BEDA 20: For the Australians
On May 31st, I will be talking and answering questions and signing books at the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia at 2 PM. You should come--and you should bring your friends. Also you enemies. We love them, too, after all.
To RSVP, you can call 03 8664 7099. Or you can email bookings [at] slv.vic.gov.au
I hope to have a gathering in Sydney, also. I'll let you know.
Totally unrelated: I wrote a piece for the Washington Post in which I argue that the United States, as a nation, should get rid of Prom--through legislation, if necessary.
Also totally unrelated: Leave me questions so I can answer them on Tuesday.
posted by John Green @ Monday, April 20, 2009
81 Comments
81 Comments:
Question:
Page 302 of Paper Towns. When you're talking about the vessel, and the light, what did you mean by "the end"?
Do we assume previous questions that went unanswered will stay unanswered, or do we have to repost a question again and again in the hope that it might hit you in the right mood to answer it. That's my question.
Meanwhile since you specified the 317 things should be funny, I think there has been a dearth of puppetry lately that could be remedied by utilizing puppets to tell 317 "Knock, Knock" jokes and also include a drum set to hit out the ba da bing for the punchline. I recommend getting "knock, knock" jokes from 2nd-4th graders. I'm pretty sure the call number is 818 (jokes, riddles) right after poetry in 811.
Option number two: Let us watch you play www.freerice.com until you earn 320 grains(there are no individual rice gains, they must be done in groups of 10) and see how you rate on immediate vocabulary definition recall while helping provide food to the world's poor.
And I think this may be better as a punishment to save for a rainy day, but one of you would have to dress up in a Kermit the Frog costume and sing the entire song of "It's not Easy Being Green". (Which is actually a very profound song by a hippie puppet master who I think would have totally loved the Peep Challenge.)
I do think the 4 minute time limit can be suspended for situations such as these.
I like how even in your Washington Post article, you stick to the themes in your books, like investment in the pretentious prom. I have to agree, though I'm not as... adamant about it.
John I'm so excited about your visit to Australia, just booked for two - bringing along my IRL friend who loved Alaska, and who I plan to prep on all-things-nerdfighter before we come.
=]
Thrilled to hear the details for your Melbourne visit, it shall be such a fun day!
This year, for my government credit I, along with 24 of my peers, elected to take a class called "We The People," which is a competitive class where we put on mock-congressional hearings. We won State and are progressing to Nationals THIS Friday-Tuesday. Saturday is Prom.
Now, by using basic logic, one can deduce that in order to participate in this INCREDIBLY PRESTIGIOUS competition, my classmates and I, 25 high school seniors, are missing Prom.
We are receiving a near-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC for FIVE DAYS in order to compete against and socialize with our peers from around the country. And some of my classmates have had the AUDACITY to COMPLAIN about missing PROM.
TO COMPLAIN ABOUT MISSING PROM FOR A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME-EXPERIENCE. An experience they will likely remember far longer than five hours spent on a sweaty dance floor in a drunken haze.
Oh, and did I mention that there will be TWO dances in DC? One of which is FORMAL?
Which leads me to my question:
What the HELL is wrong with people?
Here's a question for you... it seems like religion plays an important role in your life, which leads me to something I often ponder...
For an atheist looking to convert to Christianity, where would you begin?
John, thanks for the prom piece. I grew up in a country that doesn't do the prom tradition. Recently, there has been an influx of it. I find it very disappointing about how much my generation wants to be Americanised to the point that they have to go out and buy dresses to celebrate our high school years. I think it's a disgusting tradition and should not make its way to other countries.
Do previous unanswered questions count?
If not, here's a new one:
Did you get Hank and Katherine anything for their wedding besides the lunchbox full of money that you already owed Hank?
Do you think it's important for writers to have writing friends, or be part of a Writers Group? Should I rush out and find myself a Maureen Johnson?
Hey John, do you know what time the Melbourne gathering will finish? Should I book a return ticket for Sunday or Monday (the last flight is Sunday 18:30)? The flight back is two hours but I wish to attend my 9am lecture on Monday.
It would be really great if you can make it to Sydney. I will have my fingers crossed.
What is your favourite puffy thing?
I'm currently booking for me, my mum and my sister, but hopefully I can get some friends to come along as well. Might try to convince them when I have them all around for my birthday.
Question: Why can I not find An Abundance of Katherines or Let It Snow in any book shops here in Melbourne?
Follow-up question: I know I commented this on one of your previous blog posts, but I'm getting increasingly disheartened in my failed attempts at locating copies of the aforementioned books, so: Could you possibly bring copies of said books for purchase at the Melbourne Gathering?
Although I still believe you are one of the most brilliant writers of these times, I am SO opposed to your stance on the prom issue. Unfortunately, my boss is equally opposed to tardiness, so my argument will have to wait. Be aware - a prom throw down is coming.
I like your idea of banning prom because it is prom.
But I do like getting dressed up one night- going all out, dress, hair, makeup, a nice dinner.
I did not like that it was the norm to find a date. I felt so awkward asking guys, since none of them would ask me.
How about we ban proms in favor of balls (or something) where we collect money for charity. And instead of voting on Kings and Queens, vote on which charity the money raised should go to.
Just an idea.
And I am going to make a presentation about you and your books for my Computer Science class.
Is that okay?
Janna
I notice that all of your books feature cars that have names. Do you have a car and if so what is it's name?
I sort of feel a lottle rude, posting a question twice... i i don't wnat to be meddlesome ( totaly had to look this word up in a dictonary right now, so i might have missused it...)
but oh well i think asking a question twice is fine... righ?
Question:
okay so my question is just a simple little question, not at all as sophisticated and clever as all the rest. but oh well....
so you mentioned before in your vlog, when you went to amsterdam that your dutch sucks and you said something like "how can i ever imigrate to amsterdam" (i probably quoted that completely wrong, but it was something along the line) so my question is, do you ever really think about leaving america and moving to an european country?
and if you do, please consider moving to germany, haha i'm just joking...
I agree that prom sucks. But I had SO much fun at my senior prom. Granted, to have this fun I had to do some things normal girls don't do for prom:
1) I borrowed a dress. I didn't have a job to pay for a dress that I'd only wear once. But my friend had a great dress that fit perfectly. I felt great in it, and didn't have to worry about the money I just wasted.
2) I didn't look for a date. At this time of my life all the boys I knew were jerks and couldn't gather enough courage to ask my one guy-friend. So I went with a group of friends and had a blast not worrying about HIM all evening.
3) I got my hair done the way I wanted it. The hair style wasn't popular with the other prom goers, and it didn't look very good on me. But I liked it.
I was prom queen. Against my will. I was not impressed.
"Prom is graduation's vapid sibling. The Bramwell Bronte. The Billy Baldwin."
Oh snap!
Porsho - imitation Porche, quite like the highly publicized Prados and Chunnel brands.
Captcha Dictionary!
The best part about the Washington Post piece is, UNDOUBTEDLY, all the indignant comments that follow it. So many different flavors of internet crazy! I love it!! It's a logical fallacy smorgasbord! I bet at least 15% of those comments were made from free public computer in libraries. They are like giant magnets of crazy, particularly the posting-indignantly-on-Washington-Post-articles variety of crazy.
Also awesome: the little subject chart at the bottom of the article that invites you "understand more about" the topics discussed in the article. The topics in question are:
Jenny
Polyester
Winter Park High School
Facebook
John Green
This totally made my Monday.
John, if you can blackmail Ashton Kutcher for a good cause then I figure I can blackmail you (for a good cause as well). $50 goes to Malaria No More if you follow me at "ericseverynew"
Also, what books should we look for coming out this year?
Hello there! As an enthusiastic Irish fan I was wondering whether you could tell me when Paper Towns will be available over on my side of the pond? Keep up the exceedingly awesome work! :)
While banning prom completely may be a little extreme and unrealistic, I agree 100% with what you said. I've always believed prom to be overrated, and have never attended.
I don't know, I think my leaver's ball is going to be pretty cool. That might just be because I'm an egotistical happy-to-go-just-with-friends weirdo who is running it anyway ergo it MUST be brilliant. Also it's taking place at an old music hall that a rogue publisher bequeathed to his daughter and he used to seduce his mistresses in the flat above. Yay 1920s.
Anyway, "gretchen2"'s comment is my favourite:
Either inadvertently, or with Machiavellian awareness, Mr. Green has also suggested that we "deem felonius" the average wedding. If I'm not mistaken, most weddings include AT LEAST two of the following: "dresses that get worn only once, an unironic theme, rented clothing, a creepy association with virginity" (hey - white dress...). Most involve all of the above.
So, what's THAT all about?
Oh and also, I'm relieved that your doctor told you to quit eating Peeps (though now we'll worry about why.)
Seeing as how the first Peeps-eating episode came right before the whole hospitalization thing, and how your ear got all asymmetrical like a day after the pumpkin-Peeps-for-Pakistan escapade, I've been worried.
Maybe that's not a pattern - I think I learned in middle school math that it takes three of something to make a pattern - but still I didn't want to find out what would happen if you ate 317, or even, say, 13 Peeps.
Maybe I'm one of those people who puts too much pressure on celebrities, but I feel better about the world when they maintain their symmetry, and don't ooze.
My proms were super lame. My junior prom I just stood around with my friends and put pink marshmallows into the fondue fountain and my senior one was spent running away from nuns trying to pin everyone's dresses for modesty. Not fun, especially since I had to deal with a bunch of drunk people afterward. I honestly could have done the same things I did at prom in an empty field with someone's car blasting music and it would have been more fun.
Re-asking these questions:
1. If you had to be a woman for a day, who would you be and what would you do?
2. What was your least favorite class in high school? And in college?
Well, you said leave questions in the comments, and my question still remains. I might as well repost the question, as to have it in one location.
In the Great Gatsby it is said that Gatsby "paid a high price for living too long with a single dream." Do you think it is possible for someone to live too long with one dream? Do you think that there is a point when someone should give up on a dream?
I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with you on the prom thing. Prom was the ONLY time in high school I got to go out and enjoy myself. Little nerdlet girls do not often get asked out, but for prom I was able to ask a boy to the prom (woooah, unconventional) and I had a blast. The bad stories are the ones you hear most, true, but that's the same with any event ever. Just sayin'.
Uh, question time... why are rainbows so frikkin' awesome?
Whoa! No PROM?!?
I'd like to proffer a video where you enjoyed Prom quite a bit in an adorable seer-sucker suit, my friend.
Meanwhile- we all know you like to read, but do you like to read plays? I think plays are a dying breed of literature, and it frustrates me. My question, therefore, is threefold-
a) Do you read plays?
b) Do you have a particular favorite, or preferred playwright, and
c) What role do you think plays ... erm... play in literary importance? (Wow, that was a punny sentence) - I mean, do you think they're as valid as novels, or do you think they're more of a novelty?
do you have your toilet paper hang above the roll or behind it?
What are some must-read, abolutely, like seriousy-before-you-die-you-must-do-this, young adult books?
-Lauren : )
Question:
I'm thinking about getting a summer job. I would like it to be something quirky, something out of the ordinary that will be a good story later on. Any suggestions?
How is Daniel Biss doing?
I love the article! I (my mom, actually) found it in the Post and I got really excited because prom has totally been stressing me out (damn creeper guy)
Anyway, what would you do if you had hosted a morp as opposed to going to prom?
Would you care to watch 317 nerdfighter vlogs?
There's a lovely discussion of your Washington Post article going on in the Ning, if you care about how your Nerdfighters feel about the event.
http://nerdfighters.ning.com/forum/topics/john-on-prom
Have you seen the film "Come and See" by E. Klimov? (I ask this because it contains an evil baby hitler that almost gets shot[montage sequence])
I saw that article in the paper. I really liked it (and not just because I wasn't asked to the prom).
Was Q's one miracle actually living next door to Margo, or does he just think it is at the time?
I think it is, but I was just wondering what you had to say on the subject.
During one of your book talks you mentioned that a girlfriend broke up with you on September 11th. You also mentioned that you started to write Looking for Alaska on September 12th. I once read somewhere that you followed a girl to Alaska only for her to break up with you. Are these three events related in any way?
What's the strangest place you've ever read or written a book? And where do you feel most comfortable doing these things?
Are you going on tour anytime soon? And if so, does the tour plan on coming to Portland OR?
I have a question in regards to your article. Proms do give an illusion of safety, where house parties have none of that illusion.
How could house parties, be both fun, and give that illusion of safety? Even parents who don't allow their kids to go to parties usually allow them to go to prom.
Just one question? Why are you against prom? Is it the great amounts of money spent, the pressure it can put on couples, the lack of people's dance skills? Curious minds (or just my mind) want to know.
captcha: pecoph: a tiny cough
Question: Where does the 'Wilson' part of Willy's name come from? I know the 'Fireball Roberts' part is from The Last Good Kiss (which I just read and loved, by the way) but I can't remember if you've ever explained the 'Wilson' part.
I'm a senior in high school and some friends and I have started to think about senior prank ideas. Unfortunatly, so far we've been pretty unsuccessful.
So if you have any ideas that would be fantastic.
Although, if you don't have an idea, but you just feel like sharing a story about senior pranks, I wouldn't mind. *wink, wink, nudge, nudge*
DFTBA
Tenley Nadine
I have a novel already written inside my head. Any advice as to how to get it out?
Question: What do you think I should do to get over my fear of flying?
What's your favourite Peter Paul and Mary song? I love them; I am jealous of your surreal weekend!
Why must we hurt?
Oh, and where did the nickname "The Yeti" come from?
Do you believe emotion is culturally related or completely on its own according to your personality? Random question but this has been on my mind the past few days.
Will there be a Nerdfighter event at LeakyCon for those who aren't registered (similar to that park and library at Terminus)?
I'm siriusly depressed that I lack the funds to register...
could you help me with the new TINT clue?
Question: Does being a role model to many young people (who are in some cases still developing their personality/ figuring out themselves relative to other people) have an affect on the way you write, speak, and act in your vlogs/blogs/novels etc.? In other words, do you ever feel pressured to portray yourself as a more self-actualized person than you really are to set a good example for all the kids and teenagers who look up to you?
Extremely excited for your visit to Melbourne!!!
BTW...don't visit Sydney... because Melbourne is 100x more awesomer than Sydney!!!
My questions are... what exactly happened at your junior prom? Did your mum ever take those brown things out of your cupboards? do you believe there is a god?
If you could answer them that would be radical. DFTBA!
John is also talking along with (so to speak) MT Anderson and Bernard Beckett on Thursday 28 May in Melbourne as part of Reading Matters Youth Day. A session in the morning and the afternoon.
John,
When you say you are going to try for one in Sydney as well, do you mean in May...or just in the future?
Because my friends and I are from Sydney and have planned to fly to Melbourne for the Nerdfighter Gathering.
But if you are having one in Sydney soon, we should probably just wait for that.
Please keep us updated. WE ARE CONFUSED. HELP US.
Hi John! I have a question:
Do you think life is an uphill battle? If so, how steep is your hill? If not, what do you think life is?
Thanks!
you MUSt come to Sydney! Firstly we are WAY better then Melbourne (i hope you are aware of the mini competitions we always seem to have with one another... we tend to always argue on who is better... quick tip... whilst in Melbourne dont comliment sydney and vice versa tehehehe)
But If you come to Sydney I will be able to at least see (hopefully meet) one of my favourite Authors and that will make my YEAR! We in Australia always miss our froms eeing fave authors, bands, shows, acts... and when we do get that chnace they usually only go to one state and not the other... please come to Sydney... I'll love you forever (teheheh)
Love Kylie
Question-Why do I find it so much easier to think analytically about 'Alaska' and PT than about 'Katherines'? Even though it's my favourite of the three, I find it easier to notice things like the different colours in PT and Alaska's choosing of her own name, which would be helpful in, say, an essay.
Have you seen this Build-A-Blog, "Touch Me John Green"?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwpm_38obYM
What happened to the blogs of questions? I liked those. But that's not my question. My question is this: what was the best Nerdfighter note you've ever found in one of your books?
This has probably been asked before, but...Why are you so obsessed with Catcher in the Rye?
What is the connection between Paper Towns and Balls of Stuff?
Why tampon strings?
Love the article.
I am starting to think there is no girl who has lost her identity and it is just you behind it all
Have you had a moment where everything else that happens to you is categorized into a before and after like in Looking for Alaska?
Why didn't hank go to boarding school...he didn't did he?
What would you do/ think if you found out Salinger had read (and ran) from your novel, Looking For Alaska?
I don't konw if you've answered this question, but do you have any advice for a person who procrastinates much too often and is slowly destroying her soul?
(Something besides "stop reading this blog...." please?)
kenyon college... really?
No offense Mr. Green, but you kind of fail at BEDA...
No offense Mr. Green, but you kind of fail at BEDA...
i really liked your article
Love that you're coming to Australia! Please come to Brisbane if you can. I would love to fly to Melbourne or Sydney but lack of funds could prevent that from happening...
I find myself constantly happy we don't have 'prom' here. It really sounds torturous.
I'm excited about your visit to our wonderful country of Australia.
Though I'd be more excited if you'd come to Sydney, as Melbourne is too far for me..
If you come to Sydney, then I promise to drag my friends along with me :)
Also on a side (wow, I accidentally typed dies than) note, I don't know what Peeps are.. and because I'm too lazy to google it, I will go on not knowing. Most likely forever.
Any word for Sydney yet Mr. Green?
Here's an empty film canister...what are you going to do with it?
PLEASE COME TO SYDNEY!!!!!!!!!!
PLEASE??
Please, with sugar coating with ice cream and cream, and chocolate coated licorice and turkish delight and hundreds and thousands and 14 cherries on top??
please
:)
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