New York City
August 20, 2005

Saturday started out bad. Not only did I have to get up at the butt crack of dawn, but halfway to RDU I realized I had forgotten my autograph pens (Just in case..). I was really upset about that stupid pen. I wanted to have it with me just in case we saw David. But of course, I left it in my room. And it doesn't stop there. At the airport the x-ray machines ruined my film. So, being very upset I tired to explain to my dad how the film was now useless... Which proceeded into him screaming and me breaking down in public. Yeah...A great morning if you ask me.

Well, about 9:30ish the plane was ready to take off. I know most people are nervous on plans but I was fine. I felt really calm while up in the air. Maybe the clouds helped? They were just so peaceful and pretty. But from that ride I did learn a lesson-Always let my dad sit by the window. The whole time he was stretching trying to get a good look out. Lordy. I was about to snap at him. >_< One other thing I didn't like was the noise. It was so loud when the plane was going and I could barley hear my CD. Oh well..

Around 10 we finally got there. After finding our luggage and getting everything straitened out about the bus, we were on our way. The bus we rode looked so cute from the outside. Ya know, it was a neat color and had really cute designs painted on it. Looks are deceiving. Seriously. When that thing started, I swear it sounded like it was about to breakdown. Poor thing. I think it was time for it to retire. But overall the ride was fun. We got to see a lot from it.

At 10:30 we got to NYC and were dropped off at the bus station. Never have I been to a 5 story bus station..But I guess there is a first for everything. The first thing we wanted to do was get to the hotel. Problem was no one knew where it was. So we just followed the first directions that we received. After walking about 5 blocks we asked someone else and they told us to go a different way. Ugh. By then I was getting annoyed. Carrying luggage that far isn't fun. Well, after going about 10 blocks we decided to get a cab. Turns out we were no where neat it. We had to pay the cab $25 to get to the place (That should tell you something...). Very funny now...But then it wasn't all that great.

The Hotel (Or is it motel?) we stayed at was amazing. I've never been to a place that nice before. It seemed like everything was made out of beautiful stone. Very shiny. It reminded me of a place you would see models walking down catwalks. Don't ask. That was just the first thing that came to mind (And the music playing there probably didn't help). After waiting a bit in a long line we were able to get out room on floor 16. The rooms were amazing. I really should have taken better pictures of it. Not only was the view beautiful but so were the bathrooms. *_* Never again will I see a bathroom like that.

After taking a few minutes to cool off and change clothes we sat off again. While in New York I wanted to be sure to stop by Kinokuniya Bookstore. I was really excited about that. So while we were out we wanted to look for that. Pretty much after an hour of looking we found the place. It was the cutest place..and very overwhelming. Seeing so many Japanese books and magazines was really neat (and cheap). I bought one of the Japanese Fushigi Yuugi manga there. Whoot!

After leaving there we went to Book Off! Wow. I loved that store. It was a store with all used Japanese books, movies, and CDs. About every anime they had there used and in great condition. I was so lucky there, too! I've always wanted to see the Japanese Pokemon (*cough*Pockt Monsters*cough*)..There they had about 20 different VSH tapes. I got both volume 2 and 3 for $7. Working there was the cutest little boy named Devin. He was about my age and American but could speak fluent Japanese. He was lucky to be able to take it in highschool ..

While in the same area of Book Off, I was still desperately searching for a pen with silver ink. We had stopped about probably 6 other drug stores but all they had were black sharpies. Argh. All I wanted was a pen with silver ink. Is that to much to ask for? Apparently not. Walking down the street we found a Staples. I figured it wouldn't hurt to luck, so we stopped there. I asked a guy working there if he had pens with silver ink and he said isle 2. BOOYAKA!! I was so excited! I got a perfect pen! And after looking for about 4 hours I found one! I was so happy.

Upon finding the pen we decided we should start heading back to the hotel to get ready for the musical (I wanted to get there at least 3 hours early). On the way back we stopped to look at this little Chinese man. What he did was paint for a living...And paint beautiful. We got 3 pictures painted. One for Jessica, mama and me. They all have our names in Chinese, painted around flowers. It was only $40 for them all, too. It was so neat to watch him do it. It didn't even take him long! He had talent.

Well, after taking about 30 minutes I was ready (AND CLEAN!!). I tried to make myself look as nice as a could..Heehee...'Cause I would be in the same room as David Anders! And I loved the outfit I wore (Jess calls it a 70's outfit..). I really thought it looked cute. ^_^ Soon after I was done packing my pen, ALIAS magazine, camera and recorder we were ready to start heading for the theater.

Getting a cab the second time wasn't to hard. We learned that you basically have to jump out into the street and wave your arms...Anyway, we got a cab and started heading for Greenwich Village. This place really looked like a village and was so cute. I loved the way it looked and how everything was. After finding the theater, only one girl was in line (And it was about 3 hours before the play started). So we figured we had time to go eat dinner. We went to a little Chinese place across the street called 'Sallies'. That way I could watch and make sure no one else go in line.

Once we were done, I was starting to get really nervous. Even then I couldn't believe I would be seeing David in person. It just didn't seem real. Well, we walked back over to the theater and stood in line with the girl. We soon got to talking and turns out she likes ALIAS, too. She has met both Ron Rifkin and Victor Garber (Both stars of ALIAS). It was so cool to see her DVD discs they both had autographed. She said she wasn't really there for David, but how it would be neat to get his autograph to go with her collection. After talking some more about David and her autographs I learned her name was Erin (I think that's how you spell it..Sorry!).

While standing in line with her, she learned about how we came all the way from NC to see David. She told me that what we did was intense..But I don't think so. Heehee..Pretty soon after 6, other people started getting in line. From daddy talking to one of the guys behind us, we learned that most of the actors walk through the front door. After hearing that, I got really anxious. What if David walked through the front? I didn't know what I would do.

From standing in line you can make tons of friends. Two cute girls probably a little older then me were behind us. They kept trying to take a picture of themselves together but couldn't. So, daddy grabbed the camera and took there picture. From that, he told them about our trip from NC and how I loved David. What I didn't realize then is I would later owe these girls my life.

Maybe 10 minutes later, I just happened to turn around to the street. I don't even know why I did, to tell the truth. And what I saw coming my way made me freeze. David was just walking down the sidewalk (In the cutest blue shirt). Once I came back to my senses I grabbed my camera and tried to take a picture..But just couldn't. I was in shock. He was probably a foot away from me. I smiled at him and he smiled back. Daddy simply said "Hi David" and he continued walking inside.

All I could do as cry. I bet I cried for 10 minutes..and just couldn't stop. My idol, my Mr. Sark, my David had just walked by me! He saw me! Me! I think, at that moment, I was the happiest I've ever been. I just couldn't believe it..And still can't!

Soon after we made our way inside. After a bit of confusion and struggling we made it down to the front of the line again. Erin was the first person inside and saved two seats for us. Front row and center! I was so happy! Already, that night seemed perfect.

While waiting for it to start (they were running late), the two girls from line screamed for me (They called me "North Carolina"). They were sitting in the row behind us and were really trying to get my attention. And you'll never guess what they wanted. Turns out they were sitting by Jason Holt, Davids older brother. The girls had obviously told him about how we came so far....So daddy went over to talk to him, probably to tell him that we came from North Carolina. And I remember hearing Jason say "Don't worry. I'll help you out". Daddy came back saying how he was going to try and help us meet David.

When the play began, David came out singing. Ahh..It was like a dream. He was standing on a stage about 7 feet in front of me. I was so close. I could see him perfectly. Hearing him sing made me cry. It was beautiful. He was beautiful. It just couldn't have been any better.

The play was amazing. David sang so many songs and did such a great job. It was so amazing being about to watch him act in person. In it he played Sebastian Dunne, a struggling painter. Here's a good explanation on it:
"Underground art clubs. Beautiful people. For painter Sebastian Dunne, art and life become one as his past steps off the canvas in this innovative rock musical. Dark and edgy, BEAUTIFUL explores themes of image and celebrity, insecurity and jealousy, identity and friendship, infatuation and love. Told through a pop/rock score influenced by the music of Pink Floyd, Brian Wilson, Ben Folds, Billy Joel, and the Beatles, BEAUTIFUL follows the story of a man held captive by his personal search for beauty"~http://www.beautifulthemusical.com

Once the play was done, Jason came over. We talked to him a bit and I even got his autograph. He was SUCH a nice person and so great to us! He told us to fallow him and he would go find David. By then, I felt like I was dreaming. I couldn't believe he was doing this for us! I think I could have hugged him forever. Anyway, the 4 of us made our way to the lobby to wait. By the time we got there a few of the other cast members were already out there.

David soon came out and Jason went over to him. By this time I couldn't breathe. Jason pointed at us and David looked over and smiled. He said "I remember you" and started walking our way. He came up to me and said "Are you the one that's going to have a panic attack" and hugged me. When he hugged me, it wasn't just a small unfriendly hug..It was a loving big bear hug. He then looked down at me and said "What's your name?" I couldn't talk! When I got 'Jessica' out, I didn't even recognize my voice. It was so shaky sounding.

We took a picture together that I will forever cherish. In it we're hugging each other. At that moment I think I was the happiest person in the whole wide world. I just can't explain it. It was a dream come true. David hugged me! He took a picture with me! My idol!

I then got out my magazine and he autographed an article in it (The article is a 2 page interview on him). Even though I've seen his signature before, watching him do it was amazing! He put so much detail in getting it just right. And the whole time I just couldn't help but smile. Being able to stand beside him and watch was overwhelming.

After he went up to the street, I made sure to fallow. Before we left I just wanted to see him one last time. So, I went up to him and poked him (Yes..I poked David Anders!). I asked if I could hug him one last time. His answer was "Sure!" and gave me yet another loving hug.

David was such a nice person. So caring and paid full attention to me, daddy and everyone else there to see him. He was just like a regular person. Sweet, nice and caring. You wouldn't have even thought he was a huge star. He was also so pretty. I mean, he's gorgeous on TV..But nothing like real life. Everything about him was beautiful.

That night was the best thing that has ever happened to me. It was something that'll probably never happen again but something that I'll forever cherish. Everything that happened was magical. When we had to leave I couldn't help but hug my magazine as close to me as I could. I walked all the way home clutching it to my chest. It all felt like a dream. I had just met David Anders, gotten a picture with him, hugged him and everything else! I couldn't believe it had happened to me! It just didn't feel real. But it was. And I was happy to the point of tears.

Thank you Jason, David and those two girls standing behind us. Nothing I do will ever be enough to thank you..You did so much for me. What you did was amazing beyond words.. I love you all. I'll never forget anything from that night...August 20th.

EDIT For some reason I kept writing that his happened on Friday. x_x This happened on Saturday. I tried to fix that, but I dunno if I got them all.