The One, The Only...

Tuesday night I met the one, the only...Jen Lancaster! Who? If you know me well, you've heard me rant and rave about her books. Jen Lancaster is my favorite author, who I met at her book reading/signing for Such a Pretty Fat. I have read her first two books, Bitter is the New Black and Bright Lights, Big Ass. I suggest you read her books if you are a woman who has an affinity for sarcasm, shopping and hilarious strong-minded women (which I do). Jen's books make me laugh out loud everytime I read them. Her blog is also just as excellent. If you're a dog-lover, you'll enjoy the posts on her two dogs. I'm won't try to explain more because I can't do her writing justice. Obviously, I'm a fan.

I had quite the experience meeting Jen. Here's a recap of my eventful night.

Tuesday night I rushed out of work later than usual since I was pretty busy all day. (I actually enjoyed being busy at work...something I probably won't say years from now.) Of course, I rode the slowest blue line train home. Why is it when you're in the biggest hurry, you come across the woman who stutters her steps at the bottom of the escalator, the homeless man wearing 10 coats blocking the door and the tourist trying to figure out how to put in his CTA ticket? Agh! I raced home and hopped into my green machine to find my way to the Barnes & Noble on Webster Avenue. On the way there, I realized that the "Elston" Target that Jen always mentions in her books and blog is MY neighborhood Target! Jen Lancaster goes to MY Target! (It's the little things that get me excited, so let me have my enjoyment on this little fact.) If you're curious about why this Target stands out, then you'll have to read her books and blog. I haven't experienced the place enough to explain it the way she does. One word though - weirdos.

The book signing was the first one I've ever been to, and I hope to attend many more. The experience was well worth seeing Jen Lancaster in person AND talk to her as she signed my book and book plate (aka: a piece of paper to stick on her new book since they ran out of Such a Pretty Fat.) After waiting in the back of the line for hours, I finally reached Jen to sign my copy of Bitter. This is the point when I began to ramble and make jokes, probably thinking she will fall in love with my personality and we become BFFs. What did I say to entice Jen to be my new BFF? I told her how I should've ate before coming here, since I was starving from waiting so long. Realizing how that sounded I backpedalled saying it was well worth the wait (which it was!) Then trying to be more memorable I spout that I just moved to Chicago from Kansas City and live near the Target she's always talked about. She asks exactly where in the area, I tell her and she points out that we're in the same area (although she's Bucktown and I'm more Logan Square.) She inquires about being able to stalk her now and I joke back with her. (Still not sure how much you can joke with a semi-celebrity about stalking, but she seemed to think it was funny.) I begin to walk away when a Barnes & Noble employee asks if I'd like to have a book plate signed as well. I must have given my usual deer-in-headlights look since I'm a very indecisive person. Jen laughs and jokes that it must be a big decision for me. I tell her she has no idea, but to go ahead and sign another despite her hand cramping. Although I was not at the top of my game, I think I amused her in those few minutes.

For all those interested in this Jen Lancaster I speak about visit: http://www.jennsylvania.com/ and buy her books...she won't disappoint.

Jen and I from Tuesday night.