So I hauled arse down to NOLA from Birmingham. Left here about 1:15pm and got there around 6pm, just cause there was some traffic delay. Yeah I went about 90 down the interstate. When we got there, we parked @ the Hilton and didn't see anyone outside, so my bf went in and asked about Elijah's meet/greet. The clerk told him it was upstairs, so we hopped on the elevator and went to the 3rd floor.
When we got inside the room, there was a crowd, but not a huge one. I was relieved. I thought, "hey, more personal time for everyone." I got to meet rosiegalbasi there! Dudes, she really does look like Julia Stiles. That's how I found her in the midst of umpteen screaming teenies.
Well, Lij was 45 minutes to an hour late. I think someone said it was his plane or something. Some guy gets up there and is talking about how they got him to be king of Bacchus, and the adventure it turned out to be. Apparently they wanted him the day after last year's parade but Elijah said he could not clear his schedule to do it. They talked many times and sent him a DVD with clips of past Bacchus kings, like Nic Cage and I think Bob Hope. Elijah was on his way to Germany (Berlin I think), and rented a DVD player, popped in the disc, and was sold almost immediately. He called the dude back and agreed to do it.
Finally, to the sound of many drums and horns, Elijah makes his grand entrance. He was wearing this jacket. (From the front.) Hannah was with him, along with two other friends and a horde of security. He talked about how this was his first time in New Orleans, and that he was excited about the parade. Then the guy in charge said Lij was gonna walk around the room and sign stuff.
There was absolutely no way to get to the front to touch him or get a pic. Too many fangirls and parents squishing me. I got as close as I could, which was like 3 feet away. Enough to see the sweat beads on his forehead. It was really hot in that room. rosiegalbasi Got to touch him! I caught one coin that he threw. It has Bacchus on one side and a bad imprint of him on the other. I don't think it looked much like him but hey, I got a cool souvenir.
After Lij walked around the room, they rushed him into a back room. A few people were allowed to back and get stuff signed. I wanted to duck under the rope and go but there were so many security guys I prolly would have been stopped. So everyone filed out eventually. Me and my bf went to see if maybe we could catch him leaving in his limo or something, but to no avail. I really just wanted to speak with him for 2 minutes, I really didn't want his autograph. Boy is that unusual, or what?
Finally we gave up around midnight. One security dude told us that he was in his room and was prolly not gonna come out. I bet he was extremely tired. It sux that I didn't get to talk to him or get a pic, but at least I can say was like 3 feet from him.
And I did get to see Hannah- she was wearing super-spiffy boots!
I wish I was still in New Orleans. I'd try for the parade, and maybe another shot at meeting him... somehow.
I drove back this morning, and got back home around 7:30am. Got to see the sun rise. Now I am REALLY tired. I need a long nap. I still have to teach this afternoon. ugh.
[/my only Lij story]
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