8.01.2005

Picture perfect

I just got the new Nick Hornby book, A Long Way Down, from the library. I'm a huge Nick Hornby fan and this book seems like it will be o.k., too. What bothers me is what is on the back of the book.

I think I've read almost all Hornby's stuff but it never occurred to me that I hadn't seen a picture of him. I could have sat next to him on a plane or spilled a drink on him at bar and been none the wiser. My new book from the library, however, comes with a handy little color photo of the author right on the inside back cover.

WHOOAAA!

I didn't think he was a supermodel or anything but this photo of Hornby is nothing like I expected him to be. I just imagined more of a frustrated rock star look. This is more of a Moby look. I guess the biggest shock isn't how he looks but how different he looks than the image I had in my head.

This always happens to me at job interviews, too. You know, you talk to someone on the phone a few times then suddenly you're flying out for an official interview. When I first meet the mysterious phone person I always have to make sure I have a neutral expression on my face. They NEVER look the way I imagine and I don't want to look too shocked. Maybe I'm just bad at this but I'm guessing that I'm not the only one. At least I hope so.

4 comments:

Trevor Record said...

I work with a guy that looks just like that!

Kelly said...

I always imagine Nick Hornby as looking like one of those record-store guys with the thick black emo glasses. That, or John Cusack.

What a shock to discover he actually resembles that guy who comes to karaoke and sings (sometimes raps) lyrics of his own invention.

Anonymous said...

I don't have anything to add about Nick Horny. But I bought the new Michael Penn album from iTunes when it was released yesterday, and it's really good, dude. A lot better than the last one.

Eileen said...

I got an mp3 of "Walter Reed" off Music For Robots and I've been listening to it all week. I guess I'll have to pick up the album, too.