Book Signing

Benoit Denizet-Lewis. A person I hadn't ever met before last night. (at least not in person. facebook is a remarkable thing) My buddy Matt and I went to a book signing together. Normally I'm too uncomfortable to go to these sorts of events, but I'm a writer so I thought that I should make the effort. Especially to meet somebody that has actually had something published. My problem is that when I find somebody interesting I want a private audience. It's hard for me to get to have a decent conversation with anybody at a function because you are constantly being interrupted by new arrivals. Since I haven't ever been the sort of person who enjoys the cliches of small talk, I make an effort to avoid situations where it has to be done. I've always thought that this very topic would make a very funny sketch for SNL.

I met Benoit on facebook. I suppose you could call it mild stalking, but I was browsing through my friends lists of friends. Since I'm attracted to athletic guys I clicked on his profile. After reading his information I found that we had a few things in common. His book "America Anonymous" was recently featured on The Huffington Post. www.huffingtonpost.com/rachel-kramer-bussel/exclusive-inyti-reporter_b_154774.html. I'm a huge fan of Arianna Huffington and follow that blog. The other thing that we had in common (and this one's a stretch) is that he studied journalism. I didn't study at all, but I like to read so I was interested. So, I requested his friendship. My hope was that I could get his advice on how to go about starting a blog or possibly even having something of my own published in the future. He accepted my friend request and even said that he'd be happy to let me pick his brain sometime after his book tour. I figured that if a person is willing to expose all of their vulnerabilities by writing a book about the perils of sex addiction than he must be a quality person that is interested in keeping his word. I didn't plan on buying a book, but after thinking about it I decided that it would be rude to ask for an audience with an author at his own book signing without at least having the book. Having a book to be signed is probably the best way to engage in a conversation with the person who wrote it.

I had worn a sweater to the function and a wool collar that I regret. The collar came off first and then my sweater began to feel uncomfortable and I still hadn't had the opportunity to make Benoits acquaintance. Matt and I did get to have a small conversation with Congressman Barney Frank. I was enchanted because I had witnessed that ugly confrontation that Congressman Frank had with the feckless Bill O'Reilly sometime back in October http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrfPMa3lONU. I like Barney Frank. He's a rational and very intelligent man. Granted, he does speak like he has a mouth full of popcorn, but so does our mayor and he's very popular. Nobody ever runs against him for office. It was a short conversation, but I was glad to have had it.

When it was Matt's turn to have his copy signed I choose that moment to decide that I too should have a copy of my own. When I returned a moment later Matt had let Benoit get away. He said that he looked hungry so he sent him away. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. By this time my sweater was really uncomfortable and I was about to expire so I interrupted Benoit with my apologies and explained to him that I was the random guy that he met on facebook earlier in the week and asked if I could have him sign my copy. (nice intro to somebody you'd like to know huh?) He seemed happy enough to do it, but I could tell that he was overwhelmed with what was going on. He signed it "For Rodin, I hope you like the book! Best, Benoit." It wasn't the introduction that I had hoped for, but I was happy with my book. And who knows, maybe he will contact me sometime afterall.

-R