Journal dominator2010's Journal: the story of a lifetime 10
On Thursday I had an adventure worth telling about. For some reason I'm only now choosing to write about it.
Sometime last week it came to my attention that a favorite author of mine, Cory Doctorow, was going to be in town for a book signing. For those of you who are not familiar with him, he has written many award winning sci-fi short stories, some books like "Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom", and has been involved in making a difference in a number of areas. If you would like to find out more about him you can check out his website.
I had considered going, but was reluctant to go out because it was on a weeknight and I was just making excuses because I was scared. The thing about me is that I'm afraid to go out most of the time. I don't know why, there's nothing to be afraid of. I think it's more so that I'm afraid of wasting time and energy on things I'm not sure will keep my attention for more than a few minutes.
That morning my sister emailed me about the event. Her bringing it up made me start rethinking the whole thing. It even inspired me because it made me realize I should have more exciting stories to tell. At the end of the work day I had decided to make an attempt at going.
I went straight home to get my bag and camera. I was able to catch a bus to the train station only a few minutes after I got home. I got onto the train going to the city. The train ride was touch and go. There seemed to be infrequent stops. Finally there was an announcement that there was something wrong with the train and everyone had to get off at the next stop because they were taking the train out of service.
While getting off I noticed a coworker. We met and stood on the platform as we waited for the next train to come get us. We talked to pass the time, and as we were standing there I noticed what looked like a homeless person. I didn't pay much attention to what she was doing, but thought it was odd that she was on the platform as most of the homeless people stay outside of the train stations.
When the train came my coworker and I got on and found a pair of seats. We continued are conversation, then all of the sudden I see that crazy lady on the train. She was moving about with this cart and then ended up sitting next to us with her cart blocking the exit and the pathway. She couldn't sit still and was spouting off obscenities. It sounded like she was talking about being repressed and something about 6,000 years. Both my coworker and myself tried to not let her interrupt us. Then at one of the stops this police officer comes from the rear and asks this lady what she was doing. It appeared as though he had dealt with her before and knew her name. He stepped in trying to get passed her cart and ended up having to push it out of the way.
Then when he got in there was another officer behind him. She said she was going to one of the stops, and the officers seemed content that she was on the right train going there. They got off at the next stop and the lady with her cart stayed on. My coworker got off soon and asked if I was going to be alright. It was nice of him to ask, but I wasn't worried about her. He suggested that I might consider getting off sooner than I had planned if necessary.
The lady ended up not getting off at the stop she said she was going to. I'm not sure if she was just too wrapped up in her own thoughts to realize, or had just told the cops something so they'd leave her alone. Either way, my stop came up and I was off and on my way.
The night was rainy, but I was prepared with an umbrella. I had thought it might be a good thing that it was rainy in that it might mean there would be fewer people at the book signing making it more personable. I walked a few blocks and was excited that I was out and doing this. I think it helped that it was more spur of the moment. I seem to do better when I don't have a plan, or that I'm not locked into doing something.
I finally find the bookstore and walk in, and right there standing to the side of the door is Cory Doctorow just standing there. He was giving his attention to this little girl. Obviously the child of someone else he knew there as I had heard him mention about the last time he saw her. I go to the counter to grab his new book, and another one that I had already read online, but wanted to purchase a hard copy to show my support.
Once I made the purchase I went to go take a seat. I ended up sitting in the back. Cory went up to the stool and took a seat behind the podium. He greeted us, then read a short story. He picked one that only took a few minutes to read and explained rather than sit there and read to us for the whole time he would rather open it up to talk to us so we could ask questions.
It seemed to me that there were quite a few people there that he was familiar with. That didn't put me off, but I also didn't have much I could add because I don't follow the same topics as closely as some of them do. I didn't feel lost though and could follow the questions and answers well enough. I did get in the last question of the night. I wasn't particularly proud of my question as I would have liked it to come out of my mouth better than it did. I asked a quick, simple question about how he normally feels about creating his stories. The question came out as, "Do you know where your stories are taking you beforehand?" That's not as elegant as I would have liked it to be.
Once he finished with that we lined up for him to sign our books. He was very friendly and took the time to talk to everyone while he signed their books. I don't feel he rushed anyone along. I can't say that anyone got to have a great long conversation with him, but there was enough time to at least talk to him like a normal person. I didn't have much to say other than thanking him for inspiring me and touching on the things he does. He signed both of my books and I got to take a picture with him.
I didn't stick around afterwards because I felt I got my time in and didn't think that there would be any other moments. It was an excellent night and I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet him, something I never thought I'd do or get a chance for.
Sometime last week it came to my attention that a favorite author of mine, Cory Doctorow, was going to be in town for a book signing. For those of you who are not familiar with him, he has written many award winning sci-fi short stories, some books like "Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom", and has been involved in making a difference in a number of areas. If you would like to find out more about him you can check out his website.
I had considered going, but was reluctant to go out because it was on a weeknight and I was just making excuses because I was scared. The thing about me is that I'm afraid to go out most of the time. I don't know why, there's nothing to be afraid of. I think it's more so that I'm afraid of wasting time and energy on things I'm not sure will keep my attention for more than a few minutes.
That morning my sister emailed me about the event. Her bringing it up made me start rethinking the whole thing. It even inspired me because it made me realize I should have more exciting stories to tell. At the end of the work day I had decided to make an attempt at going.
I went straight home to get my bag and camera. I was able to catch a bus to the train station only a few minutes after I got home. I got onto the train going to the city. The train ride was touch and go. There seemed to be infrequent stops. Finally there was an announcement that there was something wrong with the train and everyone had to get off at the next stop because they were taking the train out of service.
While getting off I noticed a coworker. We met and stood on the platform as we waited for the next train to come get us. We talked to pass the time, and as we were standing there I noticed what looked like a homeless person. I didn't pay much attention to what she was doing, but thought it was odd that she was on the platform as most of the homeless people stay outside of the train stations.
When the train came my coworker and I got on and found a pair of seats. We continued are conversation, then all of the sudden I see that crazy lady on the train. She was moving about with this cart and then ended up sitting next to us with her cart blocking the exit and the pathway. She couldn't sit still and was spouting off obscenities. It sounded like she was talking about being repressed and something about 6,000 years. Both my coworker and myself tried to not let her interrupt us. Then at one of the stops this police officer comes from the rear and asks this lady what she was doing. It appeared as though he had dealt with her before and knew her name. He stepped in trying to get passed her cart and ended up having to push it out of the way.
Then when he got in there was another officer behind him. She said she was going to one of the stops, and the officers seemed content that she was on the right train going there. They got off at the next stop and the lady with her cart stayed on. My coworker got off soon and asked if I was going to be alright. It was nice of him to ask, but I wasn't worried about her. He suggested that I might consider getting off sooner than I had planned if necessary.
The lady ended up not getting off at the stop she said she was going to. I'm not sure if she was just too wrapped up in her own thoughts to realize, or had just told the cops something so they'd leave her alone. Either way, my stop came up and I was off and on my way.
The night was rainy, but I was prepared with an umbrella. I had thought it might be a good thing that it was rainy in that it might mean there would be fewer people at the book signing making it more personable. I walked a few blocks and was excited that I was out and doing this. I think it helped that it was more spur of the moment. I seem to do better when I don't have a plan, or that I'm not locked into doing something.
I finally find the bookstore and walk in, and right there standing to the side of the door is Cory Doctorow just standing there. He was giving his attention to this little girl. Obviously the child of someone else he knew there as I had heard him mention about the last time he saw her. I go to the counter to grab his new book, and another one that I had already read online, but wanted to purchase a hard copy to show my support.
Once I made the purchase I went to go take a seat. I ended up sitting in the back. Cory went up to the stool and took a seat behind the podium. He greeted us, then read a short story. He picked one that only took a few minutes to read and explained rather than sit there and read to us for the whole time he would rather open it up to talk to us so we could ask questions.
It seemed to me that there were quite a few people there that he was familiar with. That didn't put me off, but I also didn't have much I could add because I don't follow the same topics as closely as some of them do. I didn't feel lost though and could follow the questions and answers well enough. I did get in the last question of the night. I wasn't particularly proud of my question as I would have liked it to come out of my mouth better than it did. I asked a quick, simple question about how he normally feels about creating his stories. The question came out as, "Do you know where your stories are taking you beforehand?" That's not as elegant as I would have liked it to be.
Once he finished with that we lined up for him to sign our books. He was very friendly and took the time to talk to everyone while he signed their books. I don't feel he rushed anyone along. I can't say that anyone got to have a great long conversation with him, but there was enough time to at least talk to him like a normal person. I didn't have much to say other than thanking him for inspiring me and touching on the things he does. He signed both of my books and I got to take a picture with him.
I didn't stick around afterwards because I felt I got my time in and didn't think that there would be any other moments. It was an excellent night and I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet him, something I never thought I'd do or get a chance for.
very cool (Score:2)
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Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom [craphound.com]
When Sysadmins Ruled the Earth [craphound.com]
Truncat [salon.com] - Short story sequel to "Down and Out"
0wnz0red [salon.com]
He also has a podcast for those moments in me when I need to be doing five things at once and can't dedicate myself to a book. You can either find the podcast through iTunes, or go to his website and download the mp3's.
Also, what you will find out is that you can read all of his wor
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http://www.locusmag.com/2006/Issues/07DoctorowCom
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the nice thing is that with google and very little effort - you can download and read just about anything he has written at no cost. and if you like it enough, you can shell out the ducats to get a dead tree copy.
he's not my favorite and i don't buy into a lot of his political inclinations-- but i think he is a really talented author who writes very well. so
good job (Score:2)
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Years ago I remember when I first started going out by myself. I thought it was awkward, and I often felt uncomfortable. Later as I did more and more things on my own I started to enjoy myself immensely. Now I'd almost prefer to do most things