Wordy Wednesday: You went where? To meet who?

I have waxed rasphodic about Gregory Maguire's Wicked. It is my favorite book. I love the musical. I love the message. I love the symbolism. I love that I GET the symbolism. I even had a necklace made that was inspired by it.

So about a month ago my friend Jeanine told me that he had a new book coming out. And I realized that he was coming to Atlanta. I knew that I had to go and meet him. It was a little tricky to coordinate because Katie has choir practice on Tuesday nights. But suddenly the stars were in alignment and Katie and Madalyn were invited to a girl scout skating party. So, I had childcare all sewn up.

Until last night. When just as quickly as they came into alignment...they fell out. So, I did what any rising mother of the year would do. I left my children home. Alone. To fend for themselves. So I could leave early. And get a great seat.**

Jeanine and I decided to carpool down together. Because one does not go to the wilds of downtown Atlanta. To the gay bookstore. Alone.We arrived about an hour and half early. We found out that we had to get a ticket to get an autograph. And to get a ticket, we had to buy a book. So...I bought the book. And got a ticket. Lucky number 107. But. We were really early. And because we were so early, we were able to nab one of the lucky 25 seats. Yep. Only 25 seats. And my tush was in one of them.

The bookstore itself is very small. There were so many kitschy things that just made me happy. But with so many people, it was difficult to get pictures. I do love their CD case. Does this just not prove I am at a gay bookstore?

Kathy Griffin. Patti LaBelle. And Cher. Where's Liza Minelli when you need her?

And I love the book selection. Well...besides the lesbian book...the Philippa Gregory one sent me into fits of giggles. Sorry Jeanine. I know. You can't take me anywhere.

After we entertained ourselves for a while. And watched the crowd grow exponentially. Gregory Maguire finally arrived.

He told us a story about how he seems to follow David Sedaris on book tours - and how he finally met him. And then he read a selection from his newest novel, A Lion Among Men. He is incredibly animated when he reads.

And funny.

And very entertaining.

He spent about an hour answering questions.

And then it was time for autographs. And because we were early. We dindn't have to wait for lucky number 107 to be called. We were first, bay-be!

I showed him my defy gravity necklace -so he was inspired to write this in my very well worn, well read, sort of falling apart copy of Wicked.

And then he graciously posed for pictures.And posed again with Jeanine and me.My boobs look huge in this picture. (Did I just write that?)

So...how about you? What authors would you love to meet? Have you ever met anyone famous? Gotten an autograph? Left your children home alone?

**No children were harmed due to the activities mentioned in this post. They locked the doors. Played nicely. And waited for their dear sweet grandmother to come home and cook microwave dinner.

Theme song: Popular and Defying Gravity from the Wicked soundtrack.