Post by Syd on Apr 20, 2008 21:00:41 GMT -6
Oshkosh, Wednesday April 16th, 2008
We arrived in Oshkosh at 11 in the morning. "We" consisted of my devoted mom, one of my closest friends Abigail [spoonhands], and I. First we were just standing around behind some barricades trying to get a glimpse of what was going on down the street. Turned out to be just some people walking around in trench coats, and one grabbed something out of a car. We realized that they were probably on lunch break or something.
We then went around the block, and I immediately recognized two black Ford SUV's. They were exact replicas of the one I had seen Johnny waving from in many other pictures circulating the web. I told my friend Abby about all of this, and that we needed to stake out that area because everyone else was clueless as to how important those cars were. The main thing about the position was that they were parked on the street, and directly behind them was a parking lot full of trailers. A few of which I noticed had stars on the doors.
But being the two teenage girls we are, we ended up migrating further down the street to an intersection. I could see that something was going on just up the block, but we were all kept at bay by some barricades I could barely see over and many security people. As Abby and I were headed back to the SUV's up the road, I saw a Jack Sparrow impersonator and didn't waste any time getting away from him... or her. (Literally couldn't stand that one. Nothing they were doing was working.) It was a huge mistake to go. We kept walking when he heard a bunch of screaming. I thought it was for the impersonator, but no. Johnny was sitting in -Lo and behold, a third black Ford SUV. He waved to them and I quickly rushed along with Abby to get a spot right next to the barricades. We missed him, but at least we knew where it would all be going down now. Johnny would end up driving back and fourth from there 4 more times. He waved and smiled every time, actually tipped his hat to my group as well. And I got videos of all of them.
~While we waited we would hear machine gun fire from around the block. It was so cool. The shots were so loud they I could literally feel the beating of them. You could definatly tell that it was a scene where the cops and gangsters were firing back and fourth. After the shoot out seemed to be finished, about 10 minutes later it would happen again. And the shots weren't the same every time. I could tell they weren't playing a tape or something over and over again. It was just too exciting!~
Abby and I stayed there the whole rest of the day, moving down a little more into the PERFECT spot. Precisely across from the driveway he went in and out of. And it was nice because we were able to see all the guards. One actually walked over, shook someone’s hand and said "Hi, I'm John." It was funny. They all liked to joke around. One woman decided to move a van that was parked in front of some people, and we were all happy to get a better view, started the van up and drove it forward about 3 feet and a group of girls let out a "Hey!! Awww?!" But the woman laughed and waved them off, driving down the street. She had us going for a second there.
Around 4:00 they started to change the barricades, into the shorter kind that interlock. We now knew we couldn't give up our spots no matter what. Something would be happening. Actually while they were changing the barricades, Jerry said "Excuse me." and reached for a sand bag that I was standing on. Someone then asked what kind of accent he had and he replied "Irish, I'm from Dublin actually." Now this is what made me freak right out. I had been suspecting that he was Jerry since we got there, and now I was almost positive, but not until another security guard said his name and asked something if him. I looked at Abby and said "OH MY GOD! It's JERRY!!!" It was hilarious. We ended up trying to watch him most of the time. I was trying to call him over, because I wrote a letter for Johnny, and was thinking if I didn't get to give it to him, I'd have to get Jerry to do it for me. But I never said his name loud enough...
We were prepared to stand there for the whole day. Then, Jerry and the other security personnel started to make sure everyone was calm, and would stay that way when Johnny would come out. They went over the rules; no pushing or shoving, no grabbing, no swearing, and try to stay quiet. They said if anything got too rowdy, they would throw Johnny in the truck and that would be the end of it. I was sure hoping that the people lined up way before us wouldn't do any of that. Also they said that he wouldn't be doing autographs. I immediately put my Fear and Loathing book away then, deciding I might as not be holding it for no reason. It didn't matter, I still had my letter!
Finally, at about 8:00 he came out. He was way too far up the street for us to see him, and I didn't even know he was out there! Everyone was being quiet. Barely any screaming at all. Then I started seeing a ton of flashes. He was getting close. I leaned over the barricade, and said "I SEE HIS PANTS! HE'S LEANING IN FOR SOMEONE!" They were some good pants too... If I might say so myself. I love his ripped jeans. It was funny, cause people around me were all getting excited, someone replied "Johnny can lean into me anytime."
Just before he got to Abby I recall blabbering "Johnny, you being here means so much!" but I doubt he heard me, my voice was suddenly really quiet.
Then he got to Abby, she said, "You're wonderful." And he paused smiling and shaking her hand then said, "Bless you." It was so amazing. I can seriously still hear him say that to her.
Then he looked to me. I shook his hand while I said, "You're amazing, I love you. Thank you for everything." He still was focused on me smiling. He said "Thank you." I then took my chance and held out my letter to him and asked, "Could you take this?" He looked at it for a second and then back to me, "Sure, is- is it for me?" I think he repeated himself quickly because someone yelled his name. I was smiling and I replied, repeating myself as well, "Yeah, yeah it is." Johnny then took it and put inside his coat pocket, he said "Oh alright, thank you!"
With one last smile to me and a nod, he went to the next person. Who was actually behind me and leaned way in to shake her hand. Making his face about 5 inches away from my own. I was just staring at him still.
My eyes started watering but I suppressed the tears. I didn't want to cry. Abby and I are still awestruck. She keeps looking at her hand that he shook. It was amazing. He was amazing. He was so gentle, and he really gave each and every one of us his full-undivided attention. I remember him looking at me as he placed my letter inside his jacket. His eyes were so warm and kind. A lovely image of that will be in my mind forever.
The nine and a half hours we spent standing around there was so worth every second. Even the blistering sunburn I have on my face was worth it. And we have both agreed that we would definatly do it all again no questions asked. Of course bringing some sunblock though.[/size]
. and I love the title, it sums up that moment. ;D