Kate Mulgrew at
London Film and Comic Convention,
25 - 26 June 2005
report and photos by Martina
Saturday, 25 June, 9 a.m. - finally!
The doors opened for the 'Early Bird' admission and the looooong queue of people began to move. My friends of Galileo7 board and I have been waiting patiently at Earls Court 2 for about half an hour now.
First, there have been 'only' about 150 people waiting, now there were more
than
300 standing in line,
with us in the
middle...
Well, we got to the entrance very swiftly (English 'lining up' is great: no pushing, no running, no grumbling...), paid our £ 10 and in we were!
First act: Running down the hall towards the long line of tables where the signings would take place later on. A quick glance at the photos on the wall - ah, over there, there is Kate's table! Some steps leftwards and I received my ticket (a number somewhat over 200) from a con staff member.
With the ticket in my hand I turned around and nearly ran into a crowd of people, talking all at once, very excited: the members of 'Tea at Five to Europe'. A great 'Hello' and hugs to my other friends and talk, talk, talk...
Everybody couldn't wait to see Kate Mulgrew so soon, some of them for the first time. But, whether it is for the first or even now for the third time (for me) you will see her: it's ALWAYS the same, strange feeling of great excitement that lets your stomach turn somehow, makes your legs get weak and let you tremble all over...
Seeing her soon – hm, no, not SO soon. Her appearance was scheduled for 11 a.m., as I read on the board behind me. “Time enough for a cup of coffee.“ was the suggestion from my companions. Sure, caffeine will help me getting even more nervous, so: “Okay, let's go over there...“
The tension all around me reached its peak when Kate appeared in time...
We gave her a real warm welcome, cheering and shouting her name.
She was very pleased – and everybody at the tables.... well, they looked a little confused * g *. And what a surprise: Her son Alec accompanied her!
Kate looked magnificent - she always does!
She took off her black leather jacket and put it on the back-rest of her chair.
After greeting the crowd they sat down at the table, Alec at Kate's left side. Her husband Tim was in Ireland, where they wanted to join him after the con.
A bodyguard was placed right behind them.
Kate wore a black twin set (she loves twin sets, doesn't she?) and black trousers and pumps. A 'Lady in Black' you could say... - it fits her!
Her blond hair was hanging loose over her shoulders, just put back behind her ears.
A delicate necklace - kind of linked golden drops –, matching earrings and a golden wristwatch completed her look. Before she began the signing, she searched her bag for her glasses. They were adjusted to a light grey weaved ribbon, she pulled over her head.
Guess you are curious what Alec looked like? Well, he wore a white sweatshirt with a hood and black trousers. His slightly curled hair -reaching his shoulders- was held together in a little pony tail. As far as his sunglasses are concerned: they sometimes were pushed on his head and sometimes stuck in his collar, but he never wore them the way he should - maybe he never was blinded by the bright appearance of his mother, must be too used to it * ggg *. Around his right wrist he wore a lilac plastic wristband.
Alec seemed to enjoy the signing: he talked lively to his mother and he was astonished about the many presents she received from her fans. There were even presents for Tim, for his brother Ian and for himself!
Having waited patiently - using my time to get some photos... - it was my turn to walk up to Kate and get my autograph. I had a picture with Kate and our 'AmazingKate' Group on it, the picture, which was taken during our meeting with Kate at Galileo7² in Hagen, Germany, in 2003. At home this picture hangs on a wall together with the autographs of the entire Voyager Crew. It needed to be signed, too... ; )
So I walked up towards the table, waiting behind the lady just getting a photo signed and gave my camera to the friendly con staff member, who would take a photo of me and Kate. Okay, the lady disappeared, smiling brightly, and I approached the table. Kate smiled at me and gave me a warm “Hello“, I could only utter: “Hi!“ and handed my photo over to Kate. Her smile got a bit wider and she said: “Oh, what a nice pic of my back!“ GOD, I must have blushed deep red!!! Where is the hole in the ground, you always seek in those moments???
But instead I managed to answer (!): “Yes, but this photo is VERY special to me, because it was taken when my friends and I were lucky to meet you at Galileo7 in Hagen, Germany - you remember?“
“Oh, yes,“ she replied, signed and handed me back the photo, giving me a last warm look into my eyes.
When I walked away I must have had this special look on my face. You know, the one you have every time, you meet Kate...
Unfortunately, this nice guy didn't know how to use my camera - so I didn't get a pic with Kate and me * sniff *.
Well, but what's a photo, when you've just talked to Kate?