Half way thru the gallery we come by a table where they serve wine and something else, I grab myself a glass and let the good man poor me some wine. At least now I have something to do with my hands, since I don’t have any pockets to which I can stuff them into. All is well, we’re cool …I think. I do admit I feel a little bit out of place and I sincerely hope that no one real smart comes talking to me about art, because like I tell Lola later, I am new to this.

Pilar comes by and greets us; it is good to see her again and we exchange a few words. In the mean while I spot Viggo, not that I was looking for him, but how could you miss him. Henry is right by his side as his father talks to all the visitors. Every now and then I look around and make sure Viggo is still there; after all, I would like to say HI.

Eventually it is our turn, and I am on my second glass of wine at this time and I haven’t eaten. Let’s just blame it on the wine, I manage to say “ Hi, nice to see you again “ and then I just get tongue tied. I am glad Sotnos is in better control of her tongue and I listen as they talk about ……I forgot!!!! ( She will have to fill you guys in on that one. I do remember something about chocolate (did someone say chocolate?? ;-) and that everybody thinks the best chocolate comes from Germany and Switzerland (well yes, of course! () but that there is some very good chocolate from Mexico (no way! ;-P ) and that we should try it. We get the hint and say our Good byes. Our time is up and we move on. Well kinda, I am still standing there trying to find my tongue but eventually give up and go to find the chocolate that by now is long gone and so we go empty handed. Now then, I guess another glass of wine will have to do. Soon after I recognize another person, Lola Schnabel, I would like to talk to her, but somehow I am just not myself tonight. I am usually the outgoing one you must know, but tonight I am just, SHY?? What is wrong with me, …ah, let’s blame it on the wine again.

I do get my chance later though. Pilar comes over and introduces us to her, along with Henry. I say something real smart like “ nice to meet you, I have been wanting to talk to you all night… “ and she looks at me with this sweet and expecting look, waiting for me to finish my sentence and what it is that I have been wanting to talk to her about. Aw shucks, I think I need another glass of wine at this point because my wits have just left me again. I finally manage to tell her that I have seen her T-shirts online but that they are a wee bit to expensive for me. (Duhhh Germany, great conversation, I'm thinking) We talk a bit more about the shirts and Lynn is helping me out a lot, as I try not to make a total idiot out of myself. Henry, just as patient and polite as his dad, is standing by us and I feel that I would be much more comfortable talking to him. Thinking that it has been a long night for him, a boy in his teenage years, I lean in close and say: “ Be honest Henry, are you bored yet? “, and like any other boy his age would be too, he says YES followed by a grin.

The gallery is beginning to thin out, and maybe we should leave too …NOT! After all, when will we have an opportunity like this again? As they turn off the lights and there is nothing left to do, we leave. Juuust kidding, we do have some dignity, right? Right! We aren’t the last to go, but close.
O.K., fast forward to the reading

13 July'02 Friday, day of the reading

This time I’m not taking a shower, the hell with it. Back to me, good old Germany, don’t like make-up and don’t like to dress up. I know exactly what to wear and I believe Sotnos is much happier with me tonight. Again, we pick up Mark and Lynn (what is that strange ticking noise I keep hearing every time I’m around them?) and we make our way to the bookstore. The place is full and it promises to be a great evening. We meet Daz and Toni, also members from the many faces website, and who would have guessed, more Germans! After some mingling and lots of talking in my mother tongue, I finally sit down, ready and anxious for the reading to start. The band that plays is called “One Ring Zero” and their music is out of this world, never heard anything like it before, I love it.

Next up are Ben Greenman and Lawrence Krauser (hey, that sounds German) I didn't know what to expect and what I got was.... well, different. All in all, it was an experience that I will never forget. Time for our star, out comes Viggo, his hair looks tame compared to the night before. He reads quite a few pieces and I am enjoying myself tremendously listening to him in person. After a while I get distracted by the person sitting in front of me, someone called Rene. As Viggo is reading “Ontario” which he dedicates to Lola, Rene keeps cracking up, which in turn makes me crack up, and I find myself not even paying attention to what Viggo is reading. He also seems to have a hard time keeping a straight face as Rene has these little outbursts of laughter. It was hilarious. Eventually, I get a hold of myself again and all is well. The band comes back to play a few more songs and at some point, Viggo jumps out to pull Rene off his seat and start dancing with him. I had no idea that I would be laughing so much that night. After the entertainment is over, people line up to have their picture taken with Viggo, and for some reason I feel sorry for him.

It takes at least another hour or more until everybody had their turn. I think what a gracious man he is and what all he does for his fans. Viggo was as patient as ever having his picture taken with all those people at the reading, after being at the gallery that same day for much longer then it was scheduled. He must have felt "thin, sort of stretched; like butter scraped over too much bread.” (sound familiar? ;-) Again, we stay almost to the end and then say our good-byes to Pilar as Viggo is gathering his stuff to leave. It has been a great few days and I hope that maybe one day we will see them again. Until then I say good-bye, I hope you enjoyed my story! ( so much for short and painless! ;-)