Funny Thought: How I knew I was famous

by | Mar 13, 2010 | Mengstupiditis

As some people know, there is a Google tradition where anybody who is really famous who visits the Googleplex in Mountain View needs to have a photo taken with me so that he/she can go on “Meng’s Wall of Fame” near the lobby of Building 43.  The New York Times even did a front page story on it.  (See full story)

In November 2007, when I asked Barack Obama for this photo op, that New York Times story was still fairly recent.  When I approached Mr Obama, he put his hand on my shoulder and said, “Ahh, you are the guy on the New York Times”.

I gasped.  That was the moment I knew I was famous.  How do you know you are famous?  When Barack Obama knows you from the New York Times, that’s how!

(Truth be told, I don’t think Mr Obama actually recognized me from the NYT.  Most likely, he was told that I was going to approach him, since I had to clear security beforehand, and he just took the trouble to remember.  He is a really great guy in person, charming, warm, sincere and modest, yet very Presidential).

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