My little sister Carolyn and I went to Milwaukee to get some Anne Rice books of hers signed. Anne had a new book out, Memnoch I think it was. Carolyn brought a copy along and so we got in line outside of the bookstore. Before entering, we discovered that we must purchase a copy there, and that there was a 1 autograph limit. Stingy but practical for a popular writer such as Mrs. Rice. I had just enough money to buy a copy, and so I did. After over an hour of waiting, we reached the front of the line where Mrs. Rice sat with her limo driver/security escort. She was a big supporter of Al Gore, and I was wearing a Nader /LaDuke shirt. I think I did that on purpose, just to piss her off. It worked.

I stood there proudly, chest out, shoulders squared, chin up, beaming down at her with a big shiteating grin on my face. Her perfunctory polite smile melted into a blank stare, and the corners of her mouth twitched before forming a scowl.

It was great.

My sister got both of her copies signed anyways. She still has them. I read most of Anne's books when I was in high school, but I don't enjoy them any longer. I tried to reread Interview With A Vampire about two years ago, and I found all the whiny woeful undead angst to be a bit much. Every character spent most of the novel stroking their unique miseries, and every line seemed to be a remix of "Woe is me!" Too many violins, not enough drums.
1:58 PM - Bottle Rocket Fire Alarm