At the beginning of this year I knew there were three things that I looked forward to, the first of which happened a few weeks ago. That event was an Evening with Neil Gaiman at the Babcock Theater in Billings, Montana. I learned of the event long ago and anxiously awaited tickets going on sale, which they did last November. I was at work and noticed an article about it in the Billings Gazette and immediately called home so that mom could procure tickets for us. I asked her if she wanted to go, but it was an author, so of course she did.
Once those tickets were purchased, I began a mental countdown for February 21st, a day when I would see one of my favorite authors give a reading. When December rolled around, and my friend/sister Aimee were discussing Christmas present exchanges, she mentioned tickets to see my Braves play her Giants in San Francisco. I immediately said yes, and the second event I looked forward to in 2014 was set in motion. I haven't been to California in almost four years, so it will be nice to get back there and have some good quality time.
The third event has since evolved from it's original form, into something even greater. When I saw the baseball schedule for 2014, I was pleased to see that my Braves were going to be in Seattle again, a city I enjoyed when dad and I went there to watch them in 2011. My plan was to take a week off, go to a couple baseball games, and explore Seattle, but now it has turned into something I think is better. Now I am going to go there, go to a game, and then make my way up to Vancouver, staying there for a while, and more than likely falling in love with that city all over again.
Those are the three events I knew I was looking forward to, two of which you will hear more later, but for now, back to Neil.
February 21st rolled around and I made my way to Billings with my folks, mom was attending the reading with me, and dad was along to enjoy the trip and to make a Costco run with us. I wasn't sure what to expect from the reading, but I knew it was going to be an experience like no other I had, had before.
The roads were good, despite it being winter, and we made it safely and with a few hours to kill. We checked into the hotel and then went and did a little shopping. Barnes and Noble called to me and mom, as there are always books to be bought.
We ate at the Texas Roadhouse, and even though we didn't notice that some of the food was taking longer, the manager showed up at our table and said the blooming onion was free, and he was taking 30% off our bill. Apparently that was the awesomeness we were to experience, the unexpected kind.
We had some time to kill before the doors opened at the Babcock, so it was back to the hotel to drop off our purchases and to freshen up a bit. This is when the excitement really hit me. I was going to see an author in person, an author that had entertained me for hours on end, an author who has brilliant advice, and a fantastic sense of humor.
Dad drove mom and I to the theater and dropped us off. He was headed to meet his good friend, Bob Haiser, and that meant a great night for us all. I Instagrammed pictures of the marquee as we waited in the chilly night. The crowd soon began inching forward, and then moving a little more quickly. This was it, the doors were open.
It is a rather cool poster on thick paper that now hangs on my wall, framed and pretty.
Once I had that procured, I got to balance it on my lap throughout the night, making sure not to crease it, being a little OCD in my way. The time was drawing nearer, and finally the lights dimmed. A woman came out to introduce Mr. Gaiman, and practically blew our eardrums out when she shouted her greeting into the mike.
We clapped and shouted excitedly as she told us the works we had read and loved, knowing that he was somewhere back there, hearing our approval, and desire to see him and hear his words. Finally he was there, in front of us, walking to the podium with a bottle of water and an iPad.
Neil gave us the rundown of what was in store for us. A story, a speech, another story, and then he would answer questions that the audience had written down before Neil took the stage.
His first story was about adventures, it was one he had wrote for This American Life. He told us that he had written a second story that he read for the broadcast, one about how he doesn't have adventures. I laughed as Neil told us about the broadcast, how Ira Glass had asked him what he was up to, and upon hearing that Neil had been drawing his wife as she posed naked by paintings in an art gallery, Ira scoffed at Neil not having adventures. Neil said how it was Amanda Palmer's adventure and not his, and I related to that because I often think I don't do anything adventurous, but others might see it differently.
The speech was one he had given about the importance of libraries, one that he hadn't quite liked his first presentation of, so we got to hear it with some modifications. At this point in the night Mr. Gaiman was solidified as a hero of mine, because it just made sense.
The second story was one he had wrote for Ray Bradbury, a birthday present to him. The Man Who Forgot Ray Bradbury was a wonderful story about knowing the details, but forgetting the topic.
The question and answer period brought it all together for me. He talked of his love of Doctor Who and writing episodes for it. He told us what he actions he takes to insure that he stays on task when writing. He explained his crazy hair and how sushi and/or Amanda Palmer are the great pleasures in his life.
I lost myself in so many moments during the reading, enthralled by all the words I was hearing. The only things that really brought me back to the reality of my seat were the print balancing on my legs, and when the attractive girl next to me would accidentally bump my knee with hers.
Two hours quickly went by, but only because they were full of so much. The hours and days that followed the reading, found me reflecting upon it and smiling to myself. I still feel that joy, and take from it the inspiration that I can always use.
This was only the second time that Neil came to Montana, and I am very happy I was there for it.
Thank you for coming to our state, Mr. Gaiman, the pleasure was all ours.