Starstruck at Blogher
Written by whoorl · Filed Under call me quirky, happy happy joy joy, mass media, photos
Come take a stroll with me down memory lane.
It’s 2:45pm on Saturday. I’ve just run up to my hotel room in an attempt to briefly thaw my corpse-like legs before the next session. I turn on the television set, realize ESPN bowling just isn’t going to hack it and grab the nearest Blogher schedule to skim over. Holy shit! I forgot about the room I’ve been wanting to visit since I arrived! The “celebrity” of all celebrities is in that room!
I grabbed my bag and walked hurriedly to the elevator. My heart seemed to beat out of my chest while thinking of the possibilities. What if I get the chance to have a short conversation? What should I say? Should I go for an awkward hug?
I had no time to think. I needed to get to this room before the next onslaught of people arrived on their break. I weaved through the hallways, staring straight ahead, careful not to catch the glance of anyone who could slow me down.
And then I arrived. The minute I walked into the room, I saw the Blogher VIP across the way and immediately started to cry. CRYING, PEOPLE. “Oh, Jesus”, I thought to myself, “Get it together, Whoorl! What am I, FOUR??”
I couldn’t help it. I was staring at such an inspiration. I wiped the tears off my face and walked straight over to introduce myself and maybe secure a photo or two.
I must say, Grover did not disappoint. I was suddenly a five-year-old again, just thrilled to get a hug from the famous puppet.
Although, Grover, are you attempting to cop a feel?
Let me help you with that hand, Grover. Okay, much better.
For those Sesame Street fans, Eric Jacobson (whose face is in the second photo) has been the only person to puppeteer Grover besides Frank Oz. (Is it just me or do Eric and Grover resemble each other?)
More non-puppet Blogher fodder to come…
Mandee
July 23rd, 2008 8:04 amGrover has always been my favorite. The first book I bought my nephew was the “Do not turn the page book.” I can totally understand your nervousness.
Jenn
July 23rd, 2008 8:15 amattempting, nothing! I’d say he’s succeeding!
slynnro
July 23rd, 2008 8:35 amDude, Grover’s a perv. But you’re hot, so it’s not like you can blame him.
ashley.marie
July 23rd, 2008 8:35 amYAY! GROVER!!! None of this Elmo business. :)
Yes, he does look like Grover. I love how he’s opening his mouth along with Grover in the first picture. :)
andrea
July 23rd, 2008 8:44 amGrover is my muppet. I spent my childhood reading ‘The monster at the end of this book’ and am now reading it to Charlie and still feel that same sense of relief when I come to the end and it is just ‘Lovable, furry old Grover’ after all. I think I would have cried meeting him too, lucky lady!
feefifoto
July 23rd, 2008 8:48 amMy parents know a guy who actually named his son Grover in honor of Grover.
Lawyerish
July 23rd, 2008 8:55 amThese pictures are beyond cute. I think I might have cried upon meeting Grover, too. I absolutely cannot wait to read “The Monster at the End of this Book” to Noelle.
Grover rules.
Camels & Chocolate
July 23rd, 2008 9:09 amHahaha, and here I thought you were going to say Dooce. I bet Wito loved that!
In other news, all of my favorite bloggers posted pictures with you (another of my favorite blogettes!), and I’m still weeping over not being there last weekend. Hopefully, you’ll all be attending again next year, at which point I will drop all to be there.
kat
July 23rd, 2008 9:23 ami love your face in the first one - so cute!
and the puppeteer looks EXACTLY like grover!
The Over-Thinker
July 23rd, 2008 9:32 amI’m glad you said the thing about the resemblance because it’s uncanny.
Saerah
July 23rd, 2008 9:36 amLucky you! Grover (or Grofer, as I call him) has always been my favorite, too. I’m 44.
metalia
July 23rd, 2008 9:50 amThat first shot is one of the cutest pictures of you I’ve ever seen.
PS: I totally would’ve cried, too.
regan
July 23rd, 2008 9:51 amGrover’s handler does look like Grover. Weird.
Rhi
July 23rd, 2008 9:51 amDude, Grover totally got to second base with you.
ali
July 23rd, 2008 10:34 amgrover is a hottie. i can see why you’d be starstruck.
Lauren
July 23rd, 2008 10:59 amUm, Grover is one lucky puppet. Clearly, he is as star-struck as you are.
Also: what’s the company that your bag came from? I can see a little hint of grey (NOT A STALKER) and I remembered a post some time ago about the Bag Saga.
diane
July 23rd, 2008 11:21 amLove the first picture!
Was cookie monster there too?
Isabel
July 23rd, 2008 11:46 amI would have cried too.
mrs k
July 23rd, 2008 12:10 pmI was going to ask the same thing- is Grover or the guy who ‘directs’ Grover trying to cop a feel?
Too cute!
Kristin
July 23rd, 2008 12:13 pmHe totally was copping a feel. And look how gleeful his voice looks about the whole thing.
Loralee
July 23rd, 2008 12:57 pmOf all the things that I regret not getting to do at BlogHer this one is the BIGGEST.
I wuv that hunk-a-hunk of blue fuzzy love.
gorillabuns
July 23rd, 2008 12:59 pmI would have cried too but only because puppets totally creep me out.
BeachMama
July 23rd, 2008 1:12 pmAwww, how cool!!
Angela
July 23rd, 2008 1:39 pmI got all teary, too, and my video was with Abby Cadabby! (Who?!) If Grover had been my character? Holy crap. I can’t even imagine.
joslyn
July 23rd, 2008 1:56 pmSarah…i had the exact same experience when i visited grover on Friday…i was totally starstruck, yes tears. it was a high point of the conference for me too…
i actually got quite crafty and used the experience to attempt my 4 year old daughter to finally give up her pacifier (i know, i know…four.years.old…)
I did the little video with him and asked him to tell her it was time to let her “passie” go. Then i brought it home and stuck it in the dvd player monday morning…and SUCCESS…she’s been pacifier free for almost three days.
I. love. grover.
Lisa
July 23rd, 2008 2:10 pmI love these photos so much!
Angella
July 23rd, 2008 2:33 pmYou are totally making me regret not meeting Grover.
(PS - MISS YOU)
Susan
July 23rd, 2008 3:36 pmAnd here I thought you were going to recap cocktails with Chris and me. BUT NO.
MommyTime
July 23rd, 2008 6:05 pmI am so glad you wrote that about the puppeteer! (which is a stragely hard word to spell; no combinations of letters look right) Because I was going to say EXACTLY that but felt a little weird about it. Eric looks precisely like a human version of Grover. Do you suppose that’s why they picked him? Bizarre.
Assertagirl
July 23rd, 2008 6:18 pmI BAWLED MY FACE OFF when I saw Grover. I had to go away and collect myself. It was so, so touching.
Kristabella
July 23rd, 2008 7:19 pmHe totally looks like Grover! And really can you blame Grover and Man Who Looks Like Puppet Grover for wanting to cop a feel?
san
July 23rd, 2008 7:55 pmWe only briefly met when you were getting ready Saturday morning (when I came by with Jenny to come and get Kerri…), so Hi! :)
I am in love with Grover. Coolest Sesame Street character EVER!
Kaili
July 23rd, 2008 9:59 pmSo awesome! Wito must love the pictures of you with Grover!!
Love to hear more about your adventure at BlogHer!
cc
July 23rd, 2008 11:15 pmGrover was my favorite part too. I spent so much time in that room, but was unable to get a photo, or make a dvd. Still, it was one of the highlights of our trip.
Madame Queen
July 24th, 2008 5:54 amI totally would have cried, too. In fact, I’m tearing up just thinking about it. Grover is by far my favorite.
“Near…….Far. Near……Far.” I love me some Grover.
Dr. Maureen
July 24th, 2008 6:38 amIf someone had told me I could meet Grover at BlogHer, I would have sold my car to pay for the tickets. GROVER! YOU MET GROVER!
Nate
July 24th, 2008 6:48 amJEALOUS.
Laura
July 24th, 2008 8:00 amGrover is my favorite, too! I understand your rush of emotion. You guys are lucky to have found each other.
Amalah
July 24th, 2008 9:53 amI am STILL wailing over here that I did not get to meet you. OR Grover, even though I kept putting my name on The List and then missing my name being called.
I gave Noah one of Mrs. Flinger’s CondomCards instead. I am awesome.
Daisy
July 24th, 2008 10:04 amGrover! And here I was thinking you were stalking one of the other bloggers! Love the pictures.
Bry
July 24th, 2008 10:52 amSo cute! I would have been teary too :)
Kristin
July 24th, 2008 12:59 pmI totally thought the same thing about Grover copping a feel! Hilarious.
» Blog Archive » Friday Bullets!
July 25th, 2008 9:56 am[…] Tomorrow, I will be attending a farm dinner with a special someone. I am wearing this dress that Whoorl wore to meet Grover. […]
monkeygirl
July 25th, 2008 3:15 pmI’m with Lauren in terms of wanting to know the 411 on your outfit, but want to know about your dress and necklace. Can you share that info? You look awesome, as always!
Jeana
July 25th, 2008 8:28 pmYou think you were being violated. Look what Eric’s doing to Grover. Sheesh.
martymankins
July 31st, 2008 9:57 amGood thing Grover kept his hands below your rack. Don’t want to ruin any images of who Grover should be.
Now Oscar.. I would expect him to try and cop a feel.
Kaza
July 31st, 2008 6:29 pmHi! New reader here (and fairly new blogger). Just had to say that I LOVE GROVER and how cool is it that you got to meet him and his puppeteer? (And yes, they do look alike.) This really just made my day (how dorky is that?). Grover was my fave as a kid and cracks me up now that my 3-year-old is watching him.
Kudos, by the way, for looking so fabulous while being hugged (felt up?) by a muppet!!!!