Book signing for Mike Nelson's _Death Rat_
Bookworm
Mike read a part of the book--specifically, pages 177 through 183. *grin*
Then came questions. The highlights (or, at least, medium lights):
Someone asked if he'd ever do an audio version of _Death Rat._ Mike replied
that the publisher hasn't asked for it. (Pity. I think that'd be cool.)
Usual question of whether he's working on any projects with other Best
Brainers. Usual answer of he's working on some projects with some of them, but
he'd have to kill the questioner if he told him...and book signings tend to
thin out after a killing.
Who were his comedic role models? George Carlin, Laurel and Hardy...and the
Three Stooges from ages 10 to 12.
And yes, I asked about what he's got against Garrison Keilor. And, lucky me, I
was the only questioner who got to speak into the microphone he was using, as I
was the only questioner sitting close enough. He deliberately bonked me in the
forehead with it, too. (And so, at the signing, he signed mine, "To Sarah:
Stop hitting me!") Anyway, he said at first that he didn't have anything
against him. But then he did admit to one thing--on NPR, Keilor does the
Writer's Almanac, and he always starts it by saying, "*And* here's the Writer's
Almanac..." So what was he saying *before* that, to have to use the and? "I'm
bloated...and here's the Writer's Almanac?" "I dislike berry drinks...oh, and
here's the Writer's Almanac?"
During the signing, Mike was given a Packer's helmet by a family, as well as a
'Horror, Incorporated' t-shirt by one of the stars of that show. (It's a
locally-produced TV program that shows cheesy movies, and has amusing skits at
the commercial breaks.)
At the end, I asked him if he had any special message for us RATMMers. He
couldn't think of anything witty, but he definitely says howdy and best wishes.
Sarah "Bookworm" Heiner
http://www.geocities.com/bookworm1225
Commander Crayfish
>"I dislike berry drinks...oh, and
>here's the Writer's Almanac?"
Berry Kool-Aid, actually.
God, that was you? I was TWO SEATS OVER. The one who made him sing. Thanks for
not making that a highlight. ;-)
I thought it was you, but I didn't want to make a giant ass of myself and go
"Bookworm?" to some random person. Given the locale, that could be misconstrued
as an "egghead" crack.
Bookworm
>>here's the Writer's Almanac?"
>
>Berry Kool-Aid, actually.
Ach. I knew what I wrote wasn't quite right, but I couldn't remember exactly
what he said.
>God, that was you? I was TWO SEATS OVER. The one who made him sing. Thanks
>for
>not making that a highlight. ;-)
*laugh* Of course, having brought it up, you'll have to explain now.
It's cool that there was another RATMMer there. I'm never sure how many
Minnesotans are left on here.
>I thought it was you, but I didn't want to make a giant ass of myself and go
>"Bookworm?" to some random person. Given the locale, that could be
>misconstrued
>as an "egghead" crack.
Gee, I'd've thought the fact I was reading _The Alexiad of Anna Comnena_ would
have been a dead giveaway. *grin* I'm guessing you've seen my photo on Rob's
RATMM site? Or was it sheer intuition?
Commander Crayfish
>*laugh* Of course, having brought it up, you'll have to explain now.
Righty-ho.
Back at the 2000 signing at Woodbury B&N, Mike had microphone problems. As
opposed to this time (what with the dozens of little thongs inside the
holster), the sound system they'd provided for him just wasn't working at all.
So to pass the time, he favored those waiting with his charming rendition of
"Like a Rhinestone Cowboy."
I didn't plan to ask, but damn if my hand didn't shoot up without my awareness
of it. I think I'm still bitter on being a half second too late on that Matt le
Blanc question.
"No, I think that was Grisham."
Two Mikeisms I wish I had jotted down on my palm pilot afterwards was the
precise wording of his "look, if I went all the way in back with this
microphone cord, I'd kill about thirty people between him and me" and "Harper
Collins Hit Squad" quips. At least I noted the James Lipton crack.
>It's cool that there was another RATMMer there. I'm never sure how many
>Minnesotans are left on here.
Do I even tangentially count as a member of this forum anymore, though? I'm
still a fan, but I haven't been here in... *checks * Nine months.
Jesus. I missed my own birthday thread. I suck. Sorry, Noah!
>Gee, I'd've thought the fact I was reading _The Alexiad of Anna Comnena_
>would
>have been a dead giveaway. *grin* I'm guessing you've seen my photo on Rob's
>RATMM site? Or was it sheer intuition?
Nope, I can't say I have ever seen your picture before in my life. I just had
the sudden, unmistakable sense of who you were. And as a Midwesterner, I have
learned to immediately repress any and all gut instincts I might have.
The Midnight Rambler
"Commander Crayfish" <clfu...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030424101239...@mb-m26.aol.com...
> bkw...@aol.comus (Bookworm) wrote:
>
> >*laugh* Of course, having brought it up, you'll have to explain now.
>
> Righty-ho.
>
> Back at the 2000 signing at Woodbury B&N, Mike had microphone problems. As
> opposed to this time (what with the dozens of little thongs inside the
> holster), the sound system they'd provided for him just wasn't working at
all.
> So to pass the time, he favored those waiting with his charming rendition
of
> "Like a Rhinestone Cowboy."
<random>
At DragonCon '95 (I think that was the year), Mike led the audience in a
stirring version of "Afternoon Delight" by the Starland Vocal Band. He
actually performed the climactic ending, letting the audience fill in the
last phrase.
</random>
--
More reasons to buy duct tape courtesy of
Robert Fontenot, Jr., The Midnight Rambler
http://www.bigrobonline.com
Remove the w, why don't you
...........................
"The movies here are weird - you actually have to think about them when
you watch them." - Britney Spears at Sundance
J. Wellington Wimpy
> Just got back. Hilarious time had by all--and there were over 50 people there.
> Mike read a part of the book--specifically, pages 177 through 183. *grin*
Damn. I got there 10 min late. I had to haul ass from my golf league in
WBL to get there. I'm surprised I wasn't followed in by 50 cops.
> And yes, I asked about what he's got against Garrison Keilor.
Gerrison Keilor. Blech. The man is a walking cure for insomnia.
> was the only questioner sitting close enough. He deliberately bonked me in the
> forehead with it, too.
Yes, that was a highlight, I could see this in the back amongst the
stacks of books.
> During the signing, Mike was given a Packer's helmet by a family, as well as a
> 'Horror, Incorporated' t-shirt by one of the stars of that show. (It's a
> locally-produced TV program that shows cheesy movies, and has amusing skits at
> the commercial breaks.)
Hey! I didn't notice that. Which character was it?
-jww
Bookworm
> > 'Horror, Incorporated' t-shirt by one of the stars of that show. (It's a
> > locally-produced TV program that shows cheesy movies, and has amusing skits at
> > the commercial breaks.)
>
> Hey! I didn't notice that. Which character was it?
I believe it was Uncle Ghoulie, the host, himself.
----