» ENCOUNTERS One Ring Celebration     |     14 January 2005     |     Molly The morning of Friday, January 14, I was completely psyched about my first time ever seeing Dom. I had seen Sean Astin, I had seen Elijah, but this was something a little more special. The butterflies had made a home in my stomach and were dancing around like there was no tomorrow. I went to ORC with my parents because first of all, I can't drive yet, and secondly, because it was my dad's birthday and he likes LOTR too (not as much as me though). When we got to ORC, which started at 12:00, it was exactly 12:05. The second I got there, I saw a girl who was wearing the same exact Merry and Pippin shirt as me. She asked me if I was there to see Dom also and we immediately started talking. I got my pretty purple wristband (general admission... meh), a program, and a map, and we entered the convention center. The floor was split into two sections: the exhibition center and the convention center. First we went to the exhibition center and checked out all the vendor booths. The costumes and jewelry that people made were all beautiful and I wanted everything. (Though more than this I wanted to just see Dom right away... but that wouldn't happen for another few hours.) I bought a gold-plated One Ring from this guy who makes them (I think he's pretty famous... Paul Badali) and he even signed the certificate of authenticity. (Hurry up, get to the good stuff!!!!) Alright, alright, so after we had lunch we headed straight for the main theater. Right when we got in, Bruce Hopkins was introduced (Gamling). He was interesting to watch. He told a dirty elf joke and did some somersaults. Afterward, the emcee said that Dom would be there in about two minutes. It ended up being more like ten, and I felt like I was going to fall off my chair. But FINALLY there he was, and as his name was announced there was a ton of screaming and flash photography. I quickly got out into the aisle, where you really weren't supposed to be, and started taking pictures. I was actually about 20 feet from where he was sitting on the stage, along with some more professional camera people and photographers, when this woman started yelling at me and told me I wasn't allowed to be there. I don't blame her, but Dom is a guy who is really worth breaking rules for. So after I got a couple of pics, I went back to my seat. Dom was talking and answering questions for a little over an hour and he was so funny and charming that even my parents couldn't stop talking about him. (!) He spoke about absolutely everything; LOTR, Lost, Billy, the Hans Jenssen interview, eyeliner (mmm), his dad catching him in his mom's heels, and how he -- get this -- does not wear underwear. He believes it "crushes your artistic integrity." Ha! He did a hilarious impression of Viggo and accidentally revealed a huge Lost spoiler that didn't happen until two episodes later. And much, much, more. I would love to keep talking about it, but I need to get to the actual "encounter" part of the story. Okay, so I had bought an autograph ticket and autographs weren't going to start for another two hours. We walked around for a while and then came back to the main theater, where the autographs were taking place. I was number 260, so I had a while to wait. When the emcee called "Numbers 250-300", I quickly got into line. The butterflies in my tummy got about ten times heavier. Dom was really rushing through the autographs, without much speaking with anyone, so the line was going by quickly. When I caught a glimpse of Dom up close, he was so incredibly good-looking that I hardly believed it was him. He's even hotter than in pictures, which I didn't think possible. I really liked his tee, which had a lightning bolt on it. He was wearing the ring that he always wears on his right middle finger. I wanted to ask Dom for a kiss at first, but then I realized a hug was more touching. Then I noticed no one was hugging Dom or anything and I was worried it wasn't allowed. My dad stood a few feet from Dom's table with his camera. Dad was more like hiding, really -- pictures weren't allowed either. Dom's publicist was on his left and his bodyguard was on his right. I was worried I would start stammering like a fool, but he has a warm, inviting sort of atmosphere around him so it helped me keep calm. His publicist took my ticket and picture (Golden Globes headshot, '04) and handed the pic to Dom. I couldn't help but stare at Dom. He's just a very beautiful man. He didn't look up or anything to acknowledge me, just signed my pic with a silver sharpie. But that wasn't good enough for me. (Mwahahaha.) I decided I would have to start a small conversation, short enough so as not to tick off the people behind me but enough to satisfy me. So I said, "Hey, Dom, you were awesome speaking today." He looked up and made eye contact with me, which almost gave me chills. His eyes are a lot bluer than I thought they were. He smiled and said, "Thank you." His voice was so sexy and rugged. I mean, I'd heard it before, obviously, but it's shocking in person. I handed him a note that had my e-mail address and just some basic stuff I wanted to tell him on it and told him to please read it later. He stuck it in his back pocket, which made me very happy indeed. Then he looked down at my nails, which had "LOTR 4Ever" painted on them in green and black and said "Cool nails." I was probably smiling like crazy. I said thank you and started to ask him for a hug. Right after I said, "Hey, do you think I could --", he said "Sure" and got up. I didn'! t even have to finish the question! His bodyguard quickly said "NO PERSONAL CONTACT" which made me want to slap him. Dom made a face at him and said, "Naw, we can manage it" and leaned over the table to give me a hug. Now, I'm no hug connoisseur or anything, but I think he is the best hugger ever. Anyone else who has hugged him knows this. Not only does he put his arms around you nice and tight, he smells fantastic. And if you're lucky like I was, you get to feel his scruffy cheek against yours. I felt like I actually knew him. After we hugged, he had this amazing smile on his face that nearly broke my heart. I even forgot about the autograph (I didn't leave it on the table, thank goodness). I think I was the only person who hugged him. You weren't supposed to do that either (oops). Then I noticed the bodyguard was yelling at my dad because he had taken a picture. Dom kind of glanced at the bodyguard and he calmed down. I said goodbye to Dom and he said bye also, and when I turned around as I was walking away, he was still looking at ! me and we both smiled. My hands were shaking so hard I couldn't even put the signed pic back in the envelope. My dad had to help me. It was probably one of the best days of my life. I know that sounds kind of stupid and everything, but I wish I could relive that day over and over. I thought the people in line were really annoyed with me, but when I got back the pictures, I saw that they were smiling when I hugged him. And that one picture my dad got -- I owe him really big for it, because it was the exact moment Dom smiled at me. [ main | fans | encounters ] CURRENT PROJECTS • I Sell The Dead (2008) Official Site Character: Arthur Blake • X-Men Origins: Wolverine (05/01/2009) Character: Barnell Bohusk/Beak • Pet (2009) Character: Seth GALLERY UPDATES        FEATURED MEDIA  Mad TV  Date: 26 April 2008  Credit: Lisa  Size: 160.0 mb  [ download ] HOT TOPICS Favourite Piece From Dom's Collection? 5 Questions for Dom Dear Dom... 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