The "A Dirty Job" Signing Tour Memory Book

Wednesday, April 19 - Westchester Arlington Courthouse, Washington, DC

The DC signing was hands-down was the biggest Boardello gathering of any of the stops so far - so the Bay Area had better turn out in force, or they're going to finish behind both DC and Detroit. Better yet, the talented professional Ken 'photoguy53' Korba (check out his web site) took lots of great shots - and had some competition from others. So, for your edification, the DC stop:

'Sara Leigh' writes and offers photos:

A Night to Remember

No, not the sinking of the Titanic. (rolls eyes)

Wednesday evening couldn't have been nicer. The weather complied and sent only warm, dry air, with maybe a hint of pollen to come. Well, maybe more than a hint. There was a great turnout to hear Chris speak and entertain us. When he arrived, he spotted our group (could it possibly have been my frantic waving that attracted his attention, or was it the sight of RedOrcaMoon's trademark hat? we'll never know) and came over to hang with us for a few minutes. Seems the store was delaying the opening so that people caught in traffic wouldn't miss too much. So we got to chat for about five minutes before they decided to start the show.

I taped it all, but I haven't looked at the results of my effort yet. I know there are times I cut CM's head off while laughing (silently so as not to drown out everything else), and a bit of shakiness. Eh. I'm no professional.

The Boardellans who came were a great bunch! Just as nice and funny as you'd expect.

The group. Sara mugs for the camera, then writes:

I really need to control my urge to make faces when somebody's taking pictures.

Photo by Ken Korba, aka 'photoguy53.'

Photographic proof of the 11+ divii in attendance. From left to right it's TedJ, LisaM, Alan, Chris, RedOrcaMoon, Susan, photoguy53 (kneeling), Sara Leigh, Taco Bob, Gracie, and (we think) Shannon. ROM's mom was also present but is not in the picture.

ROM's mom, Gracie, and Taco Bob's back.

RedOrcaMoon brought Roberto. She writes:

. . . roberto flying around chris's head .... what was cooler than that?

"child you need to get a reality check" he said when I walked with roberto to his head....

Chris, ROM, and Ken 'photoguy53'. Photo by Ken Korba, aka 'photoguy53.'

Sara Leigh and AG. Photo courtesy Sara Leigh. Chris and Sara Leigh. Apparently Sara's "let's mug for the camera" urge was temporarily transferred to Chris. Or maybe it's the Ambien Stare.

Photoguy53 supplies the above photo and writes:

Yup we did have the best time. For those who missed the topic I just posted, here's the photo of one of our soldiers presenting Chris with the Flag from the war zone. He also said that Chris kept him and his buddies entertained with his books over there. Chris was stunned, couldn't speak, but when he did, he spoke for all of us with the simple, yet elegant: "Thank You", follow by thunderous applause for the young man and AG.

Sara Leigh writes of the same moment:

. . . Chris was rendered speechless, most notably when a member of the audience who was in the military (not sure whether currently but definitely in the past) asked to tell an anecdote rather than ask a question. Seems the AG's books had helped him and others get through his time in Afghanistan, especially after CM sent over about 20 of his books to pass around in response to an e-mail he sent. To show his appreciation, he presented him with a flag he'd been holding onto since he got back to the States.

Chris and Susan 'Susan' Powers. Photo by Ken Korba, aka 'photoguy53.'

Alan, Sara Leigh, Susan, and TedJ. Photo by Ken Korba, aka 'photoguy53.'

Gracie, Taco Bob, and RedOrcaMoon. I do believe this is the first photo I've ever seen of Taco Bob without his hat - but it does look pretty nice on Gracie. RedOrcaMoon's has is nothing to trifle with either. Photo by Ken Korba, aka 'photoguy53.'

RedOrcaMoon and the ROM MOM. Photo by Ken Korba, aka 'photoguy53.'

Chris and Susan share a hug. Photo by Ken Korba, aka 'photoguy53.'

TedJ, photoguy53, Alan, and Susan. Photo by Sara Leigh.

Notice Alan's barely-concealed restraint.

TedJ writes:

It was great to meet everyone there. What an impressive turnout in general and particularly from the boardello. I guess Taco Bob gets the prize for longest distance traveled to this signing. Lisa M gets the prize for the most harrowing travels (having a car break down on I-395 in rush hour is only slightly less painful than a spinal tap). ROM wins the prize for most likely disciple of Rupert Pupkin (and her mom was super nice). The rest of the group gets to share the prize for most dedicated fans. The AG wins the prize for being a cool guy and forcing the bookstore to stay open late so he could hang with his peeps.

I would just like to add that I loathed each and every person I met at the signing. I made small talk to make them think I liked them because I know they were yearning for my approval. It's a chore to be nice to the little people, but we do what we must.

That's ok Alan. The rest of us thought you were contemptuous and overbearing. Oh yeah, your shirt was ugly too.

*wiping away a tear* You can really FEEL the love here. I love you guys.

Gracie, Taco Bob, and ROM. Photo by Sara Leigh.

'RedOrcaMoon' writes and and provides a photo:

I am enlightened.....

you heard me!

so I was at Olssons and Lo and behold he came to me, not Sarah Leigh, not Lisa M.

ME!

"you and I need to have a talk.....listen you're not an orca!"

well I couldn't stop laughing about this. he signed a bottle of cheerwine, he signed twelve books, wrote to me leave the pod, and signed a shirt. (on the stomach though....)

Jeff, I still wished you were there. I was the easiest to spot in a crowd.... ^_^ Laughing Very Happy Mr. Green

by the way, that is a pastrami on rye he is holding in his hands.

its pastrami, on rye with hot mustard and swiss (its not hot english but its the brand Dijon)

Susan 'Susan' Powers sent along this picture of she and Chris, photo courtesy Taco Bob:

Lisa 'Lisa M' Murray had quite an exciting time getting to the talk, culminating in the tow-truck driver who'd picked up her dead car making a side trip to drop her at the bookstore. Who said chivalry is dead? You can see all the details of Lisa's travails here, but here are her thoughts on the signing:

Get to Olsson's just in time for the last 3 or 4 questions of the Q & A. Tired, stressed, still on an adrenaline rush, still have to pee. Find restroom. Find Sara Leigh, Gracie, Shannon, ROM, Taco Bob, Alan, TedJ, Susan, and the Photoguy. We hang out till the end, chat a bit with the AG (who, I may say, is better in person than I dared hope). He takes Cheesy Gold Fish crackers from ROM and Sara Leigh, then dispenses the things others have brought to him: Moon Pies, Barbecue Sauce, a book, some other things. Gracie and Shannon take off for Richmond, some of the rest of us traipse down the street to Kitty O'Sheas. Eat a bit of fauz Irish food, I have a Guiness, and we leave. I am blessed to be offered a room at Sara Leigh's, who fortuitously lives about 5 minutes from the Goodyear shop.

Robert 'Taco Bob' Tacoma won the most-travelled prize for this leg. He offers these photos:

From left to right: Lisa M, Gracie, RedOrcaMoon, Photoguy53, TedJ, Alan, Susan, Sara Leigh.

Taco Bob comments:

Like A Dirty Job itself, CM's DC event had some serious moments in with the fun and laughs.

The bookstore obviously wasn't expecting 150 folks showing up, but Chris kept us all entertained with his stories and jokes. The soldier who told his story and presented Chris with an American flag had the AG literally speechless for a minute or two. After a full hour at the podium, our road-weary author spent another two hours signing books and chatting with his fans. He even came over to hang with us Boardelloians afterwards and handed out some goodies (I got a signed bag of dried pork somethings to give to Skunk).

It was a great night for all the fans of Christopher Moore, and maybe the best event of the tour? ;-)