How beautiful are these shots of Paris? So lovely. Le Sigh... They make me want to transport myself. So beautiful...

You know what's funny about Paris is I love it so much I don't know if I ever want to see it again. I guess that's more quirky than funny. I want to remember it the way it was when I was 21 and lived there, going to school during college. I want it to stay the same way it is in my head. I do that with books, movies, and artwork that has moved me as well. I don't want my initial reaction to be erased and fear that perhaps it will be if I see it again and am disappointed.

But who am I kidding? I will go to Paris again. I mean, I'm not an idiot.

The delightful EKJ and I went to Tattered Cover bookstore last night to see Dooce read from her new book, It Sucked and then I Cried. (hello fantastic title)  We decided up front that we weren't going to wait in any lines.  And I'm a grown ass lady and don't wait in lines. Ever. I don't have that freak out celebrity thing either so the idea of waiting in line to see a celebrity is preposterous. She's just a person for crying out loud. (Specifically, I'm thinking of those poor SOBS who wait 14 hours, in the rain, in those bleachers at the Oscars to see Nicole Kidman or whoever quickly scoot by. Really? You feel better after that? Is your life enriched? Yes? Oh well then, to each their own.)

We grabbed drinks and a delightful dinner and had almost decided that it would probably be a mob scene and to go see a movie instead but then thought...ah what the hell?

We arrived at 6:30pm just to see...and I'm glad we did. It started at 7:30 and there lots of people there already. We were given numbers, for the book signing, as well as a myriad of crazy ass rules. I got #80. We settled in and waited for Heather Armstrong to take the mic. Despite the ENORMOUS man head two rows in front of me, I could see her pretty well. She was humbled by the cheering crowd and blushed, which I found terribly endearing. She's much more Southern than E and I thought she would be. Her husband, Jon, was there scampering about taking pictures and she spoke of him frequently, catching his eye and smiling. He waved his shoes at one point because she told everyone she wouldn't let him wear his Crocs.

She read a passage from the book and then a post from the blog. She answered a bunch of questions and was charming, candid and funny. I love how she doesn't take herself too seriously. One intense girl in the crowd asked her what favorite post was. I loved that the one she chose was the one about her cousin George passing out on the toilet trying to poop. For some reason I'm glad it wasn't some trite, sappy answer about the love of a mother or something.

After the Q&A, the line up book signing garbage began, and E and I looked at each other with the same "let's go" face. I gave my number to the woman next to me who had #127. I felt like I did a good deed and she almost peed in her pants when I gave it to her. I dubbed her 'the superfan' in my head while Heather was speaking because she would talk out loud relatively softly as if just she and Heather were having a conversation. Creepy and annoying, sure, but last night I was just soaking up the fact that this blogger woman has touched so many people with her writings and inspired them or made them happy or saved them in some way. And that was very cool.  I also noticed when I stood up that there were AN ASSLOAD of people there.

And bless her heart for going on a book tour at 7 months pregnant. Sweet mother of God.