Post by wrigglerosie on Aug 29, 2009 17:26:49 GMT
Rosie Goes to See James at Monster Mania
FRIDAY 21ST AUGUST
Another trip across the pond to see James – my fifth this year! And another city I had not been to before which is always good. I was determined to go to this con to support James, Steve and J & J Collectibles after all the crap they were put through by the con organiser. It was like a red rag to a bull – they mess with James, they mess with me! I am a proud member of the James family and I was determined to have a good time!
Early start just in case of traffic and in fact I was so early, check in for my flight hadn’t even opened! So I had breakfast first!! Lots of waiting as usual, but flight was on time and passed fairly peacefully until we were somewhere over Northern Canada and we were rocked by some really bouncy turbulence – the kind that makes things fall about in the galley area – and we had the stewardesses shouting “Sit down!” Then, as I had a window seat, I could see that we suddenly rolled to the right and that’s when my stomach hit my throat and my adrenaline went into overdrive!
Almost immediately it all calmed down and we were flying level again. A few minutes later the captain came on to apologise. We were flying at 39,000 feet and a plane had passed over the top of us and we had hit their jet stream! He had ended up 10 miles off course with evading action so we would be a few minutes late. That was excitement I could have done without, but there you go!
It was an older plane so they just had the screens in the centre, not individual ones in the seat backs. I had been watching the movie and then there was programmes including Big Bang Theory (I only ever seem to get to watch that on planes!) And then it said the next programme would be a science one and they ran the History Channel ad for what they were showing during the summer. Which included Moonshot – so I got to see 3 very quick glimpses of James! A nice unexpected surprise – made me smile! (and squee a bit!)
Approaching Philadelphia there was spectacular thunder clouds. We had to fly through a few which was bumpy again and we went round a few times before we landed. It was incredibly dark with low very black clouds. When I was in the immigration hall waiting my turn, I turned to look out the big window at the back and couldn’t see anything! It was a grey wall of water – monsoon rain with thunder and lightening! Set the tone for the next day or so!
Amy Sue was there to meet me with George who was driving her. She admitted she had forgotten her credit card and ID and we would have to go back and get them – not problem for me – I got to see Amy Sue’s house and see Mom again! She was looking very well. We stopped at my hotel and I just dropped off my belongings – it was literally half a mile down the road from the Crowne Plaza. It looked a bit run down and grubby on the outside, but the rooms were clean and had everything so I wasn’t bothered. Got back in the car and went to the con hotel. Straight away I met Jessie who said she would show me where James was going to be whilst Amy Sue checked in. So Jessie led me up this little flight of stairs off to the side of the big lobby and we went up to another long corridor with lots of doors. We crossed this to another little corridor that led to the soda machines and if you turned left and went down 2 steps you came to what looked like the door to a closet - Plaza 6 – the room where James would be all weekend. Not that you would know it – not like there was any signs or indication anywhere around it! And nothing downstairs either. Would have been hell to find if I hadn’t been shown it!
We then went down so Jessie could show me where J&J collectibles were – much hugging from the boys and they were able to confirm that James had arrived and was asleep as he had been on set until really late filming Lie To Me before flying out. (but then I guessed he had to be there judging by the weather!) We chatted about the con organiser (in unflattering terms!) and then Corey from Froggy’s photos turned up (more hugs!). He was there to help Rod the photographer – whom I also met. I told him he would make us look beautiful wouldn’t he? And he said it wouldn’t be a problem..! Nice man!
There were lots of people in costume roaming about even though it was only Friday night – Amy Sue got accosted by a moaning zombie – she said it was much the same as the type that normally came after her…!
She wanted to get John Astin’s autograph (Gomez from the Addams Family) so I took pictures whilst she did – he was a very nice man – very sparkly eyes! Then we got something to eat and as I was flagging a bit, decided it was time for bed. So I made my way along the road in the dark where there was no sidewalk for most of the way so I was either ankle deep in wet grass and who knows what strange insect life or dicing with death on the tarmac - and I had to keep reminding myself from which direction traffic would be coming from on the slip roads – it’s almost impossible not to turn your head the way you would normally look even though you know the traffic is coming the other way! It was very hot and humid and the crickets and chiquadas were very noisy! I made it back and put myself to bed as I was going to be up early to be first in the queue for breakfast tickets at 4am.(not as bad as its sounds as my brain would think it was 9am) I got woken up at about 1pm with another big thunderstorm and what sounded like another torrential downpour – I could hear it over the air conditioning!
SATURDAY 22ND AUGUST
I pinged awake at 3.45am and quickly dressed and grabbed my Nintendo DS and set off to walk back to the Crowne Plaza. The heat hit me as soon as I went out the door….! It might have been 4am but it was still very humid. There was still lightning and thunder but it wasn’t actually raining, though the amount of water running across the hotel parking lot was like a river! I got to the hotel and there were quite a few con goers outside smoking despite the hour. I went up the stairs to the room and I was first one there! Yay – Magie’s planning paid off. We had a rota system going – I was on first shift till 6am. I played games on my Nintendo until at about 4.45am hawera appeared to check the situation, or as she put it to see “which bat-shit crazies were already there”. Said she would be back later, after a shower. A bit later, Jessie appeared on the same mission and also disappeared to have a shower first. Then Hawera and Berry came back to join the queue so I had company. We were then joined by Kyle and Jessie and then Amy Sue arrived early to relieve me. She said that Magie finally arrived at 3.15am – it’s a wonder I didn’t meet her in the lobby. So I then took myself back to my hotel – and it was raining again now – big fat wet drops, but still very warm. I showered and gathered up all my stuff and set off to walk back to the Crowne Plaza again. Having lots of time I decided to see if I could find a less dangerous way to walk – the back road was much quieter and had a sidewalk all the way, took a couple of minutes longer, but it was worth it. I had a brought an umbrella from home (bought specially – when I said that to Magie, she looked at me in amazement ad said “You had to buy one?? But you’re English! Aren’t they issued at birth or something??” which is up there as one of the funniest comments of the weekend!)
I ate breakfast at the hotel and then went up to join the queue again - numbers had increased – we were joined by Jean and several others. And eventually Magie, who was looking a bit worse for wear and told us her travel nightmare. Scott, a big hunky security guard with lots of silver jewellery let us into the room so we could sit in the seats in there and queue in comfort and then was entertaining us by asking our names and what we saw in James! There were a few James virgins waiting for tickets, which was nice so we were encouraging them. There was some calculating about who was getting what tickets and we were sure there was easily going to be enough to go round.
Steve arrived with his notepad and said yes, he had seen the picture of him in the French maids outfit as someone had forwarded it to him. Amy Sue very tentatively put her hand up and said “that was me” and she walked down to Steve and said “it was meant as a joke – I hope you don’t mind!” and Steve gave her one of his looks and then barked “back to your seat, bitch!” which had us all howling with laughter! (as Amy Sue is the sweetest person imaginable!) She pleaded “But-but-but… my Mom helped me with it!” and then he looked guilty and said “Now I feel really bad saying that!”(It was all done in the spirit of fun – Steve thought it was great)
He came to the front and got behind the table and said “Good morning class” as it was like being in school - so we all chorused “Good morning Steve!” back. Ticket buying was all very civilised, everyone being very polite and waiting their turn – Steve was surprised! We three got on 2 sessions – first and third - as we went in with Kyle so we were all buying each others tickets so that everyone got 2 but not on the same session! (confused? So was everyone else when I was trying to explain who was buying whose tickets…)
Magie had been first to buy and had left straight away to get grab seats in the hall for the Q and A. The front row was supposed to be for VIP holders but they said we could sit there as long as no one wanted the seats. In fact I moved to the second row as it was easier to see, the table being right on the edge of the stage. I did comment that James was going to be annoyed that he wouldn’t be able to walk along the front. There were putting out mics on stands and the guy in charge ( who I think might have been the infamous Dave) heard us talking and I said “he’ll need a cordless mic as he wont sit still – he’ll be all over the place”. Then I heard him telling guy in charge of the sound “they are saying that Marsters is a walker!” in annoyed tones – before they put a radio mic on the table as well. They were going to pass a mic round for questions, so Magie said she would go first and I said I would go second. I think he thought he wasn’t going to get many takers – he seemed very surprised at how the hall was filling up so quickly so early – it was more than three quarters full by the time James came on stage.
We had to sit through a trailer for a horror movie first and a bit of chat from the guys who made it. At least they said it wasn’t trying to be anything other than what it was (low budget slasher flick) – it looked just like every other one of its genre
Then we were just waiting for James. Another guy came along and put about 4 jugs of water along the table – I asked if he would move one of them so it wasn’t right in my camera eye line and he looked at me like I was nuts and ignored me. Then they brought out a coffee and put it on table. And then a jug of milk. And then another, different coffee! The guy who might have been Dave then said to Amy Sue in the front row “you seem to know what’s going on – how many people are there coming on stage??” and she said “Just the one – if he drinks all that he’s going to be peeing all day!”
I grabbed James2 (from J&J) and asked if he would move the water jug (which he kindly did, and several of the others and the millions of glasses) so there was just a little collection left for James. And then Steve came out and introduced him.
As ever, the first sight of James at a con is always good. My heart did its little jump and I did a quick intake of breath at the first glimpse. Dressed in his lovely black striped button down shirt and a pair of faded blue jeans (with his left knee peeping out endearingly from a rip) – he had obviously just thrown water on his hair before coming on stage as his curls were wet. And of course he looked absolutely gorgeous! He was amused as we were about the amount of liquids on the table, and true to form, having sat down for about 30 seconds, he was off and across the stage – and just as I thought – he tried to go in front of the table and “humphed” crossly when he found he couldn’t!!
As ever, I don’t tend to remember much about Q and A’s – Im too busy photographing the pretty man! - and it’s well documented elsewhere. But for once I did actually ask a question, so I do remember that. I got the microphone after Magie who had asked about him recording with Sullivan and he told the story of buying Sullivan his guitar. Being British, I started off asking how he was. “I’m doing very well – I’m waking up if you can’t tell! I got no sleep - I was filming until about 2am yesterday and then I had a 6 o’clock flight. But last night I had about 14 hours...” and he mimed dropping off instantly. Then someone called out what was he working on so he replied “Lie to Me – with Tim Roth!” and did a sort of excited ‘squee’ face!
Then he found me again (being all British and polite and not interrupting!) said “You have the microphone so just…” and then he dropped his voice low and said “Helloooo” into the mic! That made me laugh, so I replied in the same style voice “I know!” before asking my question – “OK James, we all know you are a great actor and a great singer as well – but – what’s your dancing like?”
This got quite a big laugh as James did his ‘thinking’ face as he considered before answering “Passable!”
And then “I always forget the choreography! (me too James - and I’m a dance teacher!) I was in ‘Guys and Dolls’ at High school and they just stuck me so far at the back – doing my little machine-gun dance...” he started giggling as he demonstrated and then put his hand over his eyes “yeah – don’t think I‘ll be doing that anytime soon!”
Someone then called out “You need the right partner” and James replied “yeah – I need a partner who can dance or at least one who can hide my bad dancing! No, I really haven’t… when was the last time I danced? ...oh no… I embarrassed myself in Germany, man” he was looking back to me again now “I went to a party and I was dancing like Americans dance and the Germans were like…” and he did a very stiff controlled little on-the-spot dance, which got a laugh and then “Someone said (in German accent) “You know, you dance very…ah…okay…” James held up a hand “...like a weirdo!” and I’m like “You’re boring!””
It was a lively Q and A – no shortage of questions – a few we’ve heard before, but lots of different stuff including Caprica – we seemed to know more about his character – including his name!- than James did, as he hadn’t even seen a script at that point.
I got some great pictures again – James perched on the back of the chair showing off that knee!- and I honestly thought at one point he was going to get up and sit cross-legged on the table when he couldn’t get round the front! It all went quickly of course – the hall was almost full by the end which was great – there were quite a few first time fans and the ones I spoke to were impressed.
It was photo ops next up in the Room of Doom. (Must just say – Im sure hiding James away up in there was a form of punishment. Everything happened in there, photos, autos and the breakfasts – it was so hidden away and with no signs or indications that James was there at all – were the organisers trying to make it as difficult as possible so they could say it wasn’t worth having him there? Didn’t really work because the queue for photos was good and long and the autos later even more so! And those of us who were only there for James spent the whole time up there and didn’t bother to look at the rest of the con! (Also it was hot – didn’t seem like the air con was working much – and it must have been hell for James, Steve and the team, the photography team and James 2 who spent the whole weekend rushing about making sure everything was all going to plan)
FRIDAY 21ST AUGUST
Another trip across the pond to see James – my fifth this year! And another city I had not been to before which is always good. I was determined to go to this con to support James, Steve and J & J Collectibles after all the crap they were put through by the con organiser. It was like a red rag to a bull – they mess with James, they mess with me! I am a proud member of the James family and I was determined to have a good time!
Early start just in case of traffic and in fact I was so early, check in for my flight hadn’t even opened! So I had breakfast first!! Lots of waiting as usual, but flight was on time and passed fairly peacefully until we were somewhere over Northern Canada and we were rocked by some really bouncy turbulence – the kind that makes things fall about in the galley area – and we had the stewardesses shouting “Sit down!” Then, as I had a window seat, I could see that we suddenly rolled to the right and that’s when my stomach hit my throat and my adrenaline went into overdrive!
Almost immediately it all calmed down and we were flying level again. A few minutes later the captain came on to apologise. We were flying at 39,000 feet and a plane had passed over the top of us and we had hit their jet stream! He had ended up 10 miles off course with evading action so we would be a few minutes late. That was excitement I could have done without, but there you go!
It was an older plane so they just had the screens in the centre, not individual ones in the seat backs. I had been watching the movie and then there was programmes including Big Bang Theory (I only ever seem to get to watch that on planes!) And then it said the next programme would be a science one and they ran the History Channel ad for what they were showing during the summer. Which included Moonshot – so I got to see 3 very quick glimpses of James! A nice unexpected surprise – made me smile! (and squee a bit!)
Approaching Philadelphia there was spectacular thunder clouds. We had to fly through a few which was bumpy again and we went round a few times before we landed. It was incredibly dark with low very black clouds. When I was in the immigration hall waiting my turn, I turned to look out the big window at the back and couldn’t see anything! It was a grey wall of water – monsoon rain with thunder and lightening! Set the tone for the next day or so!
Amy Sue was there to meet me with George who was driving her. She admitted she had forgotten her credit card and ID and we would have to go back and get them – not problem for me – I got to see Amy Sue’s house and see Mom again! She was looking very well. We stopped at my hotel and I just dropped off my belongings – it was literally half a mile down the road from the Crowne Plaza. It looked a bit run down and grubby on the outside, but the rooms were clean and had everything so I wasn’t bothered. Got back in the car and went to the con hotel. Straight away I met Jessie who said she would show me where James was going to be whilst Amy Sue checked in. So Jessie led me up this little flight of stairs off to the side of the big lobby and we went up to another long corridor with lots of doors. We crossed this to another little corridor that led to the soda machines and if you turned left and went down 2 steps you came to what looked like the door to a closet - Plaza 6 – the room where James would be all weekend. Not that you would know it – not like there was any signs or indication anywhere around it! And nothing downstairs either. Would have been hell to find if I hadn’t been shown it!
We then went down so Jessie could show me where J&J collectibles were – much hugging from the boys and they were able to confirm that James had arrived and was asleep as he had been on set until really late filming Lie To Me before flying out. (but then I guessed he had to be there judging by the weather!) We chatted about the con organiser (in unflattering terms!) and then Corey from Froggy’s photos turned up (more hugs!). He was there to help Rod the photographer – whom I also met. I told him he would make us look beautiful wouldn’t he? And he said it wouldn’t be a problem..! Nice man!
There were lots of people in costume roaming about even though it was only Friday night – Amy Sue got accosted by a moaning zombie – she said it was much the same as the type that normally came after her…!
She wanted to get John Astin’s autograph (Gomez from the Addams Family) so I took pictures whilst she did – he was a very nice man – very sparkly eyes! Then we got something to eat and as I was flagging a bit, decided it was time for bed. So I made my way along the road in the dark where there was no sidewalk for most of the way so I was either ankle deep in wet grass and who knows what strange insect life or dicing with death on the tarmac - and I had to keep reminding myself from which direction traffic would be coming from on the slip roads – it’s almost impossible not to turn your head the way you would normally look even though you know the traffic is coming the other way! It was very hot and humid and the crickets and chiquadas were very noisy! I made it back and put myself to bed as I was going to be up early to be first in the queue for breakfast tickets at 4am.(not as bad as its sounds as my brain would think it was 9am) I got woken up at about 1pm with another big thunderstorm and what sounded like another torrential downpour – I could hear it over the air conditioning!
SATURDAY 22ND AUGUST
I pinged awake at 3.45am and quickly dressed and grabbed my Nintendo DS and set off to walk back to the Crowne Plaza. The heat hit me as soon as I went out the door….! It might have been 4am but it was still very humid. There was still lightning and thunder but it wasn’t actually raining, though the amount of water running across the hotel parking lot was like a river! I got to the hotel and there were quite a few con goers outside smoking despite the hour. I went up the stairs to the room and I was first one there! Yay – Magie’s planning paid off. We had a rota system going – I was on first shift till 6am. I played games on my Nintendo until at about 4.45am hawera appeared to check the situation, or as she put it to see “which bat-shit crazies were already there”. Said she would be back later, after a shower. A bit later, Jessie appeared on the same mission and also disappeared to have a shower first. Then Hawera and Berry came back to join the queue so I had company. We were then joined by Kyle and Jessie and then Amy Sue arrived early to relieve me. She said that Magie finally arrived at 3.15am – it’s a wonder I didn’t meet her in the lobby. So I then took myself back to my hotel – and it was raining again now – big fat wet drops, but still very warm. I showered and gathered up all my stuff and set off to walk back to the Crowne Plaza again. Having lots of time I decided to see if I could find a less dangerous way to walk – the back road was much quieter and had a sidewalk all the way, took a couple of minutes longer, but it was worth it. I had a brought an umbrella from home (bought specially – when I said that to Magie, she looked at me in amazement ad said “You had to buy one?? But you’re English! Aren’t they issued at birth or something??” which is up there as one of the funniest comments of the weekend!)
I ate breakfast at the hotel and then went up to join the queue again - numbers had increased – we were joined by Jean and several others. And eventually Magie, who was looking a bit worse for wear and told us her travel nightmare. Scott, a big hunky security guard with lots of silver jewellery let us into the room so we could sit in the seats in there and queue in comfort and then was entertaining us by asking our names and what we saw in James! There were a few James virgins waiting for tickets, which was nice so we were encouraging them. There was some calculating about who was getting what tickets and we were sure there was easily going to be enough to go round.
Steve arrived with his notepad and said yes, he had seen the picture of him in the French maids outfit as someone had forwarded it to him. Amy Sue very tentatively put her hand up and said “that was me” and she walked down to Steve and said “it was meant as a joke – I hope you don’t mind!” and Steve gave her one of his looks and then barked “back to your seat, bitch!” which had us all howling with laughter! (as Amy Sue is the sweetest person imaginable!) She pleaded “But-but-but… my Mom helped me with it!” and then he looked guilty and said “Now I feel really bad saying that!”(It was all done in the spirit of fun – Steve thought it was great)
He came to the front and got behind the table and said “Good morning class” as it was like being in school - so we all chorused “Good morning Steve!” back. Ticket buying was all very civilised, everyone being very polite and waiting their turn – Steve was surprised! We three got on 2 sessions – first and third - as we went in with Kyle so we were all buying each others tickets so that everyone got 2 but not on the same session! (confused? So was everyone else when I was trying to explain who was buying whose tickets…)
Magie had been first to buy and had left straight away to get grab seats in the hall for the Q and A. The front row was supposed to be for VIP holders but they said we could sit there as long as no one wanted the seats. In fact I moved to the second row as it was easier to see, the table being right on the edge of the stage. I did comment that James was going to be annoyed that he wouldn’t be able to walk along the front. There were putting out mics on stands and the guy in charge ( who I think might have been the infamous Dave) heard us talking and I said “he’ll need a cordless mic as he wont sit still – he’ll be all over the place”. Then I heard him telling guy in charge of the sound “they are saying that Marsters is a walker!” in annoyed tones – before they put a radio mic on the table as well. They were going to pass a mic round for questions, so Magie said she would go first and I said I would go second. I think he thought he wasn’t going to get many takers – he seemed very surprised at how the hall was filling up so quickly so early – it was more than three quarters full by the time James came on stage.
We had to sit through a trailer for a horror movie first and a bit of chat from the guys who made it. At least they said it wasn’t trying to be anything other than what it was (low budget slasher flick) – it looked just like every other one of its genre
Then we were just waiting for James. Another guy came along and put about 4 jugs of water along the table – I asked if he would move one of them so it wasn’t right in my camera eye line and he looked at me like I was nuts and ignored me. Then they brought out a coffee and put it on table. And then a jug of milk. And then another, different coffee! The guy who might have been Dave then said to Amy Sue in the front row “you seem to know what’s going on – how many people are there coming on stage??” and she said “Just the one – if he drinks all that he’s going to be peeing all day!”
I grabbed James2 (from J&J) and asked if he would move the water jug (which he kindly did, and several of the others and the millions of glasses) so there was just a little collection left for James. And then Steve came out and introduced him.
As ever, the first sight of James at a con is always good. My heart did its little jump and I did a quick intake of breath at the first glimpse. Dressed in his lovely black striped button down shirt and a pair of faded blue jeans (with his left knee peeping out endearingly from a rip) – he had obviously just thrown water on his hair before coming on stage as his curls were wet. And of course he looked absolutely gorgeous! He was amused as we were about the amount of liquids on the table, and true to form, having sat down for about 30 seconds, he was off and across the stage – and just as I thought – he tried to go in front of the table and “humphed” crossly when he found he couldn’t!!
As ever, I don’t tend to remember much about Q and A’s – Im too busy photographing the pretty man! - and it’s well documented elsewhere. But for once I did actually ask a question, so I do remember that. I got the microphone after Magie who had asked about him recording with Sullivan and he told the story of buying Sullivan his guitar. Being British, I started off asking how he was. “I’m doing very well – I’m waking up if you can’t tell! I got no sleep - I was filming until about 2am yesterday and then I had a 6 o’clock flight. But last night I had about 14 hours...” and he mimed dropping off instantly. Then someone called out what was he working on so he replied “Lie to Me – with Tim Roth!” and did a sort of excited ‘squee’ face!
Then he found me again (being all British and polite and not interrupting!) said “You have the microphone so just…” and then he dropped his voice low and said “Helloooo” into the mic! That made me laugh, so I replied in the same style voice “I know!” before asking my question – “OK James, we all know you are a great actor and a great singer as well – but – what’s your dancing like?”
This got quite a big laugh as James did his ‘thinking’ face as he considered before answering “Passable!”
And then “I always forget the choreography! (me too James - and I’m a dance teacher!) I was in ‘Guys and Dolls’ at High school and they just stuck me so far at the back – doing my little machine-gun dance...” he started giggling as he demonstrated and then put his hand over his eyes “yeah – don’t think I‘ll be doing that anytime soon!”
Someone then called out “You need the right partner” and James replied “yeah – I need a partner who can dance or at least one who can hide my bad dancing! No, I really haven’t… when was the last time I danced? ...oh no… I embarrassed myself in Germany, man” he was looking back to me again now “I went to a party and I was dancing like Americans dance and the Germans were like…” and he did a very stiff controlled little on-the-spot dance, which got a laugh and then “Someone said (in German accent) “You know, you dance very…ah…okay…” James held up a hand “...like a weirdo!” and I’m like “You’re boring!””
It was a lively Q and A – no shortage of questions – a few we’ve heard before, but lots of different stuff including Caprica – we seemed to know more about his character – including his name!- than James did, as he hadn’t even seen a script at that point.
I got some great pictures again – James perched on the back of the chair showing off that knee!- and I honestly thought at one point he was going to get up and sit cross-legged on the table when he couldn’t get round the front! It all went quickly of course – the hall was almost full by the end which was great – there were quite a few first time fans and the ones I spoke to were impressed.
It was photo ops next up in the Room of Doom. (Must just say – Im sure hiding James away up in there was a form of punishment. Everything happened in there, photos, autos and the breakfasts – it was so hidden away and with no signs or indications that James was there at all – were the organisers trying to make it as difficult as possible so they could say it wasn’t worth having him there? Didn’t really work because the queue for photos was good and long and the autos later even more so! And those of us who were only there for James spent the whole time up there and didn’t bother to look at the rest of the con! (Also it was hot – didn’t seem like the air con was working much – and it must have been hell for James, Steve and the team, the photography team and James 2 who spent the whole weekend rushing about making sure everything was all going to plan)