A Real Life Fairytale
April 10, 1998
I had been psyching myself up for days, watching selected episodes of HL
(like Valkeryie, Modern Prometheus, Eyewitness, Homeland, etc.) I drove home
listening to Queen, and finally, at 8:13 I boarded the plane for Anaheim.
"I'm sitting in the plane now watching the passengers pass. A man with a
turtleneck and sports coat just passed by. I think he'd make a good
immortal."
8:28 CA time *insert scream of anticipation here*
"All week I've been watching key HL moment to gear up. I'm now flying over
Nevada having just read my latest PEACE issue (saved for this occasion), and I
am so excited! I love this show, the characters, the actors, life's
lessons and the massive effect it has had on my life, and I can't believe I'm
on my way!"
The plane touched down and I found my van. Oddly enough the driver went to USU in the 60's. When everyone loaded on we realized we were all convention goers. One lady was from the clan denial, and another was literally insane, . . .so a fight between them broke out over Archangel. The poor van driver had to listen to it all. But he did ask us how old each of us where (expecting answers in the 100's).�
I stepped off the van and the first thing that I see is the T-bird!! Though I didn't think it possible, my anticipation is even more fueled, and it finally dawns on me that I'm at the convention.
I checked in to the hotel okay, but then when I went to register they didn't have my name listed. I sat around for about 20 min's while they figured it out, I was nervous, but the staff that was helping me were very nice and first thing he said was "Don't panic!"
Once registered, I donned my red convention tag and started looking about. A paruised the dealers room, which was chaotic, as Peter Hudson (Horton) and Valentine Pelka (Kronos) were signing autographs. I then went to the museum which held swords, weapons, headstones from 'Homeland', the bathtub from 'Chivalry', clothing including Cassandra's dress, the jacket DM wore when Tessa died, Tessa's dress from 'Revenge is Sweet', DM's tartan and much, much more.
I then ran into MacDuster and Bonlyone, and almost strangled them as they were the first familiar faces I'd seen. Right after that I found Big John, who met me with a big hug.
I went up to the Highlander forum room and met Jewel I, Jewel II, Mistress Wanderer, Bliss, Macaruin, Gemma, and Trollheart. Since nothing else was going on I stayed there for a while, but I did realize how apart from the forum I've become. It's so different there. Everyone introduced themselves after a while, and I only knew about 7 names. I introduced myself with the many pronunciations of my name, but no one really recognized me until I mentioned Crom (and I then had to answer some questions about his whereabouts and how he is doing, and why he isn't online). Everyone wants the beloved Crom back.
It's now about 3:15 and I finally find Maxie sitting to lunch with B, MacD, Bear, Starstruck, and Dawn. Shortly after I found StarDust and she took me to the bar and bought me a drink (Sprite). Also at the table was a woman named Mimi, who has never heard of Crom, but from seeing his picture determined he is the next big actor.
Around 4:00 I went to the smoking lounge to hang out with Maxie, Macaruin, Stardust and MacD. We sat and talked for a while. I had my picture taken with the T-bird, dressed in a long black trench coat and holding the Katana. I'm grinning from ear to ear, which I think is the facial expression I carried the whole weekend.
It was about 5:00 when I saw Frank walk by and jumped up to catch he and Fullmoon. I got to see pictures of all her babies, and they are all so adorable. Barbwire was there too.
I started roaming about again and now began to run into familiar faces regularly. I decided to spend what I had allotted of my food money (I only brought $$ for a Jim Byrnes CD, the rest was from my parents for food, and emergencies, and some fun) on two raffle tickets.
At 6:30 I lined up for the opening ceremonies. I met Kziggystar, and sat with Bliss and Mistress Wanderer. I was really excited as this was open seating, and as I didn't get holy ground I thought this was the closest I could get to seeing anyone (little did I know!!!). Bill Panzer started the ceremonies off, coming out to Princes of the universe and wearing a kilt.
After a short intro they brought out Valentine Pelka, Peter Hudson, and Jim
Byrnes to read the raffle off. The first 25 winners were going to go to dinner
with the cast!! Some of the people that one just sauntered up, and others where
screaming and so excited. Jim was cracking jokes the whole time "Do we need to
call 911?" and "The next number is T-I-C-K-E-T". I'm in the midst of taking
notes when(and I had to be told this as I don't really remember) Jim Byrnes
starts to read and. . . . .*DRUM ROLL* . . .*a quiet voice* "It's my number!"
*now a not so quiet voice* "IT'S MY NUMBER!!!!" About now I realized the high
scream was coming from my own voice and I was jumping up and down and hugging
Leesa(Mistress Wanderer). Jim Byrnes said "As soon as we figure out which one
of them won will giver her the prize."
I ran all the way up to stage and Jim told me who to give my ticket to (as in my excitement I'd forgotten).
I then bounced back and sat there shaking. Leesa gave me a drink of water and I tried desperately not to spill it as I gulped it down. I then sketched out in my notes (and you really should see how shaky it is!) "AAAAA-Jim Byrnes called my name!".
When the ceremonies closed everyone came up and congratulated me, and as it was 7:45 and the dinner started at 8:00 I left to find the restaurant. I didn't have time to change, so I went with braided hair, jeans, and a white T-shirt with a horse print.
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