My Day With Dana ~ July 13, 2001

My day started with catching my flight out of Vancouver airport at 7:50 a.m. With a few delays and a dead bird on the runway, we finally took off. (Worried to death because really, who wants to fly anywhere on Friday the 13th!) I had to change planes in San Francisco, which was also delayed. All the while thinking this was going to cut into my time with Dana later that afternoon. Finally I arrived in Los Angeles and was picked up by Mercedes, (an online friend) who drove me to the Universal Sheraton Hotel.

Just as I got inside, Dana called me on my cell and we briefly discussed when and where to meet. I finished checking in and finally found my room. (It's a big hotel and I got lost so easily in it! *laugh*) Dana called again and said she'd be there in a few minutes and she'd meet me outside the main entrance.

As I walked through the lobby I could see her standing just outside. She had a big smile, and greeted me with a hello and hug. Of course at this point I thought I'd have to pick my chin up off the ground. I get that way when meeting a star. But really, who doesn't...

We hopped in her SUV and headed off for the studio. She said she thought it would be fun to take me around so I could see the set and meet some people.

While driving there Dana noticed some fans in a line up to pick up their tickets for the Fan Event the following day. She said, Let's stop and say hello! I am sure they were all surprised to see her get out and walk over to say hello to them all. She doesn't forget that her fans are real people, she takes the time to pose for photos and talk to them, and in turn their energy inspires her. Dana is a person who happens to be an actor, instead of a actor who happens to be a person.

Once leaving there we drove up the parkade and parked. I decided this was a good time to give her a box of Purdy's chocolates I had brought for her. She opened them right there and had to have one. I knew I couldn't lose with chocolate. We headed for the studio and she handed me a package all wrapped up. I opened it and thought WOW, this was very sweet of her to get for me. She got me the "Hidden Passions" book. She said it's not what you think, so I opened it and she had the whole cast sign it. I really thought that was pretty exciting. Not only had I wanted to get the book, but to get it and have it signed by everyone, now that was special. Thanks again Dana, I loved the book!

We walked down by the dressing rooms, which I was surprised by. I assumed they all had doors into the studio, rather then all the doors outside. Dana said that was to keep from making noise while taping is going on, which made perfect sense.

Here is a photo of the dressing rooms from outside the studio.

Dana took me into a building across from the dressing rooms. When we went inside I found out it was where they keep all the wardrobes for everyone. I couldn't believe all the racks of clothes, shoes, purses, etc. there were. You'd be surprised for a character like Julian who's pretty much always in a suit, how many different outfits he really has. It's really amazing how many different outfits each cast member has.

Then we went into the adjoining room. They had tv's in there with live feed of what was going on in the studio on the set. I could see Travis, Lindsay and Brook rehearsing for a scene. In the next room they had some computers. Above them, on the wall, was Friday's episode playing. I said, Look Dana... there you are... I still think it has to be pretty neat to see yourself on TV like that.

From there we went back across to the studio where the dressing rooms are. I thought it was pretty exciting seeing where Dana spends some of her time. So of course I had to get some photos of it.

Dana also introduced me to Frankie. A very nice gentleman who does the props and puts up the different sets. He was nice enough to take these photos of Dana and I.

Here is a photo of Dana and I outside her dressing room. If you look close, you can see her name plate beside the door on the wall.

Here is another photo, from a different angle.

This is a photo of one of the walls in Dana's dressing room. I have to say it was so neat to see what a dressing room really looked like. It was very cozy, and had a nice big bathroom. To the left of Dana's was Tracey's Dressing room.

The next room down, next to Tracey's was the hair stylists room. I got to meet the hair stylist, Linlie. She was very pleasant and nice to talk to, they showed me some of the wigs used in different shows by different characters. I saw one of Tabitha's wigs, and the wigs used for the Wizard of Oz episode. Even some of the wigs used by Hecuba. They must of had 20 or so different ones. All very cool to see up close!

Dana also took me inside and showed me some of the different sets. I was really amazed at how different they looked up close. When I saw the Crane Mansion staircase I was surprised it wasn't as big as it seems on tv. Dana also explained how they get the marble to look like real marble. Also how they paint the floors for all the different scenes for dofferent rooms. You just don't realize how much time and effort goes into putting a show together until you go and see how it's done. It really makes you appreciate all the hard work that goes into it when you sit and watch the show on TV.

From there we walked back outside. Just then McKenzie happened to be walking by. She looked very pretty. Perfect hair and make up and a very pretty dress on. Brook also was passing by and Dana introduced her to me. She was very nice and shook my hand. She had on this really pretty shirt, she looked very nice in it. Unfortunately, I didn't take any photos of Lindsay, Brook or McKenzie. Last thing I wanted to do was bother them while they're working.

From there Dana took me on a tour around the studios, all of which are on different streets named Gunsmoke, Gilligan's Island, New York Street. Dana was going to show me the Bennett house, but couldn't quite locate it, I guess that's because it sank a while back! *laugh* So they replaced it with a different one. I said ohh look, maybe this is the new Bennett house! *S*

On one of the streets, it was like walking down a street from an old movie, with all the different stores, all made up to look real, but weren't. I took a photo, but unfortunately it didn't come out.

We made our way back around to the Passions studio. Dana made a quick stop to drop off a key. From where I stood, I could see Travis and Lindsay sitting outside going over some lines. It was so tempting to go over and say hi, but the last thing I wanted to do was act like a crazy fan who had never seen a star before.

Dana and I went back by the hair stylist room. A few minutes later Travis walks in. I have to say ladies, if you think he's cute on TV, you gotta see him up close and in person. He's very good looking, and very polite. Dana introduced me to him and I asked if he would mind posing for a photo. Which he did happily...

Here is Travis, myself and Dana.

Here is one of just Travis and myself. Thanks Travis for taking the time to talk with me and pose for the photos!

From there we left NBC and headed over to Universal Studios! I really need to thank Dana for this. When I first found out I was getting a trip to L.A. I was overly excited, but a little disappointed thinking I would be right across the street from Universal Studios and not have any time to go on any of the rides. I'll tell you, I was beaming from ear to ear when Dana asked if I wanted to go. Not only did I get to visit the studio, meet a few people, go to Universal and ride some rides, but all that and with Dana to! What more could a girl want! I was on cloud nine and enjoying ever single second of it!! *S*

We had someone take this photo of us at Universal.

We were walking around looking for a ride to go on when we walked by and saw Babe. I told Dana she had to pose with the pig cause it would make a cute photo for the site. So she went over and gave Babe a big hug! Very cute!

Of course, in return, she took a photo of Babe and I.

While walking around we ran into a group of girls. None of them had seen Passions before or even knew what it was. But Dana told them to check it out. And if they wanted to pose for a photo, we would post it on the web site.

We also ran into the guy from Back To The Future. There were a few people waiting to get their photo taken with him, so we waited a few minutes to get this one. I had to laugh, I asked a girl beside me if she'd take a photo of us for me. She said no, she didn't want to because she had her own camera and didn't want to use mine. I thought it was funny at the time. I guess you had to be there to really appreciate it. I didn't think it was a big deal to snap a pic for someone. *laugh* Oh well.

We decided we wanted to grab a bite to eat. We stopped at a little resteraunt and got a slice of peperoni pizza. It wasn't the greatest pizza we'd ever had, but it hit the spot and drinks were really cold, which is always good on a warm day. We sat at a table under the umbrella and had a nice chat. I was so very nice to just sit and talk. We got to know each other a little better. After spending some time with Dana, I got to know her a little more as a person and not as a "Star". She has to be one of the funniest people I've had the pleasure of meeting. I have to admit I have moments when I'm am bit scatter brained and sometimes a strange sense of humor. I also discovered that one of Danas best qualities is her sense of humor. She's very easy to get along with, and the fact that she is so down to earth, that just makes her all the more likable.

After eating and talking a while, we headed down the big escalator to the lower level of Universal Studios. This is a photo from the top looking down the side of the mountain. The big building on the right is where Back Draft is, and also E.T.

Here is a photo of Dana riding down on the escalator.

Half way down they have a platform where you can look over the rail, at the valley below. Behind Dana is a big golf course.

Also on that level they had cut outs of the Apollo 13 crew and space ship. Dana is standing by Tom Hanks with her hand on his cheek.

When we got to the bottom, Jurassic Park was the second ride we rode. (The first being Back To The Future) It had a huge line up. I don't recall how long we waited in line, but it was a while. We talked a lot about different things and that helped to pass the time.

When we finally made it to the ride, I said we have to take a photo of us, so Dana holds out my camera and took this one. I think she did a great job of aiming it. I've never been that good at taking a photo of myself with anyone. Usually I'm cutting off some ones head, usually my own! The only thing I don't really like about the photo is the shadow of my hand across my face and my thumb sticking up the middle of my forehead, DUH, I can't believe I did that. But I still think it's a great photo of us.

As the ride started I thought it would be funny to get a before and after shoot of us, knowing from previous experience that on this ride, you get soaked! So this is us while we are still dry.

Here are 2 of the dinosaurs we met along our journey through Jurassic Park.

The ride was great. I got a real kick out of Dana. You know how they always tell you to keep your hands and arms inside the boat. Well Dana was just like a teenager, having a ball splashing the people in front of us in our boat and the people along the sidewalk as we passed. I just thought that was great. And she was having a ball doing it!

When we finally reached the top, I think we both screamed the whole way down that last big drop. What a rush that is, you just can't help but scream!

These are the after photos, it's a little hard to see, but we both got pretty wet, but as much perhaps as the people in the front seats, but we got our share of the water when we hit the bottom of that last big fall.

After you get off the ride, they have a bunch of tv screens set up where you can see and purchase the photo they take of youfrom the top as you're on your way down. Then you pass through the gift shop, and just outside of that is a splash zone. This is Dana getting splashed by one of the other boats as it passes by. I wasn't sure I got the first photo or not, so she stood there a second time so I could get another shot. What a good sport she was! And pretty soaked by this time. Good thing it was warm out.

Here we are now at the bottom looking up the big escalator.

Dana riding it back up.

It was around 6:30-7:00 p.m. and we decided to call it a night. On our way out we stopped at the gift shop. Dana was very sweet and picked out 2 shirts for my girls. One black one which she's holding up here, and a grey and pink one for my other daughter. I really thought that was very nice of her. I really appreciated it, and my girls loved them! Thanks so much Dana!

On our way out, there was a long red carpet with the Universal Globe at one end of it. See at Universal Walk, everyone gets a chance to walk the red carpet. *S*

Last but not least, Dana posing in front of her SUV holding the little Canadian moose my girls wanted me to give her from them. Dana was a great sport in this photo, as the sun was very bright and was shining right in her eyes.

We left and Dana dropped me off at the hotel.

I have to say Thanks to both Dana and Steve. (Dana's husband) Saturday was Steve's Birthday and I thought it was very nice of Dana to take the time out and spend Friday with me. Especially since she had the Fan Event to go to on Saturday morning. I felt very honored to have had this day with Dana. I hope she enjoyed it as much as I did. I can't thank her enough for the great time I had. I look forward to continuing working with Dana on her great web site! I'm sure as you've all noticed, she's put a lot of thought and effort into this site. It's because of all her input, time, and devotion to the site, and her fans, that this site is as great as it is! I may be the one who put it all together on the web. But it was Dana who knew what she wanted and how she wanted it that's made it all work and turn out as great as it did. I think she's done a fantastic job!

You're one of the greatest Dana, thanks so much for giving me a day I'll never forget! *S*

[ Home ]