Russell's Blog

I got to meet Al Gore at Borders today, and picked up a copy of the book for An Inconvenient Truth. I know it's been said many times before, but I really am astonished at how different he is in person than he was during the 2000 presidential race. He was funny, casual, and completely at ease, even as the requisite Westwood Insane Homeless Person screamed nonsense at him from the first floor. He signed a huge number of books in a very short period of time, and managed to do it without seeming to hurry anyone. He didn't rush around and scowl like I've seen authors at book signings do. He went through the two hour ordeal giving off the impression of being busy, but happy to listen to people if they had something to say. Several people in the line went on at length about what they were going to ask him "when their turn came," but when they got to the table, almost no one pestered him.

The other thing I didn't realize, even from his performance in his movie, is how bear-like he is. He's about my height, but if I were drawn in pencil, he'd have to be drawn with a Sharpie.

Anyway, I also picked up a bunch of Terry Pratchett books. Mimi's family and Pierre gave me a Borders gift cards for my birthday, and good use is being made of them.

While I'm happy to have a signed copy of his book, I'd much rather see his name on a ballot.