Well what do you know. Its time for the epic booksigning event of the year!
the VERONICA ROSSI, TAHEREH MAFI and RANSOM RIGGS Booksigning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and it's an exclamation point abuse. . . LOL
Yes people I was there. And it was epic. . . I was among that crowd. That almost 2000 throng of human beings. . . . I couldn't feel more proud of myself. . . .
I almost didn't make it because I wasn't feeling well but I still went ahead in spite of that. And ended up lugging around most of my books ( I left 2 )with me for a near 9 hour wait. It was so worth it! Despite the fact that we got lost while going there, because we opted to take the bus, then got lost again while going home because we couldn't find the bus stop that allows the PUB's to load passengers, we had to walk several blocks back and forth and we coudln't find a single area selling water and I almost collapsed from dehrydration, then again line up in the burning hot terminal for an hour. . .
So enough about my misadventures, let's get to the my days' highlights:
I was really worried about the registration. I was terrified to find out what my number is.There was an obscenely long queue. We were like standing there in line for about an hour or so. The line was moving and moving, but it was so darn slow. And as I was standing there I saw more people attaching themselves to the end of that line. It was getting longer and longer. Then it miraculously sped up afterwards and alas I could finally see the head of the line! They give passes for the respective authors with the written number of books that you want to get signed. It was also color coded: Yellow for Veronica Rossi, Blue for Tahereh Mafi and Red for Ransom Riggs. Too bad they took the passes so I couldn't have them as souvenirs.
So many people were on that line. And it's not getting shorter! It was crazy. . . .
Maybe I was so anxious that I forgot to look at my passes when I finally got them, until my mom asked me what my number is.
Maybe I was so anxious that I forgot to look at my passes when I finally got them, until my mom asked me what my number is.
They were also selling the books on sight. . . So many people were purchasing their books there as well. . . Oh and I just couldn't resist taking a photo of the sweep mascot. So adorbs! Look at those lashes. LOL!
After finally getting something to eat we went back to the activity area. It was slowly filling up. And more people are coming in as 2 pm starts to tick closer. I was sitting near the entrance, the stairs thing or whatever the heck they call that area. We sat there for almost 6 hours. My whole body was in pain.
There was an hour delay which was a little frustrating. We would've appreciated a little heads up. Because some of us were actually trying not to leave our seats because the program might start and we may not be there when it does.
And you know when the time has finally come when the crowd starts to go way crazy! Like break the roof crazy scream fest. It felt like my ears would burst. . . People were standing on their seats and since I couldn't see a darn thing anyway, I just sat down. I wish I could understand a word they're saying during the Q&A but beyond the screaming and garbled audio I understood pretty much nothing.
Then for the book signing they were calling the numbers by twenties. I hope that I didn't look as terrified as how I was feeling at that time. I was just shaking like mad. I don't know if it was the fever or I was just too terrified and nervous at the same time. All the while, I was just ranting internally, "Don't trip! Don't trip!". . . I wanted to talk to Veronica and tell her how much I love her books but I think my tongue just ran ahead of me. I'm so embarassed! OMG! Well the only thing that I could feel relieved about is the fact that I didn't just jawdrop in front of her and stutter. It would've been more embarassing.
Basically there were people who take your books, open it up and lay it on the table for the authors to sign.There were people who assist in taking pictures as well. If you're lucky enough, you get to talk to them for a bit or perhaps a few words? I think the only thing I managed to say to Tahereh and Ransom was that I'm okay. Yeah! It was pretty pathetic of me.
It's pretty sad because we can't have our books personalized. But to see them in person, be in their presence, is enough to give me smiles that could last me a lifetime.
All in all it was a freakin' awesome day. I'm so glad that I didn't miss it for the world. Thanks NBS! And a million thank you's for the three awesome authors who made my life more worthwhile. This is definitely a memory that I'd forever keep in my heart. <3
