Don’t Dream It, Be It

November 18, 2018

With John Kerry 

Meg Cabot

Don’t Dream It, Be It

The second day of the Miami Book Fair was as awesome as day one and had a number of really cool highlights that both Kathy and I enjoyed immensely. We got the chance to see presentations by old friends and exciting new authors as well as established giants. We also had the opportunity to attend a very private meet and greet with former US Senator and Secretary of State, John Kerry at Tuyo restaurant just prior to his keynote presentation that concluded the Book Fair. 

Felipe Alou

Billy Collins

The day started early when we gathered with our Key West friends to hear our fellow Key Wester and friend Meg Cabot give a hilariously funny talk on her latest book, “Royal Crown: From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess.” The talk included an amazing power point presentation that focused on her entire writing career as well as the latest release and what she is currently working on. 

Meg

We had seen her before at the Key West Library lecture series, but this one was absolutely outstanding, funny, self-deprecating, informative and extremely entertaining, I was so happy that we decided to go see Meg. She is a fantastic writer and a pretty cool person and also happens to be the newest member of the board of directors of the Key West Literary Seminar, which means that I will have the pleasure of spending even more time with her in the future.

Next up, I was at a presentation by baseball legend Felipe Alou about his new book, “My Baseball Journey”, while Kathy headed over to see a discussion featuring authors Curtis Sittenfeld, Celeste Ng and Laura Van Der Berg in the Auditorium. I met Kathy there as the presentation that followed featured our friend Billy Collins.

Billy was joined by Juan Felipe Herrera in a discussion moderated by Robert Casper of the Library of Congress between the two former US Poets Laureate. Thankfully they each got to read as well as the discussion was not as interesting as the raw presentation of their work. I love listening to Billy read, even though I have been to countless readings of his over the many years of his coming to the Literary Seminar. He is always funny, witty and intelligent with a keen observational eye. 

Billy Collins and Juan Felipe Herrera 

 

Next it was off to the private reception with John Kerry at Tuyo. Last year we were invited to meet commentator Chris Matthews at a similar reception and this one was even cooler. Kerry was so interesting and took time to stop and chat with every person in the small crowd assembled there. He seemed genuinely interested in what you had to say. We chatted about the last time that I met him, which is at a rally the night after his debate in Miami when he was running for President. He remembered the night well as John Mellencamp and Babyface both played at the rally and he did well in the debate.

Lilly and Jeremy

Caitlin and Effie

We returned to Key West Sunday night and a couple of nights later, we were in a totally different place as we attended a showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Tropic Cinema. We invited our friends Effie and Caitlin who like many in the crowd dressed up for the occasion. The event was hosted by the wonderfully talented and funny Landon Bradbury and was a real joy to attend.

Caitlin and Effie

Having seen the film well over 100 times in my misspent youth, I may never have had as enjoyable experience as this showing, which is saying something. The sold out crowd was so enthusiastic and some even knew the right time to shout out at the screen, though I think probably Landon and myself knew the most lines. I was pretty good even though it has been some years since I have seen the film. Funny what sticks with you in your memory. 

 

It was a fun, if surreal night and the movie was every bit as terrible and wonderful as I remember it, so much fun, especially with such a great and hyped up audience. I hope they will make this an annual event at the Tropic as it seems a natural for Key West.

Landon and Mike

Jill