Genie's Report
When I decided to go to New Jersey in April to meet
David Soul, my friends, family and co-workers were
less than excited...in fact, they thought I was nuts.
First, they thought I could not make the trip from
Indiana to New Jersey by car alone. Second, they
thought the idea of meeting people from the internet
for the first time in a strange place was completely
nuts and that I might as well have my Will updated and
be prepared to die a horrible death!
Friday afternoon when I was lost in New York for 3
hours, I pretty much decided that I was never going to
meet David Soul and I was never going to make it home
alive!
I did make it out of New York (how, I still don't
know...obviously, my sense of direction is not that
good.) And, I did make it to the hotel. When I
arrived, the front desk sent me to the wrong room. I
wasn't in the room more than 2 minutes when a woman
came in and said "You're in my husband's room.."
I finally found my room and my roomies (a great group
I must say and not a serial killer in the bunch).
But, unfortunately David had not yet arrived at the
hotel.
When David arrived, I was having a much needed, very
stout refreshment...thankfully, the girls hollered for
me and there to my wonderment and amazement was David
Soul at the front desk checking in... I can't describe
what that moment was like..waiting for 25 years (since
I was 8 years old) to lay eyes on him! He looked
wonderful. Blue jeans, black leather jacket and sun
glasses; a sight to behold. I felt like my shoes were
made of cement, I couldn't move.
Out in the tent, we were almost last in line. As I
was waiting I struck up a conversation with a handsome
young man and his two friends. We talked about S&H
and how it had impacted us as the line slowly moved.
As we got closer, I started getting really nervous. I
must have looked pretty pathetic, because one of the
guys handed me a very nice S&H poster and said "Here
have this, I won't use it!"
When I was third or
fourth in line I said "I can't do this." But, my new
friends assured me that I could. I just knew if I
stepped up to the table something really horrible
would happen...I would trip, fall on the table, blurt
out something inappropriate...something! When it was
my turn, David looked up and smiled and asked my
name... I said "Genie" and he said "Jea...right?" I
tried to tell him it was spelled weird and finally
blurted out "Genie-like genie in a bottle."
I didn't
even look at what he was signing on the pictures. My
next hurtle was walking around the end of the table to
have my picture taken with David I felt sure I would
land on the floor instead of the chair. As soon as I
sat down I pretty much plastered myself to David's
side! David was very sweet and didn't seem to mind
that I had glued myself to him.
It wasn't until after
I had left the table that I looked at the pictures...
the autograph said "Genie - Just one rub!" Well, I
was flabergasted! What did this mean! Had I hit pay
dirt? Could I go back for another picture and a "rub"
?! It wasn't until about 1:00 a.m. that it hit
me--"Genie in a bottle.." Clever, David!
On Saturday morning we headed back down to the tent.
David looked so handsome that morning...jeans, blue
button down shirt and tie. His eyes were bright blue
and he looked rested and happy. When I went for my
second picture (a glutton, I know), David looked at my
badge and said you must be "Jenny?" Janice, very
kindly said "no, Genie." And David said "Oh, from
last night." He remembered!! Well, and that was even
without getting in my "rub!"
After Sylvie took our picture, I (without even
thinking) hugged David and kissed him on the cheek.
As I leapt up from the chair in horror at what I had
just done, David put his head down a little, smiled
and said "Oh..thank you." I think I surprised him
too...or maybe he was just wondering if he would have
to call security!
Saturday afternoon as we were riding up in the
elevator to our rooms, the elevator stopped and David
and Brendan got on. The elevator was instantly quiet!
It was the best elevator ride I've ever had!
We stayed Sunday too, even though I had planned on
leaving early that morning to make the long drive
home. Seeing David was like a drug...as long as he
was there, we had to be too!
There is so much more...such a special weekend. I
met David and made some wonderful new friends.
So, if you're wondering? Yes, David looks great! He
is handsome and charming! And, pictures don't do him
justice..he has a magnetism that can't be captured.
So, the lessons I learned:
1. Never get lost in New York.
2. Follow your dreams--even if takes 25 years...
3. And, never never get lost in New York.
