As most of you know (haha, all three of you who read this!) I love Ina Garten! Sure, she's pompous and probably thinks quite fondly of herself (and her good quality vanilla extract), but damn is she good at what she does. She's just so smart when it comes to everything in the kitchen. When you watch her show (The Barefoot Contessa) you know that SHE really knows what she's talking about. She does cook a lot of meat (especially chicken) but her vegetarian recipes are all totally delicious. Her pastries are also incredible.
Today she had a signing for her new cookbook, Back to Basics, at the Natick Collection from 12-2. I really had no idea what time to get there, but I knew that getting there before 12 would be ideal. I didn't have to be at work until 2:45, so the timing was going to work out pretty well for me. Before jetting out of the house, I checked the Natick Collection web site to see if it had any important information for me (like if the time changed or if I had the wrong DAY. . . ) and I found out that I had to buy the book there, she was only signing the new book, and there would be no photographs permitted. SERIOUSLY?! For starters, I bought the book the day it came out (for $22, thanks to the Borders Rewards program) and a picture would've been nice. I didn't want to get in trouble though, or even worse NOT be able to meet her, so I figured I should follow the rules.
I got to the mall around 11:45. I speed walked my way to the new, fancy section of the mall, where Williams Sonoma was. When I got there, there were TONS of people. I mean, TONS. They were all in that open area you pass through on your way to the spiffy shops. I managed to find my way to the actual WS to buy the book. . . again. This time I had to pay the full price of $35. They associate who rang me up stuck the receipt inside the book and told me to hold onto it for verification. They were serious. At this point, Ina was in the store, starting to sign some books, so I felt it was worth it to get a little sneak peak!
I found my way to the END of the line, flipped open my newer new book, and started reading. At this point it was maybe 11:55. I asked a WS associate if Ina was going to stay to sign everyone's books, and he said as long as you get in line before 1pm (I think?) that you would be okay. So whatever the cutoff time was, I was okay. At about 1:30 I'm starving, and I start panicking about what might happen if I don't actually get to work on time. A plan B had to be in order. I started texting my boss to see if she could cover for me. I also texted Scott and Jenni, just to give them updates of my fabulous Ina day. I then texted one more person I work with to see if she could cover for me, knowing that she's usually free on Mondays. I go to press "send" and my phone died! Oh no, it wasn't the battery. It was all charged up. My phone went all computer on me and actually FROZE. I couldn't do anything. I couldn't even shut it off. I tried to open the battery cover in the back but was not having any luck. So now I really start to panic. I can't get in touch with anyone, I might be making myself late for work, I don't have anyone's phone numbers because they're programmed in my phone, and I have NO IDEA WHAT TIME IT IS.
Luckily I made some friends in line who were able to tell me the time. So I wait. . . and wait. . . in a line that IS moving, but still very long. And then a woman not too far in front of me passes out. Yeah. People were yelling for someone to call mall security. . . and 911. . . and yeah. Madness! She was able to sit up after a little while, and then people came to help her, and I guess she was okay. I keep checking my phone to see if it has decided to unfreeze itself yet. No such luck. I keep waiting.
I get toward the front, and there's a WS associate every twenty feet or so. It's like the finish line to a marathon. You can do it! Only a little while longer! One of them told me that if anyone tried to cut in front of me to let her know. That was a little weird, but I guess there have been such incidents.
I'm finally in front of the actual store, and I asked my new friend what time it was. It was 1:40. I was going to be alright, I think. We get inside the store, and now my heart is in my throat. I am so pathetic. I was thinking of things to say while waiting in line, but they all seemed so dumb. I was a little more concerned about my phone, not being able to get in touch with anyone, and being late for work though to be honest. Okay, maybe not MORE concerned, but it was up there. I was really close now. I hand my book to Important Person A. There's now just one person in front of me. Important Person A however is telling me how there are always SO many people at the Boston signings and how great it is. I'm not listening. Ina Garten is RIGHT in front of me. She then hands my book to Important Person B, who's sitting right next to Ina. I'm all smiles at this point. I'm likely red in the face as well. Now Ina has my book in her hand. I said, "Hi Ina! It's SO great to meet you." And she said, "It's nice to meet you too. Thank you for coming." And I said, "Thank you!" And I think she said Thank You as well. It was short and sweet. I felt like a moron.
As soon as I got out of the line, a couple of WS associates told me that there was a mini buffet of Thanksgiving dinner samplings in the back of the store if I wanted to help myself. BUT I'M GOING TO BE LATE FOR WORK, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS, AND I CAN'T CALL ANYONE! On my way out, I heard someone say it was 2:00. NO!!! I speed walked my way again through the mall, though a little faster this time. I was relieved when I got into the car that it was only 1:53. Phew! I sped off to work, and got there with ten minutes to spare. My boss was already there, ready to cover my first class. I didn't know she was available of course because how was she going to get in touch with me?! So all was well in the end. In regards to my brief Ina encounter, I wish I had handled everything a little differently, but what can you do. I'm sure someone like Ina Garten doesn't really remember any of the people she meets at her signings. I'm sure she could care less that I'm vegetarian and still love her. But I went, and I'm happy. I don't have a picture to prove it, but perhaps my memory is good enough.
Anyone want a copy of Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics?!
No comments:
Post a Comment