What a difference a year makes.
**NOTE: If someone teaches me LJ/Cut WITHOUT losing my pics, I shall edit this post. Thanks in advance**
Many of you have seen this pseudo-pathetic attempt at humor back when the GG's took their maiden trip to SNL in May '03:
Thankfully, after this 3rd (and final) trip in May '04, we had much more success (and just in the nick of time!). Now - not so live, from 30 Rockefeller Center, it's (the) Weekend Update.
I took JetBlue and was met by brooklyn74 in JFK at a bright an early 7:30am on Friday, May 7th. Together, we trotted to baggage claim and came across our 3rd traveling fan, sparkiepop and hopped on an excruciating long Super(crappy)Shuttle ride to 30Rock where we got in line just around 9:20am. We finally met our Mexican Chica, and 4th traveling pal, Itzel. who'd been lined up since 7am...you go girl!!
Thanks to Con Edison, we were nearly deaf and hoarse by nightfall.
Around dinner time, we were happily joined by cheesecakerocks and mysteryny (my pic didn't come out, so I "borrowed" Amy's)...
...and we went to dinner at John's Brick Oven Pizza place on recommendation of a co-worker. Typical GG banter and giggles ensued. We returned to line just in time to witness the emergence of WAY too much ass-crack and monster cockroaches emerge from the gratings in the sidewalk.
Neither event being very enjoyable, but thankfully the dropping temperature sent both away before long. And, for those creatures that didn't move fast enough, Sam was more than eager to assist in their demise.
Anyway, at this point, we head to the "stalking" side of 30 rock and wait for the cast to emerge. Don't worry Scoob, your pic with the "controversial million-dollar artwork" didn't come out. (I still say it was dancing hippos tho! hehe) I believe Amy Poehler was the first to surface. I played photographer for the girls, as I'm much happier on the OTHER side of the lens and just taking in the happiness of others (for now, anyway..heehee). Rachel was next and I snapped a candid in which she was quoted as saying after "Oh, now that'll be a keeper!"...
...and it is. Heh.
Fred came out shortly after and as Amy already stated, a fairly lengthy and humorous conversation with us ensued. It was quite daunting having him ask "tell me about yourself - what are your hobbies?" and stare intently into your face while he tries to guess by your dialect where you're from. I'd never make it as a public speaker. I got a pic with him and took one for Amy as well.
The girls got better Will pictures than I...but here's a candid of him with Sam and pals. I must say he could quickly become my next fave SNLer. He's very sweet and sincere and ain't too harsh on the eyes either! hehe!
Finally 1:30am arrives and yadda, yadda yadda...I'll admit it, I can't remember the exact dialogue that ensued with Jimmy as Amy and Itzel have, probably because none of it included me (which I preferred). I just did a "Maddy" and lurked there, staring in disbelief and admiration. I can clearly envision his little side-of-the-eye freckles and will let you all know 1st hand - "he just smells human!" Trust me...I sniffed..both nites. (it was the TB in me...and not the only emergence..details to follow) Anyway, here's some shots of Jimmy with Itzel and Amy...oh, and "Little Jimmy" too.
...and the shot that closes the SNL chapter of my life (sigh)...
A little on the large side? Sorry. deal.
We can now go back to standby and catch some Zzz's...well, I do anyway. Here's the view at around 6:45am on Saturday morning..moments before ticket handout - do we look homeless or what?
Saturday night came, we obviously got into Dress and thoroughly enjoyed the forthcoming 2hours of comedy. During the Goodbyes, Jimmy did his patented jump'n wave our way and we mirrored him right back so he knew Ms. "beautiful name" Itzel, all the way from Mexico, got in. We got out of Dress and tried contacting mcoco and Scooby because we never did determine which side of 30Rock to meet at, and low and behold - we see them in line going into Live--WTF!?! They'z got some 'splainin to do, Lucy! Hehehe! We watched the 1st hour of Live at our hotel and headed back to 30Rock. There was like NO ONE around or behind the barricades, it was awesome. Here's where we get a few more cool pics (again, some borrowed from Amy..I wasn't chancing non-digital shots tonite, 'cuz who knew what that airport Xray machine might do to my film!)
And yes, I did ask for his autograph this time. The "Jimmy Pimp Pen" has also been laid to rest.
Ok, here's where I'll admit my final "TBish" stunt. After we had had our pictoral time with the Jimster, some girls behind us asked if they could get pics too, so I squished aside so they could get up there. All the while trying to "sniff" him so I could report back to the JFMB kids (again, nothing special girls). I noticed his hand (yah, the one with the cute mole) was right there in my sight just a few inches away on this girl's shoulder. Since there was so much confusion, and people and parts being pushed around, I just sorta non-cholantly placed my hand atop his on this strange girl's shoulder and posed along with them---all giddy and smiles. So, yeah, I technically "held his hand" for a whole 10-12 seconds --jealous, aintchyas?? LOL!!!! Ok, I'm getting way to punchy with this. We lingered till he climbed into his limo and shouted out a special "Goodbye.." to a certain, shy friend. We met up with Nancy and Maddy, walked around some then parted ways.
The rest of the evening has one of those "what happens in NY, stays in NY" mottos attached but I will say that Red Bull and Vodka is now my new signature beverage. Sunday, Itzel and I did a little shopping, a little photographing and then picked up Amy and ate at Jimmy's Cafe before heading to UCB.
Another evening of comedy ensued. The mood was very casual, made me realize that like "hey, these are just people too" -- infact, Amy Poehler rode away on a bike! It's not always flashbulbs and limos for the folx and we maintained the proper decorum to not stick out like 'giddy fans'.We walked Itzel back to her hotel and said goodbye then caught a cab back to our room where we reminisced over our most successful weekend. Monday Amy and I parted--she to Brooklyn (no pun--hahah!) me to Wall Street where I met a friend for lunch then walked back to the hotel (all 53 blocks, baby!) shopping and admiring the sights along the way. It all came full circle when I ran into Amy at JFK as we both boarded our planes less than an hour apart.
Thanks to everyone who was part of this final GG Weekend. We missed those of you who couldn't be with us, but hopefully you can live vicariously through our Journals. Love to all my Fellow Fallon Fans....this chapter is now closed.
The End.