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Adrian Paul...Finally
April 20, 2008

Fabio and me

Saturday morning in downtown Pittsburgh is all closed up.  Gerri Russell and I ended up at McDonald's talking about Weight Watchers and Gerri's upcoming trip to Scotland. 

Next up was the big bookfair signing.  There were about 300 authors and the line to get in snaked through the hallways.  The event was open to the public, so it was packed for the full 3 hours until the lights actually went out at

Lisa Jackson at booksigning

the end and we were plunged into total darkness.   I still wasn't done meeting everyone there.


RT is a big supporter of our soldiers and had an SOS Military Mixer.  Money was raised to help the soldiers abroad and in the states.  Raffle tickets were sold to sit at Fabio's table during the Model Reunion Dinner. 
 

Mr. Romance Chris Winters and me

A popular event is the Mr. Romance Competition.  The Dorchester sponsored

The Competition

event offers the winner a chance to be on the cover of one of their upcoming books.  I was very honored this year to be asked to be one of the judges of the event.  Chris Winters was crowned Mr. Romance.

I was escorted to the Cover Model Reunion Dinner by Ed English through the courtesy of his wife, Sheila Clover English (Circle of Seven Productions).  Ed's as big of a Highlander fan as I am and we relived episodes through dinner ("Didn't you hate when Tessa came back evil?")  Then the main event, for me, at RT.  Adrian Paul....finally.  

Adrian talked about his charity PEACE (Protect, Educate, Aid, Children Everywhere). The PEACE Fund focuses on small, under-funded and hard-working charities who are determined to make a positive difference to the lives of children living in extraordinarily difficult circumstances.  The charities include Teachers Across Borders and the Children's Organ Transplant Organization.  

Adrian Paul and cover models

Afterwards we were allowed to go up for pictures and it was a crush.  Ed and I patiently waited our turn only to be pushed aside time and time again.  I managed to get close enough to slip Adrian my room key my business card and ask if I could speak with him after.  Eventually I was able to take Ed's picture and author Marjorie Liu joined me for the next hour while Adrian Paul smiled, posed and signed autographs.  

Now my moment arrived.  We talked about his charity and upcoming movies and he graciously offered to be in my "Drive By Video."  Click here to view.  And now I love him even more.

The evening ended with Dorchester's Big Bash, These Boots are Made for Strutting.  The band, The Impalers, rocked the place and I even managed to dance a little (it wasn't pretty).  But I really needed to run to my room to download my video.


Bottom line:  Even though I didn't get to touch Adrian Paul's sword (he didn't bring it), in my heart..."there can be only one."

Posted by Barbara Vey on April 20, 2008 | Comments (7)