Lisa
Reposted with permission from the author from the newsgroup :-)
Got back from Vegas around 8:30 last night. What a weekend. I can't tell you all how HAPPY I am that I went. So very very worth it. I had traveled to Vegas by myself, but soon made friends with other Randy fans. Everyone was so nice; I just felt right at home. It was great having people nearby who understood my racing heart and belabored breathing!
Randy is even more awesome in person than I imagined he would be. He's incredibly handsome, personable, and kind. On Saturday he wore blue jeans, a long-sleeved dark blue silk shirt (with the sleeves rolled up - grrrrrowllll-), and army green tennis shoes. The excitement in the air was definitely palpable as he walked up to the autograph booth.
First I waited in line for P51 merchandise to buy so I'd have something for him to sign. I'd brought along a coupla books for Randy (I'd read somewhere that he's a big reader and thought that this would be a nice gesture) as a thank you gift in appreciation to him and for him. As I neared the autograph table my heart raced, my mouth got dry, and my brain swirled with thoughts of, "Ok, hand him the books, explain the books, look him in the eye, have your camera ready, have your stuff-to-be-autographed ready, don't drool..." (Very important that last one...)
So when it came my turn to have my moment of connection, at that moment I decided I'd like to shake his hand. This caught him a big offguard, but he transferred the sharpie to his left hand with great aplomb and the handshake went off without too much awkwardness. I then pulled out one of the books ("America's Highway") that I'd bought for him. It's a book of pictures of diners, kitschy (sp?) sites, and such from all across America. I explained that I'd read that his favorite thing to do was to travel across the U.S. on his own. He said "Yes, it is." So I handed him the book and he began to flip through it. He said, "This is great. Thank you. Thank you." Ed Self stepped over and took a look too. Then I pulled out a book of poetry that I'd brought for him as well and handed it to him. He was very appreciative. I said I'd written a short inscription in it that he could read later. He immediately looked for it and read it while I stood there. yeow. Wasn't expecting that. (Moment of: "oh geez. not here!") He seemed genuinely thankful. Ed was really impressed and kept repeating, "That's so nice. You put a lot of thought into that. That's excellent." Randy pulled out one of the drawers to the table and said "I'm going to put these in my swag drawer" and set the books inside. I thought, "Oh well, those'll be in there for a while. He probably won't remember they're there." But... But!!! Fast forward to Sunday's auto-session at The Orleans and wouldn't you know it! Randy had the poetry book I'd given him right there with him at the table! How cool is that? I was so JAZZED. In fact, I hadn't even noticed it was there, and it wasn't until my friend pointed it out to me later that I even realized it!
wow.
Ok, back to Saturday. So after I gave him the books I handed him a b/w 8x10 photo to sign. He signed it, then paused w/ the pen poised above the paper. Then underneath his name he wrote "Thank you." Then he paused again for a few seconds like maybe he was trying thinking of something else to say, but then he handed me back the picture. :-) I also had him sign my P51 poster. Ed was very kind and took the picture of Randy and me. Ohhhhhhh - let's just say - having Randy's arm around me, and my arm around him...
oh my.
I told him again what a pleasure it was to meet him, gathered up my stuff, and then walked away in a total daze. I was feeling so dizzy and goofy in my Randy Haze that getting Marco's autograph completely slipped my mind! Moments later I "came to" and had the presence of mind to go get Marco's autograph too. I had him sign the poster. It was great having him there - a really nice bonus.
The rest of the afternoon was spent watching Randy interact with all the different people who'd approach him. He always smiled and looked people in the eye. He held babies and children, took pictures with paramedics and firemen (it was so cute wathing the FF and PM's there; they seemed to be so enamored of Randy and all hung out and got pictures with him. very cool.), and just generally enjoy himself. I took two rolls of pictures on Saturday and one on Sunday.
The Sunday session at the Orleans seemed more regimented/organized. I ran into Jim Page there (he was at both events Sat. and Sun.) and asked him about the status of the Emergency! Companion book and its distribution. He said that he's still in negotiations with Universal over the rights to the book. :-( Luckily some of the people at the events had copies of the EC so I was at least able to look at the pictures and read some of the articles Jim had written for the publication.
On Sunday Randy wored blue jeans and a white cotton shirt. This session was all indoors and thus had a more serious subdued tone to it. (Or maybe it was just me realizing that this was my last chance to see Randy!) I had brought a t-shirt and a HW Matchbox Squad for him to sign. It all went by way TOO FAST. It was just so overwhelming. After Randy signed my things (and I got a picture taken with Randy and Marco - i.e., I was a little less "daffy" on Sunday and had the presence of mind to ask for one with both guys) I saw Hannah and stopped to talk with her a bit. I thanked her for her contributions to the NG and just generally expressed my appreciation for her kindness. She was great. Just a real sweetie. She told me how much she enjoys this newsgroup. !!
I think that Saturday was definitely the more crowded of the two sessions, but since I didn't stay for the whole session on Sunday I'm not sure how many more people eventually showed up.
All in all I have absolutely no regrets about going. Just a LOT of wonderful, warm memories.
From the heart of the girl who was 12 when Emergency! came on and NEVER thought she'd actually meet her "foxy" Randolph Mantooth,
Thanks Randy. Thanks Marco. Thanks Hannah. Thanks Project 51. Thanks to the GREAT Randy and E! fans I met there and those here on the NG.
-Sky (Susan)
My experience can't compare to Susan's, but it was the time of my life! I was so flustered when Randy asked my name for the picture he was signing, I forgot, LOL! Then after I had my picture taken I was walking the wrong way out... Randy redirected me and got me straight (blush). I remember the very first thing I said to him when I got up there was that I'd left my husband and three kids to come here, LOL! And then I thought, that didn't come out right...
Meeting Marco was great too. He was so sweet! He gave me a big hug. It was just a great "bonus" having him there.
On Sunday I gave Randy & Marco each a thank you card. I put a pack of gum in Randy's. I just can't say how much this trip meant to me, and meeting these guys whom I've enjoyed watching on E! since it first came on. There's no one else I'd rather meet! After I got my pic taken Sunday and got another autograph, I lost it. Totally fell apart. Started thinking about my hubby who made this possible for me and I was just bawling. (sigh) How embarrasing, LOL! I was leaning against the wall, watching things from a distance, and just totally not believing it.
My kids were so excited to get their squads. I bought 4 of them... got 2 autographed (one for me, one for my 11 yr old) and the other 2 were to play with! My 4 yr old squealed with delight. He saw the pic of me with Randy, and he said, "You mean Johnny is REAL?" LOL!!
I must also comment that it was wonderful meeting some of my online friends. We had a great time Sunday night! I didn't want any of it to end!
Linda (Tigger)
Saturday, April 15, 2000
Wow, where to start? There's so much that happened! It started for me on
Thursday night, 48 hours before my flight was to leave, when I came down
with a nasty case of food poisoning, or something. Didn't know until
literally hours before my plane if I was even gonna make the flight, but
luckily, it cleared up. Bill hung with me, nursing me along, and at 3am on
Saturday morning, we got up, loaded up the dog and car and headed for San
Antonio International Airport three hours away. Caught my flight in plenty
of time after passing through security twice (once for regular scan, no
hits; a second time when the guard called me back to ask about the USAR
shirt I was wearing ... the word continues to be spread about the land! ...
I of course filled him in on it all ... he was duly impressed, LOL!).
By the time the plane landed, I was feeling almost human again (Southwest
Air really does have the most fun flights! We gambled, found out the pilot
was 100 years old (not really!); played games; celebrated six first-flights
and were thanked profusely for leaving our money with them, LOL!). Annie
(SmileyBaboo) met me at the gate; we knew each other immediately! The Squad
Room and our emails paid off ... we picked up conversations right from the
last emails we'd exchanged before running for our airports; by the time we
got the dollar tour from our rental car trolley driver and got to the
hotel, we had no trouble picking out the rest of the crew (Ann, Michelle,
Carol, Gail, Linda and Lisa) ... the fact they were hanging off the balcony
chanting "Ran-dee! Ran-dee!" as we drove up, didn't hurt, either (and
garnered some really interesting looks from some other patrons).
Off to the Race Rock Cafe .... you've heard about that for the most part,
but of course, we each have our own different little memories of things.
The baby that Randy held and kissed was such a precious sight. He held
another little girl who brought a helmet up to be signed. Couldn't have
been more than 6 years old; he gathered her up into his lap, wearing that
oversized helmet, for some more adorable pics.
Moments .... finally meeting Randy and being able to tell him in person how
much I appreciate his talent and his art, and the legacy he contributed to
in Emergency and what a difference it made in my life in becoming an
EMT/Instructor. Watching his joy when he saw the new USAR1 shirts for the
first time, as he exclaimed over them, and how they looked so "real!" and
"lived in!" (that was a REAL compliment!) ... bragging on Cheryl for doing
the shirts, then negotiating the trade; a shirt for a group pic, LOL! ...
and his laugh when I asked him if he wanted to hold the shirt for the shoot
the next day, or wanted me to hold it for him ... he looked up at me, and I
looked him straight in the eye and asked him, "Randy, will you remember to
bring it down from your room tomorrow to wear it?" and him looking me right
back square in the eye and laughing and gently pushing the shirt back
across the table to me, saying "Yeah! No!! YOU better keep it, and give it
to me tomorrow!" ... Ed Self laughing at the whole exchange between us.
Parting after I got my pics with Randy and Marco at the end ... (I and a
few others of us opted to wait for pics at the end of the session, per Ed's
request, to let others go ahead, as we were going to do the USAR shirt
shoot anyway at the end of Saturday's gig, but then had to put it to Sunday
due to time running short for other obligations and interviews).
I also asked Randy about the status of USAR1, during a break; he says it's
still pretty much in the same position; possibly up for discussion at the
networks (CBS). We talked about support for the promotion of the show.
Randy quipped, "Well, first ya gotta HAVE a show to promote .... !" Ed Self
and I both laughed and told him in nearly the same breath "That's YOUR
job!" He laughed, and I told him "YOU get the show, WE'LL do all we can to
help support it!" ... then we all laughed some more. He does appreciate the
support. I told him I felt like USAR1 could do for search and rescue just
what Emergency did for the fire and EMS services; kind of a "next
generation" move. Got an eyebrow raise from him at that, and an "Oh!
Yeah?!" ... I think he's getting a clearer picture of just how seriously
we're taking this pitch for USAR1.
More moments .... finally meeting Marco face to face; telling him how much
I've enjoyed his work and thanking him for coming out to meet with us.
Asking him how his eyes were doing (he's had a little trouble with them
lately) and him pulling off his sunglasses and widening his eyes and
laughing, and saying, "They're still here! They're doing a lot better!"
Talking a little with he and Randy later, discussing the impact Emergency's
had on firefighting and EMS and people's lives in general; both of them
misty-eyed and overwhelmed at the attention and tributes being paid by the
firefighters and fans on site. Asking Marco when he's putting out more
recipes. He seemed surprised and very pleased by the question. I told him
we are expecting to see more of them; he had such a sweet big grin on his
face when he heard that! He thought a second, then told me "Soon!" ... that
he'll definitely put some more together soon. I think he got a kick out of
that, LOL! (I was serious, though; his recipes are really good!)
Talking with Ed Self and Gino Grimaldi and Jim Page and Cynthia Hawkins ...
wonderfully sweet and considerate and open; so gracious to put on the fan
event in the heat and sun (it was quite warm that day, even under the
canopies). Watching the firefighters and EMS folks carefully brought to the
front of all the lines to get autographs and pictures with Randy and Marco.
Watching their faces as they interacted; the joy of meeting and posing with
Randy and Marco, and the matching joy on Randy and Marco's faces as they
got to meet and chat with the professionals, many of whom told them that
they were inspired by the show. Pride on Ed's face with each tribute to the
show expressed as he stood by Randy throughout the session, even helping to
take the pictures.
memories .... A local street person walking up to me, eventually shyly
asking what's going on ... I briefly explained .... and his eyes lit up
.... "Oh, yeah!! I remember watching Emergency! Hey .... isn't that ......
(pointing to Randy) ..... Gage?" .... I smiled and nodded, and pointed out
Marco, too. He kinda grinned and said "Cool!" then nodded his head, and
went on his way. You just never know what some folks will remember ... or
whom .... this person had obviously been through his own rough times, but
he remembered Johnny Gage! Very touching.
Another funny moment came at the end when a local tv news reporter and
photog were on hand to do a live shot for the 5 o'clock news. (Of course I
had to stay for that; ya'll know me, LOL!) The female reporter and Randy
(pics were posted of them ... they're standing by the squad) were waiting
for her cue; and just before she got her audio cue from the studio to do
the quick 1-2 liner teaser, she put her notebook down on the ground. Right
when they went on air live, a different local street person sauntered up,
commented out loud to Randy "Hey! You're that guy!!" and then picked up the
reporter's notebook and was going to apparently "dispose" of it or abscond
with it ... doing his part for "littering" I guess, LOL! That poor
reporter! Her eyes rolled about four times in her head, and she was doing
her best to hold it all together and Randy was trying not to chuckle, while
keeping an eye on the guy, all the while both were continuing on with the
live interview. And there we all are in front of them, and behind this guy,
all keeping an eye on him and ready to pounce if he got too far away from
them! Hilarious! Poor guy doesn't know what's going on; he thinks he's got
a little treasure or something, LOL! Finally, he gets the nonverbal cues
that are flying at him off-camera, and puts down the notebook and walks
away, seconds before the live interview ended. The reporter snatches up her
notebook in relief the moment the camera went off, then exclaimed through
her wire to the studio "You won't believe what just happened!! This guy
tried to take my notebook right in the middle of the live shot!!!" I was
just rolling by then ... that sort of thing happens a lot in live shots.
Was fun watching it through an observer's eyes this time, LOLOL! Randy
chuckled pretty heartily at the whole thing; he was a real trooper, LOL!
And then, afterwards, a night on the strip ... I had no idea what to
expect. It was a trip and a half, literally, doing the strip. Like walking
into the middle of a theme park, as someone else noted. A lot of theme
parks. Side by side and back to back. There wasn't one place on the entire
strip where you couldn't read a book at any hour of the night with just the
available light. Amazing! Discovered driving on the strip on a Saturday
night isn't much different than negotiating downtown Manhattan, or Houston
on any night, LOL! Drivers were a lot more friendly on the whole, though.
Surprising, considering the crush of humanity packed into those streets and
sidewalks. And considering some of the maneuvers we pulled trying to wend
our way through it all. A mecca for people watchers ...
Back to the hotel at 2am for a round of bloopers and various clips until
sleep and peanut butter pie finally took us over ...
Well, this is way too long already and I'm only on the first day, so I'll
close for now ... it's 2am and I've gotta go to work in a few hours, LOL!
More tomorrow .... pics in a week or two, they tell me; gotta go to the
film factory for processing ... it's gonna be a long wait ...
Doc
Well Actually, the scene went like this. The reporter was briefing Randy
on the sequence of events for the interview. She was asking questions to
get background information and get comfortable talking with him. This
homeless guy comes running up and flops down on the ground between the
camera tripod and Randy/Reporter. He lies on his back for what seems an
eternity then gets up and runs off. The 2nd homeless guy comes running up
after that and picks up the notebook like the 1st guy had dropped it and
was going to go deliver it to him. He was finally convinced that the
notebook belonged to the reporter and not homeless guy #1. Reporter was
then doing some off air reporting to the producer/director what was going
on and that was when Randy said......."I thought he was going to need
mouth to mouth." He said it without breaking his facial expression and
the reporter cracked up laughing as did most of the peanut gallery.
Ann
Note from Linda: I remember Randy telling the reporter after, "Interesting town you have here!"
Please share your Las Vegas experience with us! E-Mail Me!