Comments (86)

1. On my 40th birthday, my friend had a post card sent to me from every state in the nation. He mailed them to the post master and had them stamped on the date of my birthday. Pretty exciting!

   posted by Robert on 7-10-2009 at 8:22 am

2. I live where Robert Jordan (author of The Wheel of Time fantasy series) lived. I had often “seen him from afar” and read about signings but I finally actually stood in line to get his signature when “New Spring” came out. One would think he’d want “the hometown folks” to be happy. Not so. He spoke to the crowd (about 100 people in a small bookstore) for maybe 15min. He was gruff, irritable, short-tempered with our questions, and generally made me wish I hadn’t wasted 3 hours. That book & his fiction, however, is AWESOMELY WONDERFUL

   posted by RE Book Signings on 7-10-2009 at 8:24 am

3. I want to wish you a happy “Golden” Birthday – your golden birthday is when your age and the date coincide. I was 5 for mine – can’t say I remember it.

   posted by KJ on 7-10-2009 at 8:48 am

4. 1. A frequent diner card for Shah’s Mongolian Grill. I went there once YEARS ago and have never returned because they are super expensive for what you get. Thanks for this exercise. It’s given me an excuse to declutter my wallet.
   2. The letter saying my daughter could go back to her Elementary school for 1st grade. They did a re-districting and reassignment of students, so there was some doubt.
   3. My business cards.
   4. No, I have never been. I don’t see the point. I’m not much of a hero worshiper. Having the author’s signature doesn’t make a book better. I tend to lend books out, anyway, rather than hoard them. The whole concept of book signing is a tad strange to me.

   posted by Eduardo on 7-10-2009 at 8:56 am

5. 1 – I’ve got two almost-empty MasterCard gift cards. I received them for Christmas but, unlike most gift cards which allow you to use every last cent and pay the rest of your balance with cash, these things have to have an exact amount on them. Meaning on one I have maybe $0.52 and on another I have $2 (though I couldn’t for the life of me tell you which is which). I really should just throw them out.

   2 – I met a woman online who, before we could meet face-to-face, was running off to BC to plant trees for the summer. She asked if I wanted to be pen-pals and I jumped at the chance. Just two days ago I got my latest letter from her – messy block printing on a tree planting map. It’s always exciting to get mail!

   3 – I wouldn’t leave them anything so much as they would find a bunch of writing pieces, stand-up jokes, poorly made MS-Paint pictures and a half-written play on my computer. C’mon, I’ve been temping here for 16 months…if anything they owe ME money.

   posted by Jenny on 7-10-2009 at 9:21 am

6. I went to a David Sedaris reading and book signing in Philly for Me Talk Pretty One Day. He was late, I was sitting on the floor near the empty podium waiting with the rest the audience. When Sedaris got there he waded through the crowd, put his stuff down by the podium and knelt down in front of me. He took my book from my hands and asked, “What’s your name?” I was surprised but replied. He inscribed by book and then moved on to the next person in the same manner. The coordinator at the book store had to stop him and remind him that it was reading first, book signing later.

   posted by zanti on 7-10-2009 at 9:22 am

7. 1. I have a scrap of paper that my husband used to demonstrate his neat printing in my wallet. I think he wrote it on the back of a Yatzee score card, but he wrote something really sweet just to prove he has nice hand writing.

   4. I love going to author events and getting books signed. So far, I’ve seen Paul Theroux, Audrey Niffennegger (Time Traveler’s Wife), Erik Larson (Devil in the White City), Philippa Gregory (The Other Boleyn Girl, etc), Kahled Hosseni (Kite Runner), Jodi Picoult, and a few others. One of the benefits of living outside Chicago!

   posted by Julie Merilatt on 7-10-2009 at 9:23 am

8. Oldest thing in my wallet: My Social Security card that I got in 1972 when I was fourteen. I laminated it (against federal law, probably) and can still read my teenage-scrawled signature.

   posted by Kyle on 7-10-2009 at 9:30 am

9. 1. What’s the weirdest (or oldest) thing you’re carrying around in your wallet?

   Whenever I go to a thing with door prizes and they give away the “Keep this coupon’ tickets, I follow the instructions. Hey, what if the ticket you have in your wallet matches the winning door prize ticket! (Picture on its way of the four I have received since my wallet last made the trip through the washing machine.)

   2. What’s the last piece of truly exciting mail you received?

   Last week I received my last check for my insurance claim for Hurricane Ike. It was for the depreciated amount of my roof. I had honestly forgot it was coming, it has been 5 months since I sent the paperwork for it, and I had moved since then. Thank goodness for mail forwarding! (It was almost $1,000)

   3. If you were revising your will today, what would you leave to your current employer?

   My unexpired subscription to Mental Floss. It will give someone at my office something to do while they are ‘working’.

   4. Have you ever been to a book signing? Who was the author? Good experience? Waste of time?

   I happened upon a book signing at Barnes and Noble by a guy who wrote “Dark Horse: The Surprise Election and Political Murder of James A. Garfield” The guy was so impassioned and excited about talking about President Garfield I decided to give the book a read, he autographed it for free. It was a GREAT read, I could hardly put it down.

   posted by Witty Nickname on 7-10-2009 at 9:36 am

10. AM 1. I just had to jump in a pond fully clothed so it’s been cleaned out recently, but when I did, I found not one, but 2 insurance ID cards for a car I sold 6 months ago. No ID card for my current vehicle.

    2. A page of the blue prints for the new Yankee Stadium. Still no clue who sent it.

    3. The lava lamp on my desk. Gotta keep the office funky, but not giving them anything of actual value.

    posted by Tuffy on 7-10-2009 at 9:48 am

11. 1. I carry around a laminated news article from Ann Landers on how to strengthen your relationship.

    2. I got a birthday card from my ex-fiance’s mother. It was a great surprise!

    3. My everlasting gratitude?

    4. I went to Agate Nesaule’s book signing of ‘A Woman in Amber’. She was very interesting and signed my book.

    posted by Amanda on 7-10-2009 at 9:48 am

12. I’ve seen several authors at readings including Eric Schlosser, Dan Savage, Chuck Klosterman, John Sandford and Sarah Vowell. However a reading I went to in Milwaukee for Chuck Pahlaniuk was hands down the best. The stories he was telling about his kidney stones and going to open houses with his friends were great.

    posted by Jon on 7-10-2009 at 9:49 am

13. I have a packet of salt from the first and only time I went to a Sonic. I don’t remember sticking it in there or why I might have, but I found it six months later and just decided to leave it.
    I also have a sweet James Bond trading card that says “In Pursuit of Pussy” stuck just behind my ID.

    posted by Kenna on 7-10-2009 at 9:56 am

14. 1. I have, in my wallet, the sticker that allowed me admittance into the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit where my son spent the first weeks of his life. He is now a perfectly healthy, rambuncous, 3-1/2 year old, but I keep it as a reminder that I am lucky to have him here.

    2. It’s been so long, I can’t remember. Howver, I get some exciting emails from my 84 year old Grandma and I love the 20% coupons I get from B&N.

    3. I would leave my employer (a municipality) my thanks for providing me with a great career and my family with a great place to live.

    4. I met Jack Whyte (The Camulod Chronicles) at a book signing. I was interesting in meeting the guy who wrote on of my favorite book series.

    posted by TXCherokee on 7-10-2009 at 9:58 am

15. 4. This doesn’t count as a book signing per se but when I was a theater minor in college I got to sit on a round table with James Earl Jones. He signed some things for people as he headed out. My friend and I went over to the gym, where he was preparing for his speaking engagement later that evening, to have him sign our books. I got to nervous to go in so I sent my book in with my friend. He came back out with each of our copies signed.

    My question to him during the round table was “What was the best advice you’ve been given?”

    He said “Don’t take anyone’s advice. Even this.”

    If you ever get an opportunity to hear him speak take it. Fascinating man.

    posted by aj on 7-10-2009 at 9:58 am

16. 1. What’s the weirdest (or oldest) thing you’re carrying around in your wallet?

    ~ It’s not in my wallet, but the strangest thing I carry in my purse is a Texas A&M pen that I refuse to use. It was a good-luck gift from a former customer and has HUGE sentimental value.

    2. What’s the last piece of truly exciting mail you received?

    ~ For my 32nd birthday, I received an ashtray from Marlboro. This year, all I got were some coupons. Guess the new cigarette taxes are cutting into their bottom line!

    3. If you were revising your will today, what would you leave to your current employer?

    ~ I work for Texas A&M and would love to have enough money when I die to endow a scholarship. However, since I work for Texas A&M, I probably won’t have that much money. ;)

    4. Have you ever been to a book signing? Who was the author? Good experience? Waste of time?

    ~ I went to a signing done by Robert Fulghum when his book “True Love” was released. This won’t make sense if you’ve never read his essays, but while he was signing my book, I asked him if he really tasted the Cheer detergent, and he said yes. I think he’s just amazing and hilarious, so was very excited to meet him!

    posted by Carol on 7-10-2009 at 10:01 am

17. 1. I have some frequent diner cards for restaurants that are no longer in business (guess I wasn’t frequent enough).
    2. My six-year old niece sent me a postcard from her vacation in Wisconsin Dells.
    3. NOTHING
    4. I’ve been to a few readings, the most memorable was Margaret Atwood and then getting her to inscribe my copy of The Handmaid’s Tale.

    posted by Suzanne on 7-10-2009 at 10:02 am

18. The only book signing I’ve ever been to was Douglas Adams, and he was just as you’d imagine him to be, except much, much larger. He was kind, funny, charming, had a nice head of hair. He was also close to seven feet tall and quite physically imposing.

    posted by Keri on 7-10-2009 at 10:06 am

19. This might by the _flossiest response yet, but for some unknown reason, I still have my membership card to Mu Alpha Theta (National High School and Junior College Mathematics Club) in my wallet. How it got into my wallet in the first place, or why it’s still there, is completely beyond my comprehension. And I’ve gone through something like 4 wallets since high school.

    But you know what? I’m going to put it right back in my wallet, next to my ticket stub from Pompeii and Herculaneum, my law school student ID, and my Eagle Scout card.

    If any of you can beat THAT list of dorkitude, I’d like to hear it.

    posted by Peter on 7-10-2009 at 10:08 am

20. 1. The weirdest thing I have in my purse is the label off an N64 game…Majora’s Mask. It was a promotional thing and it’s been in my wallet since the game came out in 2000.

    2. I’m not sure if I’ve gotten anything good in the mail since I was a kid.

    3. I am not employed at the moment, so guess that’s out.

    4. I’ve been to tons of book signings. My aunt is active in a children’s book museum so I’ve seen many authors. Favorites: Jan Brett, Jack Prelutsky, Gordon Korman. I have almost 200 signed books in my collection. She has almost 10,000.

    posted by Amauriel on 7-10-2009 at 10:14 am

21. Let’s see . . . in my wallet you can find a fold-up plastic spork, a fold-up paper drinking cup, a Despair Faction Membership card that I have never used, about fifty receipts, an old shopping list from my mom, about 3 frequent buyer cards for Hot Topic, a used Top-Up card for Virgin Mobile, a ticket to Afterprom, a library card for a library I never go to, and a lot of other junk. I think I need to clean the thing out.

    As far as mail goes, someone who doesn’t live here has a few subscriptions for our address (unfortunately not for mental_Floss), so we get a few random magazines coming in.

    posted by Lupis on 7-10-2009 at 10:21 am

22. I’m loving the wallet treasure. You guys really need to find a camera and document these. Thanks to those of you who already sent in photos to flossypics@gmail.com.

    posted by Jason English on 7-10-2009 at 10:21 am

23. 1. What’s the weirdest (or oldest) thing you’re carrying around in your wallet?

    As a joke, my brother wrote me a personal check for a trillion dollars, signed and everything (then wrote VOID across the front). I keep it cause he mailed it after I complained that he never sent me anything.

    2. What’s the last piece of truly exciting mail you received?

    A trillion dollar check from my brother?

    3. If you were revising your will today, what would you leave to your current employer?

    Nothing

    4. Have you ever been to a book signing? Who was the author? Good experience? Waste of time?

    A friend asked me to go see Nora Roberts one time. She was so excited. I find those things a little strange. I mean, what’s the point, really?

    posted by Fran on 7-10-2009 at 10:24 am

24. 1. I keep a drum key in my wallet at all times. I’m a percussionist, and have been for 11 years. Since I was 10 years old I’ve kept a drum key with me for emergencies.

    2. My Birth Control! When I moved to Italy February of 2008 to marry my Italian fiancé (we married that May) I accidentally left my 4 month supply of birth control on the bathroom counter at my mom’s house. She sent it to me in the mail disguised as ‘jewelery’ to get through customs. I got my package in the mail on a Tuesday, and could hardly contain my happiness.

    posted by Kate on 7-10-2009 at 10:32 am

25. 2. What’s the last piece of truly exciting mail you received?

    A check for a rather large amount of money (as in, what the average person makes in one year).

    I had a relative die with a large insurance policy made out to me, but it had not matured. I thought, oh well, but still called up the company and asked if I could have the premiums returned. It totaled about $250, which wasn’t a lot but could defiantly pay a few bills. They sent me paperwork. I filled it out, mailed it back, and didn’t think anything about it. I figured it would take forever and there was no use agonizing over it. A few months later, I get an envelope in the mail from the company. I thought, “Great, I can use this to pay my phone, electric, and cable bills for this month.” I open up the envelope and see that they had actually cut me a check for the full policy amount. Apparently, during the process of asking for the premiums back, the policy had matured. I have never seen that much money on one check in my life. I sped to the bank, scared that if I left it my place, someone would steal it or I would loose it.

    posted by poeticdesires on 7-10-2009 at 10:32 am

26. I am surprised so many flossies don’t like book signings. I have actually never had a book signed at a book signing (I know it sounds ironic). I just enjoying hearing the author talk and sometimes getting to chat it up with them.

    posted by Marty on 7-10-2009 at 10:42 am

27. 1- Nothing too bad, I clean my purse out very often.

    2- Ritter Chocolates by a friend who visited Germany. They are truly divine. (even though I expected them, I was super happy to get them in the mail).

    3- Ummm…nothing?! Why would I leave them anything? they employ me because they like my work and pay me because I do it well. I don’t owe them anything!

    4- I have been to David Sedaris’s speaking tour twice and he signed books afterward. It was awesome, amazing, insane and I was freaking out because I was SO excited to actually meet him and talk to him. I love his writing.

    posted by Pink Coat on 7-10-2009 at 10:56 am

28. The 3 most memorable book signing events I’ve attended were with David Sedaris, Barry Lopez and Daniel Ellsberg.
    Sedaris was very approachable and customized each signing with a phrase. Mine was “At last we meet face to face” (I’d never had any contact with him in any form.
    I saw Barry Lopez after reading that he was slated to appear at a small college near where I live in Alabama. Most people here had never even heard of him and it wasn’t publicized at all. It turns out that his mother had gone to that college and he had brought several of his elderly relatives to the reading and booksigning. He read 2 stories about his mother and his uncle and his emotions broke through occasionally. I got the impression that his mother had recently died. It was such a moving and emotional expereince that we didn’t approach him to get our books signed- it would have felt like we were invading his space.
    Even more moving was the appearance of Daniel Ellsberg. By coincidence he was slated to appear at the same small college where I had seen Lopez on the same night that Bush announced that we were going to war with Iraq. He took the podium about 45 minutes late because he watched Bush’s speech. With tears flowing and voice cracking he opened by saying “We’re doing it again”. He then went on and spoke about how he hoped and prayed that someone in a position of authority will do what he originally did not have the guts to do in the early 60’s about Vietnam. It was very moving. I tell people that I heard that we were going to war with Iraq from Daniel Ellsberg.

    posted by harold on 7-10-2009 at 11:08 am

29. 1. The oldest thing in my wallet for years was an original “Man from U.N.C.L.E.” trading card of Illya Kuryakin, but now it’s probably a fortune from a fortune cookie that says “Among the Lucky, you are the Chosen One.”

    2. I get care packages from my Mum in England, which always make me very happy. She puts a mixture of fun and useful things in, so I never know what to expect exactly. Last time it was linen trousers, chocolate and a bird feeder.

    3. Our department has a mini lending library so I’d leave my books. Except for Gladys Mitchell’s and Ngaio Marsh’s those have to go to someone who appreciates vintage cover art.

    4. I worked in a book shop for 3 years and worked several hundred book signings. They could be really fun, or absolutely dire and it depended just as much on the audience as the author. I personally always enjoyed working events with kid’s authors, journalists-slash-novelists, actors and historians. Romance novelists tend to be a bit dull though.

    The best was probably Ruth Rendell and P.D. James, but Peter Ustinov was also completely charming and Lynne Truss took us out for a pint after wards. On the other hand I thought there was going to be a riot at the book signing for the late Anita Roddick, because she got the audience whipped up into an anti-consumerist frenzy and then we had to try to sell her book to them.

    Working an event was always fun though, especially if the staff got to finish off any left over wine once it had finished. One poetry reading ended with the managers dancing on the tables in the science section at 3 in the morning.

    posted by Jen - The Alien Spouse on 7-10-2009 at 11:09 am

30. When I was a junior in high school I had study period with boy I had known in elementary school. We became friends and encouraged each other when we were both going through some rough times. At one point he ripped a tiny (probably 2″ x 1.5″) piece of notebook paper out and wrote “This is good luck =)” on it. After that, things actually started to turn around for me and I kept it folded up in my wallet for years. I’m a bit of an organizer and every time I cleaned out my wallet I would find it, forgetting what it was unfold it, smile (remember), refold it, and put it back. Over the years it started to disintegrate and I guess I must have thrown it away because I just checked and it’s not in there. =( It was a nice reminder of a time when a casual acquaintance was there for me more than my friends, and I look back on it with fondness rather than lament that we’ve drifted apart. It’s been about 7 years since I’ve spoken to him, maybe I should look him up…

    posted by BioloBri on 7-10-2009 at 11:17 am

31. I keep a fork in my purse…

    posted by BustyMcLeod on 7-10-2009 at 11:26 am

32. I recently received in the mail a full size can of Enfamil baby formula. I am not pregnant, have never been pregnant, nor do I have a small infant currently. Very strange. Made me wonder if there was something that I should know…odd, because I should be the first to know that kind of thing. Not long after receiving that I got another envelope with coupons for the same product. I plan to give them to my sister, who IS pregnant.

    posted by the creature on 7-10-2009 at 11:37 am

33. 1 – My wallet has every card in duplicate because I live in Canada & the US (so 2 debit cards, 2 credit cards, 2 pizza stamp cards, etc)

    2 – My friend in Switzerland recently sent me 5 Swiss Chocolate bars. I had sent her some Cadbury Creme eggs for Easter, but wasn’t expecting it!

    3 – I work for my Dad, so probably lots :)

    4 – Went to see Chuck Klosterman (who I love), and even though I wrote my name VERY clearly on a postit for him to reference while signing, he still signed is Shania. My boyfriend still makes fun of how disappointed I was.

    posted by Shawna on 7-10-2009 at 11:39 am

34. 1. Stickers with shiney hearts…

    2. A summer reading book (I was afraid it wouldn’t come!) – The Metamorphosis – Franz Kafka

    3. ((unemployed))

    4. I stopped by a booth once – it was a poet… somewhat interesting….

    posted by Amber Phillips on 7-10-2009 at 11:40 am

35. I’ve been to plenty of book signings over the years–mostly celebrity authors: Michael Feinstein, Terry Jones from Monty Python, Gloria Stuart from Titanic (who was just as funny and feisty as you’d imagine her to be!). Also met Gregory Maguire (Wicked) and he was very geneal, as well.

    posted by Marty on 7-10-2009 at 11:52 am

36. 1. A picture of me from kindergarten that I was using as a bookmark
    2. an insurance check refund of nearly 1k a few months ago
    4. John Erickson who wrote Hank the Cowdog series. Been twice with my son, both times he entertained with songs from his audio cd’s which were hilarious. Also, the guy who wrote Lone Survivor; I got it autographed for my sister who loved he book.

    posted by Hermoine on 7-10-2009 at 11:55 am

37. Oh wait. Forgot the most interesting thing I got in the mail was various postcards from my friend Richard in Seattle. Each one had a separate word on it, requesting me to come visit him. Because the stamps he used were old and not sufficient postage, I got different postcards on different days during a week’s time…I would rush to the mailbox hoping for more pieces of the puzzle!! By Friday, I had them all and deciphered the message!

    posted by Marty on 7-10-2009 at 11:56 am

38. 1. Before my boyfriend and I decided to move in together into his condo, we decided there was some stuff that needed to be fixed. On an emai, he listed about 4 things that needed to be done and that I was allowed to nag him about to be done. He actually said “You can print this out, laminate it and frame it. You can nag me about these things.” Well I’ve kept it in my wallet and I don’t think I’ll ever throw it away.

    2. Ever since I’ve moved out of my parents house, they like to send me cards through the mail for Easter, Valentine’s Day, whatever holiday is coming up. I always forget they do this, so it’s such a great surprise when I get a card in the mail. Also I get giddy when I see I’ve gotten my ThinkGeek catalog too.

    3. I would have to leave them a letter opener because I’m the one who goes through the mail and the general letter opener is always missing. That’s why I always use the one from my own desk.

    4. I used to work in a Barnes and Noble and no one even remotely famous ever came to do a signing. Although a great scary children’s book writer and illustrator, Gris Grimly, was going to another Barnes and Noble and one of my coworkers took my books and had them autographed for me.

    posted by Colene on 7-10-2009 at 12:03 pm

39. I have been to two book signings – Carroll Spinney (aka Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch) and Alton Brown. Both were well worth the effort – Mr. Spinney actually brought Oscar with him, and I got to tell him that my brother and I so loved Sesame Street that we both went as Super Grover for Halloween one year. What a wonderful gentleman! AB was fun too – his signing was part of a cooking demo, and as he was signing my book, I got him to fess up as to how he ended up with a flame-themed KitchenAid stand mixer.

    posted by Alyson on 7-10-2009 at 12:04 pm

40. I think I’ll leave my employer a bill, payable to my family, for the health insurance he does not provide (not even a partial payment kind of thing), which will probably be why I’m dead anyway, since I can’t afford any health insurance at the moment.

    posted by Wendy on 7-10-2009 at 12:07 pm

41. 1.-A taxi number card hat says courtesy of Johnny Walker.

    2.-A Fender Mustang Guitar

    3.-A letter telling her to stop being a workoholic and start enjoying life.

    4.-Yes in Palm Dessert California I was at a Barnes´s and there was a guy signing books and no one payed him attention, I bought his book and had it sign the books name was the Amazon Queen, after reading it and seeing what it was about ( A crew of explorers who discover a society of women that eats men and have a girl with a penis as their queen) I felt dirty for shacking the hand of its author.

    posted by RafaRR on 7-10-2009 at 12:13 pm

42. Strangest thing in my wallet: part of a food-stained paper napkin from a Thai restaurant in Calcutta; oldest thing? probably my SS card!

    posted by moochie6us on 7-10-2009 at 12:14 pm

43. 1. I carry Ani-Mayhem trading cards of two of my favorite anime characters: Washu from “Tenchi Muyo!” and Kodachi from “Ranma 1/2″.
    2. A couple of weeks ago I got a letter from the IRS informing me that I had made a mistake on my tax return, so I would get about a $250 refund.

    posted by amaneaux on 7-10-2009 at 12:27 pm

44. 1. My wallet is an old style cigarette case. It’s handy and I got it at Urban Outfitters. It keeps me from having too much stuff in my wallet. The oldest thing I have is my drivers license that expired in 2000. Some states allow active duty military member have expired licenses. I don’t know why I never renewed it.

    2. The last cool thing I got in the mail was two totally unexpected congratulatory cards. One from my dad and one from my friend. I made my promotion to E-6 and they had to let me know how awesome I am. At least for the day. : )

    3. I would leave the Department of Defense nothing. They’ve got my soul, and that’s enough.

    4. When I was a kid, I got to hear Jasper Tomkins read us his book, The Catalog. I got a signed copy, but was much too young to appreciate what I had. The book is now gone, but I do have a vague memory of the event and I’d say a good time was had by all.

    posted by Hannibal Schlechter on 7-10-2009 at 12:29 pm

45. 1- A receipt from the light rail in Phoenix from March is probably the oldest thing in my wallet.

    2- The most exciting thing I’ve gotten in the mail lately is my acceptance to University of Colorado for grad school.

    4- I went to an Alton Brown book signing. He was the nicest guy.

    posted by Lauren on 7-10-2009 at 12:36 pm

46. 1. I have a kevlar sugar pack that I keep in my purse. It used to be a fun prank to mix it in with the real sugar packets at a restaurant and watch people try to open it without success. Now it’s just faded and creased.

    3. I would leave a letter full of constructive criticism about enhancing the business.

    4. I have met a few authors at book signings and I always find it worth the wait. I met Jay Leno on his Leading with my Chin tour when I was in 8th grade. Due to my wacky outfit, got an appearance on the local news. I’ve also attended two reading and signing sessions with Chuck Palaniuk. He worked tirelessly to take every photo and customize each inscription. The second time he posed with me with a fake severed arm. Both readings were truly memorable and worth all the time I waited in line.

    posted by C on 7-10-2009 at 12:42 pm

47. 1. A Tulsa library card from when I lived there several years ago.

    2. Truly exciting…a letter from my college informing me I had made the dean’s list!

    3. Nothing. I’ve already given them too much of my life!

    posted by Anna on 7-10-2009 at 12:57 pm

48. Three outstanding book signing experiences–Kinky Friedman, Brian Jacques and Gregory White Smith. Kinky is just as he portrays himself in his books. Brian Jacques is a fabulous storyteller and a genuinely affable, completely likeable man. Greg Smith, a Pulitzer Prize winner, was signing a book he wrote about dealing with and surviving brain cancer. Almost everyone there for the signing had a sad experience to relate and he was kind and encouraging to all of them. Such a kind and patient man, I truly admire him.

    posted by Alice on 7-10-2009 at 1:10 pm

49. 1. A coupon for a can of Camel Snus. I figured when I found a store that carried them, I could use it for a project box

    2. Also related to tobacco products. (I don’t smoke anymore but I like their gimmicks) A portable ashtray came in the mail for my birthday. I use it to travel with computer screws.

    3. I work for a theatre company and would leave some in hopes of having a performance named in honor of me. (bit shallow)

    4. I went to a David Sedaris book signing. If you get the chance GO! After signing the book of a girl in front of me, he asked what she would like to do after school. When she said she did not know he said, “Have you thought about prostitution? You are a pretty girl.” She giggled the entire way out. (for some reason it sounds pervy when I type it)

    posted by jabryel on 7-10-2009 at 1:11 pm

50. 1. A whole slew of ticket stubs from the past year or so. I’ve got Flight of the Conchords, a Brewers game, The Killers, the second-to-last game at the old Yankee Stadium, Jimmy Buffett, and a parking stub from the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel. The weirdest is probably a “Caribbean” driver’s license that has Captain Jack Sparrow’s picture on it. It was supposed to be a stupid little gift for my Johnny/Sparrow-obsessed sister-in-law from my L.A. trip in May, but I have yet to gift it to her. In case you’re wondering, his only restriction is “PIRATE” and his class is “SEXY.”

    2. If I get something from you guys it’s always a good mail day! ;)

    3. I would leave you my ever-growing collection of trivia books on ridiculous topics. I don’t know anyone else who would want them.

    4. David Sedaris, and he predicted my then-boyfriend and I would get married even though we had only been dating for a couple of months. He was right, and he sent us a postcard for our wedding! Also, Anthony Bourdain in November. I’ll let you know then.

    posted by Stacy Conradt on 7-10-2009 at 1:19 pm

51. 4. Lots of David Sedaris love! I also went to a Sedaris reading @ Book People in Austin when I was in college. The weekend before I had been at the park when a freak thunderstorm happened and my copy of Naked got drenched.

    When it was my turn to have him sign my book, he started laughing and signed it to me “too cheap to buy my new book! p.s. stop reading in the bathtub!”

    I loved it.

    I worked at B&N all during college and since we were in Austin we got tons of authors in for signings but I never attended as a fan. The one author that I avoided was Kinky Freidman. He always freaked me out and it seemed like he was always in our store.

    posted by d.m. on 7-10-2009 at 1:32 pm

52. I’ve had a pressed copper token from the Winchest Mystery House in the coin compartment of my wallet for many years. It reminds me of someone special. i’d take a pic, but the iPhone is incapable of macro photography.

    posted by Kimberly on 7-10-2009 at 2:10 pm

53. 1. I keep the instructions to my magic tricks in my wallet.
    2. The last cool thing I got in the mail was a free pack of Stride gum :D
    3. I’m only 20, I don’t have a will or anything to leave anyone anyway.
    4. I went to one book signing, it was Maddox for his book “The Alphabet of Manliness.” He told my then boyfriend that he has a manly handshake.

    posted by Ditzen on 7-10-2009 at 2:11 pm

54. the oldest thing n my wallet is a gold pice of confetti that says “LOVE”. A friend gave it to me and bet me that i would lose it or throw it away. That was about 12 years ago. My husband thinks i am rediculouse for still keeping it but it reminds me of a pretty good friend (whom i have lost contact with =( )

    i honestly get excited when i get my copy of mental floss cause all my bill are electronic so other than you guys everything else is pretty much junk…=)

    i have never been to a book signing, but i would have loved to have meet Ann Rice as she is my fav author.

    posted by Jennifer on 7-10-2009 at 2:58 pm

55. In the late 90’s, I was going home from work and thought “It would be nice to get something interesting in the mail today.” I certainly did…an anonymous letter typed on a manual typewriter postmarked from Las Vegas providing information that I had been adopted at birth and good luck finding my birth mother. I thought it was a scam of some sort.

    My mother denied everything but, after she passed away, I confirmed (at the tender age of 49) via official records that I was indeed adopted! Still don’t know who my birth parents are though as my state does not provide details unless the parents agree to it.

    If I ever find who sent the letter I intend to thank them for the information and then curse them for being so cowardly about it…

    posted by DB on 7-10-2009 at 2:58 pm

56. 1. I have my college ID (issued in 1997 and lost in my car for about 5 years), and my membership card to the Pie of the Month Club.

    2. Probably my Master’s diploma.

    3. I work for a library, so I’d probably leave them any books my family didn’t want.

    4. I went to see Gregory Maguire which was a lot of fun. Better was Steve Almond for his book Candyfreak. He gave out some unique candy bars. Great book, funny guy. I sent my friend to a Chip Kidd (legendary book jacket designer, author of The Cheese Monkeys and The Learners) reading because I couldn’t go so I’ve got a signed galley of Cheese Monkeys and a signed copy of the Learners.

    posted by Julia on 7-10-2009 at 2:59 pm

57. 1. I have a laminated blessed rose petals (actual petals) card from some Catholic shrine or other that my mom gave me. She’s been passed on for 19 years now, so huge sentimental value. My mama loved me.

    2. Can’t believe nobody has mentioned ebay purchases! I got a wonderful children’s book that I had lost for 35 years. Shadow Castle. Read the reviews on Amazon – the book is pure MAGIC.

    3. I work for a library and I’d probably leave them something steamy… use your imagination.

    4. Harlan Ellison was super entertaining, if gruff. If you ever get the chance, go see Wade Davis – awesome. I’m going to see Marlee Matlin, which will be interesting, as I already got her autograph in 1988, and now I have… a deaf child. Which means I can sign to her, and get her bio signed for my little one.

    recaptcha: borscht versity
    I hate that stuff! Bleccccch!

    posted by Marion on 7-10-2009 at 3:11 pm

58. I’m jealous of Lauren for meeting Alton Brown.

    My #4 is Gregg Hurwitz, a crime/mystery writer. A couple of years ago he kindly spoke and then signed books at a library fund-raiser I was involved with. The day of the event, we had terrible storms, and his flight ended up being diverted – from Dallas to Oklahoma. He got a ride with one of the other plane passengers, on the last rental car available. He made it to our fund-raiser about an hour late, and still in his plane clothes (jeans, t-shirt). But he strode in to a hero’s welcome, did a reading, answered questions, then signed copies of “The Crime Writer,” which was his brand-new novel at the time. The next day I got to drive him to the airport, and I can vouch that he is an all-around nice, awesome guy. Buy his books!

    posted by Jen M on 7-10-2009 at 3:12 pm

59. 1) As I have the contents of my wallet currently spread out in front of me on my desk, here is a comprehensive list:

    -Credit Cards (3)
    -Pix (2)
    -Store Membership Cards (6)
    -Driver’s License
    -Social Security Card
    -Lists of Sci-Fi Books to buy (3)
    -Business cards (4)
    -Key Card
    -Receipt for a slice of pizza

    2) I once ordered a subscription to The Sporting News from e door-to-door guy when I was 11 and was instead given a subsciption to Penthouse. That was…um…exciting.

    3) I would leave them a stack of losing Lotto tickets I bought with the money they paid me over the years,
    with the full intention of quitting immediately if I won.

    posted by Sean O. on 7-10-2009 at 3:15 pm

60. 1. Concert ticket stubs going back as far as 1998. I don’t know why I can’t part with them. Some faves: Lyle Lovett, Sister Hazel, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer Trio.

    2. Coupons for free vegetables. I e-mailed a complaint to a company that the edamame I bought labeled “in the pod” was not in the pod, it was already shelled. They sent me coupons for three free bags of veggies.

    3. I’m sure they will have contributed to my demise in some way, so they get nothing.

    4. Never had the pleasure of a book signing. I’d love to see David Sedaris or Neil Gaiman. I live too far from any major cities to have much of a chance of this happening.

    posted by bre on 7-10-2009 at 3:34 pm

61. 1) Somehow I ended up with my grandfather’s U.S. Coast Guard Satisfactory Service Card from 1946. It’s laminated and has his signature and fingerprint on it. I’ve had it in my wallet for years. He passed away in 1996, I still think of him a lot and it makes me happy to carry something of his with me.

    posted by Kelly on 7-10-2009 at 3:38 pm

62. Don’t you guys know its not a good idea to leave your social security card in your wallet? If its lost or stolen (along with all your credit cards and ID), you’re done for!

    posted by S on 7-10-2009 at 4:01 pm

63. 1. What’s the weirdest (or oldest) thing you’re carrying around in your wallet or purse?

    -I’m guilty of hoarding little packets of non-dairy creamer since I’m lactose intolerant. I don’t have anything outlandish in my wallet, but in high school I carried around the lyrics to R.E.M.’s “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)”.

    2. What’s the last piece of truly exciting mail you received?

    -The only thing I can think of is a letter from MTV after writing fan mail to them about Beavis and Butthead. While in high school, I’d written that I wanted to be a voice on the show, and the letter encouraged me to send in a tape. Stupidly, I didn’t, but I named my cat after Beavis, who is now in kitty heaven. Most of my mail is expected or boring, but once in a while I’ll get sweet “just because” cards hidden around the house from my fiance.

    3. If you were revising your will today, what would you leave to your current employer?

    -If it were my last employer, something snarky, but I like this current job. It’s a college, so I’d say money for the library I work in to build up a collection for the students to enjoy, or to put towards a scholarship.

    4. Have you ever been to a book signing? Who was the author? Good experience? Waste of time?

    -When I was young, I met Piers Anthony and got to ask him questions. A few years ago, my friend and I went to a rally for Barack Obama, and I purchased a copy of his book “The Audacity of Hope” while waiting to hear him speak. Afterwards, his volunteers told us he’d autograph the copies if we wrote in our names and cell phone numbers and passed them along. I didn’t get to meet him, but I saw him up close and now have an autographed copy of a book the President wrote. Not too shabby!

    posted by Christina W. on 7-10-2009 at 4:04 pm

64. This answers question 1 and 4.

    The weirdest thing in my wallet is a condom. Not weird, unless you hear the story. It’s a Magnum large condom that David Sedaris gave to me at his book signing, telling me to find a man who is up to the task and to only engage in anal…copulation, because he wasn’t going to be responsible for anyone losing their virginity. Helluva guy.

    posted by Katie on 7-10-2009 at 4:21 pm

65. 1. In my wallet is a $2 bill I have kept for luck that has gone through 3 wallets over the years. I’ll see if I can post a pic this weekend!

    2. Probably the most recent exciting thing I’ve received in the mail would have to be the pirate cutlass I ordered for my best friend’s birthday. She’s designing an outfit for the Ren Faires we attend (yes, we attend Ren Faires!), and she was saving the blade for last. I figured I’d save her the work!

    3. Hmm – seeing how I work for the federal government, probably something for the active duty folks I work with. Probably a DVD player and my collection of DVDs to keep our patients occupied.

    4. I’ve attended several book signings over the years, but the first one I attended stands out – Brian K. Vaughan (author of Y: The Last Man, Runaways, and current writer on LOST). Very nice guy, spoke to him for a few moments, and even got my picture with him after he autographed my hardcover copy of Runaways Volume 1!

    posted by Steve on 7-10-2009 at 4:23 pm

66. 1: I still have my student ID from college even though I haven’t been there in years. I still use it to get discounts (like tonight we’re going to see Bruno xD) and a box cutter from my old job. I keep it in there just in case I’m mugged or, you know, someone needs something opened NOW!!

    2: I think the last thing I was really excited about getting in the mail was a card for Easter from my grandparent’s with 10 bucks in it. I wasn’t expecting it!!

    3: I would leave absolutely NOTHING to my last job. It was the worst company I ever worked for. We were treated like crap by the upper management who only cared about sales. That’s why I don’t work there anymore.

    4:I’ve only been to one book signing and it was for these guys who wrote a book about their predictions for the last Harry Potter book. It was sort of lame.

    :o)

    posted by Lindsey on 7-10-2009 at 4:25 pm

67. 4. I went to a reading/signing of Temple Grandin’s newest book, \Animals Make Us Human.\ She has autism spectrum disorder, and spoke of both autism and her work with animals. Fascinating!

    posted by Coco on 7-10-2009 at 5:33 pm

68. In my purse I just found three miscellaneous checks I forgot to cash totalling $165.55 that are now expired. Darn it!

    Nothing terribly odd other than that. The oldest thing is a coin purse I still use that I bought on a trip to Germany in 1977.

    The best mail I got recently was a thank you card with a REAL HANDWRITTEN LETTER in it from my niece. I expected a thank you email for a graduation gift I sent her and was surprised and delighted to get a lovely, personal letter.

    posted by Jean on 7-10-2009 at 7:48 pm

69. @BustyMcLeod, a fork in your purse? That’s nothing. You should see my plastic fork collection.

    posted by Lupis on 7-10-2009 at 8:33 pm

70. 2. Last Friday (July 3) I received a birthday card in the mail from my grandparents — the catch being that my grandfather passed away just days earlier, on Tuesday evening (June 30). The card was signed by both Grandma and Grandpa and was postmarked June 30, so they must have put it in the mail on the morning of the day he died! Sweet, sad, and mind-blowing all at once. I don’t normally save birthday cards, but I’m hanging on to this one. RIP Grandpa.

    posted by Rebecca on 7-10-2009 at 9:07 pm

71. I used to keep the paper napkin that my girlfriend gave me her number on for almost three years, before I accidently washed my wallet in the washing machine. I also keep all the fortune cookie messages I have recieved in my wallet; some of which are quite hilarious.

    posted by HP on 7-10-2009 at 9:08 pm

72. 1. What’s the weirdest (or oldest) thing you’re carrying around in your wallet or purse?

    Probably my husband’s engagement ring – one of the three thin bands broke a while ago and I’ve been meaning to take it in to be repaired. As for old – I clean out my purse once a fortnight, so there’s nothing (other than current cards and currently used items) older than two weeks in there.

    2. What’s the last piece of truly exciting mail you received?

    Probably a postcard from my hubby when he was away on business. Or perhaps a long-waited parcel from Amazon…

    3. If you were revising your will today, what would you leave to your current employer?

    My current ‘employer’ is my husband (I’m a stay-at-home at the moment due to ill-health), so he gets everything if I go first. As for any of my previous actual employers? I wouldn’t give any of the the time of day, let alone bequeath them something in my will. Except maybe rabid monkeys or a crate of cockroaches or something…

    4. Have you ever been to a book signing? Who was the author? Good experience? Waste of time?

    I met my husband because of our mutual admiration of Terry Pratchett and his DiscWorld books. Shortly before we were married, we went to his one and only local booksigning here in Perth, Australia (and then onto a talk he gave). We told him it was because of him that we had met (at an amateur stage production of “Mort”, and gave him our 1998 Discworld Diary, open to the page of the day we became a couple, and he signed it with “Ah! Innit nice…” Totally nice guy, totally worth going :)

    posted by PrincessKessie on 7-11-2009 at 1:31 am

73. 1. Since I clean out my wallet/purse on a regular basis, the oldest thing I have in my purse is a Cross pen that belonged to my grandfather who died 14 years ago. I even have the original box (from the 60’s I believe) that it came in. But I don’t carry the box in my purse.

    4. Not a book signing, but a memorabilia signing with Carroll Shelby. Nice guy, old as hell. I got to go because my mother was interviewing him and I was her +1. He signed just about anything that people put in front of him. Since I was standing right near him, I got asked a bunch of times if I was his granddaughter. Oh, I wish!

    posted by AmyD on 7-11-2009 at 11:57 am

74. 1. I stuff every reciept and electronically processed check in my wallet as well as the shoipping list everytime that I go to the store.
    I just did a quick wallet check and realized that I have 3 Friday Cards for a store that gives discounts on Fridays to anyone who is younger than 49. Will have to thyrow a couple out.
    I also have a wallet size copy of my bachelor’s degree diploma.
    2. My car was hit by someone running a STOP sign a few years ago. They did not have insurance, so my ionsurance had to pay for my totaled car. A couple of years later I got a check in the mail for the deductable where the person who hit me finally paid.
    3. I am a special education teacher, so I will never be rich enough to leave much to my employer. I love my job, my co-workers, and my employer, so if I had the money I would leave it with the instructions to buy more specially designed equipment for students with physical and communication impairments.There are new technologies coming out daily and with proration and budget cuts we can’t afford to byuy everything.
    4. I have never attended a book signing.

    posted by haselwoman on 7-11-2009 at 12:00 pm

75. Kathryn Tucker Windham was signing books im Pine Apple one year. She was nice. The latest Mental Floss issue. I’m not trying to be a brown-noser.

    posted by Sara in AL on 7-11-2009 at 3:04 pm

76. I went to book signings for Douglas Coupland, Kurt Vonnegut, Tea Benduhn, Tom Robbins, David Sedaris, and Tim Gunn.

    *Douglas Coupland was very cool, he ended up borrowing my book to read from during the reading, which was very exciting to me, an 18 year-old college freshman at the time.

    *I didn’t actually have anything for Kurt Vonnegut to sign, I just wanted to talk with him more since he and I had a brief conversation as he was waiting for the audience to get seated. He was fun to talk to.

    *Tea Benduhn was local to the city I lived in at that time and was almost embarrassed by the whole thing, not used to being the center of attention. She and I were reading each others’ blogs at the time too, so it was a little strange meeting up at that moment.

    *Tom Robbins was a riot. And I’m an even bigger fan since he had declared his love of Spam.

    *I ended up not waiting in line for David Sedaris to sign because there were at least 800 people, no joke, but the reading was worth it.

    *I cannot express how much I love Tim Gunn, especially after meeting him. He was so much fun, told great and hilarious stories, and was just so genuine and gracious.

    posted by jessamine on 7-11-2009 at 3:19 pm

77. I went to a book signing of Dave Berry and Ridley Person. It was for the first Peter prequal book. It took place at Walt Disney World in the Contemporary hotel. Boy do they go out for the theming. There was a pirate ship in the hotel with all kinds of Pirate and Peter Pan music.

    posted by Chris on 7-11-2009 at 4:39 pm

78. I have a CVS card in my wallet, and I haven’t shopped at one in over 3 years.
    I gave my father a $1 bill when I was around 5 and he still has it in his wallet.

    posted by Monica on 7-11-2009 at 8:40 pm

79. I went to what is purported to be Douglas Coupland’s last reading (He hates them, apparently) and got several books signed, including one in which the main character and I share several attributes. I’ve got a photo somewhere of him & I, and he gushed over my sharpie for about ten minutes.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/eilonwynn/1471110008/

    posted by Anaximander on 7-11-2009 at 9:47 pm

80. Book signing? (And author’s talk/read, as well)… Yes, WILLIAM STYRON, late 1980s at my college (roomie accompanied me for safety as it was @ night across campus but chose to ‘wait in lobby’ with her usual reading material of Piers Anthony. This was cool, even though when I purchased ‘Sophie’s Choice’ just to get an autograph, he had to use HIS pen!

    We didn’t get another ‘famous’ author until this year, and in fact his event was rescheduled due to an ice storm but was REALLY great! JOHN IRVING… great storyteller.

    I only hope I don’t have to wait another 20 yrs. The one person we had, that I regret not staying for, was *actor* ELI WALLACH. I had a just arrived relative who was tired and hungry and didn’t want to stay. It would’ve been as close to ‘Inside the
    Actor’s Studio’ as I would’ve gotten. Oh, and maybe I should’ve paid the extra fee for the ‘Meet and Greet’ post-concert w/ Mandy Patinkin…

    posted by Amy on 7-12-2009 at 12:04 am

81. Re. #1: In my rainbow wallet, I keep my Metro ticket from the Inauguration, which has President Obama’s picture on it, in the clear ID part. I always hope someone will find my wallet somewhere and think, “Oh my gosh! I found the president’s wallet! By why is it rainbow and why are there gift cards to all these teenager stores?”

    posted by Sunshine on 7-12-2009 at 12:12 am

82. Seeing those ‘Alton Brown’ comments reminds me that I should have found someone willing to drive to Durham, NC so I could’ve seen the god that is Tony Bourdain (the other god being Marco Pierre White, but he hasn’t been here)

    posted by Amy on 7-12-2009 at 12:20 am

83. 1a) weirdest-The hands for Polish Rummy on a laminated card. I was spending most Wednesday nights playing cards with family and we always lost the list of what’s next. I also keep a quarter (for the winner) and a nickle (for the highest single hand score) with it.

    1b) oldest-A picture of my dog. Not the most recent one, the one before that.

    2) Just boring mail for the most part. The occasional free sample makes my day.

    3) I save the blank bottoms of memos then fold and cut them into snowflakes. My desk and wall were covered last year and I have more to add. The company is welcome to them. It was there paper and time after all.

    4) Terry Pratchett when “Wee Free Men” came out. I had to rush through an exam to get there but it was well worth it. He was a pleasure to listen to and very gracious when signing my book, even though I was towards the end of a considerable line. “Crivens!”

    posted by Jess on 7-12-2009 at 12:28 pm

84. 1. I the oldest thing in my wallet is my library card. Had it for 20 years baby! The weirest thing in my wallet is my license to kill. I had a friend who decided to make them up a few years ago, and I still have mine.

    2. I think it was probably a letter I got from my brother about 6 months ago. Yeah, an actual LETTER. Or the notice I got last month that I was not qualified to be a juror in the county where I no longer lived.

    4. I had Orson Scott Card sign… I don’t remember what. It was pretty cool. My mom and his wife were best friends growing up, and she was there, so they just sat and talked and talked.

    posted by Janel on 7-14-2009 at 3:17 pm

85. 1. A 10 year old NY Metro card (I live in the UK and NEVER been to NY, not sure why its there!
    2. My brother lives in Norway so we always send stupid stuff to each other. Last month I went to my mums for tea, and we plated up an entire sunday lunch (Roast lamb, yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, gravy the works, covered it all in a mile of cling film and posted it to him as a joke. Yesterday I got the plate back, dirty, with a note saying “its your turn to wash up” on it! Made me chuckle all day!
    3. I would leave work a selection of my underpants, just to confuse/annoy the HR people!
    4. Went to Star Wars expo in London a few years ago, and Peter Mayhew was there signing, but I missed him, HOWEVER I saw him outside having a cig, and I went up to him, introduced myself, told him how awesome he was, he said thanks, shook my hand, I said ‘your hands massive’ and ran off giggling like a school girl (I was 31 at the time!)

    posted by Alf Atkins on 7-17-2009 at 9:09 am

86. 4. DAVID SEDARIS! one of the best moments of my life! i went to one of his readings which was followed by a book signing. during the reading he mentioned he had a book of christmas stories that featured one of his short stories, BUT it was all in german. half-jokingly he said “if anybody here can speak fluent german, just come to the front of the book signing line after the reading.” when he said that i nearly peed my pants with excitement, because i actually know german fluently! afterwards i got to go straight to the front of the huge line and he gave me the book (after i read some aloud to prove my skills). he signed it and included his favorite german word “kaiserschnitt” which mean c-section. the whole experience was definitely the single greatest thing that has ever happened to me as a result of knowing german. the 6+ years i spent learning the language were not wasted!

    posted by Stina on 7-19-2009 at 6:42 pm

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