Got Fame?

[vakkotaur]

One thing going around LJ is to list the various famous people one has met. I read a few of these listings and recognized some folks on them, and completely failed to recognize some others. How is fame defined for this? Someone I might consider notable may be notable not to everyone but only to a certain group. This is plain as many of the listing have an explanation of who each famed person is which indicate that they are not universally known. I mentioned this to a guy at work and replied that his brother-in-law has a 'dead pool' with the requirement that someone in it must have made national headlines at least once. I'm not about to use that definition.

For a moment I figured I hadn't met anyone famous and then re-thought it. I may not have met universally known celebrities, but that doesn't bother me. In no particular order:

I've met, ever so briefly, science fiction author David Gerrold. But chances are unless you read a fair of science fiction I needed to say who he was or you'd be thinking, "Who?" right now. Maybe you are anyway.

I've met open-source advocate Eric S. Raymond.

I live with jmaynard, someone who has been on national TV several times now and is well-known as "Tron guy" across the web. But I've met people who are often on-line who hadn't heard of any of the goings on. It took months before anyone locally knew - unless I told them myself.

I've dined and been to faire with irpooh who was in a Clint Eastwood movie - but isn't a nationally known movie actress.

I've never met animator Tom Minton, but I've had a few IM conversations with him.

I've exchanged e-mails with a few folks involved in comic book production (writers, pencillers, inkers, letterers, and an editor, I don't recall any exchange with a colorist).

I've met kinkyturtle who is rather well known for his cartoon diaries in some circles. I've had brunch with (that is, sitting right next to at the same table) unclekage, Dr. Samuel Conway. At that same table was Buckles creator David Gilbert. Also, I've talked with Bill Holbrook who creates Kevin and Kell as well as a couple newspaper comic strips. Not at that table, but at the same event was the_gneech who is the person behind The Suburban Jungle.

I know several folks involved with Renaissance Faires, some are performers, others are faire organizers. Some of these folks are: aedifica, foolscap001, ginafae, irpooh, jmthane, malterre though we've never actually met, melissasutton, mnfiddledragon, rillaspins, and wendyzski.

And I've probably forgotten a few people.

ADDENDUM: Yes, I did miss someone. I met animator Jon McClenahan. Heck, I hosted the small gathering at which he appeared for a handful of Animaniacs fans. How'd I forget that?!

Comments

[rillaspins.livejournal.com]

And we know you. In fact I referenced you yesterday, but not by name.

Even a nobody like me likes to be mentioned. Thanks!!

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

I referenced you yesterday, but not by name.

How worried should I be?

[rillaspins.livejournal.com]

not at all. It was in reference to the Ox costume you were talking about. Didn't use your lj name or real name, just said I knew an ox. Still giggling over the thought of you and Jay dressed a Vatican Guards, though.

[aedifica]

Oh my. It was very odd, and kinda neat, to see myself included. Thanks!

[aedifica]

And wendyzski!

Oops.

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

How'd I miss her? Anyway, added now.

[malterre.livejournal.com]

I have faith we'll get to meet. I plan to see JMThane in October and Ginafae in April. If you ever want to come to an East Coast faire let me know. (and if you aren't careful, may end up working one if I'm shorthanded :)

[cathyr19355.livejournal.com]

One thing going around LJ is to list the various famous people one has met. Really? Your entry is the first I've heard of this fad. All right, I'll play.

I'm married to open-source advocate Eric S. Raymond.

I was romantically involved with Richard M. Stallman once, a long time ago.

I used to end up at the same depositions as Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, and had lunch with him (and a bunch of other lawyers representing asbestos companies, which is what we all were doing at the time) at least once.

I'm friends with jaymaynard, and since I was one of the judges at the Masquerade where his Tron costume debuted and won, I suppose I'm partly responsible for his "Tron guy" fame. I've been kept afloat during various Penguicon and Linucon panels by howardtayler, wilwheaton (and, for that matter, kinkyturtle, who does a great Peter Jackson imitation). I had a couple of long telephone conversations with former New York Governor Mario Cuomo one day at work (yes, at work).

That's about it for my links to "famous" people. Now, if you'd asked about interesting people, I could write volumes. :-)

Oops

[cathyr19355.livejournal.com]

I almost forgot. I've eaten breakfast with Linus Torvalds, bought lunch for SF author and Baen editor Eric Flint, played various Rio Grande Games at cons with SF author Walter Hunt, was kissed by Issac Asimov long ago, had SM Stirling explain to me why he decided not to become a lawyer, and visited the homes of Steve Jackson (of Steve Jackson Games) and SF/fantasy author Anne McCaffrey. And yes, there may well be more--I've been in fandom long enough (I'm not counting things like taking the same elevator at a con with authors and artists at SF cons....)

Re: Oops

[jmaynard.livejournal.com]

had SM Stirling explain to me why he decided not to become a lawyer
This should be interesting. Tell?

Re: Oops

[cathyr19355.livejournal.com]

It is, though after all these years I doubt I can tell it as interestingly as he did.

Steve is Canadian, and in Canada before you can be admitted to the bar to practice you must first serve an apprenticeship for a number of years (I forget exactly how long) with an experienced attorney. The attorney Steve ended up serving his apprenticeship with was the world's worst shyster. He pilfered money from client accounts, he missed court dates, ignored files, etc. Worse, he was a sole practitioner, so Steve and the guy's secretary ended up trying to cover for him, again and again. Eventually, the guy got himself disbarred, and although no one blamed Steve for what had happened, the experience left such a bad taste in Steve's mouth that he decided to abandon his efforts to become a member of the bar himself.