Stalking Neil Gaiman

chenanceou is in town. Yay!

So last night I went with Chen and her friend coraline to a Neil Gaiman reading at CBGB's. (I'm not really a Neil Gaiman fan--I read Neverwhere ages ago and disliked it--but it was a cool event.) Something like five people spoke before him, and most of them were painful to hear, but Gaiman himself was very good. He read a short story that I liked a lot. And he seemed really personable, and has an excellent reading-aloud voice.

I had brought Chen a gift from Dragoncon--a copy of Voltaire's Deady the Evil Teddy comic book, which features a story by Neil Gaiman, signed by Voltaire and personalized to Chen.

So it turns out that Voltaire was at the Neil Gaiman event last night (it's a bit strange that every time I go anywhere I see Voltaire--this is the third time I've seen him this month). I pointed him out to Chen and she decided that she wanted him to personalize the comic book to her real name in addition to her online handle. So we cornered Voltaire and had him sign her book.

And Voltaire happened to be standing near Neil Gaiman at the time, so he had Neil sign the comic book for her, too. And Neil recognized her and gave her a big hug (awwww).

Afterward we walked to St. Mark's Place and had dinner and drinks sitting outside. We ended up talking to two drunk Irish guys for quite a while. (Well, mostly Chen talked to them--she's a people-magnet). They seemed to like us; as we said our goodbyes, one guy shook my hand three times.

Then we went to my place, as it was close, so Chen could meet my kitties. The kitties were happy for the company, and we talked a bit more before they left. Overall it was a good night.

It seems I'm on a bit of a Neil Gaiman stalking extravaganza, as I'm seeing him at an event again tonight with Chen, and going to a signing tomorrow (as it's at the B&N right where I work). Fun activities, and I definitely want to see Chen while she's here.



I keep using this Cartman icon for no reason, because every time I see it, it makes me laugh.