Comments on: Precious Moments

By: @edwardra3

@edwardra3 — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 03:53:52 +0000

I once shared an elevator with Tom Savini on Haloween. He tried to give my friend some costume tips and she completely blew him off. That's really the closest I've ever come to meeting anyone famous. Frankly, I've never been that impressed with famous people. It's great that they are talented and have achieved success, but I really doubt that talking to them personally would actually cause me to be more successful.

By: @Scott_Allison

@Scott_Allison — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 11:10:52 +0000

I've really enjoyed reading your blog so far this year Clay! This is a great question. The problem with meeting a big star is it's completely unlike meeting normal people – you don't meet someone for the first time and give them your life story in 60 seconds. Normally you meet through a few touch points and develop the relationship each time. Try and think what everyone else is going to say – say something different, something memorable and then follow up afteerwards for something perhaps more meaningful.

Tim Ferris wrote about his approach:

http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2008/05/03/p...

By: clayhebert

clayhebert — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:37:28 +0000

Great story, Em. I wasn't happy when Gourmet folded either. My aunt & uncle would always renew my subscription for Christmas, so this year they got me "Secret Ingredients: The New Yorker Book of Food and Drink". I haven't dug into it much yet but I bet you'd like it.

Crazy about your dream and the timing. Glad that Ruth is OK, even if Gourmet is not.

I would love to meet Jay-Z and Giada as well. Separately.

By: clayhebert

clayhebert — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:08:32 +0000

Thanks, Tim. I doubt you would stammer – you're a smooth character. If you want to meet Seth, let me know next time you're in New York. I would also like to meet Bono. The closest I've come is the third row of a U2 concert.

I'm excited to read your personal impact statement post. Makes me think I should do the same.

By: Emily Cavalier

Emily Cavalier — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:18:31 +0000

This happened to me.

My company was working with Wired Magazine on an event during the summer of 08, and the event was at Conde Nast headquarters. Behind the scenes, I was in a room right next to the test kitchens for Gourmet Magazine (RIP). Out walks Ruth Reichl. (One of the people I had always wanted to meet … blogged about it here http://bit.ly/6uM80p).

Because I was in her workplace and she had no idea who I am, I just wanted to say hello and take as little time as possible. I went up to her, introduced myself and shook her hand and just thanked her for all her work at Gourmet.

That's it. It was before my food site launched or any of that. No pitching. Just one person admiring another.

And you know what's weird? Late last year, I had a bad dream that Ruth was killed in a car crash. I woke up so sad, but relieved it was just a dream. After I got to work, the announcement broke that Conde was killing Gourmet. Strange.

Really thankful for the opportunity. Guess I have to start plotting for what I'm going to say when I meet Jay-Z, Lil' Kim and Giada Di Laurentiis.