Juggling is cool

I'm not much for name-dropping, but yesterday I had the coolest encounter. I got a last-minute invite to see Hillary Carlip, who was in town promoting this book:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060878835/sr=8-1/qid=1153495842/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-9439095-6572043?ie=UTF8

The friend who asked me to come out has known Hillary since she was in high school, when her zine was featured in this book:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0965975436/sr=8-1/qid=1153495982/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-9439095-6572043?ie=UTF8

So we went, and she read a hilarious excerpt detailing her appearance on the Gong Show. But she didn't stop there. When she got to the point in the story when she was called on stage to perform, she pulled up a chair, set her gold purse on it, removed three rubber balls, put on some music, and proceeded to juggle while singing the song that made her the winner of that episode. It was entirely unexpected, really entertaining, and completely adorable.

Afterward we stuck around to talk to her and the woman handling her publicity (who is also a great woman that I know from my Columbia days) and ended up getting invited out to dinner. We went to Reza's, where we shared a huge-ass vegetarian sampler out on the patio, and it was lovely getting to know her in a quieter setting. She was warm, and witty and wise, and I'm so happy I got the chance to spend some time with her, if only for a couple hours.

Everyone needs to go visit her site, FreshYarn.com and read the wonderful essays she publishes. And then go buy her book, because I said so. You'll enjoy it even if you don't have an autographed copy, like I do.

Boy, was that braggy. I don't get like that often, though so I don't think this entry will hurt anyone.