General Hospital 1999
As an avid fan of General Hospital, this weekend I fulfilled a fantasy, I attended the annual GH Fan Event in Los Angeles.
Not only did I get to meet some wonderful new friends, I also got the opportunity to meet several of my favorite actors, and tour the GH studio.
I must first start this by thanking Linda Torrence, Real Andrew’s Fan club president for giving me the opportunity to go, and help her with his fan event. Linda, I had a truly wonderful time, thanks to you, and I want you to know I would be a first time flyer all over again just to help out! Nina, thanks for putting up with my "southern" accent, and making me laugh! And Real also deserves a warm thank you, for being so gracious. He truly impressed me with his genuine compassion, and gratitude to his fans.
The first of many surreal
experiences occurred Friday, when we got to go to the GH studio. It was funny
there is really a sign out front that says, "General Hospital", along
with a red "Emergency" sign too. 
For
a fan walking in the studio is so awesome. You don’t want to appear excited,
so instead you walk around with a big silly grin on your face, while biting
you tongue so you don’t go "Oh, My" every time you see someone.
We went to the green room, (yes, its really green) to wait on Real, "Taggert".
While sitting there we saw Amber "Emily", ran into Michael "Juan",
Leslie "Monica", Anders "Ceasar Faison", and "Reginald."
Real finally came down, and my first of many speechless moments occurred. I
did manage to say hi, and shake his hand, while he was ever so polite, and ohh
so sweet. He took us up to the stage and we got to watch several scenes be rehearsed,
then taped. It is so strange to see the set, everything looks small, and it
is soo quiet. We did get to sit on the Quatermaine sofa, and the sofa in the
lobby of GH’s nurses station. I think we all were amazed when Genie Francis
appeared for a scene with Anders Hover, "Faison."
She looks wonderful, and is every bit the perfectionist when it comes to her
work. After watching several scenes, we went down to Real’s dressing room.
Along the way, we saw Rachel Ames, "Audrey", Linda literally ran into
Rebecca Herbst "Liz", and we all were in awe when John J York came
out of his dressing room. I have a new appreciation for "Mac Scorpio"!
Mr. York was the most endearing gentlemen I think I have ever met. He was sweet,
charming, and gorgeous. 
He
chatted with us, then asked US, if we wanted a picture. We all of course said
yes, and he was polite and patient, while all 4 of us had one made. He did get
into Linda’s and Nina’s digital cameras, they were popular every where
we went, and a great topic of conversation.
After touring the halls, and oohing and ahhing at certain stars doors, we left Real to work, and headed back to rest and prepare for Saturday and Real’s first fan event.
Saturday started early, with a knock at the door. "PCPD", open up! Thinking its some friends playing a joke, we open the door, well guess again, its REAL! All sporty and looking too COOL in his gym shorts. He had brought some stuff for his event that Linda needed, and couldn’t get us on the phone. I think the residents on the 4th floor got a kick out of seeing him walking down the hall, and especially room 419. Thanks for being such a good sport Kim!
After several hours of putting things together, getting organized, and fighting Nerves, the time arrived for Real’s fan event. I think being kept busy, helped ward off some anxiety. At least I think it did!
Real came in, and the fans were thrilled. The evening started with him thanking his fans for being there, thanking Linda for all her hard work, and then he brought me, and almost every one else to tears with the sincerity of his gratitude, and compassion. After such a emotional few minutes, the laughter began and didn’t stop until after the gathering was over. Real has a great personality, a very funny sense of humor, and is soo very sexy!
He had some special guests, Vanita Harbour "Dara, who was so nice, and sweet. She’s a new mother, her face glowed every time someone mentioned her son, or motherhood. She’s looking forward to going back to work soon, and hopes to take her son with her.
The second special guest was none other than Maurice Bernard, "Sonny". He walked in the back of the room, and made his way to the front, you could her the crowd excitement when they realized who it was. He came up, helped Real with his dating game questions, answered some Q and A, then made his way back out of the room, leaving us all to say "Wow!" Real continued chatting, taking pictures, signing autographs, and such until every last fan had everything they wanted.
I’m not sure what expectations I had this past weekend, but Real Andrews blew them all out of the water. His sincerity with his fans, his compassion, and his sense of humor have made me a life long fan
By: E.L.McGregor