CRIMINAL MINDS: KIRSTEN OPENS HER GIFTS

Criminal Minds Trip Diary: Day One: Kirsten Vangsness is a fascinating person to have a conversation with. She is open and holds nothing back. One of the first things she asked me is if I had met her friend Gina Garcia Sharp. I told her that I had and how Scott and Gina had helped Kris get some background work to earn his Sag card. Then Kirsten told me how she landed the job on the Criminal Minds which makes me adore Gina even more than before. Gina and Kirsten have been friends for many years. When the pilot for Criminal Minds was being cast Gina was able to help Kirsten get the part which only had a few lines but Kirsten was happy about the opportunity. So off to Canada she went to film the pilot. Kirsten was very nervous and did not think she was doing very well and then one of the Producers asked her if she could do her lines in a funny way. When the Pilot was finished Kirsten returned to LA, continued working multiple jobs trying to earn a living and was actively auditioning for roles. The part of Garcia had been filled with a male actor but in a late decision it was decided that the cast was male heavy and that the part should be recast with a woman. Gina called Kirsten and asked her if she was interested and the rest, as they say, is Criminal Minds history.

Kirsten is a fun person to be around. She is easygoing and sincere. She also is a modern day version of Mary Poppins. When she opened her purse to look for something you would not believe the things she took out of it. We all just laughed but she said she likes to be prepared for every possibility. She had everything in her purse but the kitchen sink and I am not really sure that wasn't in it. I was wondering what she was looking so hard for and it turned out to be a thank you note for me. I was as moved then as I am now writing about it.

She was amazed at the generousity of everyone who had taken the time to write her letters and send her pens and goodies. She said that she had no idea when she posted on her blog that we would do that for her. I thanked her, as I have in the past, for not mentioning she needed something larger than pens. She asked me why I thought people liked her character and we discussed that for awhile. Then she blew my mind. She told me and everyone at the table about the post I did on my daughter's 16th birthday and how wonderful it was and asked why I removed it after just a few days. I knew Kirsten had been reading the blog but I did not realize she had even seen that post since it only stayed up for a few days. She likes to read what the fans are saying and thinking about the show. She told me funny stories about the different outfits we was wearing in the pictures I brought for her to autograph and lets just say she is a hoot. Spending time with Kirsten was one of the highlights of my trip. She is a class act and I appreciate her mentioning me and this blog in her latest CBS blog update. We will see a bit more of Kirsten later in this diary. :)