Meeting Neil Strauss

So last night I went to the book signing for Neil Strauss' (aka Style, author of The Game) new book, EMERGENCY: This Book Will Save Your Life. OH MY GOSH I HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME!!!!!!!!!!

My husband predicted that I would be the only female there, and he was right--though a handful of other women did show up later.

As fate would have it, I ended up sitting next to Cuisine from Venusian Arts--the only day game coach in the company. He was amazing. Very chatty, and definitely in his element--he found out about me and the website and he made it his business to introduce me to a bunch of guys that he thought I might want to talk to or that might want to talk to me. It was awesome!

Almost all of the guys there were from the community, which wasn't surprising. I was curious about how Neil was going to tie in PUA to his new book, because they didn't seem related at all. Having a current list of people who like you and buy your stuff is one of the keys to business success, but I had read excerpts on Tim Ferriss' blog, and I just couldn't see the connection.

But when Neil arrived, he cleared that up immediately. "Basically, there's school, and there's life," he said, "Both The Game and Emergency are about stuff you don't learn in school." He said that both of his books were about stuff he wanted to learn about for him personally and that he just got so into it and learned so much that he had to write a book about it.

When it came time for questions, he said he would answer things about any of his books, so naturally there were some PUA questions. But there were also questions about his adventures with Marilyn Manson and Mötley Crüe. I wanted to know about his next project (hoping he would say that he didn't have one, so I could suggest... :o).

I said, "You struck me as..."

To which he interrupted, "I STRUCK you?"

Everyone laughed as I tried to think of something witty to say. Unfortunately, my brain froze, so I just continued, "You seem to be someone who likes to solve problems--what's the next problem you're going to solve?"

He said, "Life balance." And then he went on to talk about how crazy his life is and how he really needs to slow down, but he doesn't think that's going to happen any time soon.

Too funny, since that's my primary business--as an author and life management consultant, that's what I do. But I couldn't tell him that, because I was there in disguise! Ha ha ha! :o)

After questions, we all got in line. I had bought the new book, so I had priority, but I was busy talking, so I ended up being almost last in the priority line.

It turned out great, though, because I spent a LOT of time talking with the guys in line--probably 10 of them. IT WAS SO REFRESHING to talk to people who speak my language! I have been so alone in this project for so long. Even when Solid was on board, I had to do much of the explaining because she just wasn't as into it as I am. But last night I got to be in a room full of men who were really learning and applying this stuff. And I got to talk to them! And ask them questions!

And because all these guys were really in the business of improving themselves and learning to have good social skills, be open and friendly, and tell stories--they were so fun to talk to and I HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME!!!!!!!

It was just awesome. I was on Cloud Nine and still am. Now the question is how can I recreate that? I can't go to a bootcamp--I think a 40 year old woman would stick out. I can't hang out with them in bars--they will be busy gaming. Perhaps it was just a once in a lifetime bubble of opportunity. Sigh...

Well, the good news is that l used my gaming skills to get Cuisine's contact info. And I also met a guy who works in marketing that would be fun to talk to. I got his contact info, too.

So, we'll see. For now I'll just have to go back to sarging on my own, reading what I can, field testing, and trying to apply these skills to my business.

Oh! I guess I forgot to write about actually meeting Neil!

So I had been racking my brain about what to wear or do to get his attention. I wanted him to remember me, so I had to peacock--do something unusual. I thought about various things--wearing something on my head, wearing long gloves, putting a temporary tattoo on my neck or chest. I even thought about noseraping him when I got up to the table (that would have earned his respect!).

What I ultimately decided was to wear big button with PUMA and my avatar on it. That was a great idea because many of the guys asked me about it or mentioned it after I told them my name. (It also helped that I had some cleavage right next to the button ;o)

When I got up to see Neil, he said, "Let me guess--you're PUMA."

I said "Wow, how did you know, are you (brain freeze while he and his girlfriend stared at me) psychic?"

They said, "Um, no, it's on your shirt." Duh. Did they think I didn't know?

Anyway, as he was writing in my book (I bought Emergency, but I really wanted him to sign my Rules of the Game book, which he did--"To PUMA--On behalf of all men, I apologize... Neil Strauss."), I asked him if Sneak had told him I was coming.

I could tell that hooked him a little and he said, "No, how do you know Sneak?" And then he added (more guarded), "Or, did you just email him?"

I said I had emailed him, because I thought you would be interested in my website. He asked me what it was and I told him (selling "in the style of Mystery, Style, and Ross Jeffries"!), and we chatted a little bit about similarities and borrowed terms.

In another effort to help him remember me, I had also brought a big chocolate bar, which I wrapped in a paper that said, "Chocolate for You, Compliments of PUMA -- www.SexAndSelling.com" I gave it to him and he said, "That's a great idea [referring to the chocolate]. I am definitely going to visit your website." Woo hoo!!!!

BTW, I also handwrote on the back, "Neil/Style--Thanks for inspiring me! Call me sometime: (my number)" And I tucked a card in under the wrapper. Bold!

Anyway, that's the scoop. It was fantastic. I am excited. Life rocks!!!!!!!!! :o)