So. As I mentioned in my last blog, I rounded out today (the last day of my weekend) by heading over to purchase and get autographed a copy of Martha Stewart's latest book.
The sign stated that Martha would visit from 12-1 pm, but that wristbands would be handed out starting at 9 am. So I arose at 8:00 am, got showered, teeth brushed, and made myself presentable before setting out for the Prudential Mall. Keith and I entered the line after reading the rules which were as follows:

• No personalization of autographs. They would simply be signed "Martha Stewart."
• No posing of photographs with the domestic diva.
• A maximum of three books per wristband.
• Books must be purchased at Barnes and Noble.

No surprises here, really...but it was admittedly disappointing deep down. I wasn't really going to presume she would pose for photos, but, a "To Alyssa, From Martha Stewart" would have been nice. But its understandable given the crowds that showed up to meet her--hundreds and hundreds, and a much more popular guest than most.

We spoke with a young married woman from Lynn, who says that she often attends book signings over her lunch (she worked in a nearby office building) but that they usually personalize. They do this by giving each person a post-it note on which to write their name, so they can keep conversations about spellings to a minimum. Oh well.

Keith and I bought two copies (one for us, one for Corrie and Phin--who couldn't make it) and then headed over to see my mother and David once again. Upon hearing that we had time to kill between 10 am and 12 pm, we decided to have breakfast together at their hotel.

What was also interesting was the type of person who showed up to this event. There was no type. Single men, married men, men with small children. Old women, young women, women students. The folks in front of us was an obnoxious father with his little girl "Olivia," not more than 4-5 years old. He was fussing and so overprotective as to think that we were lining up for death metal concert tickets and that there was going to be a riot at any given moment, rather than quiet book signing by a home economics propagandist.

So after breakfast with Dave and Mom, we headed back into the mall, and queued again at 11:45. This time, we were much farther away than where we queued for wrist bands, and were a little miffed to find out that they hadn't run out of wrist bands yet anyway. (I believe the total giveaway number was 300.) So our early rising was really for naught, although it would have been worth it had we remained in line and been amongst the first to see Martha.

So, 11:45-1:20 we moved up in queue steadily and surely, moving from different queues in the corridors, finally to one in front of the store to one inside B&N. Heavy security checked to make sure we had a blue wristband. Keith attempted to take a picture of Martha at her table as we drew into the store, but inconveniently people kept stepping in front of view to get their book signed. The one photo we may have been able to get came out blurry due to our despised tempermental, but supposedly high quality Olympus digital camera. As we drew closer in line, a manager informed us that we could not use our camera at front, and that so many people were disobeying those orders that they were going to have to take cameras. We stated that we understood there was no close up shots or posing, and she thanked us for understanding (apparently Martha's people were making a fuss).

Therefore, I have photos of me waiting in line, Keith waiting in line, and the finished product--the signed book. Hopefully I can find another picture online through a newsfeed or perhaps a more lucky visitor's blog.

So, when we came up front, Keith and I were separated...mostly because the little girl Olivia was much commented on by Martha. Martha sat at a typical table, with a plate of cookies on *gasp* a plastic plate. Each person was welcome to take a cookie. Oddly enough, Martha's three dogs were also in the store next to her table--three dogs of different but indeterminate breeds (I think one was a chow). When my time came, because she had spent so much time with the girl in front of me, I calmly smiled and said "Thank you." Martha nodded and I moved on. While I admire her empire, and love her magazines (Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings and Real Simple) I am frankly not one to gush--too proud, and not wanting to be an obnoxious or annoying fan.

Keith, however, engaged Martha a bit. He asked her if she was enjoying Boston. Martha responded that she had come directly via car to Boston, but that she would be enjoying the city tonight. He thanked her for her signature, and Martha thanked Keith for coming.

We got our parking validated, drove to Corrie and Phins, gave them their copy, and headed home. After walking 4-5 miles yesterday and standing on my feet so much today, I was simply eager to a) sit down on my couch, b) watch the new free movies that I wanted to see on On Demand, and c) relax. So I did.

So that was our brush with celebrity. Clean house, tour around my favorite American city and current homebase, and a brush with my favorite celebrity--that's a pretty nice weekend.