One Minute with Bill Clinton

09/05/07

I have never done this before; perhaps I have never been a person who is crazy about any celeb. I guess there may be just couple human beings who still alive and I am intrigued in meeting them one is Stephen Hawking and another is Dalai Lama. 
I like Bill Clinton, and I think as the President, he was very skillful and charming. An inspiration to millions, his life is interesting because he wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth but still be able to steer his own life to be one of the great Presidents in the history.

Nicky sent me a text message in the morning to tell me about Bill Clinton’s visit to Barnes & Nobles at Union Square to sign his new book, Giving. Overwhelmed with work loads, I was so reluctant to go. But with my sweet little brother’s persistence, who could say no. So I packed my stuff and ran out of the office. Arrived there at 4.30 pm, the line was already formed started on the fourth floor. After I paid 18.98 dollars for the book, I was asked to keep the receipt and showed it later to the staff before Bill signed. My starting point was on the second floor, fortunately reading about life of the former chief Supreme Court justice, William Rehnquist really kept entertaining me so 2 hours waiting was not that bad at all.
Besides being the President, Bill Clinton is also a celebrity. People swarmed him in front of Barnes & Nobles when he first arrived. My turn was approaching, and I tried to o bserve what the codes of conducts were when people were in front of Mr. President.

It’s fast and informal. We said hi, shook hand and walked away. But still, I felt his charm even in just a nano-second. I wish he gave a speech too but well, what I can expect for 18.98 dollars; people pay him 100K a pop.

Even though I might not know anything new from his book because I always believe that giving does not have to be grandiose but small part that each individual can contribute will eventually change the world, I guess that 2 hours wait, shaking his hand and his autograph on the book are totally worth it.

 

 

Tae Athikomvittaya