Vernor Vinge!

Yesterday I discovered that Vernor Vinge was doing a signing at Borderlands Books in San Francisco... today. Yes, short notice, but he's one of my favorite sci fi authors and he just released a new book set in the same universe as my other two favorite books by him. Even though it was during nap time, I convinced (read: wheedled, cajoled, and begged) Kelson to pack up the baby and make the trek with me. My hero actually waited outside and entertained our cranky, impatient baby while I got to listen to the reading and then the question and answer session, which was really interesting! Vinge, a former mathematics professor, is credited with coining the term for the singularity. People asked a lot of different questions and he'd sort of go off, like one of those great teachers who are the best when they just ramble. Afterwards he signed books and I worked up the nerve to ask for a photo!

Yes, this is me geeking out. And yes, this is also me wearing this batgirl shirt, which I figured was okay since it's October, right? I was so nervous all I could say to him was "Thank you," and then he asked what my kid's name was. I told him. He blinked. As we walked out of the store I said to Kelson, "Sometimes I wonder how crazy we must seem to other people." Then I looked around at the other people on the streets around us, and I said, "Actually, I guess we're pretty normal."