craig-parker.net > Stage & Screen > Public Appearances > Istrocon 2003 > Review by Monia
By Monia
Friday at the Istrocon convention (Grand Opening)
I still can't believe it all actually happened:) But it DID, it really DID!!!
This is my story of meeting the greatest Kiwi ever:)
The day I read the confirmation of Craig's appearance on Istrocon was one of the craziest days in my life:) I desperately wanted to go and decided to do anything to make it happen. So, after a week long search I found two victims to accompany me. I must say that the victims were boys- completely not interested in what's going to happen during Istrocon.
Back to the subject...
Friday morning. After 7 hours on the train, we arrived in Bratislava, found an accommodation, did some sightseeing and, finally, took the bus 41(mentioned on the Istrocon site) to find SUZA Center where Istrocon was to take place.
The bus we took was filled with people whose destination was clear- they're coming to the Istrocon. I had no idea when to get off or which direction to go, so I followed the crowd- apparently they knew where they were going. Soon after we left the bus SUZA Center appeared on the horizon. The adventure was about to begin...
Approaching the main door I saw a cab just in front of me. You can easily guess who was inside. Yes! It was Craig. Looking at us, people coming to participate in the great fantasy event, which he was going to be a part of.
Can you imagine? The dream of the last months started to come true before I even entered the main gate. From that very moment I knew it was going to be one of the greatest times in my life. And- believe me- little did I know!!!!!
My heartbeat was I think three times faster than usual, but I stayed calm. I didn't want to react in a silly way that would repel him. I could hardly resist waving at him though. Later, when I found out how nervous he was about being there and how unsure about how people will receive him, I regretted not doing it.
Soon, the cab was gone and so was Craig. I could concentrate on paying the entrance fee, getting my pass and entering the world of fantasy. I felt a bit strange there (mainly because of the language which is kind of similar to polish, but... still, it's a foreign one) and couldn't wait for the girls from Hungary to arrive (we got in touch through craig-parker.net, so: THANKS Bear!). Before that would happen I still had about 4.5 hours, so I decided to watch "Matrix Reloaded" and hang around a bit. Had it not been for the language I would have felt there like home while I love fantasy and enjoy it a lot!
Back to the subject...
I knew there was going to be a great opening at 6 p.m. and then "Equilibrium" movie. Since my aim and greatest desire was to see Mr. P. I was ready to sacrifice and not to watch "Equilibrium" or anything else in order to support myself with as best place in Haldir Show' audience as possible (I would lie if I claimed I hadn't aimed at first row ;). I was very satisfied to find out that opening, "Equilibrium" and Haldir Show were going to take place in the main room. Killing three birds with one stone! That's something! Especially when you count on the appearance of your favorite Kiwi at the Grand Opening ;)
I took my chance at about 5.10 p.m. and sneaked into first row. Very proud of myself I awaited patiently. I was like a hunter who waits for hours on end to catch his victim. Yeah, the hunter...:) I already knew I wouldn't go out to meet Hungarian girls at "Omega 13" at 7 p.m., but also knew they would understand.
Back to the subject...
(Several minutes before 6 p.m.)
I sit there, in that very first row, waiting for the opening, preparing my camera, taking some notes, I turn my head left and... THERE HE IS! Coming right towards me... In his grey, perfectly tailored suit (this guy has a TASTE, and TASTE it is!). He passes me by about 10 cm from my knees. And again, there I am, perfectly calm, with no signs of enthusiasm, only my heart rate is far above the average. It must have jumped to 200 when I saw him getting into second row (how I regretted not sitting there!) and sitting down almost behind me. Actually there was a girl with him, who I guessed was his interpreter, and she was the one to sit right behind me (you know, if Craig wasn't a gentleman, he wouldn't have let her enter the row first, but entered first himself and sit behind ME! Oh, I forgive him, I love his manners, I can sacrifice:)
I began taking notes as crazy, and suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulders, I turned back and heard his interpreter (her name was Michaela or Miszka, Craig loved her- grrrrr...) talking to me in Slovakian. I immediately started speaking English, told her I wasn't from Slovakia, so she asked in English when is it going to begin, etc. I answered and decided to talk to her a bit. So I asked her if she was interpreting and stuff like: can I listen to your interpretation because I don't understand and so on... I acted as if everything had been told already, who was who, etc., because for me it was obvious. But I think she was confused, she thought I didn't know who Craig was, and started explaining me that he was not from Slovakia and that he didn't understand... "I KNOW"-I replied. At that moment I think she started seeing the whole picture and told me that, of course, I can listen to her interpretation.
All that time Craig was sitting there, looking around, watching me and her, watching the audience. I think he was kind of getting used to it, kind of collecting information. He looked nervous, a bit frightened- I could clearly see it in his eyes. Those eyes told me everything.
Of course, I didn't resist the temptation to ask him ANYTHING (believe me, in this kind of moments one can forget a tongue in their mouth). So, I asked him if he didn't mind me using his interpreter. He didn't hear my words, so he bent towards me and asked me to tell it one more time. So I repeated, and he said: sure, no problem (at least something similar to that, the meaning was the same, I'm not 100% sure since I was so nervous that even now I feel dizzy when only thinking about that moment :).
Then I turned around thinking about what I could have asked, thinking "stupid me", etc.
Craig had a small talk with Miszka (sorry, I just heard that, I wasn't trying to overhear...) about her ability to speak different languages, he learned how to count to ten in Slovakian and then, he started a small talk with 2 boys who sit down right next to him. At first I think they had no idea who he was, only a few minutes later, as he started talking to them in English. They were talking something about swords and fighting.
I almost forgot to mention that there was a camera aiming at the audience and the picture from the camera was displayed on the big screen. So, although I turned away from Craig I could watch him on the big screen in front of me.
Then a girl with camera came (I think she was from the press or from Istrocon as one could see she's familiar with the convention), stopped right next to me and started recording Craig. I think he felt a bit weird. Using his hand he asked the girl wait a moment, he took something out of his pocket (silver, metal, small), started doing something (I didn't know what since I could only see him on the screen with all lights on), and then he told her: "I got you in my phone now", and as it seemed she didn't understand what he'd just said he repeated: "you are in my phone now". He just took a picture of her with his mobile (Grrrrrr... Not only did she have the same Gaultier-style skirt I bought a week earlier and she looked far more better in it, ... grrrrr)
Craig started feeling more and more comfortable with the camera, so he kept goofing around, showing off, don't remember exactly, but you can believe me it was cute.
Then, grand opening began with a show inspired by Matrix (Craig was very encouraging for the actors- I suppose he'd known them already- he applauded them enthusiastically and all that shouts of appreciation!). In the show we had "Neo" and "Oracle" speaking Slovakian (sounded sweet), of course they were speaking something connected with Istrocon. I think the Oracle was trying to explain to Neo what it was and suddenly she started introducing guests: Craig Parker and other people who were well known to Slovakian fantasy fans.
Then, the Oracle left in a hurry, and four beautiful girls dressed in buttoned up leather coats and with sunglasses painted on their faces appeared from nowhere. The real show began. It was amazing! Girls, who were agents, started kind of fight with "Neo"- it was kind of dance show, but with elements of acrobatics, etc. Craig started shouting and applauded the girls heavily. Then girls took off their coats and stayed in really short shorts- I must say they were perfectly built. The audience went wild. And so did Craig! His shouts were loudest of all!
After the "Matrix show" there was something more about Istrocon, its history, but only for a few minutes. Then they invited everyone to watch "Equilibrium" and grand opening was over.
Miszka asked Craig if he wanted to stay, and he (of course!) asked if SHE wanted to stay, but she said she'd seen the movie (I think she thought it was going to be Matrix Reloaded) and so they left.
Keeping my precious place I watched the movie, which I enjoyed a lot, and right after it, as people started to leave (why, why, oh why would they do that BEFORE Haldir show? ;)) my Hungarian friends appeared just behind me, taking the place of Craig (Sonica, you lucky woman!), Miszka and some others. Here I would stop writing this story in all the details since Pennie has written a GREAT review on the whole Friday show, so I won't try to compete- I don't find it reasonable.
However, there are some things I'd like you to know.
As you can read in Pennie's review, I asked Craig a question in which I quoted an interview with him. His reaction was kind of: "I did say something like that?" or "Did I say something like that?"- I can't remember exactly. It was very funny.
It's amazing how gentle and kind he is when it comes to listening to people and answering even silly questions. And when you are the one that's speaking he pays close attention to your words. And as he answers the question you feel as if there were only you and him in the room because he looks right into your eyes and makes sure you're satisfied with the answer.
When it comes to the next 2 days of Istrocon, I truly advise you to read the review by Pennie as soon as she sends it in. I hope each one of you will one day have a chance to meet Craig Parker and to kind of "experience" him, because he is one of a kind and there is no other like him. Everything you can imagine him to be- believe me- he's far more than that!
Monia (Haldir Freak)