Dear Pasadena: I Promise I Won’t Be Sticky This Time
Posted on June 11, 2012 Posted by John Scalzi 21 Comments
So, Pasadena, do you remember that time I worked on a parade float for the Rose Bowl parade? When I had to take dried, halved peas and stick them to the side of a float which had been painted with glue, and then the glue got all over my hands, and then it dried and got all peel-y, and then I ran around sticking my gross, dried glue-y hands in people’s faces, going “AAAAAAH! RADIATION BURNS! RADIATION BURNS! AAAAAAAAAAH!”?
I’ve matured a lot since then, Pasadena. I swear.
And that’s why I hope, when I come to Vroman’s Bookstore on Tuesday, June 12 at 7pm, that you will choose to overlook my youthful indiscretions and come see me as I talk about a book in which people die by land worms, ice sharks and space badgers. As a mature person does.
And then afterward we’ll sip tea and talk about the tax code. That’s mature, too, right?
(Checks the “How to Be Mature” manual)
Right!
So, tomorrow then? Sound good? Yes?
Squeeeeeeeeeee!
(P.S. LA area people: I will also be in Burbank on Wednesday. So you have two chances to see me! Don’t worry, I’ll remind you about Burbank tomorrow.)
You might want to pop across the street to Cliff’s Used Books at some point. They usually have a huge F/SF section of out of print hard to find & interesting paperbacks.
I’m gonna call bullshit on the ice shark story
Not in Pasadena (almost as far from there as you can get and still be in the continental US), but my copy finally arrived! ::happydance::
What, you just got the glue on your hands? I used to have to pick it out of my hair.
See you tomorrow!
I found that turpentine was essential for removing the crud when you’re working on a Rose Parade float. =)
I worked on one for the city of Alhambra that looked like a rocketship. George Takei piloted it. When I screamed “I built that ship!” he looked down and waved at me.
Ah, 9th grade… good memories.
I miss Cliffs. And Vromans!!! I used to work at the Wherehouse Music a few doors down from the Hastings Ranch location. If I wasn’t 2800 miles away I’d totally come visit, radiation poisoning or no. Enjoy The *OTHER* Valley. ♥
I am curious. At any of your book signing tour, this one or previous ones, have so many people show up at a location that you could not see everyone or it was rushed?
That happened in Philly this tour, actually. There were people standing in places I couldn’t directly see.
Watch out for little old ladies while you’re out there. I hear they can be a wee bit mean.
I was planning on going, but I sprained my ankle on Saturday. The doctor says I have to stay off of it for 2 weeks. On the other hand, she also said I could drive if it didn’t bother me, so…..I may just drive out there after all–I’ll be the one with the cane…or the crutches…
I’ve already planned out my day around this event: Leave work early, come home to feed the dog, head to El Portal for dinner then over to Vroman’s where I’ll buy another copy of the book and stake out an excellent seat. I wholeheartedly concur with the Squeeeeeeeeeee!
Hey, John! I just finished Redshirts. I’ll probably read it again in a few days to get it all sorted out, but I’ve got a question: Do we get a reward for finding a typo? (Actually a paragraph where one guy’s name appeared where another guy’s name should be.)
@ a different phil
Hey! I spotted that too!
https://twitter.com/surlyadopter/status/210929377356161026
Enjoying the new book (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RedShirt) so far.
Of course, the real twist will be to see who the “programmer yeti” turns out to be, but it’s an interesting “Galaxy Quest” meets “The Truman Show” mashup to this point :-)
Character shields up? Ludicrous speed, GO!!!
Vroman’s is great. Have fun!
Oh, good. It wasn’t just me.
That headline just sounds wrong on so many levels.
I really, really want to come to your book signing! I have to take my kid to gymnastics and pick the other one up from football practice. Maybe they can walk the three miles home? You’re finally in my neighborhood and there’s too much to do. Life is not fair. I do have my copy of Redshirts on my Kindle ready to read. Now if these darn kids would give me the chance to read, I’ll be set.
Sweet! A perfect excuse to take the Expo Line.
Hoping that my son (whom you met when In-‘n’-Out Guest of Honor at Loscon) drops me off at Vroman’s on his way to his Life Drawing class, this evening. I’ll buy your novel, and maybe the audiobook for my wife to listen to at night.
Wow, what a great session last night.
The reading from your new work was great, especially the bit wher- Aaaagggghhhhhh, the were-badgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!