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aruanI was going to fly out on Sunday after the three-day JC club tour orgy, but Schiz is all, "But Lance's charity thing is on the 7th!" I had no idea what to expect, but Lance and puppies? I'm just not that strong.
Schiz and I arrived around 6:20 due to traffic, but it's certainly not characteristic of the man of the night to make anything less than a fashionable entrance. The event was being held in Santa Monica at a restored home called the Victorian, with all the decor and elegance that comes with anything from that era. We walked past the press photographers and almost right into AJ on our way up the front steps, who was cuddling a puppy and mugging for the paparazzi. I almost didn't recognize him because he was in profile and he'd looked fuller in the face in other recent pictures, but the facial hair and jawline were a dead giveaway. We didn't linger though, instead going inside to find![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
without_me and coolwhipdiva.
The house had two floors: the first floor had lower-bet tables and the silent auction stuff while upstairs had an open VIP lounge and other, higher minimum Blackjack and craps tables. The stairs were right as you walked in the door, so up we went, turned right toward the dealer area, made our way through a couple of people I vaguely felt like I should recognize, passed by the bar and looked to the tables to our right...
And I stopped. Schiz walked into me from behind, but he was right.there. Not six feet away from us, getting in the last of his training by the dealer at the table. He was wearing the black leather jacket from the PopOdyssey leather shoot, a tight, short-sleeved black shirt and jeans, looking the kind of beautiful most pictures don't even come close to conveying. And did I mention, right there? He had a clear view over the heads of the people sitting at his table and he glanced up at us once, then again a moment later. I really wasn't doing anything more intelligent than trying to bring myself to move despite feeling like gravity had become a quaint notion and solid ground a fond memory - Lance seemed to understand as he made eye contact with me and smiled. That, believe it or not, actually helped with the one-foot-in-front-of-the-other situation.
Spotting the girls at a small table across from where Lance was dealing, we made our way over. Alicia was particularly fantastic to me - I must've looked like I needed a hug (or someone to hold me up), because she was right there and saying my words for me. She asked and, yes, it was indeed my first time in proximity to him. God, the boy is beautiful, all glowing skin and glibly self-assured and positively radiating warmth. His eyebrows are much less intimidating in person, his jawline is only more delectable in proximity, his arms and chest are distracting in the utmost, his eyes aren't strange at all and his vibe is all laid-back happiness to everyone around him. The atmosphere was also relaxed, no minders and only the occasional smattering of press - then add in a Midori Sour and feeling the slightest bit anxious would've been just plain silly. He was as much anybody as any of the rest of us. If anything was weird about the night, it was the normalcy.
The word of the night, and pardon the unintended pun, was intimate. A couple of others swung by for a hand or two, but the only ones at the table were Bob (a very gay, delightful man, obviously a friend of theirs), Jessie, another woman who seemed to at least know them, and us. Their presence, plus the fact that he knew Alicia (remembered and hugged her, even!) and had met Jenna already probably helped, and he was just entirely at ease throughout the evening. The dealer left after a few hands and Lance did the rest like a pro, shuffling and bridging and dealing while keeping up a constant banter with all the players. He was a delight, and I got to get in my "Hit me, baby," on the second round, followed by, what else, "One more time," when the next card called for me to hit again. Lance was certainly not the biggest dork in the room, as that had been the thing I'd hoped to do since finding out about the event.
Alfonso Ribero came by and I took the opportunity to congratulate him on his performance as the Teen Angel in Grease, something I forgot to do there because standing next to Joey does things to my brain. *g* He laughed about that with me and talked about doing the production, Joey's dedicated goofiness, and how everyone had such a good time with it. Glad I got to chat with him. Alicia talked to him later as well and while I didn't hear about what, I occasionally caught some of what he was saying about how this was such a cool event for seeing celebrities out of their "setting" and as who they "really" are, not having to put on any sort of facade or show. Aaaw, Alfonso understands the meta of celebrity. It was funny actually hearing it from a celebrity, though.
AJ swung by and talked with Lance for a minute. I can't remember if he was the one Lance bumped fists with or another guy, but how fun to actually see them socialize, you know? Crossover love!
Jessie was great fun. He talked to Alicia and Jenna as they took their turns playing next to him, and played off Lance charmingly. Such as:
Lance: "Jessie, get me a drink."
Jessie: *mock-annoyed* "What do you want?"
Lance: "Water." *Jessie turns to the bar* "...Or vodka."
We exchanged amused glances between ourselves, but Lance had gone right back to the game at hand. Alicia mentioned asking Jessie what he'd gotten Lance when he returned, to which he responded by smiling and said to "watch the look on his face when he sips." Why that's adorable I'm not entirely sure, but *meep.*
Those two went back and forth all night. Once, Jessie left the chips he won on the betting spot of the table without meaning to and Lance teased him with, "You tipping me?" in a tone I was glad I was gripping the table while hearing. He's all about the facial expressions, which is simply smart, making use of distinctive features like his. As cool and competent as he came off, the gooberlicious dork was always there as an undercurrent, and that was beyond delightful to see.
Like when his leather jacket became too hot at a couple of points during the night so it came on and off - the first time he did it, he made a show of saying it was warm and 'Whoo!'-ed himself as he shrugged it off his shoulders (shooting a very brief look to Jessie, I swear). Too, too funny. Plus, the motion made his shirt ride up and we got a lovely sliver of belly and a flash of the sparkliest belt buckle I've ever seen. He's just a good kid, well-mannered and gracious. I hope to meet Mama Bass at some point and tell her what an upstanding gent of a son she helped raise.
Somewhere in there, Lance said the word "shit" and it yet again took a few moments to get my bearings. We, but especially Jessie, gave him a hard time about needing a moment to add 12 and 7, at which Lance put him on the spot by asking, "What's 4 times 7?" It took Jessie a moment as well, and he did get it right, but Lance's point was made. In his own defense after one of us mentioned him taking all those Physics tests during training, he said he would've been able to do it like that (*snaps fingers*) if he had a paper and pencil. "That's okay," I said. "In space, no one can hear you miscalculate 12 and 7." We all chuckled, and eventually all had our own come-uppance on the counting front.
That's something I wanted to mention, actually. There's nothing sarcastic or even vaguely mean-spirited about Lance's sense of humor. He's one of those very rare people who can make his point by simply saying something true - no tone, no snark, just the facts and letting people hang themselves with their own words. He's a solid, happy, un-self-conscious boy, warm and kind in a way that actually makes him more approachable than most. Fanon is a strange thing, and it's amusing how much less it continues to resemble real life.
An event manager swung by about forty minutes after we got there and told Lance they were moving him downstairs. After grabbing fresh drinks and squeeing a bit, we joined them a few minutes later.
The night was marked by a distinct lack of stools at the dealers' tables. At some point both Alicia and I were standing at the downstairs table they'd moved Lance to until someone swung by with a single stool. Alicia looked at me, shrugged, and asked if I wanted to share it. "Some girls sit with women, you know," she said. I'm so sad Lance didn't hear her, because I snickered for a good minute after my initial outburst of laughter.
There was music playing softly in the background over the speakers throughout the house. I picked out Jimmy Eat World's The Middle and was singing along to the chorus under my breath, just randomly to myself. Lance noticed and knew enough of the song to finish humming the chorus in accompaniment! There are no words for the internal squeeing I did at that and managed to bite down a grin that, left unchecked, would've left my cheeks sore for days.
A hostess came by to ask if Lance would like something to drink, at which he looked at her, then us, asking, "Should I be drinking on the job?" We assured him everyone else was, but he turned down the offer anyway, asking for water again.
He gave an interview to what we think was Entertainment Tonight while shuffling one of the rounds and mentioned having three dogs - Jackson, and two Australian Shepherds. He's going home to Mississippi for the holidays and as yet has no party plans for New Year's, which the reporter seemed surprised at as well.
Alicia and I went upstairs to find the bathroom after they switched out Lance. While she took her turn, I was chatted up by a lovely boy with a Collie mix. All these chatty, well-mannered boys in one place! This was such a fun event.
We walked back into the dealer room and much to our chagrin, Lance was standing immediately to our right. We turned and sidestepped, not actually meaning to have followed him this time, and got fresh drinks. We saw Macaulay Culkin out on the patio schmoozing with people, which was a bit surreal, and got in a couple of rounds with Jenna at the table of a riotously funny gentleman whom I can't for the life of me name or place.
Later, we noticed Lance had moved on to the craps table, and Alicia plied me with a glass of champagne and made the excellent point that men don't generally turn down young, pretty girls when they want to strike up conversation and that consequently, I should go ask Lance to give me some pointers on the game. Sadly, he finished up just as I was halfway there. He mingled around a little, gave another interview and chatted with the literally two other fans who weren't us there, and started to gather up Jessie to leave.
And there was my opportunity.
I went down the stairs behind them and tapped Lance's shoulder when we got on the landing with, "Lance, I couldn't not say this before you left."
He turned to look at me and smiled, and I swear it's like everyone's said, the entire rest of the world drops away and it's just you and him. He made eye contact with me the whole time and listened to every word I babbled, which Jenna later assured I'd done "winningly." I also managed to hold out my hand, which he took in a handshake that was warm, firm but soft like putting your hand in a glove and as perfect as Alicia's done so much better at describing.
"I just wanted to tell you how much I admire everything you've done in pursuit of the whole space venture," at which point his smile had grown toothy and beautific, "and hope that it'll happen for you." He may have blushed a little, saying, "Well, thank you very much," at that. I gushed a bit more about "being right there with [him] on it," having gone to Space Camp as well and loving it all, too. I bet it's fairly rare he gets anything other than ridicule or pity regarding the topic when it is brought up at all, and seeing even a little bit of the fanboy within was beyond charming.
Then I said, "Oh, you were also at JC's show on," *pause* "Friday night. Sorry, I had to do the math, we went to all the shows and have had no sleep in between," at which point he laughed with me (aiee! *swoon*), "and I was wondering if you had a favorite part? Had you heard any of the tracks before?"
"Yeah, I'd heard some of them, but I really liked was the one where they did the light effects..." *off my puzzled head tilt, as there were a few of those* "The strobe light effects? With the girls in masks."
*no pause* "Oh! Come To Me." (Do I have to comment on how, other than the song being one of the sexiest seduction things in all creation during which he looked up at the balcony several times, this is the song that involves the most fondling/groping of JC's person, that it's also the one where he sings the word "masturbate" with accompanying air mimicry, etc? Oh, okay, there it is. ;) "Yeah, that one is intense."
I concluded with another handshake (he held onto my hand this time) and, "It was a pleasure playing cards with you." I don't think he got the reference, but I was amused all the same.
Then Schiz snatched him for a moment to ask about his Australian shepherds, who are named Dingo and Foster (Alicia joked about if Dingo was also a kind of beer, at which Lance seemed flustered for a moment before he said, "Actually, it's a kind of kangaroo." There's nothing like a flustered Lance, man, and I don't know about the rest of the girls but I was nothing but out and out charmed by his faux pas.) She also remembered to ask Lance to pose with us right quick.
His jacket? You're so right, Alicia, just as soft as it looks. And for the record, Joan Rivers does not exaggerate when gushing about how good they smell. He shook all our hands again, then stopped to talk to a couple of other people before making sure the boyfriend was accounted for and heading out.
So, yes. Lance. I met Lance. And talked to Lance. About space. And he dealt us cards. And shook my hand. And I practically melted into Alicia's arms all over again after he was out of sight.
The fun did not stop when Lance exited stage left though. We went and found yet more drinks (did we mention the booze = solution to whatever issue we were having policy of the evening?) and went to explore the event in earnest.giddyupnow and I went to the raffle table and bought tickets while chatting with the lovely woman there, one of the coordinators of the event. We exchanged puppy love stories and she told us some more about the organization.
We walked back upstairs and gambled a bit with arguably the most enthusiastic of the evening's celebrities whom, sadly, I can neither name or place right just now. Next we went to Chris Judd's table, who was a sweetie and actually dealt me consistently good hands for the first time all night. All of the celebrities were very friendly, chatting with anyone who came up even if they were in the middle of eating (apologies, Alfonso). Schiz and I were finally taught the rudimentaries of craps by the dealer at that table, and she cleaned up in a very real way.
Back at Lance's original table when they closed down the craps operation, we spent a lovely twenty minutes with Big Brother 3's Jason. Such a sweetheart! We chatted about his own dogs, which he had to leave with his parents when he moved out here, and he totally blew off the event managers who came by to give him an out (the gambling was technically supposed to be finished) but he brushed them off twice, even lowering the table's minimum bid from $25 to $5 so we could all keep playing.
We got the hook up with some serious amounts of random swag at the door. Sadly, Jenna had work early in the morning, but after a couple calls, Alicia, Schiz and I were on our way to Saddle Ranch. (As an aside, you should make occasion to call their automated phone system - it's all 'howdy's and 'reckon's and 'y'all's, cracks of whips and irrationally charming in its shameless tackiness. Lance has nothing but fantastic taste in eateries, yo. (By the way, yes, I checked, and there is in fact French toast on the menu.)
funnybitch takes amazing pictures, which she left in the care of Alicia and we all took first looks over dinner. *falls over* There was squeeing and palpitations and gulping of air at points.
Several patrons attempted to ride the restaurant's mechanical bull (which apparently has difficulty settings) and a couple did succeed, for which we applauded. It does look like a fairly impressive feat - I would've tried it myself if I hadn't been wearing a dress and pantyhose.
There were stocking strung up all around the perimeter of the restaurant, and across from us was one for a Justin, at which we giggled and wondered where Lance's was.
On our way out, we passed by none other than my cute mohawk!cowboy from Friday - the Starbucks Schiz and I went to is right next to Saddle Ranch and he'd been busing a table on the patio. I had to stop and ask for a picture, which took a minute to negotiate so we got to chatting - he's from West Palm Beach, also known as my new county of residence. Very sweet boy.
Andthenwewenthomeandfinallysleptmorethanthreehourstheend.
Schiz and I arrived around 6:20 due to traffic, but it's certainly not characteristic of the man of the night to make anything less than a fashionable entrance. The event was being held in Santa Monica at a restored home called the Victorian, with all the decor and elegance that comes with anything from that era. We walked past the press photographers and almost right into AJ on our way up the front steps, who was cuddling a puppy and mugging for the paparazzi. I almost didn't recognize him because he was in profile and he'd looked fuller in the face in other recent pictures, but the facial hair and jawline were a dead giveaway. We didn't linger though, instead going inside to find
without_me and coolwhipdiva.The house had two floors: the first floor had lower-bet tables and the silent auction stuff while upstairs had an open VIP lounge and other, higher minimum Blackjack and craps tables. The stairs were right as you walked in the door, so up we went, turned right toward the dealer area, made our way through a couple of people I vaguely felt like I should recognize, passed by the bar and looked to the tables to our right...
And I stopped. Schiz walked into me from behind, but he was right.there. Not six feet away from us, getting in the last of his training by the dealer at the table. He was wearing the black leather jacket from the PopOdyssey leather shoot, a tight, short-sleeved black shirt and jeans, looking the kind of beautiful most pictures don't even come close to conveying. And did I mention, right there? He had a clear view over the heads of the people sitting at his table and he glanced up at us once, then again a moment later. I really wasn't doing anything more intelligent than trying to bring myself to move despite feeling like gravity had become a quaint notion and solid ground a fond memory - Lance seemed to understand as he made eye contact with me and smiled. That, believe it or not, actually helped with the one-foot-in-front-of-the-other situation.
Spotting the girls at a small table across from where Lance was dealing, we made our way over. Alicia was particularly fantastic to me - I must've looked like I needed a hug (or someone to hold me up), because she was right there and saying my words for me. She asked and, yes, it was indeed my first time in proximity to him. God, the boy is beautiful, all glowing skin and glibly self-assured and positively radiating warmth. His eyebrows are much less intimidating in person, his jawline is only more delectable in proximity, his arms and chest are distracting in the utmost, his eyes aren't strange at all and his vibe is all laid-back happiness to everyone around him. The atmosphere was also relaxed, no minders and only the occasional smattering of press - then add in a Midori Sour and feeling the slightest bit anxious would've been just plain silly. He was as much anybody as any of the rest of us. If anything was weird about the night, it was the normalcy.
The word of the night, and pardon the unintended pun, was intimate. A couple of others swung by for a hand or two, but the only ones at the table were Bob (a very gay, delightful man, obviously a friend of theirs), Jessie, another woman who seemed to at least know them, and us. Their presence, plus the fact that he knew Alicia (remembered and hugged her, even!) and had met Jenna already probably helped, and he was just entirely at ease throughout the evening. The dealer left after a few hands and Lance did the rest like a pro, shuffling and bridging and dealing while keeping up a constant banter with all the players. He was a delight, and I got to get in my "Hit me, baby," on the second round, followed by, what else, "One more time," when the next card called for me to hit again. Lance was certainly not the biggest dork in the room, as that had been the thing I'd hoped to do since finding out about the event.
Alfonso Ribero came by and I took the opportunity to congratulate him on his performance as the Teen Angel in Grease, something I forgot to do there because standing next to Joey does things to my brain. *g* He laughed about that with me and talked about doing the production, Joey's dedicated goofiness, and how everyone had such a good time with it. Glad I got to chat with him. Alicia talked to him later as well and while I didn't hear about what, I occasionally caught some of what he was saying about how this was such a cool event for seeing celebrities out of their "setting" and as who they "really" are, not having to put on any sort of facade or show. Aaaw, Alfonso understands the meta of celebrity. It was funny actually hearing it from a celebrity, though.
AJ swung by and talked with Lance for a minute. I can't remember if he was the one Lance bumped fists with or another guy, but how fun to actually see them socialize, you know? Crossover love!
Jessie was great fun. He talked to Alicia and Jenna as they took their turns playing next to him, and played off Lance charmingly. Such as:
Lance: "Jessie, get me a drink."
Jessie: *mock-annoyed* "What do you want?"
Lance: "Water." *Jessie turns to the bar* "...Or vodka."
We exchanged amused glances between ourselves, but Lance had gone right back to the game at hand. Alicia mentioned asking Jessie what he'd gotten Lance when he returned, to which he responded by smiling and said to "watch the look on his face when he sips." Why that's adorable I'm not entirely sure, but *meep.*
Those two went back and forth all night. Once, Jessie left the chips he won on the betting spot of the table without meaning to and Lance teased him with, "You tipping me?" in a tone I was glad I was gripping the table while hearing. He's all about the facial expressions, which is simply smart, making use of distinctive features like his. As cool and competent as he came off, the gooberlicious dork was always there as an undercurrent, and that was beyond delightful to see.
Like when his leather jacket became too hot at a couple of points during the night so it came on and off - the first time he did it, he made a show of saying it was warm and 'Whoo!'-ed himself as he shrugged it off his shoulders (shooting a very brief look to Jessie, I swear). Too, too funny. Plus, the motion made his shirt ride up and we got a lovely sliver of belly and a flash of the sparkliest belt buckle I've ever seen. He's just a good kid, well-mannered and gracious. I hope to meet Mama Bass at some point and tell her what an upstanding gent of a son she helped raise.
Somewhere in there, Lance said the word "shit" and it yet again took a few moments to get my bearings. We, but especially Jessie, gave him a hard time about needing a moment to add 12 and 7, at which Lance put him on the spot by asking, "What's 4 times 7?" It took Jessie a moment as well, and he did get it right, but Lance's point was made. In his own defense after one of us mentioned him taking all those Physics tests during training, he said he would've been able to do it like that (*snaps fingers*) if he had a paper and pencil. "That's okay," I said. "In space, no one can hear you miscalculate 12 and 7." We all chuckled, and eventually all had our own come-uppance on the counting front.
That's something I wanted to mention, actually. There's nothing sarcastic or even vaguely mean-spirited about Lance's sense of humor. He's one of those very rare people who can make his point by simply saying something true - no tone, no snark, just the facts and letting people hang themselves with their own words. He's a solid, happy, un-self-conscious boy, warm and kind in a way that actually makes him more approachable than most. Fanon is a strange thing, and it's amusing how much less it continues to resemble real life.
An event manager swung by about forty minutes after we got there and told Lance they were moving him downstairs. After grabbing fresh drinks and squeeing a bit, we joined them a few minutes later.
The night was marked by a distinct lack of stools at the dealers' tables. At some point both Alicia and I were standing at the downstairs table they'd moved Lance to until someone swung by with a single stool. Alicia looked at me, shrugged, and asked if I wanted to share it. "Some girls sit with women, you know," she said. I'm so sad Lance didn't hear her, because I snickered for a good minute after my initial outburst of laughter.
There was music playing softly in the background over the speakers throughout the house. I picked out Jimmy Eat World's The Middle and was singing along to the chorus under my breath, just randomly to myself. Lance noticed and knew enough of the song to finish humming the chorus in accompaniment! There are no words for the internal squeeing I did at that and managed to bite down a grin that, left unchecked, would've left my cheeks sore for days.
A hostess came by to ask if Lance would like something to drink, at which he looked at her, then us, asking, "Should I be drinking on the job?" We assured him everyone else was, but he turned down the offer anyway, asking for water again.
He gave an interview to what we think was Entertainment Tonight while shuffling one of the rounds and mentioned having three dogs - Jackson, and two Australian Shepherds. He's going home to Mississippi for the holidays and as yet has no party plans for New Year's, which the reporter seemed surprised at as well.
Alicia and I went upstairs to find the bathroom after they switched out Lance. While she took her turn, I was chatted up by a lovely boy with a Collie mix. All these chatty, well-mannered boys in one place! This was such a fun event.
We walked back into the dealer room and much to our chagrin, Lance was standing immediately to our right. We turned and sidestepped, not actually meaning to have followed him this time, and got fresh drinks. We saw Macaulay Culkin out on the patio schmoozing with people, which was a bit surreal, and got in a couple of rounds with Jenna at the table of a riotously funny gentleman whom I can't for the life of me name or place.
Later, we noticed Lance had moved on to the craps table, and Alicia plied me with a glass of champagne and made the excellent point that men don't generally turn down young, pretty girls when they want to strike up conversation and that consequently, I should go ask Lance to give me some pointers on the game. Sadly, he finished up just as I was halfway there. He mingled around a little, gave another interview and chatted with the literally two other fans who weren't us there, and started to gather up Jessie to leave.
And there was my opportunity.
I went down the stairs behind them and tapped Lance's shoulder when we got on the landing with, "Lance, I couldn't not say this before you left."
He turned to look at me and smiled, and I swear it's like everyone's said, the entire rest of the world drops away and it's just you and him. He made eye contact with me the whole time and listened to every word I babbled, which Jenna later assured I'd done "winningly." I also managed to hold out my hand, which he took in a handshake that was warm, firm but soft like putting your hand in a glove and as perfect as Alicia's done so much better at describing.
"I just wanted to tell you how much I admire everything you've done in pursuit of the whole space venture," at which point his smile had grown toothy and beautific, "and hope that it'll happen for you." He may have blushed a little, saying, "Well, thank you very much," at that. I gushed a bit more about "being right there with [him] on it," having gone to Space Camp as well and loving it all, too. I bet it's fairly rare he gets anything other than ridicule or pity regarding the topic when it is brought up at all, and seeing even a little bit of the fanboy within was beyond charming.
Then I said, "Oh, you were also at JC's show on," *pause* "Friday night. Sorry, I had to do the math, we went to all the shows and have had no sleep in between," at which point he laughed with me (aiee! *swoon*), "and I was wondering if you had a favorite part? Had you heard any of the tracks before?"
"Yeah, I'd heard some of them, but I really liked was the one where they did the light effects..." *off my puzzled head tilt, as there were a few of those* "The strobe light effects? With the girls in masks."
*no pause* "Oh! Come To Me." (Do I have to comment on how, other than the song being one of the sexiest seduction things in all creation during which he looked up at the balcony several times, this is the song that involves the most fondling/groping of JC's person, that it's also the one where he sings the word "masturbate" with accompanying air mimicry, etc? Oh, okay, there it is. ;) "Yeah, that one is intense."
I concluded with another handshake (he held onto my hand this time) and, "It was a pleasure playing cards with you." I don't think he got the reference, but I was amused all the same.
Then Schiz snatched him for a moment to ask about his Australian shepherds, who are named Dingo and Foster (Alicia joked about if Dingo was also a kind of beer, at which Lance seemed flustered for a moment before he said, "Actually, it's a kind of kangaroo." There's nothing like a flustered Lance, man, and I don't know about the rest of the girls but I was nothing but out and out charmed by his faux pas.) She also remembered to ask Lance to pose with us right quick.
His jacket? You're so right, Alicia, just as soft as it looks. And for the record, Joan Rivers does not exaggerate when gushing about how good they smell. He shook all our hands again, then stopped to talk to a couple of other people before making sure the boyfriend was accounted for and heading out.
So, yes. Lance. I met Lance. And talked to Lance. About space. And he dealt us cards. And shook my hand. And I practically melted into Alicia's arms all over again after he was out of sight.
The fun did not stop when Lance exited stage left though. We went and found yet more drinks (did we mention the booze = solution to whatever issue we were having policy of the evening?) and went to explore the event in earnest.
giddyupnow and I went to the raffle table and bought tickets while chatting with the lovely woman there, one of the coordinators of the event. We exchanged puppy love stories and she told us some more about the organization.We walked back upstairs and gambled a bit with arguably the most enthusiastic of the evening's celebrities whom, sadly, I can neither name or place right just now. Next we went to Chris Judd's table, who was a sweetie and actually dealt me consistently good hands for the first time all night. All of the celebrities were very friendly, chatting with anyone who came up even if they were in the middle of eating (apologies, Alfonso). Schiz and I were finally taught the rudimentaries of craps by the dealer at that table, and she cleaned up in a very real way.
Back at Lance's original table when they closed down the craps operation, we spent a lovely twenty minutes with Big Brother 3's Jason. Such a sweetheart! We chatted about his own dogs, which he had to leave with his parents when he moved out here, and he totally blew off the event managers who came by to give him an out (the gambling was technically supposed to be finished) but he brushed them off twice, even lowering the table's minimum bid from $25 to $5 so we could all keep playing.
We got the hook up with some serious amounts of random swag at the door. Sadly, Jenna had work early in the morning, but after a couple calls, Alicia, Schiz and I were on our way to Saddle Ranch. (As an aside, you should make occasion to call their automated phone system - it's all 'howdy's and 'reckon's and 'y'all's, cracks of whips and irrationally charming in its shameless tackiness. Lance has nothing but fantastic taste in eateries, yo. (By the way, yes, I checked, and there is in fact French toast on the menu.)
funnybitch takes amazing pictures, which she left in the care of Alicia and we all took first looks over dinner. *falls over* There was squeeing and palpitations and gulping of air at points.Several patrons attempted to ride the restaurant's mechanical bull (which apparently has difficulty settings) and a couple did succeed, for which we applauded. It does look like a fairly impressive feat - I would've tried it myself if I hadn't been wearing a dress and pantyhose.
There were stocking strung up all around the perimeter of the restaurant, and across from us was one for a Justin, at which we giggled and wondered where Lance's was.
On our way out, we passed by none other than my cute mohawk!cowboy from Friday - the Starbucks Schiz and I went to is right next to Saddle Ranch and he'd been busing a table on the patio. I had to stop and ask for a picture, which took a minute to negotiate so we got to chatting - he's from West Palm Beach, also known as my new county of residence. Very sweet boy.
Andthenwewenthomeandfinallysleptmorethanthreehourstheend.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Date: December 11th, 2003 05:01 pm (UTC)Lance is the sweetest guy, my friend & I met him in NYC the day after the Grammys and he was so nice & down to earth.
And I totally agree with the eyes & smile ... once they're directed at you it renders you speechless! LOL
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Date: December 11th, 2003 05:15 pm (UTC)And Lance, well. What's a girl to say? He was wonderful in every way at all, in a good human being not well-coached celebrity way, you know?
His eyes, man. But it's the smile that totally does it to me. Happy, toothy boy.
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Date: December 11th, 2003 05:03 pm (UTC)LANCE!
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Date: December 11th, 2003 05:17 pm (UTC)Lance!
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Date: December 11th, 2003 05:06 pm (UTC)I wanna grab you and hug you so hard! Thank you so much for sharing. You always do it so readily and beautifully.
*hugs*
My favorite part? His eyebrows!
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Date: December 11th, 2003 05:20 pm (UTC)*giggle* Yeah. Very tame in close proximity, one could say almost mundane if anything about the boy was.
(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: December 11th, 2003 05:06 pm (UTC)Someday I will have a space conversation with Lance.
What year did you go to Space Camp?
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Date: December 11th, 2003 05:27 pm (UTC)Hm, fifth grade would've made it... 1994. Wow, yeah. I loved space before then and remember seeing Kennedy Space Center for the first time, walking through the rocket garden in awe and riding the simulators, doing the mission training, etc. Broke my heart how little I had in the way of physics savvy in the eighth grade, it surely did.
(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: December 11th, 2003 05:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: December 11th, 2003 05:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: December 11th, 2003 05:08 pm (UTC)Meep! I need to make this as a memory, because Lance asked him that several times while I was sitting next to Jessie, and I still forgot about it until you wrote about it, even though my brain went right there, too, each time!
Thanks for writing this up -- you recalled so many details, it was wonderful to find out all y'all did while I was off gallivanting.
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Date: December 11th, 2003 05:37 pm (UTC)(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: December 11th, 2003 05:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: December 11th, 2003 05:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: December 11th, 2003 05:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: December 11th, 2003 05:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: December 11th, 2003 05:37 pm (UTC)Looking forward to meeting you next weekend.
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Date: December 11th, 2003 05:46 pm (UTC)I need to start a list of names for next weekend. So many cool people to meet! And JC! Can't wait.
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Date: December 11th, 2003 05:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: December 11th, 2003 05:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: December 11th, 2003 05:49 pm (UTC)Meep! is right! Great, great review. Lucky girl!!!
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Date: December 11th, 2003 05:58 pm (UTC)(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: December 11th, 2003 05:50 pm (UTC)/end babble
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Date: December 11th, 2003 06:02 pm (UTC)Space! I said I was a space buff - since I was a kid, man, for years and years until high school all I ever wanted to be was an astronaut.
Handsome! So gorgeous but entirely down-to-earth. Such a rare thing. Like I said, Mama Bass et al have all my respect for doing right by him.
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Date: December 11th, 2003 06:39 pm (UTC)And AJ! My little crossovery heart palpitates with joy!
I also love what you said to him about the whole space venture - that's pretty much exactly how I feel about it and what I'd want to say to him if I had the chance, as one space geek to another. :g:
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Date: December 11th, 2003 07:38 pm (UTC)He dealt us cards! And bantered! And laughed and you know, just stood there and was Lance Bass. *sigh*
AJ! Cuddling the puppy! He looked so good, and joked with Lance. I wish I could remember what he said, but they were cute.
I'm such a space geek, too, and really do think the world of everything he's done to make it happen for himself. Space geeks for-evah!
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Date: December 11th, 2003 07:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: December 11th, 2003 07:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: December 11th, 2003 07:30 pm (UTC)heee! *loves Lance*
And reading about you telling him how you admire his efforts to go to space is great, coming on the heels of my seeing him make it to #24 on that Celebrity Oops countdown on E.
Wow, that was bad sentence structure. *g*
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Date: December 11th, 2003 07:50 pm (UTC)Yeah, saw that countdown. *rolls eyes* Whatever, man. Most people have no idea how hard he worked to get where he did get, which was about a month's training shy of being in space. That means tests of the mental, physical, math, science, mechanics, engineering, etc. sort that he'd had to take to even qualify to be trained, let alone the training itself. Well, I knew the score and have wanted to say at least that to him, if nothing else. But the entire night was just unreal. What an opportunity.
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Date: December 11th, 2003 09:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: December 11th, 2003 09:40 pm (UTC)(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: December 11th, 2003 10:46 pm (UTC)You've met 3/5 of *N Sync now! Or have you met Justin and Chris before, too, and I happened to miss it?
::cries:: I wish that'd been me! I mean, major happies for you, it's awesome and I'm glad you got to meet him, but hot DAMN if I wouldn't have liked it to have been me!
You so have to either post the picture you guys took with him or like direct me to a post with the picture in it because, yes, want with the seeing and yes.
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Date: December 12th, 2003 10:09 am (UTC)It was an amazing event, wonderfully intimate and more than anything I could've possibly hoped. I didn't take any of it for granted and will hug each little moment close to my bosom.
Schiz has the pictures and is cleaning them up now, but yes, definitely going to post those.
(no subject)
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Date: December 11th, 2003 11:41 pm (UTC)I'm always so excited when I read others encounters with Lance (and the other guys), because even if I wasn't there, the details and emotions make me feel like I could have been. I hope you don't mind if I put this in my memories section, it was one of the best I've read.
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Date: December 12th, 2003 10:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: December 12th, 2003 03:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: December 12th, 2003 10:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: December 12th, 2003 09:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: December 12th, 2003 10:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: December 12th, 2003 11:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: December 12th, 2003 01:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: December 12th, 2003 02:21 pm (UTC)I think I would need alcohol (possibly lots of it) to be coherent around the man because he makes me so weak in the knees.
I loved hearing about your time meeting him!
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Date: December 12th, 2003 04:02 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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Date: December 16th, 2003 04:09 pm (UTC)my bodythe country, and all it's flora and fauna (and beer).no subject
Date: December 16th, 2003 06:19 pm (UTC)