The beginning: The thunderclouds rolled around Louisville, KY airport in omnipresent rage. The weather report indicated a system that was sending bad weather up the Ohio Valley into Upper NY and then down the coast of the New England seaboard. In other words, I was going to have one hell of a bumpy ride into Newark, NJ. My plane was supposed to take off at 1:30 PM. It was delayed because of the weather in Newark for an hour. (I got lucky on that one.)

Finally, at 2:30 PM I boarded my plane. This thing looked like one of those paper airplanes we all used to make in grade school. ACK! I hate to fly and that plane made my hair stand on end. At least it wasn't a turbo-prop or a puddle hopper. It was an actual jet but like I said it was the scrawniest jet I have ever laid eyes on.

The flight itself was non-eventful other than I spent the first 10 minutes bawling my eyes out. (I told you I hate to fly!) We land in Newark at about 4PM.

They park this plane out in the boondocks and shuttle us in. Well, first we had to walk through the rain to get to the shuttle. So now I'm cold, wet and scared to death that Lisa, my ride from Newark into NYC would have given up on me.

I enter the terminal gate. There are like 3 people waiting and none of them looked like the picture I had seen of Lisa. I climb the stairs. Hoards of people at the top but still no one looking like Lisa. I have on this black shirt that I had painted with acrylics that had a rendition of the NBC red devil on it and said, "NBC ended the world." I kept pulling at the shirt so if anyone who was an AW fan happened to look my way at least I'd have some one to talk to.

Now, I'm really nervous. I don't know whether to wait and see if Lisa shows up or get my bag and call for a taxi. I continue to walk toward the end of the gate. I finally get to the end and there were all these people standing around and one is holding a picture of Tom Eplin and waving at me. Thank God! I walk up and get introduced to everyone. After spending 2 months in the NBC-AW chat room with these people it was beyond imagination to actually meet them. Bryn, Lisa, Duran, Jenn, Kelt, Lisa's 3 kids, Allen and maybe Tommygirl (I'm sorry I forget now.) And they all chattered happily away. Seems I wasn't the only one with a delayed flight. Hailey's flight out of Detroit had been cancelled and they had to re-route her. So Lucky was at the gate where Hailey was supposed to come in waiting on her.

Off we go to baggage claim. Me, I'm dragging this huge carry-on bag with me that is bruising the back of my legs. I was stupid and put the printed copy of "Better Late than Never" that I was giving to Victoria Wyndham in it. That book alone had over 256 pages in it and took up a whole one and a half inch 3 ring binder. I won't name what all else was in that carry-on other than it hurt like hell to carry.

We get my bag and Mike (I think, Lisa's youngest child) insists on pulling it. And then Lisa, the 3 kids and I say goodbye to the airport greeting committee, heading off to Lisa's minivan. Lisa then tells me she hasn't slept in like 30 hours (She's an EMT) and had worked the night before. She asks me if it's okay if we go to her house and drop off her kids. Her husband should be home. "Sure..." who the heck am I to say no? We have plenty of time. I don't have to be at my hotel before 6, probably, to get ready to go see Victoria and Charles in "Love Letters."

Traffic was a beast, though Lisa assured me that this was nothing. She called her husband on the cellphone. Nope he wasn't home yet was stuck in traffic coming out of the Lincoln Tunnel. He'd be home when we got to the house he thought. We get to their house, no hubby. I get the tour of the place, shown the newly laid wood floor in the dining room. Shown the pictures of the family. Met the BIG, BIG dog. Nice Poochy that liked Popcorn, chicken nuggets basically anything that anyone offered her and sometimes not.

Hubby comes in the door at basically 5:30. Time to make tracks LISA!!!!! We head out. The city is enshrouded in fog and drizzle. We make it through the Lincoln Tunnel in what may have been record breaking time. And on to 34th street we go. "Wait! There's my hotel over there Lisa!"

Can't park on this side. We have to drive around the block. And we drive. Okay turn here... Nope can't, mean old traffic cop won't let us turn right on to 34th street! Around the block again. Nope can't go there, ma'am. How am I supposed to drop her off in front of her hotel? Move on! Off we go again. AH Ha... a parking garage. Lisa, what are you doing? You'll see. Down through the parking garage up on to 34th street turning left on it. Now at least we can park on the side of the street where my hotel is. Oh God, what is she doing????? Backing up 34th street! OMG!

Lisa, it's 6:30 what if Gail has left for the play without me? I don't have a key for the room. Let's call her. Rummage, Rummage, I'm looking for the paper with the hotel phone number on it in my fanny pack. Here we go! Lori what her name???? Gail.... aw sh.. just a sec last name has just poofed from my mind. Here it is Gail Dausener-Smith (Gail forgive my spelling!). NO one by that name oh wait yes it's ringing.

"Hello Gail, this is Lisa Nacastro. I have Lori; we are right down stairs. She'll be up in a minute." Run Run! Bye Lisa Thanks see you tomorrow!

Up the elevator, 4th floor. Knock Knock. "HI Gail! I'm Lori."

Got to move. Run Run. Throw on formal out fit. Throw on makeup. Pray I remembered deodorant. Where are my earrings? OH to hell with the hair! Wait got to grab that damn book. Where is my picture for Charles? There it is! Okay 15 minutes later dressed, and in coat running down 34th street for the subway.

OH man, wrong tracks. Up the stairs, down the stairs. Dang it's hot. What Gail? Sorry I can't hear you too well in here. Okay I'm rather toasty right now. Careful Gail! Ack thank God for that post. You okay? Sure? Okay then!

Run Run. Oh a flower shop! Do we have time???? You bet 20 minutes 'til curtain. Have to buy Flowers. Just 2 roses for me thank you. Gail all of that? For Mary, Victoria and Charles? Okay whatever. Where is the Players Club?

"Lori, do you remember Rachel and Carl's romance?" Sure you bet, why? "This is Gramercy Park where it took Place." OH Cool! Run! Run! Is the Player's Club here? Right there ladies!

Oh Finally, now maybe my nerves can regroup. There's Jodi, Kathy and Carolyn. Hi Girls. Oh this is so cool to meet you all in person!

"Lori this is Mary Keating." OH wow! "Hi..."

Lori I saved you a seat up front. Thanks a million! Dazed and confused I finally wander into the theater stage area. And find my marked seat. Breathe Lori! Stop shaking now! That's it, Good Girl.

"Lori, Gail is gonna sit in the back you can move up to her seat. Okay cool!"

Show Time! And they never looked lovelier than they did at that moment! Victoria was in a black skirt and somewhat purple shiny blouse and Charles looking fabulous in his beard.

Lori they are real! Stop pinching yourself it's not a dream. You made it Girl!

After the play: I'm still shaking like a leaf. Colder than cold and feeling like I'm gonna fly apart, I hesitate before I even think of entering the reception area. It's way too noisy and crowded. Plus they have the French Doors open cause they are hot. BUUUUUURRRRRRRRR!

Gail and I hung out in the lobby area with Mary Keating and some others. I don't have any idea what was said then. I was in a fog, trying to regroup and round up my frayed nerves. I did get to meet Nadine Stenovich who was in attendance. She was real sweet. And Mary Keating is a real doll too. She talked to me for most of the time I was wandering around trying to keep from freezing to death. Being as frightened and nervous as I was she was a godsend along with Gail. Gail you basically kept me glued together. Love ya!

Time to go see Victoria and Charles. Hi!

Yes I made it. Yeah I heard the play pretty well. Here this is for you, Victoria. It's the script of Better Late Than Never. Yes... I think it's written the way it should have been told in the first place.

Charles, this is for you. I had to draw a face for drawing II class. Hopefully this got me an A. (It did). Also here are some more letters from the fans remembering last year and the loss of Carl. Yes they love you very much.

Picture time: Jeez, I feel like I'm between two trees. OH common you two you don't have to kneel for me. I'm use to being this short. Awww thanks. Love you both. See you tomorrow.

Back at the hotel: How will I ever get to sleep? Night Gail. Sweet Dreams. Yes you need to get me up at no later than 5 AM. Got to get to the Rock early. Night!

This is Gail with Victoria

This is Mary Keating and I. See I'm back in Neon Blue!

Nadine looks nothing like Amy Carlson in person But she was so sweet!

Victoria, Charles you can stop kneeling NOW!

A moment for laughter.