‘Jen Lancaster NYC 5/7/09’
courtesy of ‘Rooskygirl’

I was killing time last night before a dinner in Penn Quarter and decided to take the hike to Barnes and Noble on E st. I walked in, and the security guard turned to me and said, “Are you here for the book signing with Jen Lancaster?”

My world stopped – not being over dramatic. WHAT? JEN LANCASTER IS GOING TO BE IN THE SAME BUILDING AS I AM RIGHT NOW? Jen Lancaster, as in my author-idol? As in, Jen? The biggest influence on my narrative voice as a blogger? As in the woman who invented the well-placed question mark and who taught me how to squee? Jen Lancaster, as in the author of the books that I read and re-read that can get me through even my darkest hours by making my cry laughing? WHAT?

“Um, no, but I am now!” and I was directed towards a line full of the obligatory gays-in-the-know and cooler-than-me straight women. Devastated I could not stay because of my dinner, devastated I never thought to put myself on her press list, and devastated that I was going to miss her, I was bound and determined to be able to purchase her new work. I didn’t even care what it was, or the price. I giddily purchased the hardcover, pink, adorable Pretty in Plaid and then IT HAPPENED.

She came inside, fully decked out in plaid, pearls and curls, just like I knew she would be. I spotted her from a mile away in the sea of DC-black city chic, she was a shining beacon of fabulous in a Lacoste pink polo.

I must now admit that I couldn’t stop myself from turning on the crazy, rushing up to her, tapping her on the shoulder and excitedly declaring “I LOVE YOU! I THINK YOU ARE GREAT!” in front of everyone. She turned to me, judged, looked at me like I had five heads and goes “heh. thanks.” I’m half expecting her to blog about the slightly psychotic fan in the black dress on Jennsylvania. To which I will say, AH! THAT WAS ME, JEN! Sigh.

At least I told her, even if she did blow me off. This to me, ya’ll, was more exciting than spotting Brad Pitt, or Katy Perry. She is literally the woman who taught me to be me through her writing. I called five friends and gushed about it for at least 20 minutes. So I have to ask – blogosphere – were you there? Did you see Jen speak? I’ll be jealous, but you just have to tell me. How was it?

Katie

Katie moved to DC in 2007, and has since embarked upon a love affair with the city. She’s an education reform advocate and communications professional during the day; at night and on the weekends, she’s an owner here at We Love DC. Katie has high goals to eat herself through the entire city, with only her running shoes to save her from herself. For up-to-the-minute news and reviews (among other musings), follow her on Twitter!