The Burbank Report
ToD Guys, Meet the ToD Gang
Posted by Erika/Kaj/Lindy/Mel/Pen/Sheila
on 2/24/2007
* * * * * * * * * * PART THREE:
ToD Guys, Meet the ToD Gang * * * * * * * * * *
ENTERING THE HALL
Well, finally the moment had come...
Sheila: We walked down the hall straight towards their table.
At the same time, Terry starting walking towards us. He was probably
just walking in that direction. But it made it seem like he got up to
greet us, which couldn't have been as he didn't have a clue who the hell
we were. Erika: Well, it wasn't me who came to the rescue. I was
preoccupied snapping pictures of the guys who were standing behind the
table (where we expected them to be), scanning the room through my
camera's viewfinder. I was panning to the right, thinking I'd get one of
us ToDites in a picture, when I saw *Terence Knox* right there in
front of us. I mean, RIGHT THERE. In my viewfinder. And he was taking
up, like... the whole window, LOL.
So while Sheila was busy making Terry Knox raise his eyebrows, I was
busy saying, "Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God." And I looked
over my shoulder at Lindy, who was right beside me, and I swear, she
looked like she had won the Super Lotto Plus California lottery. Settle girl. Just settle I told myself LOL.
And remember to breathe.
Walk nice and slow with your head up. And smile. But not too cheesy?
Or he'll think youve had botox injections. LOL
We all waltzed into that Convention Centre, very very excited.
God help me if Terry went to shake my hand. I don't know about anyone
else, but my hands were dripping with nervous sweat and I had to keep
wiping them down on my jeans, ICK...LOL.
My heart was beating so fast it felt like it was gonna explode right
out of my chest.
I entered thru the doors and there he was. He was walking towards us,
like he was King of the Hill, and with a smile on his face as big as
Texas. OMG? I - am -going- to- die
He greeted all of us with such warmth and genuine enthusiasm.
Mel had already told Terry and the others that some TOD fans had
arrived in Burbank, and would soon be coming to say hello. But we'd got
held up looking for this capless Vietnam Vet called Ernie, LOL.
Terry was getting anxious as to our whereabouts.
"Where have you guys been all this time?"
I found myself really listening to his voice to see if he sounded
anything at all like Zeke did.
I think he talked quite different to Zeke. Im curious to know what
the rest of you think?
When I laid eyes on him the first time.... I was speechless.
OMG???? THAT'S HIM???? THAT'S TERENCE KNOX RIGHT THARR!! LOL
I loved what he was wearing. I think the dark shirt he had on, suited
him so well.
Healthwise, he looked great. He appeared trim, and fit and well.
And the hair??? The hair was good LOL.
He looked even better in real life than I imagined he would.
like *smokin' hot.... LOL*
I.. I.. I.. I.. I .... I'm in love, MAN
After the initial shock of seeing him up close and personal I found
my voice and some dutch courage and asked if he'd mind having his
picture taken with me.
And to my extreme delight, he said SURE! Come on over here.
And I squealled like a school girl LOL.
I was by his side in a heartbeat.
Barely able to contain my excitement.
Asking Mel and whoever else I could, to take our photo.
No way was I going home until I had a photo of him and me together,
LOL.
Terry was about the same height as my husband. So around 5/11 or 6ft.
My head was almost up to his shoulder, but not quite, LOL.
Thankfully, he did not ask me to stand on a box. Or I would have
died.
I did not need to be coerced into smiling for the camera.
It just came natural.
He was so great. He chatted so naturally to everyone and happily put
his arm around whoever was having their photo taken with him.
He's really great with ppl. And lapped up all the attention.
As did we.
After lots of photos with the fans, he, and us, moved over to the TOD
table where the rest of the guys were sitting.
There we saw Steve Akahoshi. And next to him was Joshua Maurer. Then
there was Terry's chair, and on the end was Eric Bruskotter.
No sign of Tony Becker? Perhaps he was coming later?
The guys all looked great. Not too much different to how they were on
TOD really. They've all just aged a little, of course? Which is to be
expected.
I was so amazed at seeing them all in person. It all seemed so
surreal. LOL.
And WOW??? Look at all those photos?
And this is where all the fun began
We the fans.... wanted autographs.
Lots and lots of autographs. LOL.
On anything and everything tourofdutyish... that we could lay our
hands on.
Sheila: When I walked over to the table, the first thing that
struck me was how gorgeous Josh is up face to face. I was just standing
there looking at them all, then said something equally stupid to Josh
like, "I've been watching Tour of Duty for 20 years, it's like my
television has come to life."
Erika: As we made our way down the table, we introduced
ourselves to each of the guys and shook their hands. They looked us in
the eyes and really made us feel very welcome, you might even say
special--they acted like it was an honour to meet us! It
was an absolute joy to meet and talk with each of them. I'm not sure
we'll ever finish telling you guys about these four, very generous,
wonderful men and what they shared about ToD, but here we go for
starters... starting at one end of the table, stage left...
I remember I just looked at him. He looked at me and raised his
eyebrows, I said something stupid like, "I don't believe
this," which made him raise his eyebrows more. Thankfully, one of
you came to my rescue then and started talking to him.
Lindy: What it was like meeting TERRY: