Another birthday *sigh*
Why is it that the more decades you get under your belt, the faster they seem to fly by? I had decided that meeting up with Gretchen at the Monster Mania Con 6 in Cherry Hill and hopefully getting to speak with Billy and shake his hand would be the perfect post-birthday pick-me-up. I made my plans and, on Saturday, Aug. 26, headed cheerfully to the airport to begin my little adventure. The flight I was listed on was severely overbooked, so I had to wait about 2 ½ more hours and cross my fingers til they cramped, but I finally got on a flight and made it to Philly around 4pm.
I was considerably later than Id wanted to be, and slightly less cheerful, but at least I had gotten there But then came another bit of bad news, a message from Gretchen saying that shed had a family emergency and would not be able to make it that day. On top of that, she wouldnt know until Sunday morning whether or not she could come then either. Bummer! What next?! Gretchen had talked to Billy on the phone, but the many times over the past three or so years that shed gone to some event, hoping hed be there, something would have happened and he couldnt make it. Not only had I been looking forward to meeting Gretchen and hanging out with her at the convention, but I didnt want her to miss this opportunity of finally meeting Billy face to face. I tried to keep my hopes up that everything would turn out well for her.
I took the shuttle from the airport to the Crowne Plaza hotel, checked in, took my bag to my room, hooked my camera over my shoulder and then went back downstairs to scope things out. Id never been to anything like this convention before and the thought of standing in a line to get an autograph from someone horrified me! Plucking up my courage, I found the room that Billy was in, went inside and ambled over to his table, where I stood back and waited for him to finish up with a group of fans. I felt like a total goober! When the group cleared away, I approached Billy to say hello he looked up at me, then pointed with a dont I know you? look on his face. I said laughingly you couldnt possibly remember!, gave him my name, and told him that Id met him briefly several years ago at the MacArthur Park screening at the St. Louis Film Festival. He smiled and said, Yeah, thats right, I do remember and from the look of recognition on his face, I really believe that he did!
Even though Max had told me numerous times that hes got a good memory for faces, I was still amazed and I told him so. I also said Max sends her love and said that I was going to call her later when shed be home from work. I told Billy that Gretchen had planned to come but had a family emergency; he said can you call her? Absolutely! I got her voice mail, left a brief message and said heres someone else that wants to talk to you and handed Billy the phone. He was leaving her a message, too, when he pulled the phone away, looked at it in puzzlement, and handed it back to me saying its beeping. Well, it was Gretchen calling in on the other line! We talked about how things were going for her and made plans to talk later that evening I also told her to be sure she checked her voice mail for a nice surprise!
After I hung up the phone, I chatted a bit with Billy about how he was doing, was he enjoying the convention, things like that. At one point I held up my monster camera and said I hope you wont mind if you find me snapping a bunch of photos of you throughout the rest of the convention I promised that I would try to get some for the fan site. He smiled and said, No, thats fine. We should definitely do that. Are you going to be here tomorrow? I assured him that I would be, and he said that perhaps we could go outside at some point on Sunday and take some pictures. I was thrilled, of course, but I masked my excitement behind a more professional face and said, as nonchalantly as I could, Sure, whatever works best for you. Just let me know Feeling a sudden attack of shyness, I began to look over the stacks of pictures on Billys table, noticing that he had one from American Reunion. I tapped it and commented on the woman in the picture with him, Ah, Jennifer Rubin. Billy smiled and said Yeah, shes here, too. Shes right over there. Come on and Ill introduce you. So I followed in Billys wake, across the room to Jennifers table; they hugged and he said to her Jennifer, Id like you to meet Amy. I told her it was a pleasure to meet her and she smiled and shook my hand, and then I will never forget these words as long as I live she turned to Billy and asked Is this your girlfriend? I was dumbfounded! Excuse me? Could you repeat that, please? Thats something I never in a gazillion years thought to hear and know Ill never hear again! Once Id picked up my jaw from the floor, I chuckled and drawled with sarcasm, Yeeeeeah riiiiiight Billy grinned and explained to Jennifer that I was from the fan club, then excused himself and left to greet some more fans at his table, so I chatted with Jennifer for a few minutes.
By then there were a handful of people waiting behind me to meet her, and I didnt want to keep hanging around Billy like a stalker, so I wandered around the convention a bit and got a good look at the interesting variety of attendees at times feeling like a soccer Mom at a Goth Club!
With about 20 minutes left until the end of Saturdays autograph signing session, I retrieved my MacArthur Park t-shirt from my room and went back to Billys table to ask him to sign it despite how awkward and uncomfortable it made me to ask. He was signing and taking pictures with some more fans a couple times he even called me over, gave their cameras to me and asked me to snap the shots. I talked with Brooke quite a bit while I was waiting. That guy is a riot!! His wisecracking quips are right up my sense-of-humor alley! Billy was very pleased when he saw the shirt I had brought and was more than happy to sign it. I suggested somewhere on the front with the movie picture, and though he could have simply scrawled his name in black across it, instead he thought for a minute or two on what he wanted to write and where it would show up the best, nabbed a thin gold marker from Chance, and then VERY carefully wrote his thanks to me in the black ground area under Tom Byrds feet. His warmth and generosity simply radiate from him there are few people in this world, especially among the celebrities, who can make a person feel so appreciated the way that Billy does just by his manner. As they were finishing up for the day, I called Max to fill her in on everything. Billy looked over and caught my eye as I was talking to her, so I mouthed the name Max. As soon as he was done, he came over to me, said Is that Max? At my nod, he smiled and said, Let me talk to her so I handed him the phone and walked away to give him his privacy to talk.
There was a Lost Boys Q&A scheduled for 7pm, so after talking with Max for a while I made my way to the ballroom where it was being held. The Lost Boys were apparently LOST somewhere it took the convention who-di-das about 10 minutes to locate them and bring them in. The ballroom was set up like a big press conference, with Billy, Chance, Jamison, and Brooke seated at a table on the stage and the audience in rows of chairs below. It was a great turnout the room was quite full. Billy hooked up his cell phone to a speaker and lo and behold, who should be on the line but Corey Haim. People got to ask him a couple of questions before he had to go, which made them quite happy. Billy seemed to get the majority of the questions from the crowd, and I was quite impressed by some of the things they knew about him. One guy even asked him about when he was in American Gladiators! There was so much being asked about his other projects, in fact, that a couple of times the guys all laughed and said, Okay, can we bring it back around to Lost Boys questions, since this is supposed to be a Lost Boys Q&A? Billy was warm and charming and sincere you could see how captivated everyone was with him. When the session was over, I went back up to my room for a bit to unwind and make a couple phone calls, then headed back down to grab a bite to eat in the hotel restaurant. Jennifer had asked me if I was going to attend the Nightmare III Q&A at 10, so I made my way back to the ballroom for that. Afterwards, the jet lag was starting to kick in I declined on a staff party where some of the stars are supposed to show up (whether they really did or not Ill never know) and went up to bed.
The next morning, Gretchen called to say that she had pulled some strings and she should be arriving at the hotel around 11:30-12. I was delighted! We had spoken via phone and e-mail several times but we had not yet met face to face, and I was so looking forward to it. I told her to call me when she got there, so she could either come up to the room or we could meet in the lobby. When I checked out at noon, I still hadnt heard from her. I left my bag with the valet and went into the autograph room to see if Billy was there he was, and so was a group of people waiting to meet him. Brooke saw me and gave me a gigantic wave, which I returned with a grin and a gigantic wave of my own. I headed back into the lobby and talked for a while with one of the convention staff who had been so nice and helpful to me the day before. At about 12:45, as I was dialing Gretchs number to make sure she was okay, she called me at the same time theres that ESP again! Turns out that someone had given her really lousy directions and she could not find the hotel. The convention staff guy was still standing with me, so he got on the phone with her and gave her very specific directions with landmarks. She arrived within 10 minutes! She called me from the parking lot and I went outside to meet her. I could feel the energy that flows from her while she was still 30 feet away she really is an amazing person!
We went to get her a ticket for the day, then I led her to the autograph room and over to Billys table. I said to him, Hey, Gretchen finally got here. He stood up, came around the table with a blinding smile, and wrapped her in a hug that went on and on one of those rocking-back-and-forth hugs that melts your bones. Sarah was sitting behind the table and he introduced Gretchen and me to her she is very soft-spoken and seems to have a very kind heart. Billy signed several photos, including the one for the fan club, and handed them to Gretchen. She got a picture with him. She and I had each brought printouts of Billys artwork pieces with our contact information attached, in the hopes that, by giving them directly to him, wed have better luck getting them. Wed both spent years trying to contact the art site but never got any worthwhile responses from Alison.
Billy said something to me again about taking some pictures outside for the fan site when the people flow slowed down a bit, and I smiled and once again said Whatevers best for you. I introduced Gretchen to Brooke, he signed a photo for her, and we both got pictures with him. They were getting busy again so we decided to go have a drink in the bar. Little did either of us know that we would be fending off the drunken advances of some guys who were probably 20 years younger than me! At one point, when the main offender was weaving dangerously close, Gretchen leaned over to me and said If he comes over here again, Im going to lean in and start kissing you! It was hilarious!
After a while we made our way back into the autograph room. Billy was still busy, so I led Gretchen over to Jennifers table, re-introduced myself and then introduced Gretchen. We talked for a few minutes, and Gretchen said, Hey, you should let me take a picture of the two of you. I said, laughing, Oh, sure, just what I need to have a picture taken of me standing next to THIS beautiful woman! As if I couldnt look bad enough, lets have a comparison! Jennifer laughed and said Oh, stop it! So Gretchen and I each took a picture with Jennifer, then let her get back to greeting some fans who were waiting for her, and we wandered back over toward Billys table.
There was a couple there with a little boy who was about 14 months old and had the most beautiful blue eyes and a cherubs face. Billy had knelt down in front of the stroller and was talking to him, and the baby was listening very seriously and studying Billys face. Then Billy reached out his hands and the baby held his arms out for Billy! Billy picked him up and hugged him with the most beautiful smile on his face and his eyes sparkling my heart melted into a puddle!! Gretchen and I smiled at each other and agreed that, as gorgeous as he is on the outside, the most compelling thing about Billy is the love and compassion that is inside of him. Its a shame that so many people only look at the exterior
After the couple and their baby had left, Gretch and I decided to go outside for a smoke, and since Billy was unoccupied with fans for a moment, I went over and asked him if hed like to join us. He accompanied us outside and then lectured us not to smoke those things with all the chemical additives, and recommended the American Spirits in the orange box, made with organic tobacco and no additives. While we were outside talking, a guy walked up to us and said Youre under arrest! We looked a bit startled, and he laughed and said, No, not really, do I look like a cop? Billy laughed and started talking to the guy, who kept on saying that Billy looked like a rock star, that he should be in a rock band and Billy was saying Yeah, Ive always wanted to be in a rock band; Gretchen and I glanced at each other and bit back a smile.
A woman and her son walked by us on their way to leave and Billy asked them if theyd enjoyed the convention. They answered yes, and he asked if theyd made it by the Lost Boys tables. The boy looked crestfallen as he answered, No, we didnt and Billy smiled and asked Would you like for me to sign something for you? The boys face lit up and he nodded enthusiastically. As Billy went over to talk to them, the guy still standing with Gretchen and me looked shocked and said I had no idea who he was! Billy needed to get back to his table, so we all went back inside. I had hoped that I would be able to shoot some pictures but Billys time seemed too much in demand, so I put away my disappointment. Gretchen had graciously offered to drive me back to the airport, so a short while later we decided that wed go ahead and leave.
We went back over to Billys table to say goodbye. He hugged Gretchen and then hugged me, and, though I was embarrassed to ask, I wanted to get a picture with him so I held up my camera and began, Uh, Billy, if you wouldnt mind I didnt get the rest of the words out he immediately piped up, Oh, yeah, we still need to do that. Come on! and hurried back outside with Gretchen and I behind him. I looked at her in mid-jog and said, Okay, I guess were gonna take some pictures now! Billy walked around a bit and said, Where do you think would be good, hows the lighting and everything? and I quirked an eyebrow and told him, Well, youd know that a lot better than me, Mr. Director! We laughed and he chose a spot he liked, and I got the rare privilege of shooting pictures of this wonderful man. I would snap a few and he would come over and assess them, then say Lets try this and wed take a few more, etc. Though Im not a professional photographer, Im used to shooting rock bands that I know during their concerts, but its an entirely different experience when youre one-on-one with someone who can work the camera as Billy can. I actually got into the spirit of it, saying Okay, Billy, turn your head to the side Okay, now turn it the other way Great! The most stunning shot of him came as he turned his head back to me, tilted it, and gave me just a hint of a smile, yet there is so much depth and expression in his eyes. All I could think was Wow! When we had taken several shots, I knew that he needed to go, so I worked up the courage to ask if hed take a picture with me. He smiled and said, Of course. Gretchen did the honors. The big stupid grin on my face probably tells better than words just how happy I was! Billy headed back for the lobby but turned and smiled at us and gave us a parting wave.
I retrieved my bag from the valet and Gretchen drove me to the airport we couldnt stop talking about our wonderful experience! I was so thrilled to have found a new friend in Gretchen! And I was so happy for her that shed finally gotten to meet Billy face to face. It was a time that I think well cherish always.
Amy
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The evening drive from Santa Clara to Santa Cruz was pleasant, and traffic wasnt as bad as I thought it would be on the highway. My sister Emi and her friend Lena came along since theyve been fans of The Lost Boys for years and know the movie by heart. This was their first time attending such an event. Throughout the drive, they teased me by saying that I shouldnt faint when I see Billy Wirth and the other cast members or chicken out by running off to watch the shorebirds.
I was already doing my best to ignore them by identifying as many trees as possible along the highway.
It was around 8 pm when we arrived, parked the car, and entered the amusement park. As we walked down the stairs and onto the sand, we were greeted by a huge throng of people, sitting and waiting for the film to start. The first thing that went through my mind was Quick, find a spot to put down the beach blanket! I was planning to do just that until Emi saw canopies set to one side of the screen with a fairly large crowd surrounding them. From where I was standing, all I could see were legs and tables; my sister went to check it out while I went to set down the blanket, but before I took a few steps, my sister came back with a big grin on her face.
Hes over there! Come on, you have to get in line and meet him!
Being quite shy, I had plan on observing from a distance and wait until there was a break in the crowd before heading to the tables, plus it would also be my first time meeting celebrities, so I was procrastinating a bit, but my sister had other plans. I soon found myself in line with Emi and Lena behind me, encouraging me to move forward.
There were so many fans around the table that it was amazing to watch Billy, Brooke, Chance, and Jamison signing autographs left and right and posing for photographs. By the time I got to the table, I was in a daze, but to my amazement, I noticed two women sitting beneath the canopies, and I realized I knew one of them from a different site. I relaxed a bit more when I introduced myself to them while I was waiting. We were excited at meeting each other for the first time and our conversations about writing projects and calamari took a bit of my anxiety away.
After reading the write-ups from other fans who have met Billy, I thought I was prepared for what came next. I must admit, I was speechless when Billy came around. Emi was brave enough to ask if she and Lena could take a picture of me and Billy, and he obliged.
After that first picture, I thought that would be it, but Billy jumped back in and said, And another one. By that time, my brain was operating on automatic pilot, and the only thing I clearly remember saying was Max from the fan club says hi! His face lit up with a bright smile at this and he said thats so great.
By this time, the crowd was growing, and I didnt want to take up any more of his time; I think he was also being called to the other tables as well, so we left to find a cozy spot to set down our beach blanket.
Before the film began, the mayor of Santa Cruz made a brief speech before turning the microphone over to Brooke, Billy, Chance, and Jamison. All of them were excited and glad to be back in Santa Cruz, and extremely grateful for the support of all the fans. They made a few more announcements and then it was show time. First, we were treated to a few vintage previews of Corey Haim and Corey Feldman films which were quite nostalgic since I remember seeing the commercials for these films while I was in junior high. The movie was greeted with cheers that grew louder when the vampires made their first appearance on the carousel. It was fantastic to see this film on the big screen, and from where we were sitting, there was a fun, campy atmosphere of audience participation.
There were shouts of Dont drink the wine, Michael! during the initiation scene and the loudest, most raucous cheers went to the scene where Sam utters the line Death by stereo! At the end of the screening, I managed to make my way to the Q & A, but I couldnt hear the questions and answers clearly enough because of the noise from the park and the majority of the crowd leaving at the same time.
Before we left, Emi and Lena suggested that we say our good-byes to The Lost Boys and get an autograph from Billy on the photo taken by Lenas camera. Now Lenas camera has a touchscreen lcd that enables you to write or draw on the picture and save it. When Emi handed the camera to Billy and asked if he could autograph the picture on the screen, there was this quizzical look on his face like how was he going to sign a digital picture, but he soon figured it out as he began to write with the little writing tool that came with the camera. It was fun to watch him express his fascination over the camera, and he kept saying how amazing it was while he was signing the picture. I turned to Lena and said, He likes your camera! I soon realized he was drawing on the picture too because I heard my sister jokingly say Is he drawing bunny ears? The bunny ears turned out to be a heart. What a nice guy! I cant say enough about how friendly Billy is.
It was after 11 pm when we left the beach at Santa Cruz, and the fog had already rolled in by the time we packed up and drove home along the winding mountain road. The anniversary screening was awesome, and all three of us had a great time. It was a wonderful evening, and I think Billy just won over two more fans. ....Vangie
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I finally had the opportunity to meet Billy (along with Brooke McCarter) at the Horrorfind Weekend in Gettysburg, PA this year. I have been a huge fan of the Lost Boys from the beginning. Usually, when you get to meet celebrities that you idolize, it's a let-down. However, in this case it was the opposite! I could not get over how friendly and welcoming they were. There was no rush-through in autographs, no standardized hand shaking - they made it all very personal. I came home with several pictures with them (and four or five hugs later! :o) ). Billy even took a picture of me with the Lost Boys memorabilia I brought to show them, (I go to a convention to see Billy and he ends up taking a picture of me! How cool is that?!). I would encourage everyone to try and make it to any event he and Brooke attend, it is WELL worth it! He's absolutely wonderful, and even more handsome in person!
Lots of Love
Amanda 2010
-Amanda
Hi Everyone, I'm not a writer, nor write poems..so all I can do is write the way I talk. Ok,I did ask Arthur last night if he wanted to put his two cent Wirth in, and he said "it's okay I'm sure you didn't forget anything"lol..he's right..I didn't.
It began on Friday morning when I came back from a CT pow-wow at 4am. Woke up on Friday somewhere around 11am. Just getting things ready for the Billy meet. It was getting late, so I got back on the computer to check the times again, and it hit me. Holy cow, I ran outside to Arthur who was mowing the lawn I screamed at him.."Get ready, we're going to be late".
The autograph signing was at 5-10pm and I couldn't miss that for the world! Grabbing our MAP QUEST directions we headed out, me putting my "war paint" on in the car wet hair praying that it would dry perfectly in the sticky humid air...we headed out. The trip should have only taken us 2 hours and 1 minute the directions said. Well, it didn't. I believe my MapQuest gave me a "scenic" tour of New Jersey. All these little backroads and thousands of traffic lights...like where were the highways??
We get there Holy cow...I couldn't believe this was happening when I asked the girl at the door.."Is Billy Wirth in there?"..She smiled..and said "yes".
We walked in, and I just stood there. I didn't even look around. My husband Art said "So where is he?" I said. "Oh my God, there he is!" For split second, I have to admit my knees began to shake. Then I said to myself "all this time I waited, and read of the other girls meeting Billy without drooling or passing out, I can do it too"
Billy was standing there, shaking hands with some others, Tall, Dark, (jet black hair, sort of a shag cut, his faded black shirt..and those jeans...there was a hole in the knee) Oh my God! Still I couldn't believe that Billy Wirth was standing there..(sort of slightly bent over he was...then his hands behind his back just talking casually).
Oddly, there were a whole bunch of guys on the line in front of us. My husband remembered Billy because of the pictures I had showed him, in the past, and just recently again, too. Then, it was our turn there I stood and HE SMILED those pearly whites, those dark eyes,good lord. I finally found my voicebox.
I came right out and said "Hi Billy, I'm Karen"(at the time, I was praying that a hotflash didn't overcome me) He said..."Hi, Karen, how you doing?" then all of a sudden Billy comes from behind the table he was sitting at and introduces himself to my husband! I'm just standing there watching all of this and thinking "whoaa!. He is really very personable, such a normal guy!"(like, who would ever think that Billy Wirth is an actor, director, artist and singer!and now producer!)
When Billy introduced himself to my husband and they shook hands I was finally at ease. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh....
I turned to Billy, and said "Billy, would it be alright if I shook you're hand too?"..dumb..huh? He laughed and smiled shook my hand and I got a hug too...my husband Arthur didn't get one of those. But when I saw the look on my husbands face he was as happy as I was!
Billy goes back around to his table then I said "Billy,I do have to tell you I do belong to your fanclub and someone wants to say "hi" to you. So I said "Max says "hi". Big Smiles come from Billy! I guess too by saying that, it made him feel more comfortable as well.
I then asked Billy if Arthur could take a picture of us together, he said...sure!
(Before I go on I have to tell you all as Billy spoke it seemed to me like his voice was a bit "high"not a low gravely voice it was later on, that my husband said "no" it's not a high voice, Billy's just soft-spoken) So, see girls my husband was paying attention to all of what was going on here, too! :D So completely natural, this idol that I've wanted to meet for sooooooo long a time.
When I asked Billy how much for a shot, he said to me and with this sort of stern look at me said "What? are you kidding? from the fanclub?" "No way, Karen, it's you and all the others that put me where I am today!" Well, I insisted he just said...no...came around to the front of the table and hugged me again.
Art took a nice picture, I held onto Billy. I still can't believe that I was standing next to this wonderful person, oh my I still can't believe it. The picture done then Billy asked me as he sorted a spread some of the photos out "what would you like me to sign?" I just stood there not believing anything what was being said.
God, did I feel like such a teeniebopper all of a sudden. I kept my cool, Billy did that for me. Then I opened up after he autographed the picture I picked out. He's so sweet and lol, he loves that silver magic marker!
Something else, I have to tell the group what I did. While Billy was signing my photo. He came out and said "=what Max and Cyndie doing so much for all the fans, they're great" right then and there I did say "yes they are" then I thought and I said since 1998 when I had the guts to join this fanclub, the information on you, you're previous, and future films, what you are doing, even when you would call with updates we were all told and kept upto date. If it weren't for the fanclub my 8 year dream would have never come true.
Billy looked up at me from his signing and did say"Yeah they do alot for me, don't they". I smiled and said "You got it!"(yeah..I think I may have blushed no it wasn't a hot flash, it was just that talking to Billy, I felt like I was talking to a friend of many years)
We talked a little more about him then he asked about my trip seeing that he was a down to earth sort of guy I looked up at my husband we laughed then I answered Billy and said "Billy, do you really want to know?
He said "yes" so I told him "It sucked!lol yes I said it but then his friend Brooke who sat at the next table, heard that, Billy looked over to him and they gave each other the "high five sign". Don't ask me I don't know what that meant. I did feel like a complete fool but Billy started talking to Brooke and I heard him say..."oh f....out loud then something quiet to Brook", LOL Billy IS down to earth.
Then, when I pulled out the MacArthur Park tee shirts BOY did Billy's eyes light up! yes, Audrey's and mine, I asked Billy to autograph those too. He was funny to look at him and even have him place the tees out on the table and sign them both we chose the left arm and in his black magic marker, he made a dream come true. But,was he happy after that!
Then I said "goodbye" to Billy. But I knew it wouldn't be my last time seeing him...:D. My husband said, "bye, too and it was nice meeting you Billy, Billy said the same."
Okay, then Arthur and I walked around the lobby and other rooms where all this Monster Mania was taking place. So many people were even dressed to par from their favorite movies. I just wore my usual. My mocs, my jeans, my Harley shirt and my Oneida earrings which I purchased at that Pow-wow that morning. Little did I know, they would bring me such luck!
Then,knowing I was only going to be there for one day Arthur and I went back to see Billy again. I waited on line again. Billy smiled and said "Hi, Karen, what can I do for you?" When he said that I laughed, and said "Billy, are you kidding? You can come home with me!" We all laughed again. Of course I was kidding. My husband took another picture then I asked Billy again to autograph a pic for Audrey and he did! We both laughed, I think he was wondering (geez, is she going to come around again and again?) We talked a little about the pics he had in front of him to sign. Yes, The Lost Boys was the first time I had ever seen Billy Wirth. I thanked Billy the second time (big smiles)
My husband and I stepped outside for a ciggie. The night air was warm and "inviting", made me think of that vampire sitting in that room...LOL. Off we went again. Yes, I did. I did it again. No line this time, Billy was just talking to a friend of his...Brooke I believe.
Billy's nature is so sweet. His smile, the soft spoken words he really is what all the girls here have said very "down to earth". He has a great sense of humor too. Just puts you at ease.
Billy signed another pic for me, for my daughter who was originally going to take me down to Cherry Hill she didn't want me going "alone". I may have never returned back home. Billy sat there thinking of what to write on the photo. Even on the signed photo he wrote to my daughter, as if he knew her too. See? Such a wonderful and so thoughtful a person our Billy is! OK,I did get another hug from Billy and said our goodbyes but deep in my heart, I was going to make another return trip. Which I did, a few minutes later.
Billy, I'm sure (well, there wasn't anyone else around), thought "uh oh..here she comes again" LOL. What could I do? Just leave Cherry Hill, NJ, when I knew I wasn't stay over those 3 days?? There I stood then Billy came around from behind the table. I had to ask him to do that, cause I wanted another picture with him and me.
He was happy, so was I so was my husband, too. This time, I asked Billy if I could just have a picture of him with a "very serious" face. He was laughing and said "Karen, sure you can!" Sooooooooo...I did. The one picture that you see in the News and Update section of our fanclub is me taking a shot of Billy alone. The first shot I had taken wasn't so good Billy wanted to see what I had taken.
He took my camera (still around my neck), I laughed and he was soooo serious as he began playing with the camera so close. Billy, wellto me was so cute looking at the camera pressing all these buttons I thought to myself "well, he is a Director","he does stand behind the lens",it was all so great! Then Billy said "look, take another shot this one didn't come out so good" WOW! So I did. And........under the direction of Billy Wirth my second shot of him came out superb! Damn! I just wish I had Billy here with all my other shots I take. LOL
Well, THAT picture came out the best and the full-length of him was "out of this world"!! So serious,God..if I didn't melt as I was taking the picture I sure did after he took my camera again, he held it his fingerprints all over it *big smiles* here...wooooooo hooooooo! He said "Ok..now that's a good picture!" I told him "You do know, that all these pictures are going up, right?" (on the fan site) He smiled..and said..."yessssssssssssss"
I believe that was the longest time I had been with Billy...just talking, taking the pictures, and signing another autograph. But I went back for my last and final time. Billy laughed. He's so damn sweet! LOL No one was at his table...so, I figured he needed "company"..lol..
Brooke gave me the high five we laughed and he told me he liked my earrings Billy then say "yeah, I notice those before they're cool" and smiled. No, I didn't remember a thing Billy said after that my whole being was out the door and up into the night sky...LOL. But, Billy asked me "you are staying here right? for the 3 days?" I said "no Billy, this was only a "one time deal" just these few hours, then I have to go back home" boy...I sort of frowned a little..and He said.."No? you're not? Ohhhh that's not good." Crap, now what, I thought well, I just laughed and said "maybe we could stay we'll just sleep in the jeep" He laughed and gave me several more signed photos which I didn't even ask for. He said he had so many and told me give them to your close friends (which I did..and will still do). Well, it was getting late the "bewitching" hour was approaching fast I knew our Billy needed some rest before he went "biting" the rest of the fans.
We all said goodnight to each other and I gave Billy a kiss on his cheek I even told him "Nice 5 o'clock shadow you have there".He was smiling always smiling He laughs alot, too it's great. He hugged me so tight, I thought my eyes would pop out of my head but it was welcoming. I'll never forget this, as long as I live and now so many of my other girlfriends who were never aware of Billy now know who he is and watch his movies see? It's all soooooo great!
I tell you this Billy sure has some great parents he was raised by, he's a terrific human being! And.........I thank them.
much love, ~karen~
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Being an avid Billy Wirth fan for years, since the day I saw him in "War Party", I have always wanted to meet Billy.
Well, DREAMS DO COME TRUE! Opportunity presented itself. The Monster Mania event was happening in New Jersey and I made the 9 hour drive to meet Billy and the boys.
I had the good fortune to meet Billy, Brooke and Chance. Each a pillar of kindness, receptive and thoughtful gentlemen that treated each and every fan who came to meet them with warm smiles and a genuine interest in shaking hands, signing autographs and taking pictures with their adoring fans.
It was the greatest experience one could hope to have and I hope to go again!
Thank goodness the Lost Boys are alive and well, and looking better than ever!
The convention was great. Tons of people all in great spirits. Billy and the boys were all so kind to everyone they met. I just added a page to my website with a brief write up and added the fan website and Billy's art site to my links page.
I'm the redhead, my friend Caroline is the blonde. I can attest Caroline would report similar things I did. She actually came to acompany me. Of course she adores Billy too. Ever since Red Show Diaries.
I have to admit, Billy was so flattered and taken by the fact he inspired me to write! He was so humble, it was very touching.
Yes, he gives great hugs! It was such a pleasant surprise, I'm still swooning!
All the best, KarenMG
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Hi everyone,
I never thought this would happen; meeting Billy!
I had just finished working at the hospital and had checked my emails. I noticed one of the emails said that the Lost Boys 20th Reunion was July 25, 2007- tonight!!
After rushing to a different hospital for an appointment and cooking dinner for a youth group, I raced over to Santa Cruz. I was feeling very emotional. I had found out that I did not have cancer and that I was about to possibly meet Billy Wirth at the reunion.
I was nearly passing out as I drove over the Santa Cruz Mountains! Then I realized that I didn't have any makeup on and looked terrible. But I really didn't care as long as Billy wouldn't mind.
My son was kind enough to go with me. On short notice like this, it's hard to round up friends. We practically ran to the beach. There was a crowd of about 2000 people or so staking their claim, surrounding a giant white screen.
I had no idea that Billy was already on the beach and in a white tent about 200 feet away from me. To be honest, I didn't know what to think. I couldn't believe that he was actually here. I was extremely nervous, but I decided that I had to meet him!
I stood in line and began to think about how great it would be to meet him. When it was my turn, I just stood there and said to him, "You're Billy Wirth." He just looked at me and said,"Yes I am." ( I think that he realized that I was in shock because I just stood there and stared at him for a minute.) He autographed a picture with "Peace - Billy Wirth." I thanked him and asked to take his picture.
He gave me a very sweet smile and I was so nervous that I accidentally shut off the camera. I tried to blame it on the camera power and he let me take another picture. He gave another sexy, sweet smile. I turned the camera around to show him the nice picture to share it with him. He seemed to be pleased with the picture as well. Then I noticed that he had his hands around mine (which were holding the camera). I couldn't believe that he is so sweet, caring, and genuine. I thanked him again and then tried to stay out of the way.
Later, I was so shy that I asked my son to go and ask for an autograph. My son was talking to Brooke about the cancer scare. Brook and Billy seemed to care that I was ok. (According to my son, since I wasn't there). One of them wrote, "Get Well" on the photo. I thought that was great. Brooke also seemed to be a genuinely caring and a handsome actor. I'm not sure where Chance and Jason were at the time, but I was thrilled to have both Billy and Brooke's autographs.
Then, the cast and the mayor took the stage. Billy looked so handsome and not nervous at all. The mayor talked for a while. Chance greeted the crowd and said how he really liked Santa Cruz. The sun was setting and it looked beautiful. Billy and Brooke were also expressing their appreciation about being back in Santa Cruz and talked about how much fun they had while making the movie.
Once dark, vintage Corey Haim and Corey Feldman movie trailers were playing. The crowd was excited for the movie. Then, the Santa Cruz boardwalk appeared on the screen during the opening act and everyone hollered. It was surreal to look at the Boardwalk on the screen and turn around and see the same thing in reality.
I was enjoying watching the Lost Boys and according to my son, Billy was smiling and videotaping the movie. ( I was too scared to look towards the tent again, so I had my son look occasionally for me). I was standing by the seawall with my son away from the crowd.
I somehow noticed a presence and looked to the area near the stairs. It was Billy! That was thrilling. We were just staring at each other. I finally noticed his great clothes and he really looked good. Everything looked surreal. With his dark smouldering good looks and his long black coat, he could have been a vampire!
He went to the boardwalk so I asked my son to take a picture of him when he returned. My son went there and Billy posed, but the flash didn't work. It would have been a great picture!
The cast remained after the movie ended for Q and A, but it was difficult to hear the interview. After it wrapped, my son and I left the boardwalk. I was so excited about the evening, I was shaking.
I was headed back to highway 17, but I couldn't leave Santa Cruz! I felt that I needed to express my appreciation to Billy. So, I returned to the beach and parked closer to the boardwalk. The cast was just about to leave the tents and I saw Billy leaving the area with the rest of the guys. Oh well, I thought, I'll just buy a tee-shirt with my plastic. Billy returned to the tent and we met. I told him that I was thrilled to meet him and shook his hand. He gave me a hug. Max is right. He's a great hugger. And a very nice person. I had my son take another picture, but the camera seemed to fail again.
As I drove back, through the Santa Cruz Mountains, I kept sighing and still couldn't believe that I had met Billy. I was on cloud 9.
Floating In Santa Cruz
Margie
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