3rd floor event space

It was late September of 2002 or 2003 when I started working at Borders bookstore on Michigan Avenue ("The Magnificent Mile") in Chicago, Illinois. Over the 3-4 years I worked there part-time to help support myself through graduate school, I accumulated more than my fair share of "interesting" observations, stories, and fond memories. Nothing quite stands out to me, however, like that of the more than 30 author/musician events I worked during the course of my employment with the company. Every time I worked an event, I wrote down the name of the person with the intent to write about my event experience with that person at some point in time. I have saved that list after all these years, but I realized that it's only natural for us to remember what was meaningful, random or idiosyncratic. Giving a play by play takes away the flavor, so instead here's a flavorful snapshot of my vivid remembrances......

Gene Hackman was down-to-earth and an engaging speaker. He looks exactly the same in person as he does onscreen, minus the evil onscreen persona. Larry Flynt rolled down the aisle onto the stage in a bright, shiny spanking new looking gold wheelchair. Jenny McCarthy outspokenly joked about having to shit on a plate during childbirth, something mainstream pregnancy and childbirth books didn't tell her in "What to Expect."

Kay Redfield Jamison put a very human and professional face to mental illness, boldly challenging its stigma. I told Mitch Albom my mom uses "Tuesdays With Morrie" as a steppingstone to talk about the difficult subject of death in the college level English classes she teaches. I remember Alex Kotlowitz was a Chicago based writer whom I had never heard of before. I asked Augusten Burroughs about his recovery and writing process after the event, when everyone else had left. He told me there's a part in "Dry" that he wrote while drunk. I went home that night, eager to find it and never did. Note to self: re-read "Dry" in its entirety.

I don't remember anything about Sara Paretsky except that she's a mystery/thriller writer. Mannheim Steamrollers felt socially awkward and uncomfortable. When I gave gorgeous Nigella Lawson the tea she kindly requested, she joked about needing it after traveling so much and looking like "an East German transvestite." I marveled at her candor and secretly wished we could be friends. Her book "Feast" purposely released around the Thanksgiving holiday, I told her about the comfort and memories attached to my grandmother's cooking growing up. She listened with a warmth and compassion unlike any other celeb I've interacted with thus far.

Allan Lee attracted all the die hard "Lord of the Rings" fans, a trilogy I still don't understand what all the fascination is about. Mark Winegardner wrote a wine book....I think. Jack Welch sat by the magazine section on the first floor. It was an afternoon event during the middle of the week, to attract the business folks on their lunch break?, I wondered. I have no recollection of Jack Welch, but I remember spotting Dustin Hoffman buying a guide book on Chicago. He was shorter in "real life," dressed like your average American in jeans. This celeb sighting had gone virtually "undetected" until a customer standing beside him at the register where he was making his purchase loudly exclaimed his name with excitement.

Kirstie Alley had pretty, long flowing hair and carried herself confidently, which gave her far more beauty than any scale could in my eyes. The UK band Keane put on a musical performance as the sun came beaming through the windows. Kanye West had fans waiting in line to see him, a line that wrapped around from the 3rd floor to the 1st floor. He left before the time he promised to stay, and the line for him was replaced by a line of disgruntled customers at the registers returning his cd. It seemed like Alan Alda was 7 feet tall with a cheery smile.

Dan Savage read the witty passage from his book that I suggested he read when I briefly spoke to him before the event started. Margaret Cho doesn't come off as crazy and loud as she appears to be on her standup comedy shows. It made me think her standup literally is "just an act." Nate Berkus was a short, sweet, down-to-earth guy who really took the time to connect with every single customer that came up to the book signing table. I remember being eager and excited about the opportunity to have my picture taken with him, but I missed the chance because I had to use the restroom. For a brief instant I wished I was one of my gay male colleagues who got to snuggle up against him in that photo op.

Al Franken was cranky and moody. He got bent out of shape about not receiving the right coffee from the downstairs cafe. I can't say I remember a single memory of Brad Thor. Sorry, Brad. William Moyers, son of Bill Moyers, spoke about his addiction and recovery. I was touched when he humbly thanked me for the work I do with addicts and the difference I make in their lives. Mike Ditka had a bright red face and commanded the events space as if it were a football field all his own. I was excited about yet another photo opportunity, this time with Billie Crystal. The general manager Julie sent me on a short trip to Walgreens for either a disposable camera or more film. I can't remember if I even got to take a picture with him or if I did, just never received a copy of it.

I think Judith Wright was a life coach whose audience basically consisted of women. Every one of us working the Anderson Cooper event seemed to be a bit infatuated with his charming good looks and personality. I made sure to let him know my mother watches his show. Harry Shearer was witty; all I could think about was Homer Simpson as he spoke during the event. Marlo Thomas had a genuine humanitarian vibe about her. It appeared to me that Rachael Ray wanted her book signing to be as speedy as her 30 minute meals.

Chuck Klosterman is even funnier in person than in his books. It was the only event I worked where the audience primarily consisted of my generation (people who grew up in the 1980's and early 90's), apropos to his pop culture topics.

Gus Russo, Nathaniel Philbrick, and Terry Brooks provide me with no memory whatsoever besides my having written down their names. Robert Baer was the inspiration for the movie "Syriana." His stories were far more interesting and revealing than anything I gleaned from watching the yawn of a movie.