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Post by PokerKitten on Sept 2, 2008 11:12:27 GMT
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Post by PokerKitten on Sept 2, 2008 13:32:46 GMT
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Post by wrigglerosie on Sept 2, 2008 18:38:42 GMT
I'm back!! Phew - got in about an hour ago - feeling a bit weird and lightheaded, most of which is jet lag and lack of sleep but I feel some Post James Blues setting in too... So to cure that, I better get on with writing my report and downloading ALL the pictures! Lots to look forward too. I did start my report on the way home (and yes, Gareth was on my flight but I didnt actually see him until baggage claim at Heathrow this morning!) - but so far Ive only written Thursday - havnt even got to James yet... ;D I need to show you all my pics with James too - been showing other people, but non James fans just dont really get it - they dont appreciate the gorgeousness that is him - I need serious squeeage from fellow fans like you lovely people!! Eat first and then I'll have something to post I hope - either pics or report - no work tomorrow so can get on with even more of it! I have had THE BEST weekend EVER!! I luvs him so much
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Post by Pluto7077 on Sept 2, 2008 18:56:39 GMT
Welcome home Rosie Looking forward to reading, ogling and lusting
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Post by nightnurse on Sept 2, 2008 19:39:55 GMT
Welcome home Rosie
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Post by Teebee on Sept 2, 2008 20:33:31 GMT
;D ;D Welcome home Rosie luv
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Post by wrigglerosie on Sept 2, 2008 20:55:20 GMT
OK - Im STILL downloading photos - havnt got to Smallville panel yet!! I did take over 700 pics during James solo Q and A and a LOT of them are GOOD! I'm getting better at this photography lark (perfect subject!) Some good ones from the party too an the TW panel. I also videod when I was talking to James for autographs so I can remember what he said - I will write so I know exactly what was said about the silly rumour that he wouldnt come to England again after MK and various other bits. (I'm also watching Smallville at the same time - repeat of last weeks with BRAINIAC!!! - woohoo - evil James - complete with smirk and head tilt - and I was cuddling him yesterday!! Squeee!! ) Right, back to the downloading. Then I have to upload them to photobucket... will get there !
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Post by debw on Sept 2, 2008 20:59:49 GMT
Welcome home Rosie ;D
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Post by PokerKitten on Sept 2, 2008 23:10:56 GMT
Oh lord Rosie, I hope you don't have to get back to work anytime soon I know I linked to MTS a while back in this thread but there's stuff you really wouldn't want to miss HERE ;D You'll know it when you see it, I'm sure ;D Also, some James stuff in holdouttrout's con report and in christinue's
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Post by wrigglerosie on Sept 3, 2008 0:09:27 GMT
Rosie goes to see James at Dragon*Con – Atlanta, Georgia – 29th August- 1st September 2008
Thursday
I have been really looking forward to this – not just after the disappointment of Fangoria. And I have to say it proved to be a AWESOME (to use a James expression!) weekend – everything just fell into place and I couldn’t have asked for more.
Everything went so well right from the start. I left home at 6am to drive to Jenny’s house (she lives 10 mins from Heathrow so I leave my car with her) and made it to Staines faster than I ever have – 1 ½ hours – absolutely no traffic problems. Had breakfast in Tescos before texting Jenny to see to see if she was up yet. Had a cup of tea and then walked to work wit Jenny and back to the house again to kill time before the taxi arrived at 10am he was early and it was the same guy who took me to the airport for Grand Slam in April! Had no problems getting to Heathrow – walked straight into the terminal straight to Delta desk where there was no queue and so checked in with no delays. I then had to kill time before the flight which was fairly easy – and then things got better! I was waiting at the gate for the flight to board, just looking around, when I saw a familiar face and had to do a double take. It was Gareth David Lloyd aka Ianto from Torchwood! Realised he was probably on my flight - and yup, he was he came over to the desk and then wandered off again to the shop…So I went into Fan Stalker mode and was watching carefully to see when he came back so I could time it right and get a picture on my phone. Thought he would be in First or Business class, but no – he was in cattle class like the rest of us mortals! I timed it just right, joined the queue for boarding and Gareth joined right behind me. So I said “Gareth” and said how cool it was to meet him and everyone would be jealous (no acting cool fan girl stuff for me!) asked if it was Ok to take a picture which he said yes to – so have a pic on my phone of him looking very cute with a bit of beard growth and wearing cut off combats and T shirt. He asked me if I was going to D*C and I said, yes I was a James fan but it was great to see him too. Left him alone after that – he was right at the front and I was right at the back of the plane. Flight was only about half full so there was loads of space to spread out – I was texting people before we took off saying “GDL is on my flight!!”
Flight passed as they do (8 and a half hours!) but I was having major Squee attacks – every time I went to the loo I ended up doing a Squee dance “ I’m going to see JAMES!” (– I really hope they don’t have CCTV in the loos) and then we were in Atlanta.. whilst I was waiting to [pick up my bag from baggage claim – who is standing next to me? Yup – GDL. Was 20 minutes waiting and my case came first so I just grinned at Gareth and said “ Beat ya!”
But then at Atlanta airport they have this realty weird system where you go through security and then they take your bags again whilst you travel on he train through the concourses to the terminal and then collect your bags again. As I walked out to baggage claim this time I saw Lisa from JM Live. So guessed she was there to meet Gareth. We had to wait another half hour for the bags to come out, and Lisa recognised me so we were talking whilst we waited and she told me that D*C was a great Con, and we talked about the party tickets – she said people were stirring up panic, especially those who weren’t even coming! And it would be fine , there would be enough..! then my bag arrived (before Gareth’s again!) so I went off to the MARTA into Atlanta – very easy, all the way to Peach Tree Centre for $2.25.
Yes, it was warm and humid but not as bad as I thought. I was staying at the Sheraton and it was a easy walk from the station – only a couple of blocks (I didn’t see anything of Atlanta apart from the bit between the hotels, but it seemed very modern and felt very small!) Went in and joined the line for check in (by now it was about 8.15pm) and the guy in front turned round and it was Stephen Salchi – he was there to leave a message for me – the queue for the party tickets had started already.!
At this point – I confess! I did a deal with Steve, knowing that he was an old hand at this game – if he queued, I would pay for his ticket and mine. Because I so wanted to be at that party… Gave Steve the money and said I would be along later to visit them in the line!
Decided to go and register straight away so it was done – my God – the queue! Went all down one side of the Hyatt, all along the block and most of the way up the next side. But it was moving fairly fast. Soon got talking to people in the queue – had 2 girls next to me who were fun – major whiskey fans – had their hipflasks and had been for a Whiskey tour of Scotland and Ireland last year…!! They were fans of James and TW and Dr Who – so showed them pictures on my phone of me and James (and the Gareth one – the first of many times I had to show it over the weekend!)
Eventually, we got onto the main hall and round all the winding queue. You had to then join the queue for your name – and it seemed that the D-E-F queue wasn’t moving at all! The hall behind emptied and we were practically the only queue left. At this posit < I had been awake for 24 hours so was starting to lose it a bit. And when I finally got there – they could find no trace of me on the computer at all. So I had to join the Solutions queue – sp consequently I was the LAST person to register for the night. They couldn’t find me on the system anywhere – luckily I had my payment proof with me, so they put me on anyway – so phew! UI got my badge! – only took 2 and half hours – the first of many queues (and one of the longest)
Talking of queues, decided I would go and visit Steve so found my way to the Hilton and the merry band of hardcore fans that were already there. Becky (happy Meal ) was organising the queue by handing out numbers – Steve was number 6!!! So looked like I was going to be OK. Magie was there too - and Mary and Judith, who I hoped I would see – I guarded their stuff when they went to have a fag. Then Janet who I met at Grand slam turned up. And I met Jean (grey Sunrise from MTS) – so it was a proper party up there. There was some discussion on the logistics of queuing for the Q and As too whilst doing photo op. I was able to plead with Iona who was with Mary and Judith to save me a place in the queue too – I needed a queue buddy!
I stayed till half past 12 and there were 21 people I the queue then. I felt perfectly safe walking the one block at that time of night in a strange city. I finally was able to unpacking and eat my sandwich and then off to bed – finally! – whilst dancing and squeeing all the way…
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Post by DeeDee on Sept 3, 2008 9:09:02 GMT
Loving to report already Rosie (and you haven't even got to James yet ) ;D ;D
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Post by wrigglerosie on Sept 3, 2008 10:24:59 GMT
Ok - first pictures from DragonCon - and for our lovely PK - Ive done Gareth first this time!! ;D s16.photobucket.com/albums/b18/roseep/Gareth%20-%20DC/First ones are from the party - second ones (inc Anthony Lewis) are from TW panel on Saturday James still to come... (PK - you can put the link on any Gareth fan sites - I met so many fans at the weekend - mention I was the one who was on the same flight as him!)
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Post by Teebee on Sept 3, 2008 10:41:54 GMT
;D Great report Rosie and the pics of GDL are cool ;D ;D looking forward to the rest of your adventures
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Post by PokerKitten on Sept 3, 2008 11:31:00 GMT
Hubba hubba!
*groan* I'm supposed to be working but how can I with all those lovely pics distracting me?!
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Post by PokerKitten on Sept 3, 2008 13:14:20 GMT
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Post by wrigglerosie on Sept 3, 2008 14:16:54 GMT
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Post by DeeDee on Sept 3, 2008 16:41:21 GMT
Lovely photos Rosie ;D ;D
thanks for the links PK ;D ;D
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Post by Pluto7077 on Sept 3, 2008 17:24:14 GMT
I'm exhausted after reading about the travelling and queuing ;D
You certainly need stamina for conventions.
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Post by Teebee on Sept 3, 2008 18:56:46 GMT
;D ;D Great pics as always Rosie
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Post by wrigglerosie on Sept 3, 2008 22:07:53 GMT
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