.jpg)
Grizzled and I, along with the lovely Von, had the pleasure of meeting up with Brando and TLB the other night for a momentous occasion, the launching of TLB's new book, The Countess. It was surreal to say the least. I had numerous moments where I thought I would wake up the next day and realize it had been a dream... "Grizzled! I had the strangest dream! We were in Lincoln Square, listening to TLB read from her new book. Brando was there, Von was there. I know it had to have been a dream though, because I found parking! Free parking!"
I also had numerous moments of feeling a smidge like an interloper, a lurker... on someone's real life. Sitting behind what appeared to be many members of the Brando/TLB clan, watching as this very momentous and personal moment unfolded, I had to remind myself it was a public event.
Sitting at a bar afterwar, with a smaller crowd, and TLB sitting across from me, I was still somewhat struck by the surreal quality of it all, but most of all, I was once again struck by the ease. Yes, chances are good that if you've spoken with someone online for years, you'll have something to talk about in real life... just don't bring up Rush...
On a more serious note, I had the pleasure of reading TLB's first novel. It was part of my bake-off bribery package. I loved the book and parts of it still stick with me to this day. I'm sure I'll feel the same about The Countess. What was even better though was hearing parts of it read by the actual author. Nothing beats prose spoken by the person who wrote it. I highly recommend tracking down one of her stops and attending if you can.
Of course, her novel is easily aquired online... and is perfect for the Halloween season. :)
Aw, sounds like you guys had a great night! Fun stuff meeting up with the imaginary friends! Can't wait to get TLB's book. My BFF's gettin' it for Christmas, too.
Posted by: blue girl | October 14, 2010 at 12:20 PM
BG- you know what I think is one of the most bizarre aspects, for me, anyhow?? Seeing Grizzled interacting with the imaginary friends. :) I've probably felt that I would with most of you, but to witness him in my imaginary world, it's kind of wild... in a good way.
I have not had the nerve to start the book yet... TLB read a passage that is still stuck in my head and creeps me out. I know the whole book is not like that, but I know that passage is towards the beginning. Perhaps I should just skip it. It's not like I don't know what happened. :)
Posted by: Jennifer | October 14, 2010 at 01:19 PM
Awww. Such a great post! But who is this lovely Von? I be sullen angry broke as a spoke Von.
True, Brando and TLB are fantastic, I'm planning on making them real life friends.
I had several moments of "this is so not real" sitting in the bar afterwards, Brando down the way, and TLB RIGHT NEXT TO ME. Squee.
An evening with Jennifer and Grizzled is always amazing.
Posted by: Von | October 14, 2010 at 01:29 PM
lol, Jennifer. That would be a wild part of the night! And good for Grizzled getting into the action and mingling like a good bloggy hubby.
And I also would like to meet this Von person... :)
Posted by: blue girl | October 14, 2010 at 02:44 PM
Von will make you laugh like no one's business.
Posted by: Jennifer | October 14, 2010 at 03:28 PM
"Meatworld" is the best themepark evah.
Posted by: herr doktor bimler | October 14, 2010 at 05:17 PM
:)
And oh the rides!! They boggle the mind.
Posted by: Jennifer | October 14, 2010 at 05:45 PM
To Hell in a Hambasket!
Posted by: herr doktor bimler | October 14, 2010 at 05:46 PM
Jousting with Sir Loin!
Posted by: Jennifer | October 14, 2010 at 05:50 PM
Hide the Salami!
Posted by: Jennifer | October 14, 2010 at 05:51 PM
The above is done while blasting through a dark tunnel...
Posted by: Jennifer | October 14, 2010 at 05:52 PM
From literature to filthbottery, lickety split.
~
Posted by: ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© | October 14, 2010 at 06:24 PM
Some things just are what they are...
Posted by: Jennifer | October 14, 2010 at 06:37 PM
To Hell in a Hambasket!
Forgot the artist's impression:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Os6aUImRi8I/THDpQ3V1mTI/AAAAAAAABLY/TR84eNjbHsE/s1600/adrift_off_islands.jpg
Posted by: herr doktor bimler | October 14, 2010 at 06:44 PM
Nice!
Posted by: Jennifer | October 14, 2010 at 06:52 PM
We had an awesome time with you guys. I was glad we had a chance to go out for drinks afterward. The only odd thing for me was that it didn't feel odd to meet in person -- I felt like we had engaged in loud conversation over drinks many, many times before.
Posted by: Brando | October 14, 2010 at 09:54 PM
I'm sorry, but finding fast, free parking was still dreamlike. :)
Posted by: Jennifer | October 15, 2010 at 07:22 AM
I'd LOVE to meet Blue Girl too. I have a small fear that I might tower over her, and that may be a little scary for her. I won't wear heels that day.
Very cool that it wasn't odd to you Brando. Very cool.
Posted by: Von | October 15, 2010 at 01:08 PM
You nearly tower over me, Von, and I'm 5'7"! Yes, you had better not wear heels when meeting BG. :)
Posted by: Jennifer | October 15, 2010 at 02:21 PM
awesome!!
Posted by: Kathleen | October 15, 2010 at 02:52 PM
excellent idea of Halloween reading! One of the best Halloween's ever was the night I stayed in and read World War Z! I am so going to do this!
Posted by: Kathleen | October 15, 2010 at 02:55 PM
Halloween in Milwaukee (well, the Saturday before, but that's the party night) is Gogol Bordello.
I figure it won't be worthwhile. What do you guys think?
Posted by: zombie rotten mcdonald | October 15, 2010 at 08:16 PM
I think since you're a Zombie, you should be out, shambling about... seems like it's in the job description.
Posted by: Jennifer | October 16, 2010 at 09:34 AM