Meeting John Barrowman
The "Hollow Earth" book signing was this evening and I wanted to write everything down while it was still fresh in my mind.
The signing was supposed to start at 6:00. I got to the bookshop at about 5:35. (They gave out tickets with numbers when you purchased your book so I already had my place in line set. I had number 54.) There were a bunch of people sitting outside and more inside. One of the shop owners brought out a fire bowl and made a small fire for the people outside to warm themselves by. (It was in the 40s. Not bitterly cold but still chilly if you're outside for a while.)
I sat outside for a few minutes and then went in with the first group. The Red Balloon Bookshop is not very big and it was already packed inside. It took me a while to find where I was supposed to be in line. (I didn't realize that people were lined up in order. I thought they would call groups of numbers once the signing started.)
I had been feeling nervous while I was getting ready to go and on the way there. I was surprised and pleased at the feeling of calm that came over me while I was waiting there.
A few minutes after 6 John and Carole Barrowman came in. They walked directly by where I was standing (literally inches from me) to get to the front of the room.
The waiting time went quickly and soon I was near the front of the line. I was feeling excited but still pretty calm. (I expected my heart to be pounding or my palms sweating but neither happened.) I was disappointed that people couldn't get pictures with John and Carole. (Not surprising since they had numbers going up to almost 300.) They did have a staff member who would take pictures with your camera while you were having your book signed so that was something.
When it was my turn I stepped up to the table. I was pleased that I felt comfortable and didn't get tongue tied or turn into a stammering idiot.
Along with the copies of Hollow Earth I brought along my copy of "The Food of Love" (This is a cookbook of Barrowman family recipes that John and his niece Clare put together.) Everyone was allowed to bring one book or other item from home to be signed for each copy of Hollow Earth purchased. I chose that because I thought it would be cool to get it signed and I didn't think many people would have one. (It was only available in a limited quantity on John Barrowman's website and at his UK tour dates.)
John seemed to be pleased that I had brought it and held it up for people to see. Clare happened to be there with them and he asked her if she wanted to sign it too. (She didn't. I thought it was cool that he asked though.)
I thanked John and Carole for signing my books. John thanked me for buying them.
I happened to be wearing a necklace that had a bunch of charms on it. All travel related things. (Airplane, ship, passport, Empire State building, luggage tag.) John noticed it when he was handing the books to me and commented that the luggage tag charm looked like the TARDIS. I giggled and said that it did kind of look like that. (I only realized that recently even though I've had the necklace for a couple years. I'm amazed I didn't notice it right away. Ironically, my mom made the exact same comment about that charm the first time she saw me wear the necklace and she's not much of a Doctor Who fan.)
Afterwords I put the books in my bag and squeed silently to myself. It was a very good evening overall.
I'll post pictures in another post.
The signing was supposed to start at 6:00. I got to the bookshop at about 5:35. (They gave out tickets with numbers when you purchased your book so I already had my place in line set. I had number 54.) There were a bunch of people sitting outside and more inside. One of the shop owners brought out a fire bowl and made a small fire for the people outside to warm themselves by. (It was in the 40s. Not bitterly cold but still chilly if you're outside for a while.)
I sat outside for a few minutes and then went in with the first group. The Red Balloon Bookshop is not very big and it was already packed inside. It took me a while to find where I was supposed to be in line. (I didn't realize that people were lined up in order. I thought they would call groups of numbers once the signing started.)
I had been feeling nervous while I was getting ready to go and on the way there. I was surprised and pleased at the feeling of calm that came over me while I was waiting there.
A few minutes after 6 John and Carole Barrowman came in. They walked directly by where I was standing (literally inches from me) to get to the front of the room.
The waiting time went quickly and soon I was near the front of the line. I was feeling excited but still pretty calm. (I expected my heart to be pounding or my palms sweating but neither happened.) I was disappointed that people couldn't get pictures with John and Carole. (Not surprising since they had numbers going up to almost 300.) They did have a staff member who would take pictures with your camera while you were having your book signed so that was something.
When it was my turn I stepped up to the table. I was pleased that I felt comfortable and didn't get tongue tied or turn into a stammering idiot.
Along with the copies of Hollow Earth I brought along my copy of "The Food of Love" (This is a cookbook of Barrowman family recipes that John and his niece Clare put together.) Everyone was allowed to bring one book or other item from home to be signed for each copy of Hollow Earth purchased. I chose that because I thought it would be cool to get it signed and I didn't think many people would have one. (It was only available in a limited quantity on John Barrowman's website and at his UK tour dates.)
John seemed to be pleased that I had brought it and held it up for people to see. Clare happened to be there with them and he asked her if she wanted to sign it too. (She didn't. I thought it was cool that he asked though.)
I thanked John and Carole for signing my books. John thanked me for buying them.
I happened to be wearing a necklace that had a bunch of charms on it. All travel related things. (Airplane, ship, passport, Empire State building, luggage tag.) John noticed it when he was handing the books to me and commented that the luggage tag charm looked like the TARDIS. I giggled and said that it did kind of look like that. (I only realized that recently even though I've had the necklace for a couple years. I'm amazed I didn't notice it right away. Ironically, my mom made the exact same comment about that charm the first time she saw me wear the necklace and she's not much of a Doctor Who fan.)
Afterwords I put the books in my bag and squeed silently to myself. It was a very good evening overall.
I'll post pictures in another post.