On Sunday June 8th, both my aunts finally talked me into driving to Chicago for the book signing.
They were going to go as well…..
On Monday, I did not hear from them and assumed they did not want to go anymore. Probably cleaning up their classrooms for the summer.
I went to bed around 1am; up late because of the excitement of going to the book signing kept me up later than usual. The excitement must have gotten to me; I awoke wide awake and ready to go around 4am, but did not crawl out of bed until 515 am.
I was on the road by 630am supplied with a fresh coffee from Tim Hortons. The rain was horrible heading east on the Ohio Turnpike. My luck!
About 2 hours into Indiana the rain let up, and sun came out! It was going to be a fantastic drive, and I pushed the pedal further down to gain some time.
Finally I got into Chicago 4 hours, but another hour was added by the rat race of traffic flowing into and through the outskirts of the city. JESUS, New York was nothing compared to this chaos! I am not a fan of Chicago Traffic! Serious! Stop, and Go for an hour! Construction; UHG!!!
Soon I found exit 39A to the Mall where Michael’s craft Store is. I drove by and only 5 or so people were standing in line. I had to PEE so freaking bad; then I saw that Barnes and Noble was there! Thank goodness, they have books, coffee, and a BATHROOM!!! I went directly to the bathroom and relieved the pain from my bladder; someone was in there before me. It smelled like the bowels of hell had let loose! Then I thought; OH MY GOD, what if someone comes in here and thinks I created the fog of death in there. I quickly washed my hands and ran out of the bathroom.
Once I returned to Michael’s I saw Arthur and his friend Jason in line. I got in line with them and it was really great to just chat about Rosie and everything. Then WADY showed up! How wonderful to see her as well. Nothing like hugging friends I truly respect and admire again. Wish everyone else was there, but I am sure it will happen again!!!
Anywho; the line went inside. Arthur was up first with his HUGE ASS SCRAP BOOK he did of Rosie. Amazing, and extraordinary cannot even begin to describe the things he has collected about her. It was inspiring. Eric looked at it first and Ro hugged, chatted, and posed with Arthur.
WADY said “ HEY “ your up, and I got a little nudge. Then it was the most wonderful experience of all time! Ro and I chatted about my job, rbloggers, photos, viddy’s and everything. I was a time hog; I think. Then we posed for a photo. I did a goofy smiling face, and Ro gave a fierce supermodel look. We both laughed about it, and loved the moment. Then she looked at me and said under her breath. You drove 4 ½ hours here? Yes, I said and described the adventure in short detail. Are you going to the concert tonight ? No, going home. Do you want to go ? HELL YEAH! Rosie looked at me, and her eyes were so filled with happiness and she said “ you drove all this way, and I think you are more than deserving to go tonight ; so go see lori when you and I are done. “ oh and she said “ are you going to get in trouble for not going to work today ?“ I said no, I am a cop and she said; I understand! And we both laughed with HOT ERIC! Another hug, and a quiet thank you. And I walked away. Lori told me not to say anything to anyone until I got away from the crowd and was surprised to find out I drove by myself. Anyway, she hooked me up really good.
I was freaking out in the parking lot, and we said our good byes to WADY who was in LABOR PEOPLE!!! God, I love her! She is so awesome! Anyway, I followed Arthur and his friend Jason. We stopped to drop their car off and went to lunch at Roscoe’s. It was great hanging out with the guys. Funny, smart, and just down to earth. Real guys! Love both of them! We had a great time. We then parted ways and I drove all over Chicago ( lost ). Though Arthur and Jason gave me awesome directions to the Theater.
I soon began to notice and stress out that my gas tank was running on very little gas. Do not ask me how, but I found a freaking BP in the middle of downtown Chicago; that stress was soon gone. Then rush hour came and I was stuck in the traffic. While freaking out on the phone with my mom; I soon found parking about 4 blocks from the theater.
I entered the theater and got to WILL CALL. The guy towered over me from the window, and seemed confused by request for my tickets. Who reserved the tickets for you ? So, being the gay man I am, and proud ; I announced “ ROSIE” should have my ticket reserved. I saw him go to a slot with the name Rosie O’donnell printed on it. There in a plain white envelope it said “BOBBY” and inside had my full name and ticket.
My seats were very good, and I had a fantastic time at the concert. I do not want to give away a lot of information about the concert; except that White Tie Affair, Clicks, B-52, and Cyndi were freaking fantastic. Rosie AMAZED me, and Carson made me die laughing! What a wonderful YELLOW moment, and I was freaking out ! ! !
Right after the show; I decided that I could not go wait in the back of the theater. I wanted to Thank Ro, but I was soooooo freaking tired and I had a 4 ½ hour drive ahead of me at home. Pretty stupid of me, but I thought it I would kick myself in the ass for getting a hotel room only to sleep in , and leave. Next time, I will sleep in the area I am in. The air condition and a trucker kept me company on my home. The ride is soooooo boring, but alanis morrisette, Madonna, brandi carlise, and Five For Fighting kept me company and awake too! I sang like a nut!
I got home around 415 and got to bed around 5. Slept until noon; went to best buy and burger king. Got a horrendous headache, and slept until 5pm.
The experience turned out to be the most amazing adventure since going to NO NO with all of you bloggers ( FRIENDS ). Now I sit at home; talking with my family and friends. Telling them of how wonderful it feels to have something so special done for me, and now I know how it feels to be on the receiving end of it. True freaking yellow…..
YES, I cried….
OKAY! LOL
Amazing, simply amazing….
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