derekl_1963

Hmm... What have I done that my LJ friends are not likely to have done?

1. Beta tested AOL for DOS V1.0, I think I still have the install disks (not CD's, 3.5" floppies) around here somewhere.

2. Told Alton Brown, to his face, that a certain episode of Good Eats was "shit". Brenda and I went to a book signing for his first book. While we were waiting for the whole thing to get underway I stepped out for a smoke, and when I came back in several folks were standing around discussing the show. One scruffy unshaven little guy asked what our most and least favorite episodes were. When it came around to me I replies that I couldn't choose a favorite because too many were very good, but that the episode 'Scrap Iron Chef' was definitely shit. And he replied "yeah, that's not the best show I've made". Then it hit me, the scruffy little unshaven dude was Alton himself...

3. Told Tracy Hickman to his face (at a con) that I didn't plan on reading the (then just released) Dragonlance trilogy because they seemed to be "Tolkien ripoffs"... In my defense I didn't have any clue who he was either - he was just some guy at the urinal next to me. He introduced himself on our way out of the bathroom... I won a copy of the trilogy in a gaming competition later in the con, and Tracey recognized me when I came up to collect. He and Margaret Weis graciously inscribed it with "Please read this, I think you'll like it". I did, and did.

Yeah, yeah - those of you who know me well are going "same ol' Derek". C'mon, if I know who I'm talking to I'm usually quite diplomatic. Usually.

I think that will do for now...