I haven't really been into the whole book signing thing over the past few years...I dunno why. Existential funk, general malaise with the idea of making some poor writer write their name over and over and over like a naughty chimp while having to hear the same platitudes from people over and over and over...the idea of book signings just kinda soured for me somehow over the past few years - I've never been a huge autograph hound anyway, though heck - I like to own scribbles by my favorite writers/musicians/whatevers as much as anyone else, I 'spose.

Sooo, David Sedaris had a book signing at the downtown Borders this afternoon, and I decided to take what little was left of my carcass from Pride weekend to the store and get some stuff signed. Why not? It's one of the few times I could take advantage of my night-time work schedule - I could get to the store early, beat the 9-to-5 work crowd, and get in and out of there quickly.

So this morning I looked through my books for my Sedaris stuff. I found a copy of the new book that I haven't really dug into yet, and I found a copy of "The Book of Liz" (a play he wrote with his sis Amy). Where the hell were my other books? Where was my copy of "Naked"? Where was "Barrel Fever"? Where was that "Pretty Like Me Talking" book or whatever it's called?

Oh, hell. I realized that I'd lent out ALL of my Sedaris books at one point or another, and only had the new one and the play script. So that's what I took.

The line wasn't bad at all, and he came out half an hour early so he'd have time to chat with the people in line as he signed books. The guy was a lot more chipper and friendly than I would have expected from reading his stuff and hearing him read his stuff. He had a bag of things that he'd rummage through, and he'd give odd objects to young people in line. He drew pictures in some people's books instead of writing an inscription, and in other people's books he'd place one of several freaky stamps he'd brought along with him.

I had him sign the new book for my boyfriend, who couldn't make it - so Sedaris wrote "I am very angry that you couldn't make it today." , and he put some of his freaky stamps and his autograph in the script I brought, and we chatted a bit about The Believer magazine (he's going to have an interview in an upcoming issue, by the way) and how he has no concept of pop culture after 1998.

Fun little excursion. Now I think I'll read the damn book already.

Cool! I love him.

Oh, very cool! I wouldn't expect chipper, either.
Amy was on Oprah last week for a bit with Jon Stewart...

madartista said:

DAMNIT!!! I KEEP MISSING AMY! DAMNIT ALL TO HELL!

Yeah sure Will Ferrel was on Jon Stewart but was AMy...NOOOOO.

Dang beeotch better be making the rounds this fall.

madartista said:

That was hilarious. She was so funny as the Starbucks employee that thought she won a prize from the Daily Show.


M