ORC Revisited, Part II
Here's the rest of the weekend!
Saturday:
I have to admit that Saturday is still a bit of a blur. I am not usually the type of person to be "star-struck" but getting to meet Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, and ELIJAH WOOD all in one day? I'm still surprised I wasn't drooling!
Saturday started with a bang. Photo-ops with Billy Boyd! I stood in line, feeling just a tad nervous as I think Billy is absolutely adorable. When it was my turn, I shook his hand and introduced myself before I sat down and thanked him for coming. (I did that with all of the actors; my mama taught me always to introduce myself and I guess it just stuck!) Billy is so delightful! He's just as sparkling and full of energy as he is on the screen. Anyway, the photographer was already yelling at us to look at him before I had even gotten settled in the chair, but after the pic was taken, I started to hug Billy but said, "May I?" before I did. He smiled and said, "Please!" and gave me a wonderful hug back. (BTW - he smelled wonderful!) Then, as I left, he gave me a big smile, waved, and said, "Have a fun day!" What a sweetheart!
Right after I finished the photo with Billy, I noticed people getting in line for photo-ops with Elijah, so I lined up with them. I have to tell you, I have seldom been as nervous as I was waiting to meet Elijah. While I was in line, Billy left the photo-op area and I got a great candid of him. I wish I could say the same about Elijah. Elijah came in to get into the photo-op area and my brain just shut down!! The man walked right in front of me and my hands shook so badly that I couldn't get ahold of my camera in time! I ended up getting a wonderful picture of his back! Talk about being pissed at myself!! I hope my friends in line send me their pics sometime coz mine sucks!!
I was basically hyperventilating most of the time in line and feeling like an utter jerk for doing it. When I finally got in the curtained off area for the photos, I was shaking. Elijah was absolutely gorgeous. He seemed to be a bit subdued. I heard him tell someone ahead of me that he had a bit of a cold. I am very glad that the pics were sitting down because I wasn't in any shape to stand up beside him. When it was my turn, I introduced myself and thanked him for coming to see us. He said, "My pleasure" and smiled at me. And, yes, I melted. After the pic, I asked him if I could give him a hug. He said, "Sure." As I was hugging him, he began to cough. Without thinking, I did the same thing I do to my children when they cough -- I started rubbing his back! *Mother mode* kicked in! When he stopped, I drew back and asked, "Are you okay?" He nodded and said,"I'm fine -- thanks." I said, "Of course." Then it was time for me to leave -- although I reaaaally didn't want to get up. But he said "bye" and I floated out of the area.
The panel with Billy Boyd was so much fun! I will not try to recreate his remarks but I can tell you that I think I will laugh from now on when *anyone* mentions a 45 degree angle! And I still have a picture of him standing in pink panties at an eighty degree angle "with his leg slightly cocked"! He answered questions, made everyone laugh, and generally endeared himself to the entire audience.
The panel with Elijah and Sean was different than Dom's or Billy's. First, they spoke to the audience for a much longer time before taking questions. Then, because they had each other to play off of, the panel seemed like more of a performance. NOT complaining, though. Watching the two of them interact was a delight! Two highlights of the hour: watching first Elijah, then Sean spin on a stool, and watching Sean trying to teach Elijah ballroom dancing!! The sweetest thing happened at the end of the hour. A lot of us (including me) were left standing in the question line without having gotten to ask our questions. Elijah and Sean ended the hour, apologizing for not getting to all of us, when all of a sudden there was a wailing cry. Elijah whipped around immediately, stating (I'm paraphrasing as I can't remember his exact words), "Crying child, we can't have that." He got the mother to bring the child, a beautiful little girl who looked about 4 years old, up to the edge of the stage. The little girl was obviously devastated that she wasn't going to get to talk with Frodo. Well, you have all seen *that picture*. Elijah held out his arms to that child and she never hesitated. She went right into his arms and rested her little head on his shoulder while he cradled her and talked softly to her. Let me tell you, every mother in the place fell hopelessly in love with Elijah Wood right then! He held that child until she stopped crying. Then he drew back and looked into that little face. I was close enough to hear him ask, "All right now?" She nodded and held her arms out for her mama. Wow. Talk about a defining moment. I've always believed you can judge a person by how they treat children and animals. That moment showed Elijah's character as clear as crystal. 'Nuff said.
After Elijah and Sean's panel, it was time for photo-ops with Sean Astin. I really enjoyed meeting Sean and was much more relaxed this time. I guess Sean projects a real "regular guy" type of aura to me. Anyway, I had run and changed from my "To Do List" t-shirt into my "Have You Hugged a Hobbit Today?" shirt as someone who was in the Elijah line with me commented that if I wore the other shirt, she could practically guarantee that Sean would hug me. So I changed and I am *so* glad I did. When Sean saw it, he said, "Have you? I have!" I said, "I'd like to!" and he reached over and gave me a huge hug! Then we took the picture. After the pic, I leaned over and hugged him again! A two-fer from Sean!! Yes!
The autograph session for Billy, Elijah, and Sean took forever. Unlike Dom's session, where the security seemed to be as tough on Dom as on the crowd, this session took a long time because the guys had made it clear that they *would* talk to their fans. And so they did! Now, I was in Row H, so I didn't even get into line until around 7:45. I didn't get to the autograph tables until about 8:20. The guys were clearly exhausted by this time, but were still speaking to each fan, if only to say hi. I thanked Billy (who was first) for coming to the convention and he said, "No, thank *you*. We wouldn't be here without you." I thanked him for the autograph and moved down the table. Now there were three people ahead of me to see Elijah. While I was standing there, Christine Astin came in with daughter Ali and started speaking to Sean - typical married couple exchange about when each would be home, etc. Now there were only two people ahead of me. I saw that the garlic bread that Billy had been given earlier had been opened and about four pieces were sitting in front of Elijah. I teased Elijah about it. "I see you all have gotten into the garlic bread!" He laughed and said, "Oh yeah! We were starving!!" Then Christine moved behind the table to speak to Elijah. She gave Elijah a big hug and a kiss; it was obvious that they are like family. Also obvious that this was goodbye for awhile. Now there was only me and one girl in front of me. Elijah paused before giving us our autographs as Ali came around to hug and kiss Elijah. He spent time talking quietly to her and giving her hugs and kisses as well. Then he looked up into my eyes as they left and said, "Goodbyes are hard!" There were tears in his eyes. He began to sign the autograph for the girl in front of me and said, "I'm sorry." I don't know if he was apologizing for being emotional, for keeping us waiting, or what, but I said, "Please don't apologize! That was important." He nodded in agreement, smiled at me and then signed my picture. I got my autograph from Sean, then left to get dressed for the Saturday night party. It was after 8:30. Supposedly, the guys didn't leave until well after 9:00. I know it was a long, hard day for them all and they were gracious until the last.
The Saturday night party did not come off as well as Friday night's had. First, it was an hour late starting as the guys were still autographing at 9:00 -- no one's fault and not really a problem, but it had been a long day indeed. Then the fabulous menu that had been advertised wasn't really there. They had promised all of these fancy hors d'oeuvres and most of us expected a buffet on the order of the dessert buffet from the previous night. Instead, they had a few (very few) waiters carrying around trays of the food. It was impossible to get much -- I got two coconut shrimp and one chicken satay stick! -- there were no plates. Many of us who had been nearer the end of the autograph line had foregone dinner and we were starving! But getting any kind of real food was not going to happen. Just a poor way of doing things. They also only had two bartenders at each end of the room. It took a full ten minutes in line to get a drink. I might have looked greedy, but I bought two drinks when I got up there so I wouldn't have to brave the line again!
The awards were fun to watch. Cliff Broadway is a real hoot, and the folks who won were gracious. A surprise -- dear Billy Boyd stayed and presented the award for best LOTR actor in a TV role, accepting for Dom. Now, Billy had been there since 11:00 in the morning with a panel at 1:40 and autographs starting at 5:30, yet he missed having dinner with Dom (he teased the crowd about that!), staying to be a part of the awards show. What a guy!
After the awards, Emerald Rose played. They were wonderful as always and played all the songs I had hoped they would. I wish more folks had stayed and listened to them. I had a blast! I had danced to their music at "Evening at Bree" during Dragon Con and I was determined to dance Saturday night as well. Those of us who stayed for the whole set enjoyed ourselves and quite a few of us danced a good jig or the Springle Ring! After their set, the members of the band talked to those of us who had stayed. All of these guys are wonderful down-to-earth folks. (Let's hear it for my fellow Georgians!!) I ended up walking back to the Sheraton in my bare feet (why did I think I could wear pointy toed 2" heels?) singing "Wild Mountain Thyme" to myself and wondering if any other day had ever been so exhausting, so overwhelming, and yet so wonderful! (Well, I can think of a few others, but they were the milestones of my life! This was supposed to be *just a convention*! Shows what I know!)
Sunday will be Part III. I promise I'll finish my "ORC Diary" soon. But for now...good night all!
Saturday:
I have to admit that Saturday is still a bit of a blur. I am not usually the type of person to be "star-struck" but getting to meet Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, and ELIJAH WOOD all in one day? I'm still surprised I wasn't drooling!
Saturday started with a bang. Photo-ops with Billy Boyd! I stood in line, feeling just a tad nervous as I think Billy is absolutely adorable. When it was my turn, I shook his hand and introduced myself before I sat down and thanked him for coming. (I did that with all of the actors; my mama taught me always to introduce myself and I guess it just stuck!) Billy is so delightful! He's just as sparkling and full of energy as he is on the screen. Anyway, the photographer was already yelling at us to look at him before I had even gotten settled in the chair, but after the pic was taken, I started to hug Billy but said, "May I?" before I did. He smiled and said, "Please!" and gave me a wonderful hug back. (BTW - he smelled wonderful!) Then, as I left, he gave me a big smile, waved, and said, "Have a fun day!" What a sweetheart!
Right after I finished the photo with Billy, I noticed people getting in line for photo-ops with Elijah, so I lined up with them. I have to tell you, I have seldom been as nervous as I was waiting to meet Elijah. While I was in line, Billy left the photo-op area and I got a great candid of him. I wish I could say the same about Elijah. Elijah came in to get into the photo-op area and my brain just shut down!! The man walked right in front of me and my hands shook so badly that I couldn't get ahold of my camera in time! I ended up getting a wonderful picture of his back! Talk about being pissed at myself!! I hope my friends in line send me their pics sometime coz mine sucks!!
I was basically hyperventilating most of the time in line and feeling like an utter jerk for doing it. When I finally got in the curtained off area for the photos, I was shaking. Elijah was absolutely gorgeous. He seemed to be a bit subdued. I heard him tell someone ahead of me that he had a bit of a cold. I am very glad that the pics were sitting down because I wasn't in any shape to stand up beside him. When it was my turn, I introduced myself and thanked him for coming to see us. He said, "My pleasure" and smiled at me. And, yes, I melted. After the pic, I asked him if I could give him a hug. He said, "Sure." As I was hugging him, he began to cough. Without thinking, I did the same thing I do to my children when they cough -- I started rubbing his back! *Mother mode* kicked in! When he stopped, I drew back and asked, "Are you okay?" He nodded and said,"I'm fine -- thanks." I said, "Of course." Then it was time for me to leave -- although I reaaaally didn't want to get up. But he said "bye" and I floated out of the area.
The panel with Billy Boyd was so much fun! I will not try to recreate his remarks but I can tell you that I think I will laugh from now on when *anyone* mentions a 45 degree angle! And I still have a picture of him standing in pink panties at an eighty degree angle "with his leg slightly cocked"! He answered questions, made everyone laugh, and generally endeared himself to the entire audience.
The panel with Elijah and Sean was different than Dom's or Billy's. First, they spoke to the audience for a much longer time before taking questions. Then, because they had each other to play off of, the panel seemed like more of a performance. NOT complaining, though. Watching the two of them interact was a delight! Two highlights of the hour: watching first Elijah, then Sean spin on a stool, and watching Sean trying to teach Elijah ballroom dancing!! The sweetest thing happened at the end of the hour. A lot of us (including me) were left standing in the question line without having gotten to ask our questions. Elijah and Sean ended the hour, apologizing for not getting to all of us, when all of a sudden there was a wailing cry. Elijah whipped around immediately, stating (I'm paraphrasing as I can't remember his exact words), "Crying child, we can't have that." He got the mother to bring the child, a beautiful little girl who looked about 4 years old, up to the edge of the stage. The little girl was obviously devastated that she wasn't going to get to talk with Frodo. Well, you have all seen *that picture*. Elijah held out his arms to that child and she never hesitated. She went right into his arms and rested her little head on his shoulder while he cradled her and talked softly to her. Let me tell you, every mother in the place fell hopelessly in love with Elijah Wood right then! He held that child until she stopped crying. Then he drew back and looked into that little face. I was close enough to hear him ask, "All right now?" She nodded and held her arms out for her mama. Wow. Talk about a defining moment. I've always believed you can judge a person by how they treat children and animals. That moment showed Elijah's character as clear as crystal. 'Nuff said.
After Elijah and Sean's panel, it was time for photo-ops with Sean Astin. I really enjoyed meeting Sean and was much more relaxed this time. I guess Sean projects a real "regular guy" type of aura to me. Anyway, I had run and changed from my "To Do List" t-shirt into my "Have You Hugged a Hobbit Today?" shirt as someone who was in the Elijah line with me commented that if I wore the other shirt, she could practically guarantee that Sean would hug me. So I changed and I am *so* glad I did. When Sean saw it, he said, "Have you? I have!" I said, "I'd like to!" and he reached over and gave me a huge hug! Then we took the picture. After the pic, I leaned over and hugged him again! A two-fer from Sean!! Yes!
The autograph session for Billy, Elijah, and Sean took forever. Unlike Dom's session, where the security seemed to be as tough on Dom as on the crowd, this session took a long time because the guys had made it clear that they *would* talk to their fans. And so they did! Now, I was in Row H, so I didn't even get into line until around 7:45. I didn't get to the autograph tables until about 8:20. The guys were clearly exhausted by this time, but were still speaking to each fan, if only to say hi. I thanked Billy (who was first) for coming to the convention and he said, "No, thank *you*. We wouldn't be here without you." I thanked him for the autograph and moved down the table. Now there were three people ahead of me to see Elijah. While I was standing there, Christine Astin came in with daughter Ali and started speaking to Sean - typical married couple exchange about when each would be home, etc. Now there were only two people ahead of me. I saw that the garlic bread that Billy had been given earlier had been opened and about four pieces were sitting in front of Elijah. I teased Elijah about it. "I see you all have gotten into the garlic bread!" He laughed and said, "Oh yeah! We were starving!!" Then Christine moved behind the table to speak to Elijah. She gave Elijah a big hug and a kiss; it was obvious that they are like family. Also obvious that this was goodbye for awhile. Now there was only me and one girl in front of me. Elijah paused before giving us our autographs as Ali came around to hug and kiss Elijah. He spent time talking quietly to her and giving her hugs and kisses as well. Then he looked up into my eyes as they left and said, "Goodbyes are hard!" There were tears in his eyes. He began to sign the autograph for the girl in front of me and said, "I'm sorry." I don't know if he was apologizing for being emotional, for keeping us waiting, or what, but I said, "Please don't apologize! That was important." He nodded in agreement, smiled at me and then signed my picture. I got my autograph from Sean, then left to get dressed for the Saturday night party. It was after 8:30. Supposedly, the guys didn't leave until well after 9:00. I know it was a long, hard day for them all and they were gracious until the last.
The Saturday night party did not come off as well as Friday night's had. First, it was an hour late starting as the guys were still autographing at 9:00 -- no one's fault and not really a problem, but it had been a long day indeed. Then the fabulous menu that had been advertised wasn't really there. They had promised all of these fancy hors d'oeuvres and most of us expected a buffet on the order of the dessert buffet from the previous night. Instead, they had a few (very few) waiters carrying around trays of the food. It was impossible to get much -- I got two coconut shrimp and one chicken satay stick! -- there were no plates. Many of us who had been nearer the end of the autograph line had foregone dinner and we were starving! But getting any kind of real food was not going to happen. Just a poor way of doing things. They also only had two bartenders at each end of the room. It took a full ten minutes in line to get a drink. I might have looked greedy, but I bought two drinks when I got up there so I wouldn't have to brave the line again!
The awards were fun to watch. Cliff Broadway is a real hoot, and the folks who won were gracious. A surprise -- dear Billy Boyd stayed and presented the award for best LOTR actor in a TV role, accepting for Dom. Now, Billy had been there since 11:00 in the morning with a panel at 1:40 and autographs starting at 5:30, yet he missed having dinner with Dom (he teased the crowd about that!), staying to be a part of the awards show. What a guy!
After the awards, Emerald Rose played. They were wonderful as always and played all the songs I had hoped they would. I wish more folks had stayed and listened to them. I had a blast! I had danced to their music at "Evening at Bree" during Dragon Con and I was determined to dance Saturday night as well. Those of us who stayed for the whole set enjoyed ourselves and quite a few of us danced a good jig or the Springle Ring! After their set, the members of the band talked to those of us who had stayed. All of these guys are wonderful down-to-earth folks. (Let's hear it for my fellow Georgians!!) I ended up walking back to the Sheraton in my bare feet (why did I think I could wear pointy toed 2" heels?) singing "Wild Mountain Thyme" to myself and wondering if any other day had ever been so exhausting, so overwhelming, and yet so wonderful! (Well, I can think of a few others, but they were the milestones of my life! This was supposed to be *just a convention*! Shows what I know!)
Sunday will be Part III. I promise I'll finish my "ORC Diary" soon. But for now...good night all!