Neil Gaiman in person
Gaaaad! I’m so exhausted. But dammit I had a really great time.
I got to Gateway Mall a little past 10 am for the book signing. My friends and I planned to go there around 2 pm but we heard that people started lining up very early during the book signings over the weekend. On the way there, JB called and told me to hurry up because they only let the first 150 people in for the signing and he was already 130. So I speeded up and got there without getting lost although I did have to ask a number of mall people where Fully Booked is. JB and Sherwin were already in line so I was able to squeeze in without the other people noticing. We had to wait for two hours before we got a number stub but we were still lucky because a lot of people didn’t make the cut. It was torture and a lot of people were losing temper. Fans who didn’t have a book pass can only have 1 book signed but Val Piramide, my org mate, works for Gateway and gave me a book pass. After we got our numbers, we were free to do whatever we wanted but we had to go back my 3 pm and line up again. So we had lunch and killed time by looking at lame things. We went back to Fully Booked before 3 pm because we didn’t have anything better to do. We passed the time being crazy and made lots of friends with the others in line. It was fun but there would be instances when we got so bored. Sherwin wanted to buy a deck of cards but I didn’t feel like playing ‘tong-its’. I preferred to listen to my music on my mp3 player. We also made bets as to what time we’ll get to have our books signed. It also got quite hot. I think the mall turned off the aircon in that area. We saw other people we know like Zenon, Johanne, and Rachel who unfortunately got there too late. It was 7 o’clock when we reached Gaiman. It was exciting for everyone. Our new friend Nick was even shivering. When it was my turn to have my book signed, I was too tired to talk much so I just said hi to Neil and asked if he could draw a rat for me. He said sure then signed my other book. He thanked me for coming but I don’t remember if I replied. I think I just smiled. We compared books when we came out of Fully Booked. My new friends and JB went home. Sherwin invited me to hang out with him, Adi, and Adji but I was so tired that I wanted to go home…so I did.
Blech! My account of what happened sucks. Whatever. I really had fun and I really should go out more often. I’m very happy with the new friends I made and I really missed hanging out with Sherwin and JB. They’re really fun to be with.
Bored fans
Me giving JB and Sherwin the finger for making me go to the mall so early in the morning
Looking at lame things to kill time
Take a dump. Also to kill time
Bored me (this pic looks horrendous!)
Frustrated Rachel who arrived late and didn’t make the cut
JB and me. Tired and lying on the dirty mall floor
JB very bored so he took a picture of somebody’s butt crack
This is new friend Kae. JB took the picture because she’s pretty
I was taking a picture of Gaiman but also took a pic of the cute guy I was eyeing (the one with the blue shirt) by chance. I wonder who he is. Too bad I only got his profile in this pic.
Neil and me finally!
Me looking proud. Sherwin looking troubled.
Fruit of labor
And the end was good
Lucky you! I don’t have the patience to wait that long. Plus, I only own one of his books
Thrilled to see some pictures of the event.
Wow! Great pictures! I wish I got to have something signed too. But oh well, life goes on.
Wanna blog link?
That’s awesome. My writing workshop is running an introductory session on “how to write a graphic novel: a non-drawing approach.” How cool would it have been to have your experience to share with the group.
Thanks, Grace
Hi Tobie! I just took the photos with my phone cam. I wish I have a digital camera so I could take clearer pictures. Oh well. Maybe someday. I’ll gladly exchange blog links
Hey Animae, do you conduct the workshop or are you a participant?
i was only troubled because i was thinking of a way to get Neil Gaiman to sign three books instead of the “Fully Booked”-sanctioned 2-book maximum. I thought I found a way but dang! those volunteers were ruthless!
Also had fun. The journey, as always, is more interesting than the destination. That being said, us hanging out trying to amuse ourselves, me meeting several new chicks, and desperately trying to insert the phrase “gay man” into every conversation was a HOOT! By the way, tomorrow I go to Cebu for an interview. All expenses paid! Yahoo! Sometimes I lead a charmed life.
Hoy! Uwian mo ako ng letchon when you get back. Leche ka. You read my blog pala!
hi! would it be ok to link your site in my blog and possibly borrow quotes and pics? i’m just compiling a list of links re: gaiman signings in manila. you’ll be credited of course.
btw your site was mentioned in http://news.inq7.net/infotech/index.php?index=1&story_id=43257
funny pics! love ‘em! too bad i wasn’t able to go to Gateway Mall but glad you had your books signed.
loryces, sure. will you upload the pics in your blog or hotlink them? this site is hotlink protected kasi so just let me know. btw, thanks for pointing out the article. i wasn’t aware of that.
Thanks Karen Kristie. I saw the pics on your site too
good job!
Seeing your photo of the crowded staircase brought back all the memories of the nine hours in line. (We were the ones in front naman of Photoline for four hours). I must say, this has been one of the most memorable experiences… for everyone who was there I think.
Believe and Dream.
I helped found a group called Wide Eyed Workshops. It’s completely volunteer run and we host in-person and online workshops. It’s pretty low key and anyone is welcome
I’m conducting the one this saturday on “writing sex in fiction” and next saturday “graphic novels for writers.” Eventually I think we’re going to move the workshops online. Hey, sorry this is kinda long, but feel free to spread the word.
Kage, I don’t remember where Photoline is but waiting in line that long is truly a memorable experience.
Animae, that’s great! I think a few of my friends would be interested on the online lessons. I’ll post an entry about this
I don’t regret missing my class and having to wait for hours, coz it was the time I got to meet you.^____^ Btw, Im also interested with that workshop!
Kae! Ano na balita sa iyo? Anyway, I didn’t miss anything because of the event. neither did Sherwin kasi bum kami. Si JB was absent from work. hehehe