Book Festival

I'm just home from volunteering at the Library of Congress's National Book Festival on the Mall. (I hear next year's date is September 30, so mark your calendars now.) I worked in the Book Signing area all day. Thankfully the weather was cool and overcast, so even in long lines people weren't suffering. The sponsors provided plenty of water; 99.99% of the attendees were cooperative, and without exception all of the authors were exceedingly gracious. Many extended their time at the signing tables to accomodate everyone, and Neil Gaiman signed for over 4 hours! They were literally dismantling the tents around him, but he was committed to signing for everyone who stood in line for so long.

The only drawback to volunteering is that I don't get to run around and hear everyone speak or get anything signed myself. But I figure it's a worthwhile trade-off. And it's great to be around that many people who will never say "Why do you always have your nose in a book?"

It's been a week of too many fun things to do, and today was no exception. I'm missing the opening concert of the National Symphony Orchestra's season at the Kennedy Center tonight, because I knew I'd be too tired to enjoy it.