OIWF Day 2

Best surprise talent: Steven Galloway.
Best Read: Damon Galgut.
Best Lisp: Frances Itani (just kidden')
Best Beer: Steam Whistle
Best Seat: Somewhere near the front.
Where I sat: back of the room against wall near an old deaf man with his poor wife. At first I thought it was cute. But he kept whispering loudly in that way, you know, when a deaf person can't hear himself so he whispers at the top of his lungs thinking no one else but his wife can hear him. The hour went something like this...

Announcer: "I would like to welcome Alberto Manguel..."

Alberto Manguel: [says something brilliant I think]

Deaf old man to wife: Is it time to ask questions?

Wife to old deaf husband: Shhhhh!

Deaf old man to wife: What did he say? Alberto never read any books?! What did he say?

Wife to old deaf husband: Shhhhh! Everybody can hear you!

Deaf old man to wife: It is time to go? I want to go now. Why are they laughing? I want to go now.

Wife to old deaf husband: Shhhh! It's not over yet.