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Big Birthday for a “Big Fan”

It had been two weeks since Michelle contacted me requesting for—of all things—my autograph.  Don’t laugh.  This is serious stuff.  It was to be a surprise birthday gift for her boss, Gen, who she said was a big fan of this blog.  Certainly, I was flattered.  But, more than that, I was in serious doubt that this boss of hers would appreciate such a present.  What would you do with a TBR autograph?  (I had never signed anything under this name and my hubby jokingly said “Tell Michelle to just sign for you.  No one will be able to tell it’s fake since there isn’t an original signature!”

After those two weeks of arranging our meeting, Michelle and I finally met during our Happy Feet Girls’ Night Out dinner last week.  Meek and shy, Michelle approached Marga and I and handed out a birthday card for me to sign for her dearest boss.  I happily obliged—yes, complete with “The Bull Runner” underneath my real name.  Then, she left us to say she’d be right back with her boss in tow for some photos.  Okay!

What happened next was a scene straight out of the movies.  It’s stuff that only celebrities and rock stars experience—and, quite honestly, something that I don’t dream of nor hope for.

Marga and I chatted away while enjoying our buffalo wings and mozzarella sticks when a girl popped up in front of us, her hands clasped in front of her mouth in a futile attempt to muffle her tiny screams of “Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god!” in between gasps for air.  Marga and I stared at each other in disbelief.  Looked back at the girl.  Glanced at each other again.  This must be Gen.  

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- with birthday girl, Gen -

Gen continued to shriek for several more minutes before I invited her and Michelle to sit down with us. “Breathe, Gen, breathe.  When you get to know us, you’ll realize we’re nothing to scream over.” I told her.

So, we talked with Gen and Michelle for more than an hour.  And, we learned a lot about Gen—her passion for running, her first race, her dedication to reading my posts (and the fact that she’s read through all the archives), her upcoming birthday, and more.  She openly called me her “Inspirunner,” a clever term she coined for the person who inspires her to plod on—how creative is that?!

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- with Gen, Marga, and Michelle -

It felt a little bit awkward to chat with someone who gushed every so often because she was such a big “fan.”  As Gen sat in disbelief over who she was talking to, I was probably as overwhelmed as she was over the fact that someone could ever react to my presence that way.  It was crazy, unbelievable, embarrassing, and awesome all at the same time.

To Gen, happy birthday again!  Thank you for allowing me to make a little difference in your life.  See you at the races.  And, oh, take care of your shins!

* Photos from Gen

Posted on 06.18.08 to 01 Bullish Insights. Tags: . Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 19 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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19 Responses to “Big Birthday for a “Big Fan””

  1. It’s very heartwarming to know. and am pretty sure little did you know that through this site thousands out there if not millions are a big fan’s of your’s count me in. and like Gen I might be speechless or worst get faint;) to be honest I happen to accidentally quite a number of Actress or actors as I call it. but it feels like nothing to me. On the other hand those who are in the sports who shows much passion and dedication in their feild of endeavor I look it up to them as the real stars maybe because I felt their pure sheer of hardwork, dedication its the passion that spell the difference.

    thanks for sticking with me. til then. Belated Happy Birthday Gen. :)

    Alfred said on Jun 18 08 at 11:09 AM Reply

  2. hahaha! what a very interesting evening we had! :p

    marga said on Jun 18 08 at 11:10 AM Reply

  3. Hi Jaymie! :)

    ‘OhMyGod, OhMyGod, OhMyGod, OhMyGod, OhMyGod!’
    i don’t think i’m worthy of an entry! hehehe

    After almost a week, i still can’t put down my smile and i’m still starstuck i tell you! :D
    Thank you so much! :)

    gen said on Jun 18 08 at 12:11 PM Reply

  4. double yes to you Alfred. That’s true were a big fan to the bull runner. keep it up. Always have fun. thanks.

    fatmarathoner said on Jun 18 08 at 3:36 PM Reply

  5. “What would you do with a TBR autograph?” Hmm, I’ll have that on a blank cheque please :)

    miraclecello said on Jun 18 08 at 5:02 PM Reply

  6. a funny and entertaining post :D one of the many lives that have been inspired by the bull runner… keep it up! :)

    loonyrunner said on Jun 18 08 at 5:59 PM Reply

  7. Hi TBR!
    ay… how ’bout moi??? birthday ko rin talaga!! no kidding!
    would be nice to treat you din for dinner ano?!
    told you, you inspire a LOT of us… am settled with that as
    birthday gift! THANK YOU!!!

    lugs said on Jun 18 08 at 9:28 PM Reply

  8. Cheers to that fatmarathoner. glad to see you TBR back in track wish its safe to say that LQ is over now hehehehe. Marga, Gen, and the rest of the TBR fanatics keep running guys.

    Something to ponder on: “if you have tried a lot of times and failed, the only thing that can make it worse is when you give up.”

    Alfred said on Jun 18 08 at 11:21 PM Reply

  9. Hahaha but you are a star. Look at all these people you are inspiring to run. By the way my mom is a big fan too, next time I’m in Manila can I get your autograph for her? I’m being totally serious by the way.

    Rick said on Jun 19 08 at 3:04 AM Reply

  10. I better get an autograph before you become too famous.

    Keep it up TBR.

    Mark P said on Jun 19 08 at 8:20 AM Reply

  11. I guess any runner and blogger would be a fan of the TBR. You and your blog has been changing people’s lives. You help changed mine. Thanks.

    taki said on Jun 19 08 at 9:18 AM Reply

  12. Wow Jaymie! : ) Sa birthday ko din ha. hahaha

    markfb said on Jun 19 08 at 10:05 AM Reply

  13. Alfred, thanks for always reading!

    Marga, like I said, glad you were there with me!

    Gen, you’re so funny! Hope you had a great birthday :)

    Fatmarathoner, thanks!

    Miraclecello, too bad the bank account is empty :)

    Loonyrunner, thanks!

    Lugs, happy birthday!

    Rick, so funny. Just for kicks, I’d be glad to sign on some dried mangoes that you can bring home as pasalubong for her.

    Mark, haha. No rush. I won’t be famous anytime soon.

    Taki, aw thanks.

    Mark, dapat yung reaction mo pareho kay Gen ha. hehe

    thebullrunner said on Jun 19 08 at 12:13 PM Reply

  14. No prob. TBR I would consider my fave site… since the day I found :) keep it up! two thumbs Up! I long your autograph too and should consider Mark P statement.

    Alfred said on Jun 19 08 at 4:25 PM Reply

  15. bwahahahahahah! i cant stop! i luv that evening! :-)

    banggigay said on Jun 20 08 at 1:41 AM Reply

  16. Br,

    Ako iba gagawin ko. Ikaw manlilibre sa amin. hehehe But I’ll gush too para naman sulit. Btw, did you get my reply to the last email? Wala pa ako gift ano. Iba talaga ang holland roses but thats not enough.

    markfb said on Jun 20 08 at 11:13 AM Reply

  17. i’m still smiling :D hehe

    hope to see you at the mizuno run :) take care :)

    gen said on Jun 20 08 at 8:37 PM Reply

  18. thanks TBR for the greet.. :)

    lugs said on Jun 21 08 at 5:02 AM Reply

  19. naks!!! wala na ako masabi kay jaymie. tayo na kaya tayo ng fans club? hehehe=) kidding! inspiration ka naman talaga.

    share ko lang…i remember googling for mizuno infinity run 1 info tapos it linked me to your site. tapos, dun na rin nagre-start ang drive ko to run. started to tell ur posts to the staff/running mates. updated sila ha. ako ang blog reader at teller. hehehe=)

    kumusta na daw ang shins? concerned ang rehab med team namin about u. hope to meet and greet you (again and again) in mizuno 2. photo opp w our team po sana.

    excited na ako!!!

    CatA said on Jun 21 08 at 9:45 AM Reply

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