James and I at the cocktail party.. really proud of that picture ;-)
After the last convention, I came home all happy, but telling myself: "That was a fun experience, but that's it. No more conventions for me." But then, my friend Robbie convinced me. To be honest, I wasn't all that hard to convince. All she really had to say was: "There's a cocktail party with James and only a hundred people are allowed to attend. Plus there's a banquet..." Yeah, ok, I admit it... put James' name in a sentence and you will convince me to do pretty much anything you want. I'm weak. But I have no regrets though cause I had a blast.
Guests:
JAMES MARSTERS
JAMES LEARY
ANDY HALLETT
IYADY LIMON
ROBIN ATKIN DOWNES
Of course, James was the main event, as usual. It was pretty much like my last convention, but less chaotic and with less catfights and whining. James participated in two events, the cocktail party on Friday night, and the banquet on Saturday night, plus his two Q&A and two days of autograph sessions. The other actors mingled with the crowed a lot and that was really nice. But that's not something James could do of course, because he would have five hundred girls crowding him and beating the crap out of each other to get closer or to get his attention. So no hanging out with the fans for James. The price to pay for being too hot (personally, I wouldn't see it as a "price", I'd be pretty happy about it, but I'm scared of crowds so don't listen to me)
The cocktail party was great. He arrived a little late but I'm sure it was on purpose, so the other actors could get some attention. As soon as he got there, there was a huge line up to take pictures with him. Thank God there were only a hundred something people. When he was done with the pictures, he sat at a table (surrounded by girls, it goes without saying) and talked to us, answered questions, etc. He was supposed to leave at 10pm, but he stayed until 11h20pm. That was really nice of him. So guys, when you hear rumors that James Marsters is the nicest guy.. Believe it. It's probably the only rumor that is 100% true.
I know you guys are more interested in stories about James, but just a few words about the other actors. First, I know everybody hate Kennedy, but the actress is surprisingly nice. The other James, better known as Clem, was the most approachable guy ever. He was really friendly and even partied with a bunch of fans in a room later on. I heard he regretted it in the morning ;-) Robin, the guy who played Machida in Reptile boy, was the one you could see the most throughout the weekend. He really got involved and that was nice. Bonus, he was hot lol. Unfortunately for us, Andy missed his plane on Friday so he only arrived Saturday afternoon and he definitely wasn't in the best of shape. I only realized Sunday, during his Q&A, what exactly we missed... The guy was a RIOT! Pure genius. Seriously, I've met a lot of funny people in my life, but he was the king of the funniest people's top ten list. I'm sure some people pee their pants. I think I might have bruised my ribs laughing too much. But I'll get there. So all this to say that he wasn't at the cocktail party.
Saturday. The autograph session for James took a long time, but it was very well organized. Hey, I was at Shore leave... I know what chaos truly is. At least, we had assigned seats and they were calling people by row. So you could go outside, smoke a cigarette or have a drink or whatever, and come back to get your autograph. That was pretty cool. Half way through the signing, we heard that Andy arrived and was gonna start signing. We didn't hear it was only for the "Saturday only" people so Tammy and I went (we were row H for James, and he was only at row D so we had time to kill). So we waited for an hour and when we get at the front of the line, we're told that since we have a two-day pass, we can't get an autograph today. So I gave the guy my "puppy eyes" and he caved in. Hehehe, evil me! Andy really did look tired. I believed him when Sunday he said that he didn't sleep for over 72hours. He came on stage with a Redbull in his hand ;-) Then we got our stuff signed by James (who was delightful as usual) and went to our rooms to change for the banquet.
So yeah... the banquet. Not exactly what I was expecting but oh well. First of all, it was waaaay too late. It started at 9pm. Second, I know I've been accused in the past of being a "blueblood princess" but the food was... Well, for one thing, there was a loooot of garlic in it. Which is not good if you want to impress James. Plus, it was cold. So I didn't eat anything. But it's ok; the food wasn't the main attraction. Next time, I'll know to eat before the banquet. Ok, are you sitting down? There was an auction and you could bid on the chance to sit at James table. Guess how much money two girls blew on that? One paid 6000$ and the other 5000$. Don't get me wrong, I love the guy. He's handsome, he's charming, he's funny and have interesting things to say, but I'd never, I mean, NEVER, spend 6000 bucks to sit next to him for about an hour or so. I'm sure even him was freaked out. The day I pay 6000 dollars for a guy, he better do more than eat chicken and garlic mash potatoes next to me. At least, the money went to a charity. After the diner, he went from one table to another and took group pictures. I can only imagine how tired he was after a day like that. I'm a mean selfish girl, I would have said: "Screw that, I'm going back to my room." But that's just me I guess.
After the banquet, there was a karaokee contest and a party. Andy and the boys sang a backstreet boys song. That was hilarious. Than we danced for a while. People went wild when they put "Rebel yell" on. That song so reminds me of Spike and Buffy. I think I had it on my home page for a while. I stayed long after the party was over and a few of us had a long Buffy talk. It's always nice to meet people and have something in common with them. I think it's the main reason why conventions are so addictive. You spend the weekend talking to a bunch of people you don't know, you make friends, recognize people from the last convention. Of course, there are other people from the last convention that you'd rather not see, but that's another story all together and I'd better not go there. The poor girl could stumble across my website and recognize herself in my description of a "psychotic blonde nutcase who thinks she's James soulmate and thinks that makes it ok for her to stalk him". That could hurt her feelings. Never mind that.
Sunday was pretty quiet. I think most people were suffering from a hang over. Basically, all we did was listen to Q&As and get our photo signed. Like I said, Andy's Q&A was something else. At the next con, it will be on my list of priorities. The guy can ramble for 20 minutes straight and start telling stories of his childhood, and still keep your attention cause he's just so damn cute and funny. And he lets slip all these details that he really shouldn't talk about and it just makes him so much funnier. Lorne was always the reason why I watch Angel, but now more than ever. When he was saying that he's friend with Alexis and that Alexis would call him saying things on his answering machine like: "Lorne? It's Wes. I'm calling to say.. I woke up this morning, and the water in the Jacuzzi is kinda green. Where you in there?" or better yet. When he told us how once, during the first year he was on Angel, they were all going to Hooters because they just loooove the chicken wings there (yeah right) He didn't want to go because he was wearing his make up. But he changed his mind. So people saw a green demon running down the street in his yellow outfit. It's not that funny the way I say it, but believe me, when HE was telling the story, people were screaming! C'mon, how could you not love a guy who bought a yellow school bus when he was 13years old? LOL
Ok, enough talking, here's what you really want... pictures!
James and I at the cocktail party.. really proud of that picture ;-)
Cocktail party again.. yeah yeah, I cheated, I took two. Sue me lol
With Tammy and Robbie. I look terrible cause I was really mad at a staff member (long story) and trying to hide it.
With Fernando(promoter) and Paul(operations)
Who would have thought that the guy underneath Machida's make up was that good looking...
With Kennedy... Don't you think I could have been a Potential Slayer too?
With Clem (another one who shouldn't hide under make up)
James, Tammy and I
Andy at his Q&A
Too bad I couldn't take a picture with him
With Paul at the cocktail party... we're both from Montreal
Fernando(promoter) Don't ask me what he told me, I don't remember, but it did get a hell of a reaction out of me! Funny pic :-)
So that's it for now. There's more pictures to come because I didn't receive Robbie's pictures yet. But as soon as I get them, I'll post them here. Promise.
Darla666 (aka Isabel)
Shoreleave 24, Baltimore July 2002