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Been There, Done That, Got the Book

MFS62 Sep 17 2017 01:38 PM

Yesterday, my wife stood on line for over four hours to meet Hillary Clinton and get a signed copy of her book. For which living American would you stand in line to do that? After a lot of thought, I realized I would do that for only one person, Chuck Yeager. Later

Benjamin Grimm Sep 17 2017 01:41 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

Four hours? No thanks. I wouldn't do that for anybody.

Lefty Specialist Sep 17 2017 05:53 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

There are certain people I'd stand in line for four hours for, to smack in the face and berate.

Mets Willets Point Sep 17 2017 07:08 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

Yeah, I'm not really into devoting lots of my time or money for celebrities.

41Forever Sep 17 2017 07:48 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Sep 17 2017 08:58 PM

I'd wait on a long line for any former President! I don't remember the exact length of time, but it was certainly several hours, to meet Sarah Palin. She was conducting her first book tour and starting in my town. I was still a reporter, and was assigned to cover the appearance. It was national news. She wasn't granting interviews, so I figured I would buy a book and get in line, figuring I'd have one shot to ask a question and see if she'd respond. It worked. She did. Was very nice, actually.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 17 2017 08:20 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

She's a cunt.

batmagadanleadoff Sep 17 2017 08:55 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: She's a cunt. All GOP politicians are nice guys, sez him. Palin the stupid cunt. And the scumbag in chief, Trump. He said Trumps a nice guy and I'd bet my life on it.

41Forever Sep 17 2017 09:05 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

I've waited on line to have Pat Benatar sign her book. It was a bit of a line, but not too bad. Maybe an hour. I like signed books. The Ford Presidential Museum here has a lecture series with some pretty awesome authors, and sometimes I wait and have books signed. Robert Caro was fascinating to hear and nice to meet.

Ashie62 Sep 17 2017 09:07 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

I would wait for Ringo or Paul.

41Forever Sep 17 2017 09:39 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

Ashie62 wrote: I would wait for Ringo or Paul. Good call!

Frayed Knot Sep 17 2017 09:40 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

But the waits for John and George would be endless ... literally!

d'Kong76 Sep 17 2017 10:09 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

MFS62 wrote: Yesterday, my wife stood on line for over four hours to meet Hillary Clinton I have no patience waiting on lines, hence I've never even had Shake Shake at Citi Field. I can't think of anyone living or not living (at the present time) that I'd wait on line for over four hours to sign a book I bought (probably for more than I could elsewhere) have them sign it and chit chat with a greedy and exhausted talking head for for 30-40 seconds. Still, I'm happy for MFS's better-half since she was obviously on a mission and didn't require consulting a physician for her wait going over four hours.

MFS62 Sep 18 2017 12:21 AM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

d'Kong76 wrote: Still, I'm happy for MFS's better-half since she was obviously on a mission and didn't require consulting a physician for her wait going over four hours. Thanks, Kase. It wasn't quite that bad. They gave out drinks and people were very nice - they held your place if you had to use the restrooms. There were also crates and stacked up palettes along the waiting line to sit on if you wanted/ had to. The only danger was from splinters. As I may have written elsewhere, my wife and daughters had met and spoken with Hillary and Chelsea while walking in New York several years ago. So when they met Saturday, she said, "We've both become grandmothers since the last time we spoke." It got her attention. This time, as you suspected, the conversation lasted less than one minute, but my wife said she looks you in the eye and responds to what you say like she actually is listening. Later

Fman99 Sep 18 2017 01:02 AM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

They had a couple of former Mets at a AAA game here in town a year or two ago, signing autographs and cards and such. I think it was Doc and Dykstra, or, perhaps, it was Daryl. The line to meet any of them was a 60-90 minute wait. I did not bother.

cooby Sep 18 2017 01:06 AM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

This is a good question. On first reflection I would say Cat Stevens.

41Forever Sep 18 2017 01:38 AM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

MFS62 wrote: d'Kong76 wrote: Still, I'm happy for MFS's better-half since she was obviously on a mission and didn't require consulting a physician for her wait going over four hours. Thanks, Kase. It wasn't quite that bad. They gave out drinks and people were very nice - they held your place if you had to use the restrooms. There were also crates and stacked up palettes along the waiting line to sit on if you wanted/ had to. The only danger was from splinters. As I may have written elsewhere, my wife and daughters had met and spoken with Hillary and Chelsea while walking in New York several years ago. So when they met Saturday, she said, "We've both become grandmothers since the last time we spoke." It got her attention. This time, as you suspected, the conversation lasted less than one minute, but my wife said she looks you in the eye and responds to what you say like she actually is listening. Later Sounds like a pretty cool experience!

d'Kong76 Sep 18 2017 01:40 AM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

I was making a four-hour joke there, but if I have to explain it oh never...

MFS62 Sep 18 2017 01:21 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

d'Kong76 wrote: I was making a four-hour joke there, but if I have to explain it oh never... I got the 4 hours needing medical care, but also thought you seriously wanted to know the details and was happy to oblige. Later

Centerfield Sep 18 2017 01:27 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Four hours? No thanks. I wouldn't do that for anybody. Not even Beyonce?

seawolf17 Sep 18 2017 01:48 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

The only people I've had books signed in person that I can specifically remember are Bill Simmons (we had a good chat, and he signed it "Go Mets") and Sammy Hagar (last year in Huntington). Neither wait was more than a half hour or so, though.

Edgy MD Sep 18 2017 01:52 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

The Brits, and the Irish too to some extent, are way ahead of us in this. They have a culture to waiting in queue and there's bonding and singing and shared food and jokes and fires and stuff. Americans are all pretty much impatient, crotchedy New Yorkers when it comes to wasting time, but with Brits, it's not wasted. That said, even in Britain, no way I'd wait on line to have a perfunctory meet-and-greet with Secretary Clinton, or likely any politician. I'd do it for Pat Benatar, but only if she sang, "Life is too short, so why waste precious time?!" personally to me when I reached the end of the line.

Edgy MD Sep 18 2017 02:01 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

Also, I used to work in a bookstore, and while working events (oh, my God, the Oliver Sachs groupies in Northwest DC!), I'd feel bad for the folks in very back of the line and offer to fetch them a beverage. Working an event for Jim Lehrer (fun novelist, who liked to put elements of the interstate bus industry—I take it that this was his job before news—into his novels), I approached the back of the line, and was about to offer something to the old dude, when I realized it was his broadcast partner Robert MacNeil. "Mr. MacNeil," sez I, "can I get you a coffee or soft drink?" "No thanks," sez he, "when this is over, he and are going to get something a LOT stronger." Than he flashes me this look that says, "We talk to each other electronically from different cities every night. We rarely see each other in person, and when we do, we get LIT." That's a lot of information to convey with a look. So I nod and smile, and then he slowly nods back to me with satisfaction, like saying, "Yeah, you get what I'm saying."

41Forever Sep 18 2017 02:10 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Sep 18 2017 02:16 PM

Edgy MD wrote: I'd do it for Pat Benatar, but only if she sang, "Life is too short, so why waste precious time?!" personally to me when I reached the end of the line. Instead, she wrote "You rock!" in my book, posed for a photo and talked about how Lindenhurst had changed since she lived there. I guess it's all what you consider a waste of time. If Pat had just signed the book without looking up -- as some baseball players have done -- or been a jerk -- I'm looking at your, Reggie -- I'd have been bummed. Instead, Pat made a nice memory for someone who was clearly a fan. It was fun. Worth the wait. That's a cool story about Jim Lehrer.

Frayed Knot Sep 18 2017 02:11 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

IIRC Lehrer's father worked in the bus industry and that was his connection to that business. Jim kept his ties to that era by not only writing about buses -- he could recite the stops in old runs from memory -- but also by buying an old bus in his later years. I don't think I've ever waited for an author's signature on a book. Maybe I would under certain circumstances but I can't imagine who or what might fill that criteria.

Ceetar Sep 18 2017 02:15 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

No one I don't think, but I don't generally find people, even famous ones, interesting and the brief 15 seconds of small-talk/interaction and a random signature in a book is not what I'm after. Plus I don't want that physical clutter anyway. I'd probably wait in at least a 5 minute line to AVOID having to talk to Sarah Palin though.

41Forever Sep 18 2017 02:18 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

Of course, my favorite signed books are "Faith and Fear in Flushing" and "Mets by the Numbers." No lines, but good times!

Ceetar Sep 18 2017 02:21 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

41Forever wrote: Of course, my favorite signed books are "Faith and Fear in Flushing" and "Mets by the Numbers." No lines, but good times! Honestly I think I'd feel weirder about waiting on lines for those than a conventionally famous person.

cooby Sep 18 2017 02:50 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

Centerfield wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: Four hours? No thanks. I wouldn't do that for anybody. Not even Beyonce? He can see her at home

d'Kong76 Sep 18 2017 03:07 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

It just occurred to me that there is no way I could possibly sign all those books over 4-5 hours of time. My hand would fall off. It's cramping up just thinking about it. Hill must be one tough bird; signing and shaking... signing and shaking...

Benjamin Grimm Sep 18 2017 03:10 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

Centerfield wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: Four hours? No thanks. I wouldn't do that for anybody. Not even Beyonce? Nope! Maybe three and a half hours, but not four. I've waited on two lines for book signings, when I was much younger than I am now. The first time, when I was in college, was for Stephen King. (I used to really be into Stephen King.) The line was very long and he had to leave before I even got my turn. The second was in 1986, for Keith Hernandez and If At First. It wasn't a long line; I was able to get to the bookstore, get the book signed, and get back to work all during my lunch hour. I remember after he signed my book, I said thanks, and "See you in the World Series!" and he harrumphed a little bit and said "I hope so!"

themetfairy Sep 18 2017 03:29 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

d'Kong76 wrote: It just occurred to me that there is no way I could possibly sign all those books over 4-5 hours of time. My hand would fall off. It's cramping up just thinking about it. Hill must be one tough bird; signing and shaking... signing and shaking... Seriously! In my Beanie Babies writing days we had some 90 minute autograph sessions during conventions, and my muscles were always sore in the aftermath. It's way harder than you'd think.

sharpie Sep 18 2017 04:25 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

I am around authors as part of my job. I pretty much only get books signed to give to someone else.

metirish Sep 18 2017 06:27 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

MFS62 wrote: For which living American would you stand in line to do that? Later Not one living American would I wait in line four hours for( not counting my son of course) Why limit this to only living Americans?

Benjamin Grimm Sep 18 2017 06:46 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

I can understand limiting it to living people, but, yeah, it really doesn't have to be Americans. I'd stand in line for forty hours for a Canadian like Monty Hall.

Frayed Knot Sep 18 2017 06:52 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

I remember ducking into a Long Island SPORTS AUTHORITY a bunch of years ago to buy ... I dunno, something or other, and there was a long line snaking through the store. At one point I needed to get on the other side of that line to get to whatever department I was looking for and pretty much needed an escort to get my way through lest I get pummeled by someone thinking I was attempting to line-bust. Turned out the line was for John Franco. I have no idea how long it would take to go from back to front but it never even occurred to me to jump on it and have him sign ... I dunno, my socks?

Edgy MD Sep 18 2017 07:10 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

At book events, there are often a pile of indifferently arranged books next to the author, as the line winds toward them. These books are: 1) the ones the author — if they aren't resigned to stabbing themselves in the eyes after unending smiling and signing and smiling and signing — signs after they've signed for the line. These include books purchased before the event, some over the phone, by folks who can't (or don't want to) be there, but have requested an autograph. They often have an index card in the book asking for a particular inscription. 2) books the store's staff is purchasing or hopes to purchase, also frequently with requested inscriptions. 3) if they are really generous, there are 8-15 books that are for stock. Most authors are either decent enough or self-promoting enough or some combination thereof to get through all three steps. The bookseller — even a big one — generally doesn't want too much signed stock. Firstly, it makes the folks who waited in line for hours feel like saps if just anybody can just show up and pull a signed copy off the shelf. Secondly, you generally can't return unsold signed stock to the publisher. If you're a fanboi, a personalized inscription may be nice, but if you're a collector, you just want the name. A signature tends to make the value of the book go up over time, but a personalized signature does not, because you can't buy a book for Daphne if the inscription says, "Dear Alice." This last fact changes if you yourself are famous. Then get books that are personally inscribed. Your heirs will be thankful.

Ashie62 Sep 18 2017 10:16 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

I did it the old fashioned way. I shoved a copy of "X-Ray" and a pen in Ray Davies' face and he signed it.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 19 2017 06:15 AM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

I would wait for Beyonce. Maybe. Is there food involved? I might wait for a drink with said celeb. I've had a few of those at random, and those are fun for the experience/the story (Jimmy Fallon, Burt Young, Talib Kweli). .

Lefty Specialist Sep 19 2017 12:23 PM Re: Been There, Done That, Got the Book

I waited an hour for Willie Mays in 1973, and for JK Rowling in 2007. That's about my limit. JK was engaging and dedicated it to my son. Willie never looked up.