Hahahahaha! That night, he told the story of someone being in the back seat of your car when you left Nashville. That's all I could think of while I was stranded on that dark highway. Of course, I even looked back there to make sure I was alone!
Photos and feedback from book tour events
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He did that in Jersey City too - that and a shower curtain, which you can't remember whether you left it open or closed.
He did that years ago at the Lisey's Story tour in Seattle. I think it's his standard 'schtick' for closing his talk 'show' for the evening.
(((danie))) You've earned the Most Dedicated Fan award for that adventure! Unless bigamy or polygamy has been made legal since I last checked, though, the marriage offer won't be on the table. Not to mention that I don't think Tabby would think highly of it even if it was. 
Ummmm... no... don't see it...Here I am! I am okay, but had a very LOOONNNGGG day and night Saturday.
Nashville is about two hours away, so I decided to set out around 3:00 to get there a couple hours early, maybe grab something to eat, walk around and such. Good thing I left early. As I was getting ready to walk out the door, I somehow pulled a muscle in my back. How did you do that, you ask? Were you lifting heavy boxes, chasing cows, jack-hammering? No, I had crossed one leg over the other to put on my shoes. Wow, so who knew that putting on shoes could make you a cripple?? As I crossed the left leg over the right...BAM!!!!! Excruciating pain and lots of f-words. Well, I'm going to see Stephen King, (ticket was almost $50) so gotta go anyway. And of course, must wear my 4-inch wedges so as to look cute in case he asks me to marry him. So I'm hobbling round trying to back my azz down into a very low-to-the-ground car. More f-words. I turned on the seat warmer as a way to apply heat to my back and hoped I'd be able to exit the car when called upon to do so.
About 45 minutes outside of Nashville, my oil light came on. I wasn't too worried as this happens with Mazda RX-8s when you don't change the oil on the exact day it wants it changed. I decided to exit the Interstate, get gas and add a bit of oil to the car. After much groaning and f-wording as my back did not like any actual movement, I did so. When I started the car, I noticed the little indicator light came on that indicated that an indicated tire was indicatively low on air. No air compressor at the gas station to which I'd pulled up, but LO! Yonder station across the street had one!
I gave the air compressor (greedy lil thing she was) my credit card, and began airing my tires. Front driver's-side tire was a bit low; the two back tires were fine. I got to the passenger front tire and began airing it up. Adjusted the nozzle. The valve stem thingy broke off. All the air flooded out of my tire in about 30 seconds flat. More f-words. I couldn't find the broken part. A man pulled up with two young daughters and I asked him for help. As nice as he was, I knew more about cars than this gentleman. He went in the station store and another man came out to help me. After many tries, talking to a truck driver pulled up there (who was no help at all), we went inside and asked the cashier if she knew anyone who could fix the tire. She gave me several business cards with 24-hour service. The one I finally got through to was about 30 miles away, but said he would come and install an illegal (he didn't know why it was illegal) temporary valve stem and the tire would be safe to travel on. I would just need to get the sensor replaced so my indicator light wouldn't stay on forever. He finished his work about 6:15, took $65, (total for ticket and tire is now $105) and I still had about a 45-minute drive to get to Nashville for the event at 8:00. Phew.
I arrived in Nashville with about 85,000 other people who evidently love country music. And cowboy boots. And short shorts. I drove past the Ryman Auditorium thinking, I will never ever find a parking place near here. But, thank Gan, about 2 blocks away there was a small lot with some open spaces. I pulled into a space and paid the machine $30 (total is now $135), and began the short walk to the auditorium. In the meantime, about 1 million people had lined up to get into the auditorium, so I traipsed to the back of the line in my wedges with my back acting up like a kid in church. Then I traipsed the route I had just taken to get back to the doors. I was a bit stressed when I saw a man with long black curly tresses coming towards me. Lo and behold, it was dear hossenpepper and his friend! I let them cut line and we had a nice conversation before having to part ways in the lobby.
Found my seat. Sat down finally. Lady told me I had her seat. Said no, I am in seat M-4, here's my ticket. She said, You are in the wrong section. You guessed it. More f-words. Moved to correct section.
Mr. King was awesome, as I expected. I forgot every bad thing as he was up there talking. So that was heavenly. But wait, things get worse.
After the event, I stood in line with 2300 other people to get my book. It wasn't signed, but that was okay. As I always do, I got turned around outside the auditorium and had no idea where I'd parked my car. So lots more walking around. Finally recognized the lot and made my way to my space:
View attachment 15998
Well, I can't get it to rotate, but as you can see it was space 19, and I had no idea. So, cool.
Started home. Just outside Nashville, entering I-24 on a VERY busy stretch of highway, BLAM!!!!!! My front driver's-side tire blew out, and I was skidding all over the road, narrowly missing other cars, trying to keep control. The whole tire just blew off, and I could feel I was driving on the rim. I finally came to a stop on an overpass. I was crying like an idiot, because I thought I was gonna die. Cars were zooming by at 75 miles per hour, and so what do I do now?
I called my boyfriend (who's in Atlanta) and he said to call 911. I did. They actually put me on hold. I tearfully explained my situation to the operator and she said they'd send an officer out. So I waited. I called Allstate, my insurance company. Did you know they can't tell you much even when you give them your policy number? I had to go through at least 5 minutes of recordings to get "Emergency" Roadside Service department, where the lady proceeded to ask me every piece of my personal information except my blood type. This took at least another 10 minutes, while I'm hoping no one rear ends me or pulls a Ted Bundy and creeps up behind me in their yellow VW bug to offer assistance. So! We get to the part where I tell her where I am so she can send someone. I gave her the exit number and that I was entering I-24. She asked, What mile marker? Ma'am, it's pitch black out here, I'm on an overpass, there is no mile-marker. Oh, then if you can't give your exact location, then we can't help you. You'll need to call 911. M____________ F__________, thanks for nothing!!!!!!!!!! Many more f-words.
So I was on FaceTime with my boyfriend, crying, and he was trying to get me to calm down. After an hour of waiting, I called 911 again and said, Remember me? She said, You can't call back to 911, you must call this other number for a call back. Huh? So I'm trying to memorize the number to call, and then it comes up on my phone. I told them I was still a woman, all alone, in the dark, in a disabled car, on a busy Interstate, very frightened, could they please send someone? She said, he's on his way.
After about 15 more minutes, the officer showed up. He called a towing company to get my car. Lewis was the nicest tow-truck driver ever, dropping off my car at a Firestone Tire Store, taking me to the Comfort Inn, telling me the story of when he towed Garth Brooks's and Trisha Yearwood's Mercedes to their house, showing me his picture with them. Very sweet man (although the whole time I'm riding in that cab, I'm thinking, he could just take me anywhere and rape me and kill me). Towing - $135 + $135 from the other is now a total of $270.
At the Comfort Inn, the lady at the desk said, The best I can get you is $149 for tonight. Lots of Bonaroo (wtf?) people here. Total up to about $420. I went to the room, which was really nice, took off my damn wedges, took a shower and some pills for my screaming back, and slept.
Nice thing about the Firestone store: The girl who was in charge treated me like a war refugee. She came to the hotel to get the car keys, gave me promotional deals, was as sweet as anyone could be. She came to pick me up when the car was ready. I had to get all four tires replaced, replace the sensor in the one, got an alignment...total - $750. Grand total is about $1170, and that's not counting gas! Was Mr. King worth it? Sure! But my boyfriend says I should ask him to float me a loan or two!
So that's my story. I was so very frightened on that highway by myself. I really did think a serial killer would stop by at any time and take me with him. Seeing Mr. King and the very nice people who helped me made up for the scariness somewhat, but dang. I know things could have been so much worse. I'm lucky I didn't wreck for sure.
Now I have to go back to Nashville Friday to get on a plane to Atlanta. I hope the pilot knows what he's doing.
Were you ever going to mention how luxurious and smelling of angel farts my hair was?
Ok, here it is.. sorry, was going in order, there...
But this is the best review you have? Sheesh, all that work...
Yeah.. I only drove 20 hours, through Atlanta summer traffic... Can't even get a damned slice of pie around this infernal place....(((danie))) You've earned the Most Dedicated Fan award for that adventure! Unless bigamy or polygamy has been made legal since I last checked, though, the marriage offer won't be on the table. Not to mention that I don't think Tabby would think highly of it even if it was.
Now he's gonna complain there's no ice cream!
Now he's gonna complain there's no ice cream!
Cool Whip will do just fine... I ain't fancy!Now he's gonna complain there's no ice cream!
Here I am! I am okay, but had a very LOOONNNGGG day and night Saturday.
Nashville is about two hours away, so I decided to set out around 3:00 to get there a couple hours early, maybe grab something to eat, walk around and such. Good thing I left early. As I was getting ready to walk out the door, I somehow pulled a muscle in my back. How did you do that, you ask? Were you lifting heavy boxes, chasing cows, jack-hammering? No, I had crossed one leg over the other to put on my shoes. Wow, so who knew that putting on shoes could make you a cripple?? As I crossed the left leg over the right...BAM!!!!! Excruciating pain and lots of f-words. Well, I'm going to see Stephen King, (ticket was almost $50) so gotta go anyway. And of course, must wear my 4-inch wedges so as to look cute in case he asks me to marry him. So I'm hobbling round trying to back my azz down into a very low-to-the-ground car. More f-words. I turned on the seat warmer as a way to apply heat to my back and hoped I'd be able to exit the car when called upon to do so.
About 45 minutes outside of Nashville, my oil light came on. I wasn't too worried as this happens with Mazda RX-8s when you don't change the oil on the exact day it wants it changed. I decided to exit the Interstate, get gas and add a bit of oil to the car. After much groaning and f-wording as my back did not like any actual movement, I did so. When I started the car, I noticed the little indicator light came on that indicated that an indicated tire was indicatively low on air. No air compressor at the gas station to which I'd pulled up, but LO! Yonder station across the street had one!
I gave the air compressor (greedy lil thing she was) my credit card, and began airing my tires. Front driver's-side tire was a bit low; the two back tires were fine. I got to the passenger front tire and began airing it up. Adjusted the nozzle. The valve stem thingy broke off. All the air flooded out of my tire in about 30 seconds flat. More f-words. I couldn't find the broken part. A man pulled up with two young daughters and I asked him for help. As nice as he was, I knew more about cars than this gentleman. He went in the station store and another man came out to help me. After many tries, talking to a truck driver pulled up there (who was no help at all), we went inside and asked the cashier if she knew anyone who could fix the tire. She gave me several business cards with 24-hour service. The one I finally got through to was about 30 miles away, but said he would come and install an illegal (he didn't know why it was illegal) temporary valve stem and the tire would be safe to travel on. I would just need to get the sensor replaced so my indicator light wouldn't stay on forever. He finished his work about 6:15, took $65, (total for ticket and tire is now $105) and I still had about a 45-minute drive to get to Nashville for the event at 8:00. Phew.
I arrived in Nashville with about 85,000 other people who evidently love country music. And cowboy boots. And short shorts. I drove past the Ryman Auditorium thinking, I will never ever find a parking place near here. But, thank Gan, about 2 blocks away there was a small lot with some open spaces. I pulled into a space and paid the machine $30 (total is now $135), and began the short walk to the auditorium. In the meantime, about 1 million people had lined up to get into the auditorium, so I traipsed to the back of the line in my wedges with my back acting up like a kid in church. Then I traipsed the route I had just taken to get back to the doors. I was a bit stressed when I saw a man with long black curly tresses coming towards me. Lo and behold, it was dear hossenpepper and his friend! I let them cut line and we had a nice conversation before having to part ways in the lobby.
Found my seat. Sat down finally. Lady told me I had her seat. Said no, I am in seat M-4, here's my ticket. She said, You are in the wrong section. You guessed it. More f-words. Moved to correct section.
Mr. King was awesome, as I expected. I forgot every bad thing as he was up there talking. So that was heavenly. But wait, things get worse.
After the event, I stood in line with 2300 other people to get my book. It wasn't signed, but that was okay. As I always do, I got turned around outside the auditorium and had no idea where I'd parked my car. So lots more walking around. Finally recognized the lot and made my way to my space:
View attachment 15998
Well, I can't get it to rotate, but as you can see it was space 19, and I had no idea. So, cool.
Started home. Just outside Nashville, entering I-24 on a VERY busy stretch of highway, BLAM!!!!!! My front driver's-side tire blew out, and I was skidding all over the road, narrowly missing other cars, trying to keep control. The whole tire just blew off, and I could feel I was driving on the rim. I finally came to a stop on an overpass. I was crying like an idiot, because I thought I was gonna die. Cars were zooming by at 75 miles per hour, and so what do I do now?
I called my boyfriend (who's in Atlanta) and he said to call 911. I did. They actually put me on hold. I tearfully explained my situation to the operator and she said they'd send an officer out. So I waited. I called Allstate, my insurance company. Did you know they can't tell you much even when you give them your policy number? I had to go through at least 5 minutes of recordings to get "Emergency" Roadside Service department, where the lady proceeded to ask me every piece of my personal information except my blood type. This took at least another 10 minutes, while I'm hoping no one rear ends me or pulls a Ted Bundy and creeps up behind me in their yellow VW bug to offer assistance. So! We get to the part where I tell her where I am so she can send someone. I gave her the exit number and that I was entering I-24. She asked, What mile marker? Ma'am, it's pitch black out here, I'm on an overpass, there is no mile-marker. Oh, then if you can't give your exact location, then we can't help you. You'll need to call 911. M____________ F__________, thanks for nothing!!!!!!!!!! Many more f-words.
So I was on FaceTime with my boyfriend, crying, and he was trying to get me to calm down. After an hour of waiting, I called 911 again and said, Remember me? She said, You can't call back to 911, you must call this other number for a call back. Huh? So I'm trying to memorize the number to call, and then it comes up on my phone. I told them I was still a woman, all alone, in the dark, in a disabled car, on a busy Interstate, very frightened, could they please send someone? She said, he's on his way.
After about 15 more minutes, the officer showed up. He called a towing company to get my car. Lewis was the nicest tow-truck driver ever, dropping off my car at a Firestone Tire Store, taking me to the Comfort Inn, telling me the story of when he towed Garth Brooks's and Trisha Yearwood's Mercedes to their house, showing me his picture with them. Very sweet man (although the whole time I'm riding in that cab, I'm thinking, he could just take me anywhere and rape me and kill me). Towing - $135 + $135 from the other is now a total of $270.
At the Comfort Inn, the lady at the desk said, The best I can get you is $149 for tonight. Lots of Bonaroo (wtf?) people here. Total up to about $420. I went to the room, which was really nice, took off my damn wedges, took a shower and some pills for my screaming back, and slept.
Nice thing about the Firestone store: The girl who was in charge treated me like a war refugee. She came to the hotel to get the car keys, gave me promotional deals, was as sweet as anyone could be. She came to pick me up when the car was ready. I had to get all four tires replaced, replace the sensor in the one, got an alignment...total - $750. Grand total is about $1170, and that's not counting gas! Was Mr. King worth it? Sure! But my boyfriend says I should ask him to float me a loan or two!
So that's my story. I was so very frightened on that highway by myself. I really did think a serial killer would stop by at any time and take me with him. Seeing Mr. King and the very nice people who helped me made up for the scariness somewhat, but dang. I know things could have been so much worse. I'm lucky I didn't wreck for sure.
Now I have to go back to Nashville Friday to get on a plane to Atlanta. I hope the pilot knows what he's doing.
Sounds like a wee bit of trouble, but you still could have gotten me a souvenir or two........
I got you one... A full rack of delicious baby back ribs from the Peg Leg Porker.
Unfortunately, they didn't survive the drive back to the hotel...
Watch out that the 4inch wedged shoe doesn't come flying your way,
You bastid!!! Did you get potato salad too?.......no don't tell me........oh Lord........
Watch out that the 4inch wedged shoe doesn't come flying your way,
I'm not afraid of her and her small feet Her heels would be mere toothpicks compared to the stilettos on my clown feet.........
Yep and it was red skinned tater salad, too! The slaw and beans were also the bomb!
I went to the Omaha event last night and it was an absolute blast! After standing in the heat wave for 3 hours straight, I don't think I've ever been so happy to get in to air conditioning again. I cannot stress just how stiflingly hot it was! I had some really fun conversations with some really great people while we were waiting to get in. The funniest thing about waiting in line was at about 4:30 or so people were coming to the side of a building talking about how short the line was, until they turned the corner of the building and saw that it wrapped all the way to the back and was starting off on another completely different angle. The jaws were a-dropping, so to speak.
I managed to get in on the fourth row as it was general admission. I could have gotten a better seat, but I'm not one to mind about such things. The woman that introduced him (I don't remember her name, sorry, I'm bad with those) was so excitedly nervous she stumbled a bit and was completely adorable and endearing. A little more on her in a bit.
So, Mr. King comes out to wild applause and does his thing. He is funny, charming, witty and obviously out of his element. Not to say he wasn't having fun, he was, and it was contagious. But he had no comedic timing. At all. Whatsoever. It's almost like he was taking pains to come across as genuine, when he had no need to do so. He loves his work and he was most definitely at his best when he was talking about his craft. And when he was talking baseball, especially the college world series! (I'm a huge baseball fan as well. The stadium that hosts the WS is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!!!)
I loved every single minute of it. Just one thing Mr. King, if you happen to read this. The whole "Person hiding in your back seat" thing was hilarious, but when the interior of a car heats up to 140 in a matter of minutes in the kind of heat we had yesterday, well, a person ain't gonna last long in there!
So, the Q&A was really short, which was expected after following this thread since the beginning of the tour. But when he reached his arm around the presenter it was definitely the highlight of the event. She was speechless and looked like she was going to break out in tears.
Standing O, King out.
I opened my book on my way out to my car, and lo and behold, I managed to get a signed copy.
I immediately go back to my hotel room. Standing in all of that heat for so long drained me. I pulled in to the lot and there's a woman getting out of her car with a stylized version of REDRUM for a license plate. I asked her if she got a signed copy. She said no and asked to see mine. I did.
I got in to my room, ordered a pizza. Took a pic of the signature. Ate my pizza and crashed for the night.
I hadn't been so happy in a long time.
Thanks, Mr. King.
I managed to get in on the fourth row as it was general admission. I could have gotten a better seat, but I'm not one to mind about such things. The woman that introduced him (I don't remember her name, sorry, I'm bad with those) was so excitedly nervous she stumbled a bit and was completely adorable and endearing. A little more on her in a bit.
So, Mr. King comes out to wild applause and does his thing. He is funny, charming, witty and obviously out of his element. Not to say he wasn't having fun, he was, and it was contagious. But he had no comedic timing. At all. Whatsoever. It's almost like he was taking pains to come across as genuine, when he had no need to do so. He loves his work and he was most definitely at his best when he was talking about his craft. And when he was talking baseball, especially the college world series! (I'm a huge baseball fan as well. The stadium that hosts the WS is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!!!)
I loved every single minute of it. Just one thing Mr. King, if you happen to read this. The whole "Person hiding in your back seat" thing was hilarious, but when the interior of a car heats up to 140 in a matter of minutes in the kind of heat we had yesterday, well, a person ain't gonna last long in there!
So, the Q&A was really short, which was expected after following this thread since the beginning of the tour. But when he reached his arm around the presenter it was definitely the highlight of the event. She was speechless and looked like she was going to break out in tears.
Standing O, King out.
I opened my book on my way out to my car, and lo and behold, I managed to get a signed copy.
I immediately go back to my hotel room. Standing in all of that heat for so long drained me. I pulled in to the lot and there's a woman getting out of her car with a stylized version of REDRUM for a license plate. I asked her if she got a signed copy. She said no and asked to see mine. I did.
I got in to my room, ordered a pizza. Took a pic of the signature. Ate my pizza and crashed for the night.
I hadn't been so happy in a long time.
Thanks, Mr. King.
That sounds awesome! I'm getting so excited for Saturday's event in Reno!
Thank you for sharing. It did indeed sound like an awesome night. Happy you got a signed book!