When Stephanie was preparing her speech last night, I kept telling her just to wing it. One of my favorite things about her is you never (seriously, never) know what’s going to pop out of her mouth. Absurd, dirty, silly. Naturally, she charmed the pants off of those library folks, and I loved watching it. The publisher’s rep looked at me, gestured toward the table where Stephanie was signing books and said, “You two are insane.”
Yes. Yes we are.
Also, I loved drinking cocktails with Tomie dePaola. We had a very serious conversation about polygamy, a less serious one about the government implanting microchips in our brains, and at one point, I do believe I encouraged the (74-year-old) children’s book author to go commando. The man loves his vodka, and with all that vodka lovin’ comes some intense mirth, so it was probably one of the best “celebrity” encounters I’ve ever had. When he left the ballroom at the end of the night, he stopped at the door, turned, waved at me and hollered his good-byes.
I figure, now that we’re so close, it won’t be at all weird when I ask him to be the godfather of my unborn children.
Big ups to Stephanie, library folks can be a tough crowd. And this vodka loving godfather sounds like quite the charmer as well. I will now read up on Tomie DePoala.
Oh my goodness, I loved that book when I was little! That is so funny!
Mazel tov! I say, any time you can convince an older person to go commando, a little battle has been won and the universe will shine just a wee bit brighter. You’ve done your good deed for the day!
tee hee. Never thought I’d see the terms 74-yr-old, children’s book author & COMMANDO in one sentence. Love it!
Oooh! I loved those books! I’m so jealous!
Strega Nona with the crazy pasta growing over the streets of Italy. Sounds like the ‘Marine Biologist’ episode of Seinfeld where the Russian author goes ballistic and throws Elaine’s PDA out the window of the cab and it hits an innocent bystander. One great line, War and Peace originally named “War, what is it good for”.
I can’t stop watching the FLDS news stories. Growing up in Utah I’ve seen a lot of Polygamists, we never cared one way or the other it was as normal as that living situation can be, but never in this way. Also, growing up in the United States I’ve always questioned the government’s TRUE intentions. This case is going to bring a lot of the things to light (both FLDS and Governmental issues) and I don’t even know what is right anymore. Not at all.
No way! I can’t believe you had drinks with Tomie DePaolo. I grew up with his books, “The Art Lesson”, and “Strega Nona”. Aww! Good times.
Oh…You are SO lucky! I just love that man…his books are so wonderful…
“best celebrity encounter ever”? Wow. Better than assaulting Aaron Eckhart? Better than nearly meeting, and less-nearly marrying, Detective Stabler?
We can only hold our breath at where your adventures will take you next. And who you’ll next convince to go commando.
While I didn’t grow up with his books, Vodka played a big part in Grandma’s babysitting, so it’s like Tomie is my dad, even though I don’t know who he is. Huzzah!
I didn’t know who Tomie DePaolo was either but I followed the link to his site….and I have to say…he’s a good looking fella for a man of his age.
When I looked further, I did recognize his illustrations.
I’m sure you made as much of an impression on him as he did on you.
I’m glad you had a good time!
That’s awesome! It seems like Stephanie would be a lot of fun to be around with. I had no idea librarians had conventions… I remember the school librarian drilling the dewey decimal system into our brains.
OK, is it just me or did anyone else’s Gaydar go “WOOPWOOPWOOP!” when they went to Tomie DePaulo’s website and saw his picture?
Isn’t he adorable? He hugged me and gave me a sticker once that said he was my friend. I wish I could have seen him drunk though.
Any time you can use Vodka and Commando in the same conversation, it’s a party! Sounds like you had a wild time. Lucky you!! If you think you’re up for even more fun, I invite you to play here:
http://lolaology.blogspot.com/2008/04/not-all-who-wander-are-lost.html
Hope you’ll join in! – Lola
Fish, you always seem to meet the most amazing people in the most unusual circumstances. I am guessing, though, that with your personality, you could turn a chance meeting with the dreariest of souls into an entertaining and enchanting time. Among people with your rare gift, you seem to shine. Thank you for sharing the glimmer with us.
SO JEALOUS that you met Tomie dePaola. Wow. My weekend consisted of a three hour Harley ride to find spark plugs, shopping for children’s clothes with my ex at Target, fighting with my boyfriend, and then passing out in the middle of the zoo. But even if it didn’t suck so much, I would still be jealous that you got to meet Tomie dePaola. Damn.
I can imagine what Americans are talking about these days – I am sure a handful of the conversations do reflect what I see/read on the US news sites…Polygamy I have never really thought about it until I saw a CNN video where they interviewed one of the mothers. Left me in quite a state of shock…
What a fantastic date you guys probably had, I want to go on a date with you two, it would be entertaining.
Heather
Hello following your blogs I really enjoy:)
Tried to email you but it went to the modernlove@nytimes
my email is mrrear111@aol.com
Best wishes Johnny YR#1 fan/admirer
So, I’m newcomer to your fabulousness and just wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoy reading you and I’m just so dang jealous that you go to meet Tomie dePaola!!