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April 6th/2003-Time: 2:45 AM EDT. Within the next few hours, I was about to experience something that I have never experienced before in my entire life. Not only was I about to meet a comic legend, an award-winning actor, an amazing writer, but also I was about to meet one of the most unique and enterprising men in the whole world. And at the time, I was losing sleep over the lost hour due to daylight savings time, and just thinking about what will it be like to see him live and in the flesh. My heart pounded with excitement as I pictured him floating across the stage with that signature smile of his. "I am here," he whispered with his eyes, "I have many stories to tell, and I can tell you would all like to listen." I began to sing Queen’s "Bohemian Rhapsody" while sitting in my bed reading through my copy of "A Pocketful of Python-Picked by Michael Palin" to get rid of some useless energy. "GO TO BED KRISTINA!" Shouted my mother from the other room. I put the book aside, switched off the lamp, and sighed as I slowly nodded off to sleep. 7:35 AM EDT. The sun’s crepuscular light shined into my window, as my eyes slowly revealed themselves to my bedroom ceiling. They were filled with anticipation and excitement, while the room’s cool air nipped at my face. It was still a bit early, so I decided to try and fall back asleep, though 20 minutes later, I got up and strolled along into my kitchen. To my very huge surprise (and my mom’s) I found myself washing up the dishes from last night while I sang Beatles tunes. This is very rare sight I can tell you. Palin was making me do weird things... After those awkward 5-10 minutes, I grabbed my towel from my room and walked into the bathroom to take my shower. The water went fridged when I was rinsing out my hair, so I spent forever trying to wash out the shampoo out of my hair in the sink. Stupid water heater. I’ve always loathed that water heater. Ever since the first time I took a shower in that bathroom almost a year ago. Afterward, it was time for hair, costumes and make-up! I decided to go with my cute and brainy look (which I chose to do about 2 months ago). I parted my hair in half; blow dried it, combed out all the knots, put my hair in two braided pigtails, and garnished it with my red bandana that I bought just for occasion. I always wear a bandana with braids by the way. When I was done with that, I checked my e-mail, the chatterbox, and took a quick look through my Mikey pics (Python). I knew I would never look at him in the same way ever again, so I thought to take a quick look before I left. He was very attractive when he was young you know. I threw on my outfit, a red striped rugby shirt, khaki pants (Full Circle Style!) and white sports socks, and then put on me make-up. I went the whole 9 yards too. Moisturizer, Foundation, Blush, Eye shadow, Eye Liner, and grape lip-gloss. (Which I re-applied throughout the day.) I printed off a couple things from my computer, grabbed all my Python paraphernalia, and stuffed it in my school bag along with my body spray, a pack of gum, a book to read on the subway train (for some reason I have no idea why), Lindsey’s birthday card (Which had Monty Python and Whose Line is it Anyway Quotes all over the envelope.), and my camera with the 35-80mm zoom lens. (Which came in VERY handy throughout the day.) It was time for myself to go off on my own quest for the Holy Grail. (Pun intended.) 12:05 PM EDT. My excitement grew as I waited on the subway train platform at Finch Station-The Gateway to Metro Toronto from the Northern GTA. (Greater Toronto Area.) Lindz, my elder partner in crime for the day, smiled back at me as well stepped into a metallic TTC train car and settled down to "Abbey Road" By The Beatles blasting on her Discman. (This will appear frequently throughout the report.) We also discussed whether I should sing a verse or two of this song I found called "Sweet Sir Galahad" By Joan Baez while I went on one of my compulsive google searches to dear Mikey. I sung it for her and my mom during the car ride down to Finch and she said I had a really lovley voice. (Isn’t that sweet?) We stepped off about 15 minutes later at Eglinton Station at about quarter to one and made our way into the Yonge-Eglinton Center, The Indigo Bookstore within its walls. 1:00 PM EDT. Lunchtime! We sat down at a little table for two near the back of The Pickle Barrel Restaurant. Lindz and I weren’t very hungry, so we just filled up on bread and this wonderful salad. It had a vast variety of fresh vegetables: Romaine lettuce, Cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, celery and succulent slices of warm grilled chicken on top with a light balsamic vinaigrette. I regret I could only finish half the bowl because it was so tasty! Probably because I was too excited to eat anything. I think the main theme of our conversation was "What was Mikey doing right now?" We came to the conclusion that he was probably napping somewhere close by. (Sleep was on our minds quite often as well, which is probably why we thought he was napping. I’d be napping to if I were in his place!) After we finished lunch, Lindz and I went back into the Indigo and snooped around. After about 5-10 minutes of snooping, we found our first Python fan! She was an older woman, in her late 40’s with a bit of a twinkle in her eyes. Her name was Glenese, and she was here to see Mr. Palin with her husband. You could tell she was a real hardcore Python fan because she even named her pets Monty and Eric. (Who was her favorite python/Eric the Half-A-Bee.) We asked her (and every other Python fan we met) what they’re favourite Python Movie was. Just I expected, she said "Life of Brian." (A lot of Brian references were made throughout the whole day too.) After our little chat, Lindz and I jaywalked across the street over to "Starbucks" to get our Vanilla Cremes. (Which I spilled a couple times throughout the day as well.) They were a bit too sweet for my liking, but the staff there was really friendly, and one of the waitresses mentioned that her boyfriend was a huge Monty Python Fan as well. We went right back into the store and went to the "stage" area. We encountered another couple of Python fans talking to the organizers of the event. They didn’t have tickets, and the staff wasn’t sure if Michael would sign books of the non-ticket holders. Well, me being a Palinite and all, I knew exactly what to expect and told them that I’m sure that he would stay and sign books for non-ticket holders because I had been to a signing before and he did that for people to the other one I went to. (It also turned out to be the truth.) Well, I think you all know I bended the truth there a little, because I never have gone to a book signing before this one. I just keep tabs on reports I’ve read from other people. We talked to them for about 20 minutes afterward. They were around our age too! Spencer, a tall, redheaded girl who was my age and her sister, and a tall blonde-haired girl named Danny who was a year younger then me. Spencer’s Fave Python Movie was Brian (like me!) and her Fave Python was Michael! (LIKE ME!) Danny liked Eric and The Holy Grail the most. (Like Lindz! Isn’t that funny?) It’s a shame that we had to leave them out on the sidelines like that when they began to hurdle up the ticket holders. 2:50 PM EDT. YES! Finally, we could sit down on some chairs. I was getting sick and tired of leaning on the wall, watching the line get bigger and bigger. Lindz and I were very lucky because we were among the first people in line. So, as a reward of our impeccable timing, Lindz and I scored front row seats! We were right in front of the Microphone. No one at the microphone yet to our dismay, but we passed the time away listening to some more of Abbey Road, and taking pictures of the stage and poor Danny and Spence who had to stand the whole time. 3:30 PM EDT. My spider senses began to tingle, for I began to feel a mighty presence lingering close by. While the very funny, very short Ron James (A Famous Canadian Stand-Up Comic, who wouldn’t pose for a picture damnit!) warmed up the audience, I turned my head to the left, and there he was. Standing in all of his glorious glory... Giver of life, being that gives a meaning to life for us all! (Wait, sorry about that. I’m watching "The Simpsons" as I type this, and Homer said the same thing about Television. That just slipped out.) Oddly enough, he was standing near our two new friends on the sidelines! I felt so happy for them at the moment as I got a snapshot of Michael with a smile on his face. (I got a lot of pictures of Michael; they were very candid as well! Very natural looking poses. I have never met such a photogenic person that wasn’t in a fashion magazine before!) So, after another 10 minutes, He walked out on "the stage" to a standing ovation! (Not ignited by me by the way.) Also, the first few minutes of Michael’s talk were quite funny! He mimed with the microphone stand, (which for some reason wouldn’t stay together in one piece.) shouted to the back of the audience, and the most amusing thing that happened was when he spoke into the Mic, it sent off this AWFUL squeaky feedback. I hate microphone feedback with a passion because it scares the living daylights out of me. So, when we got the feedback, it made me jump back into my seat with my arms in the air and scream "FEEDBACK!" And the thing is, me being in the front row, you see everything that happens in the front row. I should know, I’m a performer myself, and this was no exception. Michael turned around, looked at me, raised his hands in the air and shouted "FEEDBACK!" and laughed at me. I was quite startled by that too because I thought I made a complete fool of myself in front of Michael. Though, about 30 seconds later, I felt pretty good because I made him laugh with my compulsive gesture. It was the least I could do anyway because he’s made me laugh in hysterics so many times during the past year or so. I came to the conclusion that I was just paying him back subconsciously. Did I mention that he also gave me a couple of confused and amused looks before, during, and after the talk? Speaking of looks, I’m going to backtrack a little and tell you what he looked like at the signing because I don’t have any of my pictures developed yet. (OOH! This parts a doozy.) I was very pleased by Mr. Palin’s unusual impeccable taste in attire that afternoon, because he didn’t dress like he usually did at book signings. Not only that, but he dressed EXACTLY how I wanted him how to dress. It was almost like he read my mind. He wasn’t wearing the average long sleeved dress shirt and chinos. Mikey was dressed in a very cool and classy navy blue suit with a dark blue undershirt, which I could see from the opening of his unbuttoned (!) blazer. He wasn’t wearing a tie, but I think him going tieless really suited him. Out of all the pictures of past book signings I’ve seen him at, this is the best he has looked out of all of them. Besides, you should know me well enough to know that I believe that nothing beats a man in a suit. Not only that, but I think many of you crazy Palinites will get a kick out of this. Michael was wearing... A brown pair of...WINGTIPS! Let’s just say I spent a lot of time looking at his shoes. (And everything else) I can hear Helen freaking out right now. I think I got one snapshot of those shoes, I’m not 100% sure of what I actually captured in the first place though! (Well, I guess this paragraph has become a bit irrelevant hasn’t it? Except for the part with the wingtips. I can’t believe I never took a picture of his shoes! They were such nice shoes.) 4:30 PM EDT. After a good hour of taking pictures, looking at shoes, confusing and amusing looks, South Yorkshire accents, admiring suits and laughing my every limb off at the most hilarious camel impression and over all funny face I’ve seen in my whole life, the moment of truth had finally arrived. Michael took a bow to wild applause, made his way over to "The Desk" and slipped on his reading glasses that made him look a university professor along with his drool-worthy looking suit. Though, don’t worry everyone, not a drop of saliva was dripped from my lips at that point in time. I snatched my two copies of "Pocketful of Python," For my two friends Krista and Heather who couldn’t make this or any signing due to the fact that Mr. Palin wasn’t going to make a stop in Florida this time. Along with my book tag for my copy of Sahara, I stepped into the line up and waited along with Lindz. While listening to more of "Abbey Road." I began to sing, "Here Comes The Sun" with her to pass the time, (and to see if "anyone" noticed.) It’s one of my favourite (and Eric Idle’s favourite) Beatles song too, so I couldn’t help but sing it. Even though Michael didn’t notice Lindz and I singing along to the voice of George Harrison, (who he oddly enough knew and befriended) we only had to wait about 10 minutes until we got up to see him. Lindz went first with her Monty Python Calendar, and Michael got a very pleasant look on his face when he saw his old friend Terry Jones dressed up as the Spam Lady from the Spam Sketch on the May page. Mikey: OH! Terry! Lindz: Yeah, and he’s on the May page too! Mikey: Yes, My Birthday is in May. But I think you already knew that. Lindz: Oh yes! Mikey: That’s strange; it doesn’t say my Birthday on here. It say’s Memorial Day, but nothing about me in here... Lindz: I know! Isn’t that such a shame Michael? Mikey: Yes, a real shame... It was really cute how Michael signed her Calendar too! He signed it, "To Lindsay (he spelled her name wrong!) From Terry’s friend, Michael Palin x.." While I watched him sign it, I couldn’t help but laugh! After Lindz had taken a picture with him, She stepped to the side and motioned me towards the great one himself. Below is a transcript of our little conversation, though, I have to warn you, this is probably not 100% correct due to the fact that there was so much noise I had a lot of trouble hearing him, so bear with me here. Plus it also seemed that him and I were very groggy, even though he gave that excellent stand-up comic-esque presentation 15 minutes before. ( )= Krissy’s thoughts. * *= Actions. Krissy: Good Afternoon Mr. Palin! Nice too meet you! (Here comes the sun, do do do do...The Shoes!!...Hehe! Feedback!) Mikey: Hello There. *Grins and shakes Krissy’s hand* (Eep! Firm grip...His hands are very soft! At least now I’m focused on him...with that song stuck in my head...) Krissy: I think you did an excellent job up there! Very well done, it was very entertaining. Mikey: Oh yes! Me and my whole impromptu stand up bit and all. *Slight chuckle* Thank you very much. Krissy: Oh! No problem, maybe you should consider perusing a career in stand-up comedy. Mikey: Hmm... Maybe I should. Who should I make this out too? Krissy: Krista. (He signed my book while I said hello.) Mikey: And that's spelled? Krissy: K-R-I-S-T-I...I mean I-A! Whoops! *Laugh* Where am I today? (So...Sleepy...his soothing voice is putting me to sleep...sleep...Good thing the song’s out of my head now though.) Mikey: I'm not so sure myself. (The happy wonderful world of sleep and beautiful dreams!) Krissy: *Laughs* Mikey: So, who shall I put this one too? Krissy: Ah, Heather. Mikey: Kayla? Krissy: HEATHER. (Maybe I’m not alone in this wonderful world of sleep and beautiful dreams myself.) Mikey: OH! Heather, right... Where am I today?" Krissy: I’m not so sure myself. (Yep... Mikey’s here with me right now. HA! I’m half asleep and I still got him.) Mikey: *stairs at Krissy blankly. * Krissy: (Heh heh heh...) *Grins* Mikey: There we are... Krissy: (PICTURE!) OH! Can I take a picture with you Michael?" Mikey: Oh, certainly, come around... Krissy: Yay! Thank you. *Runs around the table, puts her right arm around Mikey’s shoulder, and makes a weird face into the camera* (Wow... He’s so warm... and soft... I can just fall asleep on him... Mikey: There we go! *Smiles* Krissy: (THE SMILE! THAT GLORIOUS SMILE! And the eyes...) *Leans over and kisses him on the cheek* Mikey: *Kisses back* (AHH!!!! Wow...) Thank you very much Krissy! That was very nice of you; you're a very sweet girl. Krissy: (EEP!!) No, thank you sir! Nice talking to you. Mikey: Nice meeting you too! Buh bye now! *Chuckles* Krissy: *Waves* Oh! And one more thing. Mikey: Yes? Krissy: The website...the ah, Palin’s travels website, it’s really great, and shoutouts from the chatterbox! Mikey: right! Thank you! Krissy: *Waves* (I don’t think he knew what I meant by shoutouts...) Well, there was my little moment of Zen, and yes, I did kiss Michael on the cheek, and yes, Mr. P kissed me back. I can recall a small group of elite Palinites who has kissed him on the cheek before, but I never heard from anyone that Michael kissed them back. I was a bit surprised he did! Something I didn’t expect at all. I don’t think he expected a peck from me either. I’ll try and describe it as best as I can. I don’t know about your families, but usually when we say hello/goodbye to each other, we’ll all give each other hugs, and some of my family members kiss each other on the cheeks at the same time. (One person kisses to your right, and the other kisses to your left.) That’s what happened with this one, I just suddenly this little sweep of pressure from his lips just a centimeter to the side of the left tip of my lip about half a second after I went for the gusto. No, nothing extreme at all, we both have morals. (I KNOW! Pathetic isn’t it? An entire paragraph on something that only lasted about 2 seconds. But I know you love every word of it! Heheh.) I felt very proud of myself afterward, though, who wouldn’t? Besides, he deserves to be loved for all the things he’s taught me. He re-awakened my lust for adventure and literature, taught me to embrace and discover my surroundings, and to appreciate the giant background we all earth is willing to share with us. I can only think of a handful of people who have inspired me so much over the years, and I believe that he deserves all the credit that he receives. Not only did he look like a teacher while I was talking to him, he IS a teacher of mine. He may not have gotten the chance to talk to all of his pupils, though I hope he realizes that we really admire and appreciate the things he has taught us, and the fact that he doesn’t give out any homework to us either! Thanks Again Michael! Where ever you are... Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow. (Afterward.) Lindz and I headed towards the subway station with our loot while shouting gallant cries of "Ni!" We pranced around with stars in our eyes, and stopped by Cinnabun to get ourselves a sweet treat before we boarded onto the train. Oh, how I wanted to go back and give Mikey another hug just because he really made my day/week/month/year, and because he was very warm and soft. While I was freezing my arms off in and outside the building, I regretted the fact that I never brought a sweater, because it was quite cold that day. The journey home consisted of more "Abbey Road" and admiration of Michael’s very unique and squiggled autograph. We traveled by bus, foot, and car on the way back home as well, and I was very, VERY tired when I finally got there. I guess the only downsides to that day was the fact that I didn’t get a chance to do anything really special for Mike because we were so pressed for time, and a GIANT migraine that lasted for hours. I also found out that Michael was doing another appearance at U of T Monday Evening, and despite the many attempts I made to try and convince my mother to let me go again, I had no luck. I never got the chance to go see him again, but I can’t complain, I had a great time on Sunday! It was one of the greatest days of my life, and it is an event that I will never forget for a very long time to come. |
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