 | | |
|
|
|
|
|
![[info]](http://l-files.livejournal.net/userhead/657?v=1328879641) alyburns | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hi folks! Yep, this represents my official Moonridge report, which will, undoubtedly, be one of the many and all others better and more complete than this one! LOL! Obviously, since I live in SoCal and Big Bear is only two hours away, I've *been* back from Moonridge, but with my guests, I've had no real time for my lovely 'puter. Not that it can hold a candle to my Moonie buddies! LOL! Anyway, everyone is gone now, including the wonderful Marilyn, who I just dropped at the airport (I dropped Barb earlier today). As you can probably tell, I had a wonderful houseful of guests, five to be exact (and sometimes, six ::waves at Aouda::) and there were: Marilyn (damurlin - who, during the auction, was the official liason between us and Moonridge and was one of the FoG elves who helped me enter auction items onto the freeauction site)and Annie (another valuable FoG elf who also helped me enter items) arrived on Wednesday. Barb (AgtSpooky) who was responsible for the special edition mug won by Arianna and the other special edition mug given to Garett, arrived on Thursday. On Friday, DebraC arrived and later that night, Suki arrived. Aouda Fogg (Debbie), who lives only 20-30 minutes away from me was also with us all weekend. The only glitch in airport arrivals was made by me - I thought Suki was arriving at 8:20pm, so Marilyn and I arrived at about 8:15 and began our circling pattern. By 8:50, there was NO activity at the airport AT ALL and we both had to go the bathroom so bad... yes, well. (Actually, I'm the only one who had to go, but Marilyn was kind enough to say she had to go too when we called Annie (who'd rented a car) and asked her to spell us at the airport while we drove back to my house and the BATHROOOOOOOM! Turned out -- Suki's plane was due in at 8:51. ::sigh:: Dyslexia is only supposed to transpose numbers -- not change them!!! LOL! Thank God for Annie!
I'm not going to bore you with the fun we all had *before* Saturday, but Fried Twinkies and a dinner at the Beach House (a restaurant overlooking the ocean) played a big part. :) On Saturday, we all left with Annie bugging out early with Debbie, Suki and Barb (yeah, I knew where *I* stood, all right! LOL!) while me, Marilyn and DebraC left about 30 minutes later.
We arrived on time, gave the auction "stuff" that needed Garett's signature to Debbie, who took it upstairs (gift store and offices) for him (the plan was to have him sign it all in a few private moments before the show actually started - which he did). We then paid our 8 bucks and entered the zoo. When you walk down the hill into the zoo (people with canes, like me? Beware ) you have animals (cats - as in BIG cats)on your right, a kind of staging area on your left, and down from that, a kind of picnic area (benches and canopy) next to a small building where you can buy water, sodas and goodies. Between the staging area and the food area is another pen which houses the foxes. My favorite pen. Next to the food area is another "pen" and it's full of eagles and birds and such. Once we all did the bathroom thing, we Moonies, as I lovingly call us, gravitated toward the food area and took up a couple of the benches. We spread out and the "Oh, my god, it's YOU!" began. ::BIG GRIN:: You know, those times during the day when you meet the people you've been talking to (or reading online FOREVER) online? The squeals of delight, the hugs, the "I can't believe we're finally meeting!" moments that make Moonridge so much fun. I had several such special moments. Someone would come up and say "I'm so and so," we'd nod politely, then they'd say, "Rhyo... Lady Jaguar... Mice... LilyK... on the list" and all hell would break loose!!! LOL! It was a blast to meet Rhyo (she IS terrific) and Mice and her BEAUTIFUL HAT and Mel, a real studying anthropologist, and finally meeting the GREAT ARIANNA!!!! ::THUD:: And wait until she tells you all about her trip from Eastern Canada and the car and the MONEY she had to spend to keep it running!?!?!?! OHMYGAWD!!!
Oh... and then Richard arrived. ::snerk:: Yep, he not only showed, but he got there earlier than Garett!!! Guess he was definitely trying to make up for last year!! LOL! Others will describe him much better than me, but let me try my best:
YOWZER! ::where's a drool bucket when you need one?:: ::cold shower anyone?:: We're talking a tall, cool drink of water is our Richard. He looked BEEEEEUTIFUL, rested, tan, young (the guy is 46!!!) and more incredible than mere words can convey. Yes, his family did accompany him, but for me, that's not for discussing on the net. Then Garett arrived and he looked good enough to eat (why I feel free saying *that* on the net, but not discussing Richard's family -- well, who knows? ::big grin::). He was in a white-ish type shirt (almost like a Mexican wedding shirt) and cream? colored long shorts. He too was tan and lovely and accompanied by his girlfriend. He looked relaxed and happy. :) Between those two men -- well, hubba-hubba and more beautiful blue eyes than you can ever describe. :)
Two gorgeous men, a zoo-full of wonderful animals, and all the terrific senfen you could hope to get together with -- what more could anyone want? ::grin::
Okay, first up on the agenda was the animal auction (we waited two hours for it, but during that time, RB and his family received a private tour of the facility and we all did our meet and greet thing ::grin::) but once it got started, well, RB and GM were great. I got pics, everyone got pics, Barb took movies! In fact, several folks will have the film version and Lady Jaguar is going to do a shorty for everyone who wants it and longer version she'll sell for Moonridge. ::grin:: No one will be disappointed, trust me. :)
Here's where the day for me -- took a downside. I started feeling poorly during the animal auction (heat, new meds, who knows?). I moved from either the benches (which were hotter than you know what) in the picnic area or a bench in the cool breezy shade and jumping up to grab photos of RB or GM when they appeared. Several senfen were major contributors to adopting animals (Thank God for senfen in all aspects of Moonridge), but this year, I wasn't one of them. I'd already sent in mine and because I wasn't feeling well, didn't get caught up like I did last year. :(
I think the best part was A) Garett with the snake (who, like year two? fell in love with him and his body and climbed down his shirt -- YES -- his SHIRT!!!) and B) RB and the raccoon! LOL! There will be pics galore of both, so don't miss them and I'll be putting mine up at yahoo shortly and will announce. :)
The auction ended and we started to gravitate down to the tent by the wolves where Garett is always placed for the autograph portion of the day. This time, of course, there were TWO places and cards, one announcing Garett, the other announcing Richard. ::big grin::
By this time, I was green in the gills and simply could not stay down there. My legs were throbbing as was my back. I knew standing in lines was not going to happen this year. Devastated, but practical, I went back to the benches. Pictures were still being taken with animal winners and GM/RB and no one had said anything about the schedule of *when* they'd announce how much had been raised by Garett's fans. It was a real oversight on Moonridge. ::sorry sigh::
At this point, I need to explain something. ::grin:: Last year, I didn't really want to be part of the announcement (come on, I'm SHY, okay? ::grin:: VERY shy and facing Garett up close and personal was simply... no, you know?) so the presentation was done. BUT he found out and came to me, which left me red-faced (there *are* pics to prove it, just ask jencat) and I barely managed a word. Since I didn't want that to repeat this year, I gathered my courage to simply be there when it happened, with the rest of the FoG gang. BUT -- it didn't happen as even remotely planned. We were all bitterly disappointed, not for ourselves, but for Garett. We *wanted* Moonridge to announce what his fans had done in HIS name, you know? We wanted him to bask in the accomplishment. Instead, we walked over to the staging area, he came over, no Debbie present (she's in charge of Moonridge with her hubby), no announcement, nothing. Not that Marilyn didn't try, the SWEETHEART! Anyway, I assume we gave him the mug and that he was wonderfully pleased but I have no memory of it so you'll have to depend on others for a description. Later that night when I called my mother after we'd stopped at a gas station on the way home to tell her we were on our way, I actually remembered that Garett had... given me... a HUG!!!! I only wish I could remember FEELING IT!!! I am totally useless, an idiot and totally a dork. No other words.
Everyone wanted to see his face, wanted to hear Moonridge announce it. If there could be anything disappointing about the day, that would be it. But again, we SO wanted it for him and I guess if he wasn't disappointed, we shouldn't be, you know?
After all, the animals won. ::brave face... my ass:: ::big grin::
Unfortunately, the rest of the day passed in a painfilled daze but I thank GOD for DebraC who remained with me while everyone else went down and did the autograph thing. Again, for both Debra and me, thank GOD for pictures. I heard all about it, about how fun RB and GM were, how great they looked together, how wonderful RB was with his fans and I know I missed something wonderful and something that can never be repeated. But thank GOD I saw them together during the animal auction. :)
Overall, I'm glad I got to see the wonderful artist, Lupe, again. And Sara came from Mexico again and her English is better, while I still only know a few words in Spainish. :( There were many senfen missed tho'!!! I found out later that ROMANSE was there and I never saw her!!! ACK!! I'm sure when all the reports come out, I'll find out how many I missed seeing. :(
As always, there was one moment that defines the real purpose behind these gatherings, and it happened between Ande and Aouda. Ande is the wonderful woman who came up with the idea for audio taped stories for this year's auction and I was beside myself when we finally met, but the real joy was watching Ande when Debbie came up and I kind of introduced them. Debbie said something like, "I'm Debbie but Aouda onlist" and Ande went wild, and then Debbie went wild when she realized Ande was the wonderful person who'd sent her such lovely loc's for her recent stories!!!
Two fans meeting. You can't beat that with a stick. :) Add Richard and Garett and you have one hell of a day. ::grin::
The final moments came in the form of the live auction and Richard. He brought and donated several items (scripts, shirts, caps, etc) and we went wild. I don't know who won what because by then, I was near death ::grin:: and stayed put but I could hear and see how fun it was. Garett had left by this time and others said he looked quite tired :( so Richard did the live auction of his stuff alone -- or should I say, with his son? ::GRIN::
But finally, it was over and time to leave, to say good-byes. Had to say good-bye to Star as well as to Joan and Julie (my stargate buddies who are fast becoming Sentinel lovers ::grin::) as well as everyone else.
The day ended with a fun dinner at the Munching Bear and we had the wonderful luck to have Bert, Kat and Enid, as well as MJ and JoAnn.
This was followed by the drive down the mountain (me, Marilyn and DebraC following Annie, Suki, Debbie and Barb) in the DARK and I don't know if it was my driving or the simple fact that it was scary as hell, but when we got to the bottom, DebraC was very ill. Fortunately, Debbie had motion sickness pills with her, so it seemed that they worked! At that point, for whatever strange reason, Annie went a different way home and we parted company.
Our day at Moonridge was over. ::sigh::
My guests are now all gone, I'm missing them terribly and I never even got to say good-bye to DebraC whose mother came and picked her up while I was in the bathroom. :( Annie took her and Suki to the airport and today, I took first Barb, and later, Marilyn to the airport. Sad moments all. Ugh. I want them all back.
DebraC did leave me a momento though -- the Sentinel COOKBOOK, which I didn't have and am already in love with!!! YUMMY! THANK YOU, Debra!!! And I miss you ALREADY!!
Anyway, that's it, folks. Both men are committed to next year so we'll be raising money in BOTH their names, so save up, get those donations lined up and away we will GO!!! ::grin:: GOAL: $34,000!!!! LOL!Current Mood:  exhausted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oh, lordy, Aly, are you feeling better yet?? Throwing up is not cool... particularly not two days later, and with new meds and heat thrown in the mix. If you aren't feeling better soon... hie thyself to thy physician!
Glad Lucy got her huggles, now consider yourself to be "virtual-ly" huggled by me, and kissed to death by that master of the poodle-kiss, himself... Fletcher. Get some rest, feel better quick, no more tears, and know that you are very important to a WHOLE lotta people!
BTW, you might want to try that sense-memory technique that Blair uses on Jim... I'm sure you've got a sense-memory of that hug... it's just a matter of finding it. *G*
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
From: ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=92.1) patk |
Date: July 27th, 2004 08:59 am (UTC) |
| (Link) |
|
Hi Aly :-)
I'm sad that you felt so sick but I hope you feel better by now, so I just assume it wasn't something serious. :-)
As for the lack of public announcement: Yes, they should have done it and giving them appropriate feedback will probably help with next years event. Me too would have loved to see a pic of his face when he learned about the amount of money that was raised in his name. *g* But you know what? Getting a hug from Garett an not being able to remember how it felt it is way worse. *g* Poor thing. :-)
But on the bright side: Since the Moonridge people are the ones who "receive" the money, they *know* what Garett's fans did in his name. :-) Even if it wasn't acknowledged openly. :-) "We" know, the Moonridge-people know, Garett knows too - so practically everybody important who *should* know about it... knows. *g*
I bet after the day was over and they really *realized* what they did - or rather *not* did - they wanted to bite themselves in their backsides for overseeing this. *g* After all, they wouldn't want to alienate the group who raised this amount of money and the man in whose name it was raised ("rose", "risen"??? what the heck...) by intentionally ignoring their efforts, now would they?
I simply think they forgot to schedule it because it wasn't scheduled last year. They probably took their schedule from last year as a guide for the events this year and since the announcement last year simply "happened", it wasn't on their "to do list" and so they forgot to put it on their schedule as an official event.
So yes, telling them would be a good idea.
And I'm so glad about the fact that there will be vids or CD's available. *Wohoooo* *peeks at her bank-account - decides that maccaroni with cheese is a wonderful meal for the next few weeks*. ;-)
And the real important thing is - I can't stress it enough: Garett knows about the effort of his fans to raise money for the zoo. And think of this: It's something that lets him know that he/his work actually makes a difference, at least for the zoo. :-) Isn't that a nice idea? :-)
Pat
:-)
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
From: rhyo |
Date: July 29th, 2004 10:41 am (UTC) |
| (Link) |
|
Hola, Aly!
The whole Moonridge experience, from the auction to the gathering was interesting and wonderful in many ways. The auction went so smoothly and raised a phenomenal amount of money, and I am vicariously proud of everyone involved (even though I had nothing to do but bid,lol). It was a great event to take part in.
The Moonridge gathering was great. I spent a lot of time talking to the staff and volunteers about the animals, and everyone mentioned how grateful they were for the proceeds of the auction and the event. Certainly it would have been good to see a more public presentation of the auction results, but I don't think anyone there meant to deliberately slight anything -- I think the people in charge were busy and maybe a bit over their heads. Certainly Don and Betsy spent the day running around without a spare breath.
I spoke to Besty (when I was paying for my animal! Yipee! Yukon, my bald eagle!) and jokingly asked her about the load the auction put on her mailbox and her face got a kind of stricken look and she mentioned that she had planned (far in advance) to be on vacation that week, and she was afraid that her mailbox would fill up or that there would be problems of some sort so she had to arrange to have someone go by the house every day and make sure to get the emails, and she spent her vacation fretting about it.
For my part, the reason I went was the chance to support Moonridge and the animals and see the guys. It needed to be both together, or I wouldn't have gone -- although I happened to be in LA over that time period, Moonridge was definitely out of the way, and the attraction of being able to see GM and RB made it that much more appealing. Conversely, I doubt I would go to a "celebrity" con just to see the actors, I liked the fact that the event supported something worthwhile. It was fun meeting other fans, though I am not exactly gregarious by nature (until I *start* talking, then I am hard to shut up), and I often thought that I should just station myself somewhere that the pathway narrowed and forced people to stop and tell me their names as they walked by so I could have met everyone that was there.
For the most part everyone was lovely and incredibly nice and a polite group of fans. GM and RB were absolutely wonderful and it was great to see them and to be part of the event.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Previous
