Advent Calendar - 2nd December
Ah, the 2nd day and I'm already starting to cheat. *cough* Or well, just bending my own rules.
Curious?
Okay, so these are pics that obviously weren't taken today or by myself but I wanted to post them here anyway and okay, I forgot to take my camera with me today, so erm yes, anway... here we go:
As I mentioned before I finally managed to pop my con cherry. And I'm very happy that I can blame Gareth for it. LOL!
I've heard and read a lot about different conventions, saw videos of talk sessions on youtube, so some things I knew to expect, others just took me by surprise. In the end I was very happy that my very first con was a relatively small one with actors who are famous/well-known among Whovians and Woodies but not overall famous. So the number of crazies was reduced to a minimum and it was really relaxed atmosphere. Of course I wasn't the relaxed the whole time. When we arrived at the hotel, it dawned on me that my 2nd favorite actor (one of my 2nd favorite actors ;) ) was somewhere around there as well. Meaning I could turn around any corner and suddenly bump into him! I think I managed to - at least - look relatively calm but my inner fan girl started hyperventilating. *gg* I really did my best to stay calm because I didn't want to scare (and annoy) my "partners in crime" halfrek2 and tatiana_baa ;) and because I didn't want to be one of "those" fangirlies.
It didn't happen anyway. ;)
When we checked out schedule for the weekend, I found out that I would have my photo AND autograph session with Gareth on Sunday and I was a bit sad about it. I was worried that it would mean that I didn't get to see him until Sunday. I also was a bit nervous because the photo shoot was scheduled for early Sunday morning which meant that the first time I would be face to face with Gareth would also be our picture time. I really had no idea how I would handle the situation (I've met actors before but none that meant so much to me) and I didn't know the procedure for con photo sessions, so I decided I need practice. Picture time with a gorgeous guy that I don't care about otherwise. I admit I picked him rather randomly and because his photo shoot was at a convenient time. So this is the story behind this picture:
Random gorgeous guy is Rik Makarem who played Dr Rupesh Patanjali in Torchwood Season 3 - Children of Earth. He was really nice and when I got his autograph later that day, I asked him how his day had been so far and he said great, and asked me about my day. And I replied: Well it started with having my picture taken with you, that was a really nice start. He laughed and said something like: Yeah that wasn't too bad of a start, huh?
I think he was a nightmare for the stewards because he was so chatty with all the fans and even wanted to allow them to take pics over the table. LOL! He got so behind on his schedule that they stopped allowing personalized autographs but he couldn't just help himself and instead drew little hearts and smilies and xxx on the pictures. LOL! And he was a riot in the talks. I really didn't care about him or his character before the con but he turned out to be fantastic and I'm really happy I got his picture!
After I had my photo session with Rik and had my first autographs, I didn't really know what to do next. I had nothing left on my schedule for the morning and I had no idea where my travel companions (both with gold passes, I was a standard) were. Then I heard someone mention that Gareth would come into the hall soon to start giving autographs. Of course I wasn't scheduled for that until Sunday but I decided as long as no one objected, I'd be planting myself in this chair opposite Gareth's signing table and not move an inch. And that's what I did for the next 1 1/2 hours or so. *gg*
I sat there looking over the crowd trying to spot Gareth when he came in and my eyes were already back at his table when I stopped dead because I realized I'd seen him but looked away too quickly. Looked back and there he was. And I had this HUGE grin on my face that I think didn't leave my face oh... for the rest of the weekend? LOL! He looked into my general direction for a couple of times, probably wondering if this person who stared at him unblinkingly the whole time had some kind of mental disorder LOL but I just couldn't take my eyes off him. Thankfully, my companions found me in the hall at some point and dragged me off to get food and something to drink. *gg*
Sunday morning I was a bit of a mess or I would have been, hadn't it been for my companions who told me to stay calm, organized a spot for me in Kai's photo session line, dragged me there and away from Gareth's auto line when it was time and just generally nudged me into the right directions and encouraged me to steal some of the decorations from the party in the evening. *gg* I was a bit of a headless chicken at times and I'm really thankful for the nudges. Thanks to my desensitizing efforts of the day before, I was fine waiting in line for my pic with Gareth. Then it was my turn, he said good-bye to the girl in front of me, turned around and looked me in the eyes and *brzzzl* my brain fried. Again, I can only thank my companions for convincing me to get 2 photos with Gareth because I have no memory whatsoever of the first one.
Yay for photographic evidence!
The next memory I have is of the photographer thanking us and waving for the next person and my (slightly panicked cry): but I got 2!!! The came the hardest part because I had to turn to Gareth, look him in the eyes (damn those blue eyes....) and ask him for a hug. And there seemed to be no air in my lungs. Somehow I managed to blurt out my request and Gareth was like: Would I mind hugging you? Um... for a 5er??? I knew he was joking but I'm not the wittiest of people when I'm standing in front of such beauty, so I just cried: But I already paid!!! (*headdesk*) I think he chuckled and wrapped his arms around me (*swoon*) and - my brain fried again. Luckily, the moment I heard the camera click, Gareth said: Oh damn, I blinked, let's do this again. (More time in his arms! *swoon*) And... obviously no matter how fried my brain is, it never let's a chance of replying with a Doctor Who quote go by, so I looked up at Gareth, fake gasped and said: Don't blink!!
Too bad he didn't react to it... probably didn't recognize it as a quote. Hopefully he didn't think I was upset with him because he blinked. Ah well... I myself tried to relax my face as much as possible, trying my best NOT to look like a deer in headlights... alas before I could muster this effort, the camera clicked again and my photo time with Gareth was over. I thanked him and he called me sweetie. (*swoon*)
When I walked away from him my knees felt like rubber and I panicked slightly that they would just give away and I would fall flat on my face in front of Gareth! Glad I didn't but I had to sit down on the next chair and take a few deep breaths.
Later I had my photo shoot with Kai Owen (Rhys Williams on Torchwood) who had showed up as a surprise guest on Saturday night. Kai is just a big friendly cuddly teddy bear and I felt so relaxed meeting him. I was still a bit nervous but nothing compared to Gareth. I watched Kai joking around with the other people in front of me, so I knew it was okay to ask him for a hug for the pic and he bowed in front of me when I asked and said something like: with pleasure and then pulled me into a big bear hug.
I do look a lot more relaxed there, don't I? I think part of it is relief that I'd done so well during Gareth photo shoot. LOL!
After this I returned to Gareth autograph line. I'd decided to get a pic of him and John Barrowman signed and hoped I'd get a chance to have John sign it aswell. Thankfully that chance came up the next day and I'm so happy about this picture now. My fave couple and it's signed "with love". :)
I even managed to give Gareth the two little pralines I had brought from home and explain the special Coburg- Torchwood connection to him. I managed to be quick enough, so the other people in line didn't get annoyed with me but he still got the connection. I think I made him feel a bit like in school when I asked him if he knows who founded the Torchwood Institute and who her husband was. LOL! He looked a bit puzzled and slightly panicked. *gg* But he knew the answers and got the chocolate as a reward. LOL!
All in all I was VERY happy. He was all I had imagined him to be (even with the hangover and the sometimes crude jokes ;) ) and I was also VERY proud and relieved that I did everything I wanted to do, got everything I wanted to get (and more!) and never really made a fool out of myself.
Well done me... :D
Curious?
Okay, so these are pics that obviously weren't taken today or by myself but I wanted to post them here anyway and okay, I forgot to take my camera with me today, so erm yes, anway... here we go:
As I mentioned before I finally managed to pop my con cherry. And I'm very happy that I can blame Gareth for it. LOL!
I've heard and read a lot about different conventions, saw videos of talk sessions on youtube, so some things I knew to expect, others just took me by surprise. In the end I was very happy that my very first con was a relatively small one with actors who are famous/well-known among Whovians and Woodies but not overall famous. So the number of crazies was reduced to a minimum and it was really relaxed atmosphere. Of course I wasn't the relaxed the whole time. When we arrived at the hotel, it dawned on me that my 2nd favorite actor (one of my 2nd favorite actors ;) ) was somewhere around there as well. Meaning I could turn around any corner and suddenly bump into him! I think I managed to - at least - look relatively calm but my inner fan girl started hyperventilating. *gg* I really did my best to stay calm because I didn't want to scare (and annoy) my "partners in crime" halfrek2 and tatiana_baa ;) and because I didn't want to be one of "those" fangirlies.
It didn't happen anyway. ;)
When we checked out schedule for the weekend, I found out that I would have my photo AND autograph session with Gareth on Sunday and I was a bit sad about it. I was worried that it would mean that I didn't get to see him until Sunday. I also was a bit nervous because the photo shoot was scheduled for early Sunday morning which meant that the first time I would be face to face with Gareth would also be our picture time. I really had no idea how I would handle the situation (I've met actors before but none that meant so much to me) and I didn't know the procedure for con photo sessions, so I decided I need practice. Picture time with a gorgeous guy that I don't care about otherwise. I admit I picked him rather randomly and because his photo shoot was at a convenient time. So this is the story behind this picture:
Random gorgeous guy is Rik Makarem who played Dr Rupesh Patanjali in Torchwood Season 3 - Children of Earth. He was really nice and when I got his autograph later that day, I asked him how his day had been so far and he said great, and asked me about my day. And I replied: Well it started with having my picture taken with you, that was a really nice start. He laughed and said something like: Yeah that wasn't too bad of a start, huh?
I think he was a nightmare for the stewards because he was so chatty with all the fans and even wanted to allow them to take pics over the table. LOL! He got so behind on his schedule that they stopped allowing personalized autographs but he couldn't just help himself and instead drew little hearts and smilies and xxx on the pictures. LOL! And he was a riot in the talks. I really didn't care about him or his character before the con but he turned out to be fantastic and I'm really happy I got his picture!
After I had my photo session with Rik and had my first autographs, I didn't really know what to do next. I had nothing left on my schedule for the morning and I had no idea where my travel companions (both with gold passes, I was a standard) were. Then I heard someone mention that Gareth would come into the hall soon to start giving autographs. Of course I wasn't scheduled for that until Sunday but I decided as long as no one objected, I'd be planting myself in this chair opposite Gareth's signing table and not move an inch. And that's what I did for the next 1 1/2 hours or so. *gg*
I sat there looking over the crowd trying to spot Gareth when he came in and my eyes were already back at his table when I stopped dead because I realized I'd seen him but looked away too quickly. Looked back and there he was. And I had this HUGE grin on my face that I think didn't leave my face oh... for the rest of the weekend? LOL! He looked into my general direction for a couple of times, probably wondering if this person who stared at him unblinkingly the whole time had some kind of mental disorder LOL but I just couldn't take my eyes off him. Thankfully, my companions found me in the hall at some point and dragged me off to get food and something to drink. *gg*
Sunday morning I was a bit of a mess or I would have been, hadn't it been for my companions who told me to stay calm, organized a spot for me in Kai's photo session line, dragged me there and away from Gareth's auto line when it was time and just generally nudged me into the right directions and encouraged me to steal some of the decorations from the party in the evening. *gg* I was a bit of a headless chicken at times and I'm really thankful for the nudges. Thanks to my desensitizing efforts of the day before, I was fine waiting in line for my pic with Gareth. Then it was my turn, he said good-bye to the girl in front of me, turned around and looked me in the eyes and *brzzzl* my brain fried. Again, I can only thank my companions for convincing me to get 2 photos with Gareth because I have no memory whatsoever of the first one.
Yay for photographic evidence!
The next memory I have is of the photographer thanking us and waving for the next person and my (slightly panicked cry): but I got 2!!! The came the hardest part because I had to turn to Gareth, look him in the eyes (damn those blue eyes....) and ask him for a hug. And there seemed to be no air in my lungs. Somehow I managed to blurt out my request and Gareth was like: Would I mind hugging you? Um... for a 5er??? I knew he was joking but I'm not the wittiest of people when I'm standing in front of such beauty, so I just cried: But I already paid!!! (*headdesk*) I think he chuckled and wrapped his arms around me (*swoon*) and - my brain fried again. Luckily, the moment I heard the camera click, Gareth said: Oh damn, I blinked, let's do this again. (More time in his arms! *swoon*) And... obviously no matter how fried my brain is, it never let's a chance of replying with a Doctor Who quote go by, so I looked up at Gareth, fake gasped and said: Don't blink!!
Too bad he didn't react to it... probably didn't recognize it as a quote. Hopefully he didn't think I was upset with him because he blinked. Ah well... I myself tried to relax my face as much as possible, trying my best NOT to look like a deer in headlights... alas before I could muster this effort, the camera clicked again and my photo time with Gareth was over. I thanked him and he called me sweetie. (*swoon*)
When I walked away from him my knees felt like rubber and I panicked slightly that they would just give away and I would fall flat on my face in front of Gareth! Glad I didn't but I had to sit down on the next chair and take a few deep breaths.
Later I had my photo shoot with Kai Owen (Rhys Williams on Torchwood) who had showed up as a surprise guest on Saturday night. Kai is just a big friendly cuddly teddy bear and I felt so relaxed meeting him. I was still a bit nervous but nothing compared to Gareth. I watched Kai joking around with the other people in front of me, so I knew it was okay to ask him for a hug for the pic and he bowed in front of me when I asked and said something like: with pleasure and then pulled me into a big bear hug.
I do look a lot more relaxed there, don't I? I think part of it is relief that I'd done so well during Gareth photo shoot. LOL!
After this I returned to Gareth autograph line. I'd decided to get a pic of him and John Barrowman signed and hoped I'd get a chance to have John sign it aswell. Thankfully that chance came up the next day and I'm so happy about this picture now. My fave couple and it's signed "with love". :)
I even managed to give Gareth the two little pralines I had brought from home and explain the special Coburg- Torchwood connection to him. I managed to be quick enough, so the other people in line didn't get annoyed with me but he still got the connection. I think I made him feel a bit like in school when I asked him if he knows who founded the Torchwood Institute and who her husband was. LOL! He looked a bit puzzled and slightly panicked. *gg* But he knew the answers and got the chocolate as a reward. LOL!
All in all I was VERY happy. He was all I had imagined him to be (even with the hangover and the sometimes crude jokes ;) ) and I was also VERY proud and relieved that I did everything I wanted to do, got everything I wanted to get (and more!) and never really made a fool out of myself.
Well done me... :D