Everything started on Thursday evening after work. I left work at 5:30. Got into my car and proceeded to drive to Albertsons. I drove through a hailstorm and a lightning storm before reaching my destination.

When I got to Albertsons, it was pouring out. A manhole cover popped off like a cork from a champagne bottle. Water shot out like a geyser. I picked up my supplies and headed back to the car running and ducking. Thank goodness for keyless entry.

Just a little wet, I drove home. I had to pack for the weekend in a hurry. The family and Judith were waiting for me for dinner. A major adrenaline rush was occurring.

I packed my clothes and I even packed the stuff left over that Mom couldn’t fit in the van, all in about 10 minutes. Talk about adrenaline.

I made it to the hotel…it was only drizzling now. I ran upstairs and saw my parents. Dad just got in too. It was 7pm and I was running a mile a minute. We called Judith and headed to Golden Corral up the street. It was a nice dinner.

Friday, I remember waiting in the guest hotel for the stars. Mom spotted Rich Whiteside down the hall. I followed her and received a big hug from him. That was cool because it was the first time I met him that I can remember. John and Natasha met us in the hall a while later. I looked right at them, and it took a moment for it to click that it was them. I went up to Natasha first, greeted her and gave her a hug, then I went up to John and we gave each other a BIG hug and hello. They all looked great, and John looked a lot better than the last time I saw him at the play "Stiff Cuffs."

Mom reminded me that we had lunch at Denny’s with Keir before meeting the guest stars. I think I remember that too. I had a Boca burger. Very good. The Zavaniau’s were there too. This was their first US con. They seem like very nice people.

I remember registration starting. By this point many Leapers had already arrived. I was helping set up with Mom, Keir, and a few others. I was very excited.

My parents and I took the guest stars to Ming Court, an authentic Chinese restaurant, for dinner. I think we all thoroughly enjoyed it. The only other thing I remember about Friday was how completely drained I was towards the end of the day. People kept asking me questions and wanting me to do stuff, and I couldn’t speak much less comprehend what was being asked of me. The stars came back with us to the Hawthorn and we had the welcome party with cake to celebrate everyone’s birthday.

By this point I was supposed to be rooming with Nancy, Freda, Alba, and Pam. But because I was so out of it, I just plopped in my parents’ room before Keir came over and invited me to sleep in her room for the night. I just brought my pillow, and myself.

Saturday, I woke up, went into my parents room, changed my clothes, then decided to go downstairs and have breakfast. I ate with MJ and Jeanne. Mom joined us a while later and stated that she was waiting for Connie (the representative from BETA Center, our chosen charity). Connie arrived and we (MJ, Mom, and myself) went upstairs to the ballroom to get ready for the auction. I bid on and won the script of "Men Movies and Carol" for $60, one of my favorite videos to watch. It was a copy and had an autograph of Carol and Scott. I always wanted a script of something.

After the auction, Natasha and John got up and began the Q&A. Shortly thereafter, Mom and I went to pick up Dan Roebuck. (Connie had left by this point, but only after being touched by all the money we raised. We took a picture and she went to pick up her son from soccer practice.)

When we returned, Dan went up on stage and so did Rich, and John and Natasha left after exchanging hellos and hugs with Dan (to supposedly use the restroom). However, John left everything of his on stage and asked me to retrieve it after Dan had already started talking. I grabbed Mom and informed her that John’s bag was on stage next to Dan. She then proceeded to climb up onto the stage and crawl to John’s bag and crawl back to me…all to avoid interfering with the video cameras and everyone’s attention. I then put the bag in a safe place.

Then John came out to inform me that his water and glasses were up on stage too. I went back and grabbed what I assumed was his water…actually I just grabbed one that was not used because all the water bottles looked the same. Then I went around to Rich’s side of the table and waited for the right moment. When he looked at me, I softly asked if those were John’s glasses sitting on the table. This got Dan’s attention too. Rich said yes, and chimed in that John was probably blind without them and couldn’t find his zipper. I laughed and went to find John. I ended up putting his glasses in the same place as his bag.

After talking for a while Dan started to cough and get a soar throat. I went to get him some water. The only one I saw available was in the Green Room. It must have come out of the freezer because after delivering it he commented on the block of ice and how he was going to sink on the Titanic with it or something to that affect. So I found him a bottle of water that was a bit warmer.

When Rich and Dan finished, Girlfriends was shown, Deborah’s half-hour video, (Deborah had already shown up by this point and was waiting out in the hall). Dan went to find some quiet time and lay down for a bit. I too was feeling a bit wiped and rested. I met Deborah briefly before she went on stage to talk about Girlfriends and her website. Rich was talking with some fans about his experiences and his book.

When Deborah finished, Dan and Deborah signed autographs. During this time everyone was shooed out of the main room and the staff began to set up for the Ziggy’s. While they were working the tables, I was setting up the centerpieces and scrolls. Judith helped me spread the sequence, and Lisa (my best friend) popped in and surprised me. I gave her a big hug and she helped me set up as well. Then Judith and I went to get dressed for the event. Lisa looked so beautiful.

When I came out, my parents went to get the guest stars, (they had gone to get ready too) and Lisa and I held down the fort. People started to come out and Sandy made the comment that this was scary. (She was referring to the fact that all us Leapers were pretty and all dressed up. This is a very unusual occurrence. We are a jeans and T-shirt kind of group.)

My parents returned and we all headed into the main room. Our choices for dinner were Prime Rib (my choice, my dad’s and Dan’s too), Vegetarian Lasagna, or Hawaiian Chicken (Lisa’s choice, and my mom’s). While we were eating dinner, pictures were popping up on the large view screen in the front of the room. My table kept laughing because a bunch of them were of John and me. (John feeding me grapes, me massaging John in a Congo line, John on one knee holding my hand, etc…) Dan thought this a little strange.

I enjoyed sitting with Dan very much. He is extremely funny and great at coming up with stuff off the top of his head. I kind of think he may be good at Whose Line Is It Anyway (an improv show). One comment he made was that John was actually an android that he created, the real John died in 1997 in a boating accident, and that this John he kept in his home next to the life size Frankenstein he has.

A few of the people sitting at my table were my roommates. Dan found this out and we (Dan and I) started to play off each other. "Did you tell them about your problem?" "What? No, no I haven’t told them." "You really should tell them." "Nah, I was going to try to avoid it…why don’t you tell them." "Have you seen her at night? You know those creatures that live in the woods. Their half human…you know werewolves. That’s her at night."

Then dessert came around. It was key lime pie. Everyone at the table got served except me. Dalton (our representative from the Hawthorn) had to go get another slice. Dan took his fork and began to cut off a piece. I looked at him and told him that I didn’t have my piece yet. He took his pie and put it in front of me. "Yeowee, I’m not eating that! That’s your fork." He took his fork out and inserted mine into the same crevice that he cut. Meanwhile Dalton returned with my piece of pie. He looked at Dan and said that he was messing the whole system up. I laughed. Dan took my fork out and took his piece of pie back. Dalton placed my piece of pie in front of me.

I was wearing contacts that evening and my left contact was starting to dry out and give me trouble. I took a bottle of eyedrops out. "Do you have to do that here?" I giggled and excused myself from the table to put the eyedrops in. At that time I found Davey wandering the halls in search of his room. "It’s the one without a doorbell." I tried very hard not to laugh. I suggested that we return to his mother (Charlie) and ask her what number it was. She was already out in the hall about to join him. I returned to the table and looked down at my plate to find nothing but crumbs on it and Dan about to eat mine with the fork almost in mouth. I took a picture with my invisible camera and sat down. He returned my pie.

Before I knew it, the Ziggy’s had started. John Koenig got on stage (our MC) and introduced Mom. She and John K. started to present the first awards to the volunteers of the convention. I myself received a surprise one. Then the guest stars handed out the next awards to specific Leapers. For instance, "Most Congenial Leaper." Before I knew it, it was my turn to go up there and present the first award to the guest stars.

I got up on stage and began to recite my poem. "It started with a message on a video. That convinced me to travel to Los Angeles. I was there only to meet you. Los Angeles is so dangerous. But who was I. You had never met me before. How was I to know we would turn into something more. The next time I saw you in Kansas City, someone asked the question I will never forget. You did not give an answer back. You simply chose I Love You and began to act. You got down on one knee, took my sweaty hand. You told me you loved me. Was this part of the plan? Then in Toronto it happened again. You gave me a massage and fed me grapes with one hand. I think I understand it now. What is going on here. I am your prop. This has all become clear. I have seen you act in plays and T.V., and even a movie that was rated a B. But through it all, I am still here, by your side to give you a cheer."

I turned towards the screen, the lights dimmed down, and the video began to play. John came on stage with Davey and watched the clips put together of him. I loved his comments throughout the video. Especially when it hit Xena. The video ended, the lights returned and John was at the podium. He gave me a hug, said thank you and gave a little speech. He opened the card that was presented to him, and read what was in it. At that point I realized that I had done things a little backwards. He was about to leave the stage when I stopped him, took the card, and apologized for doing the presentation backwards. I read the card and told everyone that John’s winning category was "Best Big Brother both On and Off Screen". John exited the stage. John K. came up to the podium and announced that I had another award to present. I got back on stage after depositing my first speech, and began to read the next one.

"The two towns of Bethlehem and Allentown, PA are small and quaint. Everyone is a neighbor and a friend. My father was born and raised in Bethlehem where as a young adult he was a councilor at the town YMCA. He taught youngsters how to swim. He remembers having a Roebuck in one of his classes. Although Dan was a too young for my dad’s class, he thinks it may have been one of his cousins. Dan Roebuck was born and raised in Bethlehem, PA where he performed at local events at the age of 9. He continued to act, direct, and write plays, perform magic at local clubs, and eventually stand-up comedy before moving to Los Angeles at the age of 21. In 1986 he landed the role of Cliff Lewis, a legal assistant, on Matlock, and the rest is history. Dan loves to collect memorabilia on monsters and Halloween villains. For instance, his favorite Universal monster is the Creature from the Black Lagoon and Dan has a full sized version. It is one of the few that was used to promote the movie. Dan is married and has two wonderful kids. And we are all very proud of his accomplishments."

I turned towards the screen and the lights dimmed once again to reveal clips, but this time of Dan. When the lights came back on, Dan came on stage. I read the card (correctly this time) and presented Dan with his award. He gave a small speech, said thank you and gave me a hug and small kiss on the cheek. We both exited the stage.

John K. came back up and announced Mom as the next presenter. Mom came up and read her speech. We watched Natasha’s video and Natasha came up front. When she reached the stage, she was crying. We all felt for her, and began to understand just how much the awards really meant. Natasha thanked us all. It was a special moment.

Next, Sandy Herbert came up to present an award to Rich. It was a nice and personal account of Rich’s personality. The video was shown (clips of Rich as an extra in QL), and Rich accepted his award and read a poem he wrote. (It is the one quoted on the main 2001 Orlando Leap Page. ED.)

Mom then presented a surprise award to Deborah. Deborah came up and gave Jo a big hug, and thanked everyone. She said that of all the awards she has, this one meant a lot because it was a Quantum Leap award and she holds that show very dear to her heart. She thanked us as the voice of Ziggy.

The next "surprise" of the evening was Natasha’s audio interview with Scott Bakula. Mom had no idea what Natasha’s surprise was going to be, so we were all thrilled. It was then announced that this was the end, when Deborah came back up and couldn’t believe that no one thanked my mother. So she thanked my mother and everyone gave Mom a standing ovation. That became my cue. I ran up to John K. told him that I had something and to hang on. I ran to the room. Ran back to my purse (I forgot the key. John K. was anxious for me to come on…he had to stall big time.). Ran back to the room, opened the package, got my speech, and ran back to the main room. John was very happy to see me and I came on stage to relieve him.

By this point I was shaking like a leaf. I read my poem to my mother. "I know we all had a great time here. For the past three days deserve a big cheer. And I think my mother deserves one too. For putting on this convention and making some dreams come true. I brought an award with me, to give to her tonight. She did not know this was coming. I am sure this is a great delight. I would like to present this award to her, for all the effort she has put in. This convention was a great success, and in life she will always win. So for being a great mother, a wife, and a friend. Thank you for all you’ve done. This award makes you number one."

The award was sitting on the podium, and when I finished my poem I called Mom on stage. She came on with tears in her eyes. We hugged, and Mom gave a small thank you speech. This concluded the evening and we began to mingle. Lisa and I said goodnight and I headed to my room (I would see Lisa tomorrow.).

This night I was going to stay with my roommates Nancy, Freda, and Pam (Alba was rooming with her husband tonight), but I couldn’t find anyone. Everyone was watching videos in Helene’s room. I wandered the first floor listening for sounds of laughter and Scott’s voice. I found it and tried not to intrude too much, but I needed to know where I was sleeping. Nancy informed me that it was the couch, and I headed back upstairs.

Sunday morning, I was awakened at 8am (after getting to sleep sometime around 2am.). I got dressed and went downstairs for breakfast. I chatted with other Leapers (Judith, Ian, Ann, etc…), then headed up to the main room. Today was our closing ceremony. Instead of a full guest star panel, the guest stars turned it around and put con organizers from past conventions on stage and asked them questions. It worked out well. Then John, Natasha and Rich were to sign autographs. I was waiting to get everyone’s autograph when Lisa arrived with lunch.

The autograph session was over. Everyone went into the main room to watch Prowler. The guest stars, my family, and Lisa left for a VIP tour of Kennedy Space Center that my dad had arranged with some officials. We had a wonderful time there, and I think it was the first time that Natasha, John and Rich had been to KSC.

After Kennedy we decided to have Thai for dinner, so I recommended Siam Orchid, one of my favorite Thai restaurants on International Drive. We were seated at the authentic style tables. It looks like you are supposed to sit Indian style but once you walk across the seats and sit down you find that there is actually a deep pocket to sit normally.

On my first step to walking across the seats, my left foot missed the seat and slipped into the pocket. I went tumbling down. For the remainder of the evening I had an ice pack sitting on my leg, but the food was delicious as usual and everyone loved it.

After dinner, we drove the guests to their hotel and said our good-byes. We had a wonderful time, and I was sad to see them go. It would be wonderful if we could get together more than once a year. The guests were still talking about the Ziggy’s and how wonderful it was and how much they loved their award. The convention was a truly magical experience that we will never forget.