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  • Subject: Tonight, I met Neil deGrasse Tyson. Check one off of my bucket list!
Subject: Tonight, I met Neil deGrasse Tyson. Check one off of my bucket list!
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13.72 billion years in the making.

On December 1st, 2012, I met Neil deGrasse Tyson. I shook the man's hand, and even made him laugh. Not much else to do with my life now.

Yep, it happened. Earlier today, my dad called me and told me that him and I were going down to Connecticut to tour an observatory. It sounded fun, so, of course, I said yes. He said that we would meet an old college friend of his who works at the Hartford University, and he'd show us the equipment and what goes on in their facilities.

Well, long story short. There wasn't an observatory, nor was there an old college buddy. For weeks, my family has planned on having me attend Vision and Brilliance, which was to be held at the Bushnell Theater in Hartford. Not only that, but they'd paid top-dollar to have me taken backstage to meet the guest speakers; Neri Oxman, Neil Gaiman, and Neil deGrasse Tyson, who, as a lot of people here know, is my idol.

It was kept secret from me until I actually saw him backstage. Nearly dropped unconscious right there, but I managed to keep myself standing. He came and greeted us soon afterwards, and we all took pictures with him. Unfortunately, the pictures won't be mailed to us for a while, so the best I can do is give you guys pictures taken throughout the night (Sorry, the pictures are ginormous):

This was taken backstage, soon after I got a picture with him:
Taken after the actual talk:
Also taken after talk:

The talk itself was absolutely phenomenal. Basically just broad discussion of what brilliance is defined as, and the ways that the speakers had made their journey to their current status, and what thoughts go through their head as a result. They covered a ton of other topics, but that's the basic gist. It'll be up on Youtube eventually and, when it is, I'll post it in this thread.


EDIT: When the picture of me and him comes in, I'll post it here.

[Edited on 12.01.2012 10:28 PM PST]

  • 12.01.2012 10:05 PM PDT

Studies show that men think about sex every 7 seconds. I do my best to eat hotdogs in under 6, just so things don't get weird.

Please allow me to introduce Myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste
I've been around for a long, long year
Stole many a man's soul and faith

I admit, I am jelly.

  • 12.01.2012 10:06 PM PDT

Posted by: Gen Petitt
ME2 was known for stupidity and being retarded

Nice, man, I loved him on the Office.

  • 12.01.2012 10:07 PM PDT
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13.72 billion years in the making.

On December 1st, 2012, I met Neil deGrasse Tyson. I shook the man's hand, and even made him laugh. Not much else to do with my life now.

Posted by: MyNameIsCharlie
I admit, I am jelly.

Oh, and I got a signed copy of "The Pluto Files" from him.

  • 12.01.2012 10:07 PM PDT
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My body is made of Gelatin

  • 12.01.2012 10:10 PM PDT

Per Audacia Ad Astra

Congrats! D: D: D: D: D: D:

  • 12.01.2012 10:11 PM PDT
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13.72 billion years in the making.

On December 1st, 2012, I met Neil deGrasse Tyson. I shook the man's hand, and even made him laugh. Not much else to do with my life now.

Posted by: Bungie Sam
Congrats! D: D: D: D: D: D:

He's honestly one of the most personable fellows I've ever met.

Funny guy, too.

  • 12.01.2012 10:11 PM PDT

Not gonna lie, that's pretty badass.

  • 12.01.2012 10:12 PM PDT

Per Audacia Ad Astra

I follow him on twitter and have watched countless videos like The Poetry of Science.

  • 12.01.2012 10:13 PM PDT

Unreal, isn't it?


Posted by: THElizzard01
Nice, man, I loved him on the Office.


I lol'd.

OP, that's freaking awesome. I hope to meet him someday (physics student). I have a friend who met him when she was younger and actually got to talk to him 1 on 1, and another friend who emailed Tyson with questions. Tyson responded and offered to give him a call sometime; a few weeks later Tyson's secretary called my friend and then he and Tyson talked for like 15 minutes.

Tyson is just an awesome guy it seems.

  • 12.01.2012 10:14 PM PDT

Posted by: iamironman4611
"Hello, I am Ring Moniter 666 John Cena".

I am really happy for you, and I know it sounds like I'm going to prevent you from finishing, that is quite awesome.

  • 12.01.2012 10:15 PM PDT

Really? I'm big into Goo girls.

Posted by: Lifts Her Tail
My body is made of Gelatin

  • 12.01.2012 10:17 PM PDT
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t3hAvenger77 - XBL (BF3, ME3, Blops)
decla1mer104 - Origin (BF3)
Steam

Lucky bastard.

Always want to meet people of their calibre...

  • 12.01.2012 10:17 PM PDT
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13.72 billion years in the making.

On December 1st, 2012, I met Neil deGrasse Tyson. I shook the man's hand, and even made him laugh. Not much else to do with my life now.

Posted by: RealUnrealRob

Posted by: THElizzard01
Nice, man, I loved him on the Office.


I lol'd.

OP, that's freaking awesome. I hope to meet him someday (physics student). I have a friend who met him when she was younger and actually got to talk to him 1 on 1, and another friend who emailed Tyson with questions. Tyson responded and offered to give him a call sometime; a few weeks later Tyson's secretary called my friend and then he and Tyson talked for like 15 minutes.

Tyson is just an awesome guy it seems.

I had emailed him a few questions in fifth grade when I chose to do a science project on him. We had to choose a scientist and do a basic report. Because I had seen him often on "The Universe" and other astronomy-related documentaries, I chose him. He responded to the emails, and I told him about it today in the brief period I had to actually speak with him.

He told me he always responds to his emails, at least eventually. I also feel pretty proud for making him laugh, because when I told him it was my dream to become an astrophysicist, he started quoting Yoda's famous "There is no try, do" quote, but he couldn't remember how it was worded. I told him and he laughed.

I made Neil deGrasse Tyson laugh.

  • 12.01.2012 10:18 PM PDT
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Bungie doesn't like French on their site.

I had no idea so many Floodians admired Mr. Tyson.

+1 Flood

  • 12.01.2012 10:18 PM PDT

What is love? Baby don't hurt me...


Posted by: WinyPit82
Posted by: MyNameIsCharlie
I admit, I am jelly.

Oh, and I got a signed copy of "The Pluto Files" from him.



Lucky. Bastard.

  • 12.01.2012 10:19 PM PDT
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13.72 billion years in the making.

On December 1st, 2012, I met Neil deGrasse Tyson. I shook the man's hand, and even made him laugh. Not much else to do with my life now.

Posted by: A Fine Turtle
Lucky. Bastard.

It's sitting right beside me, if that makes you feel better.

  • 12.01.2012 10:20 PM PDT

All Retards are Retarded...

You Catch My Drift??????????

That's awesome!

  • 12.01.2012 10:22 PM PDT

I know everything, I've just forgotten most of it.

Also, my XBL Gamertag is 'Wenggh', not 'A Stolen Fruit'.

That's so cool Winy!

I myself am going to go up to Hobbiton after Christmas!

It's going to be so cool!

  • 12.01.2012 10:22 PM PDT

I am 100% and completely jelly right now. I'm so jelly, i'm going to make some bread, just so I can put my jelly on the bread, and eat it.

(am I taking this metaphor too far?)

Anyway, you are freaking lucky.

[Edited on 12.01.2012 10:24 PM PST]

  • 12.01.2012 10:23 PM PDT
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13.72 billion years in the making.

On December 1st, 2012, I met Neil deGrasse Tyson. I shook the man's hand, and even made him laugh. Not much else to do with my life now.

Posted by: Slayer1878
I am 100% and completely jelly right now. I'm so jelly, i'm going to make some bread, just so I can put my jelly on the bread, and eat it.

(am I taking this metaphor too far?)

An event in my life of this importance demands taking metaphors to new levels of "far."

  • 12.01.2012 10:25 PM PDT

Per Audacia Ad Astra

Jelly doesn't exist anywhere but Earth?
That's like filling a cup with me and saying there isn't any gelatin in this thread.

  • 12.01.2012 10:28 PM PDT
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13.72 billion years in the making.

On December 1st, 2012, I met Neil deGrasse Tyson. I shook the man's hand, and even made him laugh. Not much else to do with my life now.

Oh, and we ran into him as he was getting on his limo right after the show.

He signed a few autographs, but left pretty quickly.

I was going to ask to get another picture, but he left before I could ask...

  • 12.01.2012 10:31 PM PDT

Bill Nye, Neil, Richard Dawkins, and Christopher Hitchens are all people I have wanted to meet for years now.


Unfortunately, Mr. Hitchens died and Mr. Dawkins is a bit up their in years.

  • 12.01.2012 10:32 PM PDT
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13.72 billion years in the making.

On December 1st, 2012, I met Neil deGrasse Tyson. I shook the man's hand, and even made him laugh. Not much else to do with my life now.

Posted by: the omega man117
Unfortunately, Mr. Hitchens died and Mr. Dawkins is a bit up their in years.

I think Dawkins still does public appearances.

  • 12.01.2012 10:34 PM PDT