Angel

This report is dedicated to The Man - my friends and all the true DB’ fans (forgive my gram. mishaps - as I’m writing this in the early morning and still bit on the shake)

This journey started great ; had lot of hubbles and bubbles along the road but in the end it was ....... Just read and you will know what I’m talking about.

My first days in the UK were smashing fun - had a few days staying with the birds & the slug. A little chat, a cuppa, a and a big

It all started at Monday the 25th leaving Brussels by plane, the voyage ended with a train to Derby. That day was a Bank Holliday and must I say more ; trains aren’t that easy on days like this. Then I ended up at the wrong side of the station, Big Bird searching for me like a nutter, till we ended in finding each other. Big hugs and lots of Bird bird bird and kisses were the reward of a long exhausting travel.

Then on Thursday I left, off to Brighton. Tho Big Bird had to kick me the house out - was watching MTV UK TRL me thinks - The Man on telly - Me watching this with a bucket nearby.

After saying goodbyes followed with tears there I went - DB here I come.

The train voyage was good till I had to change in Luton. Power failure in London and me stucked there for almost 3 hours.

Finally I was able to take a train going straight to Brighton tho with every single calling you can think about. After that long very worrying travel I finally managed to check into my hotel at 00.00 am. And yes that meaning we were already the 29th and a few hours later DB was going to be on the doorstep of the Brighton Centre

I don’t have to tell you that sleep wasn’t one of my priorities. I had to get ready and all shiny to meet The Man.

I left my hotel in the early morning, after having the big English breakfast. Ready steady to go on queue.

A queue that was already very very long, fans from all over the UK ; some foreign like me, all with that look in there eyes that in a few hours their dream would realize itself.

But then chaos started, an accident a few blocks away made it impossible to open the doors at time, also the bad weather was playing his part and the schedule for everything that day became a big delay and lots of questions without an answer.

Finally the doors open and we got in. Queuing again to get your tickets for the autograph sessions. To give the bags and the coats and for some to get their tickets they had ordered but that never came on time with the snail mail. First of all I have to mention I had the Gold tickets - and that day they were worth a lot more then just gold on several occasions. Why ? Because those who had the goldie ones didn’t have to queue up that long.

DB’s helicopter had some problems in landing (bad weather) and after a delay of 2 hours we finally had our moment. He comes up to the stage at the main hall for a quick introduction and a little Q & A moment. After this we had to queue up to the foyer where we would meet him in person and get our picture taken with him. The only problem we had was that it couldn’t be as it was planned to be.

Normally it was supposed to go as this : get an autograph on the picture you bought there before the queuing and an autograph on a personal item, have a chat and an official picture was taken. Because of the delay we were asked to only get signed the picture you had bought at the Event. ; you couldn’t have a chat and everything was timed. No more then 1 min. Say hiya, get the picture taken of The Man with you while he signs the purchased picture.

I can only say that the picture that was available to buy there wasn’t worth the money and not worthy The Man. I so didn’t want to get that one signed. I have gorgeous pix and brought along those I wanted to get signed. How on earth was I going to manage to get these signed. (I hide them under the official one, close to my tummy)

So there I stood, queuing. Gold tickets first. Great - queuing wouldn’t take that long then. Me standing there , getting very nervous ( don’t think I have to describe how it feels) - was going to see The Man in the flesh. Oh gosh I already could see him, smiling, signing, picture taken. He is huge girls !!! He is bigger then I thought, he has those lovely muscled arms, that big torso and that smile, the eyes. Oh Man !!! give me my bucket !!!!

He wore a casual jeans, t-shirt , leather jacket and a CAT-cap. He really didn’t want to take his cap off, ’Bad Bed Hair’ lololololol.

The time goes so quickly and finally it was my turn. There I stood with that piccie I didn’t like, but also I had me hidden ones. So when it is finally my turn to go stand near The Man ; I give him the black and white one with the goatee to be signed. He looks at me, going what ???? Where did you get that. Me blushing like a schoolgirl, going jawdrop because I finally hear that voice for real. I finally stand near The Man of all my dreams. He laughs and he says - that must have been my Mexican days this one. He shows it to his manager and all the other VIP persons and he laughs like a nutter. Then he turns at me and goes KK - and he signs it. Asks me how am I doing, I say Fine !!!!! He shakes hands and I go like OMFG !!!!! "I can’t believe it!" He looks at me and I say - I travelled all the way from Belgium to see you. He goes like - What ??? Belgium ! Not believing what he hears. "Then I MUST THANK YOU to come here to see me. I so appreciate this. He turns to his manager and says "Belgium !" He turns again towards me , shakes hands. We say goodbye thanking each other.

I leave the foyer, guided to the next roomwhere the other Cast members are signing autographs to their fans. The other Cast member were - Nicky, Kelly (his twin bro), Kristin and Mark Lutz. I’m shaking like a leaf almost passed out. My dream came true. I met the DB. Meanwhile while he is still doing the signing , the other cast members doing the same. You had a bit of time to get a quick snack , a drink , get to yourself again and breath. During that period of time at the Main Hall there was some entertainment with look a likes and a little show. All I saw was pple queuing up for this and that. Me is just sat there in the bar, looking at that PICTURE signed by Him. After a moment you get to start to talk with other pple and I met some friends from the net and made some news - exchanging e-mail addresses and also talk about The Event, The Man and boards. We shared our joy and our disappointment that it all happens so fast. Getting worried if we’re going to get everything we had payed for as time wasn’t on the menu that day. So after awhile, we finally get hold of a crew member and ask if that V.I.P. party is still on. He says no, time doesn’t permit it and DB has to leave pretty soon. Lots of "Oh No - this can’t be - we payed a lot to have that special moment. We want to see The Man and get close to him" All we could hear was - we are behind schedule and he has to leave. Finally the organizer of this event was able to restrain David and we ( the gold tickets) were to get that little special moment with him in a little foyer , He was going to be there and we could get extra hugs and signing and take pictures with our personal camera. So there I stood again, waiting for my turn. He sees me and goes "Hi" and I go "Hello". Picure taken, a big hug, me once again going "can’t believe it - can’t believe it". Him having that smile on his face. - still the cap on, but no jacket - (do I need to tell more ) So once you had that special moment you had to leave the foyer, once again brought into the room where the other cast members were still signing. As I didn’t queue for those, I was just standing there. Feeling a bit lost, and still on the clouds. Then Glenn (the organizer - that man felt so terrible that nothing worked out as it should have been, that nothing was on schedule, and that the VIP party with DB was cancelled) he comes to me and says - come with me - go back to the foyer (as he saw I didn’t queue up for the other signings.) He shoves me back in where DB is still standing and giving hugs. I take my camera - shooting away. His manager goes like - "oh no you don’t" but Glenn said - "don’t listen - just take your pics." - I still have an other picture of The Man to be signed and before DB’s leaves the little foyer - I go "David !!! David !!! can you sign this one for me please - " he looks at me and goes "Sure why not, my pleasure!". He signs it, gives me that smile again. Me going "Thank you thank you" - him "no problem." But then his manager (if you are a big DB fan you know that Tom isn’t easy at all) - "David you’re to sweet - MOVE !!! Com’on MOVE - you don’t have time for this" So he just shoves DB out of the foyer.

Anyway I got a second pictures signed and extra hugs - lolololol. Finally after once again a big break - for me - as the other happenings weren’t on my list.

The time had finally come to get the big Q&A with David. Pple again queuing up in the main hall to ask a question. Some asked silly things, some asked some good things but nothing new - some unanswered spoilers and one answered. One fan even asked if she could take a picture of His Hands - he goes - What My hands ? - oh babe you don’t know where these have been ! - everybody laughing of course - but she could go on stage and take it.

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to ask a question as once again TIME wasn’t doing us favours ; After a brief moment he left the stage, went away and left the Event.

Catching up with some friends , have a snack and a drink. I sat there at the bar, when I saw Nicky . He just went to the automat to get a drink, saying hello to all the fans, one moment he was cornered but that didn’t upset him. He just let all those fans take a picture of him, having a smoke and a drink.

Then the Q & A with the other cast member was on the list. Kelly came in with Kristin. Big applause and the ball starts to roll. Nicky still signing, Mark not there either. Then we hear somebody speak at the front, it was Mark Lutz. Pretending he was a fan and with a boyish voice asks to start questions to Kelly. It was a laugh. Finally he goes up to stage and after a brief moment , Nicky joins them. It was a splendid, enjoyable moment. We had such fun. Those guys, - Nick, Kelly, Kristin and Mark - are great and so sweet. Taking their time with the fans, answering questions - even do some entertainment.
 Snoopy dance - any one!!!!

After the Q & A leaving the main hall again, going to sit at the bar, catching up again with friends and have a chat.

Then a steward announced that the VIP party was still on but not with DB. So all the gold tickets up to the Sky Bar at the roof top. There I went - welcomed by stewards. Nice room with tables and seats. A buz-fizz waiting for us and some canapé’s. Then after a while - there they are. Nicholas Brendon, Kelly Donovan, Kristin Sutherland and Mark Lutz. Mingling with us, having a drink, a toast and a chat. Going to everybody, signing, pictures taken, a chat and some even phonecalls to fans who couldn’t make it that day. We had a smashing time, a laugh and we were all so relaxed. Mark making jokes .Nicky going to every table. Kelly and girlfriend mingling around. Kristin having a chat with fans. It was amazing !!!!! Mark comes to our table, says hello to everybody, making a few jokes again. Oh man , can that guy even be serious- he is always laughing and entertaining pple. Nick joining him with the laughs and the jokes. Kelly his twin brother is such a sweetie cutie pie. It was a blast.

Reception over, they left. We left also , take up the officially shot picture. And go home. But our evening was ended. As some of us where staying at The Grand (hotel) - we went there to have our final drink. And who do you think comes along with us. Yes right !!! Nicholas, with his brother. There we go again, laughing , drinking, having a chat with those guys. (not going into details but do I need to say more - the booze sure got everybody relaxed at the end of the day)

This day ended with a smile and hugs. Just Great !!!!!

Finally I go back to my room, trying to sleep tho it is hard. You should think you would be warned out after a day like this, but you’re not. Everything comes back and you look on it - and only see the Good Part of it. Not the queuing, not the disappointment that DB didn’t make it to the VIP Party. Nothing of that all. Your remember the fun, the laughs and joys. New friends and faces to online- friends.

Next day - suitcase ready, waiting for the hour when I should leave to catch my train. What to do till midday. I know - queue up again to see The Man arrive in limo (as the day before I missed that part - as I was queuing for something else.) Stood there for 3 hours till finally the helicopter arrives with DB. After a few moments (it seemed hours) a limo arrives with Nick and Co. No DB. Stewards and crew reassuring pple that he is on his way. Me waiting, checking my watch (as I have a train to catch). Camera ready and then there comes that black limo - The Man in it. It only took a minute for him to get in (tho the door got stucked) Me shooting that camera up. Then it was over, him in - me outside. A tear on my face , knowing this was the end.

I can only conclude to this, it was worth every queuing, every wait and every penny. DB is a sweet loving carring man - I know some will complain about the time limits and he didn’t do what was planned but I’m sure and certain of it - it wasn’t his fault. blame it on the wicked Tom)