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I recently watched the The Big Bang Theory episode in which Sheldon Cooper meets his idol, Stephen Hawking. That's in season 5 episode 21 which aired on April 5th, 2012, proving yet again that I'm always a year behind on the pop culture scene but that's parenting for you. Anyway, the episode sparked an interesting conversation between my husband and I about who we'd most want to meet if we could meet anyone: live, dead, or fictional. I knew my fellow GeekMoms would surely have some very interesting choices, and as usual, they didn't fail to entertain brilliant choices!
Live
Stephen Fry
Jules: Stephen Fry, because he is a fascinating person, highly intelligent and has some interesting life experiences, including his battle with mental illness.
Andrew Wiles
Ariane: Andrew Wiles, who solved Fermat's Last Theorem. I remember studying the theorem in a Number Theory class and I got really excited to learn that the world's most difficult math problem had been solved in my lifetime. From that moment on, it's been my dream that I would one day be able to shake Wiles' hand! Can you imagine being able to say "I met the guy who solved Fermat's last theorem"?! So cool!
Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor
Laura: Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, the researcher whose own stroke taught her about the expansive beauty beyond language.
Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
Dakster: Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche - He's an inspiration to me when it comes to overcoming anxiety and panic attacks. I would love to sit with him and discuss what I've been doing and listen to the advice I know he could give me.
Felicia Day
Sophie: I imagine most people could never live up to the projection of them in my mind but I'd probably pick Felicia Day. We share the same sense of humour and interests, I'd love to do a Flog segment with her one day. Well, either her or Nathan Fillion - just for his sense of humour you understand? Right?
Joss Whedon
Mandy: I'd love to meet Joss Whedon because I love his work and I'd love to have a conversation with him. And while I have met Wil Wheaton at Dragon*Con, I'd love to play in a D&D game with him but I think that is highly improbable.
Hugh Jackman
Sarah: I'd like to meet a group of people. I'd like to meet the wonderful women behind the scenes at GeekMom, who I've been writing with and experiencing life with since 2011 but have never met. But if I could only meet one person it would be Hugh Jackman, because after seeing him in Les Miserables, I think he is one of the most amazing actors I have ever witnessed.
Rebecca: Jackman inspired me to write. Although I did technically meethim last year outside a theater he was performing, and he said "hi," that's not the same. I stared at him and cried. So perhaps it wouldn't be a very good conversation. Still, he's my muse.
Dan Povenmire and Jeff 'Swampy' Marsh
Amy: I'd want to spend some quality time with Dan Povenmire and Jeff 'Swampy' Marsh, creators of Phineas and Ferb, long enough for them to impart to me some of their wisdom about making phenomenal entertainment for kids.
John Barrowman
Helene: I love how Barrowman is just as amazing a person as he is an actor/singer. Also Stephen Moffat because I'd love to understand how he thinks.
Dead
Gene Roddenberry
Jules: I would love to talk with Roddenberry about his visions of humanity and the future.
Charles Darwin
Ariane: Darwin did such interesting travels and he was so attentive to details from the world around him (if you read The Origin of Species then you know what I'm talking about - how long can one talk about pigeons?!). I think it'd be fascinating to see him at work!
Frances Hodgson Burnett
Laura: Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of The Secret Garden. That book was so vital to my childhood that I call it “the book that saved me.”
Dr. Seuss
Dakster: As a child (and as an adult), I enjoyed his stories and would like to hear his opinion on children's stories today.
My dad
Sophie: A very personal choice but I'd have to say my dad. He died just after my 5th birthday so although I technically met him, I have practically no memories. I'd like to spend a day with him and show him all the amazing things in the world now like the Internet as well as having him meet my husband and son and see the person I am.
Walt Disney
Mandy: Walt Disney would be the person who is dead that I'd like to meet. He seems to be such a legend and I'd like to see what the real person was like.
Spike Milligan
Sarah: My dad met Spike Milligan once and has the funniest story from the encounter. His humor shaped my dad, my dad's humor shaped me. I think sitting down with Spike would be amazing.
Any suffragette
Amy: I'd love to talk about the similarities and differences in fighting for women's rights now versus a century ago.
Fictional
Winnie The Pooh
Jules: Let's just say he made my childhood bearable.
Michelangelo (the Turtle)
Ariane: I was trying to think about the one character that influenced my life the most, but there really hasn't been a serious one. Duh, that's because I don't like serious things! Comedy has always meant more to me than drama, and as a longtime Turtles fan I have to say I've always felt akin to Michelangelo. If I could meet him, we'd totally be best buds.
Lois Lane
Dakster: I love her attitude and I think she is a great role model for girls. I think it would be a lot of fun to have a girls night out with her (and if Wonder Woman could join, that would be a bonus).
Dana Scully
Sophie: She was my role model growing up and to this day remains the person I look to as an example of who I'd like to be. I'd like the opportunity to thank her for all that she did for me.
Garion
Mandy: Garion from the Belgariad by David Eddings - I love the books and he is my favorite character.
Kwazii The Cat
Sarah: Kwazii the Cat from my son's favorite book/show The Octonauts - I need to know more about his pirate past!
Hermione
Amy: I have lots of questions about Hogwarts and its inhabitants, and she'd be best suited to answer them. Also, I imagine she knows some interesting gossip.
Sara Crewe
Rebecca: Sara Crewe from A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. There were some rough moments in my childhood, and role modeling her got me through with integrity. I'd just like to say thanks.
Who would you love to meet?
