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chickwriterI have once again confirmed my belief...no, my conviction, that chickwriter trying to drive in DC is doomed to get lost and end up in some skanky part of town.
My book signing last night was at B. Dalton at Union Station. It's *on* the metro, but hey, my co-workers convinced me that it's *easy* to get to via car and Hey, there's a parking lot Right There.
I got directions from a 2nd coworker. I got directions from the Union Station site. I did well for the first leg of the trip, then somehow, I ended up on 295, exiting on Pennsylvania Ave, just before the freeway ENDS and toodling around somewhere in SouthEast trying to (a) NOT get on the Anacostia Parkway and (b) figure out how to get back on 395 so I can exit on Massachusetts.
All this in Friday afternoon rush hour.
Let just say I managed to do so with a minimum of panic, but a whole hell of a lot of anxiety. Getting INTO the parking at Union Station was also a frackng mess. I was in the correct lane on the road, but then people just kept STOPPING THEIR CARS in the middle of freaking traffic, so their passengers could unload themselves and baggage and catch the train. OMFG!! This is NOT some lazy side street where, if annoying, can be maneuvered around. This was right on Mass Ave with hundreds of cars merging in from all sorts of intersections and all headed to either the parking lot or the drop off points.
as;dlfkajdfladkfj!!! BAD BAD DC TRAFFIC
/driving rant
The bookstore manager was quite nice, however, there was not a single pieces of signage that anything was happening in the store - only a small card table covered by a blue cloth and 10 copies of my book scattered on it (not even stacked in a display). Manager guy got me a chair and a glass of water and I basically sat there and stared at the scurrying passersby. The store is located at one of the ends of the station and there's a ton of arrival/departure traffic from Amtrak and Metrorail.
I did get a few chatters - those folks that will approach, talk to you for a bit, pick up a business card, but never buy a book. That's fine, I figure that eventually, they may buy from somewhere.
I got the requisite DC crazy person - in this case, a woman that wanted to force me to tell her that I believed in the other world and that I pretty much spoke to dead people. Now, to be fair, I can say that I have a healthy interest in supernatural phenomenon, but am I going to have a philosophical discussion with someone who was 2 tortillas short of a taco? Not so much.
Met a woman from Lima, Peru - who of course, stopped because she saw my name. (she took a card, didn't buy). Met another woman from Brazil, who was happy to see a Latina name. She took 2 cards, one for her and one for her Cuban friend she was about to meet. (again no purchase).
Also ran into one of my favorite former co-workers (from when I worked at the association downtown for the BTH*). He looked great and is now working as communications director for another association.
It wasn't until the absolutely last tail end of the signing that folks bought books. Two women (tourists) came by, all excited to get an autographed book, then, right after them, another woman did the same. Definitely left me in a more upbeat mood.
I signed stock and then decided to scrap my plans for hanging out and having dinner at the mall. As usual, after spending a couple of hours being "on", I really needed to just get home.
Since I dreaded the drive back - because no one at the store could give me directions (they were all train commuters) - I plugged in the Tom-Tom and hoped it wouldn't send me on a crazy goose chase. Luckily, getting on 395 from Union Station was fairly easy. I got home in about 15 minutes. WHEW.
After surviving the OMG CITY! ordeal (really, I'm not that bad about the city, just when I am dumb and decide to drive when there's perfectly good public transportation) - I get home and voila! Advance Check for Blood Bargain arrived. Yippee!
And then of course, the other set of nightmares...of the good and squeeful kind...
How could this episode NOT have been written by Ces or Astolat or Sheafrotherdon or Lamardeuse or Kassrachel or Rageprufrock or someone else equally as talented. I'm CONVINCED that Rob Cooper is sekritly a fangrrl in disguise.
I mean REALLY. THEY SHARED A BRAIN!!! Voluntarily!!!
I did watch this in the early iTunes download, because I am totally not good with the delayed gratification, but I've watched it twice again because it was just that good.
So much room for squee!!
Now, it's off to a hair appointment, then later, another book signing.
SO, DC area peeps - even though this is late notice, if you're around this afternoon, stop by Waldenbooks at Landmark Mall. I'll be there at 1:00 and for a couple of hours.
LandMark Mall/Waldenbooks
5801 Duke St #G304
Alexandria, VA 22304
Have a great Saturday all!!
My book signing last night was at B. Dalton at Union Station. It's *on* the metro, but hey, my co-workers convinced me that it's *easy* to get to via car and Hey, there's a parking lot Right There.
I got directions from a 2nd coworker. I got directions from the Union Station site. I did well for the first leg of the trip, then somehow, I ended up on 295, exiting on Pennsylvania Ave, just before the freeway ENDS and toodling around somewhere in SouthEast trying to (a) NOT get on the Anacostia Parkway and (b) figure out how to get back on 395 so I can exit on Massachusetts.
All this in Friday afternoon rush hour.
Let just say I managed to do so with a minimum of panic, but a whole hell of a lot of anxiety. Getting INTO the parking at Union Station was also a frackng mess. I was in the correct lane on the road, but then people just kept STOPPING THEIR CARS in the middle of freaking traffic, so their passengers could unload themselves and baggage and catch the train. OMFG!! This is NOT some lazy side street where, if annoying, can be maneuvered around. This was right on Mass Ave with hundreds of cars merging in from all sorts of intersections and all headed to either the parking lot or the drop off points.
as;dlfkajdfladkfj!!! BAD BAD DC TRAFFIC
/driving rant
The bookstore manager was quite nice, however, there was not a single pieces of signage that anything was happening in the store - only a small card table covered by a blue cloth and 10 copies of my book scattered on it (not even stacked in a display). Manager guy got me a chair and a glass of water and I basically sat there and stared at the scurrying passersby. The store is located at one of the ends of the station and there's a ton of arrival/departure traffic from Amtrak and Metrorail.
I did get a few chatters - those folks that will approach, talk to you for a bit, pick up a business card, but never buy a book. That's fine, I figure that eventually, they may buy from somewhere.
I got the requisite DC crazy person - in this case, a woman that wanted to force me to tell her that I believed in the other world and that I pretty much spoke to dead people. Now, to be fair, I can say that I have a healthy interest in supernatural phenomenon, but am I going to have a philosophical discussion with someone who was 2 tortillas short of a taco? Not so much.
Met a woman from Lima, Peru - who of course, stopped because she saw my name. (she took a card, didn't buy). Met another woman from Brazil, who was happy to see a Latina name. She took 2 cards, one for her and one for her Cuban friend she was about to meet. (again no purchase).
Also ran into one of my favorite former co-workers (from when I worked at the association downtown for the BTH*). He looked great and is now working as communications director for another association.
It wasn't until the absolutely last tail end of the signing that folks bought books. Two women (tourists) came by, all excited to get an autographed book, then, right after them, another woman did the same. Definitely left me in a more upbeat mood.
I signed stock and then decided to scrap my plans for hanging out and having dinner at the mall. As usual, after spending a couple of hours being "on", I really needed to just get home.
Since I dreaded the drive back - because no one at the store could give me directions (they were all train commuters) - I plugged in the Tom-Tom and hoped it wouldn't send me on a crazy goose chase. Luckily, getting on 395 from Union Station was fairly easy. I got home in about 15 minutes. WHEW.
After surviving the OMG CITY! ordeal (really, I'm not that bad about the city, just when I am dumb and decide to drive when there's perfectly good public transportation) - I get home and voila! Advance Check for Blood Bargain arrived. Yippee!
And then of course, the other set of nightmares...of the good and squeeful kind...
How could this episode NOT have been written by Ces or Astolat or Sheafrotherdon or Lamardeuse or Kassrachel or Rageprufrock or someone else equally as talented. I'm CONVINCED that Rob Cooper is sekritly a fangrrl in disguise.
I mean REALLY. THEY SHARED A BRAIN!!! Voluntarily!!!
I did watch this in the early iTunes download, because I am totally not good with the delayed gratification, but I've watched it twice again because it was just that good.
So much room for squee!!
Now, it's off to a hair appointment, then later, another book signing.
SO, DC area peeps - even though this is late notice, if you're around this afternoon, stop by Waldenbooks at Landmark Mall. I'll be there at 1:00 and for a couple of hours.
LandMark Mall/Waldenbooks
5801 Duke St #G304
Alexandria, VA 22304
Have a great Saturday all!!
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(no subject)
Date: 2007-10-20 01:33 pm (UTC)Glad you ended on an upbeat note!
(no subject)
Date: 2007-10-21 12:35 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-10-20 03:03 pm (UTC)This brings back such good memories of the booksigning I went to with you. One of the high points of my summer.
I miss you in Technicolor. Are you by any chance around next weekend?
(no subject)
Date: 2007-10-21 12:38 pm (UTC)Sadly, I'm around but not next weekend - Saturday is the Dying to Write conference (in DC) and Sunday afternoon I'm signing at the Borders Express in National Airport (how bizarre is that?). Then I take off on 10/31 for World Fantasy and not back until 11/5.
After this, I'm pretty freed up, though - except for writing. :)
I miss you LOTS!
(no subject)
Date: 2007-10-30 11:51 am (UTC)Heh. Understood.
I miss you lots and lots as well, m'dear. Let's plan something here, rather than trusting to luck. I am in DC a fair amount on the weekends these days. I know your weekends are precious to you, and I don't want to get in the way of that at all. Does there tend to be a time on weekends that works better/worse for you?
(no subject)
Date: 2007-10-21 02:39 am (UTC)Damn, I should have just left work early and I could have dropped you off! Stupid work. heh.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-10-21 12:40 pm (UTC)I think the issue with me and DC is that there is a lot of confusing - you need to be in x lane or y lane or the highway/road/etc. takes you to places you shouldn't be. And many times, it's not clearly marked. Okay if you are familiar with it, but not so much if you're not.
Hope you're having a BLAST on the trip!!
(no subject)
Date: 2007-10-21 06:56 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-10-21 12:41 pm (UTC)LOVE your icon!