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Post by PokerKitten on Sept 3, 2008 22:13:58 GMT
Mmmm
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Post by wrigglerosie on Sept 4, 2008 14:07:19 GMT
The next part of my report.......
Rosie Goes to see James at Dragon*Con 2008
FRIDAY
My body pinged me awake just 3 hours after I’d gone to sleep shouting “its 9.30 in the morning – wake up!” as it hadn’t quite got the message that it was actually 4.30 am. But then brain joined in with – “who needs sleep? It’s Dragon Con! I’m going to see JAMES today”. So I texted home and read stuff and had another squee and then spent ages deciding on what to wear to the party – even though I didn’t have a ticket yet!! Had breakfast in the hotel and then made my way over to the Hyatt where I met Patti and Iona starting the queue, which meant we were right at the front. Joined them sitting on the floor and we just chilled and chatted – got talking with Squirrel who is Steve’s roommate and found out all sorts of gossip. We all had a look at Patti’s James pictures. It was great fun, the best way to spend time in a queue – so much camaraderie between everyone – I loved it – James fans are so much fun!
We were counting down the time to 10.30 and crossing our fingers that the tickets would be ours. Then Becky appeared (having been number one in the queue) and so we were pretty sure we were all ok. So then it was time for me to go and do my first photo op with James.
Arrived upstairs at the Hilton and found Magie, who tried to frighten me by saying Stephen hadn’t managed to get a ticket, but it didn’t work cos I didn’t believe her – I knew I was ok! Sure enough – Steve found me and handed me the most important piece of paper of the weekend. Yay!! I was so happy – but I always knew I would get in. Don’t know how, but from the minute it was announced I just knew I would be there – had such a good feeling about it. Never doubted that (and also, on the day it was announced, I was on MTS so I used “Ask Brainiac” and asked – “Will I get a ticket for the party?” and Brainiac’s answer was “without a doubt!”)
Joined the queue and slipped my long sleeved black shirt on over my top – no fat elbows in my pictures – we could see James in the room – wearing a red Bayer Munich football shirt! - chatting to Gareth. I thought he was looking amazing – his hair has grown again after the buzz cut and he was looking lean and fit and bouncy! Froggy, the photographer is brilliant – he takes the most fantastic pictures – and he’s quick too, so the line moved fast. Lots of people in front of me were having just the one picture – but I was having 4… and then it was my turn. James turned towards me and he grinned and his voice went up as he said “Hi” as he recognised me! Yay – got a hug! And both of us were saying how good it was to see each other.
First picture is the classic arm round shoulders and the second the one where I get to cuddle James from behind with my chin on his shoulder. For the third – I pulled out the copy of Amy Sues kissy picture from Fangoria last year and said “you did this for my friend – would you do it for me?” and he laughed (God, I love his laugh!) and set about recreating it. Have to say my pic is nothing like Amy Sues – but its still AMAZING! Our noses are squished together and the look on my face. Talk about total and utter bliss! James looks kind of fierce but in a protective way – it’s just stunning!! It’s in slightly soft focus too. My nose was squished against James’s!! And he said, “that will be a good one – despite the squished noses” – and boy, was he right! The last shot is James with his arms around me from behind – they re all good pictures but the third one is stunning! I don’t remember a lot else – had a major James fog attack – but I did remember to thank him and shake hands though!
Made my way back to the Hyatt and found they had been let into the room and Iona was in the second row in the middle (front row was for disabled) and in the crush, she had ended up with one less seat than was needed. So we squished 5 of us into 4 chairs and it was very friendly! Then the steward said the front row was now open to all and there was one seat on the end of the front row (the set up was two aisles and this was on the centre lot of chairs) – the others told me to get in it – so I did. And it was fantastic! Cos the table was a long one for lots of guests it was set to the left of the stage, leaving the space on my side – so guess where James spent most of his time? Brilliant for taking pictures. Patti had found my pictures already done so brought them over for me – so I got my first look at the amazing one!
I’m not going into details about the q and A – its been documented elsewhere – but I’ll put in bits I remember. Needless to say, James was on top form – he never stayed still for 2 seconds hardly – he did sit down very briefly but then was off again - either perched on the table, sneaking along the front of it to lean or standing in the space right in front of me. I had a perfect view. I took 953 pictures in the hour – had the camera on continuous shooting for a lot of the time and have got some very good ones (was able to delete 200 straight away for just being a total blur – as James was on his best form, bouncing around like Tigger – yes, some of the stories I’ve heard before, but who cares? It’s James being funny and that's always great. Laughed to hear him twice go into Spikes voice – especially whilst he was explaining to someone why he didn’t do the Spike voice now… and he quoted Shakespeare again - Caliban in the Tempest. – It’s mesmerising when he does that. He did say he likes doing Cons as he used to love attending them himself. He loves all the dressing up and is a great believer in letting your freak flag fly!!
Talked about John Barrowman on the set of Torchwood and how he wasn’t sure of his behaviour to start with (John just being in character) and although he still wouldn’t tell us what he had said to embarrass John, he did say that he had seen his cock… (But then – who hasn’t – John is forever whipping it out apparently!) (And from James’ face, it was quite impressive!)
Also talked about being a father and how he has to try and be mature for his son, but he enjoys playing so much it wont be very long before his son over takes him in the maturity stakes… (James is such a kid –I love it!)
Apparently there will be an action figure of Piccolo, which James thinks will be so cool – his son is bored with Spike figures! There was a bit of talk about the Capt John figure – and I’m sure I remember a comment from James about what the mix of action figures would get up to… (Or I might have dreamt it – or it was wishful thinking!!!!)
The hour went so fast – James was on top form – so funny, so passionate and so at ease on stage. Lovely to hear him talk again – I don’t care if I’ve heard the stories before – I would happily just sit there and listen to James reading from the phone book….!
Went back to the hotel to drop things off (Patti had my pictures in her folder to keep them safe) and grabbed some lunch and then went to get my first autographs. Today I just had the two GOTR CD singles from Sara to be signed – then they will be auctioned for the Marfans Trust. Keeping my pictures to do each day, have to spread out the fun! The queue wasn’t too long - and I always meet interesting people in queues, people love to talk which is great. (Despite spending a huge amount of the weekend in queues – it was never a burden, there was so many people to talk to.)
So it’s my turn with James and he grins at me and says hello in that gorgeous voice and shakes my hand. Told him the CDs were from Sara and would be sold for Marfans Trust. He said “Wow – cant believe you have these – they are pretty old – and rare” and he said if anyone could explain to him what the cover was all about on “Its Nothing” he would be impressed. Apparently Charlie designed it and never did tell James what it was all about!
I gave him his belated birthday present – a guitar pick made out of an old silver quarter. James was fascinated – he said he’d not seen one before, but some bands played using coins as picks. I was a bit fogged again, so I think that was all that got said – must remember to take the little camera tomorrow and video it – even if only so I can hear what James is saying – makes it easier to remember like that! I did get a handshake and a lingering grin at the end again!
Oh – and I went and bought 3 more photo ops for Monday… oh… whoops?!! Well – why not? It’s my money - I earned it, and saved up for this – and it’s the best fun – and how can I turn down another chance to cuddle the most gorgeous man on earth?!!
Friday evening I went to a Red Dwarf panel with Robert Llewellyn – that was great fun – the Brit track director who was chairing the panels ended up crying with laughter most of the time – especially when Robert went into his Kryton voice. Nice to see the “Boys from the Dwarf” still have such a big following even after all this time.
I love all the geek and nerd stuff – everyone is so friendly, whichever show or thing they are into. Loved the costumes I was seeing – some are truly amazing and clever – the best ones I saw were the two Aliens from the Alien film – man, they were REALLY scary!
Found a bit of time to download a few pictures and get them on photobucket for people to see – and I photographed my party ticket too- just in case it gets taken off us tomorrow! I want to keep it as a memento!
I went down later to the middle performance of “The Buffy horror Picture Show” (even though I was feeling a bit peculiar with the lack of sleep – about 3 hours out of the last 45…) They showed Once More With Feeling on the big screen whilst they did a live action re-enactment on stage. Everyone was encouraged to sing along and there were lots of extra bits being shouted out. Mostly it was “shut up Dawn” and “tell him!” Bunnies were thrown into the audience during Anya’s bunny song (didn’t get one!) and every time Spike was on screen, everyone cheered, and booed Dawn. I loved it when she was kidnapped – everyone cheered and the next scene opens with her lying on the table and everyone shouted – “yay! – She’s dead!” and then “Boo!” when she got up!! It was brilliant – laughed and sang along and yelled with the rest of them. The stage crew were having a ball as well – much imaginative use of people as props!
Time for bed now – was glad to sleep – even though I had to have a fairly major squee over my pictures first!!
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Post by wrigglerosie on Sept 4, 2008 15:53:07 GMT
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Post by wrigglerosie on Sept 4, 2008 17:06:25 GMT
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Post by Teebee on Sept 4, 2008 18:09:45 GMT
;D ;D Thanks again Rosie your reports are so cool ;D ;D and all the wicked photos too ;D ;D
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Post by wrigglerosie on Sept 5, 2008 10:07:43 GMT
Thought you would like to see an email I got last night - I'm a bit famous! ;D ;D Hello,
You don't really know me, but I've seen you around at some of James's cons. I was at DragonCon this past weekend and attended the private party at Max's. I was slightly amused when I saw James wearing the same shirt the very next day, but not completely surprised. Our boy isn't exactly known for his fashion sense But I later found out that he wore the shirt for the photos at your suggestion. I was so excited to finally have a picture with such a nice shirt in it that I thought I should thank the person responsible. So, from me and just about every other girl I've talked to, thanks! He looks quite yummy in our photos ;-)
Iesha, a.k.a. Immortal Beloved
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Post by blackwhiterose on Sept 5, 2008 17:44:30 GMT
wrigglerosie: Thanks for posting the Steve Salchi's photo ops. They`re very funny, especially the last picture. I couldn`t stop laughing. ;D
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Post by nightnurse on Sept 6, 2008 0:24:55 GMT
Fab reports and pics rosie ;D Very interesting report at MTS of a convo Loweness had with James at the party... PK, you'll love it ;D Now, lets see if I can do the linky thing ;D HEREWoot! I did it ...finally ;D
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Post by PokerKitten on Sept 6, 2008 12:28:36 GMT
*waves pompoms* ;D Y'know, I've been seeing Obama as a bit Cameronesque, but I'm prepared to permit for the possibility that over here we just haven't had the coverage of his policy statements. At least, that's what I'm hoping
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Post by wrigglerosie on Sept 6, 2008 14:31:29 GMT
Yay! Got my Monday photo ops sent to me by Froggy!! Oh yeah! NOW I can post all of them for you to see (still need the group ones though) ;D ;D
Busy today and yesterday (though my social was very successful - 64 people, so the James fund is startng to build up again - if I save all winter then I should be able to go to the States again..) so tomorrow will be devoted to uploading pictures and writing reports - I've now got a photo edit programme so am having fun with my pictures - suddenly all the ones from Borderline look better cos now they are black and white! (no more Smurf James!)
So there will be more from me tomorrow... Im dragging it out to make it last for me - need something to look forward too!! ;D
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Post by Incogni2 on Sept 6, 2008 16:36:19 GMT
Thanks Rosie! Been lost this dreary 'Hanna' in your writings. Sounds like you had a most excellent time and look forward to more... ;D
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Post by purplepauline on Sept 6, 2008 20:47:27 GMT
thank you baby you did GOOD
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Post by wrigglerosie on Sept 7, 2008 10:09:38 GMT
Saturday night party pics are now up!! s16.photobucket.com/albums/b18/roseep/James%20-%20DC%20-%20Sat%20Party/They end up in a very strange order so you have the pics Ive been playing with first and then its kind of backwards. Cant be bothered to mess around putting them in order - theres just lots of lovely James, some Gareth and a little bit of Steve H too (and Patti!) Enjoy!
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Post by Pluto7077 on Sept 7, 2008 11:29:13 GMT
Thanks Rosie Love Steve's Tshirt
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Post by wrigglerosie on Sept 7, 2008 15:56:05 GMT
Rosie Goes to See James at DragonCon, Atlanta, Georgia 2008 SATURDAY I wasn’t awake quite so early today – but early enough though, so I went online (God bless wireless – meant I could stay in bed!) and texted and emailed people in between having massive squee attacks because of going to the party later!! After breakfast, went to join the queue for the TW panel in the Marriott (that is the most amazing hotel!) I was nice and early so was pretty near the front – sat with Patti and Becky and also met Myrlyn from JamesMarstersFans Yahoo group – we got on like a house on fire – great fun – she is such a sweetie! And then I met Linda (also from JMF) and she gave me a lovely gift of a James snow globe she had made! And I thought she was going to be pissed at me cos I was going to try and get her a party ticket – instead she bought me presents! Another complete sweetie – so nice to finally actually meet people I’ve been talking to online! As usual, queuing was no hardship – lots of people to talk to and lots of amazing costumes to look at. A whole group of girls turned up dressed up as Torchwood characters – so we had Capt Jack, Ianto, a very pregnant Gwen in wedding dress and Rhys mum in full ‘vampire’ mode!! Hilarious – we had a bit of Jack/Ianto cosplay going on as well – behind a plant and on the floor – and yes I have pictures!! Things went a bit wrong then – Patti and Myrlyn had gone to the loo when we were allowed into the hall. Becky and I were desperately trying to collect up all the bags (Patti would be carrying 3!) so I ended up with 2 handfuls and in the stampede for seats I kept dropping them and everyone was zooming past me. Somehow, I managed to get on one in from the aisle on the third row (still not quite sure how Patti ended up in the front!) But it was a good seat and James was going to be sat on my side and I had a great view – as the seat on the aisle was reserved for disabled (I cant get used to the way Americans call the disabled “handicapped” – so politically incorrect to us Brits!) I had no one sitting next to me so I could spread out a bit. Becky asked them to move the water jugs that were on the table to one side so they wouldn’t obscure the photos, which was great! On came the boys – James was wearing his lovely black striped shirt he wore for the PSILY premiere and looking gorgeous as ever – he was sat on my side, Gareth in the middle and Anthony on the other end. They did the first half of the panel with the boys being asked questions by the Brit track director. They had pleaded with us at the beginning to keep it clean and PG rated – pre watershed – though there was a bit of booing as TW is definitely post watershed – but anyway it didn’t last long once the interviewer asked them what their favourite swear words were…! The panel has been reported elsewhere, but I’ll put in some of my memories of it. They were asked about their music preferences and styles as they all play and sing in bands or alone. Asked their favourite colours (Gareth – black, James – green, which we knew – colour of the earth) and then it was favourite swear word. Interviewer said “ you are legitimately allowed to swear now” James likes “Fuck” best cos its nice and punchy and how can something that describes something so pleasurable be bad?? Also said he used “idiot” a lot. Gareth liked Fuck too, but said he was rather fond of “Fanny nuggets” – which had most of the Brits in the audience cracking up but I think went over the heads of a lot of people (fanny being much ruder in UK than in US) Anthony said he liked “Shite” which went off into a discussion about how Americans don’t say shite, though Anthony had had someone say it to him that morning. James said he had never heard an American say it and it sounded totally wrong! Gareth and James discussed their night out in Wales last year when James was over filming TW – James said he loved Newport which is Gareth’s hometown and Gareth said he must be “the only person who ever has” and then felt a bit guilty about dissing his home town “ But James Marsters – Spike from Buffy – loves it” Said it was a great night – they went to the local pub and ended up pissing against the wall of the Courthouse – a normal night out in Newport! James said he couldn’t get used to Gareth’s mates all calling each other names and constantly insulting each other and taking the piss– and thought he was going to be in a fight. Then he realised that’s how the British guys tend to communicate – in friendly insults! There was a lot of talk about John Barrowman and his various ways – Gareth complained that when they did the scene with them having sex, they put a load of make up shading on John’s body to give him defined six pack whilst he had none at all! And James was talking about the scene in KKBB when he was unloading all the weapons onto the tray – apparently in homage to Capt Jack in Dr Who when he pulled a gun when he was naked, James made out he pulled a gun from his arse – but they cut it! They didn’t cut the reaction of Capt Jack though – him holding the gun with the tips of his fingers and looking disgusted!! And the glorious reaction from Ianto to the orgy idea when he seems to think about it for a second was entirely Gareth’s idea…! They talked about the internet and their views on how to deal with all the stuff that appears about them – we know James thinks its poison to the soul – but Gareth was saying it can go the other way too – he was telling about seeing an alternative commentary on “Cyber Woman” which was just saying how shit Gareth was. He thought it was funny, but he said he could easily have been dragged down by it. There was another comment he saw somewhere about the biggest pair of tits seen on Torchwood were when Ianto and Owen were on screen… Asked about injuries when doing on screen fighting – James said its never the big fights that cause the trouble, it’s the little things – the big kiss/fight scene in KKBB – the stuntmen only got in about 3 times – he and John had a ball doing that – James dragging John through the line of glasses etc – and neither of them had a scratch on afterwards. Then later, when he was handcuffed to Eve and she had to pull him out of the TW car (which is apparently the most uncomfortable car EVER!) on one take, his foot got caught and he ended up going face down on the pavement and knocking a tooth out! Ouch! That’s most of what I can remember. James and Gareth together are so funny – wish they had been allowed to stand up talk – much more interaction - would have been really special. After that – I had lunch with Stephen and Squirrel (a cheeseburger sitting on the steps of the Marriott!) and then went back to the hotel to drop things off. I had thought about not bothering to get autographs with James today because it would be so crowded, but decided I would because after all, it’s more about getting to talk with James than the autographs. So I toddled off to the Hilton and joined the queue. I had 2 pictures for James to sign – one of me with James form Milton Keynes and a black and white one I took of James doing the mini gig at MK. Realised James WASN’T wearing the lovely black shirt now – he had changed into the black muscle shirt – not that I’m complaining about seeing his biceps (yum!) – but was a bit disappointed. I did video the conversation we had– only so I can remember what was said after or I can’t remember a thing through the James fog!! I said Hi again and straight away told him that the black and white picture was one I had taken at MK – James said oh yeah, he remembered – after he had had to really pick himself off the floor to do that gig. I just said yes, because I knew he wasn’t having a good time at MK but it was obviously a lot worse than we realised. But then he said – then I went off to London for all the auditions of Moonshot so it really picked up for him. Then I had to get him to sign the pic of us together at the bottom – signing across me! I said I look so happy in that picture He grinned at it and said I looked fabulous – I told him I was so happy that day! Told him about trying to make a Chocolate Jesus for him – James was laughing and asked if I had tried to carve it, said no, it was a mould and moulding chocolate does not work! I had to eat them - so I brought him some English lollipops instead!! I asked if he would sing Chocolate Jesus at the party and he said he only had half an hour, so he’d see – I said “ oh, go on!” cos I love it. Said I would see him at the photo ops in a bit and shook hands as usual with me grinning like an idiot, and I got the long lingering look – when James keeps looking at you as you leave – lovely! So I went out to queue for pictures and was fairly near the front. I loved doing pictures here as you can see all the pictures being done in front and it can be really fun! I kept going through my head, remembering what poses I wanted to ask for – still didn’t work that well – cos I forgot half of them again! Shook hands again and straight away asked for the “Gone with the Wind” pose – James tipping me backwards. I remember Froggy saying “You have to bend you know!” (My back doesn’t like bending that way at all after all my problems!) then I asked for profile and would he put his hand on my face. James actually put both hands up and is holding my face on both sides – I have my hand on his shoulder – it looks like he is either going to kiss me or rip my head off! The other two ended up being cuddly ones – one is lovely – James is doing a gorgeous Spike smirk! It was all over far too quickly as usual – but lovely as ever – James was so good – still quite happy to do all the poses being asked. I got them back a bit later – as ever Froggy takes the most gorgeous pictures, such good quality. And they are good – I look good which is great – Its very rare that James doesn’t look 110% in any of his pictures! I also bought an op for tomorrow with both James and Gareth – I’m gonna be the filling it that sandwich!! And then it was time to go back to the hotel to beautify myself for the party. I was having major panics about what to wear – wasn’t sure if the linen trousers and black lace up top were good enough – had severe doubts – well, it was the most important of dates! Made such a fuss when normally I don’t bother – made sure I had my ticket and camera and I was good to go. I was sharing a taxi with Steve and Squirrel, although it wasn’t far to Max Lagers Squirrel is on crutches at the moment. So I walked down a block to meet them at their hotel….. Party to come in a bit...!
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Post by wrigglerosie on Sept 7, 2008 17:30:16 GMT
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Post by wrigglerosie on Sept 8, 2008 17:43:36 GMT
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Post by Teebee on Sept 8, 2008 18:30:40 GMT
;D ;D ;D * THUD* ;D ;D ;D WOWiz speechless
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Post by PokerKitten on Sept 8, 2008 18:31:49 GMT
For some reason my computer has really taken against your Photobucket albums Rosie. It's very annoying
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Post by Rainbow on Sept 8, 2008 19:48:03 GMT
Wow indeed, loverly pics, will there be any space left in your mad stalker super fan room Rosie!
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