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.