Amsterdam to Essen
Paul Nathan didn't end up meeting up with Eric Masters or myself in Amsterdam.
We still got to Centraal with a bit of time to buy my 1st class ticket and enjoy the lounge for a little while.
I thought the website offered free wifi but that wasn't true. Eric did take advantage of the free beers available though while i grabbed some tea and enjoyed the peaceful time away from the bustling people down below.
With 10 minutes to spare, we made our way to our train and jumped into the first car that had an awesome view out the front of the train.
(i, like a lame-ass didn't get a photo).
A man came by selling snacks but I should have waited til later because a lady came by to show us a menu and take our food order. I got a huge cherry cheesecake and lovely chicken soup served on real plates with silverware too.
Duisburg came sooner than expected and so did Essen. We rushed off the train at Duisburg and jumped into a taxi when we got to Essen.
When I checked in, Eden Wells was already in the room and settled in.
That evening, Eden, myself, Eric and Paul Nathan headed into town to the G.O.P Variete theater where we got to check out the current show that was there. (Paul is booked to perform for May/June). It was great being able to get away from the hotel and attend a non-fetish night out that was enjoyable! After the show, we had a drink or two with the performers before heading back to the hotel.
The one major difference between this weekend and the previous ones was the weather! Instead of snow blanketing the area outside the hotel, we had clear skies and a little bit of heat to go with the sun. The area outside the restaurant and the pool was open and we used them freely! I would actually say that Friday was a bit warm and I know I didn't want to have to put on latex and sit in the sun. It was so nice, that the Models and Makers party was pushed back a couple of hours because everyone wanted to take advantage of the sun.
I did end up putting on latex (my white vex trousers with the stained glass design up the sides), but it didn't last very long. I think I spent most of this weekend wearing bikini tops and beanie caps (usually without make up on all day long).
Saturday the Expo started and I ran around a bit talking to the designers and also making sure they were aware of rehearsal times, etc. for the next day. Also hung out in the bar area with tons of people and hit the pool a bit as well.
Ended up putting on clothes (and hair) for dinner because I thought it'd be nice at least.
Got the Rumpsteak filet. yum. Not sure about the napkin thing on hedonydesign and maximsphotos, maybe it's a french thing?
Didn't go to the VIP dinner at the Lochschuppen venue. Didn't see any shows.
I wasn't really planning on going at all to the party, but I figured I would. Jumped into the shuttle with a few peeps and headed out!. I wore my green AtsukoKudo and updo wig, but even though I love that outfit, I wasn't really feeling the party. smy1 got me a shot of JD but I ended up leaving without using my drink card at all. Since the shuttle wasn't running until 2am, I had to get a cab which was €40 of teh suk.
I ended up at the bar and Yannis poured me shots of JD - like at least 7. I was supposed to go to bed and get a good night's sleep before the next long day!
Sunday I woke up not feeling well at all. I felt puffy and irritated. Oh and my personal sharkweek started. Super. And no stores open to buy the necessary supplies. Seems it wasn't only me too. Oh well. Got Eric Masters and headed downstairs to the venue. Had a cab driver that was slow too. But we get to the venue and evveryone is waiting outside. Quite a few people were early too! Even though we were supposed to have access to the venue from 12h00, they decided to not let us in due to the cleaners not being finished - which pretty much screwed up my plans for a super short and organized rehearsal. I tried to get things on track as soon as possible by getting groups to rehearse and organize themselves before getting on the stage. It seemed to work and in the end, the day ended on time - except for Tolllkirshce/Demask but that was OK as they were not leaving the venue. Unfortunately, some of the models in the other shows ended up at the venue longer than I wanted. Fortunately, it wasn't my fault.
Eric Masters ended up choreographing and taking over the
ego_assassin show at the last minute. Nicole, Lilith, Eden Wells, Eden Berlin & Monique Vegas ended up being great in a super simple and yet sexy show that lasted a quick 4.5 minutes. (I like short).
Saw lots of people that I'd not seen like Marcus Ewers but unfortunately no time to chat. (I did chat with him a bit at the Meet/Greet thing - and with zuckerrotermond and other peeps too) Damn. so many, I'll die listing them all and looking up LJ names!
I was feeling pretty wrecked by the end of the rehearsal day. I kept a bottle of water near and tried to stay focused and get the people in/out as quickly as possible while trying to get last minute requests handled - and of course, everyone had at least a couple of those. Miguel, who runs FE, even threw one at me involving all of the models coming back after the show to take the stage once more. The area above the flat stage/catwalk that was built is a wall full of openings at various levels. It's really cool and set up for dancers. But getting models - even 30 or so to commit would be close to impossible.
Back to the hotel with Eric Masters and a quick dinner. The restaurant was full and only taking reservations but we squeezed in with Paul Nathan and some other guests. Hell, if I didn't get food then there'd be no way I'd survive the night. Showered and then wrote up the set list and timing cues. The hotel computer wasn't printing out my Google Docs so had to do copies by hand :(
Back to the venue around 10pm and prepared for the night.
The timing this year was a little off - well, some of the things went a lttle sooner than expected - which was actually great. But each set went out on time pretty much, and stayed true to what I planned. All the designers and models were on stage and ready to go on time - though i'd probably want some of them there a little earlier and a little less stressed out - yes, i'm taking about you hedonydesign :p
In the end, a lot less stress than last year actually even though the backstage area was incredibly tight considering 100+ models were scheduled to participate - and most people did keep their boyfriends out of the room and out of my way. I did end up yelling at someone to 'get the fuck out' and physcially grabbed them to do so. (of course they've been looking at me strangely since them - hell, i was only trying to do my job, and by being there, they were making my job more dificult. they also just happened to always stand in the middle of where people would walk).
When people go diving on a boat, it's usually polite and good form to limit the amount of things one can bring on board because space is limited. For the models, I'd start to impose a damn baggage limit like the airlines do. Why the hell would someone need a large suitcase to bring their things in? Seriously, it's the kind of bag I pack when I'm going on an international flight for like a week or a few - like now. I realize designers have props n such things, but shit, do the models realize that there are other models in other shows that are going to need space to get ready and do their thing?
I'm also a smoker but considering the size/layout of the room, I'd ban smoking except in the little outdoor area we had access too. Too many barefeet and cigarettes that were just thrown down without being put out. Cramped spaces and latex and cigarettes are a shitty idea.
---
I woke up the next morning feeling not too bed, but my feet hurt like hell :-(
More later, I need a nap
We still got to Centraal with a bit of time to buy my 1st class ticket and enjoy the lounge for a little while.
I thought the website offered free wifi but that wasn't true. Eric did take advantage of the free beers available though while i grabbed some tea and enjoyed the peaceful time away from the bustling people down below.
With 10 minutes to spare, we made our way to our train and jumped into the first car that had an awesome view out the front of the train.
(i, like a lame-ass didn't get a photo).
A man came by selling snacks but I should have waited til later because a lady came by to show us a menu and take our food order. I got a huge cherry cheesecake and lovely chicken soup served on real plates with silverware too.
Duisburg came sooner than expected and so did Essen. We rushed off the train at Duisburg and jumped into a taxi when we got to Essen.
When I checked in, Eden Wells was already in the room and settled in.
That evening, Eden, myself, Eric and Paul Nathan headed into town to the G.O.P Variete theater where we got to check out the current show that was there. (Paul is booked to perform for May/June). It was great being able to get away from the hotel and attend a non-fetish night out that was enjoyable! After the show, we had a drink or two with the performers before heading back to the hotel.
The one major difference between this weekend and the previous ones was the weather! Instead of snow blanketing the area outside the hotel, we had clear skies and a little bit of heat to go with the sun. The area outside the restaurant and the pool was open and we used them freely! I would actually say that Friday was a bit warm and I know I didn't want to have to put on latex and sit in the sun. It was so nice, that the Models and Makers party was pushed back a couple of hours because everyone wanted to take advantage of the sun.
I did end up putting on latex (my white vex trousers with the stained glass design up the sides), but it didn't last very long. I think I spent most of this weekend wearing bikini tops and beanie caps (usually without make up on all day long).
Saturday the Expo started and I ran around a bit talking to the designers and also making sure they were aware of rehearsal times, etc. for the next day. Also hung out in the bar area with tons of people and hit the pool a bit as well.
Ended up putting on clothes (and hair) for dinner because I thought it'd be nice at least.
Got the Rumpsteak filet. yum. Not sure about the napkin thing on hedonydesign and maximsphotos, maybe it's a french thing?
Didn't go to the VIP dinner at the Lochschuppen venue. Didn't see any shows.
I wasn't really planning on going at all to the party, but I figured I would. Jumped into the shuttle with a few peeps and headed out!. I wore my green AtsukoKudo and updo wig, but even though I love that outfit, I wasn't really feeling the party. smy1 got me a shot of JD but I ended up leaving without using my drink card at all. Since the shuttle wasn't running until 2am, I had to get a cab which was €40 of teh suk.
I ended up at the bar and Yannis poured me shots of JD - like at least 7. I was supposed to go to bed and get a good night's sleep before the next long day!
Sunday I woke up not feeling well at all. I felt puffy and irritated. Oh and my personal sharkweek started. Super. And no stores open to buy the necessary supplies. Seems it wasn't only me too. Oh well. Got Eric Masters and headed downstairs to the venue. Had a cab driver that was slow too. But we get to the venue and evveryone is waiting outside. Quite a few people were early too! Even though we were supposed to have access to the venue from 12h00, they decided to not let us in due to the cleaners not being finished - which pretty much screwed up my plans for a super short and organized rehearsal. I tried to get things on track as soon as possible by getting groups to rehearse and organize themselves before getting on the stage. It seemed to work and in the end, the day ended on time - except for Tolllkirshce/Demask but that was OK as they were not leaving the venue. Unfortunately, some of the models in the other shows ended up at the venue longer than I wanted. Fortunately, it wasn't my fault.
Eric Masters ended up choreographing and taking over the
ego_assassin show at the last minute. Nicole, Lilith, Eden Wells, Eden Berlin & Monique Vegas ended up being great in a super simple and yet sexy show that lasted a quick 4.5 minutes. (I like short).
Saw lots of people that I'd not seen like Marcus Ewers but unfortunately no time to chat. (I did chat with him a bit at the Meet/Greet thing - and with zuckerrotermond and other peeps too) Damn. so many, I'll die listing them all and looking up LJ names!
I was feeling pretty wrecked by the end of the rehearsal day. I kept a bottle of water near and tried to stay focused and get the people in/out as quickly as possible while trying to get last minute requests handled - and of course, everyone had at least a couple of those. Miguel, who runs FE, even threw one at me involving all of the models coming back after the show to take the stage once more. The area above the flat stage/catwalk that was built is a wall full of openings at various levels. It's really cool and set up for dancers. But getting models - even 30 or so to commit would be close to impossible.
Back to the hotel with Eric Masters and a quick dinner. The restaurant was full and only taking reservations but we squeezed in with Paul Nathan and some other guests. Hell, if I didn't get food then there'd be no way I'd survive the night. Showered and then wrote up the set list and timing cues. The hotel computer wasn't printing out my Google Docs so had to do copies by hand :(
Back to the venue around 10pm and prepared for the night.
The timing this year was a little off - well, some of the things went a lttle sooner than expected - which was actually great. But each set went out on time pretty much, and stayed true to what I planned. All the designers and models were on stage and ready to go on time - though i'd probably want some of them there a little earlier and a little less stressed out - yes, i'm taking about you hedonydesign :p
In the end, a lot less stress than last year actually even though the backstage area was incredibly tight considering 100+ models were scheduled to participate - and most people did keep their boyfriends out of the room and out of my way. I did end up yelling at someone to 'get the fuck out' and physcially grabbed them to do so. (of course they've been looking at me strangely since them - hell, i was only trying to do my job, and by being there, they were making my job more dificult. they also just happened to always stand in the middle of where people would walk).
When people go diving on a boat, it's usually polite and good form to limit the amount of things one can bring on board because space is limited. For the models, I'd start to impose a damn baggage limit like the airlines do. Why the hell would someone need a large suitcase to bring their things in? Seriously, it's the kind of bag I pack when I'm going on an international flight for like a week or a few - like now. I realize designers have props n such things, but shit, do the models realize that there are other models in other shows that are going to need space to get ready and do their thing?
I'm also a smoker but considering the size/layout of the room, I'd ban smoking except in the little outdoor area we had access too. Too many barefeet and cigarettes that were just thrown down without being put out. Cramped spaces and latex and cigarettes are a shitty idea.
---
I woke up the next morning feeling not too bed, but my feet hurt like hell :-(
More later, I need a nap