Big laughs would be coming to town courtesy of the hilarious Paula Poundstone. The price of admission to this event was very steep so we decided to look for other ways to see her in person, namely meeting her. The solution came to me one day while shopping at the mall, when I learned from a hush hush source that she would be visiting the mall before her performance.

       There was a small shop tucked away at the front of the mall that was selling charity paintings and evidently Paula wanted to contribute to the cause. It was weird that they were having this event at our mall, because nothing ever happens there. The event wasn't advertised and I was so lucky that I found out about this unique event. Our friend Mj decided to join us for this outing and we were more than happy to have the company, away we went.

       We staked out a good spot in front of the entrance doors where we expected her to enter from. Our predictions were dead on as we soon spotted Paula Poundstone arriving in a chauffeured car! This was amazing because we hadn't been there very long at all. We approached her for an autograph but she said, "I'll sign on my way out" and quickly entered the mall.

       She didn't look too happy either and we hoped that it was just because she was in a rush. We were able to watch the small little gathering and saw her place her hands in the mold and make a cast of her handprints. Then everyone clapped and Paula quickly washed off her hands from the molding. It was sure nice of her to come over and do this so a charity can make some good money off of it.

       We stood back and just enjoyed the witty comments of Paula, but I just had to get closer. I managed to get very close to the chatter and an old lady that I had been talking to finally asked Paula if she could sign for me. It is a different experience when someone else asks the celebrity to sign for us. I was caught off guard because I was going to wait, but the crowd pushed me in. Paula smiled and said, "sure come on in" and I entered the circle with Paula. Paula signed my picture and commented on my real name. Evidently there is a brand of hotdogs out there with my name on it and she loves them. She couldn't believe that I hadn't tried them before and said I needed to go to New York to try them.

       Then I asked her if I could get a picture with her and she was more than willing to. When I gave the camera to the old lady she couldn't figure out how to take the picture and Paula made sure to make a couple of witty jokes about not being able to work a camera. Then I was able to get yet another photo with her because the older lady felt she didn't do it right, it's always great to have extras. I got one photo horizontal and the other vertical, which was a nice variation. Paula was very funny and enjoyable and I'm glad that I entered the ring to meet her. I thanked her and was off to see what Sterling and Mj had been doing during this time.

       Sterling and Mj had been watching all of this behind a horde of people. The people responsible for bringing her gave her a couple of gifts (chocolate pop tarts... because she talks about them in her comedy skits, but still Pop Tarts?). After that the crowd and Paula started to exit the building. Sterling and Mj were still too shy to ask for an autograph, so I asked for them. She stopped and signed their pictures without a gripe, but probably wondered why I asked on their behalf. Since she was nice Sterling perked up a little more and asked her for a picture with her, which of course she agreed to. All of us thanked her and she was off. We got what we came for and headed home happy.