Mr. Neil "Scary Trousers" Gaiman

Last night was the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library's Annual McFadden Lecture, and *joy of joys!* Neil Gaiman was the lecturer. The last time I heard him speak, it was at a crappy (and now defunct) convention in New Orleans nearly 10 years ago, so I was pretty stoked. I could listen to him talk all day - he is a charming dude. We became Friends of the Library last week in order to get preferred seating (and because we both really love the library, so it was nice to make a donation to them), so we got to sit just three rows back and directly in front of the podium. Totally worth it:D

My husband was grumpy and annoyed by the throngs of people there (I was a little too; I'm not terribly fond of crowds, especially crowds of overly enthusiastic and often obnoxiously loud comic book fans), but once the talk began, he couldn't stop smiling. You can't help but be won over by Neil. He's a great storyteller, he's funny, and a he's little dorky, but in a totally endearing way (I think he has that whole bumbling British thing working for him). You get the impression that he is a genuinely kind and decent human being. I wish the talk could have gone on for another hour.

I finally bought a copy of The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish while I was there, which is by far my favorite of his children's books. Unfortunately, he wasn't doing any signing, but they did give out little signed sticker bookplate thingies, so I can stick it in my new book. Nich is appalled that I would mar a newly purchased hard cover, but I love my books hard and don't expect it to stay in mint condition. I still have my now well worn autographed copy of Sandman: Dreamhunters, which is dog eared and bent around the edges. I have no intention of ever giving either book up, so I don't think it matters much what condition they're in. They're both just mementos of really awesome days, and really really enjoyable books:)

I tried drawing Mr. Gaiman during the lecture twice, but neither drawing is any good. They don't look a thing like him.

As you can see, yesterday was a pretty kickass day. Today should be as well - my friend Laura is picking me up to go to a Record Day and craft fair in Broad Ripple. Should be fun. I have no cash, so I won't be coming home with any other goodies, which is probably just as well - we spent more than enough yesterday!

I didn't do any drawing Thursday, but I did bring over some shelves from the old house to put my ceramics on.

Lookit all that stuff!

I'd like to have those shelves overflowing with pieces before the end of the week. Wish me luck!