More fangirling

[stormkeeper_lovedoris]

 
So - I tried to move my excessive fangirling to my Tumblr. I can't say why, but it feels better to do it here? Like Tumblr is really better for sharing images, and it's better to write here. IDK. 

First, a few things to be grateful for:

- The 4-pack of allergy nasal sprays I got from Walgreens were damaged when I opened them, but Walgreens gave me a replacement quickly even though I had no receipt

- Doris and I were able to have a date day yesterday. Since I needed to go way up north to Boys Town to see Lydia, Doris drove me there and we had brunch at the legendary Chicago Diner. (Then Doris had to leave to go to her parents').

So onto the fangirling...

The TLDR was that it was a dream! I kept my expectations on the lower end but it was so good. I'll try to just bullet point highlights.

- First, unexpectedly, we got a message to our fan IG page. Lydia's dad said he and her mom were driving in for the show and looked forward to meeting us. OMG.

- There is no Meet and Greet at this event, but with the possibility of seeing Lydia's parents, I packed a gift and card for Lydia.

(Sidenote: 2 women who are friends of Lydia's messaged me the same day and we chatted about meeting up in Pgh next week. OMG). 

- After Doris left to take care of her parents, I had about 4 hours to kill before the Viewing Party. I hung out at Chicago Diner; they graciously let me stay and even move to a table that had a charger. Later I wandered around Beatnix and the Center on Halsted. I *had* been hoping that Lydia's parents would message and take me up on my offer for a drink, so I stayed close to the bar (Roscoe's). Alas, it didn't happen but that's ok because everything else was amazing

- I arrived at Roscoe's about a half hour before the viewing party. It was good -  there were assigned seats, and mine was third row, center. I look up and - there are Lydia's parents walking through the room! I go up and introduce myself to the dad (the mom didn't see me and was still walking). He hugged me, I asked him to take the gift bag to Lydia. Then a minute later, he's back with Lydia's mom. We chat. They are thankful for the IG page and they asked about Yana who runs the place. I made sure to say she is looking forward to going to Pgh in October and wishes she were here now. I offered to buy them drinks but they said no need to. I told the mom that I see where Lydia gets her looks from. We took a selfie, and I mentioned I'd be in Pgh next weekend.  They then took their seats but once or twice they turned and waved at me.

- Then the viewing party starts. Lydia spots me, waves, and blows me a kiss. And thank goodness Roscoe's films all this so - I have it on film!

- Lots of sweet Kori mentions during the viewing party and Q&A

- But the best part was when I managed to get a question in. (I am so glad I was sitting near one of the queens with the mics, and I passed her a $5) :) Before I opened my mouth, she said "Hi Marianne." OMG she...recognizes me AND knows my name?? The other queen clocked that I had on a Kori sweatshirt so we smiled about that. And then after answering my question she said, "Thank you for coming, my love. Love you."

- I still can't believe she knows my name and my face. Maybe she'd opened the card and gift right before taking the stage, so her memory was jogged on my name, when she read the card?
 
- And of course sharing it all with the IG fam was great. I wish Yana could be here but we have to wait. 

- And thank goodness there is video. One of my friends said that Lydia "lit up" when she saw me!

- After the Q&A, there was the show. I couldn't last. They took all the seats out (as we knew they would), it was so crowded and loud and noisy, and literally 12 other queens were scheduled to go on before Lydia. And it was late, and i was hungry. (My new thing is barely eating before a drag show, and then being ravenous afterwards!) When they were taking the chairs out, I saw Lydia go over to her parents who were on the front and side, and then they exited out where the performers go. I did...kinda wish they'd spot me and wave me over, but THAT was a lot to hope for and - come on -  I already got more than I'd dare dream for. It didn't happen, I hung out for a bit, and then decided to go home. Funny note, waiting for my Uber outside, I cannot help but to know that i looked like...the mom of all these 20 year olds out on a Friday night. LOL


PERFECT NIGHT. And I leave for Pgh in 7 days, what is my life??

EDIT - and OMG Lydia messages us on Instagram the day after. what is my life