People I would like to meet
What is this lens about?
In this lens, you can get to me a little better because I will tell you something about me that not many people know: I will tell you which famous people I would like to meet, why I would like to meet them and what I would like to do if I ever had the chance to meet them. This will only be about people who are still alive. I might one day create another lens about which deceased people I would like to meet. Of course, there are many more people I would enjoy meeting, but these are the ones on the top of my list.
Lucy Lawless
Update:
Even though I did not actually meet her and talk to her, I saw Lucy live in concert earlier this year. Even though it was a nice experience, I also have to say it left me a tiny little bit disappointed. I missed the chance to see her after the show (others did because apparently she joined the fans a while after the concert finished) and for some reason I was not as impressed as I hoped I would be. So, I still would like a chance to talk to her one day.
Old text:
If I could meet only one of the people on my list, it would have to be Lucy Lawless. She came into my life when I was 13 or 14 years old. I saw her on TV when she played "Xena - The Warrior Princess". I enjoyed that TV series and was looking forward to each new episode on a Sunday (or Saturday, I don't remember). I never imagined that she would turn into someone who would always be an influence on me.
The character of Xena taught me a lot about life and gave me a lot of hope. Her message to me was, that no matter how messed up your past was, there still is hope. For years, I did not separate Lucy Lawless and Xena: she just was it. Even though I now know that Lucy is not as warrior like as Xena, she still has quite a few things in common with her: They are both strong women and they both stand up for what they believe in.
In interviews, Lucy has impressed me with her intelligence, her charm and her warm energy. Every time I hear her talk, every time I see her act (I even started to watch Battlestar Galactica just to catch her in a few episodes), I admire her. She is such a great role model for women, someone to look up to and someone who I would love to meet. I would like to thank her for getting me through some rough patches in my life. I can't really put my love for her into words - and I guess I would be quite speechless if she ever stood in front of me.
So what would I like to do if I ever had the chance to meet her? Even though it would be nice to go on some kind of adventure with her (e.g. a one week trip down the Whanganui River), I think I'd just like to sit somewhere with her, have a coffee or tea and talk to her. It would be great to be able to get to know her. To have a friend like her would be the greatest present I could imagine.
Lucy Lawless DVDs and CDs
Gabriel Mann
Gabriel Mann was a surprise for me. I first saw him when he turned up as young Zedd in "Legend of the Seeker". I thought he was good but left it at that. He wasn't someone you'd expect to find in my list of favourite stars. So how did he manage to end up there anyway and even make it into the list of people I would like to meet? It kind of started when I was talked into becoming more active on Twitter for the "Save our Seeker" campaign. I started following Gabriel Mann, Bridget Regan and some of the stunt people from the show. I don't know what my first tweet to Gabriel was, but to my surprise he replied to it. I didn't even expect him to read anything I was writing. Anyway, that made me think: "Well, let's see what else he has to offer". So I got some of the movies he was in. And I liked what I saw. He's believable in different kind of roles, and that's important.
There are many good actors out there, so why would I like to meet Gabriel Mann? Well, I have a weakness for wizards and Zedd is one of my favourites. Additionally to that, Gabriel Mann seems to be quite a nice character, with an edge or two of course, but certainly someone who would be interesting to talk to.
What would I like to do if I had the chance to meet him? I think an outdoor trip would be nice: either a few days on Taranaki or a canoe trip on the Whanganui River. You learn a lot about other people when you see how they behave during an outdoor adventure.
Gabriel Mann on DVD
Ian McKellen
Ian McKellen came into my life as Gandalf. I was actually prepared to not like him. I refused to watch the first two LotR movies when they were in the movie theatres. I loved Tolkien and his work. Gandalf was my favourite character. I was sure that no one could ever do him justice. Then someone convinced me that I should watch the movies on DVD because it would be good for improving my English. Well, I was very, very skeptical. But when I saw Ian McKellen and the way he portrayed Gandalf, I had tears in my eyes. He was awesome. I immediately named him my favourite actor. After this, I wanted to see more of him. I watched his older movies, like "Gods and monsters" and "Apt Pupil" and also watched X-Men. I just loved him, he is such a great actor, convincing in every role plays.
Why would I like to meet him? Apart from the fact that he brought my favourite character in literature to life in a way that I loved, I would like to meet him because he seems like a very intelligent and wise person. I always wanted to meet someone like him but until I got to know about Ian McKellen I never could put a name to the "mentor" I would like to meet. I know that I don't really have a chance to ever be part of Ian McKellen's life - but he's definitely one of the people I truly admire.
What would I like to do if I had the chance to meet Ian McKellen? It would be nice to have a walk through a lovely park and then have a cup of tea or coffee. I'd just enjoy talking to him, asking him questions and listening to his words. It would surely be a very inspiring experience.
Ian McKellen on DVD
Peter Wingfield
Peter Wingfield has been known to me as an actor for ages. I first saw him when he was Methos in the Highlander TV series. However, when I was younger, I did not are much about the character of Methos. Only when I re-watched the whole Highlander TV series last year and watched some interviews with Peter Wingfield, did I realize what an awesome guy that man is. I guess, when I watched Highlander as a child and teenager, I just did not have enough life experience to grasp the depth of the character Methos. Now this character is my favourite in the whole series. I would even choose him over Duncan McLeod, the Highlander, himself. Because I suddenly was interested in Methos, I also was interested in the actor behind him: Peter Wingfield. I watched his interviews with big interest and he said one thing that resonated within me: "I did not want to be a doctor who also was an actor. I wanted to be an actor." He explained how he fought for his dream and how he believed that he needed to fully commit to this dream to make it come true - even if it meant that he would have to give up the financial security of being a doctor.
Why would I like to meet him? I would like to meet him because his words about how he followed his dreams kind of shook me awake when I was close to giving up on my dreams again. My renewed interest in Highlander had come at the right time - and I think it only came because I needed to hear the words in that particular interview. I would love to listen to what he has to say, it would just be so interesting to meet someone like him.
What would I like to do if I had the chance to spend time with him? That's a good question. I think I'd just like to have his complete attention for a while, and enough peace to talk to him about how his words had influenced me. So maybe a weekend at the Camphouse on Taranaki would be a good idea.
Peter Wingfield on DVD
Kenny Wizz
Kenny Wizz is someone I have actually already met a few times - but I never had the chance to really talk to him. He always was on a certain timetable and there were always other people around. I also wasn't sure whether he'd actually listen to what I would like to say and whether he'd reply to any of the questions that I would like to ask - but even though I'm still not sure about this, I would like to have a chance to find out.
Kenny is a Michael Jackson tribute artist and he is doing a very good job. He is quite convincing and even though he may not be perfect when it comes to singing, he is exceptionally good. Even Michael Jackson wasn't always perfect when he sang live. What I liked most about Kenny was the way he smiled, he seemed like such a genuine, nice person.
Why would I like to meet him? Simply because I would like to be his friend and because I would like to find out who he really is. I also think that someone like him would be able to truly understand me. I think, he would not be interested in ever talking to me, but he still made it on the list of people I would like to meet.
What would I like to do if I had the chance to meet him? I have no idea, to be honest. It might be quite nice to simply canoe down the river with him. I guess I'd take all the people I like on a canoeing trip. Or tramping on Taranaki!
Michael Jackson on DVD and CD
Other people I would like to meet
There are some other people I would love to meet if I ever had the chance and they are:
Kevin Sorbo: to many known as Hercules. One of the actors who are more than just actors, but also very inspiring as a person.
Kate Mulgrew: She played Captain Janeway in Star Trek Voyager and she's just such an amazing woman!
Patrick Steward: Another Star Trek Captain. I'm sure it would be inspiring to talk to him.
Janet Jackson and other Jackson family members: Would be very interesting to meet someone from the Jackson family.
Peter Jackson: I wish he would have a job for me! I'd like to be on the set of the Hobbit - because that would also give me a chance to see Ian McKellen!
Christoper Lee: Such an amazing actor... Hm, another wizard on my list!
Angelina Jolie: It would be interesting to see who she really is.
Craig Parker: Another wizard.... an evil one though. He's a Kiwi, so maybe I'll just run into him one day (well, very unlikely)
Star Trek actors: I wouldn't mind running into someone from Star Trek, esp. if they were from TNG or Voyager!