TAFs Meets First Lady Maria Shriver!
Meeting Arnold's Wife 15 Years Later!

Reported By:Randy Jennings
Friday, May 2, 2008

On Wednesday, April 30th, I met Maria Shriver at a local book signing event held at Borders in Sacramento, CA. This was a special time for me considering I have not said more than a "hello" to her in over 15 years. In 1993, I met Maria for my first time and had a brief conversation with her at the Schwarzenshriver's old restaurant Schatzi on Main. Ever since then I have only had the opportunity for a "hello", a wave or a nod. Sure, I've had Maria two feet away from me many times but it's always as I'm interviewing Arnold on the red carpet. At last, during her latest book signing tour, I knew I would finally be able to introduce myself as the dude who runs TheArnoldFans. Arnold knows me but I always wondered if she knew of the website.

Arnold's wife only had a reported hour and a half to sign for the crowd and I had a bad feeling that half of the three hundred plus people who showed up would not be so blessed to speak with her and get Maria's autograph. Luckily, Cliff, the Arnold fan who I met at the Tia Carrere Borders signing, saw me and told me I could cut in line with him. Cliff is DA MAN responsible for supplying TAFs with all the photos. THANK YOU, Cliff!

After 40 minutes in line, I reached Maria's table at last . The little princess girl in front of me was getting inspirational words of advice by the mother of four and wife to Schwarzenegger.

Finally it was my turn. I set down two books for her to sign including her latest book "Just Who Will You Be?" and presented a gift to Maria. For the last few days I worked on an illustration of Maria to give to her. It went over better than I expected as she asked for my contact info and wanted to give me an illustration assignment. I won't mention more on this now because I don't want to jinx the opportunity to work with the First Lady. I'll let you know more if this dream opportunity pans out. Below is the personalized artwork I created for Maria. I congratulated them on their 30 years of love together since they met.

When I spoke to Maria about TheArnoldFans, she sounded surprised to learn that it has been a full decade since it's original launch. Maria realized the 10 plus years of positive Arnold news service. She continued to sign my books and the illustration printout for myself (one for her and one for me).

I then confessed my love to her. Well, my love of Schatzi on Main to her. Schazi was my all-time favorite restaurant. Owned by Arnold and Maria, this Santa Monica restaurant was visited by me nearly twenty times and my restaurant of choice for my own bachelor party in 2000. Maria confirmed that another restaurant took over. Damn, If I would have had more time I could have asked if they intend to have a NEW Schwarzenshriver restaurant later. Unfortunately, I was aware of the massive line behind me. Another time Maria!

On my way out, I asked her for a photo opportunity so I could put it online to her favorite new site (we hope). Maria gladly obliged for TAFs but perhaps not in time to stop chewing her gum for this photo.

Chewing gum or not, Maria rocks! We wish that Schwarzenshriver family another 30 years of great love and success!

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Randy Jennings