A Life Without Limits ll
19 Annual
Beauty and the Beast Convention
11th to 13th July 2008
Weehawken, New Jersey, USA
By Southofoz
For me this convention was a first. Yes I was a “Con Virgin”
and proud of it (and I dragged my poor hubby along with
me).I went with an open mind and yet an expectant one. I had
met some wonderful people on line through WFOL08, and had
been instantly embraced by loving hearts
When we all began to arrive at the Sheraton Suites on the Hudson at Weehawken, Wednesday the 9th (although the con began officially on the 11th until the 13th) We introduced ourselves,and the hugging began and didn’t stop until we went our separate ways at its conclusion.
I found myself amid a group of women, dubbed “Con Virgins”
who preferred the title of “Riff Raff” or “Vincent’s
Virgins” and from the first day, we clung to each other as
though we had been bonded for years. We would get together
first thing in the morning, and not be parted until the wee
hours of the following morning (even hubby). We went to see
the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on Thursday the 10th, and were blown away
by the sadness of Ellis Island and beauty of the Lady’s
majesty. I couldn’t resist the pic of the Tunnel
Diner it seemed so right.
The Masque ball and talent show were a hoot, and even Vincent made an appearance and left his favourite outfit for us to drool over.
Then the Con activities began in earnest.
David Greenlee, (Mouse), was very gracious and totally
disarming, and approachable, causing us to want to adopt him
as part of the family. In fact the Virgin posse kidnapped
him for a Pizza party on his first day there.
The opening ceremony was poignant and moving, as with
emotion David spoke Father’s words from DOW and we lit our
candles one by one, then held them up in unity and love and then the merriment began.
Frank Luz (Kristopher Gentian) and our patient driver AL,
led us through New York in a marathon Bus Tour that was one
in a million.
Neither words, nor mere photos can portray the beauty of this city, but as a New Yorker Frank was able to give us the feel of its history. From Central Park and our BatB Bench to St Vincent’s hospital.
Rosemarie and those who helped her were tireless in their
efforts to make this Beauty and the Beast Convention an
amazing event for everyone, and one that for me coming from
Australia was well worth the effort as we watched the sun
rise over New York City.
The cry of “next year in New Orleans” went up at the end of this con, and so many are already saving for it. But for me it will be this year in New York that will live forever in my memories.
When we all began to arrive at the Sheraton Suites on the Hudson at Weehawken, Wednesday the 9th (although the con began officially on the 11th until the 13th) We introduced ourselves,and the hugging began and didn’t stop until we went our separate ways at its conclusion.
I found myself amid a group of women, dubbed “Con Virgins”
who preferred the title of “Riff Raff” or “Vincent’s
Virgins” and from the first day, we clung to each other as
though we had been bonded for years. We would get together
first thing in the morning, and not be parted until the wee
hours of the following morning (even hubby). We went to see
the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on Thursday the 10th, and were blown away
by the sadness of Ellis Island and beauty of the Lady’s
majesty. I couldn’t resist the pic of the Tunnel
Diner it seemed so right.
The Masque ball and talent show were a hoot, and even Vincent made an appearance and left his favourite outfit for us to drool over.
Then the Con activities began in earnest.
David Greenlee, (Mouse), was very gracious and totally
disarming, and approachable, causing us to want to adopt him
as part of the family. In fact the Virgin posse kidnapped
him for a Pizza party on his first day there.
The opening ceremony was poignant and moving, as with
emotion David spoke Father’s words from DOW and we lit our
candles one by one, then held them up in unity and love and then the merriment began.
Frank Luz (Kristopher Gentian) and our patient driver AL,
led us through New York in a marathon Bus Tour that was one
in a million. Neither words, nor mere photos can portray the beauty of this city, but as a New Yorker Frank was able to give us the feel of its history. From Central Park and our BatB Bench to St Vincent’s hospital.
Rosemarie and those who helped her were tireless in their
efforts to make this Beauty and the Beast Convention an
amazing event for everyone, and one that for me coming from
Australia was well worth the effort as we watched the sun
rise over New York City.The cry of “next year in New Orleans” went up at the end of this con, and so many are already saving for it. But for me it will be this year in New York that will live forever in my memories.