Crystal Chappell Fan Event 2009-Where it all began

Hey Peeps! So, I leave for NYC soon. 140 characters is simply not enough space to do my own PBP of my NYC trip so I will tweet snibits but post the full monty here. 
I get to meet my TBFF @cubfnatic  , my aunties @cathie1054 and @winwitter  , my 'mom' @sofietor  and of course Team Troublemaker captain @bbkglfan  .
I will also get to meet some of my TWeeps and other online friends. Oh, and I get to meet that girl I have been NOT tweeting for 45 days so far!! Just 3 more days to go and all twitter will break loose! 
So...feel free to check in here from time to time and leave me comments or questions. You can tweet me too of course @oliviagotjokes
TBC.........
PART 2
Made it to the Fly Away in record time. It costs 14 RT (thats round trip, not retweet for all u twitter addicts) but is SO much cheaper than parking at LAX. The older couple next to me is trying to recapture their youth by sharing headphones to an iPod and playing air drums.
TBC............
PART 3
I am on the purple 'huggie bear' plane from Soul Plane! I dont suggest you rent it unless you LOVE ghetto humor and bad acting. Our flight leader is 'Princess Grace' and we have 'Marvelous Marvin' and 'Beautiful Becca' also to assist us. LMAO. Thats a quote. We got OLD SCHOOL attendants who actually DEMO the flight safety instructions. Not the lazy ones who push 'play' on a video. LOVE the safety flight demo. When I got on the plane internet cost 9.95...somewhere over texas it went up to 12.95. WTF?? Marvelous Marvin is a TOTAL seat belt Nazi! I had to get up to get my CC to pay for the snacks ($3 for really good roasted almonds) and got scolded O_O then another lady got up to use the bathroom and got scolded. Me thinks Marvelous Marvin got picked on in school and is now abusing his power and position as a flight attendant on the soul plane.
I have no idea how to twitpic and stand FIRMLY against it but I will post images here...if I can figure that out. Shout out to my girl @mizrosah who seriously must be my twin separated at birth. Wish you were here!!
TBC...........
PART 4
So I welcomed all 626 of my followers into the Twitter Mile High Club as I tweeted while flying. It was AWESOME and made the flight 'fly' by (pun intended). got my luggage (yes, I will be clothed while here) and braved the "need a ride into the city? 20 dollas" onslaught of men who have a CAR with NO Taxi sign on it. Yeah. I watch Oprah. I know about sex trafficing and I ain't gonna be a victim! Made it to hotel (50 dollas) in a legit taxi and then got on the subway to meet my Aunties, @catikins9 and my TBFF!! I got a 'bonus' meet.. @10zlaine was there!! Woot!
We walked around NYC, ate at a deli (cuz that's how the Yorkers roll  ) and then we hopped in a taxi to come home and got hit in the rear by a horse. Yeah. You read that correctly. A HORSE!! Mr. frickin' Ed ran into us!!! Well, our cabbie was at fault for cutting him off...he had too much 'horse power' to stop in time! BADUMBUM!  Tomorrow I am meeting @bbkglfan I am sure she will make up lies about how I tackled her and kissed her and proposed marriage.
TBC,,,,,,,,,
PART 5
What a beautiful day in NYC! Just had my 'Natalia trying to earn Liv's forgiveness with breakfast on the rooftop with ambient background noise' breakfast. Only, I was in more of an alley than a rooftop. Rasberry preserves were replaced with some kick butt waffles and....there was no Crystal
I love the slight overcast & the pigeons on the window. Today is Friday Oct 9th and in 2 days I get to meet...well, someone  HINT: it rhymes with Pistol (wish there was a knife name I knew of that rhymed with Crystal cuz THAT woulda been a funnier reference but...its early and my brain aint up yet)
I get to meet more peeps later...come back and see me!! (((MUAH)))
TBC...............
PART 6
So I think I lost 5 lbs so far walking the streets of NYC looking for the correct subway. Uptown/Downtown Red line/Yellow line...I swear I graduated college. Then again, I put the lbs back on meeting peeps for lunches/dinners. I need to quit drinking Iced Tea everytime cuz....well.....its a diuretic. Crystal tweeted today that she was taking the Red Eye into NYC....she is gonna be tarrrred tomorrow! Me thinks NYC might run out of sugar-free Red Bull. If you have tweeted me to try and hook up in NYC, try again. With the follow fridays on my ghetto PIMP phone, any 'regular' tweets get lost! I totally love my TBFF @cubfnatic . If you don't yet follow her on twitter...DO IT!! 
When I packed for this trip I laughed at how many outfits I brought. I usually don't use half of the 3 things I pack. I believe in recycling...GO GREEN! But this trip has been the exception. I really love NYC but...i kinda feel grimey after a few hours walking around the city. Had brunch at Pagalle's and Lunch at Dave and Busters (told ya, been eating a lot.)
I just realized that I forgot my cable to hook up my dig camera to computer so when some techno savvy peep helps me figure out how to twipic on my ghetto PIMP phone, I will. Going to see a show....maybe Next to Normal (no comments please) or Jersey Boys or Rock of Ages...i LOVE the theata (said in snooty English accent)
I have 2 days of sobriety left...it is now...a CAKE WALK!! There is NO WAY I am failing. Crystal will be tired and busy and she has been kind enough to not taunt me for awhile. I heart her for that.
I hope my PIMPS are holding down the fort of Queen PIMPtifah is gonna have to get the PIMP hand out!
http://www.venicetheseries.com/ for VENICE swag!! (tshirts, magnets and undies)
Off to yet ANOTHER meal and more peeps!!
TBC..............
PART 7
What a WILD night!! Met with some peeps at Cancun's Mexican Restaurant. For the last 10 years it was the home of the Crystal Chappell Fan Luncheon...uh, we don't fit no mo'.
Here is a pic of me--->>> http://twitpic.com/kwhen
one of @StewartWade --->>> http://twitpic.com/kx7nu
and one of me and @cathie1054 --->>> http://pic.gd/37b147
::snickers...I can be very persuasive::
It was a bit rainy tonight so hanging at Cancun's with: (insert list of awesome people here) was just what the Dr (Manning) ordered. We even got to participate in tweetfest. I am STILL CC SOBER! Despite these tweets!
RT @oliviagotjokes: ooops, premature tweet! Next luncheon in Mexico!!! Margaritas on me!!!/so cant wait to meet! Will u speak?
RT @Cathie1054: @crystalchappell @oliviagotjokes is nodding her head! Lol/Gonna get her!
RT @oliviagotjokes: http://twitpic.com/kwhen HEre it is folks! A TWITPIC OF ME!! Front left, brown hat!!!/F*** u Brown Hat!LOL!
What a FLIPPIN awesome night!!! 
Until...........  (insert scary dun dun dun duuuuuun music here)
Got on the subway to head back to hotel and was all nice a comfy when a guy stood up in the middle of the car and said "I'm sorry to bother you people but we don't have much time" He had a seriously disheveled (sp?) appearance and his fly was undone (what?) Now, you *do* know I am in NYC right? There was a big terrorist attack here a few years back. Well, this guy had a bag strapped to the front of him. When he said we didn't have much time left....well, let's just say I REALLY need those Venice undies!!
He opens his bag and a little chihuahuapoodle pops up! Whew!
He proceeds to say that he has AIDS and he and his dog Gizmo were kicked out of the house because his parents thought he was contagious. He went on about his life story for the whole 5 block/1:15 second ride. I am sure it was very touching but honestly, ALL I could think about was...what if I had died without ever getting to tweet Crystal again! (I know that is fuCCed up, but hey, I own it...p.s. Join Team fuCCed at http://www.venicetheseries.com/)
Anyway, I obviously made it home safely and am SO looking forward to MORE NYC adventures tomorrow. I have just 1 more day of sobriety left!
TBC..........
PART 8
Finally........I no longer have that I am a lost tourist look on my face. I walk confidently enough now that people ask me where stuff is. LMAO. I have always been a fan of scavenger hunts. I hope they were.
ROCK OF AGES!!!! (not a gospel tune, the Broadway show I saw) back to that in a bit
Had a really small breakfast today. Heres the thing. I am afraid of getting sick while I am here. Tomorrow is my day to meet CC and if food poisoning kept me away? :shudders: Let's not think of such things.
Went shopping for my BLING BLING PIMP watch with my twitter mom @sofietor . We ate some kick ass NYC pie (that's pizza for my homies on the West Coast) and then went to see Rock of Ages!!! SO FUN! SO FUNNY! Whether you are gay or straight, the show has eye candy! I honestly didn't know I knew that many rock songs...I was jammin on the 1 (Cosby reference for my fellow 80's kids) Seriously one of the BEST shows I have seen. Doesn't rank with Wicked or In the Heights or The Color Purple...but is a DAMN funny show!
So during intermission I check in on my TBFF @cubfnatic (there will be a quiz later on who all these tweeps are...pay attention) and see she is TWITPICING Crystal and Jessica!! WTF? She told me she didn't have a ticket to GL luncheon. We will have words later. Anyway, these awesome pics are going out and Auntie @cathie1054 is holding down the "we are fuCCed" line for Crystal and Jessica. Later mom and I show up at the Marquis for some drinks with some peeps. My "TBFF" (in the future she may be known as my SBFF..Shitstirring Best Friend Forever) took a picture of me and @bbkglfan holding hands and THEN twitpiced it out saying we were engaged!!! SHIT. STIRRER. I got to meet @pattic14 and @mpreeds ...the rest of the homies I will get to. Baby steps. I am on sensory overload.
So my big NYC experience today was jaywalking. For the International readers, that is crossing the street OUTSIDE of a designated crosswalk. In NYC, its...well...a way of life. People walk when there is a BIG RED HAND in the crosswalk or simply choose to not have to deal with such illustrations and cross elsewhere. So, I am IN a crosswalk with a BIG GREENISH WHITE stick figure which in California means 'walk.' In NYC, it means drivers entering your personal space without intention to stop. One girl had her headphones on and almost got hit. They were both Asian women and used the International signal for 'you are my #1 friend'. Good times!
I am resting a bit to go out with my mom and TBFF..who are they?? NO SCROLLING UP!! You should know these peeps by now.
I will certainly recap the haps for the night when I get in. OMG, in less than 24 hours I will me 'the eyes'. Be back later.
TBC.....................
PART 9
Damn I walk fast! I looked cute tonight. I don't say that often about myself (I wait for others to do it  ) but...I looked PIMPin cute 
Met up with @quigley20 and @kellymuses and @invisicoll and a few others who wish to remain nameless (which is a CIA way of saying, I forgot...JK JK JK)
We ate REALLY greasy pizza and drank soda and watched You Tube===>>> http://bit.ly/JqYGn (this video cracks me up EVERY time)
It was a tame night in terms of activity but WILD in terms of laughter....I LOVE FUNNY PEOPLE!! I love un-funny people too cuz they think I'm funny and being appreciated gives me warm fuzzies. I SO appreciate you taking the time out of your day to read my blog. I HUG you for feedback!! I am doing this all for YOU...yes, YOU cuz maybe you couldn't be here but you LOVE Crystal!! I will give her a big hug from ALL of you.
In less than 17 hours I will meet Crystal Chappell for the first time! I will be free from my NO TWEETING CC sobriety jail!!
4 ALL things Crystal Chappell:
http://www.crystal-chappell.com/
http://www.venicetheseries.com/
http://tinyurl.com/crystalfb
http://tinyurl.com/venicefb
Gotta force my eyes closed! 'BLOODSHOT' is a great color on me but don't want to wear it tomorrow!
TBC..................
PART 10 THE DAY!!!
OK....so...get yourself a cup of java or hot cocoa or tea, wrap yourself in your snuggie and get ready for a DETAILED recap of my meeting Crystal Chappell, Jessica Leccia, Orlagh Cassidy, Hope Royaltey, Hilary B Smith and Leslie Penny! Along with a bunch of kick ass tweeps I am so glad I got to meet.
OK, so first of all my TBFF (you should ALL know who that is by now) woke up sick!! LIke for reals...not punkin me sick. She ended up not coming I ate VERY little breakfast because I woke up with butterflies and my hands were shaking. It's lame I know, 'she' is just a person, but it is what it is.
Got dressed and headed into city for Pop Rocks before luncheon. Went into 3..ye 3 stores looking for sharpies for autographs. NONE of them had silver..what's up with the NYC?? 
Made it to restaurant at about 11:30 and peeps were already outside stalking...er...I mean waiting for luncheon to let in. ID's and Names were checked at the door. Next year it will be a urine sample I'm sure.
The place was nice and everyone had a name tag with their real and twitter/CCnFriends board name as well as the table they were to be seated at (for all you English profs...I KNOW you are not supposed to end a sentence with a preposition so please don't grammar check my blog. Thank you)

Anyway, peeps filed in and I heard that I passed by @LesliePenny outside the door on my way in. She is REAL SKINNY in person...and has the coolest NY accent eva! She was nice and met peeps and shot the shit with me for like 20 minutes. We came up with a subway singing act and I learned that she is NOT a twitter lurker. When she is on she says hi and when she ignores us...she is REALLY just busy!  I thought she was just ignoring me. Love huh (not sure that is proper blogging for the NY accent but whatevs.) So we are shooting the shit and suddenly...the skies opened up, the sun came out, angels started singing...ok, not really. Crystal Chappell was right behind me!!       Ran out of emoticons or it coulda kept going.

Leslie says..there's Crystal and I turned around and WHAMO!!! Made green eye to hazel eye contact! She smiled and hugged me and said "I know you". I replied "Hi. Can we carpool?"
CC "Sure. Where we goin?"
ME "I don't give a f***. Where ever you want"
CC "ok"
ME "you live up here (insert air map visual) I live down here and we both work here. So you could pick me up on your way to work"
CC "OK."
LMAO. I think OK stood for OH KCUF (figure THAT out...my version of a Hope Royaltey clue)
She was wearing a really sorta frilly pretty cream top and tight jeans and knee high black boots. She is tee-nine-see in person but she gives BEAR hugs! Anyway, there were some fans *cough* without tickets *cough* waiting for her outside and she graciously accommodated them for a few minutes and I grabbed her bag and headed inside. Peeps were mingling and chatting and pixing....then Crystal came down the stairs and there was applause...minimal cuz we were all really there to see Auntie Cathie but we wanted her to feel welcomed too. 
Crystal saw some of us wearing Fedoras and said "where's mine?" and Cathie gave her a grey one!! BOOYAH! She put it on, got up on the chair and began a table dance. SUCKERS!! NOT REALLY!!! She apologized for being late, said it was all Hope's fault for the Pumpkin Martinis and wine and thanked everyone for coming. Then the stampede started!! Not shitting you. All 150 people clustered around Crystal is say hi and take pix and breath her air (cuz they heard it had healing powers) and snip a lock of hair and...wait, ok those second two may have been an exaggeration.
TBC......(gotta breathe for a sec and pee...BRB)
PART 11
Wait Wait Wait…I FORGOT…when Crystal first hugged my neck on the street she said “You’re funny”. Whew….that made me feel better right away.
OK…back inside we go….
So someone asked me to use my coaching voice and ask peeps to sit down so Crystal could make her way around to each table for some QT with EVERYONE! So, I used my reaaaaaaaaaaally loud fingers in the lips whistle (sorry for any busted eardrums) and asked that peeps do that. Most obliged. I hope none of y’all there got offended or pissy about my announcement…just doing what I was asked. We cool??
So, Crystal gets up and is making her rounds. Then @desireepernasel comes over and chit chats with me…her usual spiel “I’ve been drunk. You’re so funny” (JK!!) She was really cool and gave me POP ROCKS!!! FTW!! We will forever be connected now
She goes off to mingle and Hope comes to sit down. She shoots the poo with some of us for a minute and I told her that she ignores me on twitter. She said “I read everything you tweet, You’re funny” (I’m seeing a theme here) Then she said “Do I really ignore you?” OK, Hope, if you don’t respond to A tweet, it’s an understandable oversight. If you don’t respond to 100 tweets…you iz ignorin a homie! But she was REALLY cool and nice and fun. Then she went to mingle and THEN Hilary B Smith came to sit down. WHA??
Whose life was I living??? She talked about her kids (she is a proud mama) and being new to twitter. As we were talking I blurted out “you are BEAUTIFUL”…yep. Mid conversation, without warning. Smooth. She smiled and said “Wow, thank you. Especially after last night” (this is where the conversation quoting ends, sorry) She graciously took some pics with me and signed my Fedora. I heart her!!
So Hil (that’s what I call her now, we cool like that) leaves and then applause starts! It’s Orlagh Cassidy! LMAO!!! Aaaaaaand, the stampede resumes! Cathie gave Orlagh a Fedora too and she mingled and took pics with peeps. Then she came and sat down at our table where Hil had been sitting…yep, RIGHT next to me. SCORE! I asked if she was hungry and handed her a plate of broccoli. You know, cuz she’s a skinny actress. She said “wow, I get a whole plate of broccoli” I said “well do you want some pasta or chicken?” She “ooohed yeah” for the pasta. I thanked her for being the Fedora influence and we took a pic. She is really pretty in person. You know the cliché the camera doesn’t do someone justice? Orlagh should sue!!! She is HOT! (wait, does that make it sound like she looks bad on camera? Not what I meant at all) She gets up and WORKS the room! P.S. Crystal has been to 3 tables in 1:10 minutes. NOT my table yet  She is having a blast and being SO nice to people. I decide to mingle too and meet some other peeps and take some photos that you should NEVER see! If you want to see a picture of me, look here-->>> http://twitpic.com/l8q3p or this one http://www.twitpic.com/l7qov
OTHER than THESE TWO pictures…IF you EVER see a pic of my face on the boards or twitter, PLEASE kindly ask the original and RT to delete their tweet and take down my pic. I am a teacher and my students are ALWAYS on the web! I do NOT want my face on the Internet. THANKS!!
So I took pics with a bunch of peeps after they signed a contractual ‘I will lose a limb if I post this anywhere” form and tried to eat something. I think my nervous and excited stomach wasn’t really feelin it although the food was good.
TBC……………………..
PART 12
OK, so Cathie (the fan club president for Crystal’s OFFCIAL FAN CLUB which can join right here on the site you are on or go to http://www.crystal-chappell.com/ and click on Fan Club link at top…just do it!) was mingling and being her usual awesomely nice self. By the way…someone once asked Cathie if she was nice. She asked me “how do I respond to that?” I said tell them “I am nice. But I travel with some bitches that will f*** yo shit up if you mess with me. Have a nice day” Well…I am just ONE of Cathie’s bitches. So if you were at the luncheon wondering who the hell I am and why I got seated at the SHIZNIT lucky table…that is why. OK, not really. I donated a million dollars to Team Venice. OK, that’s not true either. The real reason is Crystal asked me to sit there so when she worked the room, she could avoid me. Damn, lied again (at least I hope I did on that last one). Everyone was mingling with Orlagh and Crystal and each other. Calm and fun and fangirly normal…wait, meant fairly normal. THEN it happened…all panties broke loose once AGAIN as Jessica Leccia walked down the stairs with her hubby and little Ivy! STAMPEDE!! LMAO. She is seriously just absolutely GORGEOUS. I wish I had her skin. She took pics and started to sign autographs. Then I noticed she was getting backed up further and further into a corner and EVERYONE was having to stand and press towards her to get a pic. Someone else noticed it too and asked that I again “do that whistle thing” and ask people to please sit down. I did…SORRY AGAIN!!!! I was not hired as security but when I am asked to do something by peeps, I do it. Hope noone was offended. Just trying to protect Jess (who by the way did not complain about being backed into a corner one bit) and make sure everyone had an opportunity for pics. People again mostly obliged. Brian took Ivy outside (oh shit!! What if it was cuz of my whistle??? SORRY JESSICA!!!!)
There was only ½ hour left and Crystal had been to EVERY table but OURS!! WTH?? I seriously was trying to be patient but my little heart started to skip some beats. My SHIZNIT table was about to become the OH SHIT table if I didn’t get a pic with Crystal. THAT experience is coming up next!!
TBC…………………
PART 13 still THE DAY
Breathe Breathe….by the time Crystal made it over to my table, most of my table had bounced to other peeps and were mingling. Actually, they ALL may have been standing RIGHT THERE but all I could see was Crystal coming over. I clapped like a 4 year old getting a shiny new iPhone (for us old folks it woulda been a bike or red wagon or Barbie) I said “Crystal come take a picture with me!” 
I grabbed my PIMP chalice that was all blinged out (see photo from above) and the PLAYA chalice I had made for Crystal (in RED since it’s her favorite color) and we took pics together. Now I only know 4 of the 87 flashes of cameras that went off so please  see the above LIMB CONTRACT mentioned above if you were one of those 87. People oohed and awed for me cuz I am such a geek and peeps were GENUINELY happy for me that I got my pic!! THANK YOU PEEPS (wiping streaming cheek tear right now) Then Crystal signed my Fedora right next to Hil. She let me hug her waist which, since I am about twice her size, meant she virtually disappeared in my arms O_O I thanked her and then asked her if I could get a picture of her with Cathie. She went over and hugged Cathie and about 112 flashes went off. Cathie has been Crystal’s FC Pres for 11 years!  It was SUPER SWEET! THEN…it happened. I walked over to Crystal and said “So I can I use YOU to PIMP ME for once?” (reaches down...where did those balls come from?  ) She said “Sure”
I made a sign that says “FOLLOW HER” and had her hold it up. I took a picture of it to use as my new avi!! HA! So if you see that photo ANYWHERE ELSE…that person is a PIRATE!!! Make them walk the plank! I noticed a flurry of flashes going off so I rushed over to Crystal and took the sign out of her hands. Poor thing. SORRY CRYSTAL!
She took photos with other peeps but honestly, I don’t remember the next 2 minutes. I have tried to think what I did after my picture with her and getting her to PIMP me. I simply can not recall. By this time Crystal had to leave to catch her flight. So @alllison6071 and I grabbed CC’s bags and took them outside. We waited upstairs while Crystal stopped by Jessica’s ‘corner’ and hugged her and took pics with her. It was a treat for everyone there. Stay tuned for what happened next!!!
TBC………..
PART 14 FINALE
OK…so Crystal finally makes it outside and her car is waiting for her. She and Cathie say their goodbyes (it’s SO cute watching the two of them) and we put her bags in the car. I asked her a burning question but that is between she and I (hey, a girl's gotta keep SOMETHING for herself ya know?). The funny thing is, I’m not sure she knew the answer!!!!! LMAO. She did say I was funny….again. YAY ME!
So I went back inside and Jess and Orlagh were standing there and I REALLY wanted Jessica to sign my Fedora but she was holding Ivy so I didn’t ask. BUT, LUCKY for me she couldn’t find her bag (that I hid) and so gave ivy to Orlagh to hold. Now that was super cute but some peeps took pix of Ivy and to be real, I didn’t think that was so cool. She was sleeping and it’s a baby…someone ELSE’S baby!!! But, it is what it is….that is just my opinion anyway.
But, when Jessica came back I asked her to sign my Fedora!! SCORE!!! Hil, jess and CC all signed my hat! Team VENICE woot! (check out http://www.venicetheseries.com/)
Then, I said “Jess can I ask you something? I tweeted the question to you 21 times and you ignored me” and Jess said “I ignored you? I’m so sorry” (and made like this eeeeeck face, so cute) I laughed and said “It’s ok you get tons of tweets but what I wanted to know is, have you seen “in the Heights”?
Jess “no, I have not seen that”
ME “Its sooo good. It’s about a Latino family from washington heights and it has salsa music and the guy that narrarates it does it in rap”
Jess “brian (her hubby) you have to me to go see In the Heights”
Brian “ok”
So cute…but now Jessica is gonna get bombarded with Have you seen In the Heights yet? Tweets from me. Hey, it’s important.
So after luncheon I went to KTKS tickets with @cathie1054 @winwitter @pattic14 @10zlaine to get tickets for Next to Normal. Then I went to Maracas with @coachtartt and @allison6071 and they have BOMB food!! (that means really good for the ebonically challenged) These girls are now my homies!! We will kick it again for realz (by the way, if you didn’t notice in my above pix, I am not black)
Then @coachtartt and I hopped in a cab to ge to the Booth Theater and laughed our asses off about the cabbie who was on his Bluetooth but we thought he was talking to us….there was a ‘conversation’ that never really happened because we weren’t really talking to each other. Hate when that happens!! We made it to theater and headed to the bathroom. OK, here is the funny toilet story that ALL good blogs must have. We walk into this snazzy theater that has a frickin Coat Room ($1 per item) and chaise (sp?) lounges and it just…nice. We go into the bathroom fully expecting bathroom attendants that expect a tip for handing you a paper towel but there weren’t any. She headed for a stall, I headed for a stall and we BOTH STOPPED!! She said ‘hell no’ and went into a different stall. I paused and did a foot flush of my toilet cuz someone left me a present. (I am totally laughing right now on the plane as I write this. NOT COOL) I put about 6 toilet seat covers down and got the hell outta there. HOW does a NICE theater with a frickin COAT ROOM NOT have WORKING toilets???!!! Me thinketh their priorities are a bit screwed up!!
WE make it into show and the show is AWESOME!! Except that all of us in attendance are a bit sidetracked before, intermission, an after by a lady with a rather interesting hairstyle. I was TOTALLY gonna put the pic in this blog but realized SHE may have a LIMB CONTRACT too O_O
I was so worried about packing and sad about leaving that I left the theater and forgot my poster!! I have a poster from EVERY show I have EVER seen. fuCCed. Only on Crystal Chappell weekend could I forget to do something I have done for YEARS!!!
The rest…is mundane. Packed, posted some tweets about NOT POSTING ANY PICS of me ANYWHERE on the WEB without my consent, slept and got up today for a VERY small breakfast. Literlly felt sick to my stomach about leaving. The last 4 ½ days have been my escape from commuting and teenagers. I LOVED meeting so many of my tweeps and I LOVED meeting Team Venice.
Thank you all for following my journey and tweeting/posting such awesome comments!! Snark is only funny if people get it and appreciate it so THANK YOU for getting me and appreciating me.
Follow me on twitter @oliviagotjokes My daily tweets are kinda like mini blogs of random stuff I think and that happens to me. Oh yeah, and I am NO LONGER CC TWEET SOBER…so other than PIMPin her, if you follow me you will have to put up with me tweeting her…A LOT!!!
Thanks for joining me….until NEXT time!! (yes, there WILL be a next time)
(((((MUAH))))
FOLLOW Team VENICE
@crystalchappell
@kimmyt22
@lesliepenny
@cubfnatic
@stewartwade

FOLLOW Team CCandFRIENDS
@cathie1054
@winwitter
@catikins9
@quigley20
@kellymuses
@ahhiker
@ (insert list of ALL Crystals fans and fan club members that simply adore her!)
THE END!!!!

VENICE PREMIERE Event

9:04 am Friday Dec 4, 2009
OK…sooooo I took today off because I haven’t slept much (part of the reqs for being part of Team V) and thought….I will sleep in, take my time getting ready, leave here and not have to speed for once.  WELL….I changed my cell phone alarm to accommodate my genius plan and FORGOT to turn off my other cell phone, watch, and itouch. BOOO!!! 
So, I STILL got up before 6. This does not bode well for staying up til 3 am tonight…er, tomorrow morning. I am going on faith that the adrenaline of the VENICE premiere and hanging out with some amazing peeps will keep me going. Oh, and my puppy, knowing that I am leaving and not wanting me to wear the cute outfit I had planned, decided to chew on the shoes I put out.  Anyone want a doggie??????
Hitting the road in 2 hours.
TBC………

8:34 am Saturday Dec 5, 2009

JIMINEY CRICKET!!! First of all, I went to bed after 4 am so WTH am I awake?  Second of all, I am sitting in the bathroom typing this up right now so as to not wake my roomie cuz I wanted to make sure to get this blog out to all the Venice fans asap!! Apparently, Vegas is anti-bootleg wifi.

Soooo, to recap yesterday:
I took me 3.5 hours to get to Vegas and I basically tweeted the whole way. Thank you for keeping me company while I tweet silly nonsense and random thoughts. Just want everyone to know that until I get my super special PIMP phone, that while I read EVERY tweet that comes in, it is REALLY hard to reply when I am driving and my phone doesn’t get DMs and there is no RT or ‘reply’ feature. I literally have to go into the ‘mentions’ screen remember what peeps have said or some link someone tweeted me and then get out of that screen and type in anything I want to say (including a twitter addy) For those of you with simple addy’s THANK YOU!!! For those with crafty, cute addy’s….uhhh….yeah. I see you, it’s just hard to reply when I am on the phone.

OK, so I arrived in Vegas at 2:44 which was PERFECT cuz my TBFF @cubfnatic was to arrive at 2:49. Well then there is the whole ‘taxi-ing’ thing. So, since I didn’t want to get a ticket from the angry little bald guy with the whistle and reflector vest, I circled the airport (.9 miles to be exact) and made a go of it.
:6 laps later: Then there is the whole ‘where-were-you-seated-on-the-plane’ thing. Apparently Cub was in 89 X.

:7 more laps later: While I certainly appreciate my TBFF helping me practice for the NASCAR by looping around and around and around again, the drive by PIMPing with my http://www.venicetheseries.com/ sticker was slightly embarrassing. Reflector man threatened me with a ticket if I stopped again and he ‘couldn’t see my passenger’. By now @allison6071 @Loganx2 and @shiggser have also landed. Since I drove an SUV figured might as well take everyone back to the Rio (which by the way, is the SHIZNIT hotel!!!)

:4 more laps later: HOOTIE HOO she is finally curbside. Well, 1 of the 4 she’s I was picking up so….more laps. Seriously, next time, a few minute wait at the curb is not gonna hurt anyone. I am one of those, ‘I don’t want anyone to have to wait for me’ kinda peeps and am generally puinctual/early. Reconsidering that for airport pick ups.

We get all loaded in the car and follow Mr British GPS guy from the airport to the freeway………………the Rio was the next street down. Yep, rather than have us continue straight and turn L, the GPS took us through traffic to get back on the freeway with traffic to exit the next exit. Not Mr British GPS’s finest moment. Meanwhile, @epadilla @mariposa527 and @redblaze18 were are the hotel beginning set up for the viewing party. Yeah the party opened doors at 7:25 (again, punctual/early) but because we were all terrified of the potential rioting lynch mob if the show didn’t air properly, the group was in there by 5:30 testing stuff out. Video? Check…big screen and LCD projector. Audio? Check…tapped into the sound system of the room. The sound was not as loud as we would have liked it to be cuz every whisper from Gina and Ani was…well….brilliantly written!!
@allison6071 and I get checked in and Ron Raines, Kim Zimmer and Frank D were all checking in too. Star sighting right away. YAY!
We walk into our suite…flippin HUGE with nice décor.  I was like, ‘The Rio knows how to treat a president’!! HA HA…totally kidding. (about the president thing, not the room)
We met up with @traveling_C and @big_nerd who are AWESOME!! Brought them up to my room while I changed for the viewing party. @traveling_C brought me TONS of POP ROCKS!! BOOYAH!! THANKS C!!!
Then @pjm1977 arrived and we brought her up too. She is beautiful and totally cool! Nice to meet you PJ!
They patiently waited while I transformed myself from the volleyball coach to the club goer (volleyball coach is MUCH more comfy) and we headed down for the viewing.
My heart was racing and I was getting sweaty. Not sure if it was nerves or the illness I have been fighting for a month. Waaaaaaa (pity me please)

OK…before I get to the good stuff…..let me say how AMAZINGLY grateful Team V is for all of your support!!  Crystal got up and…..oh wait, was gonna save the good stuff. Back to the PBP. Gotta get to the kiss and Crystal taking her top off.
OOOH…Rio breakfast time!!
TBC………………………………………..

9:43 am Sunday Dec 6, 2009

Sorry to leave u hanging peeps. Vegas never stops. Went to Rio breakfast and ate with my homies! BIG SHOUT OUT to @daria849 @otaliafan30 and my boo @theothermia I will spare you the details of what I ate. Naw, fuCC it…here is what I ate: French toast, bacon, eggs and a tomato/onion/bacon/cheese omelette and to really top it off, had some chocolate milk!! Really good food! Had some convo with @hotmessmandy @theartistevic @linadansergrrl and finally met @veniceriley (no names or pictures will be revealed…privacy matters)
OK, so where was I before breakfast? Oh right a kiss and Crystal taking her top off.
So at the viewing everyone patiently and graciously checked in…THANK YOU!!!  Got a little pink wristband & we started letting peeps in. There was a cash bar and some snacks…THANK YOU Street Team Leaders. So everyone was inside and then…Crystal, Kimmy, Michelle (and @vikesfan17 ) and my girl BS showed up. Sooooo about the kiss? Well…if you knew Auntie Cathie you have heard stories of Crystal being a kisser with peeps she knows. Um, so, when Crystal showed up we made eye contact and she said “how are ya sweetie?” and I went to give her a hug. Buuuttt…she puckered up and I ain’t no IDIASS so I kissed her!  Yep, you read that correctly, I kissed Crystal Chappell. Now don’t get it twisted, it was just a friendly greeting. Jelly??  LMAO!!
So we walk Team V up to the front and then Crystal made a brief speech. She THANKED ALL THE FANS saying that NONE of what we were about to watch would have been possible without us. She said “I want you to KNOW how IMPORTANT you are to this project. You NEED to know that!”
Then she said, “So, I’m gonna take off my top and let’s watch” hee hee hee. Now y’all should KNOW she did not actually take her top off or there woulda been tweets and twitpics and twitvids (despite the email request that photos and vids not be taken without the consent of the subject)
We had some technical difficulties and when Cub had to stop the vid to back it up for opening credits…she FREEZE framed it smack on a hot Gina and Ani kiss!! The crowd roared with laughter and cheers as it was the ULTIMATE screen cap!! So, we tried it again with success and the crowd was AWESOME!! Crystal and Kimmy laughed and cried while watching. They were so cute and so proud and soooooo appreciative. It deserved yet ANOTHER viewing!! HOLLA! 
We watched the ep 2x and then the fan gathering turned into a meet and greet with CC, KT, MC. Folks lined up to meet Crystal, take pics, share with her how much she and the project meant to them. It got a little chaotic and my famous whistle was invited to take part once again. SORRY PEOPLE!! 150 clamoring fans in an impromptu meet and greet….got a little chaotic. Won’t happen at the OFFICIAL Venice fan event (pleeeeeeeeeeeese do not tweet me with “when is it and where is it gonna be?” questions. I PROMISE that when I know, you will know!! I am a PIMP afterall! Thanks)
Kimmy, Michelle and CC were SO incredibly gracious and generous with their time and energy. Could not be a greater group of people.
I got to move about the room a bit and @bex3713 found me and gave me my official Steeler fan “Terrible Towel”. I had already gotten watery eyed when the “For Cathie” rolled at the end of the credits but when I got the towel and @desireepernasel told me she had a card for me…I started crying!! Yep…in the middle of the fan hoopla I headed for the corner and shed some tears for my Auntie Cathie. Thank you @runbettyrun for coming to talk with me and SORRY to all the fans for going off to the side to blubber for a bit. The pride and joy for Team V and the sadness I wasn’t gonna be calling Cathie to rave about it….caused some waterworks. I am gonna get my emotional side pulled together!! Snark is waaaaay funner. (funner?? Yeah, I’m going with funner)
At about 9:15 we had to start trying to shut things down and rush people along so we could get in one more viewing.
OK: WARNING this is turning into the LONGEST BLOG in history!! DANG! I thought NYC was bad….oh well, if you’re still reading this…let’s continue on, shall we?
TBC…………….

(fill in the time and date…where the hell am I?)

After the last viewing, Team V headed out and we had to clear the room. A group of us were HUUUNGRAY so we headed to the All American Bar and Grill. Gina Tognoni, Kim Zimmer, Brad Cole all came out of the back and I introduced myself to Gina who was way cool. We ordered some food and Brian Malloy (Jessica Leccia’s husband) showed up and totally hung out with the group and mingled. He is very good looking and incredibly charming. Then Jess showed up and she mingled a bit…THEN Crystal and Kimmy and Michelle showed up!! DAMN!!!  Talk about right place, right time!! Buuuut, apparently the manager did not know who Team V is cuz the group got scolded for blocking the ‘public walkway’ so Team V bounced (that is slang for left) Our food arrived and WHOA those were some big portions!!! Words of wisdom: if you eat there…order one meal and SHARE!
My sister from another mister @loganx2 came down and hung out with us for a bit and my PIMP @ohhhbeka finally put some food in her belly. I soooo love her but she aint playin on twitter…that’s ALLLL I’m sayin’ Take care Beka!!!
Team V went gambling for a small bit but were exhausted and headed upstairs. * I * on the other hand went gambling: roulette baby!! Turned $20 into $115 HOLLA!! Michelle came down and was like “guurrrl, I need to gamble with you” so we bounced (remember what that means??) over to Gold Coast where they had $3 dollar tables. Taught her and @coachccrazy and @allison6071 @mariposa527 how to play….they were all about ‘bet on black’ until I had the biggest stack!!! LMAO!!! Let’s just say we came up with a little ditty called “Follow the leader” My lungs started to close up on me and it was after 2:30 am but we were having such a good time. Finally it really was time for bed. So we walked our happy butts back to the Rio (did I mention earlier that the living room had a window that goes to the shower?? A ‘lil freaky for my taste)
TBC…………..

I think I am back to Saturday updates now?

Right. So after breakfast @allison6071 and I went to a timeshare presentation…it was worth an hour of our time to get rooms at the Rio for $29 per night!!  We headed back to the Rio and I got my VENICE SUBSCRIPTION!! 9.99 for a SEASON (12 epis PLUS background footage and all kinds of extra perks!!! Hooootie hooo! Go to http://www.venicetheseries.com/ and subcribe) We immediately watched the epi again AND the BtS footage.
Then we hit the strip cuz @coachccrazy and @allison6071 had NEVER been to Vegas before!! I know…right?! We hit Excalibur first and went to the arcade area because we are in our 30’s going on 13. We played that game where you roll the ball into the holes to make the little horse move in a big race. I won the first game, coach won the second and Allison won the 3rd. YAY!!! My win was best…jus sayin’
Then we went hunting for food and I got a Pepperoni pretzel…that mess is GOOD!! It’s like pizza without the irritating sauce!! YUM! On our way out we saw Justin Timberlake. My only regret is I didn’t PIMP Venice to him. Blame it on the 7-7-7-7 up!! (ha, little non alcohol humor since I was an meds in Vegas)
We rolled out and went to the LUXOR where we gambled simply for drinks. As coach says…if I am gonna spend $8 on a drink, I might as well gamble and get a free one with a shot at actually winning money. Makes. Perfect. Sense.
Then we headed over to MGM to see the lions!! They were cute and playful. @cubfnatic texted me to meet she and @bbkglfan and @leightz3 over at Bellagio to watch the water/light/sound show…otherwise known as the ‘Fountain’ show. So we drove over there and made it JUST in time! The song was ‘Luck be a Lady’ by Frank Sinatra and there was a lady who kept shooshing us. WTH?! Wasn’t aware the ‘Fountain’ show came with a ‘Silence is Golden’ clause. What. Evs.
We decided…our group of 6 (3 of whom are 6 ft or taller), to ALL load up in my car and head to the Wynn. OMG…coach REALLY DID ride in trunk!!! I will never live that down.
Thennnnn…I checked my twitter and ALL SLS HELL was breaking loose!! WTH??  Someone got kicked out of the SLS and tweets were running rampant with peeps being upset that Crystal wasn’t at the evening session. Huh? She was NEVER supposed to be there. NEVER said she would be. Not sure how that whole misunderstanding happened but it was disheartening so see peeps so upset. I am gonna stay ‘mum’ on this whole thing. 
We all piled into the car again, coach back into the trunk, and headed back to Rio. DANG it was COOOOLLLDDD outside!!! WOW!
More gambling at Gold Coast and more winning! YAY ME! I bet the SAME numbers everytime and 0-00 and 8 (for CC’s bday month) were BIG winners for me! Here is my VEGAS TWITPIC!!! Leaving love around the USA LOL
We headed back to the Rio and had planned to go to Voodoo and get our groove on. We walked across the street,hit the parking lot and I LITERALLY thought I was gonna cough up blood. TMI??
Coach and Allison got worried about me, took me to get some food and made me go upstairs to bed. My head and throat hurt SO bad! My stomach hurt too but I think it was from eating 8 bags of Pop Rocks throughout the day
So, got up to my room, put on my VENICE epi, plugged in my projector and used the wall as my big screen. :sigh: Viewing Party #2!!
TBC………..(almost done...swear!!)

The LAST day

FINALLY SLEPT IN!! Lungs were on FIRE but the trip was SOOOOO worth it! To watch the Venice Premiere with Team V, to meet SO many awesome tweeps, to gamble with homies and eat and sleep in great places. THANK YOU AGAIN to all the great people I met for honoring my LIMB CONTRACT (post a pic of me, lose a limb)
Gambled a bit more before we left without the same success and said goodbyes to @rosiegollygee @theothermia @otaliafan30 and @daria849
We rolled out and I tried like hell NOT to tweet and drive with guests in the car.
THANK YOU ALL for making VENICE in VEGAS such a great time!!
Hope everyone made it home safely!
Big hugs from the HUG WHORE!!
BOOYAH!
OGJ-out.

Day of DAYS Fan Event 2009

November 7th, 2009 Day of DAYS Fan Event at Universal City.....(uh, that's TOMORROW so I ain't got nuthin yet)
7:00 am
OK, so the event is only an hour from me and doesn't start until 10am. But,that pesky real life thing called work requires I be up at 6 and my brain apparently snail mailed the weekend memo. Sheesh. See, if it had tweeted it, my body would have known sooner that is was ok to sleep in today. So, oatmeal and hot chocolate for breakfast and I am off to get ready for my, and Crystal's, FIRST Day of DAYS event!!
As the VENICE Fan Club President....going to all these events is purely research. I have little 'investment' in ALL things Crystal Chappell ::insert Pinocchio nose::
Speaking of Crystal Chappell check out these other sites:
http://www.venicetheseries.com/
http://tinyurl.com/crystalfb
http://tinyurl.com/venicefb
http://www.nbc.com/
http://tinyurl.com/nomme2
TBC.........................
10:15 am
Arrived at Universal City and willingly dropped Andrew Jackson to get preferred parking...cuz I had my laptop and a gift for Crystal and didn't want to walk. NOT cuz I am a big balla by any means.
Walked into City Walk and RIGHT there on stage was half the Days cast and they were announcing peeps. Crystal was already on stage R sitting next to Renee Jones (Lexi) and rummaging through her purse. Now you KNOW the first thought I had was: She is looking for her phone to check her twitter (her lurk status has so been busted I think). Rummage Rummage Rummage (her purse...er, I mean bag...was HUGE) Voila!! Sunglasses. *insert disapppointed pout It was suprisingly warm at 10:20 and the sun was out...last year, apparently it rained. Sunshine is yet ANOTHER 'Crystal Effect' CC has had on DAYS
I moved over the side of stage she was on but there was quite a crowd....and SEVERAL dudes. Not the Kimmy T type of 'dude' as in an expression but literally...MEN. Then...CC began to rummage again...BOOYAH!! Cell Phone!! Hee hee, now she coulda been doing a number of things but I am gonna say...she was checking twitter.
10:30
The cast departed the stage and the announcer was telling the crowd where they could find the stars. I am sure every name was called but I was honing my spidey sense for Crystal Chappell. BUT, as luck would have it, she exited the stage in my direction. She was checking her phone (aka twitter lurking) and so I called her name. She was so sweet and came over to me. She gave me a big smile and big hug and I asked her where her line was going to be. She wasn't sure and another fan asked if they could shake her hand. She gladly did. She grabbed my hand and I told her I would find her and she left. This MIGHT have been when she tweeted this:
crystalchappell
Having a blast at Day of Days! OGJ is a beauty! Miss u all! Xo
(ok THAT was uber sweet of her...specially since I was totally chillin in my pre-game gear LOL)
@chapeloflove123 found me and we went to wait in line together. She schooled me on all things Aussie! Apparently I need a 'swimming costume' next summer. We had a great chat getting to know each other. Then...fear set in. They had announced that there would be a LAST PERSON sign and anyone AFTER that sign was NOT guaranteed to get an autograph/get to the tables. The guy began counting people off and my heart started pounding. Luckily he walked right past me...whew! So as Chapel and I were talking I started looking and asking who was in line for Crystal. There were 4 girls next to us and one said 'Venice'? YAY!! HOMIES!! it was @linadansergrrl @theartistevic @coolgirl64 and of course, sweetie @hachiomaru ! I love meeting VENICE/CC peeps and want to send a BIG THANK YOU to them for not twitpiccing me and honoring my STILL in EFFECT LIMB CONTRACT!
After 1:15 minutes in line...it was mine and Chapel's turn. We argued over who would go first....cuz really neither of us wanted to be there
I went first and felt bad cuz....to be COMPLETELY honest....while it was nice to meet Abe and Lexi, only wanted to see Crystal and give her the posters I had made for her. I just about DIED when she leaned over to Peter Reckell (Bo) and said "this is my PIMP" <<<that emoticon replicated the look on his face.
She then explained and introduced me...by my real name That totally made my crappy week! THANKS CRYSTAL!
12:10
We got out of line and decided to just hang and watch all the 'entertainment' shenanigans like Head...Shoulders...Knees....and Toes game that was going on. Good times.
At 12:30 the cast was dismissed for lunch (yeah...like those skinny peeps eat) and they headed off to Hard Rock. Chapel and I went to Bucca di Bepo and I 'knocked off' my pizza (Aussie slang...look it up) They walked the red carpet RIGHT past us and Chapel got some good video until Crystal acted like an elephant in the African Safari running from a gun shot sound!! LOLOLOL...wait til u see the video ( LINK>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U2eRZ2YRts at :26 u will see the gunshot run that brought CC straight into the camera!) ...see what I mean? Uh, did I just compare Crystal to an elephant??
After lunch we went back out to see if we could find Crystal again and noticed she was NOT at any tables. WHOA!! So glad I went in the a.m. cuz aparently they only do one session of tables and then do press junkets. I would have been one big WHINEY BUTT if I had missed her!!
That is about it. Compared to my 4 days NYC exursion, this was MINOR. I warned you in the title to lower ur expectations. When y'all start paying me, I will make stuff up to entertain you.
Thanks to all of you that support Crystal Chappell, Days of our Lives and VENICE.
As the VENICE Fan Club Prez...I am honored to serve you and volunteer for Crystal and Kimmy and Hope. They are working so hard for us.
VENICE Fan Club info will come out soon!! V-Swag will be shipped soon!! VENICE will premiere soon! I will end this blog soon!!....like now.
(((((MUAH)))))

PICTURES!!!

THANKS @chapeloflove123

VENICE/ Australia Fan meet up

The President of OZ.....
EPIC blog of a V twit going to Australia
(Here is what brought us all together>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZvURzvjrsY&playnext_from=TL&videos=iOOZKxzkeaM )

March 17, 2010
2:30pm
Today was a mad rush of packing at the last minute…cuz I work well under pressure.  OK, not really but it sounds better than saying I’m a lamer. I got everything packed, including one of my dogs so my sister could doggie-sit and headed to the bank on the way out of town. I ordered the money 6 days ago and they said 3 days. I show up, uber excited to see my Aussie moolah, aaaaaand…they ordered me Canadian money. Now I haven’t been to Canada yet either but prrrrretty sure Canadian money doesn’t work in OZ.
So I took my little munchkin and hit the yellow brick freeway.

8:15 pm
Arrived at Tom Bradley (google him) terminal of the airport and got in line for Qantas (cuz according to Rainman ‘Qantas never crashed’) Now, if you follow me on twitter ( @oliviagotjokes ) then you know I luuuuuuuvvvvzz me an accent I am standing in line to get my boarding pass and grinning from ear to ear! There is an EJ looking hottie with an Aussie accent behind me and his homie can’t find his green card….marriage anyone?
I get checked in and @coachccrazy and I head to the gate. Now, I used to reaaaally be into camping and being one with nature and all. Notsomuch anymore. I brought EVERY electronic I own! LOL Right now, I am tweeting and working on this blog while my phone, camcorder and digital camera are charging. eBay is the best place to buy electronics! Speaking of eBay…did you know that a signed copy of the VENICE script auctioned off for $7000 (American…not Australian) for charity?! That is effin AWESOME! What is not awesome is the fact it would cost $9000 to UPGRADE my ticket to First Class. RUH ROH. Back to electronics…finding an open outlet is like Dorothy searching for the Ruby slippers!

11:20pm
Boarding

11:25
Stop boarding (captain’s final safety check….hmmm, shouldn’t that have been done BEFORE boarding started?)

(at some point in time over the Pacific ocean as we lose forever Thursday March 18, 2010)
I LOVE QANTAS! We weren’t on board an hour before a great meal and free alcohol was served…with a smile and awesome accent. Movies were free, games were free, the seats were comfy and….the flight wasn’t full So, after we ate, E wiggled down onto the floor (we had 3 seats for the two of us) covered up with a blankie and went to sleep. I stretched out on the three seats and did the same. About 4 hours later the flight attendants put a flashlight on E and made her get off the floor. BUSTED! Oh well, it was good while it lasted. She went back to sleep and I watched Couples Retreat. Not a great movie but it was free. I took a sleeping pill and went back to sleep. The seats were comfy but the couple in front of E and I kept playing musical chairs and the dude thought his seat was a rocking chair. OH wait…that reminds me. This was a double decker aircraft and the seats in First Class were like the pod seats in Wall-E. They were kinda dome like and very futuristic looking.
While I slept E flirted with the dude next to her and got his digits LMAO. She now has a reason to come back here. Then we woke up again for breakfast…again, a great meal. Love Qantas. I decided to color since I did bring 3 coloring books and I find it very relaxing. We were only about an hour from landing….in effin AUSTRALIA!!!
The only thing missing during the flight were the flying monkeys…*that* woulda been extra cool (ok, that was a lame Wizard of Oz reference but that is the running theme of this blog so I had to come up with something)

Friday March 19, 2010 (we are henceforth on Aussie time until further notice)
8:15 am
Safe and sound in OZ. We were literally in the back back back BACK of the plane so it took a while to actually get OFF the plane but it was all good. We grabbed our little customs form and headed to baggage claim. I begged the cute Aussie Mr. Clean to stamp my passport, he obliged. There was a long line but somehow we got presidential VIP treatment and got moved to the front of a different line (have no idea why) YAY we are in Aussieland and @madmonza picked us up!

10:00 am
Ummm….driving on the wrong side of road scurred me! Tried to check into our hotel but…we were too early so that was a no go. So, we went to eat breakfast at Bondi beach…it is B.E.A utiful!!! See pic>>> http://twitpic.com/1fno4l
The pancakes are more like crepes…fyi. And of course thought of Crystal right away…with her LUSH ball comment >> http://twitpic.com/1fntuf
Bought some postcards and a lil sumpin for @kimmyt22 Booyah!!
E and I were tired and a bit anxious to shower so back to the Bow Chicka Bow Wow Plaza. Our room was HUGE! Hate when you get an awesome hotel and spend no time in it lol. But in this case…NOT being in the swanky hotel is frickin awesome! I am so thankful to be an honorary Team Aussie! Bonza mate!!!
OK..I am off to see the wizard.

2:00pm
So I popped on twitter to say hi and got busted by @crystalchappell for not letting her know I got here safely. LOL, wont make that mistake again. Suddenly I became the cowardly lion.
(incase the Wizard of Oz references are being lost on you….see the title of this blog and it will make sense)

5:00 pm
E and I cabbed it to Bondi Beach to meet the girls for drinks and dinner. Since you get free WiFi in all the McDonald’s there, we chose that as our meeting place! So we are sitting in there tweeting about being in McDonald’s not knowing the group was standing right outside. #NeverHaveSeenFaces Anyway, we finally met up and had big hugs and went for drinks. Now, I am not a drinker. An occasional Midori Sour and I am good. What is in a Midori Sour? 1 part Midori and 2 parts Sweet and Sour. (BTW, Midori is green….like the Wizard’s castle….great theme choice if I do say so myself. HA!) Wellllll….Australia does not HAVE sweet and sour!!! Vacation Drinking FAIL!! (BLOG adendum: they do have this fabulous carbonated lemonade drink called LIFT! I am totaly addicted and there is NOTHING in the states like it!! Within 3 days I could tell the difference between Lift and Lemon squash (aka Solo)...happy Team Aussie? lolol) So, I had nothing but water or tea. After drinks we went for Italian for dinner. OK…TMI break (too much info) the toilets in Australia took me sec to get used to. There are NO toilet seat covers in ANY bathroom and there are TWO types of flush. The ½ flush button and the full flush. Some toilets have like hand sanitizer that you wipe the seat with….LOL…or, I’m dumb and that was really just for the hands but I don’t think so. E and I were cracking up at how suddenly we didn’t know how to use the dunny!! Purpose of ½ flush and full flush?? IDK.

9 ish pm
We headed to Oxford street (which is the gay friendly community area) and went to a club/bar. The locale was good and the bar was comfy with couches in the corner…felt very VIP. Butttt…the music was BOOTY! Dude, I couldn’t even chair dance 
The group decided to head elsewhere but E and I were exhausted so we bailed. First day in Australia…PAU (Hawaiian for finished)

Saturday March 20, 2010
11:37 am
Showed up at the Meriton (aka swanky Prime Minister type pad) where @madmonza was staying. These AMAZING Team Aussie peeps were in attendance:
@shazza965 @awakendragon @A_c81 @sweetiehouston @coachccrazy @hayleyKN @meljaho @turnkel @madmonza @natjaku @aquila1nz @triplestripe @beaniidean @xenafan @73ajb @heath90
@shaolao and @soccerskatie were not there yet…they were ‘sleeping’. What. Evs!! It was so great to meet my tweeps. Well…until one of them gave me a Pinky to eat….um, yeah, Nuff said. Won’t be doin’ THAT again
We got out Team Aussie shirts too>>> http://twitpic.com/1fn1us

12:45 pm
We are re-watching the graveyard scene cuz well…its EFFIN AMAZING!>>> http://twitpic.com/1fnel3 and the video clip >> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiZ_ZOu07Xk
Madmonza just stopped the video where Natalia says ‘I’ve handled trouble before’ and says did you all hear that? We were all like eh?? (cuz you know, Canadian) And she was referring to Olivia’s whimper/scoff/noise. I said she laughed at Natalia’s being stubborn. They concurred with me…the perks of being Prez lmao

1:50 pm
This is the worst viewing party EVER!! Apparently Team Aussie is allllll about the images and nothing else. LOL…we watched half the episodes but only listened to 1 of them :sigh: Good Times!! I finally got to meet @kirstybuchanan ! Yay! She tried to hide from me…pshaw.

2:08 pm
One of Team Aussie had set up a phone call with Hope and she said she was obsessed with Team Aussie. Of course, we already established that Team Aussie is a loud group so we heard about half of what Hope had to say lol. Thanks for chatting @nycwriterchick
We then proceeded to take TONS of pics and video…good thing I brought my LIMB CONTRACT in triplicate forms!!

(ok I gotta stop doing the time stamp thing cuz the Australia to USA conversion is throwin’ me off me game…and it’s getting harder to remember ‘when’ things happened there is SO much going on!)

Let’s take a little travel break to introduce you to some Aussie slang:
Bogan=white trash ghetto, poorly educated
Poxy=wimpy, weaksauce
Wanker= equivalent to our f*cker basically
Dodgy= sketchy, a little off, not quite right
Dolleys= Dunlop Volleys…an Aussie shoe they call ‘dunnies’ but that also means bathroom so I created dolleys
Dunny=bathroom
Bonza=great, my BOOYAH equivalent
Piss off=kinda self explanatory right?
Frog and toad=road
TA=thank you
Breakkie- Breakfast

Sometime later….
PEEEEEW…that is the sound the crosswalk lights make when the light turns green. The Aussies take care of their blind here. Now for us sighted out-of-towners this became an interesting problem. See, when you’re in a group chit-chatting and looking around and you hear the PEEEEEW you start to walk. Welllll…the PEEEEEW may be for the other direction and seeing as how traffic moves on the opposite side there, let’s just say I might have been almost hit by a car a few times O_O.
So our big ol’ group heads to the haba (harbor). We walked it and had a gay old time >> http://twitpic.com/1fmd3c
What a fun group of women. We saw an Aborigine dude playing a didjereedoo (have NO idea how to spell that)>> http://twitpic.com/1fma2k and http://twitpic.com/1fnon7 and my Aussie sister @turnkel busted out the robot!! OMG…we were in public! Clearly being an attention whore runs in the family ALOL (ok….that means Actually Laughing Out Loud)
Walking the streets was cool cuz they were having some kind of St Patty’s parade or sumthin. I played the geeky tourist and took all kinds of lame pics that, since you tweeps are my friends, I thought I would spare you! lololol
At the harbor we took some pics with the Sydney Opera House >> http://twitpic.com/1fmbyx and http://twitpic.com/1fnfwi and had drinks. I had a Lava Flow (basically a pina colada with strawberry puree in it) and got made fun of for drinking a poxy drink. PFFFFT! Then we went to eat dinner and….well, chose a restaurant JUST for the WiFi #TwitterAddicts Sadly, it was dodgy and didn’t even work  Anyway, I ordered a burger from the PIMP menu (see pic>>> http://twitpic.com/1fnsv0 ) and was shocked to find BEET ROOT in my burger! YUCK!!! The only thing that made up for it was playing peek-a-boo with the little kid in the booth behind me. Good times!

Sometime even MORE later….
Some of us headed back to @madmonza hotel…the swanky big balla one! E crashed out on the couch and I used the opp to show the girls come old Olivia Spencer clips…pre-Otalia days. Seriously, @CrystalChappell is just a frickin BRILLIANT actress!! Here are two of my FAV Olivia Spencer clips>>>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt8GuMWtzgI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTJwj0dhgQ4&playnext_from=TL&videos=RiARF60l8sE (first 2 minutes and last 2 minutes)
After about two hours of this, I woke E up and we walked back to our hotel. Nighty night munchkins!!

Sunday
Sadly, some of our peeps were leaving today. I really miss @natjaku and @73ajb They are such funny, kind women with the cutest little girl!! (pssst…see ya at Christmas...hopefully!) So, E and I got our tired butts up and met them for breakfast at Hyde Park next to the train station. I can not tell you how awesome it was to chillax in a gorgeous park eating breakkie. E (who has an obsession with birds btw) decided to take a pic>>> http://twitpic.com/1fnb79
From there we went to breakfast with the big group aaaaaaaand I had VEGEMITE!!! It is REALLY salty. @triplestipe was kind enough to spread just a tad bit of it on my toast to let me try it. YUM! Then I got all ballsy and put some on my eggs…DOUBLE YUM!!!
I got some extra packets to bring home with me. The girls sang the vegemite song for me and I juggled for them…entertainment is a two way street LOL I got to meet @venicepolice and it turned out she was gonna do the bridge climb we were doing. Only at different time 
So we left breakkie and headed back to the harbor to take a ferry to Manly Beach!! YAY! Ok, if you have ever been to the Bahamas or Hawai’i (I have been to both, love to travel) the Australia beaches rank right up there! I want to move *pout here are some pics>>>
We even saw a real life PIRATE SHIP!!! >>> http://twitpic.com/1fnro4
They have these things called Blue Bottles>> http://twitpic.com/1fm79a They are…well… blue (duh) and are bottle shaped with long stinging tentacles. According to @triplestripe , if you get stung someone has to pee on you. EWWW!!!
The best thing to come from that Manly Beach trip was the creation of #Aussican. What is it? It is a blend of the Aussie slang and the hip hip/ebonic slang.
For example: that’s messed up= dodgy fo’ sho; I am ready to head out for some breakfast= Immuna roll out for some breakkie; I think I will call in sick today and stay home to relax= Im gonna chuck a sickie to stay home and chill like mug. LOL got it??
If you are on twitter, follow @oliviagotjokes and you will see what I mean. Ohh but I tend to PIMP @crystalchappell a LOT about all things including DAYS of our LIVES and http://www.venicetheseries.com/ so be prepared for your inbox to blow up!


Then it was back to the mainland for a pub meet up with @sweetiehouston @meljaho @madmonza @turnkel @coachccrazy and @kirstybuchanan We met at the Sugar Mill which is a restaurant by day and club by night. Really great food and really interesting bathroom door image>>>> http://twitpic.com/1fm4v2
Kirsty was kind enough to both explain AND demo the differences betweet AFL and NRL Aussie sports. Ummm…she’s * kinda * addicted to AFL…go Swans!! Lol The best part was her demo of ‘setting’ in volleyball. Ummmmmm, no. It was a great little get together but back to the hotel for me and E (or is it E and I? grammar. What. Evs.)
Trip came over and E and I taught the Aussies how to play SPADES…BOOYAH!! Man I love that game. There was a bunch of wine and ice cream and Smith’s chips (BBQ and Chicken…think BBQ or Sour Cream and Onion Ruffles…close as you’re gonna get)
At some god-awful hour we actually went to sleep…Toto…I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore. This place is effin AWESOME!

Monday
OK, so today is the ONLY day that @TeamAussie didn’t have something planned for us to do. LOL…what great hostesses.
E and I are off on a sightseeing tour with 3 cameras, a camcorder, laptop and wireless card…cuz we want to enjoy and capture nature O_O
OK, so today was totally touristy! We rode the double decker Hop on-Hop off bus that tours Sydney. We decided to ride it for the complete tour once and THEN decided where to hop on and off. E was busy taking 6 pictures of the EXACT same thing (pain in the arse to have to go through later…UGH) and I was trying to tweet. Ummm…yeah…so apparently the economy has stricken the landscapers in Aussieland because the tree branches needed trimmed. I was tweeting away and WHAMMO a tree branch hit me in the head! Because I feel close to you tweeps, I am sharing that embarrassing moment. LOL
OK…so first stop was the Casino!! Yeah baby! We even got player’s cards…don’t ask. I played roulette and realized that my American luck did not cross the Pacific and stopped after a quick round of losses. We walked to the Maritime Museum which was kinda cool. It was the history of the Aussie navy and highlighted the wonderful relationship between the Aussies and the Americans coming out of WWII. I am not much for museums but…it was kinda cool>>>

We got back on the bus and headed to the Chinese gardens>>> http://twitpic.com/1fmigw
While the scenery and serenity was awesome, quite frankly I wasn’t gonna pay money to look at some shrubs :shrugs::

E and I then headed to the mall. Ummm….the only thing I could afford in there was a cupcake. And actually, I think E paid for that! LOL (where was that dollar store we saw when we first got here??)
Then we met up some peeps for dinner and went to a bar to shoot pool>> http://twitpic.com/1fmowm I was talking trash (cuz I’m a jock and that’s what we do to intimidate when we really don’t think we will win lol) about how the Americans could whoop the Aussies in pool. Yeah well, they agreed to play and it was ON!>> http://twitpic.com/1fmrbi Because I know you are dying to know (not really) who won…the AMERICANS did! But, I will confess, not because * I * did anything! It was all E. Don’t ever play against her in pool, she will kick your butt. She hit every ball of ours in but one. I suck. Darts….now THAT is * my * bar game lol. I am also reeeeeaaally good at playing the jukebox  My mate @beaniidean had left already. She said she thought I was gonna be a dud so booked her flight back early. HA! Thennnn she was pissed she had to leave cuz I was awesomesauce LMAO….true story!! Anyway, I talked to her and her mum on the phone…both amazing people. Miss ya Beanii!
Jetlag finally kicked in so rather than turn into the wicked witch of east…I called it a night and headed back to hotel for some sleep.

Tuesday
Ahhh…to sleep in is a beautiful thing. Jet lag? NotSoMuch. E and I cabbed it down to the harbor for our Jet Boat ride! >> http://twitpic.com/1fncp0 OK….so this jet boat goes like 70 mph and hits waves made by other boats and does 360’s in the water!! When we boarded the driver/captain/Aussie Hottie told us to tighten our seat belts and hang on. Whaa? I’m a grown woman! I don’t need to hang on. Sooo…I am cowboying it up YeeHaw style. We are flying across the water and then we get the signal for a 360….heeeeeere we goooo!! Um, I almost flew out of the boat!! About 40 degrees into the 360 I realized being a grown woman does not matter at 70 mph hitting a wave and bustin a u-ey. OMG!! The other girls LTAO at me! I was so scared…I held on for allll the remaining 360’s. Old dogs CAN learn new tricks. WHOA!
Next? The bridge climb http://www.bridgeclimb.com/ yeah baby!! We did the twilight climb because seeing the view of Sydney and beyond at dusk was just toooo good to pass up!>> http://twitpic.com/1fm8in and http://twitpic.com/1fmn2v and http://twitpic.com/1fnlu2 and GLEE on Bridge http://twitpic.com/1fmfrm
Being the social butterfly that I am (NOT…I’m actually UBER shy) I made friends with our climb group. Cuz ya know, if I was gonna die I wanted to feel like I left this Earth among friends. Nah, it’s actually REALLY safe. I did go first cuz our tour guide was HOTTTT and had a nice butt…even in those tacky jumpers.
OK. Pizza and bed. I’m exhausted. Are you still here? Are you still reading this?? Mad props to you!! Ohh, and thanks for giving two cents what I have to say about what I did!! LOL…very sweet of you!

Wednesday
Today is our last full day here  I don’t want to leave! The Aussie’s don’t want me to leave! So…why am I leaving? Cuz @crystalchappell and @kimmyt22 and http://www.venicetheseries.com/ need me LOL (ok, I have 3 jobs to get home to..is that better?)
We are off on our road trip! Koalas and crocodile and kangaroos…OH MY!
First stop today was food! Thank God for Subway! It’s almost the same in Aussieland.
Second stop..KMART. I HAD to get me some Dunlop Volleys (aka dolleys>> http://twitpic.com/1fmlyg ) cuz they are the MOST comfortable shoes ever!! Seriously, you gotta get a pair. I also bought some marathon socks for @crystalchappell since she is running one in early June. OK, it’s a half marathon but what’s a few miles between friends. She is running for the lymphoma society with @mcarter43 and @kimmyt22 . Sucks I have a tourney or I would have ran (ok walked) with them. *pout
Third stop…the wildlife petting zoo>> http://twitpic.com/1fmtwd OK, for some cute little cuddly animals, the SMELL was ATROCIOUS! The first thing we saw and got to pet was the Koala>> http://twitpic.com/1fmhv1
These are so cute!! Next were the kangaroos and wallabys>>> http://twitpic.com/1fn0i3
and this animal>> http://twitpic.com/1fn45s We were supposed to see the crocodile feeding but got stuck looking at the cuddly creatures. Birds, wombats, bats, snakes, dingos (the Dingo ate my baby!...Meryl Streep anyone?), white roos, black roos, pelicans…..it was just awesome!
Then I happen to chill under my hometown sign>>> http://twitpic.com/1fn5du
Then it was off to Blue Mountains. Basically it’s Australia’s version of the Grand Canyon>> http://twitpic.com/1fm64s We took an old mining cart STRAIGHT DOWN HILL! Not kidding…we were vertical and I was it the front! Then we went to see the * cough * waterfall * cough * (nothing to see here people>> http://twitpic.com/1fni1k …keep it moving) Then we took a cable car back up to the landing.
As we drove back my twitter addiction became apparent to all in the car. One of my mates had graciously given me her wifi card to use while I was there so I tried to tweet on the drive back. NO SERVICE!!! UGH!!! The fit I threw shall remain with those in the car O_O
Anyway we get back in just enough time to shower and get ready to go out for @sweetiehouston ‘s birthday dinner. We went to a Brazilian BBQ place where it’s all you can eat meat they bring on skewers right to the table. Seriously, the best meal I have EVER had!! Why they bother bringing, bread and rice and salad and veggies, I have NO idea. Probably for the ‘healthy’ types that don’t want to gorge themselves on the best meats with the best seasonings available. Uh, that ain’t me.
So finally….we said our goodbyes to most of the gals and headed back to the hotel. Time to pack! And with all the Team Aussie gifts for CC and KT, all the crap I bought myself and family/friends PLUS the shiz I took with me to begin with….packing was gonna take awhile. @madmonza stayed the night with us and @turnkel hung out for a bit. Then @kirstybuchanan came over to drop off some goodies for CC and KT. Yeah try packing and being responsible when all the other mofos are drinking and being silly (hee hee, ok I totally enjoyed myself.) At about 1 am, the girls rolled out and E knocked out. Moni stayed up with me while I finished packing. I love her. One of the kindest, most generous people I have ever met. Finally bed. Tomorrow I will click my dolleys together 3 times and repeat There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home, Why must I go home.

Thursday
Up early for a nice goodbye breakkie at the hotel. Cheesy eggs with vegemite, hot chocolate, bacon, croissants and pulp free OJ. YUM!
Had to do some quick shopping to get @mcarter43 her Aussie cook book. That lady can COOK! No joke.
Then it was off the airport. Lots of hugs and making plans to visit each other again and we departed our new Aussie family. E and I hit up the duty free store….um, cuz we can. I bought Midori (so I can say I got in Australia…that’s the only reason) and E got…what was it? Black Label Johnny Walker? Can’t remember>> http://twitpic.com/1fmuf9 The plane had 3 doors for boarding. One for first class, one for business and one for suckers like E and I. Seats are WY comfy on Qantas though. I won’t bore you with the details of the flights cuz this blog has been looooooong.
Finally touched down and waited over an HOUR in customs. UGH. But, we made it safely.
A HUGE thanks to @teamaussie for taking such good care of me (and E) I am SO excited to go to some other International meet ups! Team Aussie will forever be extended family to me. Hope to see y’all for Christmas!! BONZA!!
Thanks to allll my twitter peeps who make me laugh, educate me, keep me on my toes and most importantly, support Crystal Chappell and Team V, whom I love dearly.
You guys are the best!!
aaaaand SCENE!!

VENICE Season One Recap

Here are  the 12 characters in the first season:

Gina—played by Crystal Chappell (the hottie that also plays Carly Manning on Days of our Lives.) What can I say about Gina? She is a wee bit messed up in the romantic relationships department. But, she is clearly capable of loving relationships as evidenced by those with her brother, Owen and auntie, Guya.

Her ex-girlfriend, Ani, is clearly the love of her life so I anticipate lots of angst with these two as we see them try to pursue other relationships only to eventually realize they belong together…once Gina get’s her shiz together. Gina’s relationship with her father, the Colonel, is uber strained, yet the season 1 cliffhanger suggests that she seems to be the one he chooses to trust in times of trouble. Go figure.

Ani—played by Jessica Leccia (the dimpled one formerly known as Natalia Rivera on Guiding Light.) Ani is like a beautifully dimpled mother Earth. She is grounded in life and is a natural beauty (as brilliantly highlighted by the LACK of make up they put on her… YAY!) She is currently attempting romance with Lara (who by contrast, wears LOTS of make up) and they have some sizzle together…ok, lots of sizzle!

Owen—played by Galen Gering (the DL funny guy that also plays Rafe Hernandez on Days of our Lives.) Owen is a struggling actor who may have just found love with Sami…which totally appears to irk his sister Gina. Jealous much? He is a sounding board for his sister and like her, has not had a great relationship with dear old Dad.

Lara—played by Nadia Bjorlin (the operatic singing beauty that plays Chloe on Days of our Lives.) Lara picked up Ani in a coffee joint (hint: start hanging out at yours a little more often and pretend to not have any cash) and they hit it off big time. Apparently they both have amazing gaydar because the kind gesture turned into flirting and eventual dating. This is my favorite couple from season 1. They seem to have honest conversations and kissing chemistry. BOOYAH! Really looking forward to seeing where this goes and I confess…I am interested to see just how the narcissistic Gina handles it J

Tracy—played by Lesli Kay (prob one of the busiest women on daytime she plays on TWO daytime soaps:  on Bold and the Beautiful and   on As the World Turns.) Tracy is the sometimes British accented lawyer that is Gina’s current love interest. They seem to ‘get’ each other and both operate in the ways of the ‘playa.’ I don’t see this one working out…it’s a love quadrangle. See Tracy wants Gina, Gina wants Ani but won’t admit it, Ani is with Lara but wants Gina….well, when Gina gets her shiz together. Did I already say that? Hmm, MUST be true then J

Guya—played by Hillary B. Smith (the hilarious one that also plays Nora  on One Life to Live.) In my humble opinion, Guya is the shiznit! She is such a calming and stable force for her niece and nephew (they are her dead sisters kids…since she is a psychic, she must talk to her often eh? ‘Ghost’ anyone?)  We saw just  tidbit of Guya doing a reading (the humor brought to the huh? Episode #2) and we saw her put the Colonel on blast for the way he treats his kids (on blast= call him on his bs.) 

Michele—played by Michelle N. Carter (don’t forget the N people.) We saw Michele in several scenes indicating she and Gina are good friends, not just co-workers. She is the one that keeps Gina’s design company running smoothly (don’t all assistants do that and bosses get names on things? That’s what I thought) and keeps Gina in check. They have a fun relationship (see Gina is not alllll bad) and we know that Michele has had some BAD romantic relationships of her own. She tends to be a bit guarded now because of that…sound familiar to anyone? Anyone?

The Colonel—played by Jordan Clarke (the multi-talented former Billy Lewis on Guiding Light.) The Colonel is one of my favorite characters from season 1. Why…when he seems to be a jerkish-homophobe- mean-dude. Because people like this exist and his character is a necessary antagonist. Also, I think Jordan is just brilliant. He clearly has some SERIOUS secrets. We the fans think we saw him hiding a lipstick early on and then there is whole apparent dead body in his garage at the end of the last episode. My guess? He was getting kinky with a dominatrix and took the whole suffocation thing too far. Can’t wait for season 2!

Jaime—played by Harrison White (who I had the honor of seeing in Suessical the Musical…he made a terrific Cat in the Hat.)  Jaime is the guy I want to have a convo with. He is the trusty bar owner and well, it’s clear that the people on this show love them a good bar. I just KNOW he has all the dirt on the peeps in the town!!

Alan—played by Michael Sabatino (affectionately known as Scary Larry ‘Lawrence Alamain’ from Days of our Lives.) Alan is a metro-sexual hotel owner who employs Gina to design for him. He also has a thing for platform bedazzled boots? Um, ok. Michael is such a great actor, I am excited to see where this goes for him. He and his wife, that would be Crystal Chappell if you didn’t know, are always magic on screen together.

Sami—played by Gina Tognoni (the Emmy Winner that is currently portraying   on One Life to Live.) Sami was set up on a blind date with Owen. They braved the strong Santa Ana winds with beer and the back of a pick up. Get your minds out of the gutter…NOT in back of the pick up like you are thinking. They had an innocent and fun time actually talking. We learned Sami has worked with the Peace Corp kinda thing and that she is really simple and easy going. We see her later on a date with Owen and gets to meet Gina. LOL…one of my favorite scenes of the season. Sami is either oblivious or not concerned about Gina’s apparent immediate dislike of her. Love it!

Katherine—played by Tina Sloan (the wonderfully talented woman who played  on Guiding Light for    years) Katherine was only in a small snipit in season one. She is the one Guya did her psychic read for. Incase you  missed it, Guya claimed Katherine would find the love of her life….and it would be a woman! Go cougar!!!

Mic check 1 2 3

Well that was a dumb title since this has no audio. Oh well, just my first trial blog to post all future snark blogs.