So, I made the trek to sin city yet again! It was fun and totally worth it and I came back a changed woman! Sorry it is so long! LOL

So, many of you know that I have been planning my trip to Vegas since October. I knew that Criss Angel would do something the week of his birthday, I just didn’t know exactly what. The trouble would be breaking the news to my hubby, Steve, that our vacation was centered on attending Mindfreak tapings! LOL

As our vacation got closer, we discussed the possibility of driving to Utah in order to see Steve’s parents during the 2 days prior to our Vegas reservations. Things fell together for us to do this and the trip was finalized. Then the announcement came that Criss would be reattempting the Silverton Underwater Escape! I was bummed because I just knew we would still be in Utah or at best on our way to Vegas from Utah when it took place. I took a gamble, knowing that Steve gets frustrated sometimes over Criss, and said, “Babe, Criss is redoing his Silverton Underwater Escape on Sunday evening and I would really like to be there. If we can’t, I understand and it’s okay, but it’s something I want to see.” I got no reply, which was okay, but the thought was out there.

Much to my surprise on our drive out to Utah, Steve was talking to his dad on the phone and he said, “Well, we need to leave early enough to get back to Vegas by about 5:30 p.m. There is something that we are doing at that time.” I was so excited. He was actually going to make the effort to get me back to Vegas in time to see Criss do his escape!

Fast forward to Sunday after a nice visit with Steve’s family, we left and drove for 5 ½ hours so we could get to Silverton in time to see Criss escape. I was even there before Criss got there. It was great! I was so worried as I remembered what happened the last time, but in my heart, I knew that Criss would be okay. I just prayed and God took care of him as he freed himself. He came out so quickly that I was in shock and couldn’t believe what I just saw. I was excited to be there and be a part of it. About 500 people showed up and as soon as he finished, a lot of the crowd dispersed, but my friend and I stayed around because she had a birthday present for him. Next thing we heard was that Criss would come out to address those of us who stayed. He came out on the balcony above the aquarium and thanked us all for coming. He talked about his training and how he beat his own goal by more than half. He looked so relieved and proud to be done with this escape. A couple of times he looked down at me and my friend and winked and blew kisses, so that was really sweet. She held up her present for him and he acknowledged that he saw it. Then the guy from the Silverton took the mic and thanked all of us for coming and Criss for doing the stunt there. He said, “I understand you have a birthday coming up.” Criss said, “Yes, I do.” And the guy said, “Well, how would you all like to celebrate Criss Angel’s birthday with him tonight?” Of course we all screamed. The guy said, “Well, we have made him a cake and you all are invited to stay and have a piece.” More cheers from the crowd. Criss took the mic and said, “As a matter of fact, on Wednesday, I am hosting a little party at LAX for those of you who are 21 or older. It’s my 21st birthday!” After this he made a funny face and laughed at himself because he only wishes he were 21! LOL

So he went over to the side of the aquarium where he was interviewed by Robin Leach about the escape. You all have read the article and also know that portions of it will be in the episode when it airs. It was really cool to see this live and they had it over a p.a. system, so we heard everything. I also took a bunch of pictures that I will post at another time. They aren’t all ready yet. After the interview was when we got cake. We sang happy birthday to him and he addressed the crowd before we got cake. He even looked at my friend and said, “I understand you have a gift for me and thank you.” Then he got the first piece and then everyone in his family, friends, and crew got the next pieces. I noticed he was leaving so I told my friend, let’s go over there. We walked around the other side of the aquarium and saw him at the doorway to leave. Somehow we got his attention and he came over to us. My friend gave him his gift and a little kiss. He said, “Thank you. You didn’t have to get me anything.” I took a picture of them and then I went to give him a hug and tell him I was happy that he is safe. I put my hand out and he took my hand. I leaned in to kiss him on the cheek and he did the same. I gave him a quick hug and said, “I’m so glad you’re safe.” He said thank you. I wasn’t going to get a pic. I didn’t feel the need to, but Criss leaned forward and over toward me. When I looked at him, he said, “Picture?” So I leaned into him and that’s how we ended up cheek to cheek. (This pic is already posted for those who haven’t seen it.) My friend went back and gave him another big hug and we left.

The funniest thing happened on our way back to the Luxor. We ended up driving right behind the Rolls! LOL! I felt like we were following him, but we were staying at the hotel! LOL

That night, we went to Body English. Originally we were hoping to catch Criss there, but after that stunt and along with the fact that he didn’t feel well, we knew we wouldn’t see him. We had a great time anyway and I will post our pic from there too! We were caught by a Vegaspaparazzi.com photographer! LOL It was fun!

So, Monday evening, we were coming down to meet some friends for dinner and we noticed that Criss’ crew was setting up for a taping in the Company lounge area. We hung around and got to see Criss do an amazing demonstration. We weren’t real close, but we had a great view and it was fun to see him! At the end, he acknowledged the crowd and invited us all to be part of the “Mindfreak” yell at the end. We also sang happy birthday to him again. He didn’t have time to do pictures or a signing because he was still in the middle of filming, but that’s okay.

On Tuesday evening he had a public demonstration, but I got there too late and didn’t have a good spot. I was really bummed, but I know I will get to see it when it airs. So many people know who he is now and it is getting harder and harder to get into things to see him perform. He announced that he would do a meet and greet, but there were so many people that I didn’t hear him and I missed it! :( Oh well. I have had my chance and I am very lucky! In my frustration with not being able to see, I walked to the back of the crowd and Costa was standing there. I said hi to him and he remembered me from the Loyal taping in November and then seeing me at Phenomenon, so that was cool. I got my picture with him and my friend Marie-France, so I will post that later!

So Wednesday, his big day! It was crazy. I had a gift for him so I carried it down with me. They let me into LAX with it without a problem, but Criss wasn’t there until really late and I was stuck carrying it around. LOL My hubby was the first to get fed up with the crowds and he left. I was next. I felt like I wanted to hit someone because people just don’t pay attention to those around them. I ended up leaving before Criss even got there, but I did see him walk the red carpet and enter LAX. My husband and I sat across from LAX in the bar “Flight” and drank laughed and had a good time. I still celebrated Criss’ birthday, I just wasn’t in the same room.

So, I still had this issue of how I would get his gift to him. Well, the next morning, my hubby was over by the Production Office and I was at the Pyramid Café with my friend when he called me and said, JD and Dimitra are out here. If you want to give one of them your gift for Criss, now would be the time. So, I hurried over there and walked up to Dimitra. I called her name. (Mind you, she has seen me a couple of times and I have talked to her before.) She turned to me. I said, “I have this gift for Criss and haven’t been able to get it to him. Who can I give it to?” She put her hand out and said, “I’ll take it. I will be seeing him in a couple of minutes. I will give it to him then.” I told her, “My friends are musicians and I thought Criss might like their CDs and it’s a bottle of red wine from the local vineyard in my hometown.” She said, “That’s so sweet. Thank you so much.” I said, “Thanks for giving it to him.” And I left a happy camper. Not as happy as if I had been able to give it to Criss myself, but still very happy.

In addition to seeing Criss quite often, I met some amazing people: Marie-France, Tara, Jana, Amanda, and others that I am sure I am forgetting. I have decided that the most important thing that Criss does is bring together all of these Loyals who would have never met if it hadn’t been for him. I get just as excited about going to Vegas because I will meet new people as I am about seeing Criss!

Also, I have decided that my days of shoving a camera in Criss’ face are over. I have my reasons, but from now on, when I go to Vegas, I want him to know that I am there for him and not for me. If it is an official meet and greet where he is specifically taking pictures, then I will get a pic with him, but my days of chasing him down to get a picture are over. I am no longer going to be a “fanarazzi!”