Gary Trudeau @ Barnes & Noble Union Square - Pt 2

Just as I thought....somewhat uneventful.  I arrived 15 minutes early, and more than half the seats were still empty.  No wristband needed, no purchase necessary even.  So I sat, with a clear view of the stage, and waited.  At 7pm, a little Asian woman in a fabulous mod pattern dress and leggings came out, and introduced Mr. Trudeau, who would be 'in conversation' with the editor of the Barnes & Noble review, whatever that is.  They talked about the new book, 40, which is a retrospective of the highlights of 40 years of Doonesbury, where the inspiration came from, how the characters were fleshed out, etc, etc, etc.  I got bored pretty quickly.  Got my picture and left.

Gary Trudeau @ Barnes & Noble Union Square - pt 1

First, it's not the store near my office.  Not doing that again.  But tonight is Gary Trudeau, the author of the comic strip 'Doonesbury' which I've loved for as long as I can remember.  He's in conversation with someone about his 40 year career.  I'm told there are no wristbands, and he won't be signing, although presigned books are available for purchase.  I'm not going to buy the book, obviously, but I'm interested in hearing what he has to say.  I don't think it's going to be a crazy event by any means.  Fingers crossed.

There's also a signing uptown with Gregory Maguire, the author of 'Wicked' the book that my favorite Broadway musical is based on.  I'm very interested in that too, but they are both at the same time in completely opposite ends of town, so it's gonna be interesting to see if I can pull this off.

Rihanna @ Barnes & Noble - Pt 2

I called it....same set up as previous events.  The high bookshelves, obstructing any view you might have of Rihanna if you didn't buy the book, plus more bodyguards and store security than I've seen at other events.  Hell, Jimmy Carter didn't have that many people, and he was a President!  I guess they were expecting Chris Brown or something?  And the book is shrinkwrapped, which means the minute you open it you own it.  No returns on this one.  There were a ton of people online, but I'm not one of them.  Bailed, and went to lunch.

Note to self: Barnes & Noble on Fifth Avenue is NOT the place to attend an event.  The staff are brusque, the store setup is ridiculous, and unless Jesus Christ himself is making an appearance, it's not worth the hassle.

Rihanna @ Barnes & Noble - pt 1

Rihanna is making an appearance today at Barnes & Noble near my office to sign copies of a new 'visual chronicle of the year's 'it' girl as she embarks on her first solo tour.'  In other words, a coffee table book.  Let's face it....the girl is pretty, but a coffee table book?  C'mon. 

Called the store for details.....no posed photography, no personalizations, no memorabilia.  Sound familiar?  I asked the guy point blank if photos OF her were allowed, as I don't want to waste my time with another Michael Caine fiasco, and was told that was okay.  I have some very fond (and hazy) memories associated with a couple songs, so here goes.

My initial thought is to scope the store and see if it's possible to get a few pictures without buying the book.  Generally, this is the best way to go with any appearance.  Saves time, saves money, saves the hassle of returning the book or selling it on ebay if you really don't want it in the first place.  And let's face it, for me most of the time is about seeing the person and getting a picture than getting an autograph.  There are some that I am a true fan of, and will keep whatever it is they are signing, but in most cases I don't really care.  But at this store, I have a feeling it's going to be the same setup with the high shelves blocking most people's view of the signing...keeping out the gawkers who don't spend money.  It sucks, but I get it.  At least there's no wristbands.

Michael Caine @ Barnes & Noble - Pt 2

Well this is a new one.  I get to the store, and there is a line out the door, along the building, and around the corner.  Not a lot of people, mind you, but a line.  They haven't let anyone in yet, and are lining them outside.  Roll call maybe, I don't know, but it makes no sense to me.  I stake out the area, which is surrounded by tall aisles of books, kinda blocking everything but the signing area.  Gotta buy a book.  Damn.

So I buy the book and get in line.  Outside.  Around the corner.  In front of a 'slow adult.'  With a 'slow' kid.  And another 'slow adult' behind them.  And they are making inane conversation about how they hope he will sign every book and I wonder if he'll sign memorabilia even though they employees have clearly stated that no, he won't.  And then they discover that the books are presigned, and that the line is to have them personalized, which brings on a whole other level of will he or won't he pose with fans and is he even here yet even though the line is clearly moving already. 

Now, let me stop right here and say that in all the times that I have ever stood in line for a book signing, I have never bought a book that was presigned.  It doesn't make any sense, and kinda defeats the purpose of going to a book signing in the first place, although I will say that having them presigned and only needing personalization was making the line move much faster than they usually do.  But since I didn't care about getting a book personalized and really only wanted a picture, none of that mattered.  Plus, getting a personalization makes it hard to resell the book on ebay. 

After telling the staff that I didn't want a personalization and only wanted a picture OF Mr. Caine, not WITH him, and being told that no more pictures were being allowed, I bailed on the whole thing. 

I'll return the book tomorrow.

Michael Caine @ Barnes & Noble - pt 1

So legendary actor Michael Caine is doing a signing tonight at 6pm at the Barnes and Noble near my office, and of course I'm going.  Hoping I don't have to buy the book, as I don't really know or care to know much about him or his film career, but he IS a legend.

James Franco @ Barnes & Noble - Pt. 3

At 8:00 on the dot, a lady comes out to introduce 'actor, director, film producer, screenwriter, painter, and now author James Franco.'  The door opens, the press photographers are on top of each other, each shouting 'James, over here, James' while flashbulbs go off in every direction.  He poses for the obligatory press pictures, then walks on stage sheepishly, seeming genuinely surprised that anyone would turn out for this event.  He's unshaven, comfortably, if not stylishly dressed, and looks tired, as if the promotion tour for this book is almost over, rather than just beginning.  Either that or he pulled a few too many all-nighters writing and hasn't caught up on sleep yet.  The queen in front of me is standing now, taking pictures with her telephoto lens even though the guy is not more than 20 feet from either of us, and I can't see a damn thing.  The only guy in the entire audience standing up, as if his clear view is being blocked by the person sitting down in front of him.  Rude!

He reads for what seems like forever, but in fact is only an hour.  Still longer than most authors when they make an appearance, but the stories are actually quite good.  I was going to give the book to a friend after I finished it, but I think I might just keep it.  When he's done reading and ready to start signing (and by now the audience is shuffling in their seats, ready for him to sign (except for the queen in front of me, who has been on grindr the whole time trying to get laid), the lady reminds us that 'Mr. Franco will not be personalizing, or signing any memorabilia other than the book, and there will be no posed photos.'  So basically this means get a good picture from the line, cause you're not gonna get one with him.  With the number of people that are there, I understand and respect that decision. 

The line moves quickly, except for the damn queen who bought 10 books and wants them all signed, probably so she can sell them on ebay later (bitch!), and as I get to the podium he's smiling, laughing and chatting with fans.  When it's my turn, he looks at me and I tell him 'I need to get a really good picture for a friend of mine' (thanks Ashleigh) and he flashes a smile and I've got my shot.  We shake hands, I thank him, and I'm outta there.

James Franco @ Barnes & Noble - Pt 2

So I get out of work at 5:30 and the event starts seating at 6pm all the way downtown.  Gotta change trains and get there in 30 minutes or I  may not get a seat, and of course the elevators stop on every floor.  34.  33.  32.  31.  Finally we're zooming down toward the lobby, Grand Central terminal, and my train.  In what seems like a small victory, I time both trains right and make it to Tribeca with a few minutes to spare.  I'm sweaty, tired, and have to pee, but I got a seat.

One thing about me...I tend to go to events like this alone.  My boyfriend has no interest, so it's always a bemused 'yes dear' and I'm off.  That's fine, because the upside is that once I get to where I'm going it gives me time to scope the venue, figure out the best photo angle, and get myself situated without any distractions.  Tonight, I choose a seat on the end of the row, figuring it gives me room to breathe, stretch my feet, and still have a clear view of the podium.  The downside of going alone is that you often spend a lot of time waiting around for the event to begin, and are forced to make small talk with strangers.  Tonight, in a crowd full of acne scarred adolescents, middle aged women and queens, it's a young blonde girl with a cold who sits down next to me.  I tuck my nose into the book, hoping to kill some time reading, but no such luck, and I'm making small talk with this girl about 'oh my God I'm so excited, I'm like obsessed with James Franco do you think he will personalize the books do you think he will pose for pictures with people wow I'm so excited!'  Clearly she's never done this before. 

James Franco @ Barnes & Noble - Pt 1

Let me break it down for you.....I bought the book yesterday at the Barnes & Noble near my office.  Called the store in Tribeca yesterday to see how the event is happening.  It's a wristband event, which means seating is limited and if you don't have a wristband you aren't guaranteed to see him or have him sign.  They started giving out the wristbands at 9am this morning at the store.  I was there at 8:45 and was the 6th person in line.  (Took me half an hour and 2 different subway lines to get there from my house....skipped the gym and everything.)  The guy was going to give me grief because you 'have to buy the book at this store' so I said 'ok, I'd like to return this book and buy it again' and he kinda gave in and just gave me the wristband.  HA!  Seating starts at 6pm and the event starts at 8, so I'm going right from work.