hunnybee's Blog
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Nothing beats a first blog....
5/9/07 20 CommentsLet me just start by letting it all out in the beginning: O-M-G!!!!!!!!!!!
ahem Ok. Now that that’s over with, on with the blog. =0p
The day I thought would never come finally arrived on May 8, 2007. Running on about 1 hour of sleep (yes, I was too excited to catch a decent amount of z’s) from the night before, I got to Newark, NJ around 1:30pm.
My destination – Ridgewood. My reason for being there – Criss Angel, but of course! He was having one of his many book signings at a small store called Bookends.
Any-who, I wound up taking a cab there from the airport, and it cost me $82 (almost as much as the damn plane fare!) but it was worth every penny. If I had taken the train, it would have gotten me there around 5pm instead of 2pm when I had actually arrived. I met up with Lorrie, her hubby, Brittany, Kimmy, and Blanca. The signing didn’t start until 7pm, but I expected there to be a lot more people once I got there. I was about the 10th person in line. Score! While we were waiting we met some really cool Loyals – Kathy, Liz, & Justine. =)
Naturally, the time flew by, and before you know it, it was 6:30pm. The manager came out and started letting people in to go downstairs where Criss would be signing the books. Once we were there, not even 5 minutes later all you could hear was screams from upstairs, and then a “Hi. How ya doin’?” Criss was EARLY! All of a sudden I saw those infamous boots at the top of the stairs, and knew that this was it. I’m FINALLY going to meet Criss Angel!
He came downstairs, and gave his usual “if you can dream it, you can achieve it” speech. I wanted to film it on my digital camera, but hadn’t learned about all the features yet. So, I figured I better stick with just taking pictures. And boy did I. LOL. Thank God Blanca wound up getting it all on tape. You go girl!
Any-who, after he was done talking, which was absolutely inspirational by the way, the manager led him over to where the table was. I was right by where he needed to walk, so when he passed by he put out his hand and mine was the first one he took. He held it for a good 5 seconds (yes, I counted. LMAO) before moving on. Thus, began the start of my first Angel encounter.
At first, it seemed like the bookstore staff was rushing people along. They were only allowing one a “bend over the table” photo, and the line was moving pretty quickly. In a matter of what seemed like 2 minutes, I was the next person to go. I was so happy, nervous, anxious, excited, worried (pretty much every emotion in the book). I had so much to say. I didn’t want to screw it up, or not be able to give him his presents. You had to hand your book and camera to the staff, and then they passed the book along to Criss while he talks to you. So, just as Kimmy was finishing up, I did just that. Criss stood up, and took my hand.
Criss: Hi. I’m Criss. So nice to meet you. What’s your name?” Me: Hi Criss! I’m Melissa. Criss: Hi Melissa. (sits back down) Me: I came all the way from Florida just to meet you. Criss: You came all the way from Florida. That’s crazy! I wouldn’t come all the way from Florida just to see me. Me: Awww….well, I love you and you’re my inspiration. I had to come. Criss: Awww….thank you so much. That’s so sweet. Me: Well, it’s true. Criss: smiles So, you came from Florida all by yourself. (starts to sign my book) Me: Well, I flew up here by myself but I met up with some friends over there (points them out in the line), and we’ve been hanging out. Criss: See that’s the good thing about the Loyal. You meet so many new friends, everyone comes together. Me: Yeah, it’s amazing.
At this point I was worried that the staff was going to rush me along.
Me: Oh, by the way, I got you something. Would you be able to open it now? Criss: Sure. Me: Do you want me to take it out for you? Criss: Yeah, you can. Go ahead.
I pull out the monkeys on a motorcycle.
Criss: laughs What’s this? Me: Check it out. I blinged them out, and put your logo on the jacket just like yours. Criss: all smiles and laughs Me: But for the best part you have to push the button. Criss: There’s a button? Where’s the button? Me: Right here. Criss: pushes the button
Once the song “Love Machine” came on he was cracking up, showing it off to his friends, and the staff. It was great! I’m so glad that he liked it, and it made him laugh. I really wanted him to get a kick out of it. Although I forgot to explain it (the whole “Animal Magic” episode was my inspiration, along with the fact that it played the song “Love Machine” – “I’m just a love machine, and I won’t work for nobody but you. Yeah, baby! I’m just a love machine – a hug and kissing fool.”) I’m sure he got the drift.
Anyways, at this point I was REALLY thinking that they were going to rush me along because I’d spent so much time with him compared to other people. So, while he was still looking at the monkeys, I pulled out the gift I had for Dimitra to show him. (Unfortunately, she nor the rest of the family was there.)
Me: Criss this is for your mother.
(Again, I forgot to explain that it was for mothers day, yada yada, in the heat of the moment – LOL).
Criss: That’s so nice. Where’d you get the picture? Me: From your book. laughs Criss: laughs
Me: Oh, and this is for you too. (I pull out the card I had for him) It would mean the world to me if you read it.
Criss: Awwww…..you didn’t have to do all of this, and spend your money on me. Me: Wait there’s just one more thing. laughs Criss: laughs Me: This is a letter from my mother. Criss: (looks stunned - LMAO, takes it along with my card, and holds it up to his heart - awwww) I promise I’ll read these tonight. Me: Thank you.
Again, I forgot to explain the whole purpose of my mothers letter. It just so happens that we just found out we know his next door neighbor from East Meadow who lived next to his family for 30 years. My mother works at a retirement center where I used to work. Well, as she was turning on Oprah for the residents to watch (Criss was the guest) she mentioned that I was going up to NJ to meet him. Then one of the residents there, Arnie Goldberg, recognized Criss.
Arnie: “Isn’t that the magician?” My mom: “Yes”. Arnie: “Criss Angel. Yeah! I knew him back when he was Sarantakos.”
It was funny because at first Arnie misunderstood my mom and thought she said Criss was going to be “on” at the retirement center.
Arnie: He’s going to be performing here? My mom: No. He’s going to be on Oprah. Arnie: Well, he should. My mom: laughs Well, they only pay $100/hr here so I don’t think that that’s enough money. He’s gotta be a millionaire by now. laughs Arnie: laughs Either way let your daughter know to tell Criss that I send my best regards to him. I’m so proud. Let her know I give my best to his mom as well.
He then proceeded to tell my mom about how he was really good friends with Criss’ dad, how he went to the funeral =(, and started to point out Costa when he saw him on the Oprah show with Criss.
NOW BACK TO THE SIGNING –
It would have been great if I remembered to mention Arnie to him. I’m sure that would have struck up an awesome convo, but hopefully he will read the letter (and my card) like he said he would.
Criss: (starts to gather everything together) Let’s put this stuff back in the bag. I promise I’ll read these (card & letter) tonight though.
So, I helped him put everything back in the bag. Then he gets up, comes around the table, puts his arms around me, hugs me, and tells the bookstore guy to take a picture. I was so HAPPY! I didn’t even have to ask. =) I actually had my hand resting on his abs. His shirt was such a thin material that I could feel every cut of his muscles. At one point, without realizing it until later, I slightly rubbed his tummy. Ha ha!
So, the picture was taken, and then the guy went to go hand my camera back to me. Criss stopped him, took my camera, gave it back to him, and said “No. Take one more.” Of course he listened, and as he was getting everything ready for shot # 2, Criss totally side hugs me and kisses me on the head! It took a minute for the guy to get the camera set up, and he actually kept his lips on me for the entire time. Ahhhhhhh! LOL. At this point I was speechless, but he still had to finish signing my book. So we went back over to the table together.
Criss: So, what part of Florida are you from? (finishes signing my book) Me: Hollywood. It’s pretty close to Miami. In that area.
(Now that I think about it, THAT would have been the perfect time to tell him about his long lost neighbor, but the excitement got the best of me.)
Here is where he mentioned Vegas. The specifics I can’t recall, but once he said it I let him know that I’d be there at the end of the month.
Me: Oh yeah. Vegas! I’m actually going to be there soon for the Loyalfest. I really hope to see you there. Criss: Well, as long as I’m in town. I’m not sure of my schedule. What day is it? Me: The 29th. Criss: (looks back at one of his peeps) Yeah, I think I’ll be there (in Vegas) then. Me: Oh, well I really hope I get to see you again.
From this point on that was that, until we both realized that he had 2 more books to sign for me (one for my mom, and one for my little sister). So, the bookstore employee stacked them up and gave them to Criss.
Criss: Well I’ll definitely be on the New York Times Best Seller List now. laughs Me: laughs
He saw that the one for my mom had “Karen” on it.
Criss: Karen, who’s this? Your mom? Me: Yeah. Criss: (finishes signing her book) Who’s the other one for? Me: That’s for Monica. She’s my little sister. Criss: Awww…how old is she? Me: 8
(Yeah, how about she’s really 9, but again, amongst all of the excitement, I failed to realize that she did just have another birthday. LOL.)
So, Criss finishes signing everything, and that was the end. I thanked him I don’t know how many times, and he did the same while taking my hand one last time.
From here on out, I just waited on the side for everyone else to finish up so we could all leave together. I could have gotten some more pictures being that I was really close to the table, but I was still in shock so I didn’t think to get that many then. After a few minutes of waiting, Dave Baram walks in from the V.I.P. entranceway. I wanted so badly to take a picture with him too, but didn’t want to intrude so I just let that one go. Next time. Oh, and there WILL be a next time. LOL. There’s the Loyalfest in about two weeks, and then right after, the stunt in NY for the premiere which I am somehow, someway going to make it to. =)
Any-who, after this we all went to Rite-Aid to develop our pictures on the off chance we’d be able to catch him walking out and have him sign them. While were looking over everything, it just so happens that Blanca got me on video with Criss. Blanca – you are THE best! Thank you so much for that. =) For some reason my memory card would not take in the store so I had to develop my pictures today, which came out AWESOME by the way. Check ‘em out.
We then went out to eat, and by this time it was 9pm. The line was still all the way down the block and around the building. It was getting late, and surely Criss would be there for another good 3-4 hours so we all said our goodbyes and parted ways. Lorrie and her hubby were kind enough to drive me to my aunts house (Thanks again!), where I actually met my cousin Sarah for the first time. I crashed there until 5am when I had to go back to the airport to come home, where I am sitting now exhausted! I’ve been up for just about 2 days now running on empty. Now I know how Criss feels. LOL.
I really don’t know how he does it (and by it I mean everything). He’s such a wonderful human being, and I’m so grateful to have met him, and been allowed to spend so much time with him at the signing. tear I miss him already. I wish I remembered to tell him how proud I was of him (along with a lot of other stuff as you already know – lol), but if anything it’s all in the card.
He’s right, too. The Loyal are an amazing group of people. Shout out to Lorrie, Brittany, Kimmy, Kathy, Liz, Blanca, and Justine! Along with all of my other Loyal friends who I’m yet to meet (except for you Shelly – lol). You guys are the best and I’m so happy to have you all in my life. =)
Words can not even describe how I felt yesterday (although technically this is a blog so…..LOL). It was an incredible experience that I will treasure for the rest of time.
