All my dreams fulfilled!

Today we were on a Wellington Rover Full-Day Lord of the Rings Tour. The tour was amazing, and it could easily have been the most exciting thing we did all day. But our then something happened that the ring did not intend. It was picked up by the most unlikely creature imaginable. Um, I mean: something very lucky happened. At Weta Workshop, where all the props are made, we crossed paths with the Half-Day Tour group. That tour guide said, “Shire, Baggginnns.” Ok, she said, “I heard a rumor that Sir Ian McKellen is going to be at Te Papa (the National Museum in Wellington) today.” We expected we’d miss him, but still had our tour guide drop us off there after our tour. Twenty minutes later, Sir Ian McKellen was there! He was taking part in a telethon to raise money for Christchurch, which had a deadly earthquake a few months ago. He said a few things about the movie and New Zealand. He said one of the great things about New Zealanders was how much they like fishing! (He said it shows that they have better priorities than just making money) Then he said he had a special treat for us. He had a video, a first look at the dwarves in their full costumes and makeup! I had my video camera, so I took a blurry video of his video, but I’ll spoil the suspense a bit and let you know that it was just for laughs. The dwarves had pillows under their shirts for fat suits and bells on their hats. Still, it was very funny.

            Josephine and I snapped blurry photos of him from afar, but we were despairing of ever getting close to him. But after the cameras were turned off, he spent a full fifteen minutes taking pictures with everyone who wanted to take a picture with him. I think he is a very kind man. It means so much to all of us, and even though it must be tiresome for him, he let twenty or thirty strangers take pictures with him. He was very patient. I also think it’s a mark of how wonderful this country is. No one shouted at him, no one pushed anyone. We all crowded around him, but we waited patiently. When everyone had had a turn, Sir Ian McKellen walked out of the building and got into his car. He didn’t need security or an entourage or fences. He walked among us, and everyone behaved. I am very excited to have met him, but especially glad that it happened in such a pleasant environment. I’d take that over being in a crowd of Orlando Bloom’s crazy screaming fangirls anyday.

 

            Sir Ian was accompanied by one of the dwarves, Mark Hadlow, who plays Dori. Only a few people even seemed to know who he was, so we had no trouble getting a picture with him. I knew exactly who he was, and told Josephine his name to prove it to her. I think I’m rather obsessed with this movie. I’ve seen one of the sets (Hobbiton) and met one of the actors! I told Mark Hadlow that I was looking forward to the films, and he promised me they’d be wonderful!

Josephine, Dori, and Amelia

             One of my crazy hopes for Wellington was that we’d meet a member of the cast. I thought it was a long shot, but still I hoped. And I got to see Sir Ian McKellen and Mark Hadlow! I am so happy right now! Life is awesome! Wellington is awesome! And, last but not least, Josephine and I are only one degree of separation from Jean-Luc Picard! (otherwise known as Patrick Stewart. He was in X-Men with Sir Ian.) We are so lucky!