I almost FORGOT!! ...but how could I?!

Waaay back in December, before Christmas, here is what I did.
 As some of you know, Brian works at The Greene and he heard that Glenn Beck was going to be at the Books & Company bookstore for a book signing.  Since my brother is a fan of Glenn Beck and his brilliant political commentary, I figured what else would make the perfect Christmas gift other than a hand signed book?!  Of course, there were about 1,500 other people who also thought that it would make the perfect gift for their special somebody too.  Granted, Books & Company is a 2 story bookstore, but still, that is a LOT of people! 
 We arrived about an hour and a half before it was supposed to begin and found ourselves in line with about 500, give or take a few.  They had us woven between the rows, downstairs and then upstairs in strict sets of 10 people per side of the aisle.  It was all very orderly and entertaining.  It was so hilarious to listen to the people around us sit/stand around and discuss Glenn Beck's life as though he were their good friend. Seriously people, he-does-not-know-you!!  I'm not trying to be mean here, but really! 
 Here is how it went down....
Darla: I wonder where Glenn is coming from before he arrives here?
Starla: Oh, I'm sure he'll be tired...they traveled all night last night.
Carla: They'll drive down from Cleveland. Oooh, and it will have to be a very quick trip, after all, his schedule is soo tight!
Darla, Starla, & Carla:  mmm, hmm.  Oh yes, I'm sure he's sooo tired.  Very tired. (pause) ...but, it will be so good to see him!!  
(All heads nodding and bobbing in agreement)


Funny thing about this conversation is that all of the information they were talking "so personally" about was either info from his website or something that had been mentioned on the radio earlier that day.  There was no exclusive scoop, just facts.  I would say that these ladies were Glenn Beck groupies and not just fans. I'm not saying that Glenn Beck doesn't want to know them, I'm just saying that he...doesn't. does not.  Okay,  maybe that I also find it a tad bit annoying when people act as though they are in the know when in fact their just spouting very public information.   Besides the  creating the whole draw to see somebody famous, he has, obviously, done a great job of communicating to people in a way that feels personal, thus resulting in a lot of very dedicated fans.  We (my Mom & I) also got to stand in line with a weird, pushy, bossy woman and her darling husband. She would also want me to tell you that it was her decision to come to the book signing, just so everyone knew!  Bah!
 If you look closely at the picture above you can see Glenn Beck towards the left.  He was signing books like lightening!  They told us that he can do several hundred signatures an hour and as you can see below, he has an abbreviated signature for his book signings. 

 Can't really blame him for that, after all, when hundreds or thousands of people show up to get his "John Hancock" he's got to have something that is quick and easy to do over and over again.
While we were waiting in line, Stu, one of the guys that is on the radio with him was going through the crowd meeting people and chatting with the folks.  Nice guy who looks like his voice sounds, but is taller in person than I imagined.  Then again, I'd never seen him before and its kinda hard to gauge a person's height after only hearing them talk on the radio! 
So, after standing in line for about 2 hours, we  passed off our book to be signed, got a handshake, a brief word, handed over a Christmas card that the kids made "for Mr. Beck" and got our signed book back. It was quick, efficient and we got what we came for!  Nice glasses, by the way, Mr. Beck.  

In case you're wondering, he looks thinner in person than on television.  Don't know why I noticed that, but I did.  Though I suppose I could've asked the by me ladies in line if they knew what his weight was, undoubtedly, they would've know. guaranteed.


I wouldn't say it was the experience of a lifetime, but it was fun and I'd probably do it again.  I think my Bro. liked his gift. In retrospect, I probably should've sprung for the audio book so the poor fella didn't  actually have to read a book, but it's too late now!!
One would've thought that I would have also gotten a book signed for myself, but alas, I did not...silly me.  Don't worry, I don't feel bad about it, truly.  My only motivation for going to the book signing was only the gift for my brother, not myself.  Months later however, I do finally have my own copy of "Broke".  I picked up my copy at Borders when they were having their going out of business sale. 
 I don't have a lot of time to follow "the news", but I do enjoy listening to Glenn Beck on the radio.  It is refreshing to hear commentary on the news that is also very entertaining. Glenn Beck is, in my opinion is monster hilarious; big, ugly, orange monster hilarious,  as are his two cohorts.  
 A reprieve from the serious, ugliness of life while still maintaining truth.