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September 2010 – The Book Signing

By Carmen
I was excited after spotting an announcement for an Authorpalooza. About 40 authors were scheduled to visit a local bookstore to sign books, and I was determined to be there.

I left for the bus stop 20 minutes early. I was on my way to a store I’d never visited, along a road I’d never traveled, but I had directions telling me which bus to take, and I felt prepared.

Alas, I should have made sure I knew the way. I walked to the bus stop with plenty of time to spare. Unfortunately, it was the wrong bus stop. That can’t be right, I thought, and checked again. I walked further along the street and came to another (wrong) bus stop. Annoyed, I set back for home to double-check my directions, knowing that if I stayed, I’d not find the bus – but if I left, I couldn’t get back in time to catch it.

I had been looking for my bus about 2 minutes away from the right stop. By the time I found it, I was too

late for my bus. The next one wouldn’t come for 2 hours. I decided to walk. How hard could the store be to find? It was along the same road I was already on, after all….

I found the store without any trouble, arrived right on time (I’d planned for delays), and stayed for several hours. It was a lot of fun. I bought a book, stood in line with fun people, and chatted with Brandon Mull, Jessica Day George, and Brandon Sanderson.

When I was ready to leave, I went out to find my bus stop. After a few minutes I realized that even if I found my stop, I’d missed my bus… and gave up. I walked back. I looked at Google Map when I got home and realized: No wonder I’m so tired. That’s a 2.5-mile walk. One-way.

It was worth it. I’d do it again.

But first, I’d pack a water bottle.

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