Spyder Games Fan Event

On Saturday, October 13, 2001, I had the honor and pleasure of going to the Spyder Games fan event in Hollywood, California. I began watching Spyder Games because of Shawn Batten (Natalia Carlisle) and Christina Chambers (Taylor Jones). They had both been on Sunset Beach, which was the first soap that I ever watched and which I remain a fan of to this very day. I watched MTV delay Spyder Games time and again and finally got to see it when it premiered. I loved it. Like Sunset it had a sense of humor. It was wild, wacky, fun, and surprising. And I loved Shawn and Christina even more. Their acting had imporved and their characters were fabulous. My favorite character on the show was Natalia. I'd have loved her even if I wasn't already a fan of Shawn's. I was expecting to be fine with the show being over and done with after sixty-five episodes, but I want more. I want to see what happens between Ivan and Jeff, and what will transpire when Sasha finds out Natalia is his mother, and Taylor and Dmitri's baby.

When I found out about the fan event, I signed up immediately. As the date came closer I wasn't really excited. It didn't hit me until I was sitting in the Knitting Factory with my mom and the cast began to come out.

The best thing about the day was that every single one of them was so personable and nice, very approachable people. Every single one of them was willing to talk to a fan and carry on a conversation about anything. They were happy to take picture after picture, sign autograph after autograph. There are a great group of people. They didn't section themselves off away from fans they went up to you sometimes. I spent quite a bit of time with my mom talking to Alisa Reyes (Rocio). She was very excited about her group, 3G's, it was nice to hear her enthusiasm. Jane Wiedlin (Gretel) was fantastic. A double treat, what with my being Go Gos fan. Everyone seemed really pleased to see me and my mom together. The raffle was great. My mom and I went a little crazy and bought $40 worth of them. I got the unofficial soundtrack (complete with Bitch Slapped My Heart), a script for the second episode, a signed soundtrack (I had Shawn and Christian McLaughlin the creator sign the disc), a Mink Stole tee shirt, and a tape of the first five episode. I even got an old copy of Soap Opera Weekly with Christina on the cover signed by her.

I want to thank everyone of them: Shawn Batten, Christina Chambers, Bryce Mouer, Byron Field, Joseph Cacia, Mailon Rivera, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Alisa Reyes, Robert Hutchinson, Monica Garnich, Adrienne Smith, Zay Harding, Brian White, Ray Laska, Travis Wester, Mink Stole, Nectar Rose, Jane Wiedlin, Christian McLaughlin (Sweet, sweet guy), and Valerie Ahern. And a big thanks for Patricia and David for setting it all up. I honetly hope we can do it al next year.

Do not take any of these pictures under any circumstances. Thank you =)