I was fortunate to attend AB's book signing last Friday, 10/9

[cdsdame]

And, it was so much better than I expected. My fiance and I arrived there exceptionally early, and snagged second row seats. For the next three hours, I explored the Union Square Barnes and Noble, all four glorious floors, sat and tried to read, and talked to other people around us.
Finally at 7 sharp, AB bounded up on stage--at first his weight loss threw me, but I have to say he seemed energetic, happy and healthy. He does need a new wardrobe, though
For the next hour or so, he talked about doing "Good Eats " for 10 years, some of the other shows he's done, his philosophy on food, cracking jokes, and answering a lot of audience questions.
When the time for the signing came, we were told he would not be able to pose for pictures, but we could walk up to him on the podium, hand him our books to sign, and if we wanted, someone on staff would take a picture of that for us. When it got to be our turn, we walked, (well, my fiance walked, I wobbled, ) up to him, he shook our hands, grinned, said, "Hi, I'm Alton"! and then chatted with us while he signed, not hurrying at all. I told him, "This is my birthday present, " and he wished me happy birthday.
Another thing he did was ask if anyone minded if the people who had attended with small children be allowed to get their books signed first.
All in all, I cannot overstate how warm, gracious, and NICE--and, ok, gorgeous-- the man was. If you get a chance to see him, do not pass it up!

[lonewolfette]

Congratulations on seeing him for the first time! I just got to see AB for the first time on Tuesday the 13th. He was everything you said (including the gorgeous part ).

[cdsdame]

I'm still floating! Lucky girl, though, he was wearing a flannel shirt when you saw him...btw, do you have pics? If anything, this made me love him more! Lucky I have a very understanding fiance!

[MiseEnPlace]

Great you got to meet Alton cdsdame.
Everyone I've every encountered who has met him says what a great man he is

I just got back from seeing him 2 times in one day in DC yesterday.

I am now no longer in the "Hi, I'm Alton" group. I get a different greeting. This time it was "Don't you get tired of coming to these things?"

[Food Network Fan]

I really need to make a trip to see him one of these days ... before he retires!!!

[cdsdame]

LOL! What did you say when he asked you that?

[MiseEnPlace]

I don't remember exactly what my comeback was, some thing equally sarcastic about it was getting tiresome

[cdsdame]

I hope I get to see him again at least once before I die. I just can't get over how great he was.

[cdsdame]

Let me see if this will let me post some pictures!

[ibcheft]

Cool it is so great to meet someone like Alton, I met Emeril at a demo, and Paula at one of her first live performances. Like you said no time for pictures and Paula had no time to sign her cook books, needless to say got great pictures with Paula, and cook books signed by Emeril. I wish they would schedule these things so there is time for both pictures and signings, for me being in the public eye like they are, that is part of their job. I guess since I am a perfectionist I feel they should do their job and not be slackers. Thats why when you have to pay money to see them I expect nothing but perfection and no excuses. Just me and my ramblin thoughts. Give me pictures and signings especially if I am paying for the show and the cook book, that makes me your boss.