QUEENS OF THE ROAD - part 3
And here's the final part of my report. It's again quite long so stocking up on food and drinks is recommended *g*
Also lots of pictures once more. Still asking you not to take any parts of the report or the photos but rather linking back to my journal. Thank you!
Previous part
The morning really wasn’t the best one for me. I pretty much had the hangover from hell but it couldn’t really be helped. Had to get up and active again. And I knew I only had myself to blame *g*
I thought that my first item in the program was the group photo in the morning. However, when I started to look for my ticket for it, I couldn’t find it. I was afraid I had lost it. I went to the photo room to talk about it and was told that my ticket didn’t actually include the group photo. I was quite surprised since the lower level tickets did include it. I was explained that I got the individual photos but not the group photo and if I wanted the group photo, I would need to pay for it. However, I wasn’t going to shell out close to €100 for one photo on top of everything I had already paid for. I really began to feel that the VIP ticket hadn’t been worth its price.
The first panel that morning was Scott’s. I opened the panel with a question. Or that was my plan but once I got to the mike I totally forgot what I had been about to ask. I told him that I blamed him since he had poured me all that wine the previous night. I did then add that I might have poured myself some wine as well so maybe it was my own fault too. He just laughed. However, luckily my question also came back to me and I asked him if there was anything he could tell us about his new theater project. He said that all he could say was that it was going to be in the Fall. I told him that I had been bummed that I couldn’t have come to see him do “12 Angry men” and that I had been in the US when it was on but on the wrong coast. I did further ask him if the new project was again going to be in LA. He said he couldn’t say where it was going to be but that it wasn’t going to be in LA. He had actually asked if he could talk about the project in the convention but he had pretty much been told to keep his mouth shut about it.
Someone asked him about why he didn’t wear glasses when all the other guys in the convention had glasses on. He just said that he had been lucky with not needing them yet. He has worn glasses for many roles but doesn’t need them in RL.
Was asked about playing an instrument and he said he has played a lot of instruments during school years. In college he had to give it up since there was no musical training offered at his college. He also mentioned that during his school years he did quite a few musicals.
Further about music, he said that originally it was going to be him singing the opera parts when Ted was that singing waitress at the Italian restaurant but in the end Ron didn’t think he was good enough singer and they got someone else to do it.
When asked what he thinks the message of QAF is, he said it’s pretty much the speech Ted gives Emmett at the “See the light” story line. I think that’s really well said and I agree with that.
He was also asked the question about why such a big part of the fanbase is female but I can’t remember what he replied to it.
When asked about TV shows he likes, he mentioned at least Sherlock, Breaking Bad and Downton Abbey. He especially mentioned how he finds the concept of Sherlock interesting to have just three episodes and then having to wait ages for the next ones. Made me think of a certain friend of mine who is very frustrated by the long hiatus between seasons. Yes, aschicca, I’m looking at you. *g*
He was also asked how far he would go for a role and he said that he would be prepared to go pretty far. He mentioned that the diet he had to go to for the crystal meth arc on QAF had been brutal. He also brought up Dallas Buyers Club and how he appreciates the effort the actors had done in that to look the way they did. He had really enjoyed the movie.
I went to ask another question from him but at first I had a comment to him about how many times when I heard his play “12 angry men” being talked about, I couldn’t help but think about the play “12 horny men” the characters went to see in QAF. Scott laughed and said that the play had been nothing like that. He also said that he was sure the other actors wouldn’t mind him saying that but he was pretty sure no-one would want to see that cast naked. He also gave a short explanation what the play had been about.
My actual question to him was about his role in Bones and if he was going to be in the show again. He had no idea but he did hope he would. He did say that the last time he was in the show, it was supposed to be some completely different person but at the last minute they had changed it to his character. He does feel that the character is quite well liked so it’s possible there will be more of him at some point. I also asked him at what point did he find out that Michelle was going to be in the same episode. He said that he only found out when they were filming. They didn’t have any scenes together but one day they did find some time to hang out in their trailers together and had had nice time catching up.
Then someone asked him what his best moment as an actor had been. He started with talking about some play he had done in Chicago. Unfortunately I didn’t catch the name of the play. Then he also mentioned doing QAF and seeing the effect it had and continues to have for people. Having people come to him and thank him for his work in the show makes him humble and thankful.
Then there was a question that was actually in the form of “What makes you sick of life?” but Scott heard it like he was asked what he seeks in life. He said he seeks love and laughter in life. The person who had asked the question also wanted him to answer the actual question. Scott didn’t look too sure about that at first but then he said that he doesn’t like bullying, people thinking they deserve more than others in life than other people and guns.
Was asked about living in LA. He doesn’t like the traffic or the isolation. He says it takes forever to get from place to place and you don’t even get to see people who live pretty close to you that often. He said he had just moved to area called Silverlake and really liked living there. He also mentioned that Peter was living close-by as well.
The earth quakes that had happened in LA lately were brought up and he said he’s not really scared of them. He knows it’s quite possible that there’s a big one coming but there’s no sense in living in constant fear. He brought up a discussion he had once had with Sharon Gless’s husband after they moved to Florida since one reason he had given for the move was the fear of earth quakes. Scott had just replied that he didn’t quite get that since there were pretty much guaranteed hurricanes in Florida every single year and he much preferred the possibility of an occasional earth quake to yearly hurricanes.
Scott was also asked about what he would change in QAF if there was a remake. He said that first of all the show would be renamed “Ted”. Then Brian would be the custodian in Ted’s building. On a more serious note he said that seasons 1 and 3 had been his favorites. Season 2 had been too goofy for him. He also added that he wouldn’t change any of the cast.
After the panel ended, I dashed up to get my photo taken with Gale. However, when I got there, I was told that he had already left. I pointed out that according to the program there was still about 10-15 minutes left of photos with him and I thought I could trust the schedule. They did tell me that they were trying to get him come back. I wasn’t the only one there. Finally they told us that he was going to be there soon. That soon proved to be about 15 minutes. Almost at the same time with him also Peter and Scott got there since they were due for a duo photo session.
When I walked to my photo with Gale we exchanged a few pleasantries and I took my position next to him. He had this really tight grip of my waist which made me pretty much lean on him, not that I minded really. *g*
When that photo was done, I returned outside to wait for the few other people with Gale to be taken and then being admitted back in for my photo with Peter and Scott. I could hear them laughing inside and would have given anything to see what was going on *g*
A few minutes later I got in to get the photo with Peter and Scott. They both greeted me and I went to stand between them to get my photo. After the photo they said something about me getting them all fresh.
Then I dashed back downstairs for Randy’s panel which had already started so I probably missed a few questions.
He was asked if he would want to have a role in Girls. He said that he would absolutely love to be on Girls and would play any part in it. He said that his favorite character is Hannah.
Someone asked him about the Season 4 premiere clothes but don’t remember why or what he replied to it.
He told us that he would love to do theater in Europe but that it’s very difficult for and American actor to get a role in theater in Europe. He would like to do Shakespeare and when asked which play, he said all of them.
I got up to ask him about seeing Drowned Man, a production of Punch Drunk in London last Fall. However, before I managed to ask the question, he suddenly said “BAH” into the mike. For a few seconds I was a bit confused but then I heard laughter and cheering from the hall and turned to look. I saw that a few friends of mine had just walked in and were cheering. Made the connection then. There’s a running joke about three friends of mine forming a band called “BAH”. Two of those friends were present in the convention. Randy is aware of the joke so I guess he was just welcoming them. *g* I turned back to him and said something about him probably just making their day.
Then I got back to my question. He said he had really enjoyed seeing Drowned Man. And he went on for a short explanation about what the Drowned Man was. He then said that he had also seen the production in New York and had found the experience quite similar. I commented there that I had actually found the experiences quite different but maybe it was because in New York I actually had no idea what to expect and was lost. In London I knew a bit better what was going to happen. I cheekily asked if he had seen the guy in London who just suddenly stripped bare ass naked and started rolling in the sand. He said that he had sure seen him. I commented something about finding it interesting and he smirked at me and said something on the lines how he was sure I had. I also asked him if being part of a Punch Drunk production and he said that in theory it would be an interesting experience but on the other hand he likes the way the plays he does are built that you only had to be on stage for a few hours and then you can go home, whereas on Punch Drunk productions the actors have to do the same thing over and over again for several hours. He also said that he has the impression that they aren’t paid too well. He has a friend working the NYC production and he said he would need to talk with that friend about the experience.
Being on stage makes him happy.
He would love to be part of Cirque du Soleil but doesn’t feel that he’s good enough.
Would love to have no regrets in life.
Was asked about his favorite place in Paris and he mentioned some park.
Someone else asked him about visiting museums and he said he thinks he had already answered that question but went on to list a few of his favorite museums in the world, all contemporary I think.
I had gotten up to ask a question again. Before I got the question out, Randy told me that I should have my own talk show with the way I come up with new questions all the time. I got all flustered at that point and he noticed it. He laughed and asked if he had just embarrassed me. I admitted that maybe a little and added that he has the habit of doing that. He agreed with me but then told me that he thinks that I don’t actually mind but if I did mind, he would promise to stop doing that. I did have to admit that I didn’t mind.
So finally I got to my question which was actually for a friend. And I started the question by telling Randy that I was asking the question on behalf of a friend and he looked right at her then. I asked him if he would have interest in taking QWAN on a tour. He said that it would definitely be an interesting idea but finding suitable venues for them to perform in might be challenging and also finding the right audience for the shows.
There was a question about his favorite moments in QAF. He said he liked filming the end of 122 and the scene where Justin get hit over the head with the bat because they had already wrapped filming and were celebrating with some champagne when Randy was told that they hadn’t gotten that one scene and he had to go back to filming while feeling buzzy about the champagne. He proceeded to demonstrate how he had to spend an hour just whipping his head around and pretending to be hit over the head with the bat. He also said that doing the party scenes was fun since occasionally they would start to do their best to get the other actors in the scene to crack up and ruin the scene that way.
He was also asked if he ever hates acting. He did admit that it’s hard work but also what he has always wanted to do.
Had to run out of the panel a bit before it ended because I had a M&G with Scott starting. In the end I could have stayed a bit longer since they were running behind in schedule and we had to wait Scott for about 10 minutes. The M&G was again quite relaxed and we talked about random things. Most have escaped me but I do remember Scott telling us about this special diet he’s on which means he’s not allowed to eat quite a few things. He had a list on his mobile about the stuff he wasn’t allowed to eat and it was a pretty long list. Someone joked that maybe it would be easier to make a list of foods he was allowed to eat. He also talked about going to an acupuncturist and how, despite his skepticism, seemed to be working for him.
He also talked about going to a psychic through a recommendation from Sharon. He said he had only gone once and didn’t really believe in it but that there was some stuff the psychic said that he did find a bit disturbing since he didn’t think he had told her some of the stuff she seemed to know and wondered if he had given some hints anyway without realizing it.
I’m sure other things were discussed as well but the details escape me now.
After the M&G it was again time to dash, this time to Gale’s panel. Due to Scott’s M&G being late I was afraid I had again missed most of the panel but found out that Gale’s panel had also started late so managed to catch most of it, which was good. On my way there I saw that they had done the raffle for Randy and Gale double coffee later that afternoon. I had bought a few tickets for it just for the fun of it the previous day and decided to check my tickets while I was there. Color me surprised when I realized I had actually won. Got handed the ticket for the coffee as well a surprise picture of the guys on stage during the opening which I could also get autographed later that day. A few friends came out of the hall just then and I had to tell them about me winning and they told me I was just way too lucky.
Then it was time for me to actually enter the hall and go listen Gale’s panel. I think the first question I heard was about Brian’s first time and what Gale thought it had been like. He said that he thinks Brian lied about not being scared.
Then there was this weird question who he thinks Todd is. Gale seemed to have trouble understanding what the person asking the question was after and so did pretty much everyone in the hall. He gave some kind of random answers to that about how Todd was Todd and I think he might have asked the person who asked the question if they thought he was someone else in disguise or something.
Someone asked him about Rehab again and he repeated pretty much the same thing he had said at the coffee that he unfortunately had no idea what was happening with it or if it was ever coming out.
He admits that he’s had problems with some cast mates in the past in some projects and he also knows that some cast mates have sometimes had problems with him.
Then he was asked what his best/worst moment with a fan has been. He deliberately misunderstood the question and started to talk about how he likes ceiling fans since they cool the room down and how he once stuck his finger into a table fan and said that had been a bad moment. However, then he got more serious and said that having someone come up to him and tell him that his work has influenced them is a great thing to happen.
He was also asked the question what he would have changed in QAF. He said that he would have changed lots of things about his own performance and some decisions he had made. However, he wouldn’t elaborate on those. He did say that he wouldn’t change much of the end that he was okay with the way the series ended. However, he did say that if he had a choice there would have been a bar fight with some bottles being thrown and a gun battle in the end *g* It also seemed he had some issues with the wardrobe since he said something about changing that. And in the end he also added that he would definitely put the original music back in the series.
Someone asked him if he thought that in the end with Brian dancing alone in Babylon, he was like a zombie. Gale again had some hard time understanding the question but when he got it, he pretty much agreed. He said that Brian’s soul was gone and he was emotionally dead. I find that actually a pretty apt description.
Then he was asked about doing Thirst. He talked a bit about his character and said that his character is a somewhat shady person and gave a list of slightly unsavory occupations his character could represent. I think a pimp and a drug dealer were at least mentioned. He said that his character makes the main character see how bad his life has gotten or something on those lines. He also said that he doesn’t know exactly what’s happening with the film but he thinks that it might be going on some festivals.
I had gotten up to ask a question as well but they told me that they weren’t taking any more questions. Since I had the duo coffee with him and Randy coming up, I didn’t really mind. I think Gale’s panel was the only one where I didn’t ask any questions *g*
So it was the duo coffee with Gale and Randy for me at that point. I once more made my way to the top floor where it was held. By the time I got in, the “best” seats were already taken but I took a seat next to the chairs that Gale and Randy were going to sit in. Randy came in first and went to sit on the chair further away from me which would have then meant that Gale would have sat next to me. However, Randy got up to get himself some tea and while he was doing that, Gale came in and took the chair Randy had just vacated so when Randy sat down again, he was in the seat next to me.
I had sort of decided that this time around I would really stay quiet and just concentrate on listening what was being discussed. I do have to admit that I was starting to feel pretty tired so a chance to listen was a welcome change. I did have one question in mind which I had thought to ask Gale at his panel but the first question that was asked was quite similar to what I had thought to ask so that took care of that. They were asked about if they had interest in doing work behind the camera as well. Can’t remember exactly what they said but I think they both said that they would like that.
One person said that she was going to go the way they go at Inside the Actor’s Studio and asked them to tell us what was their favorite word, their least favorite word and their favorite swear word. I remember that Randy’s favorite word was something quite complicated sounding and I asked him what it meant but even the explanation escapes me now. However, it did sound fancy. His least favorite word is “blah” and his favorite swearword is “cunt”. I do know it’s a very bad word and very offensive. it seemed some people in the room felt that word should not be said aloud at all but Randy kept repeating it a few times. He even said that we should go around the room and everyone should say the word. That idea was vetoed. From Gale I only caught the swearword. His favorite swearword was sucka. Didn’t catch the others.
I did ask them one question which was that if they could meet anyone from the past who would they like to meet. They gave it some thought. Randy replied first and said he would meet an actress who was in the play A Doll’s House. He said the name too but it wasn’t familiar to me and can’t remember it now. Gale said he’d like to meet Johnny Cash. He also mentioned a few other names who I think are also musicians but those names escape me too.
At one point in the coffee Randy moved to sit in such a way on his chair that his legs were folded on the chair beside him. That meant that he was leaning to the other edge of his chair. This edge was the one next to me and he actually ended up leaning so that if I had been sitting on my chair normally, he would have ended up leaning on me. I naturally leaned away from him to avoid any accidental contact.
The whole coffee passed in a pretty relaxed manner and it was over way too soon. At that point it was time to have lunch so I located my friends and we had a lazy lunch break in one of the hotel rooms just lazing around.
As luck would have it, the first thing after lunch was Randy’s M&G. At that point I was actually starting to feel ashamed of all the extras I had since it seemed I was in every single thing.
During the lunch I had been dared to ask one particular question from Randy. I started the M&G with that and told Randy that I had been dared by my friend Sandra to ask the question. He looked slightly worried. I guess he remembers what our dares are sometimes like since he’s heard stories of them. He said to me that he reserves the right to refuse to answer. So I asked him if he has ever come in like a wrecking ball. The question probably left everyone else in the room feeling quite confused. First Randy laughed and then totally seriously asked if I meant in a relationship. I felt mortified and told him that it was supposed to be a jokey question. He laughed again and said he knew that. He went on saying that there was history to the question. He began to explain how in the convention in London Sandra had thrown herself down some stairs while singing Wreckingball by Miley Cyrus. I hurried to correct that she had actually crawled down the stairs, not thrown herself down them. Randy continued to say that it’s a tradition that she makes those videos and that he’s taking full credit for them.
Then the discussion moved to other subjects and I once more decided to stay quiet for the rest of the M&G. I managed that pretty well until Randy started to talk about how they are building all these great theaters in NYC but how no-one is ready to shell out money for actors to actually put plays on in them. I commented that hadn’t he posted an article about the same subject a while ago and we continued to talk about the subject for a while. Randy said that it’s actually ridiculous that the prices for theater tickets are so high in NYC. Theaters don’t receive much of government funding. I think he said that it has its roots in history. Arts used to receive funding from government but then someone realized that those funds could be used to finance also plays that weren’t to everyone’s taste. Those plays were of course plays dealing with gay-rights. All funding got then cut. This happened far in the past but the situation is still the same. Randy even says that it feels weird for him do parts in a play that has ticket prices he wouldn’t be willing to pay himself. He said that the most he’s usually ready to pay is $40.
Once more my memory fails me at everything else that was said at the M&G. However, again it felt that it was over way too soon. I walked out of the room but didn’t go far since I had a M&G with Gale starting pretty much right away. We had to wait a few minutes and then we were admitted back into the room. A few minutes later Gale arrived and the M&G got on its way.
I do have to say that the beginning of the M&G was the most awkward experience of the whole convention. First there was a lady who started to talk about a student film project that had been in contact with Gale’s agent about having him appear in the film. Gale didn’t seem to have any idea what she was talking about. This went on for a while.
Then the talk was turned to Defiance and how Gale’s character had been killed in that. One lady started to talk something about some show she had watched where they had also killed some character and then ratings had dropped and I think there was also severed heads and bodies at different ends of the room and such mentioned. It all got quite confusing and I’m not sure if anyone knew what we were talking about anymore.
Talk went back to Defiance and this is where I’m not exactly sure if Gale was telling the truth or just pulling our legs but he told us how the way his character had died had been planned from the beginning and how in the second season he would be returning as a hallucination since someone was poisoning the water or something. He also talked about how his characters death had just been a start for some other character who was going to join the show. I had hard time following the whole thing.
Someone asked about if the water in the shower scenes in QAF was warm or cold. When Gale laughed and said that it was of course warm and that they had unions in place just because of that to make sure they didn’t have to do any unpleasant things. It was then asked how they kept the steam from the cameras and Gale said there were these special fans that pushed the steam away.
There was also a question what he thinks happened with his character from TSC. He said he had no idea but it’s possible he moved to Vegas.
I asked him about the Lock and what’s happening next with that. He said they are just in the process of writing the first draft and will see what happens with that. He said that with the Kickstarter money they managed to collect, they will be able to get either three drafts written or alternatively two drafts and some revisions. He wasn’t able to say much about it.
When the M&G was over it was again time for autographs. Once more I could have gone in right away when they started but I chose to stay back to wait with my friends. When they were allowed in the autograph room, I went with them. Once more the guys were sitting in the same order. I had the picture I had won in the raffle for them all to sign and in addition I had a few items for Randy and Gale. The photo I had gotten of them and got signed is the one I’m using as my icon in these posts.
Had nice time talking with first Peter and then Scott while waiting for the queue to move. It looked like most people were just queuing for Randy and Gale so it was moving pretty slowly. I once more told them both that it had been nice seeing them and thanked them for answering all my questions. Scott commented something about me seeming to have a lot of questions and I told him how Randy had told me that I should get my own talk show. Scott thought I should name it Pia Presents and that’s the reason why my photos are watermarked with that *g* My friend, Kimmah, suggested that I should ask Scott to be my first guest.
Then it was Randy’s turn and I told him that Sandra pretty much wants to kill me because I asked him that Wreckingball question at the M&G. Randy just laughed at that. While he was signing the photo, I told him that Scott had just named my talk show. He was all disappointed since he had just signed the picture with “Pia’s talk show, my favorite”. Aww. I also told him that I felt like I had been part of every single thing he had done during the convention and he was just all “well, you were.” But then continued to say that it was just great because I was the life of the party in conventions with all my questions. Such a nice thing for him to say. Then it was still Gale’s autograph. Told him too that it had been nice seeing him and thanked for answering all my questions.
Then it was just time to wait around for them to be done with the autographs so that the final panels would start. According to the program the autographs were supposed to end at 17:45 with a 45 minute group panel and a 30 minute closing following. In the end they got done with the autographs only around 18:30. The group panel started right after that.
I forgot to make notes of the final panel so unfortunately I only remember the questions I went up there to ask. It was amusing when I got up from my seat to walk to the mike, I heard Scott say “Pia Presents” from the stage. In the beginning there were some comments about the haul of gifts especially Randy and Gale had gotten. That sort of prompted my question. I asked them was what was the best/worst gift they had ever been given by a fan. Randy immediately said syringes in a mustard packet. When he didn’t go on, I cheekily asked if that was the best or the worst gift and he gave me this very disapproving glance that seemed to say “really?” Well, my question had been two parts and he only gave me one. Unfortunately can’t remember what Peter or Scott said. Gale said that he had once been given the key to a hotel room. He wouldn’t specify either If that was the best or the worst gift.
I continued right away with my second question. I asked them if they had any favorite charities and what they were. Peter said that he was on the board of GLAAD in LA so he picked that one. Scott mentioned some agency that deals with adoption issues. Randy’s was the Ali Forney center. Gale’s reply was a children’s literacy charity. All very good causes.
There were some other questions asked and then I was just about to go back up to ask more questions when they suddenly told us that the panel was over and proceeded to thank the crew in the convention and the guests who just said a quick bye. Peter told us that they were all taking a part of us with them.
Then it was over. I was left feeling pretty empty and disappointed. According to the program we were supposed to get about 1h 15 minutes of panels but ended up with just about 20-25 minutes. They did promptly end the convention at the time it was stated in the program but considering that things had been running late the whole day, I feel that they should have let the final panel go on a bit longer. I don’t know if the guests’ contracts had something about them having to be out of there by 19:00 or something but it was just a huge disappointment. We remained in the hall a while longer just talking among each other and people were saying bye to each other. I think most people were feeling quite disappointed by the way the whole thing ended. The guests didn’t really even say a proper bye.
After the hall started to empty, this one woman came to me and asked if I was really going to go through with the talk show idea. When I replied that not really, she said I would probably be really good at it. What a nice compliment!
Now this concludes my report from the convention. As a final word about the convention I do have to say that while I had my doubts, the convention actually did end up being pretty good all in all. There were things that in my opinion could have been done better. I don’t know why there were more tickets sold to the Close Up and Dinners than originally advertised but that’s not really any of my business. I just feel that people got cheated by that since they didn’t end up getting quite what they had paid for. I’ve heard quite a few people say that the Dinners really weren’t worth the money which makes me glad I wasn’t there. Sandra, who was there did end up enjoying the dinner at the end but that was only after Randy moved around and gave other people than his PA and the people sitting right next to him a chance to interact with him.
I also feel that the program could have been designed better. Again I don’t know what the actor’s contracts said about breaks and such but I’ve done a lot of conventions where there have been hardly any overlaps and I’m sure those actors had rules about breaks as well. I do hope that if they end up running another convention, they will improve the schedule somewhat. There are lots of conventions, mainly in the UK, who have been running with the same kind of programs for several years and those programs have been proven to work quite well. And with more attendees than what Queens of the Road had. If I heard correctly, there were around 200 tickets sold. It wouldn’t be too hard to organize a schedule for four guests and 200 attendees without having such a huge amount of overlaps.
However, despite all my griping, I did have great time. It’s mostly due to the guests. So a big thank you to Scott, Peter, Randy and Gale, even if they will never read this. *g*
And then there’re of course the wonderful friends I had there with me. I’d like to extend my thanks to Sandra, Kimmah, Sarah, Donna, Amélie and Betty for being such wonderful friends as you are! It wouldn’t have been the same without you! Again so many memories to cherish!
It was also great to see many wonderful familiar faces who I’ve seen in past events. There are too many to be named and I don’t want to offend anyone by leaving them out so just a general thank you to all for being part of the experience as well!
And I also met some wonderful new people in the convention so my thanks to you all as well!
And finally a thank you to everyone who has been reading these reports and leaving comments! Those comments mean a lot to me too since writing these reports is quite time consuming so it’s nice to hear that my efforts are appreciated.
Also lots of pictures once more. Still asking you not to take any parts of the report or the photos but rather linking back to my journal. Thank you!
Previous part
The morning really wasn’t the best one for me. I pretty much had the hangover from hell but it couldn’t really be helped. Had to get up and active again. And I knew I only had myself to blame *g*
I thought that my first item in the program was the group photo in the morning. However, when I started to look for my ticket for it, I couldn’t find it. I was afraid I had lost it. I went to the photo room to talk about it and was told that my ticket didn’t actually include the group photo. I was quite surprised since the lower level tickets did include it. I was explained that I got the individual photos but not the group photo and if I wanted the group photo, I would need to pay for it. However, I wasn’t going to shell out close to €100 for one photo on top of everything I had already paid for. I really began to feel that the VIP ticket hadn’t been worth its price.
The first panel that morning was Scott’s. I opened the panel with a question. Or that was my plan but once I got to the mike I totally forgot what I had been about to ask. I told him that I blamed him since he had poured me all that wine the previous night. I did then add that I might have poured myself some wine as well so maybe it was my own fault too. He just laughed. However, luckily my question also came back to me and I asked him if there was anything he could tell us about his new theater project. He said that all he could say was that it was going to be in the Fall. I told him that I had been bummed that I couldn’t have come to see him do “12 Angry men” and that I had been in the US when it was on but on the wrong coast. I did further ask him if the new project was again going to be in LA. He said he couldn’t say where it was going to be but that it wasn’t going to be in LA. He had actually asked if he could talk about the project in the convention but he had pretty much been told to keep his mouth shut about it.
Someone asked him about why he didn’t wear glasses when all the other guys in the convention had glasses on. He just said that he had been lucky with not needing them yet. He has worn glasses for many roles but doesn’t need them in RL.
Was asked about playing an instrument and he said he has played a lot of instruments during school years. In college he had to give it up since there was no musical training offered at his college. He also mentioned that during his school years he did quite a few musicals.
Further about music, he said that originally it was going to be him singing the opera parts when Ted was that singing waitress at the Italian restaurant but in the end Ron didn’t think he was good enough singer and they got someone else to do it.
When asked what he thinks the message of QAF is, he said it’s pretty much the speech Ted gives Emmett at the “See the light” story line. I think that’s really well said and I agree with that.
He was also asked the question about why such a big part of the fanbase is female but I can’t remember what he replied to it.
When asked about TV shows he likes, he mentioned at least Sherlock, Breaking Bad and Downton Abbey. He especially mentioned how he finds the concept of Sherlock interesting to have just three episodes and then having to wait ages for the next ones. Made me think of a certain friend of mine who is very frustrated by the long hiatus between seasons. Yes, aschicca, I’m looking at you. *g*
He was also asked how far he would go for a role and he said that he would be prepared to go pretty far. He mentioned that the diet he had to go to for the crystal meth arc on QAF had been brutal. He also brought up Dallas Buyers Club and how he appreciates the effort the actors had done in that to look the way they did. He had really enjoyed the movie.
I went to ask another question from him but at first I had a comment to him about how many times when I heard his play “12 angry men” being talked about, I couldn’t help but think about the play “12 horny men” the characters went to see in QAF. Scott laughed and said that the play had been nothing like that. He also said that he was sure the other actors wouldn’t mind him saying that but he was pretty sure no-one would want to see that cast naked. He also gave a short explanation what the play had been about.
My actual question to him was about his role in Bones and if he was going to be in the show again. He had no idea but he did hope he would. He did say that the last time he was in the show, it was supposed to be some completely different person but at the last minute they had changed it to his character. He does feel that the character is quite well liked so it’s possible there will be more of him at some point. I also asked him at what point did he find out that Michelle was going to be in the same episode. He said that he only found out when they were filming. They didn’t have any scenes together but one day they did find some time to hang out in their trailers together and had had nice time catching up.
Then someone asked him what his best moment as an actor had been. He started with talking about some play he had done in Chicago. Unfortunately I didn’t catch the name of the play. Then he also mentioned doing QAF and seeing the effect it had and continues to have for people. Having people come to him and thank him for his work in the show makes him humble and thankful.
Then there was a question that was actually in the form of “What makes you sick of life?” but Scott heard it like he was asked what he seeks in life. He said he seeks love and laughter in life. The person who had asked the question also wanted him to answer the actual question. Scott didn’t look too sure about that at first but then he said that he doesn’t like bullying, people thinking they deserve more than others in life than other people and guns.
Was asked about living in LA. He doesn’t like the traffic or the isolation. He says it takes forever to get from place to place and you don’t even get to see people who live pretty close to you that often. He said he had just moved to area called Silverlake and really liked living there. He also mentioned that Peter was living close-by as well.
The earth quakes that had happened in LA lately were brought up and he said he’s not really scared of them. He knows it’s quite possible that there’s a big one coming but there’s no sense in living in constant fear. He brought up a discussion he had once had with Sharon Gless’s husband after they moved to Florida since one reason he had given for the move was the fear of earth quakes. Scott had just replied that he didn’t quite get that since there were pretty much guaranteed hurricanes in Florida every single year and he much preferred the possibility of an occasional earth quake to yearly hurricanes.
Scott was also asked about what he would change in QAF if there was a remake. He said that first of all the show would be renamed “Ted”. Then Brian would be the custodian in Ted’s building. On a more serious note he said that seasons 1 and 3 had been his favorites. Season 2 had been too goofy for him. He also added that he wouldn’t change any of the cast.
After the panel ended, I dashed up to get my photo taken with Gale. However, when I got there, I was told that he had already left. I pointed out that according to the program there was still about 10-15 minutes left of photos with him and I thought I could trust the schedule. They did tell me that they were trying to get him come back. I wasn’t the only one there. Finally they told us that he was going to be there soon. That soon proved to be about 15 minutes. Almost at the same time with him also Peter and Scott got there since they were due for a duo photo session.
When I walked to my photo with Gale we exchanged a few pleasantries and I took my position next to him. He had this really tight grip of my waist which made me pretty much lean on him, not that I minded really. *g*
When that photo was done, I returned outside to wait for the few other people with Gale to be taken and then being admitted back in for my photo with Peter and Scott. I could hear them laughing inside and would have given anything to see what was going on *g*
A few minutes later I got in to get the photo with Peter and Scott. They both greeted me and I went to stand between them to get my photo. After the photo they said something about me getting them all fresh.
Then I dashed back downstairs for Randy’s panel which had already started so I probably missed a few questions.
He was asked if he would want to have a role in Girls. He said that he would absolutely love to be on Girls and would play any part in it. He said that his favorite character is Hannah.
Someone asked him about the Season 4 premiere clothes but don’t remember why or what he replied to it.
He told us that he would love to do theater in Europe but that it’s very difficult for and American actor to get a role in theater in Europe. He would like to do Shakespeare and when asked which play, he said all of them.
I got up to ask him about seeing Drowned Man, a production of Punch Drunk in London last Fall. However, before I managed to ask the question, he suddenly said “BAH” into the mike. For a few seconds I was a bit confused but then I heard laughter and cheering from the hall and turned to look. I saw that a few friends of mine had just walked in and were cheering. Made the connection then. There’s a running joke about three friends of mine forming a band called “BAH”. Two of those friends were present in the convention. Randy is aware of the joke so I guess he was just welcoming them. *g* I turned back to him and said something about him probably just making their day.
Then I got back to my question. He said he had really enjoyed seeing Drowned Man. And he went on for a short explanation about what the Drowned Man was. He then said that he had also seen the production in New York and had found the experience quite similar. I commented there that I had actually found the experiences quite different but maybe it was because in New York I actually had no idea what to expect and was lost. In London I knew a bit better what was going to happen. I cheekily asked if he had seen the guy in London who just suddenly stripped bare ass naked and started rolling in the sand. He said that he had sure seen him. I commented something about finding it interesting and he smirked at me and said something on the lines how he was sure I had. I also asked him if being part of a Punch Drunk production and he said that in theory it would be an interesting experience but on the other hand he likes the way the plays he does are built that you only had to be on stage for a few hours and then you can go home, whereas on Punch Drunk productions the actors have to do the same thing over and over again for several hours. He also said that he has the impression that they aren’t paid too well. He has a friend working the NYC production and he said he would need to talk with that friend about the experience.
Being on stage makes him happy.
He would love to be part of Cirque du Soleil but doesn’t feel that he’s good enough.
Would love to have no regrets in life.
Was asked about his favorite place in Paris and he mentioned some park.
Someone else asked him about visiting museums and he said he thinks he had already answered that question but went on to list a few of his favorite museums in the world, all contemporary I think.
I had gotten up to ask a question again. Before I got the question out, Randy told me that I should have my own talk show with the way I come up with new questions all the time. I got all flustered at that point and he noticed it. He laughed and asked if he had just embarrassed me. I admitted that maybe a little and added that he has the habit of doing that. He agreed with me but then told me that he thinks that I don’t actually mind but if I did mind, he would promise to stop doing that. I did have to admit that I didn’t mind.
So finally I got to my question which was actually for a friend. And I started the question by telling Randy that I was asking the question on behalf of a friend and he looked right at her then. I asked him if he would have interest in taking QWAN on a tour. He said that it would definitely be an interesting idea but finding suitable venues for them to perform in might be challenging and also finding the right audience for the shows.
There was a question about his favorite moments in QAF. He said he liked filming the end of 122 and the scene where Justin get hit over the head with the bat because they had already wrapped filming and were celebrating with some champagne when Randy was told that they hadn’t gotten that one scene and he had to go back to filming while feeling buzzy about the champagne. He proceeded to demonstrate how he had to spend an hour just whipping his head around and pretending to be hit over the head with the bat. He also said that doing the party scenes was fun since occasionally they would start to do their best to get the other actors in the scene to crack up and ruin the scene that way.
He was also asked if he ever hates acting. He did admit that it’s hard work but also what he has always wanted to do.
Had to run out of the panel a bit before it ended because I had a M&G with Scott starting. In the end I could have stayed a bit longer since they were running behind in schedule and we had to wait Scott for about 10 minutes. The M&G was again quite relaxed and we talked about random things. Most have escaped me but I do remember Scott telling us about this special diet he’s on which means he’s not allowed to eat quite a few things. He had a list on his mobile about the stuff he wasn’t allowed to eat and it was a pretty long list. Someone joked that maybe it would be easier to make a list of foods he was allowed to eat. He also talked about going to an acupuncturist and how, despite his skepticism, seemed to be working for him.
He also talked about going to a psychic through a recommendation from Sharon. He said he had only gone once and didn’t really believe in it but that there was some stuff the psychic said that he did find a bit disturbing since he didn’t think he had told her some of the stuff she seemed to know and wondered if he had given some hints anyway without realizing it.
I’m sure other things were discussed as well but the details escape me now.
After the M&G it was again time to dash, this time to Gale’s panel. Due to Scott’s M&G being late I was afraid I had again missed most of the panel but found out that Gale’s panel had also started late so managed to catch most of it, which was good. On my way there I saw that they had done the raffle for Randy and Gale double coffee later that afternoon. I had bought a few tickets for it just for the fun of it the previous day and decided to check my tickets while I was there. Color me surprised when I realized I had actually won. Got handed the ticket for the coffee as well a surprise picture of the guys on stage during the opening which I could also get autographed later that day. A few friends came out of the hall just then and I had to tell them about me winning and they told me I was just way too lucky.
Then it was time for me to actually enter the hall and go listen Gale’s panel. I think the first question I heard was about Brian’s first time and what Gale thought it had been like. He said that he thinks Brian lied about not being scared.
Then there was this weird question who he thinks Todd is. Gale seemed to have trouble understanding what the person asking the question was after and so did pretty much everyone in the hall. He gave some kind of random answers to that about how Todd was Todd and I think he might have asked the person who asked the question if they thought he was someone else in disguise or something.
Someone asked him about Rehab again and he repeated pretty much the same thing he had said at the coffee that he unfortunately had no idea what was happening with it or if it was ever coming out.
He admits that he’s had problems with some cast mates in the past in some projects and he also knows that some cast mates have sometimes had problems with him.
Then he was asked what his best/worst moment with a fan has been. He deliberately misunderstood the question and started to talk about how he likes ceiling fans since they cool the room down and how he once stuck his finger into a table fan and said that had been a bad moment. However, then he got more serious and said that having someone come up to him and tell him that his work has influenced them is a great thing to happen.
He was also asked the question what he would have changed in QAF. He said that he would have changed lots of things about his own performance and some decisions he had made. However, he wouldn’t elaborate on those. He did say that he wouldn’t change much of the end that he was okay with the way the series ended. However, he did say that if he had a choice there would have been a bar fight with some bottles being thrown and a gun battle in the end *g* It also seemed he had some issues with the wardrobe since he said something about changing that. And in the end he also added that he would definitely put the original music back in the series.
Someone asked him if he thought that in the end with Brian dancing alone in Babylon, he was like a zombie. Gale again had some hard time understanding the question but when he got it, he pretty much agreed. He said that Brian’s soul was gone and he was emotionally dead. I find that actually a pretty apt description.
Then he was asked about doing Thirst. He talked a bit about his character and said that his character is a somewhat shady person and gave a list of slightly unsavory occupations his character could represent. I think a pimp and a drug dealer were at least mentioned. He said that his character makes the main character see how bad his life has gotten or something on those lines. He also said that he doesn’t know exactly what’s happening with the film but he thinks that it might be going on some festivals.
I had gotten up to ask a question as well but they told me that they weren’t taking any more questions. Since I had the duo coffee with him and Randy coming up, I didn’t really mind. I think Gale’s panel was the only one where I didn’t ask any questions *g*
So it was the duo coffee with Gale and Randy for me at that point. I once more made my way to the top floor where it was held. By the time I got in, the “best” seats were already taken but I took a seat next to the chairs that Gale and Randy were going to sit in. Randy came in first and went to sit on the chair further away from me which would have then meant that Gale would have sat next to me. However, Randy got up to get himself some tea and while he was doing that, Gale came in and took the chair Randy had just vacated so when Randy sat down again, he was in the seat next to me.
I had sort of decided that this time around I would really stay quiet and just concentrate on listening what was being discussed. I do have to admit that I was starting to feel pretty tired so a chance to listen was a welcome change. I did have one question in mind which I had thought to ask Gale at his panel but the first question that was asked was quite similar to what I had thought to ask so that took care of that. They were asked about if they had interest in doing work behind the camera as well. Can’t remember exactly what they said but I think they both said that they would like that.
One person said that she was going to go the way they go at Inside the Actor’s Studio and asked them to tell us what was their favorite word, their least favorite word and their favorite swear word. I remember that Randy’s favorite word was something quite complicated sounding and I asked him what it meant but even the explanation escapes me now. However, it did sound fancy. His least favorite word is “blah” and his favorite swearword is “cunt”. I do know it’s a very bad word and very offensive. it seemed some people in the room felt that word should not be said aloud at all but Randy kept repeating it a few times. He even said that we should go around the room and everyone should say the word. That idea was vetoed. From Gale I only caught the swearword. His favorite swearword was sucka. Didn’t catch the others.
I did ask them one question which was that if they could meet anyone from the past who would they like to meet. They gave it some thought. Randy replied first and said he would meet an actress who was in the play A Doll’s House. He said the name too but it wasn’t familiar to me and can’t remember it now. Gale said he’d like to meet Johnny Cash. He also mentioned a few other names who I think are also musicians but those names escape me too.
At one point in the coffee Randy moved to sit in such a way on his chair that his legs were folded on the chair beside him. That meant that he was leaning to the other edge of his chair. This edge was the one next to me and he actually ended up leaning so that if I had been sitting on my chair normally, he would have ended up leaning on me. I naturally leaned away from him to avoid any accidental contact.
The whole coffee passed in a pretty relaxed manner and it was over way too soon. At that point it was time to have lunch so I located my friends and we had a lazy lunch break in one of the hotel rooms just lazing around.
As luck would have it, the first thing after lunch was Randy’s M&G. At that point I was actually starting to feel ashamed of all the extras I had since it seemed I was in every single thing.
During the lunch I had been dared to ask one particular question from Randy. I started the M&G with that and told Randy that I had been dared by my friend Sandra to ask the question. He looked slightly worried. I guess he remembers what our dares are sometimes like since he’s heard stories of them. He said to me that he reserves the right to refuse to answer. So I asked him if he has ever come in like a wrecking ball. The question probably left everyone else in the room feeling quite confused. First Randy laughed and then totally seriously asked if I meant in a relationship. I felt mortified and told him that it was supposed to be a jokey question. He laughed again and said he knew that. He went on saying that there was history to the question. He began to explain how in the convention in London Sandra had thrown herself down some stairs while singing Wreckingball by Miley Cyrus. I hurried to correct that she had actually crawled down the stairs, not thrown herself down them. Randy continued to say that it’s a tradition that she makes those videos and that he’s taking full credit for them.
Then the discussion moved to other subjects and I once more decided to stay quiet for the rest of the M&G. I managed that pretty well until Randy started to talk about how they are building all these great theaters in NYC but how no-one is ready to shell out money for actors to actually put plays on in them. I commented that hadn’t he posted an article about the same subject a while ago and we continued to talk about the subject for a while. Randy said that it’s actually ridiculous that the prices for theater tickets are so high in NYC. Theaters don’t receive much of government funding. I think he said that it has its roots in history. Arts used to receive funding from government but then someone realized that those funds could be used to finance also plays that weren’t to everyone’s taste. Those plays were of course plays dealing with gay-rights. All funding got then cut. This happened far in the past but the situation is still the same. Randy even says that it feels weird for him do parts in a play that has ticket prices he wouldn’t be willing to pay himself. He said that the most he’s usually ready to pay is $40.
Once more my memory fails me at everything else that was said at the M&G. However, again it felt that it was over way too soon. I walked out of the room but didn’t go far since I had a M&G with Gale starting pretty much right away. We had to wait a few minutes and then we were admitted back into the room. A few minutes later Gale arrived and the M&G got on its way.
I do have to say that the beginning of the M&G was the most awkward experience of the whole convention. First there was a lady who started to talk about a student film project that had been in contact with Gale’s agent about having him appear in the film. Gale didn’t seem to have any idea what she was talking about. This went on for a while.
Then the talk was turned to Defiance and how Gale’s character had been killed in that. One lady started to talk something about some show she had watched where they had also killed some character and then ratings had dropped and I think there was also severed heads and bodies at different ends of the room and such mentioned. It all got quite confusing and I’m not sure if anyone knew what we were talking about anymore.
Talk went back to Defiance and this is where I’m not exactly sure if Gale was telling the truth or just pulling our legs but he told us how the way his character had died had been planned from the beginning and how in the second season he would be returning as a hallucination since someone was poisoning the water or something. He also talked about how his characters death had just been a start for some other character who was going to join the show. I had hard time following the whole thing.
Someone asked about if the water in the shower scenes in QAF was warm or cold. When Gale laughed and said that it was of course warm and that they had unions in place just because of that to make sure they didn’t have to do any unpleasant things. It was then asked how they kept the steam from the cameras and Gale said there were these special fans that pushed the steam away.
There was also a question what he thinks happened with his character from TSC. He said he had no idea but it’s possible he moved to Vegas.
I asked him about the Lock and what’s happening next with that. He said they are just in the process of writing the first draft and will see what happens with that. He said that with the Kickstarter money they managed to collect, they will be able to get either three drafts written or alternatively two drafts and some revisions. He wasn’t able to say much about it.
When the M&G was over it was again time for autographs. Once more I could have gone in right away when they started but I chose to stay back to wait with my friends. When they were allowed in the autograph room, I went with them. Once more the guys were sitting in the same order. I had the picture I had won in the raffle for them all to sign and in addition I had a few items for Randy and Gale. The photo I had gotten of them and got signed is the one I’m using as my icon in these posts.
Had nice time talking with first Peter and then Scott while waiting for the queue to move. It looked like most people were just queuing for Randy and Gale so it was moving pretty slowly. I once more told them both that it had been nice seeing them and thanked them for answering all my questions. Scott commented something about me seeming to have a lot of questions and I told him how Randy had told me that I should get my own talk show. Scott thought I should name it Pia Presents and that’s the reason why my photos are watermarked with that *g* My friend, Kimmah, suggested that I should ask Scott to be my first guest.
Then it was Randy’s turn and I told him that Sandra pretty much wants to kill me because I asked him that Wreckingball question at the M&G. Randy just laughed at that. While he was signing the photo, I told him that Scott had just named my talk show. He was all disappointed since he had just signed the picture with “Pia’s talk show, my favorite”. Aww. I also told him that I felt like I had been part of every single thing he had done during the convention and he was just all “well, you were.” But then continued to say that it was just great because I was the life of the party in conventions with all my questions. Such a nice thing for him to say. Then it was still Gale’s autograph. Told him too that it had been nice seeing him and thanked for answering all my questions.
Then it was just time to wait around for them to be done with the autographs so that the final panels would start. According to the program the autographs were supposed to end at 17:45 with a 45 minute group panel and a 30 minute closing following. In the end they got done with the autographs only around 18:30. The group panel started right after that.
I forgot to make notes of the final panel so unfortunately I only remember the questions I went up there to ask. It was amusing when I got up from my seat to walk to the mike, I heard Scott say “Pia Presents” from the stage. In the beginning there were some comments about the haul of gifts especially Randy and Gale had gotten. That sort of prompted my question. I asked them was what was the best/worst gift they had ever been given by a fan. Randy immediately said syringes in a mustard packet. When he didn’t go on, I cheekily asked if that was the best or the worst gift and he gave me this very disapproving glance that seemed to say “really?” Well, my question had been two parts and he only gave me one. Unfortunately can’t remember what Peter or Scott said. Gale said that he had once been given the key to a hotel room. He wouldn’t specify either If that was the best or the worst gift.
I continued right away with my second question. I asked them if they had any favorite charities and what they were. Peter said that he was on the board of GLAAD in LA so he picked that one. Scott mentioned some agency that deals with adoption issues. Randy’s was the Ali Forney center. Gale’s reply was a children’s literacy charity. All very good causes.
There were some other questions asked and then I was just about to go back up to ask more questions when they suddenly told us that the panel was over and proceeded to thank the crew in the convention and the guests who just said a quick bye. Peter told us that they were all taking a part of us with them.
Then it was over. I was left feeling pretty empty and disappointed. According to the program we were supposed to get about 1h 15 minutes of panels but ended up with just about 20-25 minutes. They did promptly end the convention at the time it was stated in the program but considering that things had been running late the whole day, I feel that they should have let the final panel go on a bit longer. I don’t know if the guests’ contracts had something about them having to be out of there by 19:00 or something but it was just a huge disappointment. We remained in the hall a while longer just talking among each other and people were saying bye to each other. I think most people were feeling quite disappointed by the way the whole thing ended. The guests didn’t really even say a proper bye.
After the hall started to empty, this one woman came to me and asked if I was really going to go through with the talk show idea. When I replied that not really, she said I would probably be really good at it. What a nice compliment!
Now this concludes my report from the convention. As a final word about the convention I do have to say that while I had my doubts, the convention actually did end up being pretty good all in all. There were things that in my opinion could have been done better. I don’t know why there were more tickets sold to the Close Up and Dinners than originally advertised but that’s not really any of my business. I just feel that people got cheated by that since they didn’t end up getting quite what they had paid for. I’ve heard quite a few people say that the Dinners really weren’t worth the money which makes me glad I wasn’t there. Sandra, who was there did end up enjoying the dinner at the end but that was only after Randy moved around and gave other people than his PA and the people sitting right next to him a chance to interact with him.
I also feel that the program could have been designed better. Again I don’t know what the actor’s contracts said about breaks and such but I’ve done a lot of conventions where there have been hardly any overlaps and I’m sure those actors had rules about breaks as well. I do hope that if they end up running another convention, they will improve the schedule somewhat. There are lots of conventions, mainly in the UK, who have been running with the same kind of programs for several years and those programs have been proven to work quite well. And with more attendees than what Queens of the Road had. If I heard correctly, there were around 200 tickets sold. It wouldn’t be too hard to organize a schedule for four guests and 200 attendees without having such a huge amount of overlaps.
However, despite all my griping, I did have great time. It’s mostly due to the guests. So a big thank you to Scott, Peter, Randy and Gale, even if they will never read this. *g*
And then there’re of course the wonderful friends I had there with me. I’d like to extend my thanks to Sandra, Kimmah, Sarah, Donna, Amélie and Betty for being such wonderful friends as you are! It wouldn’t have been the same without you! Again so many memories to cherish!
It was also great to see many wonderful familiar faces who I’ve seen in past events. There are too many to be named and I don’t want to offend anyone by leaving them out so just a general thank you to all for being part of the experience as well!
And I also met some wonderful new people in the convention so my thanks to you all as well!
And finally a thank you to everyone who has been reading these reports and leaving comments! Those comments mean a lot to me too since writing these reports is quite time consuming so it’s nice to hear that my efforts are appreciated.