neverwhere: (Wit -- by patronus_icons)
[personal profile] neverwhere
Do you know what's even better than watching the absolutely brilliant stage adaptation of His Dark Materials?


Meeting the author Phillip Pullman the night before on the train ride home.


Bwahahahahahahahahahahaa!! *wallows in smugness* :D



After a long, wonderful day in London, meeting up with the delightful [livejournal.com profile] storme, rummaging through shops and wandering down unexpected alleyways I caught the train from Paddington back to Colnbrook, where I'm staying with my friends Nick and Elly (aren't they cute? :). That train terminates in Oxford...which is where Phillip Pullman lives. And he was sitting three rows in front of me on the train. I couldn't believe it -- one of the most famous authors in Britain, soon to be an international superstar with the release of the films based on his books, all around nifty guy -- was just sitting in the regular carriage like a normal person, chatting with his neighbours and being the most unassuming man in the world. I tried surreptitiously to take a photo of him with my mobile ('I'm just writing a text message, honestly!'), but I was too afraid to actually go up and talk to him. Thankfully, the knots in my stomach untied themselves just as the train was nearing the station, and I courageously walked over and politely asked: 'Would you happen to be Phillip Pullman?' And, rather flummoxed, he replied, 'yes'. Which of course unleashed a torrent of SQUEEE, and I fangirled him so badly I think I sent the poor man into shock. *laughs* 'Oh Mr Pullman, I love your works, you're such an inspiration, I can't wait to see the plays tomorrow, it's such an honour to meet you...' I know, I'm hopeless. *grins sheepishly* I think he was rather pleased, actually. I'm sure it's rare for him to be recognized outside of a book signing, and he certainly didn't seem to mind that all the other passengers were staring at us. ;-)

He very graciously signed a card I bought at the National Theatre with one of his angel illustrations on the front, (omgIamsolucky!) and then I had to rush off the train, bouncing the entire way. Quite literally bouncing. Wheeeee. :D

Needless to say, the plays this afternoon had an extra special significance for me. *G* They were magnificent, a triumph of staging and puppeteering, masterfully crafted and immensely enjoyable to watch. Now more than ever, I desperately, desperately want my own daemon -- Pantalaimon was so incredibly real, the way he moved and wagged his tail and scurried about, climbing trees and running to Lyra in distress, you forgot the puppeteer dressed in black behind her and thought only of the devoted soul that would never leave her side. Plus he was SO cute. Hee. :)
I'm sure I could write pages about HDM, but it's rather late, and I need to sleep. If anyone wants to know more details, please don't hesitate to ask. :)

*skips off to bed singing the 'I Met Phillip Pullman On The Train Tra La La' song* *giggles*

Date: 2005-03-09 04:55 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] soupytwist.livejournal.com
DUDE. OMG. OMG. OMG. YOU ARE LIKE THE SLEB-MEETING GODDESS.

*squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee*

Date: 2005-03-09 05:09 pm (UTC)
storme: (Default)
From: [personal profile] storme
Whoa, that's very cool indeed.

I shall count myself responsible for providing karma, or something.

Date: 2005-03-09 05:25 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] myf.livejournal.com
How do you do that?

I so want to see HDM onstage. Never going to happen, but the desire remains. Gnah.

*hugs*
From: [identity profile] eyre-lasgalen.livejournal.com
Lalalalalaaaaaaaaaaaa

I envy you so! You always meet interesting and famous and wonderful people! Even if I did ever see anyone famous, I'd be FAAAAAAR to embarassed and shy to ever approach them!

Even if it was my most beloved Seth
Even if it was my second-most beloved Seth
Which is which? I don't even know anymore!

Cheers!

Date: 2005-03-09 06:53 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tenar.livejournal.com
that is entirely too brilliant for words! i hope the rest of your trip is just as spectacular, if that's even possible. :)

Date: 2005-03-09 07:32 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] malakhai.livejournal.com
I am going to save the autograph he gave you and pretend it was signed to me. HAHA!!!!

Date: 2005-03-09 08:18 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lutraphile.livejournal.com
oh. my. GOD.

!!!!!!

That is TOO COOL. Go you!

HDM details pleeze, I want to hear alllll about it! maybe you could IM me (lutra1) when you get back? :-D

Date: 2005-03-09 08:56 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lego-the-eggo.livejournal.com
OMG! Phillip Pullman!!!!! *bounces around screaming 'Nevvie met Phillip Pullman!'* *None of my sisters have any idea what I'm screaming about and start screaming at me for interupting Alias*

Meeep. *envies Nevvie* Dude, I am now convinced that you will meet someone else famous. Like Orlando Bloom. Or Billy Boyd again! That would be fun! *bounces more*

*envies you even more for HDM* If I knew how to do the special html stuff, my font would be green. Well, at least there's a movie for those of us stuck in the States who can't go see the play. *le sigh*

Glad to see you're having fun! YAY FOR ESPRESSO'S!! Not yay for 3 page paper assigned today, due tomorrow. *sad puppy face*

~Alli~

Date: 2005-03-10 12:33 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ashfae.livejournal.com
You wench! How did you get this celebrity karma?!?!

Date: 2005-03-10 01:03 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ixwin.livejournal.com
In case any of your readers would like to see them, there are official photos from the plays on the National Theatre website

Part I
Part II

Date: 2005-03-10 03:17 am (UTC)
ext_1379229: (Default)
From: [identity profile] pixieboots.livejournal.com
OH AND ONCE MORE I AM SO JEALOUS.

Date: 2005-03-10 07:26 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] silvante.livejournal.com
You, you you you git of an evil Otter you *shakes fist at you* you, you, words depart me for your pure evilness,

*grumbles* anyway in case your not aware there is apparently a LF Meet this weekend....though right now i couldn't tell you were

Date: 2005-03-10 07:54 am (UTC)
bygonepie: (jaunty butler)
From: [personal profile] bygonepie
YOU MET HIM YOU MET HIM YOU MET HIM YOU MET HIM YOU MET HIM YOU MET HIM


omg

am so envious

Date: 2005-03-10 10:05 am (UTC)
ext_20950: (supercalifragilisticexpialidocious)
From: [identity profile] jacinthsong.livejournal.com
OMG, BITCH. I've been to see him speak but couldn't get an autograph or even go HIOMGYOUAREAMAZINGSQUEE (...probably a good thing, in retrospect) and ahhhh. Although I do have three years to stalk him round Oxford XD

You win at life! <33

Date: 2005-03-10 10:15 am (UTC)
ext_10147: (i love a cabaret [me])
From: [identity profile] hostile17girl.livejournal.com
Wow, with each post you make, it seems more and more like you are the LUCKIEST FREAKING PERSON in the universe! :)

Date: 2005-03-10 02:26 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ephiriel.livejournal.com
You Jammie ...!
Bless your recognition skills - I wouldn't have a clue. However well spotted and you jammie ...!

Date: 2005-03-10 03:03 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] queeniefox.livejournal.com
Wow! That's amazing, lucky you! Sorry we couldn't meet up by the way :(

Date: 2005-03-10 05:47 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] airemay.livejournal.com
Pleaaaaaaaase give me more info about the plays!!!! :D

Date: 2005-03-12 07:14 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] whisperwords.livejournal.com
Hello!

I've just returned from Edinburgh and like all good livejournallers, have returned to my computer to immediately add all the shiny new friends I've made. It was great fun at Ash's curry dinner, squeeflailing over all kinds of things (DUDE. YOU HAVE A LAST UNICORN PATCH!) and meeting you!

Date: 2005-03-16 10:41 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ariiadne.livejournal.com
You are so very very lucky. Wench.

In other news, I seem to recall reading in a post of [livejournal.com profile] ashfae that you're heading back down into London around nowish? Are you going to be in town at all? I'm here until Monday and am suffering from a lack of People To Hang Out With, and you were supremely nifty. So if you ARE around and want to Do Stuff, let me know!

Jess

Date: 2005-03-20 10:45 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nieren.livejournal.com
i need hugs, but more specifically i demand hugs from you, come over.
:))
nie

Ello

Date: 2005-03-20 12:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] loving-hobbit.livejournal.com
::Squeezez:: Misses you nevvie! So I hopes you do go to ORC at least one day. ~laugh~ no Holly and I are the ones spending big bucks, god dammit! So many kinds of in debt so everyone in my surrounding. ~slaps self (slap out of your insanity) just wanted to give you quick hello. Have a good day/night. How was london, love> Good, I bet.

~may your raod go ever on~

Date: 2005-03-28 06:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] timtamslam21.livejournal.com
heya -
not sure where to write it... just wanted to say i miss you! i was reading griffin and sabine last night and thought of you... regressing to picture books these days, as a vacation from ugly text books. i'm also reading 'the true confessions of charlette doyle' again - did you ever read that (you were probably 13 at the time, and let's face it, still more mature than i am now)... anyway, hope you see this. big hug and just wanted to say hi! xoxo

Misses you

Date: 2005-04-30 08:38 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] loving-hobbit.livejournal.com
Thanks for the post on my LJ. It was sweet. So only 24 days in counting till I turn a one and eight...eighteeen. :jumps up: Ia ms o excited. Not only will I soon be turing this so greatfully put age for me, and this very day, I shall be getting my first tattoo, and yes its a LOTR tat! I will have it up on my site soon. I designed it today, all i can tell you is it involves frodo, my love. Have a good one and a late congrads on meeting mr. pullman, very lucky woman you are.

~may your raod go ever on~
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