Rushing to Wait While in Line for the Gaiman Signing, part 1

(With the barest reference to the Primitive Radio Gods' song: "Standing Outside A Broken Phone Booth With Money In My Hand"...)

Okay, after a busy Friday afternoon (you know I'm having it bad when I consider a heavy news day as more posts to the newsflash section-- our site ain't a blog, for crissakes!), I figured that it would be nice to check out Neil Gaiman's 3-day signing this past weekend.

After all, it's not everyday a popular comic-book writer and author comes to the Philippines, right? But when and where?

There were three signings: "The Gathering" on July 9 at the Rockwell Tent in Makati City (the opening of the event), July 10 at the Promenade Mall in Greenhills, San Juan City, and July 11 at the Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City. There was also the Writer's Forum sponsored by the British Council at the Music Museum in Greenhils on July 11 but that was by-invitation only and therefore out of the question.

Falseprophetess and I talked about which event to go to and by dint of sheer logic, we decided to go to the Promenade signing. Sunday lunch-time, [identity-protected] and I, as well as her sister and falseprophetess, headed down to Greenhills to be confronted with... a large crowd standing under the hot noon sun. Ugh.

Unfortunately, signing slots had already run out by that time and we had no chance of getting our books autographed. Instead, when Neil arrived for the signing, [identity-protected]'s sister and I decided to brave the crowds in front of the Fully-Booked Store to take pictures!

Heh. So this is probably how a press conference feels like: elbows being thrown, a lot of jostling and nudging, cameras flashing. At least since Greenhills is a upper/middle-class mall, the sweaty crowd smells good. Hee.

On the other hand, I only had an old Pentax silver camera-- no digital fang-dangled gadget for me!-- so whenever I had to take a shot, I would raise the camera, point in what I thought was the right direction, and click. Obviously, I still don't know if the shots came out right or if I was just taking some guy's bald spot-- until I get the film developed anyway.

Gaiman was a nice guy: he did a reading of an excerpt from his newest work, Anansi Boys, answered a few questions, and then proceeded inside the shop to do the signing. For us unlucky enough not to be included, we hung out a bit at the Delifrance across the event where we joked about writers and rockstars.

Some questions/ statements that cropped up include:

"Dude, we love your band!"

"Where are the groupies?"

"Maybe we can throw underwear his (Gaiman's) way?"

"I knew I forgot to bring my We luv u Neil! sign."

"I wonder if we can steal his jacket?"

"Let's try to figure out where he's billeted and kidnap him!"

For other accounts of the Greenhills event, check out: falseprophetess, curmudgeonly comic book artist Gerry Alanguilan, and a very giddy stellar.

For an account of the 1st-day of signing, check out official Gaiman-stalker (hey! they said it!) and volunteer to the 3-day event, anansi. Pau talks about how he was there but really, he wasn't. Azrael, who had a hand in setting up the event, talks about mugging with the Dream King.

(Thanks to Mark for some of the links!)