On to more pleasant subjects...

So, yeah... despite my extreme exhaustion and fragile emotional state, I DID drag my ass over to Berkeley last Friday evening, to spend a little quality time with Anthony Bourdain and a few hundred other people.

First, though, I got to spend a little time with the lovely Miss Angela and the extraordinarily adorable Luke. Seriously, go click over there and check out the little guy. And that was just what the doctor ordered to lift my mood a bit.

Now, the bookstore where the reading took place is surrounded by really cool shops. Like a MAC store. Bare Escentuals. Restoration Hardware. And a Crate and Barrel OUTLET. Not to mention, I can easily spend hours (and too much money) in a bookstore.

In other words, it's a danger zone for someone who's feeling pissy and enjoys a little retail therapy.

Or a lot of retail therapy.

I was good, though. I bought a new cocktail shaker, which, as you know, I desperately needed. And some lipglass. Which I always need. But that was it.

I got to the bookstore about 45 minutes before the reading was to begin, and all the seats they'd set out were already taken. So I bought my book and high-tailed it over to one of the few places left to sit -- a window ledge -- and watched the crowd get larger by the second.

By the time the thing started, the place was jam-packed. And since it was a very warm day, it was about a thousand degrees in the bookstore, which, like many places close to the bay, had no air conditioning. So I might not have had a case of the uglies, but I definitely had a case of the sweaties.

It's a good thing he was entertaining. He read a short piece from his new book, and then spent about 45 minutes answering questions. He's very much the same in person as he is on TV, only even better-looking. Yum.

The only question he wouldn't answer was whether he was married or dating someone. Funny.

And yes, because I knew some of you (yes, you, BuddhaGirl!) would never speak to me again if I didn't, I stood in a hot, long-ass line to get my book signed. (I keep trying to post the picture of that page, but fucking Blogger won't fucking let me...!!)
He was very gracious and signed countless books and allowed countless people to take pictures with him. (No, I was not one of them.)

He was a delightful diversion after a very long and taxing week. And I still have a crush on him.

Oh. The book's good, too...!

(And yes, I'm in much better spirits now. I think my mourning period was extended in part because I couldn't share it with most people for awhile. As I said in my last post.. onward and hopefully, upward...)