Just a fun post

[jpskewedthrone]

So a few fun things that happened recently.

First, the talk I gave to the Woodbridge (NJ): While I was there, the group wanted to buy some books and a few already had books they'd bought ahead of time. So the first person who had a book already gave it to me to sign . . . and it was already signed. This isn't unusual because I sign copies at bookstores. EXCEPT that this was signed For Clara: Great to meet you at Between Books! *signature* March 7, 2009.

Huh. Interesting. This means that "Clara" bought the book while I was at the Delaware signing, possibly read it, and more than likely sold it again. They guy said he bought it on Amazon, so I assume he bought it used from "Clara" through Amazon.

So . . . I gave him a new book, signed it to him, and now I have a copy of Skewed Throne signed to "Clara." Any Clara's out there that want Skewed Throne?

While this whole thing can be annoying (basically, because it was bought used off of Amazon, I get no credit for the sale), I just have to laugh.

So that was one thing funny that happened recently. Another was at the math conference this past weekend. I was giving a math talk on Saturday, and when I went into the room, the entire back row of the room was filled with students from my own school, Oneonta. We had 9 students from Oneonta at the meeting. They were there for support of course. A few other people were there as well. The moderator introduced me, but before I could begin, the first student held up a sign with "P" on it and shouted out "P!", the next with an "A" and a shout out of "A!", the next "L!" and so forth until they spelled out my entire last name. At the end they all shouted "PALMATIER!" and whooped and hollared.

I have to admit that I didn't know how to react. I wanted to laugh and punch my fists into the air and generally act like a kid . . . but I was the speaker, at a math conference, being all professional and whatnot. So I just smiled and thanked them and then went into the talk. A few more signs made appearances throughout the talk as well.

So, just a few things to smile about recently. Thought some of you might enjoy them.

Comments

[mela-lyn.livejournal.com]

To the signs, I would have giggled.

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

My professional face didn't allow giggling, although it would allow a smile.

[darkspires.livejournal.com]

She sold your book? How could she bear to part with it? I have the book you so generously sent me and it is a prisoner for life! It has been read and enjoyed and it will be reread and enjoyed for many years to come until it disintegrates and I need to buy a new one. Shakes head.

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

See, this is my reaction exactly. *grin*

[beatrizwench.livejournal.com]

Getting the rock star treatment at the math conference is pure gold!!

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes.

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

I'm sure we'll be returning to Between Books (in Delaware) in the future. Keep watch! (We'll be in Ledgewood, NJ on November 7th. Not sure if that's close enough or not.)

[misunderstruck.livejournal.com]

That's rather clever and fun on the part of your students.

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

I thought so. And completely unexpected!

[mtlawson.livejournal.com]

Oh, that math conference pep rally was hilarious! That sounds like something the gang I knew in college would have pulled off.

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

It was certainly fun. Not sure how the other members in the audience took it, but . . . who cares?

[danceswithwaves.livejournal.com]

You have awesome students!

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

I do! (Actually, I don't think any of them are currently my students. Only about half of them were former students.)

[mardott.livejournal.com]

ahhh...

If I remember my college days correctly (and they weren't that long ago) it took a special teacher to get that kind of action out of students.

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping that "special" has good connotations in this sense. *grin*

[dynastic-queen.livejournal.com]

Palmatier is sort of long... I guess it took them a little while. :D Cute.

Selling a book personally signed for you? Eh... *brain cells misfiring*

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I don't get the selling of the personalized book. But who knows. It takes all kinds.

[karen-w-newton.livejournal.com]

I have seen signed copies in used bookstores and wondered why anyone would wait in line to get a book signed and then sell it. I decided someone else must have waited in line, and then gave the person the signed copy as a gift.

Loved the story on the letter signs. That's sweet! And it was work, too. It's not like your last name is Jones.

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

I thought of the gift option, but I'm pretty sure everyone at the Between Books signing had them signed to themselves. *shrug* Oh well.

And yeah, the signs must have taken some time. The letters were HUGE, blocked and then filled in with color markers. Not just the letter in black or something.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Your own cheering section, how totally awesome!

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

It was awesome.

[jjschwabach.livejournal.com]

You're so nice... :-)

You'd've thought he would remember that he bought it as "signed..."

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm wondering if the person sold it without telling the buyer that it was already signed. The guy who brought it was completely surprised when I opened the book and found the personalized signature.

[isleburroughs.livejournal.com]

I hope Clara is okay:o(

Something terrible must have happened to her.

[jjschwabach.livejournal.com]

That's weird.
I have a theory.
(And no, all you Buffyites out there, it has nothing to do with bunnies. Though maybe...)

Clara was never at a signing with you. Someone got it for Clara and got it signed, to her. And Clara, following the instinct some have when given a book by someone else, never opened it herself, and just sold it to Dude, who also didn't read it yet because, yay!, it arrived *the same day* he learned that you would be signing in a Bookstore Near Him!