groupie?
Today’s question is: is it ok to be a groupie?
Background: I’ve always wondered what is acceptable fandom. Certainly being a groupie isn’t all that bad, right? I think I’m officially a groupie now.
I’ve followed a popular blog, the pioneer woman for over three years. I’ve been a pretty avid, devoted reader ever since. Even doing dumb things like sending her the occasional email from time to time because I feel connected to her. What 40 year old women with a few kids (give or take) wouldn’t? She’s witty, real, interesting and living a life very different than my own.
She was signing books at my local Barnes and Noble tonight beginning at 7:30 pm. I struggled with going. I kind of shy away from fan fare. I ended up going with the kids (after I bribed them with a dinner (gluten free) at Maggiano’s). The kids have always known I read her and they all (except Eamon who eats nothing) love her lasagna.
I have to say she was cute and pretty much exactly how I pictured her. She comes across in real life exactly how she writes and exactly how you’d expect her to come across. Made me wish we could share more than a brief ‘sign my books’ session. As it turned out I spent more time talking to her husband than her (he’s pretty nice too).
But there are two important things I want to share.
1. she gave out really, really cool t-shirts. I had the family take pictures of me in it (not the best) but it’s pretty cute, check it out…..
are you jealous? don’t you wish you could have one? the back is cute too!2. When I was talking to her while she signed my books, she made a small little mistake on one of them. She spelled my girlfriends name wrong. I’m a little shy about pointing out mistakes people make, but I did buy the book after all and I had already corrected the lady who wrote out the post it note. So, my girlfriend, Cristina (surprise if you are reading this, I knew you couldn’t make the LA signing so I will send the book by next week, Merry Christmas!LOL) was spelled Christina. I noticed right away and I almost didn’t say anything, because I wasn’t sure what the heck we were going to do about it. But then I said something like “oh I’m so sorry to point this out, but your spelled my girlfriends name wrong, could you just, you know fix it really quick, like cross it off or something”.
She was so cute, she looked at the ‘worker lady’ that may have been a barnes and noble employee and said “can I just buy her another book and start over?” To which I replied, “no, no, don’t do that this is my girlfriend and she really likes you and can’t make your signing in LA and she will completely understand and find some humor in this, just correct it somehow and it will be completely fine.” So, here is a picture of what she did:
I absolutely love that she was willing to be so cool and work with it. I know Cristina will love it!
Anyway, we were home by 8:30pm. My girls said that “Mrs. Drummond was really nice,” which we all know means she was nice because kids don’t lie.
It’s 10pm and I’m going to bed and feeling a little sorry for Ree because I know she’s still signing books (I was number 15 out of at least 250). I hope that road trip to Minneapolis isn’t too painful for her tomorrow.
Anyone else a groupie?
November 19, 2009 @ 10:11 pm
OMG! OMG!OMG!!!! Are you serious!! That is so cool. I just screamed out loud, LOL!! I Love you. I mean, seriously, I have loved you for 11+ years, but that is freaking AWESOME
I'd seriously rather have that than anything signed by George Clooney. YAYAYAY! Now I don't have to buy it for myself for cHristmas,(whith and "H"), LOL!
Comment by Cristina — November 19, 2009 @ 11:40 pm
I knew you'd love it, even with the extra "H" in there.
She was so funny drawing those arrows! LOL
We can discuss it at length when you are here for that cubs game in June, ok?
Comment by colette — November 19, 2009 @ 11:50 pm
How cool!! Glad you were able to make it to her signing. I love her site also! ♥ And you look adorable in that shirt!!
Comment by erica — November 20, 2009 @ 12:02 am
OMG what a great story, i love it!!! and what a great friendyou are, Christina.. I mean Cristina is going to FLIP!
Comment by Jihane — November 20, 2009 @ 12:02 am
Sounds good:)…Oh and you do look fabulous in that shirt.
Comment by Cristina — November 20, 2009 @ 12:04 am
How awesome!!
You totally rock and I know Cristina is psyched!
I'm one of the lucky ones who had a friend go for me as well…got my book and t-shirt last night. I only wish I could have met Ree as well.
Comment by wendy — November 22, 2009 @ 2:31 pm
YESSS!!!! I love PW! she is amazing! I'm so jealous that you got to meet her! AAAhhhh! thanks for sharing your experience tho : ) and yes, I want your t-shirt : ))
Comment by Emily Sokoloff — November 24, 2009 @ 12:31 pm
Huge fan here. =) Ree signed my daughter's cookbook "PWW" and we laughed. She put a cute smiley by it and now we have a fun story.
Comment by Janet — November 24, 2009 @ 12:49 pm
I'm a groupie and proud of it;) I met Ree in Denver and she signed my book!! And I took my best friend along, and she and Ree chatted recipes and I just savored the moment. (sigh)
Comment by Karen — November 24, 2009 @ 12:52 pm
Found my way over from P-dub's place! Isn't she just the best?!
Loved the story behind her spelling your friend's name wrong and then her correcting it. That's worth more than just a plain ole autograph!
My baby sister was #20 in line — so not too far behind you. I blogged about it and am excited to be able to get my book in two weeks when I'll drive up to Nashville.
I think Ree's appeal is that she's so genuine and normal. And I think because she lives such a different life, we find her life so fascinating.
Great pic of you in the tee btw! I hope they give those out in Nashville!
Comment by Kim H. — November 24, 2009 @ 12:53 pm
Yep, Big groupie here
I posted lots of pictures of the event. I love reading everyone's account of the day and met many nice groupies in line! I'm glad PW shared your link.
Comment by The Travelers Journal — November 24, 2009 @ 12:58 pm
Definitely a groupie here as well. She's not coming to my neck of the woods, so I'm going to drive halfway across the stinkin' state to see her.
Comment by Kristy — November 24, 2009 @ 1:01 pm
Hey! Just came over from Ree's I'm a groupie too I guess! Just wanted to say hello and i was curious..are you gluten free becauce of Celiac??
Comment by Jenna — November 24, 2009 @ 1:05 pm
Groupie? Hmmm…I prefer the term "Superfan" instead. Which I am. Would you believe I waited in line at the Sprall of America for five hours and fifteen minutes at the Minneapolis event? It was so worth it to meet Ree and MM in person and get my book signed!! Woo hoo!!!! I'm wearing my T-shirt today…I love it.
Comment by MplsCathy — November 24, 2009 @ 1:12 pm
I missed the signing. I am still kicking myself.
She is awesome!
Comment by Midwest Mommy — November 24, 2009 @ 1:40 pm
Loved your post! I was at the cookbook signing that night too! Actually, I saw you getting your book signed. Ree was really cute about it and so apologetic. She was exactly what I was expecting from her blog. So real and quirky!
Comment by Angelique — November 24, 2009 @ 1:44 pm
I'm so glad I'm not alone and the term superfan is definitely an option that sounds better than groupie!
Jenna – we are not celiac (although I have many friends that are), our wheat thing is about how it metabolizes in our bodies, without it we are healthier.
Angelique, how far back were you?
Comment by colette — November 24, 2009 @ 1:57 pm
The Park Wife here, isn't Ree FANTASTIC! I met her in Little Rock, but we did not get t-shirts, jealous! I am an old blog friend of hers too. I love how gracious she is to send others to our blogs. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
The Park Wife
Comment by The Park Wife — November 24, 2009 @ 2:30 pm
I confess…I'm a groupie too. Drove in from NW Indiana to see her (with my nephew, that she featured on the blog today! CUTE!), I tend to shy away from things that everyone goes crazy over, but gosh darn it, this girl is too cute, talented and sincere. How can you fight that!?
Fun reading your story, cute about the name mistake! We were number 75 in line. I was really impressed how she spent so much time with each person.
Comment by Jayme, The Coop Keeper — November 24, 2009 @ 3:54 pm
I am kind of groupie too.
Can't wait for her to come to Nashville in Dec! Fun that she was so accomadating about the misspelling!
Comment by Karen — November 24, 2009 @ 4:28 pm
I should have driven up to Chicago to stand in line and buy a book, but it is the retail holiday season, and I do kind of have a job….Yeah, I'm a groupie, been reading her blog for a few months and love her honesty. She needs to come to Indianapolis. Ree, are you reading this?????
Comment by Linda Crowe — November 25, 2009 @ 8:04 am
what a great story and wonderful gift!!!So awesome how she fixed it! I got a shirt too…and are they not the cutest?? I love it! I am definitely a groupie! LOL
Comment by christyc84 — November 25, 2009 @ 7:27 pm
Aww… what an experience, huh? That's so cool!
Haha! Just kidding. You're still normal.
I wouldn't call you a groupie. Or at least not yet, LOL! A little more stalking and touring will do it.
Comment by Letterhead Printing | UPrinting.com — November 25, 2009 @ 8:11 pm
How fun! I enjoyed reading about your trip to see PW! I'm a fan too! That's so nice of you to get a book for your friend. Her book is at the top of my Christmas list! =)
That's great that you were at the front of the line!
Comment by Melissa G. — November 26, 2009 @ 4:22 pm
came over from PW link on her site. I can't believe I missed her! I live in a Chicago burb and so would have been there.
Comment by tori — November 27, 2009 @ 10:14 pm