I got to meet Alton Brown!!
As most of my readers are aware, I’m a HUGE Alton Brown fan. HUGE. I DVR Good Eats and I’ve seen most of the episodes. The engineer in me loves how he mixes science with cooking and baking. He talks nerdy to me. And I like it!
I’ve learned more from AB about being in the kitchen than from anyone else. And I’ve really enjoyed the recipes of his that I’ve tried. The Chewy is by far my favorite recipe from this blog. I recommend it to everyone who will listen. So you can imagine the excitement when my friend K emailed me about his book tour coming to Boston. Not only was he coming to Boston, he was going to be speaking at our local non profit movie theatre and signing books – just a few blocks from our house! I literally think I squealed (and I am not a squealer).
Now I’m not a big cookbook person. I prefer to just find recipes on the Internet because 9 times out of 10 when I use a cookbook I get it all messy. But I knew if I was going to an AB book signing I needed to have at least one of his cookbooks… After all, the whole reason for his book tour is his new book Good Eats, The Early Years. So I ordered the new book and his baking book from Amazon, got the tickets to the show and waited for the day to arrive.
Finally the wait was over, or, as we soon found out, it was just beginning… Hubby and I left work early to get in line. We lined up around an hour and a half before the show started. Luckily it stopped raining although it was a chilly evening. We were about 10th in line at the time. Little did we know, all the people in front of us were saving spots for people, so we actually ended up in the 3rd row, but that’s ok.
Once we got in the theatre, we waited about 10 more minutes for him to come on stage. He didn’t give a speech or anything, just jumped right into the Q&A. He was just as funny and quirky in real life as I imagined he would be. I had a question I was going to ask, but I got too nervous and chickened out.
So after about an hour, they announced that the book signing was going to be across the street at the local book store. WHAT!?! They didn’t tell us that ahead of time!?! So basically it was a mad dash. Luckily someone up front found a side door we could all go out. There was a huge mass of people running over to the bookstore and it was pure chaos. The employees were not helping people get into an orderly line and it was just crazy. We finally found the end of the line, which was winding throughout the store.
At that point, our friend L and K decided they didn’t want to wait. So K’s boyfriend A stayed with Hubby and I to wait it out. About an hour later we were almost to the front of the line. Hubby went first and opened with “It’s nice to meet the man who all the women in my life love more than me” (his mom loves AB too). AB laughed and made some joke and signed his book. Then I went up with two books and he asked who the man taking a picture was, so I explained he was my husband and AB said so you’re one of his women I could take away from him!
Then I told him I love the Chewy and he said most people love that one best, but there are a few Puffy fans out there… We talked about my blog for a minute and he said he would never blog because no one would read it. I told him that people would love to read his blog. Hubby snapped one more pic and then it was A’s turn.
A’s post-it said to make it out to K&A. So naturally, AB asked where K was. A explained that she didn’t want to wait in the line. So then AB goes into this elaborate story that at the time I didn’t realize he was actually writing in the book. He almost forgot to sign his name after the story and said it was the longest inscription he’s ever written in a book. Then A wanted a pic and AB pulled some random girl out of line to be in the pic with them. It was hilarious. Everyone who could witness what was going on was laughing.
Overall, I had a great night meeting a great guy. And don’t worry Hubby enjoyed it too. Good Eats is the only Food Network show Hubby will watch with me. And if you love Alton Brown as much as I do, be sure to tune in tomorrow because I’ve got an AB giveaway that you won’t want to miss!
Don’t forget about my Power of Pink Challenge going on all month.
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
Thank you so much for sharing Jen! I completely understand where you’re coming from and how you feel…do nice things for yourself
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 8:50 am
You do the same Fiona
Thank you so much for sharing. This is UNREAL. My husband Jeff ran the Boston Marathon this year, and I spent the day traveling around on the T watching the marathon with my in-laws. We ended the day just a block from the blast sites – I shared my story here: http://decoratethis.blogspot.com/2013/04/bittersweet.html; Jeff’s story here: http://iwasbornready.blogspot.com/2013/04/my-2013-boston-marathon.html.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:05 pm
Thank you so much for sharing your and Jeff’s stories. What a day you guys had. I’m glad you’re safe.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:10 pm
I added these links to the body of the post.
It definitely does help to put some words together. And I feel the same way- even though I was volunteering at the 10k, i can’t help but wonder why wasn’t i volunteering at the finish line so I could’ve helped?
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:10 pm
I agree – it was therapeutic to write this up.
Thanks for sharing Jen. I haven’t lived in Boston for 4 years now, but my husband and I had a similar reaction. We both wanted to get “home” to the city we love, a city that becomes part of your being no matter where you go next.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:11 pm
I’m glad to hear I wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Living in Boston leaves such a strong impression…
I’m a longtime reader, first time commenter. First I want to give you big virtual hugs regarding the events in Boston. Your feelings are no less valid, no less important. My heart goes out to you. Also, I want to say, welcome to Cincinnati! I live east of the city and am a transplant from Seattle. Cincy is growing on me, and slowly but surely I’m starting to tell people that I’m from Ohio not Washington. 🙂 Best wishes to you and thank you for sharing.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:14 pm
Jen – thanks so much for commenting. I realize that at some point I’ll say I’m from Ohio, but the events of this week just my my heart tied even tighter to Boston…
I’m so glad all of your Boston people are safe. I can completely relate to your feelings of helplessness, I felt the same way after 9/11. It’s hard to be away from family and friends and a city that you love when tragedy strikes.
Big hugs for you and your crew.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:14 pm
Thanks Jene. I’m sure it’s very similar to how you felt around 9/11.
I feel the same way–Boston was my home for four years of college. I love that city. I feel like it is MY city. I wish I was there, locked in with friends, watching the news and hugging them. I feel so helpless on the other side of the state, so far away.
As soon as I’m able I’m going to the city and having a moment in the Common before heading to all my favorite places. My heart aches for the city, I wish I was there.
beantownbaker — April 19th, 2013 @ 4:15 pm
I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one who feels this way. We are trying to make plans to get back to the city sometime soon as well.
Oh I so know how you feel.. I live in Michigan. I’ve been here for almost 10 years, and I still call Boston home. It’ll always be home to me. You’re not alone!
beantownbaker — April 21st, 2013 @ 6:07 pm
Glad to hear I’m not the only one. I definitely think Boston will always feel like home to both me and Hubby.
I know exactly how you feel – I am a 2004 graduate of Virginia Tech. I was at work when the April 16th incident happened in Blacksburg, and I felt SO far away, and SO hopeless – the only place I wanted to be was in my beloved Blacksburg.
To make matters worse, I flew to Missouri the next day (for work) for 3.5 weeks. It seemed that the people out there had ALREADY moved on from the tragedy – it just made NO sense to me. I cried most of those 3 weeks, and since I was out there by myself it was a struggle.
I have always loved Boston, and I know that that community will love and support one another, just as Blacksburg did (and still does). It was the sixth anniversary this past Tuesday, and with everything happening in Boston, and the thoughts of VT and Blacksburg, it was an extremely long and tiring week.
Stay strong.
beantownbaker — April 22nd, 2013 @ 11:46 am
That sounds like a horrible situation for you in the aftermath of the VTech tragedy. Thanks for the kind words and for sharing your story.