In case you didn't know, I am a big fan of Chuck Palahniuk, and had never gotten the opportunity to go to one of his readings. Well yesterday I finally was able to go!!! It was awesome, although I had already known about the blow up doll contest, and how the sighing was going to be held, it was still a lot of fun. We arrived sometime around 4.30 if my memory serves me correct, and there was already a line. I was extremely nervous as to whether or not I would get to be one of the first 150 to purchase a copy of snuff (his latest book). But first let me back track a bit, because you're probably wondering "why does it matter to be one of the 150?'. Well, it did matter .... A Lot. Because only the first 150 people to purchase a snuff at the reading would get their books personalized. and I really wanted to get my 3 book signed by him. But because we arrived so early, I managed to snag number 65. We waited about 1 hour in the line outside, waiting to get into the lobby, then about another 30-40 min. waiting to be seated. The introduction was pretty funny, mainly because of the crowd, and one kid who sat about 3-4 rows in front of me. He made sure to respond with sly remarks, my kinda guy. Although the lights didn't dim, and music didn't play to get the crowd started, when chuck peaked out from behind the curtain, everyone shouted with excitement, even my grandmother. Oh yeah, did I mentioned I had gone with my grandmother Ana? Well yep, I did. Because she speaks mainly Spanish, I spoke to her in Spanish the entire time, at one point I noticed the two ladies sitting next to me debating as to whether or not they should ask my name. The brunette who didn't want to ask countered her blonde pal by saying "I don't think she speaks English". Ha ha. that's pretty much all I could think.
but enough about speaking English, and exciting crowds, back to the reading! - He started out the evening by telling a story about his friends and their cat, followed by a new short story he wrote 'Loser" which was great. I don't want to give any details on them, in case someone reading this is planning on going to his next reading, or wants to watch it on youtube, which you can by the way, there was then a short interview, and afterward audience questions. At the end of the audience questions, there was a second round of blowing up the, well, blow up dolls. followed by throwing of the autograph hounds. (all of which you can catch on youtube)
Finally it was time to get out books signed. Ana, my grandmother, waited with me, for about another hour or so. We were in line with the same group of kids when we were waiting outside. When I reached the front of the line, chuck very gladly sighed all of my books, and I mentioned to him how I missed him during the Haunted tour, and how disappointed I was about that, in my copy of Haunted he wrote "Sorry I missed you in Miami", he asked if I was just visiting GA to go to his reading, and I told him, that no, we moved up here about a year ago, and he accordingly wrote in rant " Welcome to Atlanta!". ha ha. (I'll try and post pics of my books later one, as soon as my scanner is willing to work with me). I told him I was there with my grandmother, and that is was her first reading ever, he apologized saying he was so sorry it had to be his, but I let him know my grandmother enjoyed it very much. He then asked me to go and wait around the curtain, and he wanted to speak to my grandmother. I left, he spoke to her, gave her something, and then called me back for a picture. I haven't an idea what he gave her, he told her to make sure not to tell me. I guess I'll find out sooner or later. Actually when he asked me to leave, one of the young guys I was waiting in line with, I think his number was 62, asked me what was going on, I told him I had no idea, but we'll all find out once I got back. At least I thought we would, sorry blondish guy with number 62 ( I think?), but we all didn't din out, I still haven't found out.
I'm going to post pictures of my books (as mentioned before), and pics I took from my seat. I must warn you though, they aren't the best pictures, so bare with me.

Bye for now,
Dominique


And PS. Thank to Joe, for taking my picture with Chuck, when my battery died, and sending it to me.