Burroughs' Dry signing leaves me soggy

I ventured out into the metrowest to my alma matter to be on a panel, "What Can I Do WIth My MInor in Journalism?".

At the newly refurbished student center, I read that of my favorite authors was giving a reading that night. The problem was that it was at the same exact time as my career night talk.

So, as Augusten Brroughs held hundreds enthralled at Dwight Auditorium - I and 4 other alumni elicited a few chuckles from the 30 or so English majors.

This time I decided to do a visual presentation of 11x17 print outs of "a day in the life" of the publishing world. That seemed to go over pretty well (no one falling asleep being the barometer).

The career night thing ended at 8 so I went across the street, er campus to the Athletic Center in pursuit of Mr. Burroughs.

As I was climbing the familiar hill I saw a lone man with blonde hair sitting at a book strewn table.

For a moment I thought that no one showed up - and he was just fufilling his contractual obligation to be there. Then I realized that it was just the bookstore employee and that the lecture was still going on.

I used the time to buy another copy of Running With Scissors and swoop down on the vegetables and cheese and crackers. Whenever I go to one of these thing I usually arrive after they have ben devoured - so I felt like a kid entering the chocolate factory.

By the time I had finished my carrots, a crowd of about 200 quickly formed behind me. I spotted the celebrated former ad-man/alcoholic descend the stairs with his possee of handlers and assume his post behind the book table.

I have to give him credit - he remained upbeat and attentive. I overheard one of the organizers say the he had been on campus since 4pm meeting with student leaders, etc.

I desperately tried to think of something original to say for my 10 second sound bite.

Here is what I came up with, "Augusten - your Detail's piece about work restroom culture should be optioned for a short movie, it was very funny."

"Thank you ... I forgot about that one," he said. He was wearing a baseball cap with embroidered flames flicking up from the brim.

As I turned to leave - I noticed that the rain was suddenly coming down in relentless sheets outside. I tucked my new book into my courier bag and headed out into the rain. All I had to shield my head was the print outs of the presentation I had prepared.
They got soaked by the time I reached the parking lot - but they did their job. Two jobs actually.