Start Spreadin' The News: I actually MADE this M&G!
Apr 02 '06
The Bottom Line I love you all!
Man, I wanted to go to the Meet & Greet in Washington, DC. Craig and I even booked our hotel and planned to drive down to DC just for it, but our plans got canceled. I can't even remember why. Someone got sick or something. I was so disappointed.
Then, I heard that the 2006 Epinions Meet & Greet was going to be held in the Big Apple. I was ecstatic. Even Craig told me that he would go. Things got better when my partner in crime, Dionne told me that she and her adorable son would go to the NYM&G, too. Woohoo!
Again, plans changed. Craig had to work that afternoon in order to get our anniversary off on April 9th. So, I went stag. I boarded the 11:43 train from Ronkonkoma and headed into Penn Station. Notebook in hand, I wrote the first half of a new play on my way. Hey... I'm a busy woman. I have to multi-task all the time.
I arrived at Penn Station at exactly 1:00. We couldn't have asked for a nicer March day, so I walked to the ESPN Zone... And subsequently walked past it. Noticing I was on 47th Street, I turned around and headed back the right way. Ah, yes-- Candice is late yet again. Some things never change.
I arrived at the NYM&G a little after 1:30. I went right upstairs, checked my jacket and went into the nice room that Epinions had for us. There was a lovely lunch spread, and a mob of people. The lovely Crystal greeted me right away, and helped me find my name tag. I took Craig's, too, explaining that he wouldn't be able to attend. Crystal wisely pointed me to the bar and food, and I made my way through the narrow room.
On the way to get myself a Coke, I passed and met many people. (For those of you that I met and do not mention, I profusely apologize.) This is the rundown, as much as I can remember...
Cascogirl, bless her heart, picked me out immediately. We entered Pogomom's Best Little Write-Off as partners, and she said, "Hi, partner!" as I walked by. Unfortunately, there was no head-coloring, but Sarah did wear a lovely kerchief.
PopsRocks grabbed me just as I was walking away from Sarah, and hugged me. It was so great meeting Phil! We're both from Long Island, he has contributed a great deal to my magazine, and I feel like I've known him forever. He was absolutely everything that I expected him to be. I met his wife a little later, who was also lovely.
Jo.com was standing right near Phil, so I hugged her pretty quick... Hey, I'm a huggy kind of gal! Jo looked just like her photo-- and was red-hot in her suede pants. (The room was pretty hot, too... You must have had to peel them off later on!)
I noticed Bryan_Carey right away, before I got to the bar. He was deep in conversation with two other woman (whom I cannot remember... Sorry!). Yet, he stopped his conversation and gave me a big hug! Of course, he later showed me photos of his adorable baby.
I snagged my drink, then made myself a plate from the lovely buffet. Crystal joined me, getting her gorgeous boyfriend some food. We chatted as we picked out what to eat. I snagged the second-to-last piece of cheesecake, and was teased mercilessly by an Epinionator that I just cannot remember... A good-looking guy. Tall, dark hair, brown eyes, slim... DavidManning perhaps? I know that I met DM, but I can't remember if he's the cheesecake guy. (Now, of course, I'm opening the door for even more teasing...)
I made my way to the back to Phil, sat opposite Malik (Christal's bf), and chowed down. I was going to a nice dinner with my hubby that night, so I couldn't eat too much. What I did eat was absolutely divine. Good choice, Epinions.
I told Phil that I really wanted to meet Lorrie Norrington. As a matter of fact, since 24 of the 26 writers for my magazine are from Epinions, I printed out several proofs to give to her. (Unfortunately, my color printer freaked out as I was printing, so everything was in black & white. Grr.) I headed to where she was seated, and introduced myself.
On the way, I met some more members... MaryTara and her adorable child, Pearannoyed, and TomBarnes, to name a few. I also met Garrett, that hunka-hunka man, on my way to Madamme President.
Once I got to Lorrie, I sat in the chair right next to her. She was speaking with Joubert, a lovely gentleman that I have read before, and seem to have quite a bit in common with. I introduced myself to Lorrie, who is just delightful, and immediately joined into their conversation.
While sitting there, I met a kindred spirit named MJfrom Buffalo. She hasn't written in quite a while, but she is a blast. We (along with some others) set up quite a macabre scene with the Epi Dolls... I can't wait to see the photos. It was a lot of fun.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Pvreditor, who later brought out his handmade guitar. We sang King of the Road together, and I sand my parody of Tom Petty's Free Falling.
Other members I met are:
Aashok... Can't wait to see those photos!
ColonialPara...Best wishes with everything.
Brendan2... Of course I know who you are!
KrissieLiz...Yes, we both lived in DC!
Javelina... Who didn't exactly seem to know who I was.
Pyfr...Who had the privelige to read the first half of my new play out of my notebook.
Boudica, Dizzybint, Kristinafh, Bob_Tomato, fuche_bu, and many, many more that I can't remember.
Lorrie introduced me to the gorgeous and intelligent Andy Hilal, whom I had been trying to get in touch with for weeks for other reasons. I was thrilled to speak with him, and was blown away by how young he is. I must say, Epinions is young, hip, and cutting-edge-- And I'm not talking about the site! The people are wonderful, which makes Epinions a wonderful community. (By the way, I also met Trent and Tomiko!)
Following my lead, Dionne and her son were really late. I've known Dee for 15 years... This is the FIRST time she has ever been late for anything. Honest. Fortunately, she arrived just in time to snap the group photos! I introduced her to as many people as possible, right before they kicked us out. The ESPN Zone staff was very nice and understanding, though, and let me and Dionne stay in the room well-after everyone left so that she could nurse her baby. We literally closed the room down.
I had such a lovely time at the NYM&G. I wish I could remember the name of the teenager that sat next to me with his mom... They stayed in Woodbridge. He was such a nice kid, and I really wanted to start reading his writing. If anyone knows who I am talking about, please let me know!
It was really nice to put faces to names and talent. I celebrated my 6 year Epinions anniversary on 3/23/06. This was a nice way for me to commemorate that. Thanks, everyone. I hope to meet more of you at the next one!
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Epinions.com ID:
Candice923
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 - Top 500 |
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Location: Brookhaven, NY
Reviews written: 707
Trusted by: 200 members
About Me:
Is it true? Do I have my own TV show??? Stay tuned!
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