Hey, ya'll!!!
Well, I made it home in one piece – no worse for the wear!
Let me just start by saying it was my greatest pleasure to meet some truly wonderful women! Shamba, my home state girl – it was awesome to see you again!
Lil, what a pleasure to meet you face to face! You give terrific hugs! And the new ‘do, suits you perfectly!
Shoshana – I can only describe her as a ball of energy with cameras! I also met Lady Maigry – wonderfully talented, and Jamie (did I get this name right?) and Rov and Heather (who live about 2 minutes from my house!) and their friend (whose name escapes me, and she seemed to be a lovely, but quiet young woman) and AresWriter – who is just a hoot! I would have loved talking to you more – even without the NZ pics….
BTW, I was impressed with those of you who take your photography so seriously – because those of US who can barely point-and-shoot are immensely grateful for your work! Thank you for the time – we really appreciate your efforts and the marvelous results!
Anyhow, I only went up for Saturday with my 14-year old son, so here is my report. (I believe Lil has taken pages and pages of notes for an official report, I’m sure.)
We arrived at the Ramada around 9:00, but I got a little paranoid about being able to find parking downtown close to the Civic Center because there was some charity walk or something going on, and a Mexican fiesta setting up. I decided to park first, make sure I knew where the Con was and then see if I could find my Forum Friends. So, we parked and found the location of the Con, but before we could seek out the Forumers, we had to eat – that’s all 14-year old boys care about, apparently. We stopped in at Einsten’s Bagels in the Hyatt and as the young cashier was making my son’s bagel she was giggling with the other young worker. I asked the girls what they up to and she explained that they were “checking out” the hockey players eating outside. (Yes, there is actually hockey in AZ!) I looked out, and sure enough there were some “swoon-worthy” young gentlemen athlete-types out there! She said whenever the hockey teams come to play, they stay at the Hyatt and she and her co-worker like to admire the view! LOL
After eating we wandered around downtown and we ended up back at the Ramada – so off we went to see if anyone was there….. well, we walked into the smallish lobby – no one. I turned the corner and to peek into the restaurant – only to meet Shamba on her way out! She surprised me with a big hug and proceeded to introduce me to the others at the table. (I’ll let Lil give you the details – but really, it was typical Amazon fun!!! Such funny ladies – oh, and let’s not forget the testosterone at the table!)
Anyway, as for finally getting to see/meet Kevin….what can I say??? I could not be any less madly in love with the man!!! This goes waaaaay beyond his gorgeous exterior. I was expecting him to be funny and charming – from having read what others wrote about him, but, I was NOT expecting what I saw – the boyish charm, the sweet self-effacing manner in which he spoke, his generosity to his fans. . . I could just go on and on. . . and I suppose I shall!
And, can I say that my son was also very taken with him! Even though all the women were swooning over one of the sexiest creatures to come from down under, my son definitely identified with the "manly” side of Kevin as well – and thought he was really cool.
I believe at some point (right about the time I lost my mind) that I decided to ask him a question. I told my son what I was going to do and he wanted to know what question I was going to ask - I told him I didn’t know, but would figure it out once I got up there. I think I asked something about what genre of performance he would like to do that he hasn’t yet – but I don’t think he understood me at first (I felt like I was rambling and I can’t now remember exactly what I said! LOL). Anyway, he did go on about doing a western and how great that would be and that he had gotten to do something like that in OZ. Again, I was just looking without hearing! (wonder why? LOL)
Finally, we got in line for the autographs. And first my son had Kevin sign his N64 Xena video game and he told Kevin that Ares is his favorite character to fight with. Kevin seemed really impressed and explained that they don’t have the system in NZ. “I’m in a game. That’s really great” or something to that effect. I was busy taking photos of this exchange and of Adrienne Wilkenson – who my son decided was really beautiful, so he got her autograph too. When it came time for Kevin to sign my photo, he said something about having a good day, but I wasn’t listening (hmmm, wonder why) and I said “huh?”. He said, “Oh, sorry, it’s the accent.” And then he repeated what he said. I told him, (rather sheepishly) “It’s not the accent, I was just not listening.” Actually, I was not expecting him to talk to me at all – but he is so gracious! I think it caught me off guard.
sigh
That's it! That’s my report! We had to drive home from there (but of course, not before stopping at a burger place off the freeway on the way). My son is impressed with Kevin, and I’m more than drooling – I’m really impressed too! I really hope I get to meet him again. . . when I'm not so dumbstruck!
mallenia
spending the day recuperating!
