Jen Lancaster - My Fair Lazy

Who knew that someday I would want to go into a book store more than going into a clothing store?

Enter Borders Bookstore.

We got to the city a little later than we thought but set out on foot to find a place for dinner. We had a wonderful dinner last night at Bistro110. Leaving the restaurant I spotted a Barnes and Noble. I looked up to Peter and said, “Can we go in?” Now that I’m an official writer I love libraries and book stores.  There was a rack of books right inside the front door. ‘My Fair Lazy’ by Jen Lancaster was on display, it was an attractive book with an attractive cover. That’s all I needed. Mr. That asked if I knew about the book. No. Then he asked if I knew the author. No, but I’m a writer and I could get close to a successful writer and that’s all I really wanted to do. To be close to someone that is living my dream. I wanted to do it and I had never been to a book signing before. Mr. That shook his head and chuckled of course indulging me, like most times. My needs are simpler as I get older.

There was a sign that said to buy your book, get a wristband and move to the third floor. It was getting late and the girl said that she wasn’t sure if Ms. Lancaster was still upstairs but that I could try. I paid for my book, collected it and head to the third floor. Holy Cow! There was a line of nearly 100 people. I, of course, was the last person. No one else even had my color (yellow) band. I’ve never done this so I wasn’t sure how this worked but here is the drill. You put your wrist band on and they call you by colors. Well I’m from the school that if you are in line, you are in line. Well, that isn’t how it works. I didn’t need to worry about losing my place in line to go to the restroom. I was the last person with a yellow band. I didn’t care. I was just happy to be here among all the other people in line waiting for an autograph. People are always interesting. I’ve learned to listen and my life has gotten more interesting because of it. There were three girls in front of me talking to a nice looking gent who had a boat load of books. Seems his gf was working last night and she really liked the author, had read her books but couldn’t make it to the signing. He bought them all for her and stood in line for Jen to autograph them. The girls were so touched that a guy would do that for his gal. It was very sweet. They decided that since he had five of Jen’s books that he should have her sign them – Will You Marry Me? Ashida… well this gent wasn’t having any of it. He kind of blushed and laughed and said maybe in a year. These girls almost had this guy married off last night. I think he even hesitated thinking that it actually was a good idea. He did point out that his gf was probably ready for him to pop the question, the girls gushed that it was a girl thing that normally the girl was always ready by the time the guy got around to asking the question. Anyway it was a very cute thing that this gentleman did for his gf. Very sweet.

When I got up there, I wanted to blurt out that I’m a writer too. I imagined all sorts of interactions that might happen, none of them exciting. I could imagine her asking what I had written and I would reply, nothing, yet! I’m an optimist like that. But I did have my camera and so I got a photo taken with her. She thanked me for waiting and I said it was my pleasure. I was hoping she would put from one writer to another but of course I didn’t tell her I was a writer. It wasn’t that I was even embarrassed or anything. I just didn’t know what to say. She seemed like a lovely girl though and I thought about the life that she was living. And wouldn’t that be a great dream? Well, you never know…