Jun 3, 2006

"WHAT SHE SAID"

I went to the Printer's Row Book Fair this afternoon. Yeah, yeah, I know, it's Shabbes. I didn't shop. I just wandered down and passed out purposely shitty d.i.y.-ish bookmarks with my book info on them. It was funny picking people out to hand bookmarks to-- I mainly went on interesting t-shirts, tattoos, buttons and haircolors. I mean, who is more likely to read my weird-ass book... a suburbanite in khaki shorts and a polo shirt from his latest golf outing or the cool lady I chatted with for a bit in the Ramones t-shirt? I'm just saying. All in all, I felt good about the flyering-- especially because the very first person I handed a bookmark to was a laid-back lady with a friendly smile and a really cool bag with Hebrew all over it. I didn't want to creep her out and stand there trying to read it all, the Hebrew lettering that is, but it caught my eye and made me whip a bookmark to her, pronto.

I made a few laps, accidentally hit up a few repeats, then took a breather in front of this cool used book dealer's joint. I hung out for a bit, got three smiles and one wave from people I had given bookmarks to, and had this weird I'm-being-watched vibe just as I turn to see this woman running at me that I had given a bookmark to earlier. I don't know why but her name rang a bell-- she's a critic, though it sounds like she reviews music and books AND art, and though she seemed a little abrasive at first, we ended up having a nice conversation about how there could possibly be so many "faux-hipster fratboys" (her term) at a book fair. It was nice to chat with someone also disillusioned with hype-based allegiances and that weird American quest for more and more mediocre junk to fill lives and houses with. I thought it was cool mainly because, unfortunately, I don't find myself suddenly thrown into many spirited discussions very often, so it was a nice surprise.

I wonder what on my bookmark made her think to stop and chat me up when we crossed paths again...?

Anyway, Shabbat services were very nice last night. I got a nice welcome from the congregation, as I officially joined a couple of weeks ago. But, most importanty, I really enjoy the Book of Ruth and I liked the sort of open/alternative discussion we had about it last night. A few members tried to take me out afterwards for new member hazing, but after circling a few times for a parking spot (So what I drove? I was running late before....) I gave up and went home. It's just as well-- I like to keep Friday nights at home.

Gotta run. My Tribe Sandwich beckons (A term a friend gave to the latke, applesauce, tofurkey, soy pepperjack cheese, mustard and mayo on pumpernickel creations I am always scarfing)...

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey lady with the pink hair. Thanks for the bookmark. Looking forward to reading your book!

Anonymous said...

hey. enjoyed your blog. thanks for the "free crappy bookmark"... congrats on your book. i'll definetly check it out.

Anonymous said...

Thank you. I have visit Chicago from Germany. I take paper, thank you. You have been so nice to meet you in Chicago. Okay, I enjoy the books in english to learn better my english so I find your book, thank you.

Anonymous said...

Hello, Amy. I was at a magazine party in San Francisco last night and got one of your flyers. Congrats on the new novel. I look forward to reading it. And thank you for teaching my girlfriend that thing I like. You know what I'm talking about. ;)

Anonymous said...

Oh, I wish I'd known you were doing your thing. I'd totally have taken a night off of Emanuel stuff to be there with you.

Mazel tov!

Anonymous said...

People are talking about you...