Life Is a Mix Tape
Sometimes several wonderful moments come together and — like a great mix tape — become something even better.
Tonight was one of those nights.
Let’s get the squeals out of the way first: I chalked up my first liter-hottie moment of ’08. And this may be the best one yet: Rob Sheffield, author of Love Is a Mix Tape, inspiration for Mix Tape Fridays, grooviest man on the East Coast, high on my list of fantasy BFFs. Rob’s a writer for Rolling Stone — and, I found out tonight, he’s on a lot of those VH1 best-of list shows (I may start watching them now that I know that).
Rob did a reading at my friendly neighborhood Wordsmiths Books — the first event in the Baby Got Books Reading Series.
That lucky Baby Got Bookster Tim posted an interview he did with Rob Sheffield. Be sure to read it.
It was the biggest crowd I’ve seen at a Wordsmiths’ gathering. Granted, Rob has family here — but there were lots of fans lining the walls and snaking the shelves.
Rob read two chapters — “Sheena Was a Man” and “Roller Boogie” — adding asides and quips. He was cool, he was funny, he was entertaining. His comments about music made me giggle and swoon — in a music-geek way, of course. To hear Rob Sheffield wax poetic about the J. Geils Band, explain the brilliance of "Funky Cold Medina," sing the Pips' part in "Midnight Train to Georgia" was worth the price of the free ticket.
We loving lemmings then lined up to get our copies signed.
I stand in the presence of greatness.
Rob Sheffield was very cool as he signed our books. He took the time to chat, seemed genuinely flattered as we gushed over him — and actually seemed interested as I wildly explained how he had inspired the weekly mix tape posts. He even thanked me. How cute is that?
Why can’t I act my age and leave my hair alone?
But the thrills didn’t stop with the autograph, kids. I notched another blogger on the meet-up post: Paul from The Yellow Stereo (great music blog, if you haven’t clicked my link), who drove over from Auburn for the reading. We got to hang out, obsess, and share a beer post-reading. I never got around to our back-of-the-bloggerhead shot, so I’m running the photo I took of Paul with Rob Sheffield.
I nearly forgot! Look at the groovy USB stick I got tonight — it’s a stick with a mix-tape case! Rob Sheffield got one, too.
For more news coverage on the social event of the season, click over to BGB's post.
To summarize:
• Rob Sheffield: Cool
• Yellow Stereo's Paul: Cool
• Baby Got Books’ first event: Smashing success
• Cup: Geeky and ready to buy any unnecessary thing that looks groovy
* * * * * *
Labels: authors, blogger meet-up, fantasy BFFs, liter-hottie, my little corner of the world
posted by Cup @ 1:03 AM
21 comments
21 Comments:
Beth! You have the coolest life! This looks like it was a blast. Thanks for introducing me to two new people!
So awesome!!! He looks so cool. I'm so jealous. In a good way though. I hope you told him hello for me. Oh MTG said thanks for the hug.
It was an excellent evening all around. Thanks for coming AND picking up the bar tab. You rock!
I wish my life had some cool moments like that, I am so jealous!
Fun! I keep meaning to buy that book. I think I have some unused Borders rewards...
DCUP: One of the few bennies of not having Resident Evils in my household. One of these days, I'll get you on my blogger meet-up list.
ARTFUL DODGER: I did! I gave you full credit for introducing me to Love Is a Mix Tape. Rob said HI!
TIM: I wish you'd do these weekly. If you do, I'll buy the first beer every time.
SKYLER'S DAD: You have cool moments with Skyler, I have cool moments with strangers. But it is a damn fun life I lead.
BECKEYE: If you hate it, I'll pay you for it — but you'll love the book.
Everything about what you just shared is awesome!
Love Is A Mixtape is easily one of my fave books ever. I love that you got to meet Rob. I'll have to look around and see if he's coming to Nashville anytime soon.
And I'm definitely looking for that USB Mix Tape Stick. (Does it really say "suck UK" at the bottom of the package in your photo of it?)
As always, you rock!
Mike
I read somewhere that Pavement plays a minor role in his book. I might have to pick that up.
I'm a huge Rob Sheffield fan... I wish he'd do a reading in my neighborhood!
Oh my goodness, he's adorable! But then so are you, with your girlish hair-playing, and so is Paul. How is it possible to jam so many adorable people in one bookstore?
You have a charmed life.
I love the way he looks completely and genuinely interested. I mean, it's you, so how could he not be? But it's still nice.
Sheffield really was such a sweetie! I came home feeling a bit smitten with him too :) He was the complete opposite of the stereotypical music critic, huh?
CHEZ BÉZIAT: Love Is a Mix Tape may well end up among my top twenty-five of all time. It's a love story wrapped around mix tapes; what's NOT to love? I hope you get to see Rob Sheffield in Nashville; he was the coolest.
GRANT MILLER: The page after his dedication to Mom and Dad reads: I wasted all your precious time / I wasted it all on you. Pavement. Pick it up today.
SCOTT: Beg. I think that's what our bookstore did. It's a non-chain, and Rob came.
BARBARA BRUEDERLIN: We breed adorable here in the South. It's the humidity that does it.
CHELENE: You are too cute! But he really seemed interested. I hugged him.
ESKIMOBLISS: Wasn't he? I want to keep him. So sorry we didn't meet at Wordsmiths ...
I feel out of place because my anonymity is now blown in that picture haha! Thanks for the great night and sorry I didn't finish my drink...i'm such a lightweight :(
I love that fidgeting-with-your-hair gesture. Charming. Sounds like a wonderful evening--some day, I'm certain, on one of our road trips south we'll get to meet you. I look forward to that.
Why is Paul only your fantasy BFF and not your fantasy BF?
OHMYGOD! You are so lucky! I have been waiting to see this post ever since you told me you were going to the reading LOL! Fabulous photos of you and Rob! I've read Love Is A Mix tape 3 times now.
That usb stick gift set is one of the coolest things ever! Want one!
I gotta read this book. I trust your judgment.
I bet you fit the title of literhottie to many of your fans especially after they meet you!
That is just too fucking cool, Bethy. You are sooo cute "jhushing" the hair while dishing away...
I love the mix tape thing here... I just finished reading Joe Meno's "Hairstyles of the Damned" and cracked up over the fine art and rule staking about making the perfect mix tape, especially for attracting a potential beloved...so true!
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