"It begins, as most things begin, with a song"

Scored tickets to a wine and cheese event hosted by Neil Gaiman, who was there to read an excerpt from his new book, Anasi Boys, and to do book signings.

It was held in the atrium of the Anzac Square Building, which is heritage listed and just a gorgeous setting. Narrow atrium with little balconies overlooking it, and copper sculptured tree rising towards the roof, with copper plates etched with leaves suspended randomly from wires in the air. Pictures (not mine) here and here.

Gaiman was delightful ; with a dry and keen sense of humour, tinged with the faintest hint of shyness despite years of presentations just like this one. Very appealing! Blissed out during the reading...totally lost track of time and got into the story. Irritated to find the book does not get released for months yet. You can, however, read an excerpt.

Then he opened the floor for a question and answer period.

We had the pleasure of being stuck behind what is possibly the worlds biggest dork. I was painfully embarrased on his behalf, as he obviously had no clue how dorkish he was. He was an absolute characture of all that is geek. The Simpsons could have used him as a model for thier computer nerds. He had a pocket protector. His mom obviously still bought his clothes, and they did not fit, which meant he had extreme plumpers crack. And dirty ripped underwear. Charming. He was also an utter clutz and kept dropping things, bending to pick them up, bumping into opther people.

And then he started asking questions. By raising his hand in the air and waving it frantically, like a first grader who is craving the attention his mommy does not give him cause she drinks too much :P His actual questions, when he finally got his turn, consisted of a five minute ramble full of every jargon filled word he had picked up at uni, solely tossed in to impress Neil, and without a doubt, to isolate the rest of the room, whom he felt beneath him. You could tell he was certain that his speach was meant to make an impression, and that he was certain he shared a deep unbreachable bond with the man himself. Gaiman, meanwhile, was practically cross eyed by the time he wrapped up his spiel and actually got around to askign his question, which was merely "Do you and Pratchett plan to work together again"

The entire group audibly groaned.

Friends of ours with there, with their spawn, who is a gorgeous little blonde creature of 6, without a scrap of shyness in her, got the last question "When are you writing your next kids book; its been too long since Coraline?" and got applause when she was done.

Had several of our books signed, and also Geoffie's copy of Neverwhere, which I borrowed ages ago and has travelld with me through 6 countries now. Even got a photo of the signing of said book, which has since been returned(at last!) to its owner :)