Quarantine Photo Scavenger Hunt - Day 3

[dizzojay]

A Favourite book

yourself (disguised enough that you're comfortable sharing the photo)	your favorite book (we won't tell any of the others you picked a favorite)	merchandise from a fandom (pick your definition of fandom--sports 100% qualify)	your exercise equipment	the view out a window
something alive	a meal	a letter/postcard from someone (feel free to redact)	something that keeps you sane	your computer
a useful tool	memorabilia from an event outside	wild card	a game you've been playing	a musical instrument
something someone made for you	a gift you're planning to give	an outfit you've worn recently (with or without you inside it)	something that makes you smile	the kitchen sink
something unexpected	something funny	a bad habit	a good habit	something you're proud of

I've done many memes here over the years, and have said over and over that my favourite books include Watership Down and Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy. So I'm not going to repeat myself here.

Instead of picking a favourite book for it's story, I'm going to pick a book that is just very, very special to me for the story behind it.

In 1979, when I was 11 years old, I was obsessed - and I mean obsesssed - with Sir David Attenborough's series, Life on Earth.  It was the first of his big epic nature series, and no-one had seen anything on that scale before.

So, just before Christmas that year, my Mum and Dad took me to a big bookshop in London and bought me the companion book fo that series, and as Sir David was doing a book signing that day, we went and got it signed by the great man himself.

Because I was this little pebble-eyed 11-year-old, who was apparently suddenly incapable of speech, my Dad explained to him that I was crazy about the series and that I loved drawing animals.

Sir David was delightful.  He asked my name - I did manage to remember that, thankfully - and then he said how pleased he was that I liked his show, and how important it was for young people like me to be interested in nature.

I distinctly remember that, apart from my name, the only words I managed to utter coherently were 'thank you'!

It was only, maybe, one minute, but it's stuck with me ever since and always will.





And that is why, although I may not pick this book up from one year to the next, it will always be so special to me.

Comments

[kiramaru7.livejournal.com]

That's sooo awesome!! :D

We can watch his nature shows over here on BBC America & I always sit & watch whenever they're on. My birds seem to like them too, especially when the show's about birds. :D

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

He makes amazing shows, I have a lot of them on DVD. His voice is so authoritarian and calming - I could listen to him read a shopping list!

[kiramaru7.livejournal.com]

Yup!! He's a national, if not global, treasure! Awesomeness!! I know, right? He can make the most boring thing in the universe sound interesting & fascinating! :D

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

I want to put hearts all around this post! ♥

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Thank you :D
I will never be shy about my love for Sir David Attenborough. He is a true hero of mine!

[jj1564.livejournal.com]

I have that book too, I loved the show and I would have been the same as you at meeting the Legend! What a wonderful experience, I'm sure meeting him made you love nature - and books - even more!

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Oh definitely. I always loved animals, but after seeing his shows, I loved them even more!

[metallidean-grl.livejournal.com]

What a lovely encounter. I like his signature, he basically doesn't spell out the boroug of his name. :)

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

No, it's a very economical signature. He was delightful, and not at all intimidating. I'd love to meet him as an adult and actually have a conversation with him!