Close Encounters of the Brit Kind: We Finally Met Bobby Long and Did You Know That Rob Emails Me?

I finally met Bobby Long last April when I caught his show at McCabe’s Guitar Shop in Santa Monica, CA, with ZAnyMouse and Twi-Daughter Nicole. I have to say, this place was the most intimate venue ever. It literally was a guitar shop with about 120 folding chairs set up in the back room. Our seats were right in front, just a few feet away from the small stage. In case you don’t know who Bobby Long is, the cliff notes version is that he’s a singer/songwriter/awesome guitar player friend of Rob Pattinson’s from London, who is on tour to promote his first album.

This show was a solo, acoustic set with just Bobby singing while playing the guitar and harmonica. It was easily one of the best performances I’ve ever seen. He performed most of the songs from his new CD and also several he was trying out live for the first time. We got such a great glimpse of his personality as he talked about why he wrote each song and shared many personal and hilarious stories. The story that made us laugh the hardest was "this morning I went to the doctor and got two shots in me ass." Not that it was funny that he'd been so sick, but he kept telling us more and more about the visit and you just can't not laugh when you hear "ass cheeks" in a British accent.

You know how sometimes in interviews how Rob goes off on odd tangents or says things that you suspect he's making up just to keep things interesting? Bobby did that too. Sometimes he'd stop in the middle of a story and say, "Nah, I'm just f***ing with you." He talked about so many random things like his first job, going on holiday as a kid with his family, hanging around London with his mates, and he demonstrated his terrible Australian accent. He kept saying that was the most he'd talked in the last 6 months. It really was a one of a kind experience.

After the show, Bobby went into the guitar shop to sign autographs and pose for pictures with everyone. I can’t remember what we talked about, but I’m sure I said something dorky.

Bobby and TwiloveSue (I’ll confess, I was standing on my toes. He’s really tall!)

ZAnyMouse

Twi-daughter Nicole

Bobby signed his CD and, for the life of me, I can’t figure out what he wrote. Any guesses? All the best? M Me Rel? I’m not Rob?

We weren’t allowed to take pictures during the show, so this would make for a short post if I didn’t have anything else to share. Luckily, I think the time is right for me to tell you about the secret emails that Rob has been sending me for the past few years. It’s like he knows when I can use an encouraging word or something pretty to look at. Yeah, sure, some of you might think it’s really Twifixx and her magical iphone, but I prefer to think that Rob always has the BookClub on his mind. These are but a few of the pictures "he" has sent to ZAnyMouse, Twifixx and me.

Valentine’s Day

Mother’s Day

Having a bad day

ANY day

ZAnyMouse, Twifixx and I had a girl’s weekend at this fabulous Victorian-style hotel last year. We didn’t see any ghosts (it’s reportedly haunted) but we did happen to glance out the window and catch Bel Ami Rob strolling the grounds (hopefully this picture came out clear enough that you can spot us creeping in the window).

And because I love Jumping Rob to death, I’ll end with this picture courtesy of ZAnyMouse. Seriously, these will never get old!

TwiloveSue XOXO

P.S. Don’t forget to Walk with Mrs P!

Pfach’s Practically Perfect Presence at Petco Park Pleased People and Properly Produced Profuse and Prolific Praise

A few days after the Eclipse premiere, Summit hosted a series of Twilight Nights around the US. The event featured a double feature of Twilight and New Moon at various outdoor venues with cast appearances beforehand. We lucked out to have one scheduled in our home town of San Diego at Petco Park with appearances by Peter Facinelli (the hardest working actor in the world) and Christian Serratos. Even though I was pretty worn out from camping out at the Eclipse premiere (sitting around is such hard work), I couldn’t resist going with a few of my favorite Twitards.

Don’t we look like we’re having fun waiting in line sandwiched between the trashcan and a big ashtray? Twi-sister Crystal, LuvsMeSumEdward, TwiloveSue, and Twired Jen (Elusive_S joined us a little bit later)

Those clever Twilight fans…

Waiting in line with TwiredJen and her lovely sis Elusive_S

Look, they gave us free Eclipse t-shirts!

The event was set up in the Park at the Park, with blanket seating and a big movie screen. While we waited for Peter & Christian to arrive, there were various game booths to keep us occupied plus free popcorn and other goodies. Twi-sister Crystal won an Edward lunchbox!

We had a lot of time to kill, so the inappropriate behavior started right away. Yep, that really is Elusive_S doing the splits on Edward’s face.

Once Peter and Christian arrived, they were interviewed on the big stage for a Moviefone live stream and then briefly signed autographs. To say there was an abundance of screaming pre-teen girls would be an understatement. We hedged our bets and picked a spot in the front off to the side of the stage that paid off.

Peter was so cute using the security guard’s back as a table.

Oh yeah, best shot of the night.

Now, some people would think Peter was way too close to take a picture in this instance. Not me. Don’t you love that scruff?

Jen had a very close encounter with Peter. So cute!

We posed for a group picture in front of a green screen at one of the booths and then our picture was posted on the event website a few weeks later. Darn, we were hoping to end up in the tent scene with Edward.

Nice, huh? I figure the baseball hat ties this Rob picture into the post’s theme.

I’ve got my fingers crossed for some great Breaking Dawn promotional events. November will be here before we know it!

TwiloveSue XOXO

A Look Back at the 2010 LA Twi-con Part 2: Do Your Best Bella!

In addition to heart palpitating appearances by Peter Facinelli and Kellan Lutz (you can check out the pictures and read part one of my post HERE), there were plenty of other Twilight cast members to keep us entertained over the three day weekend. And one thing you can always count on at a Twilight convention is that that there will be plenty of laughing.

One of the most fun guests that we’ve seen a few times now is Wolfpacker Alex Meraz (Paul). He was very charming and extremely good looking, not to mention quite a good sport.

We submited questions in writing ahead of time for the cast member Q&A sessions and my question for each person was to "do their best Bella." There had recently been a lot of discussion on Twitarded about Bella impressions and I figured what the heck. Of course, I put Twi-daughter Nicole's name down as the person asking (you didn’t think I’d put my own name down, did you?). Boy was I surprised when they chose "her" question for Alex to answer. I have to say, he was hysterical. He knew exactly what I was asking and did a fabulous Bella impression, very twitchy and blinky.

He also told a bunch of great stories and didn't hesitate to talk about his filming experiences and funny antedotes about fellow cast members.

Another “Wolf” that we saw was Kiowa Gordon (Embry). His panel had a whole different vibe for me cause it was like watching my teenage son up there answering questions. He was sweet, but all kinds of awkward.

Kiowa also performed with his band “Touche”. I use the terms "band" and "perform" kinda loosely cause they were every sterotype of a typical high school garage band and I have a feeling this may have been their first gig. I also suspect that the sound guy may have turned the microphones off completely for the last part of their performance. Still, you have to admire their enthusiasm.

They ended up asking "Nicole's" question to do his best Bella and I don’t think Kiowa completely understood the question, but it was still fabulous. He brought Nicole up on stage to act out the New Moon break up scene with him and it was SO funny! He kept running his hands through his hair like Rob while Nicole stuttered and blinked her way through it. Surprisingly she didn't kill me afterwards.

Chaske Spencer (Sam) told some really funny stories and had a killer smile. He was one of those people you instantly like and could just sit and listen to all afternoon. And who would have pegged him as a closet Lady GaGa fan?

I’m so sorry I can’t remember much about when Justin Chon (Eric) was on stage…

Or Justine Wachsberger (Gianna) either…

Tinsel Korey (Emily) hosted the Friday night karaoke and I’m pleased to report that she can sing! She was very likeable and great at answering the randomest questions with equally random and entertaining answers.

Charlie Bewley (Demetri) was interesting, because between his British accent and very offbeat personality, most people didn't know what to make of him.

He bounced around the room like a rubber ball and was extremely energetic and enthusiastic (and maybe just a little scary). He kept saying the word “banananana” in that delightful accent and cracking us up. True, we were an easily amused crowd.

Twi-daughter Nicole, Charlie Bewley, TwiloveSue

We also attended the Vampire Ball the second night (I dressed up as a human) and all of the day's Twi-cast members were there too. I was very impressed that Chaske stayed the whole time and danced with everyone (and by the term "everyone" I mean 12 year old girls). He totally made their day.

Throughout the convention they had videos playing on the big screens, trivia contests, various panels, dealer room, etc. We met all of the actors to get their autographs and it was especially fun getting Mrs. P’s avi signed by Peter Facinelli. I have to give him credit that he didn't seem surprised at all to sign a picture of a cartoon girl. He looked at me a few seconds like he was thinking about what to write and then wrote “To Mrs. P ♥ Mr. P”. What a doll. We also met the “Twilight Hands” lady who holds the apple on the Twilight book cover and she good naturedly posed holding Mrs. P’s avi (see left sidebar for photos).

And Mrs. P also met the Hillywood Show! She was just as impressed with Hillywood-Jacob’s abs as we were.

Don’t forget to go Walk with Mrs. P today!

TwiloveSue XOXO

P.S. You didn’t think I’d leave you without a picture of Rob, did you?

A Look Back at the 2010 LA Twi-con: In the Kingdom of Cullen, Peter is the King and Kellan is a God

The first Twilight convention that I attended where I had close enough seats to take a photo and actually recognize the person in the picture afterwards was in Los Angeles in March 2010. The convention was hosted by The Hillywood Show (they are awesome, by the way!) and guests were Kellan Lutz, Peter Facinelli, Alex Meraz, Chaske Spencer, Charlie Bewley, Kiowa Gordon, Justin Chon, Tinsel Korey, and Justine Wachsberger (don’t feel bad, I didn’t know who she was either). Out of the three day event, the last day was the absolutely best by far because we saw Peter and Kellan.

Our first glimpse of them was at the photo op, which was incredibly intimidating. Peter is extremely handsome (extremely), but I have to say, Kellan is absolutely gorgeous (seriously, we're talking Adonis). Of course, it didn't help my concentration that I had recently seen him in his underwear (come on, you know which pictures I’m talking about).

TwiloveSue, Peter, Twi-daughter Nicole, Kellan (do we look height-impaired or what?)

After the photo op, they each did 30 minute Q&A sessions individually and then another 30 minutes together. They were absolutely hysterical. Since it’s now been over a year since the convention and I have a memory of a goldfish anyway, it should come as no surprise that I remember very few details. Plus, you have to realize I was in a bit of a stupor having them both right there in front of me.

Sorry, I know the lighting is terrible…

As you know, it’s important to have one picture in which Kellan is looking directly at me.

Actually, I do remember Kellan talking about a movie role he had just accepted in which he was going to play the Greek God Poseidon with a lot of shirtless scenes (Immortals opens later this year!). He also joked about his plan to thwart the papparazi by wearing the same clothes every day while out jogging with his dog. He figured they wouldn’t be able to sell new pictures if he always looked the same and eventually they would just leave him alone. He also told funny stories about how his dog Kola kept getting lost from his yard and girls would always find and return her, like it was all just a big coincidence. He just had such an adorable, humble way about him and I know every person in that room was so hooked.

I honestly can’t remember anything specific about Peter’s Q&A session… sorry!! We’ve seen him several times now and I can’t remember what he said at which one and I think you’d figure it out if I started making stuff up. Anyway, I can say for sure that he was super charming and we laughed a lot.

The pictures are pretty to look at, though, aren’t they?

Peter and Kellan together were hilarious. You can tell they’ve spent a lot of time together and were very good friends. They teased each other and told lots of funny stories about one another and other cast members.

Let’s all just agree that Peter is looking at me in this shot.

Unfortunately, Kellan had other obligations and had to leave before the autograph session started, but they gave us each a pre-autographed picture from him. Mine said “I love you, Love Kellan” and obviously it was meant just for me (shhhhh, don’t burst my bubble).

Nicole and I both had Peter sign our group pictures from when we had seen him a few weeks earlier. He asked us where they were from, so we talked about the event a little and I told him how much I admire him for hosting charity fundraisers. He is just so modest and genuinely a good person.

We also teased Peter about his voiceover comments on the Wii Twilight Scene-It game. Nicole chose to be "Waylon" when we played it once (she's weird) and then when she got a correct answer, Carlisle’s voice said "Waylon, you sparkle like a diamond" and that really cracked us up. We tried to get him to say it last time we saw him and he said he was too embarrassed, but this time he covered his eyes and wouldn't look at us and said it in a really dreamy voice. It was so funny. On Nicole's picture, he wrote "Nicole, you sparkle like a diamond." On my picture he wrote "My darling Sue, XOXO Peter Facinelli" and I blushed like an idiot.

I don’t know if the Twilight cast will continue to do these kinds of conventions for many years like Star Trek actors still do, but I am so glad we at least have this small window to enjoy them. I hope it comes across in my posts that I find these conventions highly entertaining and a great opportunity to meet and get to know the cast members just a little bit. We’re all caught up in this indescribable Twilight wave together and might as well enjoy it to the fullest while it lasts.

And I’ll end with one of my favorite Rob pictures from awhile back that makes me want to re-read "The Office". Since it’s in black and white, I'm thinking I snagged this one from 17foreverLisa’s blog (thank you, Lisa!)

TwiloveSue XOXO