Friday, May 17, 2019

My alarm started going off about 6:30am. I fidget around in the bed and hit the off button on my phone. Was I able to sleep? Eh. Maybe 4 to 5 hours, if anything. Better than nothing. 

Lauren grunted while tossing in her bed. I open the curtains a little bit and start getting ready. I needed to body shower, curl my hair, and do my make up. 

As soon as I was done in the shower, Lauren got up and showered too. I moved on to my hair. We both finished getting ready about 7:45. Good job! 

Gianne: Thank goodness this meet and greet is also a brunch. 

Lauren: Are you even going to be able to eat? I know how you get nervous and then can’t eat, especially around people you like. 

Gianne: I know, I know. But I got to eat something to make sure I don’t pass out. 

Lauren: Please don’t pass out! 

Gianne: Ok.. make sure we got everything. 

Lauren: MMC Jackets? 

Gianne: check

Lauren: NSYNC CD? 

Gianne: DEFINITE CHECK

Lauren: sharpies? battery packs? 

Gianne: check. check. 

We had pretty much everything we needed. Credentials, medicine for my migraines, phone, money, wallet, etc. Who was I kidding? I’ve been prepping for this moment since October! 

Gianne: (pulling out vlogging camera) ok… lets do this!

Lauren and I head out of the room, down the elevator to the lobby – all while I attempt to talk into my camera and not sound like a total loon. We head over to where the VIP line up starts and see that a few people are already in line.  We smile at the other people as we approach the line – some dressed in Disney attire and some with MMC logos. We were maybe about tenth in line. I look at my watch and its about 8:20am. Ten more minutes to go. As 8:30 rolled around, the line grew much longer – but not too long since, i'm assuming VIP was limited. 

We were all standing outside one of those big banquet rooms that hotels have. The Grand Ballroom or some other name like that. I was really curious as how this set up was going to go. 

I noticed Lisa walking out with some other people as they began to announce the flow of things. Basically, as we walk in, all the mouseketeers will be sitting as you go through, to take selfies and get autographs. As we finish up meeting with the last mouseketeer, we’re able to go grab food & drinks on the other side of the ballroom. I wondered if there would be anytime afterwards to mingle. I got nervous again. 

Lauren: this is crazy. I never thought I’d be able to meet these mouseketeers… EVER! thank you for bringing me

Gianne: (hugging lauren) of course. wouldn’t do this with anyone else. 

As the line started to move inside the ballroom, I could see the first few mouseketeers. 

It was Tasha, Roque, and TJ. As the first few people in line were getting their autos and selfies, I scanned the room. As I was doing so, I could hear some people ahead of me start panicking and getting so excited because of who they saw down the line. It was him. JC was further down the line sitting next to Tony & Dale. No one had known he was going to be here – that explains the freak out. People behind me eventually saw and word got down to the back of the line that JC was in fact present. I too got excited, but that quickly went away as people behind me started to push for the line to go faster. It’s like DUDE, chill! We all paid the same amount of money so let all of us get our moneys worth. 

With all the excitement, I totally forgot to vlog us coming into the ballroom. I whip out my camera and start commentating and squeeze in a shot of the ballroom, then pan to Lauren who was ahead of me. She was just about next to meet Tasha, Roque, and TJ. As I come up to the first three mouseketeers, they wave to my camera and I try to get in selfie shots. After the photo ops, we had each mouseketeer sign the back of our jackets, which they thought was a really cool idea. 

The next three mouseketeers were Lindsey, Jennifer, and Nikki. Again, same routine as the first three – selfies and autos. I had mixed feelings about Nikki since she used to be involved with JC and I grew up “disliking” her. But I knew now that was just a silly attitude to have. They were all really sweet and took the time for photos and autos. We continued on … Deedee, Mylin, and David,

Chasen, Damon, Jason & Jason, Nita, Kevin, Rhona, Marc, Brandy, and Fred. Not particularly in that order – but those were who we met until we got to the final three – Dale, JC and Tony at the end. Now I don’t know who set this up, but having JC at the end – I could already foresee the line backing up. 

Lauren finished up with Dale ,and as I approach him with my camera recording, I notice that JC recognizes me and smiles.

Gianne: Hi Dale. Nice to meet you

Dale: Heeey. Awesome to meet you! Thank you for coming & being a part of this. What’s your name?
JC: (butting in) her name is Gianne. 

Dale, Lauren, and myself look at JC with questioning looks. 

I’m thinking to myself, Holy shit! JC actually remembered my name. I turn the camera from the guys to face me, with my eyes, wide open with shock. 

Dale: (turning to face me again): Well then.. nice to meet you Gianne ... So what do we have going on here (pointing to the camera situation I got going on)

Gianne: Well, I know a lot of the fandom weren’t able to make it out, so I’m attempting to vlog this event – plus, how could I not document this amazing moment of meeting all of you guys. 

Dale: Right on! Let me say a lil’ something.. 

As I point the camera towards him..

Dale: Hey all! Dale here! For those not able to make it, Gianne here is awesome for vlogging this event for you all. Thank you all for your support after all these years! We love you!

I give Dale a hug for doing that lil’ shoutout. Then I face the camera towards me and mouth out Oh My God!, and Dale just lets out a little laugh while he signs the back of my jacket. As Lauren moves to Tony, and at the same time gets a bit giddy, she also makes sure to look at me as I move on to JC. 

But first Lauren… 

Tony: Hey, how are you? 

Lauren: I am awesome! I am in awe still that I am meeting all of you.
Tony: Aww… ya’ll are too sweet!

Lauren: and I’m sure you hear this a lot – but I had a massive crush on you back in the day. 

Tony lets out a little laugh. 

Tony: So do you all know JC already or something? 

Lauren: No, actually. He just ran into my cousin last night getting some ice. 

Tony: (wide eyed) really? 

Lauren: (intrigued tone): why? is this unlike him or something?

Tony: (amused) no comment

Back with JC and Gianne.. 

Gianne: well hello again

JC: good morning. how are you today? 

Gianne: very well now, thank you. 

Gianne couldn't stop smiling. As Lauren finishes up with Tony, she grabs my vlogging camera to continue recording from the side. However, I still have my cellphone in case for selfies. Hey, I gotta be prepared. 

JC grabs one of the sharpies we brought in order to sign my MMC jacket. I then shuffle through my backpack for my NSYNC cd. 

As he finishes signing my jacket, I turn to face him.

JC: There ya go

Gianne: Thank you! I also have one more thing for you to sign, if that’s okay.. (as I show him the NSYNC cd)

JC: (sarcastically) So you do know who I am… 

Gianne: (with a guilty smile) a little bit

JC: You could’ve fooled me last night

I immediately turn red just because of whoever may have heard him say LAST NIGHT. I can imagine what other fans must be thinking with just those two words. 

Gianne: Would you have rather I fan girl and scream in your face?
JC: Good point!
Gianne: See… 

I hand him the black sharpie and he signs my CD. 

Gianne: And it only took 21 years to get this signed

JC: well, good things come to those who wait (as he hands me back my NSYNC cd)

Was I really hearing these words come out of JC’s mouth? Am I imagining this or was he hitting on me? But then I don’t want to come off looking like an idiot if he’s not. Play it cool Gianne. I mean, after all, this boy has a girlfriend. HOWEVER, I haven’t seen her around. She wasn’t present when he was checking in yesterday. Maybe she stayed in Cali. 

Now it was time for my selfie… would I have the balls to say there was a certain way I wanted to take it?

I pull out my cellphone..

Gianne: Do you mind taking a selfie in a particular way?

JC: (curious) what way? 

I made my way closer to him to squeeze in between his & Dale’s chair.  With JC still sitting in the stool, I motion to place my arm upon his shoulder…

Gianne: is it okay if I place my arm here?

JC: that’s fine 

(at the same time, wrapping his arm around my waist & pulling me in a bit closer)

I press down on my lips to keep myself from smiling too much. I can see eyes on me from other fans & I know its going to spark some talk. Heck, I know I would do the same if some other girl were in my position right now. 

With my right arm on his left shoulder, I lean in and tilt my head towards his. I extend my left arm to position my phone in front of us & as I look at the screen – I’m just in shock that I have JC’s head next to mine and I’m taking a selfie with him. Is this real life? All my teenage dreams were coming true. As I finish taking the photo…

Gianne: Can we do a funny one too? 

JC: Whatever you want! 

I count to three and we both make funny faces. I start to walk away and at the same time, JC rubs the lower part of my back. 

Gianne: Thank you very much!
JC: (smiling) Sure 

Gosh darn it! Why was his smile so sexy? I can practically feel my knees give out. I walk over to Tony and he has this amused look on his face. 

Tony: You good? 

Gianne: Yea, sorry!

Tony: no no.. you’re fine. I was just kinda getting lonely over here

I let out a laugh as he began signing the back of my jacket. I give him a hug & grab my selfie before Lauren & I head to the brunch area of the ballroom. As I walk away from Tony, Lauren hands me back my camera and I totally freak out. 

Speaking to the camera…

OMG! Can you believe that just happened? I can’t stop smiling.

I walk side by side with Lauren to fit her in the shot. 

Lauren just met her MMC crush – Tony. I finally met JC. Oh today is a good day! Lets see what else the day has in store for us… BUT FIRST, food! 

Lauren & I start laughing. I continue vlogging – getting a shot of the food and then found ourselves some seats. I put away my camera while we eat, but leave out my cell phone in case of anymore opportunities. 

As I look towards the entrace to the ballroom, I notice the doors are closed already… meaning that all the VIPs were already inside. I’d estimate about 100 people or so. There were just a few more going through the line of mouseketeers. As the last VIP went through, I noticed that now the mouseketeers were heading towards the brunch line too. Oh gosh, did that mean they were going to sit among us – possibly join us at our table? I tried to eat more food before anyone sat down because sure enough, if someone sits with us, I wont be able to eat anymore from nerves. Each table could sit about 6 people and so far none of the other VIPs had joined us. Some were bigger groups that met up, so they ended up taking multiple tables. 

We were surprised when Mylin, Deedee, and David came by and asked to sit with us. 

Deedee: Mind if we join you two?
Lauren: NO, of course not!

We all start some conversations. Around the room, other mouseketeers joined other fans at their tables. Some were even catching up with other mouseketeers. I recall while sitting at the table, that JC and David actually meet up sometimes in L.A., so I hoped that JC would make his way to catch up with David. 

Gianne: So are we allowed to ask if ya’ll are performing tonight at the dinner? or what ya’ll might be performing? 

Mylin: if we told you, then it wouldn’t be a surprise

Gianne: (not surprised) Yea yea… I know. Thought I’d try asking anyway… 

While having small talk with David, JC walked up to say hi to him. I stay quiet and let them chit chat. 

JC: Oh sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt your guys’ conversation

David: Oh no, we were just talking about where we live in SoCal.

I look at the time and see that its almost time to head to the convention center for the MMC panel.  And merely seconds later, those running the event make an announcement to start heading to MegaCon. We stand up and throw away any trash. We hug Deedee, Mylin, and David thanking them for sitting with us. As Lauren and David separate from their hug, she saw JC next to David and didn’t think twice to reach out to hug JC too. Mid-hug is when she finally realized what she was doing… 

Lauren: Oh shoot… I hope that was ok. You were right next to David and I just kept going..

JC: (laughing) it’s fine. might’ve been more offended if you didn’t give me a hug

I separate from David’s hug & look at JC. 

As I reach in to give him a hug, he definitely did a squeeze hugging me back. 

Gianne: So are we going to see you too at the panel? Or just at Epcot? 

JC: I’ll be at the panel. I just won’t be at the autograph portion after the panel. 

Gianne: well it’s a good thing we had VIP then. I would’ve been bummed if I didn’t get to meet you

JC: (scratching his head) look, I know this may be kind of random… but would you guys want to hang back and maybe walk over to the panel with us? 

Gianne: are you kidding me? that’d be awesome…. I mean, if we’re allowed to.

JC: yea, I got you… just stay close that way if any security or personnel question you guys..

Gianne: (shrugging) ok… if you say so

I walk over to Lauren and fill her in …

Lauren: what’s going on? 

Gianne: JC asked if we wanted to walk over with a bunch of them to the convention center

Lauren: are you for real? 

Gianne: I know, im still questioning it too. He just said to stay close that way if we get questioned or whatever..

Lauren: unbelievable 

As we follow JC to a bunch of the guys, I pull out my camera and start vlogging again. 

So we just finished brunch & we’re now making our way to the convention center… but the kicker? We’re walking over with a bunch of the MMC crew. THIS. IS. CRAZY.