And now for something completely different..

Now I know this is a tech and gadget blog but I think I’m going to throw in the “now for something completely different" to talk about something cool that has happened to me. Or at least I’ll try to until you guys tell me to stop.You guys don't know it but I'm a HUGE Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan. Not huge like my home is covered in Buffy stuff or I'm stalking cast members or anything but let's just say of there was a Buffy World Championship of "Scene It" or trivia I'm your winner.So I was strolling through my local Barnes and Noble on this past Tuesday and saw that Amber Benson, who played Tara on Buffy, was going to be there at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday for a book signing to promote her and Chris Golden's new book "Ghosts of Albion - Accursed".

Now if you don't know. Ghost of Albion was an animated feature they did for BBC-i (the cool British web channel), that was so popular it was getting 100,000 downloads a week (you can check it out here). So popular that it has spawned this first in what will be a series of books, a role-playing game and there's talk of making it a movie! Now I was supposed to be away on business and would not be able to attend but figured there was no way in hell I was going to miss this. You never see anybody from the TV show on the east coast. They're always doing events in Cali or in the UK so this would probably be my only chance. There’s is quite a story about me actually getting to the signing that I won't go in now. Maybe later if someone asks but suffice to say it was hilarious in itself. So I do get there in time. My better half got there early since she figured I wouldn't make it and had made friends with who I find out are close friends of Amber. Kudo's eh? So I quick buy a book, and sit for the Q&A session. I had a couple of good questions lined up, because I wanted to be a cool guy and of course I really wanted to know, and then came the "meet and greet" and signing. So I get to meet Amber. Oh, here is where I should mention that I am the MOST SHY person on earth around famous people I’m a fan of. No really, it takes all I can do to muster up conversation. Media, politicians, sports figures, no sweat. But someone I’d truly like to meet and I’m a church mouse. So guess what? Amber is beautiful, charming, funny and has the best laugh on the planet. She was so cool and personable that I was won over right away. I recounted my getting there story (which she thought was hilarious!), chatted about Buffy, she signed some items and of course took some pictures (which I'll post later). To top it off she thought my better half was a hottie and had to take a photo with her too. How cool huh? Because it was short notice I really didn't have anything cool to have her sign. I bought a book and just happened to grab my copy of the PS2 Buffy game for her to sign but that was it. A woman behind me had a copy of the musical CD they did for the "Once More with Feeling" episode so I ran next door to buy a copy at Best Buy and then brought it back for her to sign. She said of course and signed it too. The signing was at 7:30 and we ended up leaving the B&N at like 11 p.m.! What an awesome experience! I got to meet an actor from my favorite show and she just couldn't have been nicer. I really have to give her co-author props too. Chris Golden an award winning author and local MA boy was so nice to answer my questions about being a writer. I have a novel bouncing around in the back of my head or at least I hope that's what that noise is! Just a great event with some really great people. You can find out more about Amber here and Chris here. Oh crap, what’s the book about? To quote the site “Even death could not stop Britain's greatest defenders. In 1838, William and Tamara Swift inherit a startling legacy from their dying grandfather, transforming them into the Protectors of Albion, mystical defenders of the soul of England. But the shocked, neophyte sorcerers also inherit unique allies in their battle against the dark forces. Fighting alongside them are the famous-even infamous-Ghosts of Albion: Lord Byron, Queen Bodicea, and Lord Admiral Nelson. When strange and hideous creatures appear in the slums of London, an unholy plague threatens to launch an epic battle that may rage all the way to Buckingham Palace . . . and beyond. Time is running out as William and Tamara must learn whether their friends will stand beside them, or seduce and betray them.” Cool huh? I just started reading it and can’t put it down. Sorry for the long post but that’s what I’ve been up to and thought I would share.