Regardless of my “celebrity,” I love it when other well-known people who I enjoy or respect travel and use my books. Bette Midler came to town recently. She has no idea who I am. But her trumpeter (the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy) is an absolute fan…he just loves my books. He contacted my office and gave me tickets to see Bette’s show. It was great. Afterwards, backstage, I joined the groupies waiting to say hi to “the Divine Miss M” and this groupie had a groupie of his own to chat with while he waited. Fun. My publisher was just bought out by a bigger publisher. In a typical consolidation thing, everyone was nervous. Thankfully, our new, bigger, parent publisher really likes our line of books. In fact, just last week I received a call from the CEO, who used my book in Ireland with his family and had an absolute blast. That made my day. When I go to political gatherings here in Washington State, it’s so strange to jockey myself up to Maria Cantwell or Patty Murray with health care, civil liberties, or FCC concerns on my mind — and end up talking my shop (Europe) rather than theirs. At a dinner before the last election, my congressman, Jay Inslee, invited me to a dinner he threw for then-Ohio state congressman Ted Strickland, who was running for the governorship of Ohio. Jay sat me next to Ted…so we could talk travel. While Ted won, and is currently the popular governor of Ohio, he still travels through the Back Door. My wife just got back from a Garrison Keillor cruise through Norway’s fjords. Anne, my biggest fan, got me on the cell phone with Garrison (who didn’t know my books). But Garrison’s PHC sidekick, the talented Tim Russell, couldn’t stop talking with Anne about the fun he’d had traveling “through the back door.” It’s funny to me how “celebrities” are so busy being celebrities that we are routinely oblivious to what other “celebrities” are up to. Thank goodness for the Annes, sidekicks and Boogie Woogie Bugle Boys to clue us in on what’s going on out there!
Two-Bit Celebrities Like Each Other
Comments
As a fellow Washingtonian (who probably shares in many of your political views) I take heart that some of our politicians have the “backdoor mentality.” – I only hope that they still have that backdoor, local viewpoint here at home.
Congrats on the new publisher’s phone call – very happy to hear that we’ll still be getting the books we know and love.
Congrats, Rick, on your good news from the new and improved publisher. It seems you are a celebrity among the celebrities. :) It’s always nice to have your hard work appreciated. Enjoy!
I just read the new Italy 2008, because we are going back in April. Really liked all your info. Though it was a little bigger, longer and wordier than the last Italy 2002 and France 2004 that we used. Thank you for more detailed info on travel by train, bus,shuttles. We were really surprised how much more expensive the hotels are now in Italy. That combined with the exhange rate really puts them up there. Please keep making good suggestions on how to save in other ways! Thanks Judy
Yes indeed. Thanks to all the little people out there who make it possible for Rick to be Rick. We are not worthy.
Rick you really need to start hanging with a better quality crowd!!
With the talk of celebrities vs travel, I thought it might be a good point to slip this in. I’m a big fan of Eons (eons.com) which is an over-50 internet community. Its organized by interest groups (including may travel goups). One day I discovered that Rudy Maxa was a member and gives out travel advice. My thought was that ‘Rick should also be in on this’, but I don’t have the whole picture. (Rudy may or may not have some special arrangement with Eons.) Just wanted to say something in case you weren’t aware of the situation.
Among the friends and fans of rick, myself I count. Thankful too, am I for rick as very low key celebrity. Trusting garrison k soon will join rick’s fan club. Only if the celebrity becomes so self involved and serious that star shine surely falls from every word and glance need we fans feel concern. Thankful you rick are who you are, not some star. Write on.
I love reading this blog. An entry like this is a perfect example of why.
when I look in the mirror I see myself
If all celebrities were like you, the world would be a sweet place.
Great blog Rick. It reminds me of why I like you and your books and ideas.
Rick, I have to say you are one of 2 celebrities I’d love to meet, the other being my other hero, Johnny Depp. It seems like you have to be reminded by us fans of your “celebrity”. That is one of the things I admire most about you Rick, is your humility. You seem as humble as any celeb I’ve ever seen, and I am sure it is a big part of your success. Please don’t change who you are. You are my tour guide to Europe, and the lands of my ancestors via your shows. Most people probably don’t know about all of your charity work. You are very blessed to have the family you have been blessed with and to be able to follow your ancestry to Norway. Keep up the fantastic work. God bless, Chris