///Robot Riley///

October 15th, 2009.

I’m laying in bed in my apartment, and it’s raining. Everything I can see out of my window looks cold and mean. I’ll be staying in today.

It’s a slow day up until around 4:00, when Zina, one of my best friends in the world, sends me this tiny picture over the phone:

With the message, “Union Sq. B and N.”

Okay, now I start getting excited. At this point, I had known for a couple of days that the RZA was doing a book signing at a Barnes and Nobel in New York. But I was lead to believe that it was at a store somewhere too far uptown for it to be worth it. (Stupid logic!) But since it’s RIGHT THERE in Union Square, I tie up my winter boots, throw on my jacket, and stuff my Wu-Tang manual in my backpack.

BUT THEN!!

I get a phone call. I check the caller I.D., and I see that it’s the UCB offices. I panic for a second. Are they calling me back to tell me that after my triumphant sprint through Park Slope to reach a computer to claim an open spot in my next improv class, after figuring out the problem with the registry on the site over the phone, after all that mess, something isn’t working?

NO.

It’s Erik Tanouye, Director of Student Affairs at UCB, and organizer of the Lottery Show at UCB. I’ve been picked for the lottery! I’ve seen the show a handfull of times, and I’ve hoped and wished for weeks that I’d be lucky enough to do it. And I am! I’m performing at UCB THIS TUESDAY at 11:00. PLEASE be there! Click Here.

OKAY. So I flip out because a dream of mine has come true. I really flip out. I’m sitting on the edge of my bed yelling and laughing and just acting like a maniac. I felt like I won the lottery. I did, kinda.

I get on the train and make it to Union Square in pretty good time. I get to Barnes and Nobel and there are still seats available! Nice!

We wait a while, and RZA comes out and speaks. He’s great. I’m going crazy the whole time. I’ve seen celebrities in New York, okay? I don’t freak out easily. Four weeks ago I met Fabrizio Moretti of the Strokes and Little Joy. This was a huge deal for me. I played it really cool. I just told him that his music meant a lot to me, and to keep up the great work. We shook hands and had a quick chat, and then I was gone. I freaked out about how cool that was after I walked away, but it wasn’t like I ran up to the guy in tears with a sharpie in my hand. I played it cool.

But here, I’m going crazy the whole time. This is The RZA. This is a huge deal on another level. He’s the mastermind of an empire. It’s the Abbot! If you’ve hung out with me, you know I’m a Wu-fanatic. I listen to them almost every day. So, no. I’m not really playing it cool.

After he’s done speaking and answering questions, everyone lines up with their books. Soon, I’m up there! At this point, I’ve gathered my thoughts and some composure, so I can talk to the guy. I’m standing next to him, and I tell him that exactly one year ago today, I moved to New York with a suitcase full of clothes, my computer, and the Wu-Tang Manual I hold in my hands. He loved it! He signs it!

DO YOU SEE THAT? This happened! He shook my hand and we took this picture. I was watching him when everyone else went up to get their books signed. He would sign the book, and for the photo, he would do a standard hip-hop point to the camera. But for me, he threw up the W. I didn’t see anybody else get the W! My life! MY LIFE! TRIUMPH.

I felt the adrenaline from this moment for hours. I don’t think I can ever get star struck again.

I ended my one year anniversary, this amazing Thursday, the way I like to end all Thursdays. I went to UCB to see Cagematch. It was a good one. I saw many friends there. Life is grand.

Year One complete.

One of the Greatest Days of Riley’s Life.