John Hodgman, humorist, correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and author of Areas of My Expertise, gave a talk at Powell's Books in Portland. His friend and accompanist, Jonathan Coulton was there.

Marty, Laurie, Fishy, Corvi, and I rented a minivan and took a road trip down there. Certain members of our group, myself included, are fans of both Coulton and The Daily Show.

Here we see the pair waiting to be introduced.

They've got a very cute podium there at Powell's.

Hodgman and Coulton have a very entertaining shtick worked up for these appearances, with Coulton offering musical accompaniment and songs to assist Hodgman. It works quite well.

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The audience was respectable for a midweek Powell's book talk.

Hodgman gestures to the audience as part of reciting a funny pledge.

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One of the gags was that they did the question-and-answer section with walkie talkies, with Coulton deliberately holding one up to the microphone to create feedback.

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Hodgman recites a poem from his book, with Coulton providing background music.

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Coulton plays his song Skullcrusher Mountain. Sorry he's mostly obscured by the podium. Marty, next time, let's jockey for better seats, eh?

During the signing session afterwards, Coulton examines Marty's half-pony, half-monkey stuffed monster, inspired by Skullcrusher Mountain.

Marty and Jonathan talking during the signing session. Marty is such a fanboy.

Afterwards, on the way back to the car, Laurie examines a piece of Cthulu-inspired graffiti that we stumbled upon.

Only in Portland.