The comedian passed away Thursday afternoon at the age of 81, but her influence is still present in my life.
When we met, I had just started my journalism career, and she was at the Marriott hotel in Dayton for a Jewish Federation event. A stylist who worked in the area I was covering for a small weekly newspaper was going to do the comedian's hair.
The comment was made in jest, but as a young college grad, I was a little put-off. She unloaded on me various eye shadows and blushes from one of her makeup lines, although I didn't know what to do with them.
Now, I look back and I remember my afternoon with Rivers as an exercise in developing a thick skin, which is needed when working in the public eye.
Whether my role as a journalist, professor or comedian, I can bear the brunt of harsh words from any sharp-tongued readers, students or killjoys at a comedy club.
Since I was young when I met her, the magnitude of the meeting was lost on me. I remembered Rivers from the movie "The Muppets Take Manhattan," not as a pioneering female comedian.
During the interview, Rivers was surrounded by assistants and stylists in the massive hotel room while she prepared for the event. She was the star in the center of the room that all the other people orbited around.
Her assistant would not allow me to photograph Rivers because he was afraid I would catch her in a "bad light."
I remember thinking, "is there a good light with Joan Rivers?"
I use that bit as part of my comedy routine when I attempt to be funny at open mic nights in the area, and I think Rivers would be fine with that.
She was a person who constantly made fun of herself and the life she lived. One of my favorite jokes of hers was when she said, "I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw that my bath toys were a toaster and a radio."
Rivers made jokes when unfortunate things happened, and that's advice that would benefit anyone.
Rather than going through life feeling hurt by her comment, I embraced it. I love to tell the story about my short time with Rivers, even if she was a catty old bag.
I know she'd definitely cackle at that.
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