With the re-launch of Cosmos tonight, I thought Id share with you the time I got to see Carl Sagan in person. My junior year of college in the late 80s I was an intern on Capital Hill in DC. A great thing about that experience were the opportunities to see many great speakers, and Carl Sagan came to a House meeting room to present a new documentary he had worked on. Growing up with Cosmos as kid, I was a big fan of Sagans and had to go to this event. My fellow intern Joe felt the same way and joined me. Joe and I got along great, even though we were pretty different. I was the pale kid from New England living and working away from home for the first time, Joe was a totally chillax SoCal dude who had pretty much traveled the world by 20. Think a (smart) surfer-dude with a a solid dash of The Ladies Man and that was Joe. So were waiting in the House meeting room for the event to start, and theres Carl Sagan 20 feet away preparing his notes. Im impressed Im in the same room with the guy and looking forward to the event. Joe, however, immediately notices Dr. Sagans assistant, a very attractive woman who appeared to be in her mid 30s and was helping him get ready for the talk. Joe decides hes going to meet her, and their shared admiration for Dr. Sagan will lead to something. You know, because science! I tell him to go for it, and I can sit back and be in awe of both him and Dr. Sagan this evening. So off Joe goes, and has about a 4-5 minute conversation with her. But in the last 45 seconds or so I really see his demeanor and posture change, and looking a bit deflated he comes back and silently sits next to me. - So you two having drinks after this? I ask - No. Thats his wife. I am SO embarrassed.... OK, I laughed. A LOT. But I told Joe that it was absolutely EPIC that he hit on Carl Sagans wife Ann Druyan, and that it wasnt likely something that wed ever forget. Oh, and in addition to having a hot wife, Carl Sagan gave a great talk that evening on science and peace!
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 01:25:00 +0000