a day that's definitely marked on my calendar: Nov. 24, the day when I'm gonna see Neil Gaiman in the flesh.

I missed his booksigning in Kinokuniya Bkstore in Singapore 2 years ago; I'll be damned if I let this opportunity be lost again.

So off we go; meeting up with Analiyah, Kathy & Jen @Mcdo in Q Ave. at 4am so that we can drive to Subic to catch the last day of the 20th Philippine Ad Congress and hopefully be one of the very lucky 1st 100 people to have our books signed by Gaiman himself.

Got lost a couple of times inside Subic but as luck would have it, we got in line with plenty of time to spare. Amir & I were numbers 23 & 24, respectively. Got there around 6:45 & was able to register and file inside El Centro at past 9:00. Good thing there was a coffee shop around the corner to revive most of us who only got 3 hours of sleep at the most.

I tell you, P 1,500 per ticket per person is so worth it. I mean, c'mon! The opportunity to see Neil Gaiman in person, the guy who has worked with every medium possible. Plus, we got official signed copies of the Beowulf film script!

El Centro was pretty big as a venue to hear Neil Gaiman's talk but it was filled up in no time. Everyone was hanging on to his every word and we felt darn lucky as he read to us the first chapter of a new novel he's working on: "The Graveyard."

Afterwards was the Q&A portion where he answered the questions Amir & I submitted asking Gaiman about mythology & research (my question) and of poetry & lyrics (Amir's). He made everyone laughed and I'm sure everyone learned a thing or two from him.

It was all over too soon and time for the book signing to finally take place. We were herded like cattle to stand in line according to our numbers and to patiently wait our turn to gaze adoringly at him. Inching forward, Amir & I were still planning how it's going to be possible to have all our graphic novels signed. The event people were pretty strict: one book signed, 1 photo op. The look on those bouncers isn't a joke either.

2 people before Amir's turn and there was a ruckus: a man proposed to his girlfriend right then & there after Gaiman wrote on a Sandman Omnibus Vol. 2 the words, "Will you marry me?" It was quite romantic & totally unexpected. You gotta give the guy major points for pulling this off & involving Mr. Sandman himself in the process.

Amir got Neil Gaiman to sign our "Endless Nights" graphic novel, with a dedication to the two of us and a figure of Morpheus from the "Dreamhunters". 2 years ago, Mr. Morpheus has gladly signed my 1st Sandman graphic novel gift to Amir, "Kindly Ones" and ever since then we've been avidly devouring all of Gaiman's works.

When it was my turn, I asked him to sign my copy of "Stardust". As he was scribbling away, I was saying some things (which later I'm mortified to realize was a load of gibberish--but c'mon, I was standing right next to Neil Gaiman!) and he gladly signed my copies of "Preludes & Nocturnes" & "M is for Magic". I stood there debating with myself then finally blurted out, "Can I hug you?" like the fan girl I obviously have morphed into. He gave me a devastating smile & said "Sure" and know what?

I HUGGED NEIL GAIMAN!!!!

I floated down the stage where Amir was waiting for me and I forgot what happened after. I was still very much starstruck from the whole experience. What a day! My thanks to my baby for making sure we were able to attend this event :)

Now, if only Anne Rice would realize she has to come over to Manila for a book signing...