Embrace Adventure: Road to the Emmys

So here's the story of my night at the Emmys. At least, it's the beginning of it. There's so much to tell, I'll never get through it all in one post!

Note: In case you missed it, I posted some pics earlier from the evening.

The first question I'm sure you're asking is, How did that happen? Well, I went to L.A. for a course on TV writing through Sherwood Oaks College. The program is run by Gary Shusett, who has been running these classes for years. He's also produced some projects himself and his brother is Ron Shusett, a very successful screenwriter and producer (Alien, Total Recall, Minority Report, etc.). So he has lots of connections in “the industry,” and he arranged for tickets to the award show for the first eight students who wanted them. And since I had taken another one of Gary's courses in the spring, I knew this was coming up, so I signed up the day registration opened and snagged one of the tickets. And, man, am I glad I did!

Fortunately I already had a dress (and, even more fortunately, it still fit!). Before I headed to L.A., I treated myself to some highlights, a facial (first one in years), a pedicure and, yes, even a spray tan (my first and, probably, last). I mean, if you're going to go to the Emmys, you have to do it up right, right?

Sunday was the big day. (The first two days in L.A. were spent in classes with tons of interesting speakers, including directors, producers, writers, and writers' assistants—the ones with the real power! :) At 2:00, we all met in front of the hotel to take the limo to the Shrine Auditorium.

Here's me, looking not too shabby, if I do say so myself!

And here I am trying out the “Paris pose.” Yeah, I need to work on that one... :)

There were ten of us going to the awards altogether—five students, three guests of the students, Gary, and Christine, who coordinates the program with him. Here are a few pics of my co-partiers. The last one is of Christine and Gary.

The ride to the event was fine. There was surprisingly little traffic until we got close to the venue, which suddenly became a giant parking lot for stretch limos.

It actually didn't take that long from there to the actual arrival area.

As soon as I got out of the car, Kate Walsh (Addison from Grey's Anatomy) walked right by me. She looked absolutely stunning in a form-fitting red dress with her hair swept to one side. And thus began the celebrity sightings...

Next installment: The trip up the red carpet!