I offended Vern Troyer, the actor who played the role of "Mini Me" in the Austin Powers movies.
Why would I do such a thing? I didn't mean, to, but it happened anyhow...
If you've been following my blog, you would know that I've been in D.C. attending Yanik Silver's Underground Seminar. Yanik was very clever in putting the seminar together. He gave the entire thing an "Austin Powers" secret agent feel, which each attendee being one of the secret agents.
Cardboard cutouts of Mike Myers as Doctor Evil and Austin Powers were on the stage, a couple of the female assistants were dressed in groovy clothing, movie clips were shown on the screens as people came back from session breaks and Yanik even gave away a Mini Cooper to one lucky attendee.
As the final icing on the cake, Yanik paid Vern Troyer to come and give autographs and take photos with the attendees. I should have my photo with him available in a few days.
Anyhow, I was not in the conference room when protocal for how the photos and signing would happen was announced. As it turns out, everyone was instructed to NOT refer to Vern as "Mini Me". Apparantly, he HATES that.
I was out of the loop.
After the photo shoot, most people had left the area. I decided to ask Vern to personalize a photo as a gift for someone. He wrote on it, "You da man!" and signed his name.
I said, "No, YOU da man!"
To which he replied... "No, I'm just me" (in his very small person voice)
Well, being the joker that I am and thinking he would see even the slightest humor in the play on words, I said, "No, you're mini me!"
So much for being clever.
He looked and me and recoiled in his chair, moving the signed photo away from me.
He said, "Do you want this?", referring to the photo.
I said, "yes"
He asked, "What's my name?"
I said, "Vern"
He nodded and warned me, "Don't ever call me that again"
I took my lumps, smiled at him and said "ok".
Now, I understand why actors can be sensitive to not being totally identified with their roles. After all, they are human beings with feelings. Acting is just a job for them.
Still, the role of Mini Me is the very thing that launched Vern Troyer to stardom, and the reason that he was invited to get paid to do a signing and photo shoot. Wouldn't it just be easier to accept that as an actor?
Anyhow, if Vern ever reads this, I am truly sorry you were offended.
What's the moral of the story?
We all mess up from time to time. Sometimes we can be insensitive to other people. Other times we just make stupid decisions. It's all part of being human. I regularly practice both methods of making a mess, so I guess I am somewhat of an expert at it!0
The question is, what do you do AFTER you make a mistake? Do you deny it and try to bury it out of shame? Or do you "own it" and grow from the experience? As we learn to accept responsibility for our words and actions, we can grow more mature in our personal lives.
And as we make the decision to build our business, making ethical choices and persisting no matter what obstacles are thrown in our way, we take responsibility for our financial future. Are you putting these principals into action in your business today? If so, kudos! If not, what's holding you back?
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
March 27, 2006 09:43 AM
Hey Joel,
Thought that I would check out your blog. You really are a bad bad boy!
Is funny, cos I sometimes get cracks about my religion. Doesn't bother me, cos I am proud of it. It is interesting how people do try and retract their comments though if they think that they may have gone too far....
Keep Well,
Ben
March 27, 2006 09:43 AM
Do you really think that if Vern actually finds this page he's going to be at all excited about the fact that you titled it "I offended Mini Me"? You didn't offend a character from a movie; you offended the actor that portrayed that character. If you're truly sorry about the incident, perhaps you should rename the post to reflect that.
March 27, 2006 09:51 AM
HI Joel
I did something similar with the pro vice consul for industry for mainland china in front of an audience of 400 international mba students.
My business card is a little red door that you open and inside are my details.
He turned it to the back (blank)
He tried to open it (the wrong way)
He nearly dropped it (from effort)
He held it sideways.
Meanwhile I was trying NOT to touch in case it set off an international incident.
'Like dancing the hokey-cokey! (You put your left leg in, your left leg out, in out, in out, shake it all about, do the hokey-cokey.....'
Never to be forgotten horror. Well done for surviving little horror.
Kindest
Margaret
March 27, 2006 09:52 AM
Joel,
There is no such thing in my vocalcabulary. I've had many learning lessons in my 66 years, but never a mistake or an error. From my infant years: crawl, stand up, take a step, fall, get up, take 2 steps, fall, get up, on & on till I got it right. Just as electricity flows from negative to positive so does life if we accept our fallability $ make the proper adjustmets. How Mini is Mini? It's all in your perspective!
March 27, 2006 09:56 AM
It's nice to see someone admit they make mistakes. We all make mistakes but the mature act of owning those mistakes and learning from them is quite refreshing.
Vern also displayed a lot of maturity by not walking away from you and by not resorting to verbal violence. Instead, he chose to educate you. Sternly, but it was education none the less.
Congrats to you both. You are a shining examples of what we should all embrace.
Keep up the good work.
March 27, 2006 10:04 AM
I'm sure Vern is sensitive to the size issue as well, but we all have something that we are sensitive to. It surprises me sometimes when someone would do just about anything to get an opportunity like that yet once they become "famous" they get offended at the very thing that made them famous.
I think we all need to lighten up and instead of being offended take the "offense" realize if I am getting angry it just means it is something I need to work on.
March 27, 2006 10:25 AM
It's kinda bad that you were out of the loop -- but it's good that Vern didn't throw a fit and keep the picture. ;-) At least you were sensitive enough that you quickly realized you made a mistake, and corrected it.
Jeff
March 27, 2006 10:35 AM
Hey Joel, If Vern said "You da Man". Then You must be "Da Man". No sweat pal.
Ed....
March 27, 2006 11:00 AM
Joel,
Thanks for your honesty. I appreciated it immensely. I read so much on the Internet and so much of it is 'over the top' that to find such honesty is refreshing.
To know that even the well-known people still have 'accidents' gives me confidence to know that I have picked a 'good guru'
God Bless you, your family and Vern!
March 27, 2006 12:24 PM
Thanks, Joel! Now I know to just call his name the next time I see him.
March 27, 2006 02:12 PM
I would not worry about it too much. He was only invited to the convention because of that role. So seems kinda odd that he'd get mad.
Ah well he has his issues like the rest of us!
We await your secrets from the seminar.
March 27, 2006 02:31 PM
Joel,
Well "Bad Boy" thanks for sharing your mini moment - I enjoyed it as I'm sure others did as well.
After all he was there getting paid to sign autographs for the part, so he should be proud of who he is and the role he played or perhaps next time not partake as a mini.
Yes, I'm a Bad Girl now for saying that. Oh well... Thanks again for sharing.
Take Care, Sandy
March 27, 2006 02:36 PM
This is like Kelly Clarkson not thanking American Idol during her grammy speech... it's sad that these superstars who make millions of dollars don't take a minute and appreciate how they got there.
March 27, 2006 05:09 PM
Joel,
This is really too funny. I mean, I was laughing so hard I just couldn't take it. Tell mini-me to lighten up a little bit.
March 27, 2006 05:12 PM
Hey Joel, what an exciting event you were priviledge and gifted to be on.
You must feel very flattered to meet Vern and Yanik.
Thanks for sharing such interesting meeting, even when it was rare...Vern makes it all good!
Keep enjoying it!
March 27, 2006 05:58 PM
Hi Joel,
I agree with the moral of your story. Sometimes you just have to live to learn. That's the way life is...
Best Regards,
Boris
March 27, 2006 11:05 PM
I watched Vern on "The Surreal Life" on VH1... he was a hoot and a half!
You owned up to your mistake and fessed up to it to all your loyal followers... I think you are covered!
As for renaming this post... well... the title of the post is intended to market your post... so I say leave it!
March 30, 2006 11:05 AM
Hi Joel,
What you should have done when you accidently offended Vern "Mini-Me" is to put your hand up to your face with your pinky extended and inform him that you are "Dr. Adsense". Oh, well. I thought it was funny!