in which we combine wil wheaton, books, and beer. (mmmm … beer.)

Last year, I went to the Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens for an event they call Book and a Beer. It's pretty much what it sounds like: I read from my book while people drank beer. Then I signed my books while I drank beer. Then I ate dinner and had some more beer. Then we drove around looking for another seafood restaurant. Then we went fishing.

I had a lot of fun, filled a lot of growlers with Arrogant Bastard, Double dry-hopped IPA, Barleywine, and some other stuff I'm told I really enjoyed not sharing with the rest of the class a few days later. In fact, I had so much fun, I'm going back next week to do it all again … only this time, IT'S PERSONAL!

Wait. That's not what I was going to say. I mean, yes, it's personal, but that's not what's awesome about this time. What's awesome about this time is that I'm just the opening act for Rifftrax! They're doing The Matrix: The One That Really Sucks Out Loud And Makes You Want To Punch Babies. (No, not that one, the other one.) For the six of you who don't know: Rifftrax is a few of the guys from MST3K doing that thing they do so well, only this time they're doing it LIVE. I think it's safe to say that it'll be awesome.

I start at 6pm. I plan to read for either 20 or 40 minutes, depending on how many people show up, and what they're in the mood to hear me read. I'll be prepared with stuff from Happiest Days of Our Lives, and stuff from Memories of the Future. I'll also be prepared to stare into an empty space, wipe a single tear from my eye, and go drown my sorrows in beer. (That, by the way, is one of my default settings and is not specific to this event. It is a class feature, if you will.)

I plan to bring a few copies of some of my books with me, but due to bad planning, I'm very low on stock at the moment, and the string is all in three-inch lengths. However, if you come to the Bistro with your own copies of my books, I'll be happy to sign them for you. I will also sign …other things… within reason.

MY DETAILS! LET ME SHOW YOU THEM:

What: Wil Wheaton reads to you while you drink beer.
Why: Really?
When: Thursday July 23rd, 6pm-8pm.
Where: Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens
Address: 1999 Citricado Pkwy. Escondido, CA 92029

Pleasepleasepleaseplease come and hang out. It'll be a lot of fun, I promise. If you are coming, would you sort of RSVP in the comments?

119 thoughts on “in which we combine wil wheaton, books, and beer. (mmmm … beer.)”

  1. Damn, I really wish I wouldn’t have to fly halfway around the planet to attend, I’d really love to be there!
    Oh well, just let me know when you’re having a reading in Germany. We do have good beer but it’d certainly be more fun to drink it while you read.

  2. *grin* Would they allow a Dr Pepper drinker in there? I would love to hear you read! Sadly, I live in N.Arizona :O( Great that you have this to attend to though. Have fun! It’d be great if someone video’d you so those that can’t be there could see you? lol, hmmm beer, uh, scratch that thought! Be safe. Thanks for the update!

  3. Although I do not drink Wil, my son does. I will try to come on down with him. Business is pretty good right now but I think I can get away for a half day. Maybe take in the Wild Animal Park for a few hours and then head on over. As it is 2:30 in the morning, I cannot wake Robert to ask him but I will let you know. Will try to get back to sleep. Bill Mann

  4. I am extremely disappointed by this shallow but fashionable bashing of the Matrix sequels.
    Just once the creators behind a sequel actually a deliver a film that is more complex than the original, and what does everyone do? What do the self-proclaimed geeks, supposedly so much more intelligent than your average dude, do? They crap all over it because it doesn’t fulfill their expectations of being a rehash of the original, because it questions the simpler ideas the original presented, and because instead of being a fun popcorn flick it’s a serious, adult piece of science fiction and philosophy.
    And then it becomes fashionable to hate this, and everyone starts going on about how much The Matrix Reloaded & Revolutions sucked, like tiny versions of George Bush laughing about numbers, glorying in their own stupidity. Yes, thinking is hard, we know. It’s so much easier to stand in line with the sheep and tell us over and over again that a film that deals in actual and difficult philosophical questions is so much worse than one than just throws the occasional quote at us.
    I keep hoping to see a little more insight from you, Wil. I’ve been following this blog from the very beginning, and always supported your work, and enjoyed what you wrote… so this kind of fashionable and anti-intellectual hating is a big disappointment, even though I realize you’ve expressed similar opinions before. Obviously you’re not required to the conform the wishes of your readers – and why should you – but from someone I’ve always considered intelligent, a more complex opinion would be appreciated.

  5. It’s called “The String Sketch.” Cleese plays Adrian Wapcaplet (of the firm Mousebat, Follicle, Goosecreature, Ampersand, Spong, Wapcaplet, Looseliver, Vendetta and Prang), and Michael Palin (I think) plays Mr. Simpson, the unfortunate beneficiary of a relative’s bequest of one-hundred twenty-two thousand miles of string… in three-inch lengths.
    http://tinyurl.com/lqplvd

  6. Totally unrelated but I was watching ‘Phineas and Ferb’ with the little one when this song came up. It’s called ‘Undead Mummy and Me.’ It totally reminded me of Rudy the Undead Hound from your DnD podcasts.


  8. I just hope Marge was your designated driver last time. I’d hate to think you’d drive around looking for another seafood restaurant after all those beers (or did you say deer?). Fishing whilst drunk, however, is expected.

  9. Hmm, I could supply another beard and I really want to try their new extra hoppy anniversary ale, but…
    Dr. Horrible’s Sing-a-Long Blog is at the same time.
    Standard Comic-Con problem: too many things going on at once.

  10. I’ll just happen to be in San Diego, for work. Totally coming to one of your events, at long last! Doesn’t help that I couldn’t get tickets to Comic Con 🙂

  14. Can you give an example of something someone brought for your autograph that was not “within reason”?
    Maybe my imagination is not working this morning but I’m having trouble picturing this.

  16. I’ll be there. Stone Brewing Co and a reading by you tops my list of places to be and things to see on a Thursday night.

  17. 30 minutes from downtown to Escondido for a 6pm start? Only for a very skilled but still crazed motorcyclist. Allot 60-75 minutes, traffic in several spots will conspire against you.
    (You might find an express bus that’ll get you to the Escondido Transit Center to catch a local over to Stone’s neighborhood, but returning downtown will be an Odyssey.)
    11th Avenue north, runs into
    CA-163 north, runs into
    I-15 north
    Exit Valley Parkway, turn left (southwest)
    Right on Auto Park Way (first light after interchange)
    Left on Citricado Parkway (if you reach the railroad tracks, you went too far)
    Stone’s on your right.

  18. If I held the start until 6:30, would it make a significant difference for people who are trying to avoid traffic?

  19. Reloaded provided setups that weren’t paid off in Revolutions, which instead provided a ridiculous and logically inconsistent ending.
    It was insulting to the audience’s intelligence, and they deserve all the wisecracks they get. See also: The Sopranos, “Made In America”.

  20. But but but if you don’t like them, it’s not because the movies were stupid piles of crap, it’s because you’re not smart enough.

  22. Ohhhhh boy. Break out the mustang for a 6 hour road trip from Phoenix? Does anyone know of a hotel close by that is within stumbling distance or perhaps a quick cab ride back from the event?(no driving after 2 beers!) Perhaps a place a bunch of folks that are going to the reading/movie are staying at? Any ideas or opinions from the fine folks that frequent this site?
    I think this might be an excellent reason to take a thurs/fri off work, drive out to California for the event, then head back to Phoenix to catch Wicked on saturday!

  24. I would so totally be there, were it not for the fact that I live near Detroit, approximately 2,291 miles away.
    Wil, I don’t suppose you plan on heading out this way any time soon? I know you did Penguicon in Novi, Michigan a few years back. I don’t know how big Penguicon is these days, but ConFusion or U-Con in Ann Arbor usually have a pretty good turnout, and Ann Arbor is mecca for geeks in the area.
    Plus, there is plenty of good beer in Michigan.

  25. congrats Chris, Wheaton, one milliwheaton: chris Hoke, one= score for spit takes that drench my computer. I so was not expecting that last bit.

  26. Holy crap this is awesome. Not only am I going to SDCC, but I’m staying with friends in Escondido that night!
    Consider this my RSVP.

  27. Wil-
    Very much looking forward to hearing you read, tipping a beer, and admiring your luxuriant beard. Just want to be clear, thought – The Stone Rifftrax is a screening of “Sucky Matrix” is a pre-recorded riff, not a live riff. Still, I’ll be there, Bastard in hand.
    Keep rocking my world, Whea-tone.
    -kwm

  28. Gotcha. I shall update the post accordingly.
    Also, I can’t wait to see you in person and totally geek out at you in a way that makes us both incredibly uncomfortable but is amusing to anyone who happens to be nearby.

  30. You really do hate the East Coast, don’t you Wil? Admit it, you don’t wanna come around here and read to us lowly East Coasters while pounding back a few brews.:P
    Well, considering how awesome we are over here on the opposite side of the country from you, I’ll figure out some way of organizing the East Coast Monkeys into a riot and you won’t have a choice in the matter! I’ll make sure that Yuengling is on tap for you. C’mon, man, just do it. Soon. We seriously feel neglected…

  31. Let’s do some math:
    Trip to San Diego: $34 and 2 hours on the train in glorious comfort, watching the ocean roll by.
    Trip to anywhere on the East Coast: A few hundred dollars, minimum, and at least a 5 hour flight, probably next to an infant who won’t shut the fuck up.
    It’s not looking good for East Coast, is all I’m saying…

  33. Pussy! Yeah, I said it, now what, Mr. Smartypants? Well, at least you’re honest about your hatred for the East Coast. If you think my crazy ass is crazy enough to travel all the way out to California to see you, you’re out of your flipping mind! But hey, I’m not the celebrity actor/author/blogger/gamer guy, I’m just some annoying chick in Philly. California won’t hold it against me…the jury’s out on you, though 😛

  34. I love the East Coast. It’s the getting there that I hate.
    Now don’t make me get all Dad Voice™ on you.

  35. It’s cool, Dad Voice™ me all you want. I got my vaccination that makes me immune to its effect a while back, I thought you were aware of this already. Well, I guess you are now, punk! You think I’m scared of you? You won’t even show your face around on my Coast. Not cool, man. So. Not. Cool.

  36. Holy crap! You’re mean, Wil! Damn…you’ve gotten me a few times with a quick witted STFU here and there, but stating that a person is not smart enough to appreciate something? DAMN! Don’t you have a set of brass balls on you today…Wow. Just Wow.
    Dude, bend over. Let me pull out that stick for ya.

  38. That’s not what I said, though. The point is that the movie wasn’t given a chance to be understood, because it became fashionable to bash it. I completely misunderstood The Matrix Revolutions the first time around, and thought it was rather mediocre. I actually had the exact same reaction as jlindquist. Then I gave it some thought and realized that I was focusing on the wrong things, that I was reading it in the wrong terms. When the actual themes became clearer to me – and those are set up and paid off perfectly – then I realized that both movies are absolutely masterful.
    Isn’t that what being a geek is supposed to be about? Digging a little deeper, thinking a little more? It’s not about being intelligent or stupid, it’s about being presented with something complex and trying to understand it.

  39. All the local kids are parking at a trolley stop in Mission Valley then hopping on the trolley to the convention center. No insane parking negotiations or attempting to drive in downtown.
    I’m sacrificing Dr. Horrible for a fine night of beer and performance. Besides, the DHSAB is scheduled for a laughably small room given its popularity. Ah, the joys of being local.

  40. Ah Hell, we’ll have fun!  –As long as you don’t cry, or faint, or get all clammy, or throw up on me; then I’d have to slap you with my puppet hand.  

    Also I’ll extend an open invitation to our panel on Friday night – I think it’s 7:15.  Fully understand if you can’t – you’re a busy man.
    -kwm

  42. I will be there! My first Wil Wheaton reading. I’m so excited. I hope I can make it in time, I work til 4PM in downtown L.A. I hope I am rewarded with a signed book for that traffic! YAY!

  44. Blargh you, Mr. Wheaton, SIR!!!!
    Here I COULD have scheduled a left-coast business trip a week later had I known that sweet, sweet Willie Wheaton would be juxtaposed with sweet, sweet beer.
    Sadly, however, I seem to be the slow kid that nobody picks for kickball–and that nobody tells about this awesome event of awesomeness.
    Bleh.
    Now I need a hug.
    Dr. JSc

  45. I still say a beer tour of North America stopping in Toronto is a must!!! Better do it soon before winter kicks in, you have about 3 weeks!! hahahaha
    Come read to us in Toronto Wil, PLEEEEEEESE!!!!!

  46. My boyfriend and I (@mustbekel and @boltsfan72) are going to do our best to make it, Wil. We weren’t able to go to “book and a beer” last year, so really want to be there for this one.
    Never been to Stone’s before..anyone know if we need to call and let them know we’re going? Not sure of the protocol for that place.

  47. WOOHOOO…I will be there…all the way from Riverhead, Long Island, NY
    3000 miles of driving fun, save me a seat. please…
    might I treat you to a beer???

  48. I just tried calling, the girl at the front desk says you need tickets (from the site, which I could not find), the second person says its usually outside and open seating..get there early.

  49. Wil –
    I will definitely be there, I know, you’re crazy excited to hear that, I get it.
    I have my book ready to be signed by the king of geeks. 🙂
    And of course, Stone brews. Which is the real reason I am coming. Just kidding. Sort of.
    Stephen

  50. Well since I’ve been waiting since I was 14 for you to come over to the UK for an event (I’m 31 now!) this sounds like it might have to be done…
    Can anyone tell me how on earth to get to the Bistro from the Convention Centre proper please? Is the tram likely to be easier to get around on to avoid the traffic?
    Also a soup made of beer and cheese? I bloody love America. 😀
    See you there 🙂

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“The library is a safe place.”

In order to survive, I disassociated for much of my childhood, but I clearly remember the books. That's where I found comfort, companionship, inspiration and validation. It's where the imagination that powers everything I do creatively in my life today was born. And it all started in that library, with that librarian. She was one of the first people I can remember asking me, "What do you like? What's important to you? What do you want to know more about? How can I help you find it?"

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