London, June 2001

Since the schedules for the next two days were constantly overthrown, I am unable to list the interview panels 100% correctly. But it doesn't affect the content.

Saturday, June 16
I got soaking wet on my way to the tube station (a 25 mins walk), which would result in a severe cold the next week (...but blessed be the Cyprian sun that would cure me a few days later) and had to queue up in that condition for the first autograph session that day. We even missed Amber Benson's interview panel for that matter – except for Rob who wouldn't want to miss that (she's quite a "potty mouth", I've heard).
To spare you of the boring details, let's directly switch to the fun part of the photo shootings:

	Joss – the same buddy pose and smile for everyone. Theo: "Thanks for your patience." Joss: <startled laughter>

	Me and cutie pie Andy – the autograph I got the following day. I might have spoiled him too much with compliments .... nahhh. He loved my hair, heh.

The other panels that afternoon (Todd McIntosh, Dayne Johnson and David DeLeon, who showed us some make-up magic, as well as the actors) were a lot of fun, too. It was quite intense to listen to them talking about their careers (even they are just human like everyone else), spilling some private details as well, and somehow giving us a part of themselves. Thanks for the memories, guys!
As some of us had already forseen, Nicholas Brendon was announced as the surprise guest and trotted right on stage to spread some of his Xandery charm.
Since I had to borrow a camera from Strapping Lass for the weekend (mine totally broke apart a couple of days prior to the event ... and I mean "broke apart" literally!), some of the pics are of really low quality (due to a lack of zoom). But don't let that spoil the fun:

	"Hi, I'm Nick Brendon."

	"I am not Xander. Just so you know."

	"No no, it's true! Xander is just a role I play."

	"...they're not buying it..."

	"Oh crap! Awwwwright, people ... you win."

	performing the Snoopy Dance for us

	We are the champions, my frieeend...

	My gum got stuck between my teeth. And I am not gay.

	Ahhhhhhh...! Who let the crazy Austrian in???

Amber pointed out that the toughest part about playing Tara was to portray a lesbian while being surrounded by all those good looking guys on set. Poor girl. But she also stated that Alyson was a good kisser. Now, now, stop confusing us, Amber!
Andy, J. and George were especially entertaining. They goofed around all the time. George, due to a broken microphone, had to use a pin-on mic he was given, and being annoyed after a while, pinned it somewhere down his leg, near his left shoe (I couldn't see well from where I was sitting). The whole afternoon was "da bomb!" (o-tone Andy Hallet) ... Argh, I need a camera with zoom for next year!

Anyway, we were glad to finally have a seat, for we had been queuing for endless hours. Boy, there's a way to gain a backache and some orthopedic problems.

In the evening, there was a Fancy Dress contest. Wow, some of the contestants had marvelous costumes! Especially remarkable were one of the three Faithes, a Drusilla (who was so authentic that she gave me the creeps), one of the Gentlemen (great make up, and he was on rollerblades, too), a singing (!) Host, and of course the two little winners: Darla and Drusilla dressed in 18th century style. (the girls were approximately 10 years old and very cute)
By the way, the jury consisted of guests (including James, George, Andy, Joss and Todd).
Now, these two were my personal favorites: The Oracles (their skin all golden and ornated with beautiful blue paintings).

James was enjoying himself and did his popular "Spike pose" for a photo more than once. Here he is with one of the "Drusillas". (In the background, you can see Andy Hallet and one of the Host immitators.)

And this is what you get when you're doing "wild shots" with your camera raised above your head:

Tasha, Kali and Shortie not being much of a dancer (at least not while sober *g*), I swept over the dancefloor with Rob.
I so happened to run, uh, sway into handsome George,...

...and cool J., who was not only the best, but also the hottest dancer of all (photo taken by Chris Golden)...

Theo: Was that Nick Brendon?
Chris: I think it was him.
Theo: Hmm, I will have to ask him for a photo when he comes back ... if he comes back.
Chris: <coolly> Why don't you go after him?
Theo: 'Cause I wouldn't want to stalk him?
Chris: <amused> Why not??

He then offered to take me to his table, where Amber and Simon, as well as Nick had already taken their seats. We sat down between them.

Amber: The Austrian woman! Hi.
Theo: <smirking> You can call me Theodora.

Compared to the prior night, I talked very little to Amber (she seemed occupied with "someone" *g*), but therefore had fun chatting with Chris and a woman who was sitting next to him. Nick was only two chairs away, but seemed occupied as well, so I left him alone for now.
Joss came by, recognized me, said hi and hung his jacket over the chair to my right – then he left, probably to throw himself into the dancing crowd.
Someone showed up and asked Nick for a photo. Since he had already been interrupted in his conversation, I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask for one, too. Once more, Chris played the photographer.

The rest of the evening was filled with chatting, dancing, doing the "Carwash" with Robin Atkin Downes and listening to J. rapping along and witnessing a cool on-stage live performance by him and Andy later that night (around 1:30 a.m.) – Andy even sang "Lady Marmelade" for us.

Then it was time to leave, for I could hardly keep my eyes open. I went to pick up my stuff at Tasha and Shortie's hotel room – on my way I met J. who was relaxing on a chair and smoking a cigarette.

The portier at the reception recognized me from last night and called the cab for me.

Sunday, June 17
The last day. It had not even started, and we were already melancholic...
I arrived there in time to get my last official photos taken – at last! I was afraid that George, by now, might have gotten the impression that I didn't want a photo with him after all. Mais en contraire! (Actually, I honestly felt it's a shame that I'm not into guys...)

Ripping out Adam's heart. *evil grin* – This one got me a laugh from Amber and James who were sitting nearby.
I couldn't resists but give George a kiss on the cheek afterwards. He was just too cute (though always playing cool in public). George signed this photo at the official autograph session in the afternoon. What a flirt!

And when they annouced later after one of the panels that Nick had agreed on another small number of additional tickets being sold for an official photo with him, which were now available at the reception,....

...somebody hurried downstairs to get one. Run, Theo, run!

Theo: You should have brought your Puffy Xander costume for this!
Nick: Yeah, that was fun, huh?

Next, I hurried to the dealer's room in order to say goodbye to Chris who was giving autographs there and who was going to leave right afterwards. He signed my copy of "WannaBlessedBe" (Dark Horse's Tara&Willow comic) and I thanked him for a wonderful night and for the dance. He liked my name too, and noticed its Greek origin, and that there had been emperesses named Theodora. I said I knew and explained the name's meaning to him. I handed him out a short note and told him how much fun I had had with him. He was very sweet.

The photo sessions were followed by more panels which were once again very inspiring and a welcome diversion from all the exhausting queuing, which was soon going to be the case again, when the official autograph session took place.
First though, Robin Atkin Downes (Machida in "Reptile Boy") did an astonishing solo performance ... that man is extremely talented and in my opinion deserves to play on a major tv show (he's been on "Babylon 5" before, I think).
The following auction of cool BtVS/Angel items (mostly original make-up pieces) was amazing, mainly beause I couldn't believe that there were fans who could actually afford those! *lol* Amber proved to be a natural talent, for she managed to raise the stakes easily.

Regarding the autograph session, the V.I.P.'s weren't in a much better position than us, as hundreds of people were waiting in line to get their items signed. The guests were queued up in the Newbury suite, and as we arrived, Nick and Joss had already left. We were lucky though to catch Amber who was walking off shortly after. Yet, she took the time to sign for everyone (she even personalized mine, as did all the others ... I know, not everyone got this lucky) – and when I say "everyone" I mean everyone. She only took a short break, then continued to sign stuff in another room even when the official session was long over. That woman was a paragon of endurance, patience and kindness!
I should add that I hadn't had anything for J. to sign, so I went to buy one of his official photos from "Angel", showing him as Gunn (with a skinhead, of course). I had stared at the photo earlier in Tasha's hotel room and couldn't help myself but wondering what was wrong with it. Then it finally dawned on me – the result of my realization managed to crack up J. August big time:

Waiting in line, I made acquaintance with two guys from the Netherlands who were also stewards at the con. One of them is now a lurker at the Essence board. *vbg*

Anyway, the best part of that day was definitely the closing ceremony, followed by the very last party. Everyone was there. Among others, I ran into Miriam (?), a girl I had met the night before and who was obviously a fan of my fandom based music (she was such a cuddly sweetheart). Then there was that Swedish girl (yummie! *g*), and a vampire guy who gave me one of James' lollies, and then I ran into....... oops, I'm drifting off.

The closing ceremony was highlightened by an awards show (what the heck was up with that???) for the actors. E.g., James only got second place as sexiest vampire, for he was beaten by "Evil Xander" (heh heh heh). It was a weird event. J. showed up with a hat (maybe my picture had irritated him after all ... whoops!), and Amber mingled among the fans after having hosted another little auction (a tablecloth with various scribbling by Nick on it raised a horrendous prize of over 300 British pounds, as far as I recall). To make it short, here are some snapshots:

The party was a blast: J. was heating up the dancefloor, and I finally got to dance with George and Simon (who by the way is none of the guys on the photos above ... thought I'd better mention this again on behalf of his privacy *g*) – they were both giving the audience the cool 'tude (*rolls eyes* men!). I had gone to change clothes and had put on my "Dawson's Creek" t-shirt, simply because I considered it funny (fortunately, Joss wasn't there anymore ... he would have ripped my head off!). On my way back to the party, I met Amber's mom, who had accompanied her daughter to England. She said thank you when I told her what a gorgeous daughter she had. *vbg*
Later, I got the chance to say bye to Amber. She was talking to Simon as I stopped by at their table, feeling slightly uncomfortable to interrupt.

Simon: <pointing at me to Amber>
Theo: <smiling> "Howdy."
Amber: <big smile> "Hi!"
Theo: "Sorry to interrupt, but we <indicating Tasha, Kali and Shortie, who were out of sight at that point> would like to say goodbye before we leave. It was great to have you here, and we really hope you'll be back next year."
Amber: <hugging me> "You were so nice, you know?"
Theo: "And you were extremely patient! You even signed down to the very last bagel, errr, person." <grins>
Amber: <giggling> "Have a safe trip back to Vienna." <another hug>
Theo: "And you get some rest."

We both smiled, and my lips brushed her cheek. *g* What a natural, super-nice woman. I got the impression that she had won many hearts during her visit of the UK, especially at this venue.

I walked away, in search of my fellow Amberholics. A little later, they went to say goodbye as well. Tasha gave Amber her Amberholics badge. (I guess Amber will leave Europe with twice as much luggage as she had at her arrival.) I then accompanied them to their hotel room, picked up my bag and jacket and hugged everyone. Robert had already left (not without a tight hug), and so I went down to the party room one last time to witness the bizarre event of the last song and dance ("Bohemian Rapsody" by Queen, performed by a group of fans? Olà! *rofl*). Though being sad that it was all over, I left with a lot of positive energy.

Thank you to all the people responsible for making this weekend a special one!

	J. August: <close to tears> "Yes! YES! This is cool – I look like Sisko!"


	SIGH