Last night was a cool time at Internationalist Books in Chapel Hill. We headed over there early to score some UNC gear for Drew to wear (found him a nifty Carolina sweatshirt, which you can see him modeling here and here, along with an awesome "UNC > Duke" T-shirt he's going to wear next Sunday when the Heels trounce Dook).

After we got his clothes, we drove around, checking out the changes to town since we'd last been there (it seemed so much more crowded, and everything was under construction), then drove around a good 20 minutes more trying to find a place to park (I'd forgotten what a pain THAT is). Then we made it to the bookstore around 6:45.

One thing I'll say about the story -- it's narrow. Damn. Check it out:


Who knew the place would be so cramped?


But we all fit in there, and the readings were fun. Got to see Jason and Janet, Andreas and Luna, met voracious reader and book-lover Andyhat (who's my new hero, 'cause he bought my book from Clarkesworld!), and finally saw Jamie and Steffi again after far too long (congrats on the new jobs, you two, even if you're moving away...). Also met Nora Jemisin, and even chatted with the manager of the store, who's going to stock copies of Intracities there! Much coolness.

After Jason read, Elizabeth and I read Bruce Boston's wonderful little story-with-a-recipe, "Our Last Piece of Pizza," with her reading the wife parts. Drew got into the act, hollering partway through, and trying to distract his mom from reading the last line!

Hopefully he didn't interfere too much with the last 3-4 readers of the night, as he was starting to get fussy, and at one point he let out a tremendous belch that made his father quite proud. I didn't get to hear too much of the stories (we were standing in the back), but I liked what Luna and Nora read, and I know I'll go back and read their stories. They were quite cool, what I could hear of 'em!

By the way, if anyone has digital photos from last night (hint, hint, Andreas and Jamie), please let me know! I only got the two pictures here, and then fell down on the job. We had our hands full with the food and Drew -- he was amazed by all the books (as was I -- I want to go back there and look some more).

And this morning I finished up the story revisions, and it's almost there. I just need to do a couple run-throughs tomorrow, and it's ready. I think. Later!