I left NYC at about 10:30 and got to NJ about noon and went immediately to Target!  I still needed to get a few ribbons and things for the stuff I was bringing to Kyle and Arianne. Whenever I use Mapquest to find my way anywhere..I also try and find the closest Target..you always need something!! And this one was just a mile away...Pefect!

Anyway I met my friends Terry, Gayle and family at about 1:30. They are big Days fans too, but they really came to see Chad from GH..and they were meeting other GH fans. Actually there were a lot of Days fans there, but a lot more GH fans this trip....well it seemed that way, maybe because I was seated with at the GH reserved tables.

I told them I was toying with the idea of bidding to sit next to Kyle or Ari..but I was leaning towards Ari. I have met both of them  before at various events...Ari more times than Kyle. The idea of bidding for Kyle was of course appealing to me (duh!), but I kinda thought I would be tripping over my words with Kyle. Plus I really love Arianne and have been a big fan of hers for a couple years before Kyle even got on Days, and she always seemed to me to be easy to talk to.

You gotta understand..I have NEVER down anything like that in my life. I don't usually like to stick out in a crowd..I like to drive a beige car, wear neutral clothes, nothing flashy and blend right in.  So for me to do this was really a stretch for me..but I guess I was highly motivated..LOL

Anyway..we got dressed up (in honor of Brady, I was wearing "Basic Black")..We went down to stand on line for the event and as I was walking by, I passed two people holding flowers. So of course, I yelled out "white roses!!!!". And I said.."I am Kathy" and of course, it was Theresa and Judy. I was worried we would not find each other in the crowd..and they were the first people I saw. It was fate.

We had great seats..table two, right opposite the dais where the actors would be. Theresa and Judy were actually close by as well. I was sitting amid the crowd of General Hospital fans...they were all chatting about people I did not really know. I could see the place cards on the dais where the celebs would be sitting. We could see that as always, for some reason, whenever I got to these types of events, J. Eddie Peck is always sitting right in front of me (not a problem...he is SO cute and awfully nice!) and  that Kyle and Ari were the farthest away..diagonally across from our table. Oh well..

 

So they started bringing dinner as soon as we arrived but I was too nervous to eat much. Soon the actors were led into the room to be seated at the dais. They were dressed fairly casually..I don't think they really pay much attention to if the event is semi formal or casual, they just wear what they want to wear, which is fine with me. As long as they are there, I am happy.

From left to right, the seating was...Kyle, Ari, Chad and the other GH actors and AMC actors with J Eddie on the right end. Sorry I don't know the names of everyone.

They started the bidding to sit with the actors pretty quickly..and then Kyle's bidding started. I considered placing a bid but I sort of got nervous and  froze and I knew..nah, that was not gonna work. So I waited til Ari's name was called.

They announcer did not at first realize I started bidding to sit next to Arianne as I was standing behind him. I sort of had to stand up and flap my arms (that must have been REAL attractive). Finally a few people saw me...actually if I remember I think one of them was Kyle, and they called over and they realized I was bidding too. To make a long story short..I won! Everyone at my table was laughing and I must have been grinning and then I was escorted over to the table where the actors were. I had to walk behind Kyle to get to my seat next to Ari. I think he sort of grinned at me...but that walk is sort of a blur.

Anyway..I sat next to Ari and was given a second dinner. I said, "I don't think I could eat as I had already sort of eaten at my regular table". Ari said, "Don't worry, Kyle and I are not eating either". They arrived in NJ earlier than they expected to and went out for dinner. They had just come from Kyle's family's house in NY...they had spent a day there.

Anyway..I introduced myself to her as KathyNYC from the websites..and she said Hi, she knew my name..and before you know it , it was one hour and half later!  LOL I swear put two women together and you just don't shut up!  LOL  I am sure I don't remember half the stuff we talked about.

I was really surprised that I was not nervous or anything..and Arianne is so easy to talk to and so nice. We talked about Days. Arianne was not sure where her storyline will be heading but after being used so heavily in the storyline for a while, she will not be on as often for a bit. Kyle's storyline on the other hand is obviously heating up.
She said that John Aniston tells the funniest jokes..well bad jokes, but tells them so funny you have to laugh!
She asked me what I thought of Brandon and Jennifer as a couple...I said they were both talented and worked well, but I really didn't see the reasoning and purpose of pairing them together. She said she agreed and liked Brandon with Sami.

Oh Ari also said she used to watch Days before she was on, and was very excited and nervous when she got to meet Missy Reeves. She also used to love Charlotte Ross who used to play Eve. I said why are the Days people having Nicole bump into Jack so often. She didn't know but loves working with MattA. She said he is such a hard worker, professional and takes a lot of chances..she loves that.

She showed me her ring..yes, it's the ring she started wearing in December on her right hand on the show. She also showed me the band was a little bent from all the horseback riding she does.  I said some of the people on the web were asking if the ring that Victor gave Nicole was the real ring. She really laughed at that one, as that ring was kinda large and not really Ari's style. She doesn't wear much jewelry. I asked her if she picked out her own ring..she said NO Kyle did.  Ok..all together...Awwww.

We talked about her four dogs and four cats..and my one cat and my gerbils. And I mentioned one of my three sisters was getting married next May at the zoo near Chicago and is having part of the reception in one of the animal houses(It's a secret so I have NO idea which one!) She thought that was a great idea!  She loves animals and told me about the pet rat that she had as a kid.

I resisted the urge to ask her about her wedding. She has posted many times about keeping her plans private so I thought I should respect her wishes. I am too nice...I know.  LOL

Kyle was sitting off to our right..and I peeked at him a few times. The girl who sat next to him seemed very nice..but very quiet so he didn't seem like he was talking much..and here, Ari and I are babbling away and having a fun time. Well I was having fun..I think Ari was too.