Dana's Mira Debrief (June 10-13 2004)
It all started with Vickie and me meeting at the airport in
Cincinnati. We recognized each other right away, we had that "we're
going to Montreal" smile on our faces. The first evening was spent
trying to say hello to as many people as possible, putting names on
faces and the other way around, taking some pics.
Friday started with the auction that went pretty well, after which we
got onto 2 buses and off we went to the stadium. I was freezing with
my 3 layers and felt bad about it since Jan next to me in her little
top was all right. We watched the preselection for the grand prix for
a while, and then just before dark, Dennis took us through the tunnel
to see Roy.
My hands were shaking as I was walking along with the crowd, but one
look at him and I was totally calm again. When it was our turn, Vickie
and I went first, and I must say that I'm glad he only had that thin
shirt on, cos with my hand on his waist, I could almost feel his
skin. I still have goose bumps. He first said hi, shook our hand, and
asked how we were, (I said good, how else could I be with his arm
around my shoulders?) Then Joyce sent Jan to take a picture of the 3
of us (sweet) so we got to stay there with him a little longer. I told
him that the 3 of us were together as an explanation, even though I'm
sure he didn't need one. But you know, first thing around him is that
you gotta remember to talk, because you may get a tendency to be
silenced by emotion, and you also have to remember to shut up, if you
happen to have the opposite reaction. I didn't have that second
problem. Oh yeah, and remember to breathe. Anyway, he said "see you
later" and on the way out I bumped into the bodyguard who was a great
sport and wouldn't bother us unless we did something outrageous, which
was actually not the case cos he never interfered except to remind Roy
of the time.
Then we went back to our seats and watched the race. Roy ended on the
8th place with his "Echo vedettes" car nr 23. There was a lot of dust
coming our way, and it was quite nerve-wrecking to see all those cars
bumping into each other. It's quite an experience.
After the race we went to the hotel for the party, and as you know,
Vickie, Jan, and myself were at the first table where Roy stopped at
and he got the special chair between Vickie and Jan. My memory of the
conversation is quite approximate, so don't take anything for the
gospel. Vickie asked him if he was going to do anything (movie or tv)
in the US and he said something like not anytime soon and I believe,
that it depends on the projects he's offered. Jan told him that we've
seen pictures of the United States of Albert from Mexico and he was
surprised, so I asked him what the movie was about (though he first
understood that I was asking when it was coming out and said he
doesn't know), and the answer to this one was also - that he didn't
know! I though, great, it must be something in the style of the Lost
Highway - but I was wrong. He said that it was hard to explain and
that the guy (who directed it or produced it) was like their Felini,
and that there's no clear story, it's more like there's a whole world
created around the character (that he is playing I presume) who is in
fact himself the story. We did get that it was a love story. Totally
different from what I thought it was - I was thinking of a historical
adventure of some sort. This is much better in fact. Roy said it will
be good - we shouldn't miss it!
Jan asked if the hat he was wearing was mine and he said no. I told
him I didn't think it was mine but some people had suggested it might
be because the form and color were something similar. It wasn't
actually one from the box he had from the Royettes and he said he
hasn't tried them on yet. Then I asked what he was working on right
now and he said nothing, which may not be a bad thing considering how
busy he's been these last two years.
Jan then asked about Jack Paradise and he said he didn't like it
because there was no directing. It looked a lot better on script. The
guy was a good writer but not a good director. He was like dead,
meaning that he didn't do anything in the sense of directing. We
teased him a little bit that he should have directed the movie himself
and he didn't seem against the idea of directing.
Then Jan was nice enough to let me sit next to him to sign my drawing
that I had auctioned before and it was the last thing that he
signed. I gave him a muddled explanation about how I did this the last
year and now I got it back, that it was silly but I liked the
drawing. I skipped the part about nobody else bidding on it :P he
didn't need that much information :) He seemed amused and personalized
it. He asked for my name and I had to say it a few times till I
finally got the good idea to show him the badge! That's what it's
there for right? I'm sure that in 10 years he'll remember my name. He
also signed a photo of him and me taken by Cyn the last year (thanks,
babe!) which I like a lot, and he asked if I *wanted* it personalized
(hehe, did he have to ask?) and I said that if he doesn't mind. He
didn't mind. I think - hope - that I said thanks! And I think I
remember him saying I was welcome.
The highlight of this encounter was when he looked at me so nicely and
asked how I was doing but not in the usual formal greeting way, but as
if I was an old friend and he really wanted to know. I nearly
melted. And I'm glad I got the courage to tell him that I have to say
that, he looks better every time I see him. Which is in fact true by
the fact that whenever I look at him I'm so glad to see him that I
believe that he's never looked better than that very moment. I must
also add that he looked very good even for him, his eyes seemed the
bigger and bluer I've ever seen of him, probably because he lost some
weight, and his smile is so warm that it makes you see nothing but his
beauty. Pictures don't do him justice, in fact. Anyway, swooning
apart, he said thanks and smiled, looking pleased and just a hint
embarrassed or shy but in a good way, and gave me a long look, and
seemed to believe I was sincere. Which I was.
One more detail, I think his lighter wasn't working cos he asked us if
any of us had one. The next time I'm bringing one with me!
By that time we've had our share of Roy's time, especially according
to the bodyguard that had told him it was time to go about half way
through his time at our table.
The rest of the evening was a blur, one thing I knew is that I
couldn't leave the room while he was there. I did try to listen to the
conversation when he was at a table right behind us, but I don't
recall any of it.
The next day I missed the Mira visit. All I know is that I went under
cover with the idea that I was gonna take 5 minutes off, the next
thing I know it's 2 hours later and everybody's gone. I did have a
wonderful time at the CBTS breakfast and managed to wake up for
it. The darkness supper was a lot of fun, especially with Jan next to
me laughing her a$$ out for every little detail. We had one of the car
guides from the race at our table who told us quite a lot of
interesting stories.
One last thing was Monica la Mitraille which was very good, I must say
that Celine did a wonderful job with her part and Roy's presence was
powerful. It's a must see.
That's about it, the next day I left early and one thing is that when
leaving Montreal, being there 2h before the plane departs is not just
a formal thing, it took about that long to go through customs and
security, even that early in the morning. It was sad to be back home,
I miss everybody already and especially Roy and my roommates.