 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AUTOGRAPH QUEUE AND FINAL BITS
[For purposes of clarity, the book mentioned is the official Highlander Watchers guide]
| To Peter: | Please will you sign my book? [He did] |
| Me: | Thank-you; I look forward to hearing your talk. |
| To Alexandra: | Please will you sign my book? Tell me.......is your name Flemish? |
| Alexandra: | Yes [with a nice warm smile]. |
| Me: | I thought so - my grandfather came from The Hague. Thank-you. [She handed the book back, surprised me by holding out her hand, so I shook it gently and we exchanged another warm smile. What a genuinely nice lady] |
| To Marcus: | Wilkommen! [No response!] Please will you sign my book? [He did] Danke schön. |
By now we were reduced to 2 items to be signed by Adrian only. Well, he had been going for HOURS at this point!
| To Adrian: | Can you sign my book, please? [Looks up at me briefly. He tries, the pen does not entirely co-operate, stabs it on the table cloth several times!] |
| Adrian: | If I can get this pen working......... |
| Me: | [With warmth - I hope!] They always do that, don't they? |
| Adrian: | They do when I'm using them. [Signs book!] |
| Me: | And can you please sign this for my friend Denise who can't be here? [Shh, it's a Christmas present!] [As Adrian hands back photo] Something intended to be caring to the effect that he might need an ice-pack for his hand. Then 'Thank-you' and that was it. |
Now, what many people may not have realised is that we had Adrian's brother with us, but he was doing his best to be incognito and I didn't see anyone bother him. I knew pretty quickly [he's the one in 'Counterfeit' and 'Finale' up the Eiffel Tower], especially when I saw him chatting to Elaine [Homeland!]. I waved and grinned at her at that point, since we'd met at the Homeland convention. On the Sunday I went to the Peace table and he smiled and said hello from a slight distance, so I smiled back and said hello and kept going. Don't want to hassle to poor guy!
When I went for Richard's autograph on the Sunday, I had changed from my
previous posh frock into my home-made Xena costume. Adrian's brother was
sitting on the floor being inconspicuous about 10 feet behind Richard. I am
conscious that Someone apart from Richard is probably getting a good look at me,
plus potentially picking up a good deal of our conversation! But I concentrated
on Richard.
| Me: | Will you sign my book please? [Richard noticed that one page was almost full, not sure if he had room, so I directed him to sign on the inside cover! He made sure he spelt my name correctly]. |
| Richard: | So, who are you meant to be.....one of the Four Horsewomen? |
| Me: | [laughing] No, Xena! |
| Richard: | Of course! Did you make the costume yourself? |
| Me: | Yes. [On him showing marked interest, went briefly into the history of why I'd given in to the whole idea of being a Xena look-alike and described various aspects of my costume, including the sword which he seemed very interested in]. |
| Richard: | Various encouraging noises! |
| Me: | [Really warming to the man now!] Have you read 'Good Omens'? [The alternative 4 Horsemen!; Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Highly recommended.] |
| Richard: | No, but I've got it! |
| Me: | Well, War is female and clad in skin-tight red leather! |
| Richard: | [Immediate masculine interest!] Oooooh! |
[I'm just imagaining a potential phone call to Romania...."Adrian?
Boy, are YOU gonna be sorry you had to go home early.....!!!"]
A final rare Adrian moment......from the PEACE gathering. If you have a
copy of Duran Duran's collected videos, wind forward to 'My Own Way'. There is
a certain dancing matador who will look very familiar. Yes, it's
Adrian, circa 1982! He apparently admitted it sheepishly and even signed the
lady's copy of the tape. One to look out for in car boot sales and 'bucket'
video shops!
Here are some close-ups taken from pictures of Adrian you have already seen!
 |
 |
PAUL'S KATANA STORY
[This is retold from Paul Edmonds' account, which I heard twice. Any errors in the re-telling are mine!]
A male friend of Paul's was travelling home on an internal flight in Australia. He had a brand new Katana with him which he had just bought, as memory serves, at a convention. So, being an upstanding citizen he declared it at the airport. Unfortunately he got the guy who was being a 'job's-worth' for that day. The dialogue went something like:-
| He: | I have a sword. [Much flicking of pages, trying to find an entry under 'weapon'] |
| Airport Guy: | S'not under weapons. |
| He: | It's a sword. [More flicking of pages] |
| AG: | What kind of sword? |
| He: | A Katana. |
| AG: | I haven't got that one listed. Hmmm. Did you pack it yourself? |
| He: | Yes. |
| AG: | Is it securely locked? |
| He: | Yes. |
| AG: | Is it loaded? |
| He: | It's a SWORD. [More flicking of pages] |
Eventually the sword went in the hold and travelled home marked with a sticker proclaiming it to be an 'UNLOADED KATANA' !!!!
[I told Paul to relate this to Adrian one day!]
A last great happening after dancing at the disco until late........the camp
fire sing-along (often in harmony) with Richard Ridings which went on till gone
2 a.m on Monday morning! We had a little of everything.....rounds, folk songs,
show tunes, hymns, Christmas carols, Swing low, sweet chariot (with the
actions!) and I got to have a semi-duet with him for 'Jerusalem'. We ended
with Auld Lang Syne (which then had to be explained to the two Dutch ladies
present!) and lots of hugs! I duly hugged Richard. His hand felt down my
back in an exploring-type way.
| Me: | [With a lot of humour!] Watch where you're putting your hand! |
| Richard: | I was just wondering what that was. Is it your sword? |
| Me: | [Chuckling] No, it's my back! |
| Richard: | You'd better hug me, then! [So I did and gave him a kiss on the cheek!] |
Now some of you know I have a definite attraction for a certain God of War
on Xena (and then some!). I went to bed, put my head on the pillow and it hit
me.......I'VE JUST SUNG WITH WAR!! Yeah! Not that I want to
get my hopes up, but that was a good moment!
END OF REPORT!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|