Disclaimer: I recognize that this post has an overabundance of pics of yours truly, but I couldn’t help it! I had to include the most flattering pics of the actors–and they all happened to feature me too! 😉
Yours Truly Being a Good Little Reporter, Interviewing Ryan Peavey
Remember in the back of Vanity Fair magazine for a long time, the editors had celebrities fill out The Proust Questionnaire? It was a series of questions made popular by Marcel Proust (Google it–it’s fun!) to quickly get at the core of a person’s personality. “What’s your idea of perfect happiness? How do you want to die?” Those are two of the heavier ones, others were akin to, “What’s your favorite flower?” “What’s your idea of perfect happiness?” So I decided to do something similar with my limited time with each of the actors at the General Hospital Fall Fan Getaway I went to the weekend before last. Soap actors in attendance were Bradford Anderson (Damian Spinelli), Brandon Barash (ex-Johnny Zacharra), Kathleen Gati (Lieszl Obrecht), Lynn Herring (Lucy Coe), Ryan Paevey (Nathan West), and Kin Shriner (Scott Baldwin). Below I provide a quick run-down of the weekend-long event followed by my Proust-esque questions.
This year’s General Hospital Fall Fan Getaway took place among the sunshine, palm trees, and warm breeze of Orlando, Florida. Though the weekend’s official festivities went from Friday to Sunday, my good friend, Shawn Brady, co-head of Soap Fans United, on Facebook and Twitter/@SoapFansUnited1, and I arrived in Orlando Thursday and left Monday. We spent our two extra days painting the town red! Er…maybe maroon. Fine, neither! We painted the town a dark burgundy, if that! On Thursday night we went out to dinner. Then Friday before the first event, I had a diva moment and was like, “I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH OUTFITS!” Shawn took me to a nearby outlet mall. It was nice to be among the smell of textile manufacturing chemicals and the sound of rustling shopping bags again!
Shawn Brady, Co-head of Soap Fans United (See Body for Contact Info for This Group), Posing with Ryan Paevey And Showing Off His Wristbands for Every Event
I won’t get into the events too much–because I want GH fans to buy tickets to these events in the future. We must keep soaps alive by patronizing such affairs! Suffice it to say that the next few days were a whirlwind! The events were back-to-back (many kudos to Debby and her crew for handling each event with aplomb while keeping things running smoothly). There was food, questions and answers, autograph-signing, and photo opps at each event. In between, Shawn and I came back to our room to dance and lip sync to the “Grease” soundtrack. 🙂
By Sunday afternoon, yours truly was exhausted. Shawn Brady, Mr. Boundless-Energy himself, pushed past any tiredness he may have felt and attended every event. As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t. I needed some down time. I heard the events I missed were as fun and fabulous as the ones I went to though. Random note: The captions are based on my first impressions from meeting these actors. Now for my five questions with each actor:
Bradford Anderson
Bradford was Warm, Funny, Endearing, and Exuded a Love for His Craft and His Fans
Favorite food? Cheese
Favorite movie? “So I Married an Axe Murderer”
Hero? Pass.
Three things he would need on a desert island: Wine, his family, and,well…cheese.
Motto: Drink enough–but not too much.
Brandon Brash
Brandon is So Genuine and Warmhearted–and His Love For His Family–Wife, Kirsten Storms and Daughter, Harper Rose–Comes Across So Clearly
Favorite food? Medium rare steak.
Favorite movie: “Cool Hand Luke.”
Hero? Paul Newman.
Three things I would need on a desert island: His wife; his daughter, Harper; and good music.
Motto: Live free or die.
[Since the writing of this post, ABC has announced that Brandon is returning to GH].
Kathleen Gati:
Kathleen Gati is Nothing Like Obrecht, Expect in Their Shared Physical Beauty. Kathleen Was Warm, Cheerful, Generous, and Loved Meeting her Fans.
Favorite food: Peanut butter (or salami?)
Favorite movie: “It’s a Wonderful Life”
Hero: My mother, for everything she went through in her life, and her great spirit and inspiration.
Three things I would need on a desert island: My husband, my cell phone, peanut butter (or salami?).
Motto: Express love and respect, and treat others as you would like to be treated.
Lynn Herring:
Lynn was like Lucy at Her most Vulnerable, Empathic, and Focused on Others. Kin Was, Beneath the Slightly Intimidating Exterior (Which Seemed More Scott Baldwin Than Him!), Caring, Openhearted, and Fun!
Favorite food: jambalaya
Favorite movie: “Gone With the Wind”
Hero: My dad.
Three things I’d need on a desert island: cajun food, cajun music, her horse
Motto: As the Eagles sang–“Take it easy/Don’t let the sound of your own wheels/Drive you crazy”
Ryan Peavey
Got That Drunk Fan-Girl Look On, the One I Get at Soap Events Commonly–Not That There’s Anything Common About Ryan Peavey. He is a Super-Cool Guy
Favorite food: Sushi.
Favorite movie: “The Breakfast Club”
Hero: I emulate anyone who is a good human.
Three things I need on a desert island: a knife, pen, a length of rope.
Motto: Let no one leave you without being better.
Kin Shriner
And here, Lynn, Kin, and I Are Again!
Food: Italian, which I eat every day.
Movie: “The Sweet Smell of Success”
Hero: The Green Arrow [as he thought about this question, Kin asked, “What, do you mean like a superhero?!”]
Three Things He’d Need on a Desert Island: Water, wine, and food.
Motto: Face forward, but keep looking back [as in, learn from your past].
What made this weekend so special was how intimate it was. The huge fan events can be a little overwhelming, and you’re not always guaranteed to meet the celebs. In this case we not only got to meet the celebs, but talk to and get to know them a little. Loved it! I urge each of you, my dear readers, to attend Debby’s events in the future–to meet the celebs in a relaxed and friendly environment, but also to support soaps and help ensure they thrive for many years to come!
As always, remember to Stay Soapy!
Now, I know I said that this post has more pictures of me than anyone could ever want. However, I have to add this one as I sign off, dear readers. It’s pretty hilarious! That troublemaker, my good friend, Shawn Brady, told me, as I stood next to someone who was making me way nervous, to do something interesting instead of the same old fan-actor pose. This was my instinct! Pahahahahaahah!
Written by Akbi Khan
Edited by Akbi Khan
