Sunday, November 15, 2009

Train up a child in the way she should stalk

Last night the dancers from So You Think You Can Dance came to Vegas to perform. Sadly, thanks to Dave Ramsey, I am trying to live within my means. This did not allow me to purchase any tickets for the show. Dang, financial limitations.
Happily, thanks to Facebook, I saw that my cousin went to the show in Utah last week. She was kind enough to let me know that you don't have to go to the show to go to the meet and greet. All you have to do is just show up and wait outside for the dancers.
I anticipated that with the show starting at 7:30 the dancers would be out by about 10:00. Diana and I headed over to the Orleans Arena about 9:30. The security people told us that it would be closer to 11 when the dancers came out.
It was ridiculously cold and we were not prepared for that kind of weather, so we went home and bundled up. We got back about 10:45 and joined the others waiting in line.
I know that it wasn't snowing or anything, but it was really windy. The Las Vegas kind of wind that cuts right through you like a knife. We ended up waiting for about 45 minutes with all the other crazies. I kept asking Diana if she was too cold and if she wanted to give up, but she was determined.
After what seemed like forever, they decided to move the free meet and greet inside out of the cold. We were right at the front of the line and we were ushered into a room with all of these people we had watched week after week. It was so amazing.
Here is Jeanine, the winner, with Diana and I. She was so pretty.

Here we are with one of our favorites, Evan. I am afraid I am suffering from an extreme case of hat hair as I value warmth over beauty. Also I wish I was wearing something other than my thermal shirt, but it did help me stay warm.

How cute are these two? We told Jeanette how sad we were when she got voted out.

Diana took this shot. Jeanette looked great in her turquoise shirt.

Kayla was next and no one was available to take our picture, so we have this one I took by holding my camera out.
We did find someone to snap our shot with Phillip. When we first came in, there was a group who had a very tiny baby with them, like two months old. This mother asked Philip to sign her baby. How odd is that? Well, I might do that if I had a baby, so perhaps it is not that strange.

Here Jason is signing Diana's book. Before it was our turn, that same group with the baby let Jason hold her and he was so cute with that baby. Jason was truly one of the nicest people.
Group shot with Jason. People were nice to snap shots for us, but next time it would be nice to have your own photographer.
Diana and Randi, she was so nice to talk to Diana and even help her get to the front of the line when people kept crowding in front of us.
One group in front of us took the classic "Butt" picture. So funny.

Here we are with Kapono. Another self shot, good thing my arm is so long.

The line to see Melissa was so long, we kept coming back but it never got shorter. Finally at the very end we got our turn. I am sure that Melissa hears all the time about how her breast cancer dance impacted people. I added my story to the others. As my mom was in the middle of her treatments, I remember sitting on the couch with tears streaming down my face, as I watched Melissa and Ade portrait so much of what we were feeling.

Cute shot of Brandon signing Diana's book. Look at all her autographs. She managed to get one from everyone who was there. Ade wasn't there, I am not sure why.

At one point they announced the five minute warning, we hurried to get the last shot with Brandon. He is shorter in person than he looks on TV, but he was really nice. Diana is so dang cute and photogenic.
It was midnight when we finally were encouraged to leave and go home. Diana loved all of it. I was so proud. I wonder how many other such opportunities we have missed out on? I will need to be more diligent in scouting out such fun. And the best part was that it was absolutely free. If stalking is wrong, I don't want to be right. Just sayin.

17 comments:

Heidi said...

Iam soooooooooooooooooooooooo jealous. So so so!!!! I am so happy for you, though! And Diana is just as cute and pretty and photogenic as the dancers are.

Nutty Hamster Chick said...

Heidi, I know how cute is she? She tried on several outfits to be sure she would look cute enough. I think I like the pictures of just her better than the ones with me in them.

TisforTonya said...

How fun - way to do something fun and non-arrestable with your daughter!!! (just keep the stalking to the public events... I don't want to see you on the national news for anything other than bloggist of the year)

Homer and Queen said...

I am the Queen but you are the mother of all stalkers!! You rock!!!

April said...

Amen to what Queen said..she IS the Queen! And you ARE the mother of all stalkers!!! How fun!!!

Marjorie said...

How fun for you two! Wish I could have been there too. Your stalking skills continue to rock!
Great pics! Way to go Diana, I agree with your photogenicity (did I just make up a word?) Keep it up!

Emily said...

Seriously, this is the first season I have not watched! And now, I feel so bad, I don't even know these famous people, but so much fun~

Barbaloot said...

Cool! Janette was totally my favorite one---love the picture you have with her.

Kris said...

I love it when Moms let their kids stay up until 1:00 am for something special. So glad you had fun.

Shawna said...

The pictures are great! What a fun stalker bonding moment for the two of you. You have to teach her the ways now before she gets too old and thinks her mom is nuts.

Mae Rae said...

Wow, what fun. It is a memory that Diana will have now for-EVAH!

The Crash Test Dummy said...

OMGOSH!!!! That is so wild and surreal to see you and Diana with all those famous people. They all look so . . . darn . . . famous. It must be the fame part of being famous that makes them look like that. Or maybe it's the make-up. I'll admit it gave me a thrill to see you and your hat head and your long arm with all those famous folks. I lub that you are bringing up your daughter in the proper ways of stalking.

WooHoo!

Shelle-BlokThoughts said...

No freaking fair!!! I cry foul! If I would have KNOWN about the free meet and greet!

So much fun and I'm living vicariously through your stalking adventures!

Love ya NHC!!!

Your daughter is so pretty BTW!

Nutty Hamster Chick said...

Crash, I know what is it about famous people anyway. They put their pants on one leg at a time.

Shelle, now you know about the free meet and greet so get yourself to one of their shows. I love you too. We need another get together.

Eliza said...

I so glad that you braved the cold and had such a good time. I can't wait to see Diana's stalking book!

Smart Helm said...

Wow, I CANNOT believe u are such a stalker.. and handing those trends down to your daughter.
I guess if its fun for you, that's some great mother daughter time!

J. Baxter said...

I had to come say hello...

And I loved the Hammer clip! Hysterical. I was in the eighth grade all over again for a minute there!