It seemed too good to be true that David was coming to NJ. Living in neighboring PA, I knew I couldn't let this chance get away from me! For a while, it seemed that it was indeed too good to be true. A group of us who had met online decided to car pool and or room together...2 from Pennsylvania, 1 from Missouri, 2 from Indiana and 2 from Georgia.

Between the seven of us we had car trouble, a missed flight, tickets left at home, and getting lost in NYC. Somehow, we got there; all seven of us and a dog! After checking in we went to the lobby to find other DSAC members, and of course waited for David to arrive. Several limousines pulled up, and each time we were sure it was him.

Finally someone said a Bronco pulled up and David got out. We would know that walk anywhere (sorry David, the sunglasses didn't fool us either). The first thing I noticed was how he looked like he had just stepped out of Salem's Lot or S&H, just as thin and wearing a black leather jacket and jeans. He walked briskly through the lobby and toward the escalator; all the while looking straight ahead. (Meanwhile a group of us stood nonchalantly watching in the lobby...I wonder if he noticed?) He went up the escalator and no sooner had we gotten over the shock of seeing him come in, he was coming back down. As he walked by once again he said, "I don't know where I'm going," and walked over to the Reception Desk.

Highlights for me....Friday night getting my picture taken with David(the ...I was so nervous I didn't look at him and sat down with my hands in my lap. My friends were trying to tell me to move closer but it didn't quite sink in. Well, I was sitting next to David Soul for heaven's sake! When I went to get up I said,(quietly I am sure),"Thank you" and he said "It was my pleasure."

On Saturday, Sandi(who was in our group-a fellow DSAC member) joined us in the tent(celebrities were all seated in a huge, heated tent adjacent to the hotel) and wanted to have her picture taken with him and her dog, Sierra. David, being a "dog person" (as he said) agreed and told Sandi to bring Sierra over to the table. The problem was...how to get the picture of the dog who was behind the table. David patted the table and said something like "up puppy" and Sierra obeyed and put her front paws up on the table between Sandi and David.

Meeting Sylvie, Brendan and the other DSAC members was definitely a highlight too! It was hard to believe that Brendan was only 18. What a gentleman! There were several times that he helped to ease our nervousness...Once a group of us found ourselves on the elevator when David and Brendan got on...Instant silence! After a while Brendan turned around to us and said.."It takes forever doesn't it.." I am sure his dad is proud of him.

It was so neat to meet everyone, many of which we had met online but never in person, and find out how much we had in common, besides the obvious-our love for David and for S&H. Everyone was so nice and funny. It was a wonderful escape from reality, even if just for a little while.