NeilNeilNeilNeilNeilNeilNeil!
Oct. 2nd, 2005 04:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
neverwhereCan you guess what this entry is about? *giggles*
I had to wait outside for over ten hours, but I finally got to speak with my beloved Neil again. WHOOT!
Is it wrong to say I missed him so much? Well, I don't care, because he said he missed me too. Ahaha take that beetches! *laughs*
Yesterday he was at Vroman's bookshop in Pasadena to read a bit from Anansi Boys, answer a few questions, and sign books for well over 600 people. My poor Neil! He already looked bedraggled and weary when he arrived at 7pm; by the time I got to him at midnight his eyes were bright red, his speech blurry and could barely manage a smile. But of course he did smile graciously and talk to everyone, because he's amazing and the most wonderful man ever. (Am so not biased about this, honestly. ;-)
I arrived at around 1pm to get a good seat for the reading, and sat on a very hard bench for the next six hours, but it was worth it because I definitely had the best seat in the courtyard, which was quite literally overflowing with people. He read a bit about a dream in LA from the book, and then did a very amusing (of course!) Q&A session, in which I learned that Fred the Unlucky Black Cat is still Unlucky and likes to throw himself at windows for no apparent reason, the little stray kitten is still at his house and doing well, Beowulf is progressing nicely, and he had to write Wolves in the Walls four different ways before deciding it was right. I'm sure there was a lot more, but I can't remember any of it now. *G*
After the reading we had to queue up in groups, and mine was the very last one called, at around 11.50pm. So I sat around doing not very much for a long time. I did get to meet a friend of Neil's who was being his assistant at the signing - her name was Crystal and she was a very sweet woman of about 35ish, and I helped her bring English Breakfast tea to the struggling author. Awwww. (He likes milk and honey in his tea, but the cafe was out of honey. I'm sure you're all deeply enlightened to know that. *smirk*)
At last, the good bit!
*Neil signing books* *mumblesmilethankyouforcoming* *gives book back and smiles politely*
*Nevvie approaches desk* *Neil looks up and into eyes of curlyhaired hobbit*
'Ohhh, Hell-ooooooooooo!' *Neil beams with pleasure and all traces of weariness disappear*
'Nevvie! Where have you been? It's been aaages! You were at the last two Comic-Cons weren't you? (me: 'Yes!' See? I told you he noticed me) But we haven't spoken since...Harrods, wasn't it? But you've had your friends around the world keep in touch with me, haven't you *chuckle*'
[insert a bit of banter I can't remember now about friends and London and the Neverwhere dvd]
Because I had read on his blog that he had trouble finding his socks in a suitcase full of black things, I brought him a present: bright neon lime green socks, which I presented with a flourish, and he actually snorted. He gigglesnorted! Wheee! He also said that they would be very useful on the trip, and that Maddy would most likely pounce on them as soon as he got home. Isn't that brilliant? I hope she makes sock puppets with them. :)
The dedication in Anansi Boys has a great many words in it. This is what Neil circled and said he did especially for me: 'Because we haven't seen each other for so long, this one's for you. Love Neil'
*swooon* :)))
He also signed (and doodled my name on in a very Neil-y way) my Neverwhere poster, and repeated what a delight it was to see me again, that I mustn't be a stranger, and keep in touch. Needless to say, I left the signing crying tears of exquisite joy. He just makes me so incredibly happy. Le sigh.
I don't think I will ever forget how his face lit up and his entire demeanour changed when he saw me -- whenever I am feeling lonely or sad, I'll just think of Neil and how even someone like me can brighten his day.
Go me! *does the Happy Nevvie dance* :D
I had to wait outside for over ten hours, but I finally got to speak with my beloved Neil again. WHOOT!
Is it wrong to say I missed him so much? Well, I don't care, because he said he missed me too. Ahaha take that beetches! *laughs*
Yesterday he was at Vroman's bookshop in Pasadena to read a bit from Anansi Boys, answer a few questions, and sign books for well over 600 people. My poor Neil! He already looked bedraggled and weary when he arrived at 7pm; by the time I got to him at midnight his eyes were bright red, his speech blurry and could barely manage a smile. But of course he did smile graciously and talk to everyone, because he's amazing and the most wonderful man ever. (Am so not biased about this, honestly. ;-)
I arrived at around 1pm to get a good seat for the reading, and sat on a very hard bench for the next six hours, but it was worth it because I definitely had the best seat in the courtyard, which was quite literally overflowing with people. He read a bit about a dream in LA from the book, and then did a very amusing (of course!) Q&A session, in which I learned that Fred the Unlucky Black Cat is still Unlucky and likes to throw himself at windows for no apparent reason, the little stray kitten is still at his house and doing well, Beowulf is progressing nicely, and he had to write Wolves in the Walls four different ways before deciding it was right. I'm sure there was a lot more, but I can't remember any of it now. *G*
After the reading we had to queue up in groups, and mine was the very last one called, at around 11.50pm. So I sat around doing not very much for a long time. I did get to meet a friend of Neil's who was being his assistant at the signing - her name was Crystal and she was a very sweet woman of about 35ish, and I helped her bring English Breakfast tea to the struggling author. Awwww. (He likes milk and honey in his tea, but the cafe was out of honey. I'm sure you're all deeply enlightened to know that. *smirk*)
At last, the good bit!
*Neil signing books* *mumblesmilethankyouforcoming* *gives book back and smiles politely*
*Nevvie approaches desk* *Neil looks up and into eyes of curlyhaired hobbit*
'Ohhh, Hell-ooooooooooo!' *Neil beams with pleasure and all traces of weariness disappear*
'Nevvie! Where have you been? It's been aaages! You were at the last two Comic-Cons weren't you? (me: 'Yes!' See? I told you he noticed me) But we haven't spoken since...Harrods, wasn't it? But you've had your friends around the world keep in touch with me, haven't you *chuckle*'
[insert a bit of banter I can't remember now about friends and London and the Neverwhere dvd]
Because I had read on his blog that he had trouble finding his socks in a suitcase full of black things, I brought him a present: bright neon lime green socks, which I presented with a flourish, and he actually snorted. He gigglesnorted! Wheee! He also said that they would be very useful on the trip, and that Maddy would most likely pounce on them as soon as he got home. Isn't that brilliant? I hope she makes sock puppets with them. :)
The dedication in Anansi Boys has a great many words in it. This is what Neil circled and said he did especially for me: 'Because we haven't seen each other for so long, this one's for you. Love Neil'
*swooon* :)))
He also signed (and doodled my name on in a very Neil-y way) my Neverwhere poster, and repeated what a delight it was to see me again, that I mustn't be a stranger, and keep in touch. Needless to say, I left the signing crying tears of exquisite joy. He just makes me so incredibly happy. Le sigh.
I don't think I will ever forget how his face lit up and his entire demeanour changed when he saw me -- whenever I am feeling lonely or sad, I'll just think of Neil and how even someone like me can brighten his day.
Go me! *does the Happy Nevvie dance* :D
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-10-02 11:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 12:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 12:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 12:03 am (UTC)He absolutely is the sweetest man alive. He promised he would stay until everyone got a signature, and even though he was desperate for food and sleep, he still kept on signing until past midnight. What a trooper! And he's so friendly to everyone, and charming and funny and humble and ohhh I could go on and on...*giggles*
no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 12:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 12:03 am (UTC)Famous people just remember you don't they?? Can't forget Nevvie! *hugs*
.
..
.
*ponders* I wonder if Dom still remembers me...or Sandro, Jarl, and Jorn for that matter. *ponders more*
no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 12:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 12:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 12:16 am (UTC)*ahem*
no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 12:16 am (UTC)Glad that you had such a great time and that the long wait was all worth it
*huggs*
no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 12:22 am (UTC)I wonder if he'd remember me in any way. :( I was at Harrods, seen him here and there but not as often as you have, of course, oh Queen of Neildom? :P *overuse of smileys* I think I was one of those friends saying hi from you, but still.
Awww to what he signed your book with. It is so squeeful when he remembers you, I know. I'm squeeing here for how nice he is once again, with that hands-on-cheeks-chibi anime effect happening to me. Aaargh, must get to the UK for those signings now. Great to hear this.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 12:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 12:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 12:47 am (UTC)That's me that's me that's me!
*SNOGS!*
Hello, darling. :-D You are always day-brightening!
no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 02:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 03:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 03:30 am (UTC)And WHEEEEEEEEE Neil loves our Nevvie! As well he should!
no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 03:32 am (UTC)9 November
6.30pm: Waterstone’s, West End, Princes Street, Edinburgh
Talk and signing
Contact: 0131 225 3436
Tickets £3
Tee hee! :D
no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 03:41 am (UTC)*laughs*
My storytelling prowess is just that good, neh? ;-)
it really is the best story omgsoluckywheee
no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 03:42 am (UTC)I know! *BOUNCE*
Still on proverbial Cloud Nine. Why can't all feelings feel like this? *grins*
no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 03:50 am (UTC)It so IS you! *tacklepounceglompsmooooooooooooch!*
Day-brightening? Moi? Noooooooo...*shuffles foot sheepishly* *giggles*
no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 04:07 am (UTC)Sometimes I forget. Thankfully, Neil is always willing to remind me. *blushes gleefully*
no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 04:08 am (UTC)That is no good at all. When he goes round for The Graveyard Book I absolutely insist you tackle him and never let him go. Or at least until Security pulls you off him. ;-)
no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 04:10 am (UTC)I'm sure he would remember you! I think the Harrods signing was particularly special, since there was no one there and he actually got to talk to people for once.
You absolutely were 'one of those friends', I'm sure of it! *squish*
no subject
Date: 2005-10-03 04:18 am (UTC)Only the company of one of my dearest friends could have made the experience more memorable. *squeeeze* :)