It’s one thing to interview your childhood idol and not have a complete and total nervous breakdown. It’s another thing all together for said childhood idol to invite you brunch after the interview.

When Lindsay Wagner asked, “Michael, would you like to join me for brunch?”, I will readily admit, I peed myself a little. On the outside, I was calm, cool and collected, and graciously accepted her invitation. On the inside, though, I was a complete basket case trying desperately not to hit a high-pitched scream of sheer ecstasy.

For me, the difference between crazy hysteria and ambivalent ambivalence is a very gray area. How gray? Charcoal. (You’ll note my borderline manic behavior in the interview. It took everything I had not to completely freak out over a four-minute span.

Fortunately, Lindsay was none the wiser. Mainly because when she extended the invitation, my jaw automatically clamped shut so hard, I nearly sheared my tongue off. I would have gladly sacrificed my tongue in order to appear completely sane in this instance.

At brunch, I second-guessed every single thing I said and/or asked. Eventually, I just shut up. It was my only defense. Lindsay talked about the shifting swing in human consciousness and how the brain is constantly on overdrive. All I could think is, “Good God, she’s ON to me.” Fortunately, after fifteen minutes I finally calmed down enough to engage in meaningful dialogue.

Since she’s SO in touch with her inner self, the first thing I wanted to know was how she did it. Apparently, it’s taken years of practice. At the height of “The Bionic Woman’s” popularity, Lindsay and her mom were booked on a flight that crashed moments after takeoff.  Lindsay had a gut feeling she wasn’t supposed to board that flight and, with ticket in hand, she turned around and immediately left the gate. Everyone on the plane perished. It’s moments like that which clinch her belief in the power of the mind.

Over eggs Florentine and a Greek omelet, Lindsay and I kibitzed on a number of things. The weirdest Bionic thing she’s ever seen? A life size bust of her, that was eerily accurate.  The strangest place she’s ever been asked for an autograph? While she was in a stall in the ladies room. What did she think of the new “Bionic Woman” reboot last year? “Really, what WERE they thinking?” she confessed. (I thoroughly agreed.)

Several people recognized her at the restaurant and she was gracious and polite. Always a good sign. By the end of brunch, I was more in awe of this woman than I ever thought I could be. She’s obviously having the time of her life helping people feel better through holistic practices. And she still embraces her bionic background.

I got a hug and a “God bless” at the end of brunch. And it was the perfect end to the perfect day with someone I’ve cherished since I was five years old. A day I will remember forever.

Bliss to the millionth, er, six millionth degree.