How It All Began

Usually when I see sponsored ads on social media, such as Facebook for example, I automatically think it is complete BS. I happened to scroll passed an ad for a book signing featuring Ransom Riggs and Tim Burton. My jaw obviously dropped and I thought "God damn, this seriously cannot be real...it has to be fake." I decided why not check the Barnes and Noble events page and sure enough, there it was! Finally, I had my chance to meet someone who I have been dying to meet for more years than I can count on my two hands. Of course I skipped class, because I mean it is Tim Burton after all.

The Adventure

My friend and I took a train into NYC bright and early, 7:30 am early. We had arrived at Barnes and Noble around 8:40 am, which was perfect timing considering the store opened at 9 am. We purchased our new edition copies of Miss. Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children and finally obtained our wrist bands for the signing! Shortly after we decided to go to The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the walk was not what we expected. We started on the 17th block of NYC and walked up to 83rd st. Honestly, it took an hour and a half and two blisters, sore feet, and sore legs after. We walked around for a few hours, sat on the roof top, and checked out the new additions to the Arms and Armor section of the MET. Soon, we ventured outside to sit on the steps and have a few snacks. We decided we should just head back to Barnes and Noble, another 50 plus blocks walk we were not looking forward to. Finally, another hour and a half later, we arrived! We then took three flights up to the area of the event. Then we had to wait two hours before it started, so we decided to read our books and get a well deserved coffee.

Finally the Big Moment!

Finally, at 7 pm a Barnes and Noble worker announced Ransom Riggs and Tim Burton. I screamed in excitement like a little girl! Tim Burton and Ransom Riggs basically interviewed one another. Unfortunately, I got pissed when the Barnes and Noble workers told them to wrap it up after about 15 minutes. Not only that, but the two looked like they were really enjoying themselves and the conversation was so intriguing to listen to! After waiting about five minutes or so they finally called my row to line up for the book signing. i was standing in line and caught myself getting ready to cry a few times, but I maintained my composure. When I got up on the stage Ransom Riggs was first to sign the copy of my newly owned book, I thanked him and told him I enjoyed the book and his Twitter feed for some stupid reason. Then I reached the legend himself, Tim Burton. He saw the Nightmare Before Christmas half sleeve I am working on and he said it looked great! I thanked him for being a huge inspiration in my life and just learning to be ok with being weird and loving all things dark and creepy. Oh! We were not allowed to take pictures, but he said I could take one with him! I will definitely be adding his autograph to my sleeve. I am still in awe and shock that I met him! Let alone spoke to him, shook hands, and snagged a picture!