12.15.2009

Yesterday D and I left home around 10:30AM to run a few errands before heading to Decatur. We stopped at the new Bojangles and had a breakfast biscuit and then got on the road. Neither one of us had ever been to Agnes Scott College before. It's a beautiful school. We arrived just after 1PM and found our way to Presser Hall.


The line from where we were. And we were not at the beginning.


It was so wet and foggy and gloomy outside. In fact, Neil asked if we imported the fog to make him feel at home. He said it was "really good" fog. I guess so. At least we weren't too hot standing outside. About 4:00 or so they allowed us to pick up our overflow tickets and it wasn't too long after that they let us inside.


D and I were able to score seats in the first row in the overflow room. We had a wonderfully unobstructed view of the screen. Neil arrived and one of the first things he did was ask where the camera was for the overflow room. Then he greeted us specifically. Bonus points for Neil.

Everything he says sounds so proper because of his English accent. And when he tells his stories, he does all the voices. I'm sure he had much practice with his own children. I can see why he's won awards for his readings.


He did a short Q & A and someone asked him his thoughts about NaNoWriMo. He said he thought it was a good thing. Not only to teach people to get their creativity out on paper, but also to show them how tough a job writing really is.

Neil started signing books around 8PM. First, they allowed all the families with children to go, regardless of where they were (which was understandable). Then all the people from the main hall went next (again, nothing unexpected). We were told that the signing would progress by rows. As we were in the first row of the overflow room, we thought we were sitting pretty. But they didn't do what they said they would. When they moved us into the hall, it was willy-nilly without regard for seating place or order. Being at the front of the room, we suddenly became at the end of the line.

By Midnight we were still 2 hours away from having our books signed (both by ours and other people's estimation). We had not eaten anything since 10:30AM, we had a 3 hour drive ahead of us, Feni was waiting at home with a full bladder, and we had to report to work at 8:30AM. So, we had to put it all into perspective and make a judgement call.

So we left. With our books unsigned. After waiting all day for it. But, again, putting it into perspective, it is just a signature. We did had a nice road trip and we did enjoy the reading. And we did arrive home safe and sound. For that I am grateful.