Bringing the Drama

so it’s not a secret to some of my friends that i barely read books ever. i’m an engineer, so i guess theoretically i’m not supposed to like reading. i do a lot of reading on the internet, but i just never sit down to read a book very often, only when i’m traveling usually. however, after becoming pretty addicted to the Food Network a few months ago, i was stoked to go meet Alton Brown today at a local bookstore in Uptown NOLA. he’s doing a book tour for his book Feasting on Asphalt which traced a food road trip along the Mississippi River, and what better place to start than NOLA.

i tried to ask around to people who might want to come with me. the people who knew who AB was could not come, because of the time, esp with it being on a Wednesday. the people who could have come to the book signing would look at me quizzically and ask “who’s Alton Brown?” it was kind of a shame and a little sad that i had to go by myself. even so, i was determined to go, so this afternoon i left work a little early and headed into town.

i had googled about his book signings just to see if he was as cool in real life as he was on tv, so i was also prepared for the big crowd waiting outside. there were two lines, one that had bought the book already (which i got in) and one that had to buy the book. one of my friends had hypothesized that maybe i would have to buy the book at the store, but i brushed that off. while i was in line, i noticed everyone had these slips of paper with their name on it in their books, and they told me they had gotten them at the register. so once i got inside, i went up to the register to get a slip. there were two girls working the counter, the first one wanted to call for the manager when i told her i had brought my own copy of the book, but the girl next to her just gave me a slip. then the first girl told me next time i should buy the book there. yeah right, like i’m going to want to spend the extra $12 and wait in line TWICE. there was no warning of that kind of policy on the bookstore’s website or anything, so if they’re going to have something like that going on, they should tell people.

after waiting in line for almost an hour and a half, i finally was going to meet Alton Brown. i was so nervous during the day of what i’d talk about if i happened to have a few minutes. the way the bookstore had it set up, you handed your book to a lady who handed it to Alton, and then you handed your camera to this other girl who took your picture. it seemed very awkward, but i guess if that’s how they roll, then that’s how they roll. i handed my stuff to the people waiting for it and walked up to the table. Alton was standing, shaking people’s hands and introducing himself. he asked me what i did, and i told him i was an engineer, so i love Good Eats, and something about how the show is ‘right up my alley’. he smiled at learning that fact, and said he always likes it when engineers tell him things like that. i read today that’s part of the reason he started Good Eats, was to tell people more of a background on things. i had read that he was also a beer connoisseur, so i asked him what his favorite beer was. i figured i’d get SOMETHING, instead i got “i usually just drink what’s in front of me.” upon being pressed further he just said he doesn’t really have one. he totally stonewalled me. it made the moment kind of awkward, but then we thanked each other for coming and i left. so yeah, but it was cool to finally get to meet someone who i like so much and watch their shows. he was taller than i expected, and had a firm handshake. the picture the girl took even came out well.

upon leaving the bookstore, i headed on over to the bulldog for beer and a burger with my friend mike. the bulldog is one of those places that has almost 50 taps on the wall, and wednesdays are free pint glass night. mike told me they had these keychains where they punch a number for each different beer you try, so i got one. only 45 more beers to go until i get a free shirt and my name on a plaque. it’s too bad the keychain can’t be punched retroactive, because i’d probably have at least 4 more.