Spectrum Event: Lonestar Proud
Fuck it, I’m getting my thoughts down now while I remember them because today was the kind of day you don’t want to forget a beat of. I’ve got a LOT of photos to sift through but you can have some highlights here.
When Tony was doing his intro you could just about see Ronen peeking around the doorframe, waiting for the intro, and he was straight into the room as soon as he could. Rafa then strolled out, cool as anything. We had autographs first and I got to talk about coming out for this, the 26 hour travel, what day/time is it? Rafa was touched I came all the way out there for them but I assured him it was very much worth it.
I was behind Emma in the line for Ronen and I bounced off her comment about her ‘short’ trip up to Burbank for this - “You’re going from one end to the other” and he said he could hear it already in my voice. Ah, the joys of a British accent! He thanked me for making the trek out (and checked how to spell trek) and I got my first hug from him. He’s so soft and gentle with his hugs but not in a “I wanna get out of this” kinda way. Like a “you get to stay here and you’re safe” kinda way.
Once everyone was done it was the photo line next - bit of miscommunication to start off with! Those who paid at Sponsorship level got individual photos with the boys: while Rafa was doing his Ronen came and sat with us, chatted about shoes and sports and made a mess with the muffin he was eating. It was pointed out that the dogs weren’t here to clean up after him - he said he had thought about bringing the girls but it would have been a lot for them.
When Ronen was doing his one-on-ones Rafa did not come over but we had a nice view so no complaints! At one point Rafa jumped in and they did some pair shots which Brad turned into the gifs and videos that are already out there:
During my photos Ronen tried to do an English accent. He said ‘ello Gov’nor a couple of times in the most horrific version of a Cockney accent I’ve ever heard attempted! My response was “no, just... no” but it was hilarious.
After photos was lunch, then the panel - which you can read about here - which was about representation and people finding their places. Rafa made the comment about people “finding [their] throne” and taking their place on it because we are here for a reason and to be the people we are. There’s real thought and consideration that goes into everything that comes out of his mouth and it shows. He picks his words carefully and he makes sure that the point he wants to make is the point he’s making.
(I love this photo so much. Ronen’s laughter. Rafa’s lil’ blep.)
After the panel was the M&G. We had smaller groups for this and I was in the first one: we got to talk about S4 so far, how they feel it’s the best one yet and how they’re just getting started in terms of what we’ve seen. They wouldn’t let anything slip - no matter how much we tried. Ronen asked Rafa, “What wedding are they talking about?” to which Rafa replied, “I don’t even know why they’re here.” The way they play off each other is brilliant - you know they care about each other and it’s lovely to see the off-screen friendship which builds into the on-screen relationship.
Which, Ronen did say, is endgame. He promised that no matter what happens they will always come together in the end. “Anyone else? Couldn’t tell you. But us? We’re good.”
There was talk about rep and being seen - but I got to tell them how much it means to me when they use the full initialism. As an Ace person I don’t get to see myself on screen (yet), but I get to hear myself mentioned, to be talked about makes me feel seen and acknowledged and that means a lot.
We got to do personal selfies as we left the room and Ronen ended up being the photographer for everyone - Rafa pointing out he’s very good at them. And yes, yes he is.
More hugs
I got to share this day and these moments with my Diet Coke girl, my muse, my darling @bubblesandroses8 and there is no one else I’d rather flail with, do this with, and ask “and what’s that in English?” when you give me a temperature in Farenheit...