Hubster Victoria has sent us this wonderful “Event ReporT” of her trip to the October 2nd, 2012 “America Again” book signing at Barnes & Noble Union Square.
I was lucky enough to attend the Union Square Barnes and Nobles Book Signing last night. I have a ticket for the October 19th event, which is also a book signing, but how could I possibly turn down an extra event with Stephen! Definitely one of the perks about being a New Yorker, that’s for sure!
I attended the event with my friend Aran and her brother. I had promised to purchase the book for a friend and decided to get a third for a future Christmas gift for another friend. Aran and her brother bought their books and as we approached the escalator to go upstairs, she gets a text from a friend, “Ooooh! Can you get me a book too?” Back on-line we went! After this, we made it upstairs to the top floor, where the signing was being held. To get to the signing, you had to show your book and the receipt to the large man who was blocking the escalator. No problem! When we finally got upstairs and after showing our receipt for one more final time, we had made it to Camelot aka the book signing room!! The time was approximately 5:45pm. Now, the directions on the website clearly stated that nobody could arrive any earlier than 6:00pm. At this point, there was about 3 rows filled with people. Ok. But honestly, I totally expected that there was going to be people present already. Hey, it was 5:45pm and WE were there! So, we found the first empty seats, fourth row center! Excellent seats, actually, to see Stephen when he arrives. In that row, I sat next to a young woman named Ilana, we said hi to each other and from that point on, we all talked the entire time we were waiting. By midway through our wait, we had friended each other on Facebook! She told me about the three tapings she had attended, including the one from July of 2010 when he did the show sick. She went into detail about it, stating he was very close to canceling the show that day, but decided to give it a try. She said there was no Q&A expectingly, but he did apologize for that) and during the first taped interview and “commercial breaks,” he just sat in the chair, attempting to drink his Gatorade and stay upright in the chair. She said everyone in the audience felt so bad for him, for you can tell that he was very ill. But, it made her realize how much he truly cares about the show and the fans for him to go on, even in that condition. So anyway, just a little aside … back to the signing.
By 7:00pm, one of the employees at Barnes and Nobles started to give us the lowdown about the event, what was going to happen, etc. And for some reason, I cannot think of his name even though he was very entertaining and convinced the audience to join him on his Twitter account, which he was about to set up in the next ten minutes! He said that Stephen would be arriving at 8:30pm, so we did have a while to go. However, if we had to leave to walk around, to take your receipt because you didn’t want to lose your seat, for they were already at full capacity. I turned around and, oh yeah, TOTALLY full! Every seat taken! They had even set up an extra section in the back and that was totally full! I was really glad I arrived early!
Well, 8:30pm came…and went! No Stephen. I knew he was taping the show so I honestly did not expect him to arrive on time, unless they had started taping earlier. Shortly after, “no-name Barnes and Nobles employee new Twitter man” comes back on the stage and informs us that Stephen is on his way now. They had run late with the taping, but he was coming! Works for me! And about 10 minutes later, there he was! He came walking in, waving and headed to the Barnes and Nobles backdrop, where photographers snapped picture after picture of him! As this was occurring, everyone in the room started to chant, “Stephen! Stephen! Stephen!” The energy was high and there was magic in the air! And the event was ready to start! Now, I won’t go into details about the reading of the book or the Q&A since you all saw (or will be seeing) the YouTube video posted on here. But the experience was so enjoyable and I’m so happy that someone captured it!
Once all that was over, it was time for Stephen and the writers to sign our books! “No-name Barnes and Nobles employee new Twitter man” had told us previously they would be going row by row. First, we would pass by the writer’s table and then, make our way to Stephen, who was sitting at his own table, to the left. Before we knew it, our time had arrived to get on the line. I had never met any of the writers, even though I recognized some of their faces. And I have to say, they are the nicest group of people. I had my Barnes and Nobles Stephen Colbert tote bag which I use for school. But for some reason, this event seemed like an appropriate place for me to bring it. As a matter of fact, I saw a few people with the same bag! But, as I was getting my book signed by the writers, a few of them said, “I love the bag! That’s great!” Meredith said, “You should ask him to sign it. I know he’ll do it.” So I said to myself, “Yeah, I’m going to ask! Yeah!” Again, I thanked each writer and it really was great to meet them. Then … it was time!!! Aran’s brother didn’t want to get on the line, so he offered to get pictures of us by the table. Ilana was first. She had expressed to me earlier that she was concerned about shaking his hand, for she was just getting over a cold. She said, “Maybe I can do a forearm bump with him?” We agreed this was a good idea, especially after I had told her that I had read he was sick last week. By the time she got up to Stephen, I could not see her, since I was still by the writer’s table. So, I couldn’t see it happen first-hand. My friend Aran was next. I remember the man taking her books from the writer’s table and placing it on Stephen’s … and that’s all! All of a sudden, I knew I was up next and the fog began to settle in my head! But NO! I was not going to let it happen this time! I was going to remain calm … as a matter of speaking. I waited for my third book to be signed by the last writer, I thanked him, the man takes my books, puts them on Stephen’s table … and the time had arrived! I step off of the platform and stand right in front of Stephen. He had his head down, signing. He had not looked up yet. And I knew, on my face, was the biggest smile probably known to mankind! He finishes signing two of my books, looks up and says very friendly, “Hi!” “HI STEPHEN!!!!!!!!!!!!” With that, his smile widens even more and says “hi” again and thanks me for coming. He looks down to sign my third book, still wearing that giant, infectious smile. I continued, “It’s a pleasure to meet you!!” He responds, “Thank you very much! It’s great to meet you too.” At this point, he is done signing my books and I thought, “Victoria! Do it! Get courageous! Be a rebel!” So I did it! I stuck out my hand for him to shake it! Yeah, I went there!! Ok, it’s not exactly earth-shattering, but the fact that I was able to do more than exude high levels of natural enthusiasm and smile like the Cheshire cat from “Alice in Wonderland,” I was very proud of myself. He happily shook it back, still smiling just as widely as before. He thanked me again, as I did the same. And that was it! I took my books and met up with my group, who was waiting for me a few feet away. They were all smiling and said, “You did not look nervous! Just VERY VERY happy to see him!” Well, that’s an understatement! They asked if he signed my bag! Ah yes, my bag! Um, no! I didn’t ask. I couldn’t quite get that out of my mouth! But I did initiate a handshake! That’s progress! I think you all recall the first time I met Stephen at the “I Am A Pole (And So Can You)” book signing. If you don’t, you can re-live my escapades by reading my recap posted here on the Colbert News Hub! At this point, as we headed down the escalator, I asked them about their experiences. Ilana said she did do the “forearm” bump with him. She told him that she heard he was sick last week and he said, “Oh yes! It was not good!” She went on to tell me what he said the ailment was specifically, but I missed what she said. I was about to ask her if she could repeat it, but Aran’s brother asked another question. With that, we were now downstairs and we had to put on our jackets. With everything going on, I forgot to ask her the question again. I can drop her a Facebook message, since we are now friends! Hee! Aran’s brother handed me back my camera and said, “I managed to get a few decent pictures of you guys. Not the best, though. Sorry.” I turned on my camera and we gathered around to see the photos. They were GREAT! He got a great one of Ilana and Stephen doing the forearm bump, one of his sister approaching the table and one of me, as I looked on getting my third book signed and as Stephen was brilliantly smiling! I thanked him repeatedly for the wonderful job! Also, as an aside, we did hear that since the room was at full capacity where the signing took place, yet there were still people trying to get in, they had an “over-flow” space the floor below. So, these people were able to at least hear Stephen reading the book and answering the questions. And when we all finished, they were going to send those people from the third floor upstairs to get their books signed. So the store employees really worked hard to get everyone a chance to meet Stephen! It was very well done!
By the time we left the store, it was close to 10:00pm. We said our good-bye’s for we were all heading in different directions and we promised to all meet up again soon. As I started to walk away from the store, I began to think. I was thinking about how much longer Stephen and the crew were going to be in there. I knew it was definitely going to be for a lot longer, for there were MANY MANY rows behind us, plus the people on the third floor. It’s certainly been a very busy week for Stephen, but he defines consummate professional. I kept thinking about how you can tell that he loves what he does and even though it’s a lot of work, he truly enjoys it. And it’s so clear that he appreciates his fans to the highest degree! I thought about how much he gives his all into everything that he does and he is truly an inspiration. Yes, I was thinking about all of this. Thinking so much that I walked five blocks down in the WRONG direction! Yeah, and this is coming from a person born and raised in NY and I could walk these blocks blindfolded and still make my way home! But I guess I was still in a bit of a Stephen Colbert-induced fog! So, as I turned around and began to walk back up in the CORRECT direction … and passing Barnes and Nobles again, I thought about how lucky I was to be able to experience all of this…everything about it. So I asked myself, “Victoria? Lucky person? Or the luckiest person?” Hee!
Event ReporT: Barnes & Noble Book Signing.
Hubster Victoria has sent us this wonderful “Event ReporT” of her trip to the October 2nd, 2012 “America Again” book signing at Barnes & Noble Union Square.
I was lucky enough to attend the Union Square Barnes and Nobles Book Signing last night. I have a ticket for the October 19th event, which is also a book signing, but how could I possibly turn down an extra event with Stephen! Definitely one of the perks about being a New Yorker, that’s for sure!
I attended the event with my friend Aran and her brother. I had promised to purchase the book for a friend and decided to get a third for a future Christmas gift for another friend. Aran and her brother bought their books and as we approached the escalator to go upstairs, she gets a text from a friend, “Ooooh! Can you get me a book too?” Back on-line we went! After this, we made it upstairs to the top floor, where the signing was being held. To get to the signing, you had to show your book and the receipt to the large man who was blocking the escalator. No problem! When we finally got upstairs and after showing our receipt for one more final time, we had made it to Camelot aka the book signing room!! The time was approximately 5:45pm. Now, the directions on the website clearly stated that nobody could arrive any earlier than 6:00pm. At this point, there was about 3 rows filled with people. Ok. But honestly, I totally expected that there was going to be people present already. Hey, it was 5:45pm and WE were there! So, we found the first empty seats, fourth row center! Excellent seats, actually, to see Stephen when he arrives. In that row, I sat next to a young woman named Ilana, we said hi to each other and from that point on, we all talked the entire time we were waiting. By midway through our wait, we had friended each other on Facebook! She told me about the three tapings she had attended, including the one from July of 2010 when he did the show sick. She went into detail about it, stating he was very close to canceling the show that day, but decided to give it a try. She said there was no Q&A expectingly, but he did apologize for that) and during the first taped interview and “commercial breaks,” he just sat in the chair, attempting to drink his Gatorade and stay upright in the chair. She said everyone in the audience felt so bad for him, for you can tell that he was very ill. But, it made her realize how much he truly cares about the show and the fans for him to go on, even in that condition. So anyway, just a little aside … back to the signing.
By 7:00pm, one of the employees at Barnes and Nobles started to give us the lowdown about the event, what was going to happen, etc. And for some reason, I cannot think of his name even though he was very entertaining and convinced the audience to join him on his Twitter account, which he was about to set up in the next ten minutes! He said that Stephen would be arriving at 8:30pm, so we did have a while to go. However, if we had to leave to walk around, to take your receipt because you didn’t want to lose your seat, for they were already at full capacity. I turned around and, oh yeah, TOTALLY full! Every seat taken! They had even set up an extra section in the back and that was totally full! I was really glad I arrived early!
Well, 8:30pm came…and went! No Stephen. I knew he was taping the show so I honestly did not expect him to arrive on time, unless they had started taping earlier. Shortly after, “no-name Barnes and Nobles employee new Twitter man” comes back on the stage and informs us that Stephen is on his way now. They had run late with the taping, but he was coming! Works for me! And about 10 minutes later, there he was! He came walking in, waving and headed to the Barnes and Nobles backdrop, where photographers snapped picture after picture of him! As this was occurring, everyone in the room started to chant, “Stephen! Stephen! Stephen!” The energy was high and there was magic in the air! And the event was ready to start! Now, I won’t go into details about the reading of the book or the Q&A since you all saw (or will be seeing) the YouTube video posted on here. But the experience was so enjoyable and I’m so happy that someone captured it!
Once all that was over, it was time for Stephen and the writers to sign our books! “No-name Barnes and Nobles employee new Twitter man” had told us previously they would be going row by row. First, we would pass by the writer’s table and then, make our way to Stephen, who was sitting at his own table, to the left. Before we knew it, our time had arrived to get on the line. I had never met any of the writers, even though I recognized some of their faces. And I have to say, they are the nicest group of people. I had my Barnes and Nobles Stephen Colbert tote bag which I use for school. But for some reason, this event seemed like an appropriate place for me to bring it. As a matter of fact, I saw a few people with the same bag! But, as I was getting my book signed by the writers, a few of them said, “I love the bag! That’s great!” Meredith said, “You should ask him to sign it. I know he’ll do it.” So I said to myself, “Yeah, I’m going to ask! Yeah!” Again, I thanked each writer and it really was great to meet them. Then … it was time!!! Aran’s brother didn’t want to get on the line, so he offered to get pictures of us by the table. Ilana was first. She had expressed to me earlier that she was concerned about shaking his hand, for she was just getting over a cold. She said, “Maybe I can do a forearm bump with him?” We agreed this was a good idea, especially after I had told her that I had read he was sick last week. By the time she got up to Stephen, I could not see her, since I was still by the writer’s table. So, I couldn’t see it happen first-hand. My friend Aran was next. I remember the man taking her books from the writer’s table and placing it on Stephen’s … and that’s all! All of a sudden, I knew I was up next and the fog began to settle in my head! But NO! I was not going to let it happen this time! I was going to remain calm … as a matter of speaking. I waited for my third book to be signed by the last writer, I thanked him, the man takes my books, puts them on Stephen’s table … and the time had arrived! I step off of the platform and stand right in front of Stephen. He had his head down, signing. He had not looked up yet. And I knew, on my face, was the biggest smile probably known to mankind! He finishes signing two of my books, looks up and says very friendly, “Hi!” “HI STEPHEN!!!!!!!!!!!!” With that, his smile widens even more and says “hi” again and thanks me for coming. He looks down to sign my third book, still wearing that giant, infectious smile. I continued, “It’s a pleasure to meet you!!” He responds, “Thank you very much! It’s great to meet you too.” At this point, he is done signing my books and I thought, “Victoria! Do it! Get courageous! Be a rebel!” So I did it! I stuck out my hand for him to shake it! Yeah, I went there!! Ok, it’s not exactly earth-shattering, but the fact that I was able to do more than exude high levels of natural enthusiasm and smile like the Cheshire cat from “Alice in Wonderland,” I was very proud of myself. He happily shook it back, still smiling just as widely as before. He thanked me again, as I did the same. And that was it! I took my books and met up with my group, who was waiting for me a few feet away. They were all smiling and said, “You did not look nervous! Just VERY VERY happy to see him!” Well, that’s an understatement! They asked if he signed my bag! Ah yes, my bag! Um, no! I didn’t ask. I couldn’t quite get that out of my mouth! But I did initiate a handshake! That’s progress! I think you all recall the first time I met Stephen at the “I Am A Pole (And So Can You)” book signing. If you don’t, you can re-live my escapades by reading my recap posted here on the Colbert News Hub! At this point, as we headed down the escalator, I asked them about their experiences. Ilana said she did do the “forearm” bump with him. She told him that she heard he was sick last week and he said, “Oh yes! It was not good!” She went on to tell me what he said the ailment was specifically, but I missed what she said. I was about to ask her if she could repeat it, but Aran’s brother asked another question. With that, we were now downstairs and we had to put on our jackets. With everything going on, I forgot to ask her the question again. I can drop her a Facebook message, since we are now friends! Hee! Aran’s brother handed me back my camera and said, “I managed to get a few decent pictures of you guys. Not the best, though. Sorry.” I turned on my camera and we gathered around to see the photos. They were GREAT! He got a great one of Ilana and Stephen doing the forearm bump, one of his sister approaching the table and one of me, as I looked on getting my third book signed and as Stephen was brilliantly smiling! I thanked him repeatedly for the wonderful job! Also, as an aside, we did hear that since the room was at full capacity where the signing took place, yet there were still people trying to get in, they had an “over-flow” space the floor below. So, these people were able to at least hear Stephen reading the book and answering the questions. And when we all finished, they were going to send those people from the third floor upstairs to get their books signed. So the store employees really worked hard to get everyone a chance to meet Stephen! It was very well done!
By the time we left the store, it was close to 10:00pm. We said our good-bye’s for we were all heading in different directions and we promised to all meet up again soon. As I started to walk away from the store, I began to think. I was thinking about how much longer Stephen and the crew were going to be in there. I knew it was definitely going to be for a lot longer, for there were MANY MANY rows behind us, plus the people on the third floor. It’s certainly been a very busy week for Stephen, but he defines consummate professional. I kept thinking about how you can tell that he loves what he does and even though it’s a lot of work, he truly enjoys it. And it’s so clear that he appreciates his fans to the highest degree! I thought about how much he gives his all into everything that he does and he is truly an inspiration. Yes, I was thinking about all of this. Thinking so much that I walked five blocks down in the WRONG direction! Yeah, and this is coming from a person born and raised in NY and I could walk these blocks blindfolded and still make my way home! But I guess I was still in a bit of a Stephen Colbert-induced fog! So, as I turned around and began to walk back up in the CORRECT direction … and passing Barnes and Nobles again, I thought about how lucky I was to be able to experience all of this…everything about it. So I asked myself, “Victoria? Lucky person? Or the luckiest person?” Hee!