How to get the time_t value from a Wx::DateTime

Maybe I'm dense, but I have searched a lot for how to get the time_t 
value -out- of a Wx::DateTime object. I've tried GetTicks() which is in 
the docs, but this method is not in the Perl version of this. I even 
tried unreferencing the scalar reference.

The only (untested at the moment) idea I can come up with is:

   $dt_object = $some_date_picker_ctrl_widget->GetValue(); # because 
GetDate() doesn't work
   $now = time();
   $timespan = $dt_i_want->Subtract(Wx::DateTime->new($now));
   $the_time_i_want = $timespan->GetValue() + $now; 	

Am I missing something?

Thanks in advance.
-- 
Dave Hayes - Consultant - Altadena CA, USA - [email protected]
 >>>> *The opinions expressed above are entirely my own* <<<<

"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.
  In practice, there is."
                                  -- Jan L. A. Van De Snepscheut