As for the fan-worship---I expect it had more to do with the the fandom and your tender age and less about Mater herself, no?

I hope so!

I remember back in 2000 I was gushing over Rice to my flatmate (and fellow literature undergraduate) and how accessible she was, with her website and her phone line. She pulled a face. 'Doesn't that sound a bit narcissistic to you?'

Oh, Gemma. You were right on the money.