First something happens that That’s Normal is involved with– maybe we attend an event, meet up at a bar to do normal things or stalk bump into Aaron Tveit in NYC. Second- we share the story here on TN. Did you catch that?
Today’s story is about the time that The Host screening & book tour came to Philadelphia.
The Host in Philadelphia February 21 & 22, 2013
The Host was being screened at a great little independent theater called the Ritz V in Old City in Philadelphia, just mere steps from where Benjamin Franklin contracted syphilis. This theater is only 2 miles from my house (But 2 city miles which means I could have been murdered 4 times in between my house & the theater so I’d never EVER walk) and I was running REALLY late, so I knew I wasn’t going to have time to wait for a cab (impossible to find that time of night near my house), so I used Uber Cab, which is the best thing ever. You tell the app where you are, the app tells you how long until a driver can get you (I’ve never waited longer than 5 minutes) and then a driver arrives. Usually it’s a really nice town car (Basically Uber uses drivers who aren’t busy picking up business people at the airport or transporting famous people around. Like Will Smith- Philly’s one famous person).
Well on THIS day it’s not a nice town car. It’s a nice HUGE Black SUV. Like rapper-style SUV. The driver was really nice & asked what I was doing (probably secretly judging me for calling car service to go 2 miles) and I said I was seeing a new movie called The Host. And he wanted to know ALL about it. I said it was by Stephenie Meyer, the author of Twilight. And he said “VAMPIRES!” but it sounded like “BAMPIRES!” because he was Hispanic Then he proceeds to drop me off in front of a line of movie goers, most of which had been standing in line for hours, opening the door for me like I was someone other than someone running late/too lazy to walk/doesn’t want to get murdered. Nothing like arriving to a screening in style.
I met my pals inside (including Jamie) & we settled into our seats, taking note of the number of people wearing Twilight paraphernalia (10-12 unless more had on Team Jacob thongs. I did)
(The movie was great. More about that at a later date. Also Max Irons)
After the movie Stephenie Meyer, Max Irons & Jake Abel came into the theater for a quick q&a. And by “quick” I mean terrible. Not terrible because of the 3 of them, but terrible because of the rude DJ from the 96.5 Fm which is URBAN, not top 40 (the OBVIOUS target market for The Host) His first comment was that he liked “That blurry effect on the movie. It made me think something was wrong with my eyes” (It’s called drugs, dude. And the movie wasn’t blurry) and then he said something offensive about hating his kids & asked Stephenie Meyer if she agreed (she didn’t of course)
But the 3 of them looked fab while answering questions:
Max being British
Jake, about to break out in a solo
Jake & Stephenie took the first questions and it was a few minutes before Max got a chance to speak. [Sidenote: Max plays Jared Howe in The Host. He’s American.] Max started to answer a question, no one remembers what it was, and the audience audibly GASPED at the surprise he was British. Guys, I KNEW he was British, but hearing it after seeing him in a glorious glow (I mean shirtless, kissing in the rain, partial butt shot) I couldn’t hold in my gasp at the glory of that British accent. Everyone erupted in laughter. Jake never stood a chance. Poor American boys– we hear they love you overseas, Jake!
The Book Signing
The next day Stephenie Meyer signed copies of The Host at the Free Library of Philadelphia while Max & Jake signed posters. Fortunately because we know a guy, we got to get to the front of the line. Some people slept out (Yep. They went from the screening to wait outside of the library) And others got out there just as the roosters were crowing. While I love me some Stephenie Meyer, and I like covering things for you all for That’s Normal story time, I also love to sleep. Probably more than the things I mentioned above. So it was a good thing I didn’t have to show up early or you wouldn’t have had much of a story to hear.
Hundreds of people showed up to have their books signed by Stephenie- the line wrapped through the library, out the back and around the front of the building:
Some Twilight fans came
Hey guys! It’s me with a sign!
I had the lucky opportunity to hang out with the Philadelphia paparazzi in the press area. Are you picturing me standing next to some old dudes with real cameras who have no idea who Stephenie Meyer is or what she is known for? Are they discussing all the events they’re covering all over Philly later that day. Do they think they’re the shit? Are they judging me for using my iPhone to take pictures? That’s my experience exactly.
Who says iPhone pictures suck!?
I actually ended up being the very first person to have my book signed, and when I saw Stephenie she asked how many days I slept out in order to get the front spot (I told her 4) Then I told her how much I loved Twilight and related to Bella. (no I didn’t). I talked with Max & Jake for a little & let’s just say I made Max laugh and creeped Jake out.
Here are a couple more pictures I took:
Jake Abel is not impressed
Stephenie Meyer, probably listening to someone tell her how hot Max & Jake are. (Hi Meghan)
It was a great day & wonderful to see Stephenie, Max & Jake in Philadelphia!
After the signing, I grabbed lunch with my friend Carrie & her husband at my favorite brunch spot and the ENTIRE Miami Heat were sitting at a few tables next to us. Of course I had no idea who they were except they were tall and looked like they probably played a sport.
Me and Carrie
It’s nice when visitors come to town for reasons other than to see the Liberty Bell. GUYS- it’s a bell with a CRACK in it. NO BIG DEAL.
Are you excited to see The Host on March 29th? Are you 2nd-hand embarrassed that I gasped when Max Irons opened his mouth to speak?
