Last year I wrote a Heckler article for the SMH about how Andrew Denton should replace Simon Crean as leader of the ALP (this was before Mark Latham got the job, obviating the need for Denton to step into that role).

Just before Christmas Denton did a book signing in the Canberra Centre, promoting his “Enough Rope” book, which is basically transcripts from the TV series. Naturally, being a Denton fan from way back, I went to the signing, got a book, and while I was there asked him to sign my copy of the article. He said that he’d read it, but of course I was very wrong and he’d never want to go into politics, but he appreciated the vote of confidence. He signed it “Sorry, but you’re wrong”

The other funny thing was that because I was having two copies of the book signed he gave me his extra sincere signature, writing in my copy – “this is an extra sincere signature” – quite ironic.

In other interesting signature stuff, Tegan procured for me a signed photo of Gough Whitlam. She wrote to him and asked for a signed photo and to set up a meeting. Unfortunately the meeting fell through, but at last we know that it’s possible and we could arrange it in the future. How cool!