  1014. I’d like to meet whoever invented Super Mario Brothers. I have some questions about fire-breathing plants.

  1016. I would absolutely love to sit down and have a glass (or several) of rum punch with Jenny Lawson and Karen Walrond. Just saying….it would be pretty awesome! It would have to wait until after I finish creating this life inside of me….but I would totally pump and dump after in order for it to come true! 😉

  1017. I’ve already met my hero, but only as a child and I’d like to sit and have an adult conversation with her now. She’s my deceased Grandmother. A published poet, a flapper during the 1920’s who wore pants and smoked cigarettes, and an amazing artist with an eye for humorous detail. She married my farmer grandfather after his 6th proposal and raised 5 sons and a daughter in southern Minnesota.

  1018. …if I could go back in time, I’d like to meet Oscar Wilde. He seems like one cool dude. Otherwise… it’d be really awesome to meet Dan Ariely – he does my dream job.

  1021. Glad you’re all wet down there!

    May I please have an eyeball?

    I wish I could have met Madeline Kahn.

  1023. On a rainy afternoon stuck inside… cat in the hat! But since he’s not a real possibility… I’m going with Oprah. I really don’t think there could possibly be a disappointment there!

  1024. So far a 1 in 1020 chance. I’ll take it.

    I don’t want to meet my heroes because they’re all way smarter than me and I’d make myself look dumb. Dumber? Richard Dawkins would be nice about it, but if he made a twitter post about it all it would say is “#smfh” 🙁

  1025. Since it’s a random topic, I’ll answer a random other question that no one ever asked … I ate cookies for dinner (because I’m an adult and I can!), and now my stomach hurts. Maybe my mom was on to something :

  1027. I’d say I would love to meet Barack Obama, but I’m not sure I could refrain from trying to make out with him. I’m pretty sure that wouldn’t go over to well.

    So… I’ll realistically go with Kevin Smith and John Waters. I have long admired them both. I did see John Waters do a spoken word set at Coachella, but that doesn’t really count as “meeting” fo’ real.

  1029. The only one I tried to meet but failed due to the place being overrun by “volunteers” was Michelle Obama. She’s simply inspiring.

    Also, very cool little-hand-made awesomeness you’re featuring.

  1031. the dalai lama because my parents have met him on separate occasions and i feel like i am missing out. plus i want to ask if it is who tweets for him, if he comes up with the tweets randomly or if they are prepared in a fortune cookie in his mind is and he just cracks one out and tweets it. one day

  1032. And one more… no laughing here… the entire cast of Glee… but it has to be full on singing and dancing craziness… out in a bar… then suddenly everyone, including me, stops and breaks out in song, then sit back down like nothing ever happened. It’d be amazingness. So perhaps they’d disappoint. Dang, this is a tough question!

  1034. I’d want to meet Bobby Flay. He always struck me as an assdouche, but then I saw his Boy Meets Grill show where he grilled brunch. He said no brunch is properly served without a Bloody Mary and proceeded to make a pitcher. My opinion of him changed as he sipped that Bloody Mary throughout the episode and made sure to keep it within reach!

    We’d hang out on my back porch and drink cocktails and talk grilled foods. He’d take one look at my grill and tell me that it wasn’t sufficient and then he’d take me grill shopping. We’d come back to the house, have more cocktails & put the new grill together. After that, we’d cook up some meat and eat with our hands like cavemen and cavewomen.

  1035. I really want to meet Wil Wheaton. Because he’s awesome. I really want to meet David Tennant too, but I’m worried I’d go all fan girl on him.

  1036. I want to meet Bill Clinton. Nothing political but my husband met him and said that he was shocked at the charisma coming from that guy. He said that he was so interesting just to be around that he “almost swiched teams” NOT hahahaha!

  1040. Terry Pratchett. Hands down. That man is a GOD. Ray Bradbury and Neil Gaiman are tied in second place, with Douglass Adams third. (Can you tell what I really like doing with my spare time?)

  1041. I have two. First, Anne McCaffery because it was her Dragonrider novels that introduced me and started my love of SciFi/Fantasy. Second, Sarah Brightman because her voice is amazing! I love her music and have seen her live twice. She has a new album release and tour soon and you better believe I will be there! She also just seems like a really sweet and awesome lady.

  1042. Wow, I’m kind of lame. I can’t think of anybody I would consider a hero. I just assume everybody will disappoint me and not live up to expectations. It’s easier that way.

  1043. Most of them are dead 🙁 Christopher Hitchens would have been AWESOME.
    Now, I think I would love to meet Neil Degrasse Tyson! He seems super cool, super fun, AND super smart!

  1044. If they don’t have to be alive, it’d be Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens). I met Bill Nye before and fangirl squealed. I think the only other person who’d earn that squeal would be Neil Patrick Harris.

  1046. Being in Australia, it is already ‘tomorrow’ and the comment count is 1032. *sigh*

    However in the spirit of ‘yesterdays’ entry, I would *love* to meet YOU!
    But if that’s sounds trite, next on the list is Paul Newman.
    He would have to be exhumed and dusted off in order to be respectable for the dinner table but what a conversation starter!

    RIP Mr. Newman. I will not exhume you.

  1047. Stephen Hawking is one of my heroes..yes I met him, albeit under strange undiscloseable circumstances, but it was still amazing! It was like finding my nerd G-Spot and working it over with a test tube full of awesome sauce. I find I tend to get small cases of hero worship with people who do things I never knew how, and do them well. If they are willing to teach me too, all the better.. its the equivalent of a girl wetty. Love your blog btw. The glass is half to three quarters full of bullshit, but hey, at least its mostly full right? Keep your head up!

  1048. Terry Pratchett. Hands down. That man is a GOD. Ray Bradbury and Neil Gaiman are tied in second place, with Douglass Adams third. (Can you tell what I really like doing with my spare time?) Oooo….Also Steven Moffat is pretty high on that List. And Joss Whedon. Also, James Roday from Psych. Yeah. I think that’s the list.

  1049. I can’t think of a hero or anyone I would particularly like to meet but can I just say I am crying laughing here after reading your old post and clicking the link for the poor interpreter signing elephant spunk. you rock Jenny, love your writing.

  1050. I would want to meet Orlando Bloom. He is involved in so many wonderful, charitable projects such as Unicef and environmental projects and, hell, he’s just plain gorgeous and I’d like to listen to him talk in that sexy British accent of his. I’m not shallow, no, no. Nope.

  1051. I have to love that I am not the first (or even fifth, if I am counting right) person who wants to meet Tom Hiddleston. Mmmmm.

    My brain says…hmmm….the husband/wife team that writes as Ilona Andrews? They seem fun on their blog.

  1053. I would like to meet Steven Moffat and tell him that I used to not be afraid of statues, but now I am and it’s all his fault. Then I would thank him for time behind the sofa well spent.

  1054. I’ve exchanged a few emails with Henry Rollins. He’s my hero who taught me to try to make the world a better place and to get anywhere, you have to work very, very hard. He’s probably the closest to meeting, but only virtually speaking.
    Another hero is Noah Levine. He taught me to explore my spirit and it’s never too late to turn a life around.
    An then there is you, Ms. Jenny, who taught me that it’s ok to be afraid, but keep moving forward anyway.

    Of course, I’d love to meet my inspirations for becoming a writer: Judy Blume, S.E. Hinton, and naturally the magnificant Neil Gaiman.

    I’m lucky. I’ve lots of heroes for inspiration. It would make quite a lovely dinner party, don’t you think?

  1055. I’m with Lady Penelope, but if you ever wondered if you were loved girl, just see how many answered this call! I would like to meet up with my Dad again – he is my hero. He never got to meet my husband as he died a year before we met, so I would like that to happen. I think they would get along even though they are on different sides of politics.

  1056. I met the Dalai Lama AND Obama. Not at the same time, though.

    But I LOVE to say Obamalama (ding dong!).

  1057. I met Chantal Kreviazuk 10 or so years ago. I lined up backstage after her concert for an autograph and ended up gushing and blubbering about how much I loved her, how meaningful her songs were, how scared I was to leave home and go to college (hello, random!). She told me to wait around till the crowd thinned so we could talk some more. I stumbled in a daze back to my car and promptly drove home…and have been mentally kicking myself for a decade. I’ve had lots of heroes since, but none I’ve had a chance to meet, and certainly none who’d give ME a chance, just for being…me.

  1058. I wanted to meet AJ Foyt. Then one day I was standing in the infield of a racetrack in Springfield, Illinois and I turned around and he was standing right next to me. Literally close enough to touch and I was so gobsmacked that I couldn’t even say hello, so I’m thinking my chances of actually interacting with any of my heroes is pretty slim. Oh and on a totally separate and unrelated topic, I used the phrase holy shitballs at work last week, and it was awesome and I basked in the awesomeness, so just wanted to say thanks to you for giving me that lovely and appropriate exclamation. You rule. That is all.

  1059. Well my hero is you and when I met you I managed to give you a robe with a dragon on the back and you put it on… So I think I did okay.

    My other heroes include basically all the characters of Dr. Who, not the people, but the characters. So you basically win on the :actually existing” thing.

  1060. I would like to meet Madeline L’Engle because I think there really is such a thing as a tesseract and she’s just acting like it’s fiction but really she knows how to make a wrinkle in time and take me to another galaxy.
    I did meet Vanilla Ice once. He was never my hero but after meeting him I decided he wasn’t even cool because he had the shoe shop guys shut down the gates because I kept following him and calling him “Mr. Ice.” He wouldn’t even smile at me.

  1061. I met my #1 on my bucketlist, Stephen King. It was FAST, but it was enough and it made me really happy. I would love to meet President Clinton. I would also like to meet Wil Wheaton. He was getting into his car when I was getting out of mine at the grocery store one day, but that’s the closest I have gotten (so far!).

  1062. Anne Wheaton (and maybe Wil too if he were nearby) because she seems like a really quality lady. And I’m kidding about the Wil thing… he seems pretty awesome too!

  1063. I met Tina Fey once. I was working at Walt Disney World as a safari driver on the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction (long story) and I was talking to this little girl who was sitting on one of the trucks and her mom turns around and it’s TINA FUCKING FEY, whom I’ve idolized since her SNL days. Sadly I completely froze and could barely spit out “I’m a big fan of your work!” before her truck drove away and I got in the next one to give the jitteriest (word? Now it is) safari of my life.

  1064. Well, let’s see. I mean you so…motherfucking check. I’d love to meet Ellen. I do so love her humor and positive spin on the world. Also, the Wheaton’s for similar reasons. I guess I’m just drawn to people who are kind, but can make strawberry basil lemonade come out of my nose. From the laughing. Or magic. Either would be cool with me.

  1065. Well, meeting you would be pretty awesome because we could hide in a bathroom and talk about how awful/wonderful Texas is. 😀

  1066. P.S. Just so you know I AM aware that Madeline L’Engle has “passed away” but I am certain that because of the tesseract, she can wrinkle the space time continuum and meet with me. She owes me that much. I wrote her a letter when I was twelve and she never wrote back. John Denver did though so that counts for something.

  1068. I’ve met Tim Minchin, and he is every bit as charming, intelligent, funny and down-to-earth as you’d hope he could be. He makes me proud to be human.

  1069. I would love to meet Richard Feynman. But he’s dead. Although I bet Zombie Feynman would still be one BAMF. A living hero is you, of course. But you don’t want us all to gush over you. You amazing stupendous being of life who probably farts rainbows and pisses sunshine. But seriously, you are amazing and inspiring and such a BAMF yourself. But if I cant meet you, can I meet Bill Nye. That guy was rocking bow-ties before The Doctor made them cool again.

  1070. I would have loved to have met Audrey Hepburn. I just imagine that she would have been filled with awesome classiness and would not have been a disappointment in anyway!

    I would love to have some rain. We have had the dryest of dry summers this year.

  1071. Trent Reznor or Tori Amos, so I can make an ass out of myself like I did with Joey McIntyre.

  1073. my grandma (now that I’m older). She kept a glass jar of vodka in the way back of the refrigerator – you know, just in case. We could’ve had a great time! She once told me she had to driver her “old” friends because they couldn’t. yeah, look who’s calling who old. Road trip!!!

  1074. Well I got to meet Jenny in Seattle and she did not disappoint! Despite having such a long line of people who wanted their books signed, she was kind, asked me how I was and laughed at a joke I made.

  1075. Tina Fey is one of my heros because she is hysterical and accomplished. I haven’t met her…yet!

  1076. Woody Guthrie..cuz he seems like a man with a lot of common sense..which is not very common anymore. =)

  1077. I would totally love to meet Napoleon Bonaparte. Unfortunately, he’s kinda been dead for a long, long time, but I have been to his tomb, and it was a religious experience. However, his awesomeness lives on in so many ways, and I plan to absorb as many of them as possible. I have a small shrine to him in my house, and I buy every book I come into contact with that references him. I feel like I get him, you know? We totally would’ve been friends. I have a plaster cast of his actual death mask in my living room! It’s not taxidermy, but I think you’d still approve. Completely normal, and not at all creepy, right? Death masks were all the rage in the 19th century.

  1078. I would like to meet you for a taxidermied purse lunch. I bought a 60 year old armadillo purse from a craigslistI ad. II wanted to take it to my final divorce hearing but was advised against it. You, however, would love it and totally have let me take it to court.

  1080. I never get to meet my heroes, but I think just to see them speak or perform is enough. I saw Amanda Palmer last week. It was amazing. I would love to see Neil Gaiman speak, as I’ve been an enormous fan of his for… decades. I would love to see Harlan Ellison speak. I think he is simply amazing. I saw William Shatner in NYC perform his one-man show and that was splendid and spectacular. I would love to meet both Wil and Anne Wheaton and play a tabletop game with them. They both seem like the people you’d love to have to dinner and gaming whenever the occasion permits.

  1081. I’d like to meet The Doctor, but if that doesn’t work out, Jamie Oliver would do nicely 🙂

  1082. I would love to meet Oprah. I probably wouldn’t be able to say anything. I’d just stand there in awe. I’d like to meet Olivia Wilde too, because she seems like a cool ass chick and maybe we can become BFFs and wear matching BFF necklaces and….yeah.

  1083. Forgoing reading the 1067 comments prior to this mere comment, I concede that I may be (and probably am) repeating what a thousand folks before me have said, when I say:

    YOU

    or Johnny Depp. It’s a toss up.

    Kinda.

  1084. The Graveyard book by Neil Gaiman is one of my favorites. I teach 6th grade language arts and always read the first chapter of that book outloud for “Mysterious October.” Sooooooooo scary and so magical when Bod grows up with the ghosts in the graveyard. Sadly – I cannot share any of your book outloud with my 6th graders, but it is the topic of our adult lunch conversation almost every day. You have made three 6th grade teachers laugh til we cried this summer. Your book was the highlight of our summer vacation. THANK YOU! I LOVE YOU and honor you for your courage and spirit and wackiness. If I could be marooned on a desert island and I could bring one thing…it would be YOU! (you probably wouldn’t like it, though…) okay – 2 things … YOU and a case of Pinot Grigio ….well…4 things – you and pinot grigio and my teaching friends Jackie and Laurie….

  1085. I would love to meet Zelda Fitzgerald, even though she is dead. If we are just talking about living people I would have to say Misha Collins, although I would probably too shy to say anything.

  1086. …though, I have met him in my dreams

    repeatedly.

    And those dreams have been so dreamily undreamy that I have convinced myself on multiple occasions (even whilst still dreaming) that when we do meet face to face, he will recognize me as that quirky chick from the dreams

    and whatnot.

    You and I….

    we’ll just laugh.

    A lot.

  1087. I met (well had handshakes with) Bill & Hillary and Al & Tipper on their bus tour circa 1992 prior to the election. I helped bring their bus to stop in the parking lot of Walmart in Georgetown, Texas. I was not old enough to VOTE but Tipper said I was lovely….claim to fame…*ahem*.

    Well, I’d LUUUUUUUVVVVV to meet Barak & Michelle, Oprah and/or The Bloggess (NATCH!)…Of course, I’d have an panic attack the moment I was in the same room with any of them and would end up huddling in the corner in a complete sweat. Charming AND SEXY. yeah.

  1088. Who to meet is a very hard question. I think I would go with Stephen Fry because I feel he would be nice to be even if I freaked out. Plus, he wouldn’t tell everyone I’m lame because he is a gentleman.

  1091. I would love to meet Leonardo Da Vinci. His inventiveness, imagination, study of line, fantastic art., I don’t know when I could get all my questions in! It would be amazing to have him draw or paint me or my daughters.

    If not him, then Pope John Paul II (I know, I am picking dead people, so what!). His papacy was amazing, he brought peace to many and brought youth back to the church. He was an awesome man.

    I would love to meet Katherine Hepburn! I named my daughter after her, as she was a strong, independent woman, and I wanted my daughter to be the same.

    Do they have to be alive? That makes it so much harder! If so, then Nora Roberts. I love ehr books!

  1092. I have a couple of heros. My husband for one. He put aside comforts and seeing his newborn daughter for 3 months to make the world a better place. My other hero is you! And i *DID* get to meet you in Toronto! And you got to meet said baby before he did!

  1093. I want to meet one of those eyeball necklaces. and it would be pretty awesome to share a wine slushy with you one day. But heroes….? I guess I sort of already live with my heroes.

  1094. I briefly met the Bad Astronomer, Phil Plait. He is one of my heroes, as is Neil deGrasse Tyson. I want to meet him so bad, and someday I hope to.

  1095. I would love to meet Ray Bradbury….he has always been one of my all-time favorite authors…

  1096. Not to be a kiss-ass, but meeting you is totally at the top of your list. In retrospect, there really isn’t a way to say it so that I don’t sound like a total butt muncher, and also I’d like to apologize for my use of the word “butt muncher.” Muncher of butts? That makes it worse, somehow.

  1097. So many to pick from… when I narrowed my list down in my head I discovered that all the people I would love to meet don’t actually exist- but who cares. I’d go with Han Solo, Zorro and The Doctor! Imagine that round table discussion!

  1098. I would love to meet “Weird Al” Yankovic. He’s been my hero since I was 13 years old!

  1099. I’d like to meet Mike Rowe. He seems down to earth and willing to make an idiot of himself. I respect that.

    Also, I want that steampunk stuff!

  1101. OMG Nancie!

    I’m from PHX and I used stalk Stevie Nicks at the grocery store!! She lived in Paradise Valley and I used to go into Basha’s all “I know she buys her broccoli here”! Never saw her. She must have someone buy her vegetables for her. 🙁

  1102. I would have loved to have met Victor Chang – renowned Australian heart surgeon. I’m sure he would have been seriously interesting to talk to… all science-y

  1104. I can’t think who I’d really like to meet – but I really , really want a gift certificate to get some cool steam punky jewelry or maybe a bat ring.

  1105. I LOVE YOU JENNY, how about we ditch Victor & run away together. He is no fun anyway. He just wants to kill your dreams. I truly appreciate your craziness. xoxo Much love.

  1106. I met you! And you Jenny are my favorite blogging hero as well as one of my favorite writers ever. I would like to meet…alive or dead? David Sedaris. Bill Wilson (dead). Definitely Jesus, but I’d cry the whole time.

  1107. I met Woody Harrelson in an airport once. He was really nice & let me take a picture with him…….but I also think he was really stoned…..

  1108. I would love to meet Bryce Cortenay–my second son is named after him! Australia has long been my number one place I want to visit so I could try to meet Bryce. Unfortunately, he recently announced that he has end-stage cancer and does not have many more months to live 🙁

  1109. I’d love to meet YOU because you’ve helped me understand that depression lies. So when I’m in one of those ‘funks’, I come to your blog and find something to smile at! 🙂

  1110. I would like to meet Steve Martin because of his general comedic genius including getting small, arrows threw the head, and needing a pair of cat handcuffs. We all need a pair of cat handcuffs because, let’s face it, our cats cannot be trusted at home alone with our money. They will always want to go out and buy themselves lavish gifts of toys and catnip. Especially catnip, which they will buy either from you or whoring out to the neighborhood tom cats. Well, in that case, maybe it’s just better to give them the money then.

  1111. Doesn’t everyone want to meet Jane Austen? I know she’s dead, but since we hardly ever get to meet our “heroes” anyway, that’s my deepest meet someone wish. It is impossible for me to be more enamored of any author/celebrity/person. Ever.

    That eyeball necklace would keep me up at night, but I have a friend who would adore it. I’m a giver 🙂

    I’d like to meet you, Jenny … but only if I could somehow be useful to you – like collaborate on something or do a project. I can’t stand awkward meetings with people you don’t know (like actually know enough to tell them they have something in their teeth) where you just stare at them, make small talk and then leave a few minutes later. But give me something to do and I am THERE.

  1112. my grandmother and grandfather. they died when i was younger and i would like to get to know them from an adults point of view. they were awesome when i was a kid and i wish they could meet their great grandson.

    peace out peeps

  1113. Hm, well, I’d like to meet you. And Neil Gaiman – I think he’s such an amazing creative person. I met David Suzuki once, and he was cranky because he had a cold, but he still signed the kid’s book I’d bought to donate to my mom’s elementary school library. I’d like to meet Robert Munsch. Or Robin Williams, because he’s one of my favourites and I think he’s brilliant. I can’t imagine how fast his brain must work – I’d hope that mine wasn’t frozen in some sort of star-struck awe so that I’d be able to *try* to play along. 🙂 A lot of my other heroes are, well, dead – like Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, Andrea del Sarto… *sigh* Renaissance painters…

  1114. I met the guy who played Cameron in “Ferris Bueller’s Day off” in the lobby of the hotel where my cousin got married. He was very nice but seemed very uncomfortable about being spotted.

  1115. Since its randomly chosen, I am not telling the truth. Hope I win that totally creepy neclace!!

    Cynthia

  1116. Okay, this one might get me murdered, but: I met David Sedaris, and I was sorely disappointed. I went to a reading of his latest book, and met him after, and he just gave me the most dead, flat eyes. I know, I’m sure he was tired, but I was so let down. A creepy eye necklace would probably cheer me up 😉

  1117. Despite issues with being easily star struck, I would love to meet Felicia Day. She’s just so cute and perky and cute.

  1118. I am an old hippie at heart so Jerry Garcia would have been awesome. Plus, I bet he would have some really great party favors. But, since Jerry isn’t an option I would have to say
    The cast of NPR’s ” Wait, Wait, don’t Tell Me”, because I am a total public radio nerd!

  1119. My friends and I met Barenaked Ladies back when they were our heroes. Several times, in fact, but my favorite time was when we wanted to add some variety to the (now defunct) tradition of throwing macaroni and cheese at them on stage. So we threw the things you’d want with mac and cheese: little chocolate donuts and lime Kool-Aid. Except that we didn’t want to zotz the amps so we didn’t mix the Kool-Aid with water or sugar – just sent what we thought would be the maximimum efficiency Kool-Aid delivery unit (the small unsweetened packet) sailing onto the stage.

    The tradition is that after bouncing their way through “If I Had a Million Dollars”, Steve would open a box of uncooked macaroni and pour it into his mouth. Only this time he opened the packet of Kool-Aid and poured THAT into his mouth and you know that face cartoons make when they eat hot sauce, where their eyes bulge out and their tongue swells and their ears poke out and make train sounds? That happened to Steve. Then he bolted offstage and emerged a minute or so later with a pitcher of water, a towel, and a face that was mostly green. “Note to self, he said: Don’t pour Kool-Aid on your face right after shaving.”

    Later, backstage (because we conned security into letting us backstage, not because we were ever invited), he said that it ate all the skin off the inside of his mouth. Then I laughed and the folding chair under me collapsed to the floor because there’s nothing like humiliation on top of rock star paralysis to make a girl’s night.

  1120. Crap – I put the wrong email address on the comment above. See? Rock star paralysis. I have no cool, only dreadful suspense.

  1121. Stephanie Pearl-McPhee I’ve met thrice, each time as a stumbling fangirl. Because how can you not love someone who makes a living out of a niche market like knitting comedy?

  1122. I realize that two people I first thought of meeting have died – Jim Hensen and Dr. Seuss. Not sure what the choices say about me really. Among the living, I would like to meet Helen Mirren. She is so classy and a great actress but you just know she has a side to her that you could sit down in a bar with her and get totally drunk with and have the best time.
    I don’t know why I think that but I like to think it is true

  1124. Bruce Springsteen, George R. R. Martin, maybe Gillian Flynn?

    I would have loved to have met Ray Bradbury.

    I met an astronaut once.

  1125. Even though I heard her read in person here in Seattle, I would like to meet the Poet Mary Oliver. I think she one of the few people in the world who appears to be able to live in the present and is not missing a thing.

    “Tell me, what is it you plan to do
    with your one wild and precious life?”
    ? Mary Oliver, Poet

  1126. I met Jane Alexander, actually worked with her and she was very cool. So was Ann Margret, she was quite shy, but so classy. I worked in the film business. Jon Voigt was weird, Dennis Hopper liked to watch popcorn popping in the microwave. One of my biggest heroes was the director Hal Ashby and I learned a lot from him about making movies. However, when I met Senator Ted Kennedy I was somewhat awestruck, and I was able to meet him several times, and I met Mrs. Ethel Kennedy as well. I have been able to meet quite a few people that I admire, so I have been very fortunate. I am most fortunate because now I get to live in Albuquerque with my husband who I love and admire the most, my biggest hero. Philip Geraci, a fabulous Artist and humanist.

  1127. I want an eyeball!!!!!

    Oh, and the picture of your daughter in the rain is wonderful! That alone is all this post really needed to still be great!

  1128. I want an eyeball!!!!!

    Oh, and the picture of your daughter in the rain is wonderful! That alone is all this post really needed to still be great!

  1129. I would like to meet The Doctor. I realize he is a fictional character but really? AWESOMENESS. The things I could learn traveling through time and space.

  1130. I met Jen Lancaster at a book signing and she was wonderful. You and Katie Couric are now on my list!

  1131. My hero was my mom, whom I’d met a number of times; however, I’d love to meet Morgan Freeman. Tea with Morgan Freeman would rock. With those weird little sandwiches. And if Morgan couldn’t make it, I hope you’d come eat weird little grassy sandwiches with me. I don’t have a sock monkey hat, but I do have monster finger puppets. Tea with The Bloggess and Finger Monsters… sah-weet.

  1132. While I’d never walk away from Neil Gaiman or his kick-ass wife, hands down, Jenny Lawson is at the tippy top of my Hero’s to Meet List. I am not brown-nosing or kissing butt. Just saying it like it is.

  1134. I would like to meet Tina Fey and Amy poehler at the same time. Awesomeness. Also, the man who plays Leroy in Curb Your Enthusiasm. THAT would be great.

  1136. Oooo…Neil Gaiman makes me tingly 🙂 I don’t know who I would like to meet…Jenny Lawson is cool, I hear, perhaps that Wil Wheaton since I all kinds of in geek crush mode with him right now…

  1137. First – please give the chance to win the scary necklace to someone else. That thing just flat creeps me out.
    It’s awesome – but it would give me nightmares (and since I don’t get to sleep until 2 or 3 every night….what a waste).

    I have been so lucky in my life because I’ve gotten to meet many of my heroes…my students – fellow teachers – my awesome daughter and noble son….best friend husband.

    I haven’t gotten to meet YOU or Tina Fey…yet…but I do believe in karma – and truly believe that one day we will share a lovely beverage and lively conversation!

    As always – you inspire!! xoxoxoxo

  1138. I’d love to meet you, Brené, and Patti Digh, all three of whom helped me turn my shit around at pretty much the exact same time. I’m a different woman today than I was even a year ago, and while there’s still a lot of work to do, I’m much better for it.

    I’d also love to meet Neil DeGrasse Tyson, but I don’t think I’d be able to say much of anything other than, “Please, sir. Say smart things that will inspire me to keep wanting to learn about astrophysics and science.”

    And then, of course, Ian MacKaye and Henry Rollins.

  1139. I would love to meet poet extraordinaire Maya Angelou. I thought I had the chance when I applied to Wakeforest University 5 years ago (she’s an honorary professor)…. but I got wait listed! Those pricks. Any way, I had a wonderful college experience in Colorado, but have never met the woman who truly inspires me with her compassion and poetic intensity.

  1140. Tad Williams (my Neil Gaiman) and Angelina Joile. Not b/c of Brad or movies but to hear more about her humanitarian work.

  1141. I met Anthony Michael Hall once. He signed my mannequin hand and made my husband agree that mannequin parts were fantastic. Then we hugged it out after dancing with transvestites. It was one of the best days ever.

    Hugs!

    Valerie

  1142. I wanted to meet Sheldon Cooper. To marry him. He’s my soul mate. Turns out he’s fictional, but I’m hoping to find an OCD support group to attend so I can meet a real life Sheldon Cooper. Of course, a real life Sheldon Cooper would never expose himself to the germs and routine upheaval of going to a support group. Someone might sneeze on him. So, I guess I will be single for the rest of my life.

  1143. P.S. – my awesome daughter – Danielle Prado – wants to meet Kate Middleton (and she’d be okay with saying Hi to William) – she’d also like to ‘take out’ the nasty paparazzi who took pictures of poor Kate without her top.
    She mentioned needing a mob connection….?

  1145. Stephen King, just where in the world does all that twisted stuff come from!?@&!? I am not sure I want to really know, but his stuff is awesome, oh & Tori Amos, my idol from the 80’s & 90’s, no one rocks a piano like Tori!!!

  1146. I have so many people I would love to meet for so many reasons. Currently, Barack Obama is at the top of my list. Also, Minnesota Viking, Chris Kluwe. I admire his advocacy and courage to speak for what he believes in.

  1147. OMG. TIM GUNN!!! I ADORE that man. Like, LOVE him. love him love him. Gushy, obnoxious love him.

  1149. I want to meet Neil Gaiman, if only to thank him for his stories.

    I have to hurry on this one, but I want to meet Mel Brooks. That man has done more for my sense of humor than any one else alive. So I want to have bagels with the man and hear his stories before he leaves us.

  1150. I really want to meet Felicia Day. She just seems like an all around awesome lady, and I’d love to drink wine and talk romance novels with her all day!

  1151. Ever since I was 13 my hero/ crush was and still is Wil Wheaton. When I was young I just thought he was hot. Now I think he’s hot and awesome and can attest to this since, after 21 years of dreaming, I had the pleasure to meet him at Polaris in Toronto. Not only was he as nice and awesome as I had hoped, he complimented my 17 ft Dr Who scarf! Life has been made!

  1152. I met Stephen King! I gotta say, I would never had made thru high school without him (and Phil Collins, but that’s another story). I read everything he wrote….the scarier, the better. I met him at a hotel I was working at in upstate NY – he was sooooo cool and real and….normal! Yeah Stephen King!

  1153. I would like to meet Tom Perrotta because writes intensely good books. I would also like to meet Tim Gunn and give him a big hug. I also wouldn’t turn down a few (or many) drinks with Tony Bourdain and a gab session.

  1155. I met Peter s. Beagle at a convention. When my mother heard that I was going to meet the writer of “The Last Unicorn”, she told me to yell at him for her, because he was the reason she had to “watch that movie with that HORRIBLE SINGING a thousand times” when I was a kid. So while he was signing my book, I told him, “My mother told me to scold you because I made her watch The Last Unicorn a thousand times.”
    he said, “Well, that’s not fair.”
    I told him, “She was traumatized by all the singing.”
    He said, “Oh. Tell you mother I said I’m sorry.”

  1156. Tell Hailey to be careful. A few weeks ago my BFF and I were so excited about the rain (Oklahoma, not Texas, but we also lose our shit about rain here) that we (drunkenly) decided to have a puddle stomping contest. I stomped so hard I fractured my heel bone. I think I won (lost?).

  1157. I wish I could have met Molly Ivins, because she was the ultimate ballsy brilliant southern woman, which is why I would like to meet you but you did not come to St. Louis on your book tour, which is actually causing me physical pain. I once met Wilma Mankiller, the first female chief of the Cherokee Nation, and she was completely awesome.

  1159. I have a sock monkey hat too. My hero is my mom…but she is dead. So I cannot meet her…I want to come to Texas and meet my biological dad in Houston…and then visit my biological mom in Pleasanton and then meet YOU!

  1160. I’d love to meet YOU of course. I love your blog, your book, but especially your haunted dollhouse. That is one thousand kinds of awesome. I would also like to meet Stephen King. We were both born on September 21st, not that it means anything, but I always felt a sort of kinship with him. Neil Gaiman would have a suitcase filled with the coolest, badass stuff imaginable (and some unimaginable), but I have an unnatural fear of sock monkeys, so I may not be able to handle the awesomeness.

    I did meet David Sedaris at a signing, he was funny and charming. He was very careful to spend a few moments with everyone and really talk to them. Even though there were hundreds of people there. I also met Bruce Campbell also at a signing, he was totally cool and was exactly as you would expect him to be, funny, witty and a total badass. He was incredibly patient and kind to everyone as well. Authors ROCK!

  1161. I’d love to meet Jensen Ackles of Supernatural. Yeah, I know, I’m twice his age. We can still go out for lunch can’t we?

  1162. I met Graham Chapman when I was in college.
    He was speaking at the theater on campus.
    After the show, some of us stayed behind to meet him and get his autograph.
    I stood in line watching people squeal and gush over this witty, erudite performer, quoting “Holy Grail,” “Life of Brian”, and the TV show.
    I didn’t want to be like them, but I didn’t want to be boring, either.
    I thought about what Python had meant to me, lying in my friend’s guest bed while we watched Python way past our bedtime and WAY before we were old enough to really get it.
    All those times the normal people gave us weird looks for doing silly walks or saying, “Ni!” between classes.
    Finally, I was at the front of the line. I handed him my program and cheerfully said, “Thank you for ruining my life.”
    He signed his name and handed it back to me.
    “You’re very welcome.”

  1163. I don’t really have heroes, I feel like it puts undue pressure on people. But I’d love to meet Tim Curry. He seems cool.

  1164. Ok, he is not my hero but it is kind of the same situation . I met a celebrity a few weeks ago.. the kind every teenager in the 90’s had a crush on. he was drunk and flirting with every skirt in the joint. would have been better to keep the imagination going on that one

  1165. Who is my hero? I suppose the definition of a hero would include someone who has saved your life; someone who has inspired you; someone who has provided guidance. If I were to think of someone that fits those criteria, then I would have to say you, Jenny. Your ability to get through everything, your struggles with depression, and anxiety, have demonstrated that people can survive, that they can get through their darkest days. Somedays reading your blog is all that I’ve felt keep me here because, through you, it does get better.

    You have inspired me to think that maybe one day, I will deserve to wear a red dress. Right now, I am not worthy of it, but some day. One day I will be daring, bold, and beautiful, and it will be thanks to what you have written.

    I deeply regret not making the drives to your book signings (they were all 6+ hours away from me).

  1166. I want to me Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) or Hugh Laurie. But if I could time travel, and go back to meet Ansel Adams, I totally would do that.

  1167. I would still love to meet Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. She is one of the most remarkable women of the modern age – despite putting up with Bill Clinton for decades.

  1169. You. Brene Brown (thank you for the intro on that one). Jodi Picoult. 50 Cent (before you judge, watch his interview with Oprah.) And a man who is strong enough to hold me when the tears fall, and brave enough to laugh when I fall. (What can I say, thank god my parents never named me Grace:)

  1170. I met Gary Busey on the Santa Monica beach once. He’s not really one of my heroes but it was an interesting experience.

    I’d like to meet Kate Middleton just so that I could have my own opinion of what she’s like and not feel so buried in the tabloid ideas of her.

  1172. My biggest hero is Angelina Jolie (vials of blood and brother kissing aside) and I think if I ever even just saw her in person I would faint. If she tried to talk to me or even made eye contact with me I’d probably either:
    A. Burst into tears
    B. Have a serious stuttering stanley moment
    C. Freeze with panic
    or D. Spontaneously combust
    Hmmm…maybe I shouldn’t meet her?

  1173. I had the EXTREME please of meetin Ms Patty LuPone Herself. I grew up doing community theatre with my mom. I was 17 when I got to go to New York for a theatre school trip. I almost didn’t go because my mom was home in Oregon dying of liver cancer, but New York was her dream as well as mine, and damnit one of us was gonna see it. I went to see “The Old Neighborhood” by David Mamet and waited outside the theatre to meet her. Someone else came out first and heard I was waiting (in -26 degree weather) for her. She finally came out a half hour or so later and APOLOGIZED to ME for making me wait. She had a little birthday party going on backstage that night. Anyway, she is short, bubbly, and AMAZING to her fans. Best night ever.

  1175. I met Christian Laettner who was an amazing college basketball player but sucked big rocks in the NBA. He was at a public event and was complaining about lack of security for him when fans asked for autographs. I told him that he didn’t have the basketball skills to accompany the attitude and walked away…..total letdown.

    I want to meet my future grandchildren. I have some health issues and just fear that it won’t happen. I want to tell them of how I overcame and felt worthy enough to wear a red dress. I doubt I will make it or ever wear that red dress, but that is okay. There are so many others that will!!!

  1178. Actually, I’d be more afraid that the person I’d walk away disappointed in would be myself. I would love to meet Mike Ness. I think that getting to talk to him about his life would be amazing, but I’m almost certain I would freeze and ruin the whole thing. Maybe I’ll stick to our imaginary meetings where I am smart and funny and witty and he’s terribly interested in everything I have to say. By the way, the necklace? Awesome.

  1179. Bloggess, I got to meet you twice and that was fun.

    For a hero I haven’t met, I would also have liked to have met Jim Henson.

  1180. I met Al Molinaro from Happy Days because I grew up in Kenosha, WI and we have a drive in that looked a bit like Big Al’s diner. I was a child and sick and tired of hearing his great-niece talk about how awesome he was and how she’s related to someone famous. A lot of people in Kenosha are related to someone famous. You get use to it. But Al was very nice to a very shy girl.

    I missed my opportunity to ever meet Ray Bradbury, bless him. His short stories, specifically “I Sing the Body Electric,” really changed my way of thinking. Perhaps I’ll eventually meet Piers Anthony. Or hug a sloth. That seems like a really great idea.

  1181. I so want to hang out with Lucy Lawless. Incredibly talented, smart, funny, humble, kind, down-to-earth, giving, chooses projects & roles that please her and who cares what others think, goes all out on everything she does, acts on what she believes in.
    Oh–and she’s gorgeous, and a smokin’ badass in leather.

  1182. Okay, technically, this is my husband’s hero, but here goes: My husband’s hero is Superman. Through a fluke–okay, through a geek trivia contest where I happened to be deemed hot enough to call on (that’s how they described it! Not my words) and happened to know far too much about Galaxy Quest–hubby and I found ourselves at a Comic-Con party, playing X-box with Brandon Routh. Well, technically, we were just standing near the general area where Brandon Routh was playing X-box, but he was terribly polite and offered me a turn at the controller, which I, in turn, politely declined. I don’t play X-box. May well have been the greatest night of the hubby’s life.

  1183. I would totally give up my third nipple to meet Neil Gaiman, because he’s so clearly just himself and that’s wonderful in anyone whether you’ve heard of them or not, but he obviously has a ton of fun wherever he goes so I’d definitely want in on that. Wil Wheaton, in no small part because of the collating paper adventure, and because of the reasons above re Neil Gaiman. Part of me wants to meet David Tennant, but I don’t really know what his “himself” is like since he’s so private, so I’m probably just Doctor crushing, so I’m less inclined to burst that bubble, because I don’t know if I could survive him being kind of a prick. I have officially put way too much time into this. Also, yes, I do have a third nipple. I thought it was a mole, but a plastic surgeon told me it was a nipple a few years back. I am very protective of it, but I would totally give it to charity for Neil Gaiman, if there were a charity that took partially-formed vestigial nipples. Something tells me the breast cancer people wouldn’t be interested. Something also tells me Neil Gaiman wouldn’t be interested…

  1184. If there could be a twisted reality/time-space travel situation, I would love to meet my mom (who has passed) when she was my current age, without her knowing I’m her daughter.I’d like to see how similar- or not- we would be. She was an awesome mom and I think she would have had really funny and amazing perspectives to offer on kids, marriage, work, life, etc.

  1185. I met science fiction author and editor Damon Knight and gave him a remote-controlled helium-filled blimp and he was so delighted he gave me a copy of one of his books (Why Do Birds?) and autographed it.

  1186. I met Johnny cash by accident when I was little. He stepped on me. He was pretty cool though. He’s not really my hero, but I’d like to meet Morgan Freeman. He could read me my junk mail or something.

  1187. O.M.G. That necklace is freaking fantastic! It would scare the hell out of my sister. So I would totally give it to her for Christmas. 🙂

    As for heroes I’d like to meet. Jim Henson, Walt Disney, Charles Schultz and Tex Avery were always on the top of my list. It would be amazing to meet the elusive Bill Watterson too.

  1188. I’ve always wanted to meet my heroes, but have never been able to get up the courage to do so. Whether it’s courage that’s the problem or my horrible lack of monetary pocket filler is the issue. I suppose I’d love to meet Team Starkid, who work with making fun of the things they love for a living, which couldn’t be any cooler.

  1189. Sad that I will never get to meet the woman who inspired me to become an Aerospace Engineer- Sally Ride.

    On a more fun side, would LOVE to meet Henry Winkler- didja know that he does a literacy tour every year and has written a children’s book series about a dyslexic kid? He even was made an honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) “for services to children with special educational needs and dyslexia in the UK” Awesome.

    An really, isn’t just being “The Fonz” reason enough?

  1190. I have a few heroes that I have already met, such as my mom. She adopted me from Guatemala when I was a baby, and has given me so much. I would never have gotten to where I am without her, and she has always been such a strong person. Others include friends.

    Other people I would like to meet are Jenny because not only is she awesome sauce, but she has inspired me and helped me look at some of my problems in a new light that helps me fight what is going on. I’d also like to meet a wonderful woman named Monti Carlo. She is so incredibly funny, positive, and talented. Things have been thrown her way, but she has fought back. I’d also like to meet Christine Ha. She is blind, but she is so positive. I’d also like to meet Erin Gruwell (Freedom Writers). I have decided to be a teacher, and she is by far one of my biggest inspirations for that particular choice. Finally, I’d like to meet Tom Felton. He’s funny, and I just like him. 🙂

  1191. the team of scientists at Pfizer who created Zoloft
    half pint – LHOP and if she is not available Persival will do.
    John Walsh

  1192. I still want to meet Edward Gorey, which is unlikely since he’s dead. But you never know…his illustrations were bizarre and creepy and wonderful, and if anyone could ever figure out a way to make it work, it would probably be him.

  1194. My parents are my heroes. They’ve never not lived up to my expectations. My best friend told me recently, “If my kids just talk about me once the way you talk about your parents, I’ll know I have succeeded.”

    My parents are totally badass.

  1195. As much as a cheesy asshole as this makes me sound, but my hero is totally YOU! If ever met you; however, it would most likely just turn out to be a disaster. First I would start out by trying to be way cool, too cool for school, then I would disgustingly compliment you until you were clearly frightened, than when I convince myself that I’m comfortable, I tend to think I am some sort of stand up comedian, a really bad one, which would ultimately end in awkward silence. (This is my ‘go-to’ pattern of disaster that is inflicted by my G.A.D. I call it my gift of gad. super clever, i know).
    I’ve never met anyone super awesome before… my cousin once met Harrison Ford… he was a waiter and Harrison held up a large bill and told my cousin it was his tip if he brought him a drink. Once he got his drink, Harrison laughed and put the money back in his wallet….. This story ruined my life…. Not very gentleman like Harrison, not. at. all.
    P.S. I’ve re-read your book a total of four times now (mostly while i’m at ‘work’, ‘working’ in my office) and I still can’t complete a sentences without stopping to laugh three differnt times… the ugly laugh too, the ones where you cackle then choke…. I LOVE YOU!

  1196. I don’t think of heroes often, much less hero-worship many people. I guess the best way for me to answer the question would be to explain what I consider a hero to be – someone who makes me want to better myself, someone who has a positive influence in my life, or someone who possesses traits that I would, ideally, love to have. Having defined “hero” as such, I’d say my hero would be Amanda Palmer. She grasps life with both hands and, regardless of her fears, she’s not afraid to put herself out there. You’ve posted time and time again about he “In My Mind” song, which mirrors so many of my own thoughts and fears. Additionally, “Ampersand” seems to make me want to break apart from the chains of people’s perceptions I slip on. It makes me want to be more than what people believe I’m capable of…and it makes me believe I’m more than who they think I am. I think I would -love- to meet her (her personality is so free and fun, I can’t imagine someone not wanting to meet her), but I think I’d be very intimidated, as well. She possesses a lot of the qualities one of my friends have, which are endearing if not socially awkward at times. But I love my friend and have always wanted to be more honest with who I am (and less socially aware of how I’m perceived).

  1197. I have met you, which was totally teh awesome, but I would equally love to meet Neil Gaiman, because from the first sentence of his I read (sadly, I didn’t start reading his work until after I saw “The Doctor’s Wife”), I was madly in love. He writes what my characters think, and in many ways it’s very disturbing but amazing and cool and each book I read reinforces that perception.

    But I’ve been lucky and met (or at least shaken the hands of) a number of my obsessions/heroes/idols, so I may have to be content. I may never have gotten to meet Johnny Cash, but his daughter has answered some of my tweets!

  1198. Gonzo, I’d want to meet Gonzo. The muppet I mean. If I was magically turned into a muppet I’d bet money that I would be a whatever like Gonzo is.

    Or Jim Henson.

    Either way, I think it would be a tad difficult.

    (Also, those eyeball watch thingys are awesome. :3 )

  1200. I haven’t met any of these people yet, but I hope to, someday.
    In no particular order:
    Allie Brosh
    Jenny Lawson
    Kara Swanson
    Penelope Trunk

  1201. I would have to go with any member of the U.S. women’s soccer team. (with the exception of Hope Solo who seems like a major cranky pants) This hetero girl has a soft spot for strong women. 🙂

  1203. I would love, love, love to meet Anderson Cooper! I love how he can be so serious about some things, but still seems like such a fun person!!

  1205. I think I would love to meet Nikki Sixx, of Motley Crue to pick his brains..but then sometimes I’m afraid he’d be too jaded for me to enjoy it

  1207. Hi Jenny. I just found out my cousin committed suicide today. My heroes are the ones who survive. I want to meet and hug them all. I know this is off topic, but I JUST found out right before I read this and I figured you’d understand the sad. So, you’re awesome. Thanks or being you. Thanks for surviving. Thanks for inspiring us to survive. YOU are my hero.

  1208. I would want to meet Joseph Campbell because he inspired me to pursue my love of mythology enough so that I would fly across the entire country just to go to The Study of Myth Symposium in Sants Barbara two weeks ago and face all of my fears just to attend this miraculous event. Because of my respect for his work I flew for the first time in twenty years, took a bus, and drove in an unfamiliar land alone, all in honor of this man’s life work. Because of him, I traveled my own hero’s journey. So yeah. I would want to meet him were he still alive.

  1209. I’ve met Ms. Jenny Lawson and she was even more awesome in person than on her blog. I met Bart Starr and he’s a very humble and soft spoken man. I would still love, love, LOVE to meet Stephen Colbert.

  1210. Angela Lansbury. I imagine we would solve a murder together, then she would make me clam chowder. Then she would explain to be that she is not really JB Fletcher, but an actress who played her. Then she would turn into a tea pot and sing me to sleep.

  1211. I would like to meet a famous Chupacabra and buy it a Chalupa. Yes I read your book… loved it… maybe I would like to meet you, you described anxiety in social situations perfectly. Yes I would definitely like to meet you

  1215. Back in my freelance journalist days, I got to interview an essayist named Michael Thomas Ford, whom I’ve idolized for well nigh a decade. I made it through the whole interview very professionally, and then freaked out like a 12-year-old girl at a Justin Bieber concert and gushed the fuck all over him. He took it well.

  1216. I definitely relate to dropping everything when it rains! Although I currently live in Seattle, I grew up in the tropics in Africa, and when rainy season hit, we’d all run outside for the first big rainstorm of the season. Glorious! 🙂

  1217. I’d love to meet Martin Luther King, Jr…if he were alive that is. As to the why…well I’d like to know how you can go up against that kind of stupidity every day and NOT beat the shit out of someone. I mean seriously, I need lessons before I beat the shit out of one of my co-workers and get fired.

  1218. Right now I would have to say that my heroes are 2 of my sisters. They both have so many things going wrong in their lives and yet they are strong women who are taking it day by day. I don’t know if I would be able to handle the things they are going thru and not be a complete mess. I just love and admire them for what they do but they learned how to be strong from another hero of mine-my grandma.

  1221. I’m weird, I don’t really care if I ever meet any famous people. I mean there are people I’d like to move into my neighborhood so I could get to be friends with them, but if I’m just going to meet them the one time? I guess the movie phone guy, if I could get him to say, “You have called the Kellogg’s leave a message”. Because that would be cool. Although whenever I loose power my message gets erased, so that’s lame.

  1224. Neil Gaiman, abso-fucking-lutely. He is a fantastic man (I know this because he cheered me up on my 40th birthday with a sweet message via direct-tweet; a small enough thing, but how many crazy-famous people even bother answering their fans like that?). Of course, you, Jenny Motherfucking Lawson, because you changed my life, letting me know that it’s okay to be crazy (and sometimes it’s downright fun – my husband always sympathizes w/ Victor). Plus, I caught the plague and missed seeing you in Boston. And I totally need that necklace – my 10th wedding anniversary is on Halloween, and it’s the perfect accessory for my going-out-to-dinner-fancy-dress clothes! Crossing all my fingers (and a few toes – it’s a gift). <3

  1225. I have met and worked with both Leonard Nimoy AND William Shatner. And, as you can imagine Leonard was truly amazing, a total mensch (Yiddish for “person” literally; meaning an especially wonderful, good one) while Shatner? A-hole all the way, an Arrogant-Bastards-R-Us member.

    Many years ago I got to study (and hang out) with James Baldwin and he lived up to my expectations in every way, including being disappointed with those of us who couldn’t keep up with him whilst drinking whiskey at his house late at night, long after class.

    Who would I still want to meet? Annie Dillard, whose luminous writing continues to inspire me. And Ursula LeGuin because she is still feisty and fabulous at 82.

  1226. Heroes? Hmmm, tough question. I have people I admire for different reasons that I would like to meet-like Stephanie Pearl-McPhee because she can knit faster than lightening AND she’s funnier than hell. I’d like to meet you, Miss Thang, because you have survived depression and shit, and me too. So that would be a fun discussion. I’d like to meet the royals, like Will and Kate, and then tag along with them because I think it would be rather interesting to hear their take on life (it’s way different than mine), with the added benefit that they get the best seats everywhere. Then I could meet more cool people because everyone likes to be seen with a royal or two. Mostly I like seeing my husband and my boys, all of which are far away from me right now. That would be just right.

  1228. I have already met my hero…and she is my best friend. Sure, I’ve read hundreds (literally) of books and would love to meet all of my authors, but my true hero would definitely be my best friend Cheyenne. She is always there to help haul me off the floor when I think I’ve hit bottom, and she always takes the time to pull her friends aside to let them know just how special they are. She is a true hero because one of her friends recently confided that she was thinking about committing suicide, and Chey, instead of judging her, let her know that she deserves more than to let her depression win. Chey told her that if she even thought about acting on it, she would not hesitate to tell every single adult in that girl’s life about her thoughts about suicide. Having had this conversation with my best friend myself once, I am truly grateful for the type of person she is. She is amazing, she is my best friend, she is my hero.

  1230. CS Lewis, for sure, even though he’s long gone. Also, Lois Lowry, because I love The Giver. I know, I’m so exciting.

    I’ve met the actor who played Percy Weasley in the HP movies (he was very nice!) and a Red Sox player from several years ago. He was really nice too. I also met Johnny Pesky once, a recently deceased Red Sox legend. He was wonderful.
    And then I met you! And even though we only talked briefly, you let me touch Copernicus so I’m pretty sure we’re now BFF. 😉

  1232. Well, I don’t know that he’s exactly my “hero”, but I’d love to meet Craig Ferguson. He’s funny, smart, compassionate, nerdy, has that sexy Scottish accent 😉 …. I’ve read his book & he’s so honest and up front about his life and how he has gotten to where he is now, I just think that is rare in many celebrities. Plus he’s freaking hilarious!

  1233. I want to meet you, you are my hero at the moment. I already tell people we are friends. I have been writing a book for a couple years now, I & keep your humour i mind while i write

  1236. I met Kevin Smith. And was a complete lunatic because I was JUST SO DAMN EXCITED. I’m seriously surprised he didn’t back away all “no no no she’s going to wear my skin as a suit.” He was so gracious and so polite and very funny. I loved him even more after getting to talk to him.

  1237. I hung out with Neil and his daughter when they visited the shooting of Coraline, as you say really fantastic in person. I also worked on Paranorman so imagine my delight in seeing your post about our PR.

  1238. I would like to meet Roald Dahl. He is my favorite author, and I love to read his books because I feel like I can immerse myself in a completely different world. He always seemed so kind too… If only he were still alive!

    And honestly, I would like to meet you. I look up to you, because I have had health problems for about 6 years. They thought I had lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic migraines, and the list goes on and on. It’s just become clear that it is an autoimmune disease linked to Celiac’s disease. I appreciate your words of advice and help, because the depression linked to illness is sometimes too much to bear. You are my hero as well.

  1239. My dad is my one and only hero, but I admire the women (and men) who were diagnosed with Breast Cancer, and kicked the crap out of it.

  1240. P.S. Runners-up would be Christopher Moore (another favorite author,who wrote my new business card for me (God, I love Twitter), and George Takei, because he’s just awesome personified.

  1241. Temple Grandin is my hero – and actually a hero – if you do not know who she is or her life story, it is totally worth a google. I actually did get to meet her, but I was so excited I pretty much just said a random bunch of word – like word salad. But she was so awesome that she asked me about my son and gave me advice. It was a triumph of wonder – even if I did make a blathering fool of myself.

  1242. I have yet to meet any of my heroes, but if I could I would like to meet Joss Whedon and freak him out when I get all squealy-fangirl-up-in-his-business. If he isn’t available, here are my next top four:
    1. Shakespeare
    2. Audrey Hepburn
    3. Dumbledore
    4. Meryl Streep

  1243. My hero-my Fertility Doctor. My future is in her hands so right now, she’s my everything. I’d kiss the woman open mouthed if I thought she’d let me (or If I was into that sort of thing).

  1244. I would meet John Adams. That was a man who instigated shit- like American Revolutions. Also, he’s dead so he couldn’t piss me off. He would just lie there decaying. .

  1247. When I was 15, I found out Dolph Lundgren was going to be signing autographs at the Fontainebleau Hilton in Miami. I bought new clothes, dragged my friend and HER new clothes, my parents drove us the four-hour drive from Riviera Beach… and he didn’t show. Four-hour drive and she and I bought a 15-dollar ticket each (a fortune for teenagers in 1986), starving and sharing a bowl of overpriced conch soup and one french roll because we were out of money and …he didn’t show. We waited around til they kicked us out. Bitter, bitter, bitter. I’ve had no desire to meet any celebrity ever since.

  1249. I’ve also met Neil Gaiman. I was dressed as a bunny at the time. It wasn’t as cool as it sounds because I was stupid in awe of him.

    I’d like to Charles de Lint. He writes books that reach into the yearning in my heart for something wonderous and fantastic to happen and then make it seem like it could happen if I was just looking hard enough.

  1250. I’m not sure who I want to still meet. I have, on several occasions met Rachel Maddow. That was in her Air America days, but I even got to sit down with her and have drinks. She is down to earth and wicked smart and even cuter in person.

  1251. I’d really like to meet Zach Braff, but I wouldn’t call him a hero, just someone whose work I really enjoy and who I’d predict would be good company over a drink. Truth be told, I don’t really have a hero…I never have a good answer to the “If you could meet anyone” question. I prefer to seek out time with friends whose company I find fun and fulfilling. Wish I had more good times with them.

  1252. This may have been mentioned already (too many comments to read! EEP), and I REALLY am not trying to suck up! Honest!
    (Plus, Save the certificate for someone who would use it! ~_^)

    I have two heroes, one, YOU, yep and the second, Wil Wheaton. You, because I admire your strength even when you are feeling your weakest. I admire you honest and bluntness. Plus, you are gorgeous! ~_^
    Wil, Because of his humour and wit and because of his bravery in sharing his pain to the “world”.

    You both posted when I needed it the most! (Still in denial mind. ~_^)

  1253. I don’t know about meeting your ‘idols’. Gaiman is definitely on my list, and maybe one day we’ll hunt ghosts together, or have a Hugo polishing party. I dunno. I do know that people can really flip out in that situation; when Dicky Barrett of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones met Joe Strummer while presenting him with a sort of award he flipped out and had to go home immediately after. Meanwhile everyone else went a-drinkin with Joe and Kevin P from the Shods and had a time. Plus I know that if I ever met Big Bird I’d probably have some sort of a moment (and then they’d carry me off).

  1254. So, once in high school, my sister and her friend thought it would be terribly funny if they drove out to California to join in the open auditions for Richard Simmon’s upcoming sweatin’ video. My sister’s friend made all but the last cuts, and my sister somehow… made it in. So in perhaps the best joke turn around by life EVER, my sister made the video and now stands on the cover of Sweatin’ to Broadway Hits in all of her sweaty glory.
    For a while then, every time my family and I drove to California we went to visit Richard in his studio. He is the NICEST MAN IN THE WORLD.
    And most importantly: my right cheek has been kissed by Richard Simmons.
    I don’t wash it.

  1255. First, thank you both for the giveaway.

    I can’t say I’ve ever met a “hero” of mine – but there has been some amazing celebrity meetings. I wanted to meet Jensen Ackles when he was filming a movie 5 minutes from my house. But the scene was in a bar and I was 8 months pregnant, so I felt that wasn’t exactly appropriate. Hormones.

  1256. Ooh, that’s hard! So many. I’ll whittle it down to two. Patrick Stewart would be my first choice; I grew up with TNG and the man himself has so much class. All my morals come from Jean Luke. And if we can resurect in meet your hero land I’d dig up Douglas Adams. I’ve listen to him read hitchhikers so many times I can nearly recite it. Thanks for the contest and good topic!

  1257. Holy…Frickin’…Cow… Look at all these responses! What a great question. Once again, I get the chance to tell you –“You Rock”! (anytime now, you could put that click-able button on your site!)

    HERO is such a loaded? nebulous? ambiguous? word. Fuck it…you fill in the blank, you’re the writer. If it’s not obvious from my name, I would really, please, pretty please, someday I will, like to meet Prince. Although, so many of the comments also had my favorite people listed in them.

    If you can somehow manage to get an audience with the following peeps, please invite me along. I promise to: 1) be entertaining, 2) not embarrass you, 3) take over if you need to hide in the bathroom. Patrick Stewart, Tim Curry, Neil Gaiman, Hilary Clinton, EBTG, David Gandy (OMG, have you seen him? YUM. I should really move him up on the list), Obama, Jane Goodall, Keanu Reeves, Eddie Izzard (no wait, super funny, move him up too!)

  1258. Currently I’m reading a few blogs written by wonderful women who have adopted multiple children. I think they are fabulous and would love to hang out with them. I just wonder how they stay sane. I would also love to meet you, and Jen Lancaster.

  1259. Oh definitely Neil, most assuredly. But having been thus informed, I’m going to have to procure a sock monkey hat. I cannot believe I have been so lax! For shame. *hangs head

  1260. Dear lordy almighty, what I would give to meet Neil Gaiman!

    Last week, I met Mo Willems (well, went to a signing) – that was awesome. Similarly, Neal Stephenson, Jenn Lancaster, Laurie Notaro…

    But I guess if I had to pick one person, alive, to meet-and-greet, I’d go with Terry Pratchett. I would just like to sit and bask in his glory.

  1261. As cheesy as this sounds I would love to meet you! I admire that you can be yourself and let the crazyness loose and entertain people so well. I wish I could write like you!!

  1262. I had a chance to meet Eddie Albert back in the 80’s. I was working the Renaissance Fair and was witty and charming to the man until I figured out that he was REALLY Eddie Albert, not someone who looked like him. Then I made a complete fool of myself and he was very sweet about it. I still have his autograph from that encounter.

  1263. I’d love to meat Kurt Vonnegut Jr, but since he’s dead I don’t imagine it would be terrible exciting, I imagine meeting Neil Gaimain and Amanda Fucking Palmer would cause my brain to explode in joy and amazingness and while this would possible be painful it wold be amazeballs.

  1265. Um.. when you said you hadn’t written anything pertinent to comment on, I don’t think you realize that you wrote that Texas shuts down for rain.
    As a lifelong resident of Ohio, I say: WHAT?! We can have freezing rain and a heat wave in the same day. It’s why I bought a four wheel drive car. Rain isn’t even considered weather unless it comes with hurricane force winds. Thought y’all were tough!

    I got to meet one of my heroes. Frank Watson from the Postsecret project. I was too intimidated to say anything, though. I’d love to meet you. Maybe one day we’ll both find each other hiding out in the bathroom. It’s statistically probable, I think.

  1266. I have never met a “hero”. But I think I would die if I ever met Ty Pennington, Rachel Ray, or Oprah. And Johnny Depp… because he is HOT!

  1267. i make a point of assigning the hero role to people i consider utterly repugnant and generally irredeemably awful. (i won’t name names, as to speak (or type) them would render me paralysed with disgust.) that way, if i meet them, not only will i not be disappointed, i’ll feel oh so much better about my own abundance of virtue and all-around wonderfulness. of course, that could backfire, leaving me looked-down-upon by morlocks and chuds. but, hey, i’ll probably never have the opportunity to find out.

  1268. I wish I could’ve met Kurt Vonnegut. I think it says a lot about a person to be honest about the world and people. Not necessarily optimistic or pessimistic, just honest. He was a great man.

  1269. Sir Patrick Stewart for being the sexiest captain of them all.
    David Tennant for being the most charismatic Doctor of them all.
    Felicia Day for being the most awesome geek of them all.

  1270. If you pick my comment, you’d totally be my hero (and I’d totally love to meet you).

  1272. Haven’t met Neil, but would love to do so…

    I purchased a signed print of his..drawn by Jim Lee that is staggering in its simplicity and yet so amazingly complex….

    Quote from it that staggers me:
    “I dream of dying all alone,
    nobody there to watch me pass
    nothing remains for me to own,
    no breath remains to fog the glass.”

    This is where I live, the place I exist…

    Alone, but content to be so. So many people, I see you out there…beyond the glass…

    Neil rocks….

  1273. I feel like I would turn into a puddle of goo if I ever had a chance to meet Jim Carrey or Robin Williams. I love comedy and they both seem like such generally nice guys. I would be asking them to do impressions of their characters and giggling like a madman. The only other person that can rival this is Tom Hanks. If I met him, and he did his “Woody” voice, I would immediately have a heart attack and die with a smile on my face.

  1274. George Clooney would be my hero I’d like to meet. I actually saw him once when I went to the Oscars. He almost stepped on my foot as he hurried by. That would have been the best broken foot story ever!

    Damn!

  1275. Texas rains are HARSH! But I love how it’s warm and kinda cozy while soaking you to the bone. Then it stops after 10 minutes. At least that’s how it was when I was there.

  1277. I gotta say, I am still looking forward to meeting Wil Wheaton some day, and not just because he was one of my first celebrity crushes! He is growing in such amazing ways, that I cannot help but think he is only getting more awesome as he goes, and would be so much fun to just have a drink with.

  1278. I would love to meet Neil Gaiman; any time, any circumstances, to talk about anything.
    Meeting him in a airport when we both had to wait for hours for our airplanes would be heaven – and i HATE waiting in airports!

  1279. The Texas pic looks just the way i remember south Alabama looking – it rained a lot, and i loved it.

  1280. I met Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer and they were both super awesome but I was so nervous I could hardly speak…
    I also kind of stalked Brian Joubert ( French Figure Skater) through a mall in Tallin in Estonia and got his autograph. He was obliging but a little standoffish (and is also really hot!).

    As to want to meet- well Richard Armitage ’cause he’s gorgeous and Michael J. Fox cause he’s funny and awesome and inspirational.

  1282. In no particular order, I’d like to meet Tina Fey, Michael J. Fox, Louis CK, Amy Poehler, Steve Carell, Ellen Degeneres, Barack Obama.
    I’ve already met Bill Clinton (several times when I was a kid and my parents were sign language interpreters when he was governor of Arkansas) and Kathleen Turner (she is lovely and has an amazing raspy voice).

  1283. Well, I did get to meet you at your Charlotte book-signing. There are so many people I think I’d like to meet, then when I try to think of what I’d say to them I’ve got nothing. If I’m just being a little shallow – I’d like to meet Alex O’Loughlin. Sigh!

  1284. I would not inflict a meeting with me on anyone! Famous or otherwise. I feel sorry for the checkout operators in the supermarket having to listen to me running on a load of old crap, but I use the fact that they can’t just get up and run away to my advantage.

  1285. Arteries are red,
    Veins they are blue,
    This heart would thrum purple,
    If I should ever meet you!

  1286. Sometimes I worry that I don’t really have any proper heroes, like other people do. People I’d like to meet, though, hmm, in no particular order:

    You. (Seriously. I very much admire your zaniness, and while I’m a “more afraid of the reaction I’d get” version, I think you might bring me out of my shell a bit. Kinda like Bumface does, but… well, hopefully with a few less public references to anatomy. :p)

    Terry Pratchett. Mostly I want to thank him for being both awesome and prolific.

    CarlyMarie of Project Heal. I want to thank her for how much comfort she has unknowingly offered me ever since I first found her website after miscarrying my daughter.

    The Doctor. Who needs an explanation on that one?

    Stephen Fry and Alan Davies. I got to see them do QI live when they came to Australia and I swear Stephen looked right at me, and then I saw Alan do his standup a few days/weeks later, but I didn’t actually get to *meet* them. Also, please don’t make me choose between them, I adore them both equally with different reasoning.

    The Post Secret guy. I want to thank him for his little art project that gives hope, solidarity and peace to so much of the world (and, of course, myself) who felt alone in their secrets.

    Abby, Gibbs and Ducky (NCIS). Actually, really I want Gibbs to adopt me. IT TOTALLY COULD HAPPEN. Just sayin’.

    And if I ever met Neil Gaiman, I’m afraid I couldn’t provide a spare monkey hat, but perhaps I could interest him in a giraffe hat, a giraffe beanie or a wolf beanie – depending on the weather, obviously.

    Also, I can’t believe how many of you have met famous people. How do you do this?! The closest I’ve come to meeting someone famous is that I had an ex who was on a children’s gameshow when he was young. I’m not sure, but I have suspicions that this totally wouldn’t count.

  1288. There once was a girl down in Austin,
    Who lived by the words of Ms. Lawson.
    “If life hands you a lemon,
    Grab yer boots and put them on . . .
    Either that, or play taxiderm’ed possum!”

  1289. I would like to meet Beth Orton, and Dave Eggers, and Tim Minchin, and Allison Janney, and Kimya Dawson and Miranda July. Are we allowed fictional heroes too? If so, C.J. Cregg, The Doctor, Carmella Soprano, Mal Reynolds, and Jake and Elwood Blues. So many heroes, so little time.

  1291. I’d like to meet you, and uh Jen Yates, and um… Grover, yes, from Sesame Street. I was always envious of the kids who got to hug him on the show.

  1292. Living? George Takei, hands down! Also, Dave Barry, but only if he turns out not to be a douche. Not saying that I *know* that he is, but I’d rather never meet him if, in fact, he is a douche bag. And does the TARDIS count??

  1293. I’m a currently a paramedic student and I’ve yet to meet my medical director a.k.a the awesome ass doctor that makes my education possible. As busy as he is, he still does everything he can for us students. I’m so grateful and would love to meet him.

  1294. My hero is my husband. For being brave and giving his whole life to me. But Batman is totally a close second.

  1295. Sorry I’m late – I’m in the UK. I am still amazingly jealous that you met Neil Gaiman but my absolute want want want to meet is Tori Amos. Her music came into my life when I was 14 and at 30 I am still utterly shaped, inspired and in love with her music. So yeah Tori (plus she’s like besties with Neil Gaiman so that’s also upped my chances of meeting him too!)

  1296. (please don’t pick me for the prize, I don’t really care for the jewelry, and I would rather someone have it that really wants it)
    I am kinda shallow I guess, I don’t really have heros, but the celebs I love most are funny people or strong women. (or really HOT guys)
    Jerry Sienfeld, Mike Meyers, Adam Sandler, Amy Pohler, Tina Fey
    Drew Barrymore, Pink, Jillian Michaels, Sandra Bullock
    Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Leo DeCaprio
    I would probably make a jackass out of myself if I met any of them. I did touch Brian Bloom’s butt in an elevator once in 1988 at a cheerleading competition. He didnt even flinch, I mean I was a 14 year old girl, I was harmless. His eyes are so fing beautiful. All my friends giggled insanely.
    Oh, also, I served Alan Jackson lunch once when I was a waitress, he tipped A DOLLAR!! Cheap bastard! I live in Nashville so I “run into” country music folk sometimes. Most are cool.

  1298. I know all my heroes! My mom, for saving a childhood that would have been so much darker without her there. My friends Melissa and Mike for saving me when I was homeless and giving me couch and floor space so I was safe and as comfortable as possible during those times. My friend Amy and my husband for giving me the encouragement to leave my previous husband who was abusive and my sweet little daughter who saves my sanity every time I get stressed simply by being her.

    All of these people have rescued me in their own way. Huh….I guess I should tell them instead of just posting this here!

  1299. I chased Mick Jagger up a flight of stairs and then (once I’d got his full attention) realised I hadn’t worked out what it was I was going to say to him (largely because I was completely flummoxed by the peuce coloured sweater he had dangling round his shoulders….NO MICK! NO!)…which is why I blurted this out in a moment of blind panic.

    Me: “Hey maaaaan…just wanted to thank you for writing all those great albums. Beggars Banquet through to Exile on Main St…not a duff song on any of them!”

    Mick Jagger: “Awww…thanks maaaaaan. Really appreciate it”

    Me: “Got a bit ropey after It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll though eh?”

    Mick: “Ok…thanks…bye”

    Not my finest hour….but better than the time I met Slash in the toilet at a Ronnie Wood aftershow party and thought to myself….”Oh…I’ve got a good one! He’s gonna love this.”

    Me: “Well I wasn’t expecting THIS! Me taking a slash next to piss!” *THIS WASN’T WHAT I MEANT TO SAY*

    Slash: “…..” *leaves toilet immediately*

    In my defence, I was veh veh drunk at the time…

  1301. Jon Stewart and Alan Rickman. Mostly Alan Rickman. You know what, forget Jon Stewart. ALAN RICKMAN. Always…

  1302. Met Bill Lambeer at a Grateful Dead show at Pontiac Silverdome, shared some beer with me and turned down my offer (understandably). Cool guy, not a bad boy at all, at least off the court. Looking forward to meeting the floating consciousness of Sagan, Darwin, Copernicus etc. on the next part of my journey… in about 40yrs.

  1303. Let’s see…. I would love to meet Gandalf, but since I can’t really meet the actual Gandalf then Sir Ian McKellan would do perfectly as well. It would be super awesome to meet Neil Patrick Harris or Sir Patrick Stewart as well. If J.R.R. Tolkien were still alive I’d love to meet him. But since he died over 30 years ago I think I would freak out and get a gun since that would mean he was a zombie unless somehow he ended up in a Tardis with Dr. Who and was dragged into the future. Which reminds me, I think I would LOVE to meet the Doctor above any and all else. He is my hero.

  1304. It may be a little creepy, but I would love to meet Stephen King. He is the author that made me love reading… and the macbre. Yep… would love to pick his brain… but not literally. Because that would be, like, gross.

  1306. At this point, no one will read this comment, which is okay in that I didn’t even personally meet this person so I am totally cheating, but I have friends who met Bob Saget in 1996, and he was WAY better than Danny Tanner, which I find vaguely hard to believe. Those friends eventually let me sing with their ska band and we had a song called “Bob Saget, You Rule” mainly because we were a teenage ska band in the 90’s.

  1307. I would love to meet David Tennant! I was kind of like “ummmm … okay” about my husband talking about Dr. Who. It was David that made me stand up beside my hubby and help preach the awesomeness of The Doctor.

  1308. I would like to meet you, of course… I’m sure you would prove wrong what “they” say. I can bring my own hat or two.
    And I have met Jasper Fforde, who writes over-the-top-fantastic books and still is supercool in person.

  1310. Wil Wheaton so we can collate papers together and Nathan Fillion so I can photo bomb him with twine. Seriously though, I would love to meet Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. I love them. And maybe the entire cast of Bridesmades.

  1312. My grandpa. He died before I was born, but I hear we would have gotten along very well. He shaped my Dad into such an amazing person.

  1315. I didn’t actually meet him, but I saw The Dalai Lama and it was amazing. Just being in the room with him was enough for me. But Neil Gaimon would be awesome too!

  1317. I met Patrick Swayze once back in the early 90’s. He was a jerk.
    Still want to meet Jon Stewart and you and Hanan Ashrawy.
    You three are on the top of my “I’m most impressed by” list.

  1318. I’d like to meet Christopher Moore or David Beckham. Probably David Beckham…

  1319. I have met a few people I admired who turned out to be not very nice people. That made me sad because it changed how I saw their work. I no longer enjoyed it. So I made a strict rule to not meet my heroes. (Also, I usually experienced horrible attacks of nervousness and anxiety when I met them, couldn’t talk… just stood there.) But this summer I was a Gen -Con in Indianapolis. Dressed in a home mad fairy costume, with wire wings. I saw Will Wheaton was signing autographs. I had no twine,but I got up the courage to go stand in line. BUT THE LINE WAS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE LONG. *heart broken* What doubled the breaking was that the other celebrity doing a meet and greet was Nichelle Nichols! Lieutenant Uhura Herself! She has been my hero since I saw my first Star Trek at seven years old! She has done so much in her life to help people and she is someone I really look up to. I looked at the line, then stood there for about 15 minutes trying to get over my complete shock, then turned around and left, convincing myself that I would never meet her, the line was too long, and I lost my chance. But later that day my friends convinced m to go back, because I wouldn’t stop talking about loosing my chance at meeting Uhura. The line was only 10 people long! Will Wheaton wasn’t there any more, but I was so nervous and anxious that I didn’t notice. I got to the front of the line, in my fairy costume, and approached my hero, and she said “I have been waiting for you to get up here since you got in line. Your costume is beautiful. So elegant and simple.” She smiled and I almost started crying. I said thank you and explained the costume- Spouted something about how much she meant to me and how I hope to have a life as meaningful as hers and asked for a picture. She was so nice, and actually asked me more about my costume. She could see that I was nervous but made me feel at ease. She is a very nice and kind person, and made me like her even more. It only lasted about 10 minutes but it made my month. I was so happy my friends convinced me to go up there. I know it doesn’t seem like much, but I get very nervous. And to actually get in that line and talk to one of my heroes, without freezing completely, was a big accomplishment for me.

    Oh, I just realized how long this comment is. I am sorry. this is the first time I have commented, and I just want you to know how much reading your blog helps me through my week. Thank you!

  1320. As for celebs, back in the 80’s I met Taylor Dayne, and interviewed her for my college newspaper. Remember her? She was nice as can be. I’ve also met several sports figures [mascots] who are freaky as hell with their big effin heads and stompy shoes. I may have to tag along with Sarah when she goes to meet Jon Bon Jovi; I have a thing for Richie Sambora, and where one goes…

  1321. Totally obscure but here it is: I was at an academic conference on the subject of Southern History and was chatting with a pleasant gentleman about gardening. At one point he extended his hand and said, oh by the way, I should introduce myself, I’m Winthrop Jordan. I nearly plotzed: his work had inspired me so much! I got him to autograph a copy of his book, which made him blush a little.

    More about him here: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/08/us/08jordan.html?_r=1

  1322. I’ve only seen Neil Gaiman, had a jealous fit over a friend meeting Paul McGann, but I think I’d love to meet Chris Hardwick of Nerdist because he just seems like a fun guy to be around. I’d probably get him to help me rob a bakery while wearing bow ties and Tom Baker scarves before going bowling.

  1323. Heroes?
    Dorothy Parker. If she were alive. Of course she would verbally eviserate me and it would be awesome.
    Other people I would like to meet?
    John Cusack
    Lenny Kravitz
    David Beckham
    None of them have to speak.

  1324. Hands down…you!
    Also, I would have loved nothing more than to have met Princess Diana. I think she would have benefited greatly from the community you have brought together here. Such and example of strength and grace in the face of personal and public scrutiny.

  1325. I met Duran Duran back in 2007. John Taylor, Roger Taylor and Nick Rhodes were amazing, sweet, kind and so nice to me. Simon LeBon was a douchebag. Which makes me sad because he has always been my favorite, which leads me to agree with those who say don’t meet your idols because you’ll be disappointed. Had the twatwaffle even made eye contact with me, it would’ve meant something, but he never looked up to acknowledge that I was standing there.

    Teri
    Snarkfest

  1326. I would love to meet you, you are such an inspiration. Also Stephen Fry, Neil Gaiman & the Wheatons.

  1327. I may have peed a little when I met Ira Glass… So hot and nerdy and smart all mixed together

  1329. Well I would have liked to meet Neil Gaiman, but sock monkeys scare the bejesus out of me, so I guess that’s out…perhaps I need to to meet Frued and we can travel back into all my dreams and figure out why I’m afraid of sock monkeys and then I can come and meet you AND Neil Gaiman in your sock monkey hats and it will be awesome and not at all scary.

  1330. My hero is and always has been Rosie. I have daydreams of meeting Rosie O’Donnell and being invited to be crafty with her in her art studio. I grew up with Shaun Cassidy, Leif Garrett and Parker Stevenson posters on my wall. If today I were a teenager and wanted a cool room I would have Rosie O’Donnell posters everywhere.

  1331. If I had the chance to meet someone, it would probably be an author, either George R. R. Martin or S. M. Stirling. They both write amazing stories. Or Jim Butcher, or Karen Marie Moning, or, OOOHHH, non-genre, Jen Lancaster! And, of course, you! Too many authors to choose from . . .

  1332. I always wanted to meet G. Gordon Liddy. He went to prison instead of ratting out everyone else. That shows Character. With a capital C.

  1335. I am insanely jealous that you met Neil Gaiman – I ADORE him… I want to climb inside his crazy-ass head and root around for a while just to see what turns up. He is without a doubt one of the top people I’d want to meet… Ditto Stephen King, incidentally, because I’ve just realized I’m apparently much darker than even I realized. teehee. Gee, doesn’t that make me a great fit for the eyeball necklace??

    Incidentally, I’d also don a monkey hat with you – your blog is, quite often, the sole saving grace in the day. You never fail to make me giggle – even when in the midst of depression, you manage to find a way to share something snarky and funny to help the rest of us deal. That’s heroic – or at least heroic-adjacent – so I think you qualify as a Person To Meet too… 🙂

  1336. My friend’s cousin is the kid who killed himself in Dead Poet Society, better known as Dr. House’s best friend, preferably known as Robert Sean Leonard. He took us to a play by Tom Stoppard he was in like 20 years ago and I was introduced to Mr. Stoppard himself! As an English major, I nearly fainted.

  1337. Well…of course I’d love to meet the Doctor but I would be worried that I wouldn’t be interesting enough. I would so love to be able to play the next companion! They’re looking for a school-age companion, right?
    But other than that, I would of course love to meet you and I feel certain you wouldn’t disappoint. Plus, on the off chance that you did, I would follow you to the bathroom and yell random inside jokes of mine at you until you got frustrated or amused enough to respond to me.

  1339. I met my hero — Jenny Lawson!! I would also love to meet Harry Potter, (the character, not Daniel Radcliffe) but I’m prrrrrrrrrrretty sure that’s not going to happen.

  1343. I would love to meet David Sedaris. I got to see him read his stories live and I meant to bring his books to get signed but I totally forgot and then I chickened out going to talk to him. 🙁 I love his humor and would love to have a conversation with him at some point in my life. 🙂

  1345. I cannot say he’s actually a ‘hero’, merely someone I’d like to meet…Tanner Foust! ok – mostly cause i think he’s hot, but because he has made a great career out of just having fun (and being goofy at times)…with my love of cars, i think we could have some good conversations. no coffee house for this meetup, he better be driving me around in one of his insanely fast cars!

  1346. I LOVE that necklace! I’m not sure who I’d want to meet. I don’t have many famous heroes, but I think it would be cool to meet Michelle Obama. She oozes class and style and seems to have a great sense of humor.

  1347. Under this kind of pressure I keep imagining meeting that cool oatmeal guy. I just really want to unmeet some “I think I’m awesome” people and that eyeball necklace seems like it would totally help. Thanks

  1348. I’m pretty sure I’d choose Gaiman, mainly because a friend turned me on to American Gods and I have been hopelessly addicted to his stories ever since. I believe it’s true that he carries around a suitcase of badassery. I also believe that he has a standing citizenship in Narnia, that he knows the location of the Lost City of Atlantis, and also where Jimmy Hoffa is. I mean, those are just theories, but they are rooted in truth. In my mind.

  1349. It’s too late. I’ve already met my heroes.

    My kids. How they put up with my shit and still haven’t killed me in my sleep is awe-inspiring.

    That being said, I want that eyeball necklace thingy to put on their pillow for when they pull the sheets back. You’ll probably hear them screaming 3 states away. Priceless.

    See? Awe-inspiring.

    I’m sleeping with one eye open.

  1350. I want to meet YOU!!! You give me hope for a brighter tomorrow, and you make me believe that there is always light, even in the darkest of places. I have laughed with you and cried with you, and I would really just love to give you a hug. 🙂

  1351. Kurt Vonnegut and Dave Sedaris. I would probably explode if I was ever able to see the two of them in action, together, at the same time…. Sorry. Got a little p0rn-y there for a minute.

    Too bad that will never happen though. Unless we get a zombie Vonnegut. Which actually sounds a little bit awesome and a lotta bit scary.

  1352. I’ve got three heroes!
    1) Bill Nye. the Science Guy. I met him AND I got his autograph. I was in college and he was speaking at an event. Afterwards he was doing signings. He must have gotten up real early that morning, because by the time I got to him, he was sorta tired and cranky. I still think he’s a great person, but that kinda burst my bubble.

    2) Brandon Sanders, famous fantasy author type guy. At a book signing. he gave a great talk/discussion, but then he cranked through the autograph list like it was his job. Which it sorta is.

    3) Jen Yates, the CakeWrecks/Epbot lady. also at a book signing (is there another way to meet famous people that I haven’t figured out?). She was incredible! She looked at pictures of my baby dressed up in StarWars gear (politely!) gave me a shout out for all the glow sticks I brought to the event (for the rave) and was really nice to chat with. She wins!

  1354. Would love, love, love to meet Stephen King! Hopefully I get a chance before his #1 fan kidnaps him and feeds him to her pig or gets run down by another idiot playing with his dog while driving.

  1355. Stephen King. I love the man’s twisted sense of humor. If you can read his books and not laugh, in spite of the dark nature of most of his books, you aren’t as twisted as me. *grin* Alas, he seems to have an aversion to my town (Terre Haute, IN) – it only ever appears in his books as a bad place…

  1357. Ok – I want to be YOU when I grow up…=) I love this game – I especially like the one where you get to choose a hero even if they are dead – so I choose Emily Post. Cuz I really want to know if she truly believes the fork should go on the left. Or if she determined that it really doesn’t flippin’ matter. But needed to sell books and forks create controversy..which sells books.

  1358. Oops, I should probably read the whole thing before getting excited about the giveaway. Um, I would like to meet Hunter S Thompson, that is, if he were still alive : (

  1359. Well, YOU, of course, and Nanci Griffith. And if she couldn’t meet with me, well then I’d accept her writing a song for me in place of the meeting. Why a song? Because she could see things about me I couldn’t and give me a new perspective on this life I am trying to live.

  1360. I always wanted to meet Christopher Reeve’s Superman. I guess that’s never going to happen

  1361. Oooo! Neil Gaiman would be exciting to meet… although I think David Attenborough would be all gentlemanly and probably fascinating and George Takei seems like he would be fun fun fun. And you, of course, but you probably knew that already 😀

  1362. I always though it would be lovely to meet J.R.R. Tolkien… I hear he was quite fond of giving long readings of his work… I’ll bet he was a master at bedtime stories.

  1365. To prove my insanity, David Tennant, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Richie Sambora. I don’t need to explain Tennant, do I? JDM kicks butt and he’ll forever be John Winchester (from “Supernatural”) to me and Richie… he’s been my favorite Bon Jovi member since always so there we go. x

  1366. Obviously, i want to meet you, Jenny. But i’d also be down for a beauty pageant chat with Neil. And i feel like me and Neil Patrick Harris would be great texting buddies. And Tina Fey.

  1371. I’d like to meet William Gibson. I listened to him speak last year, and was blown away by his manner, as well as his intelligence.

  1372. I’d love to meet Stephen Colbert. I’m not sure which version though. I think being allowed to look inside his brain would be fascinating.

  1373. If fictional characters count, I’d kill to meet She Ra. If not, I’m thinking Elaborate Roosevelt. Strength was defined in that woman!

  1374. I spent my entire childhood as Wonder Woman – I’d love to meet the real one (p.s. I also make some badass jewellery if you want to check out my website, hint hint, mwah mwah)

  1375. Oh that’s so tough! For me it’d have to be between meeting Princess Diana or Diana Gabaldon. My favorite princess, or my favorite author, I can’t decide.

  1376. Meeting David Sedaris was amazing. We talked about transvestites for over 15 minutes. I would love to continue the conversation one day…

  1377. Is it bad not to have a Hero? I have people i admire though…so i’ll go with that…and I woudl probably say Ellen DeGeneres…I admire her and all that she does…at least shes all i can think of at this very moment….

  1378. I am dying to meet Amanda Palmer. Her music has brought me out of many dark places. I was even supposed to see her in concert in DC last week, but caught a horrible cold from my kindergartener and wussed out due to gigantic amounts of snot. Figures.
    Also- I love you Jenny Lawson!

  1379. Amy Poehler. Funny, smart, witty, daring, and speaks the truth from her heart on those “Ask Amy” vids.

  1381. Neil gaiman! Though I did meet him briefly once (the same day I met you and the same day you met him!) I would love to meet Jane Goodall. She is the most badass woman in the world. I don’t know anyone who could do the things she’s done. Amazing woman. 🙂

  1382. Since Tolkien is too…well… dead for me to meet, I’d love to meet Peter Jackson. I guess he’s the next best thing. Though I may die from excitement in his presence.

  1384. Hmmm… Either Lois Lowry or S.E. Hinton. Or maybe Judy Blume. They wrote the books of my childhood which I still go back and read.

  1385. I feel like I need to meet Tina Fey and Amy Poehler so I can just sit in their presence and hope to soak in some of their awesomeness and hilarity. Like being close to funny powerful women would rub off on me. <3

  1386. I would love to meet Neil Gaiman as he is the reason my cat is named Nobody. Also Joss Whedon. I’ve been in the same very large room as Mr. Whedon for a Doctor Horrible screening and Q & A, but never had the opportunity to actually meet him up close, which is probably better. I am sure I would make a complete fool of myself and send the man running in terrror.

  1388. I don’t think I have heroes at all any more. As Hank Hill said of shaking hands with The Usurper, “Anticipation… Surprise… Disappointment.” I did meet Bill Haast when I was a kid (he ran the Miami Serpentarium, and was a pioneer in snake venom research). As for folks nowadays, I’d prefer to have mild interest in someone whom I never meet so that I can continue to think well of that person because reality and data never intrude on happy thoughts.

  1393. My hero was my father and he died in 1994 when I was 23. Granted I had many good years with him. He was an excellent father and he is the reason that I turned out to be a good person. But now that I am 41 years old there is so much more that I would like to do with him and talk to him about. So I would really just like to talk to my dad just one more time.

  1394. would we have to call it brown-nosing if i said you? i don’t think i have a hero, but you are most certainly an inspiration!
    ps: a puddle jumping kid is a beautiful thing to behold <3

  1395. I would LOVE to meet you! I pissed out laughing at your story of the acid, drugs and the dildo in your book.

    I am sure you would be just like in my dreams, but better!

    I once met one of my favorite Spanish actresses, from ALmodovar movies, Loles Leon and she was phenomenal.

  1397. Phillip Pullman – he is one of my favourite authors. I was lucky enough to meet Bennedict Cumberbatch this year, so that was pretty awesome 😀

  1399. I want to meet an experienced member of the bomb squad. Not only will they have amazing stress-coping tips, but really, they’re going to have nothing to prove, so they could totally wear a sock-monkey hat or ride a carousel and be completely unapologetic.

  1401. I’ve met Jason Webley who I also saw along with Amanda Palmer as Evelyn Evelyn (some of the most fun ever) so that’s just a little removed from the wonderful Neil Gaiman who I would die to meet ( His books rock me and I read them to my grandchildren “read Crazy Hair Crazy Hair”) sigh

    the necklace rocks too 🙂

  1402. Ooh! I definitely want that! As for meeting my heroes…hmm, I can’t think of someone who is alive? Ada Lovelace if we can meet dead people.

  1404. Hes not really my hero, but wanted to meet Nic Cage before he got all cra cra. He was filming in my town and I heard he went to pet store every other day to buy iguana food (true story), so I put on my bad ass skull boots and headed up there. Saw him drive by, but heard he thought it was too crowded to come in.(I think he was afraid of being outshines by my bad assery) sooo, I bought my long haired chihuahua, Cage, instead. Now cage IS my hero and he protects and loves me every day.

  1407. I’ve met my hero Trent Reznor (a half dozen times), I’ve met Marshall Mathers (we smoked weed together for two days).
    But who I’d like to meet is:
    Matt Smith
    Chris Eccleston
    David Tennant (hey I’m a Whovian)
    Jenny Lawson!!!!
    Neil Gaiman (I could have shook his hand at An Evening With in Vancouver but smoking won that day. 4 hours is a long time to go without smoking)
    Amanda Palmer
    Wil Wheaton
    Felicia Day.
    There are others, but I’m lazy and poop and stuff.

    Check out my blog: Bottoming Out is about the first time I shook Trent Reznor’s Hand. Its a tale.
    http://vortexian.wordpress.com
    Oh I’ve also flipped off the Pope spectacularly. Probably a stupid thing to do… But he was a Cardinal and had the gall to try and BLESS ME!! I’m an Anti-Theist.

    Poop and stuff.

  1408. I’m really leery of heroes, and Kurt Vonnegut’s dead, so I’m not sure that there is anyone anymore.

  1409. I once had the pleasure and complete enjoyment of meeting Scott Hartnell from the Philadelphia Flyer, he was kind, funny and super Canadian::giggling:: he even had our meeting video taped and not in the creepy way too…
    I would love to meet Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters, people say he is the nicest guy in Rock n Roll-I would like to test that theory, haha

  1411. I ran into Tom Waits in the “ethnic” food aisle at an Albertsons store in Sebastopol, CA. He did not seem to be navigating the grocery store with confidence.

  1413. i want to meet you. And Danielle laporte. And Imogene heap. That’s pretty much my while list.

  1414. I would love to meet Bill Nye the Science Guy! He is one of the main reasons why I am so passionate about science, and I hear he can really bust a move!

  1415. Neil Gaiman rode an old, blue, handpainted school bus to my very own small town in South Carolina on Saturday last and told stories in a tiny venue downtown. Heaven!

  1416. I just spent a few minutes imagining who I’d like to meet and how that meeting might go. I started crying like a fool just thinking about what I’d say to Beverly Cleary. For her 90th birthday a couple years ago I wrote her a letter telling her how much her books meant to me as a child. I got a form letter back explaining that she’d received such a huge volume of mail that she could not respond to each individually but that she appreciated all the kind words. It was good enough for me. I mean, the lady was 90 YEARS OLD. But I’d still like to meet her and, if I must, blubber like an idiot to her face.

  1418. I’d love to meet Linda Holmes from NPR’s MonkeySee and hang out with her whole Pop Culture Happy Hour crew. B/c they’re pretty awesome.

  1419. Cool give away! I met Scott Hamilton once more than 5 years ago. It was after an event where he was speaking as a cancer survivor and about cancer research and related charities. He was a totally awesome, laid back kind of guy in person. The kind you could see yourself hanging out with at the neighborhood bar [in my mind it’s a bar decorated like Cheers] while drinking a brewski or two and discussing the hockey game.

  1420. Its funny, I was just having this conversation with some friends the other day.
    I too have met Neil Gaiman, and he is a wonderful person. His hair is perfectly fluffy and he is funny and charming. He signed American Gods for me and we got a picture together, too.
    On several occasions I have met Amanda Palmer – my favorite musician – and each time it has been a very positive experience. She’s incredibly open and easy to talk to. I’ve given her art as thanks for creating her music, and she’s given me flowers & hugs.
    I understand why people may not want to meet their idols, or why they may be cautioned against it, but in my experience it has only made me like them more.

  1421. I desperately want to meet Frank Welker. That man can do anything. The more I learn about him, the more amazing he is.

  1422. I would also really love to meet Neil Gaiman. And his wife, Amanda Fucking Palmer!

    One of the only things that I don’t like about living in Japan is that I cannot go see either of their performances without an overseas plane ticket. Unchained… Theatre Is Evil… I’m so jealous of you!!!

    The two of them plus you, lovely Bloggess, are the only reasons I use Twitter. Perhaps if you came to Japan again (preferably Osaka area), I could meet you! That would definitely make my day. Or week. Or month. Possibly even year.

  1423. Bill Nye is amazing in person. We’ve been in the same room a few times at conventions. I was too shy to speak up, but lingered at the edge of a group around him at a poster session….

    Bill Nye with his bowtie undone and a beer in his hand, too perfect.

  1425. My hero is a friend I met online. She keeps on getting knocks from life, but every time she gets back up and keeps on going when I think others would have given in a long time ago. We talk often, but we’ve never met and I think she’s the only person I’d really love to meet.

  1426. I’ve met the Barenaked Ladies, Adam Baldwin and the main cast of Star Trek: TNG..I was completely starstruck and couldn’t speak around them. I would love to spend some time with Wil Wheaton. I follow his blog and have said hello to him..He seems like an awesome guy.

  1428. You. You came to Charlotte NC. I’ve also met Jennie Breeden, who is the author of The Devil’s Panties. And I hope to meet Laurell K Hamilton one day…

  1429. I would like to meet the love child of Carl Sagan and Douglas Adams, who had been raised by the Doctor (not any of the actors, the actual character), educated by psychotic classicists and fed on irony pie.

  1430. ok, I don’t even care for the necklace, but have to say, I would fall down at Terry Pratchett’s feet any day. Runners-up in no particular order: Laurie Perry, our current President, Cookie A, Elizabeth II, and some for whom it’s too late: Betty Ford, Jim Henson — we shared a birthday –, Neil Armstrong.

  1431. FACKINAY, I missed this yesterday because it was my mom’s birthday and I was too busy being a good daughter to enter the blogosphere. Anyway, SHE is my hero, so… I was on task without even realizing it.

    I also love Amy Poehler – and Kristen Wiig!!! – She has filled the SNL void in my heart since Amy left. <3

    And yes I want a signed copy of your book, if you're still doing that!!! PUH-LEASE!!!!

  1432. It was a wasp. The monstrous insect perched precariously above my chamber door, was a wasp! My next door neighbor killed it this morning, in full view of the useless pile of fur that shares my home. It still woulda been way better had you come to kill it, like you did the 5-in centipede in your kiddo’s room last night, but, either way it’s dead. No thanks to the cat.

  1435. Amy Pond and Rose Tyler are my heroines. Why? Because they’re just so badass that it’s hard for anyone to compete. But since I’m talking Doctor Who I might as well say The Doctor (10 or 11.. or 9) and Rory. I definitely would love to meet Rory.

  1436. I want some famous and very smart physicists to move in to my home so that my husband will stop baffling me with strange physics stuff. I don’t know if it falls under hero but I want Kurt Cobain back from the dead so I can gawk at him while he sings he was so damn pretty. The cast of “It’s always sunny in Philidelphia” and the writers are heroes of mine that I would love to meet they are so twisted and funny.

  1437. I would have to think a long while to come up with a living heroes list, but I can name a few people I would like to meet (and haven’t yet):

    Neil DeGrasse Tyson
    Joss Whedon
    Penn and Teller
    Any astronaut who isn’t an asshat in real life (my astronaut fascination is more about the idea of it, not about any one of them, so I’m just asking… no asshats please?)
    the entire Wootstock team
    several bloggers, but mostly Allie Brosh so I could give her a hug

  1438. Bruce Campbell nearly stepped on me at NY Comic Con. I had camped out in a corner to rest and he came out of the mens’ room… couldn’t say hi (or sorry for almost tripping you) though because he had twelve staff surrounding him for protection from rabid fans. Not that I’m rabid, I’m more like, “sweet… it’s Bruce Campbell.”
    On a note closer to reality… My gram was a personal hero of mine. I still miss her so very much. 🙁

  1439. As a kid my heros were Mozart and Robert Ballard (the guy who found the titanic). I didn’t go into necromancy so I doubt I’ll ever meet the first but the second was on Colbert or Daily show or something and I screamed like the fan girl I am when he came on screen. I also remember begging my mom to take me to the Science Centre when he was doing a talk when I was a tween. Yeah I was that girl. Other girls loved michael Jackson or new kids on the block, I had posters of a scientist explorer on my walls.

  1440. I am such a nerd, but I would love to meet Bruce Sprinsteen. Even though I am not from Jersey, nor am in his “age demographic” but I am a huge fan and that man does some amazing philanthropic work. He is on the short list of people who, if I met them, I would probably be unable to actually speak and I would just mumble and cry a lot. A friend of mine met her hero Al Pacino and she said this what happened to her but despite her blubbering it was still an awesome experience.

  1441. WellFuckYeah…
    I’d love to win either some eyeball jewelry and wear it to Freak people the Eff out.
    I’d also love to win a copy of your book…I already have one. But then I could lend the old one out like a miniature, one book lending library. My friends will call me the Librarian.

    Thanks for helping me realize my dreams.
    ~~The Librarian

  1442. I don’t think I have any heroes I’d want to meet, because I’d just be stupid around them or be unable to say anything and then I’d be embarrassed and it would be a whole bad thing. So instead, I think I’d like to just continue admiring them from afar. However, I do think it would be awesome to have my son (3 years old) meet some of his heroes, because he’d just be soo enthused, so if you know where I could get ahold of Batman, Superman, or any other super hero, let me know! Also, I think my son would love having an eye necklace to wear to school and, honestly, I don’t think they think I’m a weird enough mom yet.

  1443. Dammit! How did I miss this last night? I miss everything cool.
    Well, I’ll contribute a hero anyway.
    I’d like to meet David Beckham, just so I could make an ass of myself in front of him and his gorgeousness.
    Maybe he’d pose in his Calvins for me???

  1445. I met Sam Elliott when I was a teenager and he was the coolest fucking cowboy. Totally laid back and he offered me a snack. Since I was a big Tombstone fan as well as a big fan of snacks… I thought he was golden!

    I’d love to meet Nathan Fillion but only if he’s wearing a browncoat (or nothing at all).

  1446. Having been in the entertainment industry for almost 20 years, I have met most of my MAJOR heros and just about all have been what I expected with some exceptions. My all time is Ann Wilson of Heart. She is gracious, kind, shy, and brilliant. I still have Cher and Kathy Griffin that I am stalking.

    I met you in Frisco on your book tour and I have to say that I have not stood in line for anyone in awhile and it was worth the 3 hour wait. You seemed as scared shitless as the rest of us. I love and support you.

  1447. I already “met” Jenny Lawson at a book signing and she did not disappoint. But I would still like to have a wine slushy with her.
    Keep up the good work Jenny!

  1448. I just read your book. I want to say thank you. My life is so fuck up in so many ways. I left my husband of 11 years for a man 20years older than me and turns out he is a coke addict. Not the kind in the can the other shit. Oh and he had an anger management problem on top of him alcoholism. YAY life!

    I hide my boyfriend’s problems from my family. I have two beautiful kids with my ex. They are the only thing that get me out of bed in the morning. Did I mention I just recently found out about my boyfriend’s bastard love child? Like I said …fucked up in so many ways.

    But, I have to admit your book made me smile and laugh through some of my hardest days.

    So…Thanks

  1449. (From my FB “About” page) People I’d like to meet:
    * John Denver, but he’s dead.
    * Neil Diamond. He’s not dead yet.
    * Peter Breinholt and Sam Cardon, musicians. (Got both of these!)
    * Jon Nakamatsu, the award-winning pianist.
    * Dr. Jack Horkheimer, the astronomer. Nope, he passed away 20 Aug 2010.
    * Harrison Ford. On an informal basis.
    * Clive Cussler. On his yacht or on a camping trip.
    * Kevin Spacey. I want to see if we really look alike.
    * Scott Hamilton, the skater.
    * Steve Allen, the television pioneer – no wait, he’s dead too.
    * The many Internet friends I’ve made over the years but never met in person.

  1450. Tough decision, but by the number of people on your blog I will say Neil Gaiman, as he has to really be out a lot and I might have a chance to meet him.

    My parents met Bob Hope in the grocery store in northern Indiana one day. My dad was floating on clouds for weeks and told everyone how nice Bob and his wife were. Stood and talked to my parents for quite a while.

    Seriously, for me I would like Ghandi, cause he is always making funny signs and faces and he sounds like fun, Terri Pratchett, because who would not want to spend five minutes in his head? And, Viggo Mortensen, because I love his name and he is hot, plus he gives out dark chocolate.

  1451. I would love to meet my hero Dolly Parton. She seems so genuine and enjoys being eye candy with a heart. She always dresses well and is always nice to the press. She even has her own theme park, Dollywood, how cool is that? No other living hero has their own theme park. To spend a day with Dolly I think would be a great day.

  1453. I’m too late to win anything, but my grandmother is my hero… she and a group of friends in college were known as The Hellions and went everywhere on roller skates. She’s 92 now and up until this year (when she had a stroke) was still as feisty as ever. They will never make another one like her, but my Dad says at least I get my crazy honest. 🙂

  1455. Just so everyone knows….I am going to take such good care of those two winners that they are going to add Jenny to their Christmas list… forever!

    The Bloggess and Brassy…we’ll be here all day. Try your waitress and tip the ribs! Muwah! ???

  1457. I am absolutely devastated that i missed my chance at my very own fantabulous eyeball necklace, particularly since I plan on buying one for my husband for christmas. This is what I obviously deserve for being a day late on reading my blogs. Such epic sadness shall never be cured. Unless their lunch special today is taco salad.

  1458. When I was 10, I met Mikhail Baryshnikov. I was one of the kids selected to perform with the American Ballet in my city. While waiting in the wings, Baryshnikov, who was the director of the company at that time, spoke with me and then kissed me on my cheek. A 10 year old ballerina’s fantasy celebrity experience. 🙂

  1459. Man! I totally should have read this post yesterday when the internet told me to…because I already have the answer in the form of a Pinterest board. It is by no means comprehensive because I only pin people to it – like they’re cyberbutterflies – when I’m reminded, “Oh, man! That person is so cool. I wish I could meet that person HEY! I’ll pin him/her, instead! Hooray!”
    SO my answer to the Who Would You Like To Meet question is: http://pinterest.com/erica_olivier/people-i-d-like-to-meet-and-then-kidnap-for-my-ver/

    And once I almost met Tim Conway but my dad wouldn’t let me. Because my dad was an asshole. And I did meet a big, famous rodeo guy but I didn’t know (or care) about rodeo things so I didn’t realize I was meeting someone famous and I don’t think he was impressed by my lack of being impressed with him. And I had a really hard time introducing myself to Cruella de Ville at Disneyland because I thought she looked busy.

  1460. I met Neil Gaiman in 2006. He’s one of my favorite authors and he was lovely. He drew a picture of the Sandman inside my copy of “Brief Lives” and said “Are you coming round for a photo?”. I went around the table and my friend snapped a pic of us together 🙂

  1461. I met Neil Gaiman last year!
    It was after Amanda Palmer’s concert in Amsterdam and she and Neil were sitting side by side at the merchandise table to chat and sign stuff. I’d planned to tell Mr Neil Gaiman that I loved his work and to thank Amanda Palmer for arranging such a wonderful night that had made the severe anxiety attacks I’d gone through that day to get to the venue so, SO very worth it – that last part I managed to do, after which Amanda said some very kind, comforting words to me (because she is fucking amazing) and kissed me square on the lips, thus shock-erasing anything else I might’ve wanted to say to a certain brilliant author completely from my mind and I don’t know, I may have told Neil something like ‘huboo flarge hargen?’ or something instead . (to his credit, his face remained completely neutral throughout the exchange)

    So to put a long story short, I guess I’d like to meet Neil Gaiman again for a do-over. And possibly to apologize for kissing his wife.

  1462. I once met Neil and blathered like a complete idiot. I was dressed up like Lydia from Beetlejuice, tbough, so I’m hoping he won’t recognize me next time. 🙂

  1463. I’d have to say that you definitely count as one of my heroes, you’ve managed to find ways to cope with your issues, you’re intelligent, hilarious and amazing, I’d LOVE to meet you, but you never seem to come out to Ohio, I don’t blame you personally I wouldn’t come here either if I had a choice <3 But my Fiance is going to college, so no choice for now…I want to go out west, but he's got this silliness about liking trees and grass.

  1464. I think it’s well past any decision making, but I wanted to contribute my two cents anyway.

    Meeting a hero does seem a bit weird. I think what makes the whole situation heartbreaking (for most people, at any rate) is that this person you so admire may seem like part of your family to you, but you’re a perfect stranger to them. It’s what makes fandom so very awkward. There are these properties (books, comics, TV shows, whatever) that, by their very nature, are meant to move you and get into your heart. They do it so effectively, so you feel like you know these characters or actors or what-have-you. They may be dearer to you than any other friend you have, simply because they may offer you the comfort and support you need at a pivotal time in your life.

    There are several people I’d want to meet, but I would want it to be more of a sit down and have dinner/coffee/a drink and actually talk to the person rather than meet them at a Con and get an autograph, maybe talking to them for all of two minutes. That list would of course include your wacky self as well as Mr. Gaiman, but others would be:

    David Tennant
    Queen Elizabeth I
    Joss Whedon
    Wil Wheaton
    Felicia Day

    Just to name a few. They are people that, for some reason or another, inspire me to do what I love, regardless of how impractical it may seem.

    Also, who wouldn’t want to have a drink with The Doctor?

  1467. I realize I’m pretty late to the party here. That’s what I get for not checking in yesterday. However, I still want to comment because I was sitting here, thinking, thinking, thinking about who I’d want to meet. Then I was reading through the comments and thinking some more. Surely if I could meet anyone, anyone in the whole world, it would be someone famous, or someone who had done something incredible. Right?

    But the only person who comes to mind is my mom. I’d just spend more time with her. She’s not famous. But she’s pretty damn incredible. My aunt died last week, so lately I’ve been thinking about a lot of things. Remembering a lot of things. Like my mom raising three kids basically by herself because my dad traveled a lot for his job (not that my dad isn’t great – he’s pretty much the greatest man to ever live). And sitting in the car, waiting, while she went to the bank to fill out paperwork for a loan so we could have Christmas. And how she always remembers your favorite meals and makes them for you when you need a pick me up.

    And let’s face, she raised some pretty fucking awesome kids. She only gave birth to three of us, but she’s mothered hundreds throughout her years of teaching in inner city schools and children’s shelters. Taking extra time with the kids everyone else wrote off as lost causes.

    So yeah. I’d just spend more time with her. Because mortality is a bitch.

  1468. For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to meet Ja’net DuBois, the actress who played Willona on Good Times. She was my favorite television character growing up and I still watch the show when I’m feeling blue – she was a hoot and a half and someday I’d love to have lunch with her. Weird, I know.

  1469. For those who missed out on the drawing (and I hope this is ok and not breaking rule #642) here is a Bloggess exclusive COUPON to use in my shop. Use coupon JENNYROCKS for 15% off. Why? Because Jenny Rocks!

    ~ Dr Brassy

  1470. I’ve never actually met one of my idols, but I did accidentally bump into David Suzuki once. I said sorry and he looked mildly confused like he didn’t even notice that I had touched his bum with my hip.

    There’s a whole pile of people I’d love to meet – David Tennant, Nathan Fillion, Felicia Day, Tim Minchin, Amanda Palmer… But the best one to meet would be Wil Wheaton. I think he’s awesome, but my boyfriend can’t stand him, so I totally want to get a picture of me and Wil Wheaton, preferably with a hug or a kiss on the cheek. It would be hilarious and awesome. My bf would totally do the Sheldon scream of “WHEEEEEAAAAAATOOOOOOONNNNN!!!” Epic.

  1471. I met Neil Gaiman twice, the first when he was giving a reading at my University. He noticed my UK edition of Neverwhere and signed it with the “Mind The Gap” after listening to my story of being stuck in London after 9/11. I had told him how his books got me through being away from my family, and he seemed to be genuinely moved. And I meant it, his writing has always gotten me through the worst. (My parents dying, 9/11, being laid off, you name it.) Letting us into his imagination like that is a gift.

  1472. I wish I could have met Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss for the rest of us).
    Any man that can come up with that much useful craziness has got to be a BAD BAD MAN to party with.

    “Being crazy isn’t enough.”
    “In my world, everyone’s a pony and they all eat rainbows and poop butterflies!”
    “We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.”
    “ASAP. Whatever that means. It must mean, ‘Act swiftly awesome pacyderm!”

  1473. Sorry I missed this! But I would still like to meet Stephen King. Only not at night…or in any type of secluded area. He’s badass and I love him but I’m not crazy.

    Neil Gaiman is a close second though. My husband works for the Chronicle too! Why aren’t we best friends?

  1474. I’d love to have met Lillian Moller Gilbreth, the original mom of “Cheaper by the Dozen” fame. She obtained a Ph.D. in psychology at the beginning of the 20th century, and was one of the very first women engineers (in addition to popping out a few children). I’ve always thought she was amazing.

  1475. I love the necklace and I should get it because I live in Nova Scotia and everyone knows Nova Scotian’s are like leprechauns and bring you good luck, so you so should be nice to them.

  1476. I love the necklace and I should get it because I live in Nova Scotia and everyone knows Nova Scotians are like leprechauns and bring you good luck, so you so should be nice to them.

  1477. I would say that my hero would have to be my sister, so I guess I have met her. I have watched her deal with being sexually assaulted at a young age, get married and later change her entire life and be true to herself, go back to college and get her master’s degree, watch three children graduate from college, is an amazing grand mother, go through her best friends battling and losing to cancer and in the end you will never a negative word come out of her mouth. She truly is and always has been my hero.

  1478. Aww. It is 8 pm west coast time and I must have missed the deadline (oh surprise) for commenting to win an eyeball. I was going to say I’d like to meet YOU, as a hero, because you crack me up. And I’d like to meet David Sedaris. Both of you make me laugh and rebalance when I get too focused or off kilter about some issue, which – being one of those Type A’s – is all the time. Humor, a healthier (and more effective) alternative than drugs! Thank you!

  1479. I met Eddie Vedder (twice) and it was pretty damn perfect both times. It was kind of a sad scene — across a gate, in the middle of the night, with his bodyguard present, after I waited outside his tour bus for HOURS — yep. But he held my hand and looked into my eyes for a sincere moment and gave me thoughtful replies. Then he gave me his autograph: Love, Eddie Vedder.

    The next time I met him, I thought I was going to get trampled by other fans so I pulled away from the throng and got in the back of the Eddie Vedder receiving line. When he finally got to me, he thought I had gone back for seconds, and tried to wave me off. I gasped. Then he saw the devastated horror in my eyes. That’s when he grabbed my hands and said “I’m so sorry,” totally serious. That is one sensitive man.

    I wrote this about him:
    http://missadventures-in-pgh.blogspot.com/2011/08/eddie-vedder.html

  1480. I met Neil Gaiman once! It was at Book Expo the year that Coraline came out. He was doing a signing of advance copies and seemed genuinely surprised that I had Sandman comics for him to sign. He was ill prepared and had to borrow a pen that would show up on the comic books. Now if only I had half a brain and took those first edition signed Sandman comic books with me when I left my ex. Ah well.

  1481. I would like to give my teenage son one of those cool necklaces. Just so I can keep an “eye” on him….

  1482. When I was 16 years old I went to a Sci-Fi convention with my friends, who were very, very into it. I just went for the being out of my houseness of the whole thing. It was the 80s. Also, it was in Baltimore. Late Saturday night I managed to get cut from the herd somehow. After wandering around the hotel avoiding friendly-drunk unwitting pedophiles I found myself alone in the elevator. The doors opened and in staggered a truly drunk old (remember, I was 16 – he could have been anywhere between 30 and 1,000 years old, though in truth he was probably 60) fella who went straight for my dear little underaged boobs. The doors shut. He tried to rip open my shirt. He was followed by an entourage of giggling, equally drunk young people, who made no effort to help me. (What is wrong with people?) When the doors opened on the next floor, I was relieved to see two of my dear friends. You would think they would have assisted me, sexual assault in progress and all, but no. These two idiots took one look at this gross slob of a man and with wild eyes and flapping hands start shouting, “Isaac Asimov! Isaac Asimov!” at him. Because that’s who it was. Asimov evidently had been booked for a late night boob signing and had assumed I was in line. It was not a “legitimate” signing, however.
    I’ve heard it said that Asimov published in every category of the Dewey decimal system. I’m proud to say the only topic he never wrote on was, you guessed it, my boobs.

  1483. I want to meet John Barrowman. I would like to tell him that it’s not ok for a man that’s so awesome to be gay! Don’t get me wrong, I love my gays and all, but gawd damn it! It’s just not fair.

  1484. So … I don’t read sci-fi so here is something random… Ida B Wells… a lady who never got the attention for being a total badass. She was amazing. She is dead. Is that a problem?

  1485. OMG! Neil Gaiman is coming to my town for a book festival next week and doing a VIP meet and greet at my alma mater!!! I just bought my ticket. I’m so excited!

  1486. I’ve run into a lot celebrities (and sub-lebrities) and it is always a total crap shoot, much like meeting regular people…you never know what you are going to get. Hands down the coolest and nicest of the bunch was Anderson Cooper, Super Cooper is the nicest sublebrity in the world, which is why I now call him Super Cooper.

    By the way I never call it “called on account of rain” I made up my own bad-ass word “precipifoiled”, as in “We were going to naked golfing but it started to hail/rain/snow and were precipifoiled”. I don’t have many life goals but one is to get that word into websters.

  1487. I have run into Garrett Wang (Ensign Harry Kim on “Star Trek- Voyager”. Also my first crush.) every year at Dragon Con for the past four years. He’s always super friendly and takes time to talk to you, even if you can’t actually manage to speak because you’re too busy having a panic attack. For the fourth year in a row.

    And I’m still mad I missed your book signing in Atlanta! You are proof that you can be a functioning, happy human being with a life, even with OCD, major depression, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (I was diagnosed with all three in my teens).

  1488. When I was 18 I met Isaac Asimov at a science fiction convention. I was at artist’s booth looking at the original of the painting that was on the cover of his most recent book, and I heard someone behind me say “it’s not for sale, Isaac.” I turned around and there he was, large as life, and me with a copy of the book in my tote bag. When I asked him for an autograph, he looked at me over his glasses and said “does that mean I get a kiss?” I figured it made a good story, so the answer was hell, yeah.

    Give my regards to Neil Gaiman – he is awesome.

  1489. Um… I just saw Cary’s story about meeting Isaac Asimov – apparently we were at the same convention, but my meeting took place in a much more public place. Guess I should count my blessings.

  1490. I guess I’m just a giant dork. I want to meet Jon Stewart and Neil DeGrasse Tyson. And I want them both to end up thinking I need to wear a helmet on the short bus, because if I had them to myself I would ask them complex political and scientific questions and just grill them both for hours. If I had roofies and a lack of conscience, I would do dirty dirty things to them both.

  1491. While I have a long list of dead scientists and the like (Darwin, Rachel Carson, Stephen J Gould etc.) I would like to meet E.O. Wilson who studies ants but is an amazing scientist and all around cool dude when it comes to ecology. However, I did meet and geek out on Barbara Pekarsky (retired prof from Cornell) as well as David Strayer a guy who works on freshwater mussels. And even though most people don’t know who these people are it meant the world to a student of freshwater ecology to have these two people encourage me to keep doing science.

  1493. I met Jerry Only, the bassist of The Misfits, once. I shouldn’t say “met” though, because that implies that there was a conversation and we spent time together instead of what actually happened.
    What actually happened was after he got done playing his concert he jumped down into the crowd and started signing stuff and taking pictures with fans. I was up against the fence in the front row of the venue and he soon made his way to me. I wanted to tell him so much! I wanted to say how much I loved the music he played and how I’m so glad he’s keeping the show going instead of making some spin off band like the other original members. I wanted to tell him he’s still sexy and buff after all these years of rocking out.
    But he got to me and all I could say was that I would love it if I could get him to sign my ticket and take a picture with me. What I REALLY wanted to do was at least get a hug from him, but he’s so covered with spikes and studs that’s kind of impossible.
    When he finally moved on to the other fans my brain came back and I realized how much I really geeked out over him. Oh well, at least I was the only girl with a mohawk that night. He’s gotta remember that at least. Right?

  1494. I feel sadly deficient because I never can think of someone to name. Oh, there are many people I’d love to meet, but there isn’t one that stands out.

    I probably should say Baby Jesus because I like babies a lot and that particular one could earn me some points if that whole point-system thing is for real. Plus, Sister Ethel – she did a number on me.

    If we’re playing this alive-or-dead version, then I’d pick my grandpa. Over anyone else, I would choose to spend another hour or two with him. It’s not meeting someone you don’t know at all, but I would count him as my hero and even though it’s been over 30 years, I miss him a lot. I didn’t get to say goodbye.

  1495. Stephen King. No question. He’s a large part of the reason I’ve become the lunatic I am today. Plus, his voice is all wonky.

  1496. I had to laugh at the rain comment because we used to live in Austin and it drove me nuts that people freaked out when it rained.

    I personally dream of meeting George Lucas, because he was the most influential man during my childhood. But I will agree that Neil Gaiman sets the bar pretty high. We had the chance to hear him speak at an event for our local library, and he was amazing. My daughter is a huge fan, and he was nice enough to pose for a picture with her.

  1497. I met Larry Byrd too, and like your previous commenter felt he was a total asshole. I was like 11, saw him at Logan Airport. It was 5 am and NObody was around, it’s not like I was going to draw a crowd (you know, to the 9’23” white man) and he acted like I was raping his goldfish when I asked for him to autograph my TeenBop magazine. I wanted to say “Listen asshat, I don’t watch basketball and I don’t care who you are. I only came over because my mom told me to. When she pointed at you and asked if I knew who you were I thought you were my uncle Steve. Relax.”
    True story.

  1498. I think either Misha Collins or John Green. I might actually be able to meet Misha since I took part in GISHWHES which you should totally look up and take part in. Okay, yeah. Bye.

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