Dirk at Pittsburgh Toy Show

[Tracy]

Saturday and Sunday, December 2nd and 3rd.
Pittsburgh, PA.

http://www.pittsburghtoyshow.com/

[Christy]

Awesome!!!..... :o :D

Hope all works out for him to attend. Believe me, I understand that things with family/work/etc. can come up and he may have to cancel. But, on the other hand...I may have to be the one to cancel.....that would be an even greater bummer :cry: !!!....Keeping my fingers crossed!

Hey, ya know what would be totally awesome 8) ...if some others from the list here could make it to Pittsburgh too! I need ALL the "support" possible to get the courage up to approach Dirk :oops: .....Help....Anybody!?....

Just abit nervous.....now.....ask me when it's closer to December 2nd.....

Warmest Regards to ALL,
Christy

[Tracy]

Christy,

Pittsburgh is a bit out of my reach geographically, as are most of his conventions.

Why nervous? No need to be. :)

[MrsSpooky]

Hi Christy,

I never met Dirk, but something tells me you don't have to be nervous. By all accounts, he's a great guy and is really nice to the people he meets.

I hope you do go to meet him, so you can report back to the rest of us about your experienece - so we can meet him vicariously through you. Sadly, That's a bit out of my range too. Sigh. I managed to miss him when he was in Orlando. Hopefully he'll get here again and I can say 'hello' in person.


Don't be afraid. He's a guy. I'm sure he'll be happy to meet you too!

[DonnaRedRockMom]

Don't worry about approaching him...he sets everyone at ease...he even makes you feel like an invited guest into his world for the moment

....he is an easy guy to talk to...I hope you get the chance to meet him and talk to him

...just jump in line and when it is your turn to meet him he will quickly put you at ease

...ENJOY!!!!

Donna

[jigglypuff]

Hi, Christy:
If all goes well I'm hoping to be there for a few hours on the 3rd. That's the only day I'll be able to get there, if at all. Which day were you going to be there for? Let me know, maybe we can hook up. :wink:

[Christy]

Thanks Tracy, Deb, and Donna !!! :wink: You ladies are the greatest ! And you all keep proving that there is a wonderful group of people at this site ! Sorry that yous won't be able to make it...REALLY, I am sorry ! I'd also love to meet all of you too !

I know / "gathered" from posts that I've read that Dirk is one of the most easy going celebs you'd ever meet. It's just......me......that's always been a part of my personality....very shy around people....even some that I do know. Thought I'd grow out of it ( I just turned 41 )...nope, not yet... :lol:

Jigglypuff, that would be great if we can get together !!! As of right now I'm really not even sure if I'll be able to go at all ( even thought it's only about an 1 hr. and 45 min. away.....oh, that can be "cut" down to about an 1 hr. and 15 min...or less)..... :( Things have been abit out of sorts here. My mom had to have her left leg amputated from just below her knee (Sept. 21st). She's doing great ! I believe she "took" it better than the rest of the family. Her spirits are still very high. Not to mention all of the support and prayers that others have given...we have a great group of people here too ! Dad's working on getting the house "set up" to accomodate her when she gets to come home. What may work out is that we ( my sister and I ) will stay 1 or 2 nights and also visit my niece / her daughter, too....she's attending college in Pittsburgh. I'll keep you updated on things so we can plan to maybe meet on Sunday.

Warmest Regards to ALL,
Christy

[DonnaRedRockMom]

Christy Kinsinger Wrote:
Thanks Tracy, Deb, and Donna !!! You ladies are the greatest ! And you all keep proving that there is a wonderful group of people at this site ! Sorry that yous won't be able to make it...REALLY, I am sorry ! I'd also love to meet all of you too !

OK lets all meet....my backyard....I will light the fireplace and all of you bring the hotdogs (Vegan ones for me please)

.....it would be great to meet everyone in person.....I think meeting each of you would be as much fun as it was to meet Dirk

....since that can not really work (even thou you are all really invited to join me at my fire) lets all try to see if we can meet on a regular basis in the chat room here

....go to the posting about the chat and let us know if you can make it

Donna

[Christy]

Hi Everyone,

Donna, I'll be there !!!.....What do you need me to bring ?! :D :wink:

Warmest Regards to ALL of you,
Christy

[jigglypuff]

Hello.
Just a question for Christy. How are things looking for you in terms of making it to this convention?
As for me, my boyfriend is starting to come up with different excuses to not take me. My father offered, but I trust being with him in a car for two hours about as far as I could throw him. I'm under a 100 pounds and he's over 300, tells you how far that is.
So at the moment, my chances of being there are like slim to none.
C'est ma vie!!! :cry:

[Christy]

Hi Jiggly Puff and Everyone,

Sorry I haven't posted anything in regards to the Convention in Pittsburgh. For me, it's also still "up-in-the-air" as to my being able to make it or not... :cry:....he'll be soo close ( 1 hr and 45 min "close" !!! ).... :cry: :cry: I've also been working on getting a ride too ( don't have my own wheels right now and would need to ask my parents to use theirs.....). And even if I would get to use theirs / or whatever.....there's still the possibility that I may not be able to go ( depending on how my mom's doing....$$$....). Keeping the faith that things will work out.

I'll try to keep you updated, Jiggly Puff. I hope things work out for you to go :D :wink: ( even if I don't get to :cry: )....

Regards to ALL of you,
Christy

[Christy]

Hi Everyone!

Sorry I haven't posted before this regarding if I would be able to make it to the Toy Show in Pittsburgh to meet Dirk....I wasn't able to get there.... :cry: ....and I'm still down about it ( alot ) ! :cry: :cry: :cry:

Things didn't work out with the car that I just bought from a private owner. I was "banking" on it passing inspection on Friday ( Dec 1st ) and I'd have it for the weekend.....wrong ! The guy wouldn't pass it ( the headlight cover had to be replaced--too "foggy".....was told that happens to them over time...expensive little bugger/cover ! ) but he did at least give me the inspection certificate so I could get my tags for the car. But I couldn't get the car until this past Tuesday ( Dec 5th......). Sooo, I tried my friends.....

They say that you'll learn which of your friends are true friends when you need them the most ( okay, granted it wasn't life or death.....but it was getting to meet Dirk !!! )....not to mention family members too !!!....Well, I learned how few friends I really have here ! And my family, well, let's just say for now that I'm not speaking much to my sister...

I asked those so called true friends of mine if anyone would be interested in going to Pittsburgh with me ( I, of course would pay for gas, their way into the convention....if they wanted to go with me--instead of shopping, and for meals ).....NOBODY would say, "Sure...no problem for a dear friend...would love to !" And as for my sister.....well, to start with, my niece ( my sisters oldest daughter ) is attending Pitt and my sister and her husband went to Pittsburgh Saturday ( yupe, you guessed it....Dec 2nd ! ) shopping with my niece and didn't want me to know about it until they were on their way home ( also not speaking all that much to my mother either !.....she, too, was in on not telling me they were going shopping....in Pittsburgh ! ) Sooo.......

....Jigglypuff, I hope that you were able to make it to the convention ?!...And please, please don't take this the wrong way, but....be grateful that your dad offered to take you....mine wouldn't let me take their car nor was there an offer to take me!....To my parents ( mom, mostly ), sister and friends it was just something...silly ( sorry Dirk....to them, not me !).

I did, however, find out today that there would have been a co-worker of mine that would have been glad to take/drive me to Pittsburgh ( she was bored over the weekend and said that we could have went shopping after I met Dirk.....)......had she only known.....had I only said something sooner.......

Well, I'm still keeping the faith that in 2007 it will ALL work out for me to meet Dirk!........


All the best to ALL of you,
Christy

P.S. See you in 2007, Dirk !!! :wink:

[jigglypuff]

Hi, Christy:
Well, as you know, I wasn't able to make it either and I know how it goes to keep asking around with either the answer of no or a run-around.
Actually, my mother asked my father knowing that my boyfriend would flake out on me, but he's now remarried and his new wife (I do not and will not call her my stepmother) is very ill and he has to stay home with her alot and really can't go very far away. When my mother asked, he said he would see what he could do that maybe one of her three children could stay with her, but I never reminded him when the day came closer, he forgot all about it, so I doubt if he would have even been able to take me and forgive me, Dirk, but even if he could have, even you are not worth having a mental breakdown over.
As for not talking, I'm kinda like that with my boyfriend. As the weekend was coming closer, he kept coming up with different excuses, so finally I just shut up and ignored him. Then the weekend came, whenever he would come on the phone I was expecting at least an I'm sorry I couldn't take you. Instead I heard nothing about it at all. Finally, the Tuesday after, I question him on it only to hear that he had forgot all about it and after I had been talking about it ever since late October. Goes to show you how much I'm actually listened to.
He does that to me quite often and afterwards I keep hearing how much he'll make up to me for it. Every time he says that, please forgive me for this, but I see a flashing neon sign in my mind with the huge letters, BS. I think I really need to find a new boyfriend. I don't mind being quiet, letting the man to all the talking and take over, but at least think about me every once in awhile.
Like you said though, maybe sometime in 2007. Here's hoping. :D

[Dawg]

Jigglypuff, speaking as a male member of the species:

You need a new boyfriend. Kick this one to the curb.

To be honest, I think you did exactly right by not pressing your father to take you. That was a very kind thing to do, allowing him to focus on his sick wife. You've got a wide streak of good in you. I'm happy to know you.

Your boyfriend takes you for granted. He's ego-centric. Otherwise, he'd remember things like this. It would be one thing if he usually remembers such things but ocassionally forgets (even men are human), but it sounds like he just doesn't pay attention. You deserve better.

Give yourself a Christmas present. Give him his walking papers. Show him the door. Take his number off your speed dial (and delete yours from his).

You're worth far better consideration than he's shown you.

You're a good kid.

;)

I am
Dawg
8)

[julie w]

"You need a new boyfriend. Kick this one to the curb.


Your boyfriend takes you for granted. He's ego-centric. Otherwise, he'd remember things like this. It would be one thing if he usually remembers such things but ocassionally forgets (even men are human), but it sounds like he just doesn't pay attention. You deserve better.

Give yourself a Christmas present. Give him his walking papers. Show him the door. Take his number off your speed dial (and delete yours from his).

You're worth far better consideration than he's shown you."



I "ditto" that! You do deserve far better. Please don't be one of those women who are dependent on a looser because they think they don't deserve better and/or are afraid to take a step of faith into the unknown to see who else is out there. Those situations are just so sad. They all deserve better.

You should indeed give yourself a Christmas present. Find a man who will put your needs, wants, desires and dreams as important to him as his own are.:-)

[bbbear97]

I agree with Dawg and Julie W. You need to learn to love yourself first! Don't always put your needs on the back burner.

Unfortuantely I learned this all too late and spent 3 1/2 years with a guy who only cared about himself and was only truely happy when all of my attention was focused on him. We were engaged for over 2 years, I just kept pushing off the wedding date because something didn't feel right. I saw all the signs, but just didn't listen to them. Here's an example: I picked out an engagement ring, very simple, small solitare princess cut, but he didn't like it, it was "too ordinary". So he decided to give me this cluster cocktail ring thing! I was very unhappy with it. I mean, who's ring is this anyway right! Not too mention that it cost 10 times as much as the one that I picked out and he purchased it on a credit card, which meant we were in debt over it. Sheesh! I was glad I came to my senses and didn't marry him!

Do yourself a favor, and kick him to the curb!

[jigglypuff]

Hello, again.
Yes, I agree with everyone. But I have fallen into two of the traps that Julie W. described. The one I don't fall into is that I know I deserve better.
Now, for the two I do fall into:
One: dependence.
I don't drive, never learned. He is my transportation if I want to or have to go out anywhere the bus doesn't. If my bank account goes into the major red, something like -$100 (which it has at the end of the month, not very often, but it has happened), guess who I go to for help? I don't know anyone else I could ask for transportation or financial help.
Two: familiarity
I met him soon after I turned 16 and I've been with him ever since, namely 18 years. He knows I have no wish for marriage and basically leaves me alone about it. I know what to expect from him, compared to going looking and probably winding up with someone physically or mentally abusive. I know alot of the relationship is one sided. I like short hair, he likes long, so I have hair about half way down my back. There's other instances which I can't really think of at the moment.
Then, sometimes, I figure he is 57, so maybe it's early alzheimer's? :?
I do have to go online for him, take money from his bank account, and pay three of bills each month, because he forgets about them as well. I had to remind him about his mother's and brother's birthday.
Basically, I do my best to live my own life on my own, get together with him maybe once a week and otherwise I do my best to ignore him.
Although, I will admit it does hurt to hear him ask, "What am I getting you for Christmas again?", for the FOURTH time. :shock:

[julie w]

Ok....hang on. Did I read that right? You've been together for 18 years. You met him when you were 16 (which would make you *my* age - 34) and he's now 57 - which would have made him 39 when you first got involved? Am I putting that together right? Honestly, I'm not judging. I'm just wondering - if you don't mind me asking - how did your parents (or any other family member) feel about you as a minor being involved with such an older guy?

Sweetie, I don't know what you believe as far as faith goes but I'm going to lay it all out on the table. I hope it doesn't make you feel like I'm trying to push my beliefs - because I'm not. Whether we accept it or not, I believe we are all made by the hand of God. As a Christian, I also believe that salvation only comes through Christ....but I'm getting way ahead of myself. My point is: since God himself has made you then don't you think that makes you worth better than what you've been settling for? Trust me. I've got TONS of problems in my life and I've been working them out. Though I know who I am through Christ and I know I was made from the hand of God - lies still try to tell me: I don't deserve this, I don't deserve that. BUT that is what they are! LIES!

Fear is also a HUGE factor too. It can destroy *anyone*. Plus, it's not predjudice. The more you step out and do things for yourself in your own life, the more confidence you will gain. The more confidence you have, the more confident you will be to others. ESPECIALLY those of the opposite sex!:-) I don't care what ANYONE says. I've heard from plenty of good (and good *looking*, sexy men) that a confident woman comes off very sexy to a lot of men!:-) This may be stuff you already know. If it's a "rerun" - forgive me. However, sometimes we All need to be reminded of this.:-)

[ostarella]

My mother always said there's only one person who can make you happy, or unhappy - and that's you. We make a lot of choices along those lines - some by choosing not to do anything except go with the flow. When we get sick and tired enough of the way things are in our lives, then we make a choice to change. Nobody telling us to will do it. It's all up to us. I can tell what I would do, but that would only work for me, not you. But I can tell from experience (and I've got almost 20 years on you :roll: ) that staying with someone because you've allowed yourself to become dependent is not a good enough reason. Nor is staying because it's basically all you've known. I have a coffee cup that says "You've got to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince." But I'll add - you kiss a lot of princes, too, before you find *your* prince.

Maybe it's time to take stock. What's good in your life? What's not so good? What would you change if you could? And why aren't you? Ask yourself what are you really afraid of? And don't give yourself a break on that! Get tough. What we think we're afraid of is usually just a mask for the real fear.

Once you force yourself to be honest about what's really keeping you from changing, you can be just as forceful in facing that fear/fears. What's really the worst that could happen if you changed one bad thing in your life? What would you do if that happened? I can tell you one thing - again, from experience - you'd survive, and probably be no worse off overall than you are now. But you also get to look at the best that could happen, and what would you do? Probably be happier.

You said basically you could do worse as far as boyfriends. That's like saying, "I'll shoot myself in the foot; that's better than the leg." If you know what you want in a man, don't settle for less. Just don't "want" perfection :wink: - I also believe that you like someone *because*, but you love someone *in spite of*. Yes, you'll meet some frogs - but if you go into it with your eyes open, you'll see pretty quickly they're green.

But the overall deal is - *you* have to decide what you're going to do with your life. Are you willing to settle for what's comfortable, safe and familiar - or do you want what you're worth?

[MrsSpooky]

Hello, again.
Yes, I agree with everyone. But I have fallen into two of the traps that Julie W. described. The one I don't fall into is that I know I deserve better.
Now, for the two I do fall into:
One: dependence.
I don't drive, never learned. He is my transportation if I want to or have to go out anywhere the bus doesn't. If my bank account goes into the major red, something like -$100 (which it has at the end of the month, not very often, but it has happened), guess who I go to for help? I don't know anyone else I could ask for transportation or financial help.
Two: familiarity
I met him soon after I turned 16 and I've been with him ever since, namely 18 years. He knows I have no wish for marriage and basically leaves me alone about it. I know what to expect from him, compared to going looking and probably winding up with someone physically or mentally abusive. I know alot of the relationship is one sided. I like short hair, he likes long, so I have hair about half way down my back. There's other instances which I can't really think of at the moment.
Then, sometimes, I figure he is 57, so maybe it's early alzheimer's? :?
I do have to go online for him, take money from his bank account, and pay three of bills each month, because he forgets about them as well. I had to remind him about his mother's and brother's birthday.
Basically, I do my best to live my own life on my own, get together with him maybe once a week and otherwise I do my best to ignore him.
Although, I will admit it does hurt to hear him ask, "What am I getting you for Christmas again?", for the FOURTH time. :shock:


Jiggly, we just love you honey, and we want only the best for you *hugs*.

Is there a way you can go someplace to make new friends (real life, local to you friends, that is, heehee) that you can hang with and do things with besides this guy? You don't want to have only one person you can depend on (what if something happens to him?) and a change of scenery once in a while would be good for you.

Not that I'm saying you DON'T have other friends near you, but maybe go out and widen the circle you already have.

Just a thought....

[Kyvettegirl]

Dear Jiggly,
Life is short, and that is a fact--too short to live miserably. You are a fine person and you are worth so much more than you have been led to believe. We have an old saying here in the south, " if you keep backing a dog in the corner, eventually that dog is going to come out growling and ready to bite" Honey, it's time to growl a little and maybe even bite ---make yourself some resolutions for 2007--learn to drive--broaden your horizons--volunteer at local hospitals, nursing homes---there are people who need love and friendship and you could do so much good---and you just might be surprised who you could meet---and I agree with Julie we were all created in the image of God, and I'm not trying to push my beliefs on anyone either--but God wants only the best for us, but we have to step out on faith, not only in what we believe or how we worship, but in ourselves. We all have hopes, dreams and desires--act on them. Advice is usually worth what is costs, but in this case I think you see that we all have your best interest at heart.
With many thoughts and prayers, Ky Vette Girl :)

[Christy]

Hi Jigglypuff,

.......YOU DESERVE BETTER !!!.....

There, I hope that helps....because wether or not you believe it....it's true ! But until you, yourself believe it...ONLY YOU can make it happen !.....

I thought that I had found my soul mate........wrong ! And sadly it took me nearly 12 years to figure that out ( well, like you....realize that I deserve better ).

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Wishing you all the best,
Christy