Armageddon 2009 - Friday
Friday 16th - The Cocktail Party.
Friday arrived - yay!! Couldn’t wait for the first half of the day to pass - excitement building as it was. Finally the time arrived, and I was off to the party! Arrived solo, as Paul didn’t get home from work until 7, and wanted to eat and get ready, but I was ready to go, so we agreed to arrive separately. It was kind of funny having a brother called Paul - I asked at one stage, has anyone seen Paul? And everyone immediately pointed to Paul McGillion, lol. I should point out that I was too tired to write anything Friday night, and didn’t write this til Saturday night. So some happenings might be out of order - I tend to remember flashes, not timelines.
So got there solo, but soon found, or was found by, Dana. Got to meet her boyfy Randall finally! He was lovely, a great guy. They look like a great couple, and seem really happy, which makes me glad. They deserve it. I spotted Chris across the room immediately - gosh he’s tall!!
Jason came in and the whole room cheered. He looked a little sheepish! Something about him attracts attention, besides height and hotness. He’s really hyper, and he’s got one of these fun loving personalities that screams ‘look at me’. He scared the crap out of one of the cocktail waitresses when he pounced on the food tray - man, didn’t they feed him? Very funny, though! I spent some time chatting to Rand (from HUB) and he laughingly said that Jason and Bronson were going to keep them busy this year - just trying to keep up with them!
We were loitering near him - it was actually hard to talk to him because he was just bouncing (and pouncing passing food trays) - and Paul came in. Paul has eyes just like Carson’s, with that same softness about them. I always wondered if that was just character, but no, apparently it’s him. J Paul was very quiet and unassuming. Paul and Jason stayed close to each other, at least while I saw them, but not in a way that excluded everyone else. Lol, Jason told us all to boo Joe when he came, but not likely!
Dana, Randall, Janelle and someone else (sorry - I don’t remember your name) were catching up and laughing, talking and taking photos when this lady with an American accent turned around and said, “This is where the party is - you guys make your own party!” Turned out it was Noah Grey- Cabey’s mother/manager. Noah is so small and quiet, I honestly hadn’t noticed we were standing next to him. I talked to him for a little while, he seems like a nice kid - quiet, calm and level-headed. We ended up discussing planes and helicopters, lol, not surprising with Dana and Randall. J Meanwhile, Noah’s mum was trying to set Janelle up with her other son! I’m sure she’ll tell you on her blog, so I’ll link when she does.
Joe came in, without the room booing him as Jason suggested. My memory tends to get a little hazy around the man, so I’ll just tell you what I remember, and I was too tired last night to type this, so it’s after a full day of con squee as well, but I do clearly remember looking into Joe’s eyes as I shook his hand and welcomed him back to Australia. That was a mistake, I think. Gods above! Those hazel-green eyes just shut the old brain right off. He’s got a penetrating gaze, and you just kind of get lost in it. I also noticed that even coming straight off the plane like he did, he looked so much healthier than the last time he was here. Man, he looked good! I could make it my life’s work to follow that man around, if it weren’t all stalkery and creepylike. Joe had come straight over to Jason and Paul and they all seemed happy to stay that way, tbh. Someone said it must be like a reunion for them and Joe replied, “Yeah, pretty much.” He said he lives near Jason and they see each other a bit, but he doesn’t get to see Paul often.
Dana had just asked him for a photo, and he said okay, but Rob (one of the organisers) came up and asked us not to. I’m not sure whether some clown ruined it for everyone, or if it was just so that the guests felt able to relax and enjoy themselves, but it was a little disappointing. Unfortunately Joe got lost in the press of people after that. A little later on, Peter (one of the two official photographers) grabbed Chris for us and planted him in between me and Dana for a photo and chat. Heart Peter for that! I told him that Alistair was the creepiest thing ever, and he smiled and said thanks. Dana said she thought that was Todd (no way - Alistair is definitely creepier!) and he said that he enjoyed playing both roles. He is so gentle and softly spoken, that it is difficult to reconcile him with either character, tbh.
Once again, the best part of the cocktail party was catching up with people. It’s great to meet the guests, of course (and I love it!) But most of the fun comes with chatting and sharing with friends I don’t tend to catch up with as much as I should during the year.