ovember 11th, 1999 is a date etched on my memory as that is the eventful day that I first saw and fell in lust with the man who was to become my Angel - Mr David Boreanaz. Usually I avoided watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer as I am not a big fan of Sarah Michelle Gellar but one night whilst babysitting I happened to find myself watching the Season 3 episode "Enemies". The moment I set my eyes on the man with the mind-melting chocolate orbs, deliciously chiseled cheekbones and knee-trembling smile, I knew I was smitten. I became obsessed with finding out as much as I could about the tall, brooding and unbelievingly handsome man who had invaded my TV screen as well as my senses and within a few short weeks, (and after a fair amount of money had passed hands), I had caught up on the back story of the vampire with a soul. The rest, as they say, is history.
I have been following Angel's journey towards redemption ever since, watching episode after episode of both BtVS and Angel, reading books, collecting magazines, writing fan-fiction as well as becoming involved with CityofAngel.com. At the turn of the year when I heard that David was making his first appearance in the UK for more than a couple of years, I knew that I had to make the pilgrimage to meet the man of my desires. Here is my story.
Dear Diary
Friday 29th August - The Day Before
"Dear Diary, Today I met my Angel . . ."
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Early start today for me and my friend Andrea (known on the CoA boards as either Binnsy or Lil Boo) as we arrive at Manchester Airport for our short flight to London. See CoA Citizen, William the Bloody 1860 in the airport terminal and assume that he too is going to the David Boreanaz Event and follow him into departures. Turns out we were mistaken as we are embarrassingly told by an airport official that we are in the wrong building and forced to walk back through the large crowds of holidaymakers, our heads hung in shame. Eventually Andrea and I board the plane and chat excitedly all the way much to the dismay of the poor businessman seated next to us. Arrive at Heathrow Airport to find Nicola (known as the infamously evil CoA staff member Bluebear) waiting to drive us to Brighton. As we make our way down the motorway, Dido's song White Flag plays on the radio which only enhances our anticipation of what is to come in less than 24 hours!
We pass the Brighton Convention Center before checking in to the Metropole Hotel just two doors down from the event venue. Spend the afternoon relaxing and trying not to think about the fact that David Boreanaz is only a few feet away! Meet up with friends and CoA Citizens, Laird, Avie and FaithLouise for a drink and some small talk, whilst also indulging in a very nice piece of toffee cake that Laird has brought for his birthday. Must admit to being a little bit worried about some of the rumours coming from today's happenings but try to put them out of my mind as I retire early hoping for a good nights sleep. Can't believe that after almost 6 months of waiting, my date with destiny is just around the corner. God I feel sick.
Dear Diary
Saturday 30th August - 4:00am D-DAY
Woke up at 4.00am this morning, (unbelievably not because of Nic's snoring), and unfortunately couldn't get back to sleep. Stay in bed as I watch Andrea get ready to join the queue that is already building outside the arena. She leaves at the unearthly hour of 6.30am to catch up with Laird, FaithLouise and Avie. Stomach is in knots as Nic and I await the arrival of our friend Lisa before making our way to the VIP entrance at the rear of the Brighton Convention Centre. Must admit to being a little amazed by the number of Access All Areas pass holders I see in attendance. Considering only 10 AAA tickets were supposed to have been sold per day, there must be close to 25 people waiting for their up close and personal moment with David. As we arrive, we get introduced to Louise and Carly who are going to be our Event Hosts for the day. Also meet up with new friend Denise, whom Nic and I met through the Jealous Events board, as she is also working the event. As we await the arrival of the Man-of-the-Hour, the ground rules for the day are set and we are told that:
We are not allowed to touch David.
We are not allowed to talk to David during the autograph sessions, unless he talks to us, as we must keep the queue flowing.
We are not allowed to touch David.
All of our bags must be checked into the locker room for security reasons leaving us only with the items for signature and our phones.
We are not allowed to touch David.
Our passes (an unused Silver entry ticket with AAA scrawled on it in blue biro) must be shown whenever we wish to go to restricted areas.
We are not allowed to touch David.
If we want to go into the guest's Green Room at any time, we must be accompanied by a member of the Jealous Events staff.
We are not allowed to touch David.
As soon as the regulations have been read, it is announced that David is running late - again! Apparently rain caused David to arrive two hours late yesterday as his helicopter could not take off from London. As the sun shines brilliantly outside, I wonder what his reasons are today. Not that I mind just so long as he shows up. Asked by the hosts to gather at the back of the building as the group awaits the arrival of the limousines, which are supposed to take us to our grand red carpet entrance at the front of The Brighton Center. Almost an hour and a half later, we are still waiting. News comes in that the supporting cast has long since arrived and that more alarmingly David is less than five minutes away yet still there are no limos in sight. As we line up against a wall, screams can be heard and at the thought of finally seeing David in the flesh for the first time, my stomach drops through the floor. David's helicopter has just flown over Brighton beach on its way to its landing spot at the racecourse. Won't be long now until the moment of truth. Five minutes later - it's the real deal. David Boreanaz enters looking more gorgeous than even I could possibly imagine. He's wearing a beautifully fitting pair of denim jeans, a brown t-shirt advertising Slim's Rodeo in Cheyenne, Wyoming over the top of a white long sleeved T and a leather jacket. He's clean-shaven, wearing his glasses and smiles as he waves at fans and poses for photos. I genuinely feel my knees buckle as he walks passed me and have to hold on to the man by the side of me who finds great amusement by my bewildered state.
Sue Grimshaw and David Boreanaz - captured for all eternity
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As David takes to the stage in the main auditorium, the AAA pass holders are taken into their Green Room upstairs. We wait a few minutes before the door opens and in walks Nicholas Brendon greeting us all with a big, "Howdy". He's not alone but accompanied by Kelly Donovan, Kristine Sutherland and Mark Lutz. Everyone seems to be in a little bit of nervous awe so Nick, now sporting a fetching goatee beard, tries to put everyone at ease by asking if any of us are from Iceland! Apparently this unusual question makes reference to a dance he had done on stage the day before. To help us relax even further, Nick then commands his twin brother Kelly, (who looks more like Xander than Nick does!) to give everyone neck rubs and Kelly duly obliges. I can reveal that Kelly has nice soft hands and definitely know how to hit the spot! Feeling easier in their company, the supporting cast agree to pose for personal pictures. I manage to get my hands on Mark Lutz (again) before moving on to Kelly. Just as I am putting my arms around him, I feel another pair of hands sneak around my waist. I look up to see Nick standing on the other side of me. "Let's make this a threesome shall we?" he smiles as he cuddles me. "Ah, so you've heard the rumours about me then?", I can't help but reply jokingly in return before posing for Nicola's poised camera.
The supporting guests are then whisked off to the main stage whilst the AAA holders are taken to meet David! Clutching my personal item in hand I nervously wait in line. Nicola is ahead of me and I watch as David signs her autograph. Suddenly the steward nudges me and it is my turn. David's smile welcomes me as he asks me for and then says my name. I'm truly in heaven - David Boreanaz, the man of my desires, has just said my name! For the amount of sense that is bouncing around in my head right now, I could have told him that my name was Pltz Glrb for all I know. I must have got it right however as he correctly personalises the item he signs and I lean towards him as close as I can ready for the photo. I vaguely hear the photographer telling us to smile and can't stop the grin from spreading across my entire face as my one on one encounter with David is immortalised on film. I thank him for his time then move into the next room trying to remind myself at some point that it is necessary for me to breathe!
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