Wow. I don't even know where to start.

First, thank you so much to everyone for the wonderful Birthday
wishes! You are great! Yes, SSW in Orlando always seems to fall
right around my Birthday so I feel very fortunate to be able to
spend it with so many wonderful friends through the online groups
and my friends in town!

Also, I apologize for the multiple posts at several groups, I cannot
recall right now who wanted me to post about SSW and where.

This year I decided to focus mostly on "GH." Yes, "AMC" is always
to be considered a favorite of mine, but because of the recent
events in NY with the luncheons and St. Jude event I wanted to do
something different with the actors I have never met at all. Friday
night after the Planet Hollywood Dinner my friend and I walked
around the Boardwalk a bit and just by chance had the opportunity to
meet Greg Vaughn, Tyler Christopher, Melissa Archer, Walt Willey,
Rick Hearst among others. All the actors were holding a "briefing"
press conference party. Afterwards some went to a Piano Bar across
the street. Got a few photos that way- missed Alicia, Aiden, Tomy
and a few others that went out another way- lol!

Arrived at Disney MGM about 7:45 AM Saturday. They had already
opened the gates perhaps a few minutes earlier so I only heard about
the single line "chain" they had everyone do once entering the
park. THE PAST PASS. Just in my opinion, it was OKAY. Not the
greatest, but not absolutely horrible either. The problem is with
this event it is literally impossible to do everything, and once you
receive the daily event schedule, you must pick and choose what you
want. With me anyway, it is very difficult to plan every move-
especially if you wait for a fast pass which will give you an
interval of a 15 minute period of when you are to go back and meet
the one actor you chose for the day, unless you go back to the end
of the line. Only by luck was I able to view some of the outside
AMC talk shows on stage after a parade. Day One I managed to get a
Fast Pass for Kelly Monaco and Greg Vaughn. I only took maybe 30
photos during the entire weekend, as I spent most of my time
videotaping- which I always like to look back on as also being able
to hear the interviews and such from the shows and live action. The
casting call was a nice addition to the Orlando event- I believe
that started this past year at SSW CA. The one I saw was for Rick
Hearst as Tanisha wanted to be on stage with him- lol! (She wasn't
chosen though- sniff sniff) Greg and Kelly were great and very
personable. By luck we saw a Interview Talk Show with Linda Dano
hosting Susan, Eden, Jacob, Walt, Michael E. Knight, Michael Jordon
on Saturday as well- we were the last ones to get in; and we didn't
even know who the Interview was with- we went in initially for the
sole purpose of being able to sit down and relax in the air
conditioning!

The nicest thing about this event in particular while waiting in
line or walking around the park is being able to meet new fans and
friends- and also promoting all our groups! And definitely seeing
everyone again I've met before and hanging out! Janet, Christina,
Laura, both Patti's, Michelle, Maureen, Jennifer, Shari, both
Tracy's, Rhonda, Jackie, Stanley, Leslie, Julie, Sherri, my goodness
the list can go on and on and you all are so cool and SO MUCH FUN!
And I MISSED so MUCH Carla, Inge, and everyone else who
unfortunately couldn't attend- but you WERE there BELIEVE ME in
SPIRIT! I will say that after all our other events spent together,
they aren't the same without you! THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO MADE my
SSW Birthday Weekend so WONDERFUL!

I am going back and forth here, as everything is still in a daze...
lol! The buttons at SoapNet Central were cool after you played
their Trivia Game on which actor you were "most like," also met
Brian Frons, Susan Lucci, Eden, Lisa Rina, Ty Treadway and others in
passing, as well as talking to Rebecca about her website, Linda Dano
about the St. Jude event, Kassie was sick the first day and saw her
briefly, etc. Didn't stay for the Street Jam- wish I would have
heard Kathy was fantastic!

I especially feel bad for the people who didn't know of the Fast
Pass new policy this year. If you weren't in line even BEFORE the
park OFFICIALLY opened, your chances were slim to meet the most
popular actors. I spoke with a few people who were understandably
quite disappointed, while others who were able to have friends help
out and get fast passes for them and didn't mind- (hint! Go with
friends who don't care to meet anyone- lol!) Next year I plan on
doing more of the talk shows and "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire."
Again, if you have a Fast Pass to meet someone at a specific time,
it can easily conflict with another show. So in essence, you must
pick and choose.

Sunday same thing... did the "GH" thing but lucked out because I
heard from others by cell phone that the "OLTL" lines for Fast Pass
was shorter. Went from "GH" to "OLTL" and managed to get Ingo
Radamacher, Chad Brannon, Tuc Watkins and Hillary B. Smith. I asked
Hillary to sign "Happy Birthday" for me and she announced it out
loud to everyone who was in line and taking photos on the
sidelines. How embarrassing- but funny! Sorry Ingo fans- wasn't to
impressed. Chad was cool, as was Tuc and Hillary. Heard the Fast
Passes for Ingo were selling for up to $200.00 for those who missed
their chance and got there to late. Managed to see Michael E.
Knight and told him "CARLA SENDS HER LOVE!" Alicia saw me during
the parade and was very cool and said she was happy I "made it"
(didn't get to talk to her on Saturday), and someone in Rebecca's
line passed out and fainted to the ground! She was okay, and
Rebecca stopped her line to go over and tend to her and take photos-
was very sweet of her. Was thrilled to have the chance encounter to
videotape Christina, Laura and Michelle meeting Susan Lucci! Also
Shari with Eden, and sorry- can't remember who else right now. As
soon as I have a chance, I will be capturing all of the digital
shots to share with everyone at the groups. Also was able to visit
with Jacob Young, Kassie again, a few more talk shows and parades,
collecting to pre-signed signatures, etc. Also Katherine (little
Colby) with Alicia was adorable!

That's it for now. Looking forward to sharing my photos and video
shots once I get a chance... and a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone again
for your Birthday messages, emails, cards, those who shared their
buttons, goodie bags from PH and winning a raffle, good
conversations, and such a fabulous time with helping make this event
and all the others so entertaining... I couldn't have spent it with
a better group of friends and fans!

Take care and Cheers!

With Smiles, Laughter & Love,
Michael