This is Alpha, the first-born, when he was 2YO.
This is Beta, the second-born, when he was about 2YO.
This is Gamma, the third-born, when he was about 18MO.
Waiting for Acuff Man
Jun
6
2011
I don’t normally cause people to do double-takes.
But I surprised Jon Acuff in person and it was one of those moments that, if it had been in a movie, would have the needle-scratching-across-the-record sound effect.
Here’s what happened:
Chapter 1: Getting Ready
I found out about a week ago that Jon would be speaking at one of the nearby mega churches, so I sent Jon an email letting him know that I’d try to see him there. I’d have to skip my home church, since I can’t be in two places at once, but Jon rarely makes it out this way so this was my one chance to see him in person.
Lesson #1: If you have to contact Jon Acuff about something that’s time-sensitive, do not use email. He’ll get to it, eventually. If it’s urgent, use Twitter. Or text him.
Chapter 2: The Service
We got up extra early that Sunday, made it to the early service, and had a great time. If you ever get a chance to hear Jon speak, go do it. He is even better on stage than he is online. It’s one thing to read his writing about pop-n-lock, but it’s another level to see him try to do it.
I had thought, based on the church’s promo, that the service would be about Quitter, but Jon spoke about everything. If you’ve read his book or read much of his blog, then much of it will be familiar (but still funny).
Jon, in case you’re wondering, I laughed the loudest at the Counting Crows reference near the end.
Chapter 3: Waiting in Line
After the service, Jon was signing books in one of the rooms. People were supposed to go buy a book or two and then have him sign it.
I just wanted to meet him. I didn’t care too much about having his autograph. We go back about a year – that’s when he published my first guest post. I would have been happy just shaking his hand and introducing myself.
My wife, however, insisted on buying a book (I chose the original SCL book) for him to sign. So that’s what we did, and it turned out well. We waited in line (with all 3 antsy boys too) and when it was our turn, we approached Jon Acuff.
Chapter 4: The Book Signing
We played it cool, of course, not revealing our secret identity until the right time. He made idle chat with Alpha (“You guys done with school yet?”) and then asked to whom he should sign the book.
I told him “Some Guy”.
He started writing – ‘S’ – and looked down to continue the name. Right at that time, it registered that he knew that name.
“Wait…” he looked right back up, with the record-scratch effect. I have no idea what I said next, but my wife and I conveyed the idea that I was the same Some Guy that occasionally sends him guests posts. He was very gracious, but we didn’t have much time to talk. You know how book signings are.
Chapter 5: Photo Op
I got my picture taken with Jon. He’s got that process down pretty well. As soon as he heard the word “picture”, he declared “side hug!” and put his arm around me. We got our picture, but I was holding Gamma at the time. I do not look so happy in the photo, because I’m worrying about the child who is trying to escape. Jon, naturally, is looking right at the camera and has a great smile. Maybe I’ll crop me out of the photo and post just his half.
Then we exited the book signing area and went back to our regularly-scheduled lives.
Conclusion
I can now say that I am as good a friend with Jon Acuff as he is with Donald Miller. We’re that tight (imagine crossed fingers here). And Gamma is too.
I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.
Romans 1:13
This little article thingy was written by Some Guy sometime around 6:57 am and has been carefully placed in the Current Events category.
June 6th, 2011 at 8:49 am
Awesome story! Glad you got to go and finally meet him.
June 6th, 2011 at 9:37 am
I love that picture. It completes your Internet persona, at least the one in my mind where you’re Internet’s version of Home Improvement’s Wilson.
June 6th, 2011 at 11:16 am
Ricky wins the comments.
Also, for anybody reading this post: because I witnessed this moment in person, I can attest to the hilarity of Jon’s double-take. It was amazing. I actually LOL’d.
Oh, and I can attest to the hilarity of the Counting Crows reference, too. Definitely the best line.
June 6th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
Ricky won the comments? I didn’t know it was a competition! Was there prize money involved?
June 6th, 2011 at 9:18 pm
The prize is different for each post. For this post, the prize was Ricky’s next paycheck. Congratulations, Ricky!
June 7th, 2011 at 6:45 pm
Thanks. I’m glad I won.
I would have hated to give up that prize to someone else.
No offense, Phoebe.
June 8th, 2011 at 7:27 pm
I think the best part of my day Sunday was watching everything unfold since I was behind you in line to meet Jon! I was surprised at how nonchalant you were about your identity until he asked who to make the autograph out to. That was priceless! I saw him do the second service and he didn’t make a Counting Crows reference! I was waiting for it since a friend of mine mentioned something about the Crows from the first service. The Crows are my favorite band so I was a little bummed he skipped that part. Do you recall the reference?
June 9th, 2011 at 11:55 am
My guess is that Jon is not a Crows fan, so maybe it’s a good thing he skipped it in your service.
It was in reference to the bowl of mixed mustard and ice cream. He called it, and I’m paraphrasing here, “depressing mush, like a bowl of Counting Crows songs”.