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  3/13: Buzz Aldrin in Auckland, New Zealand

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Author Topic:   3/13: Buzz Aldrin in Auckland, New Zealand
Dave Owen
Member

Posts: 28
From: Te Awamutu, Waikato, New Zealand
Registered: Oct 2008

posted 03-12-2010 08:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Dave Owen   Click Here to Email Dave Owen     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I need to share my story with people who will understand my pain...

Here in New Zealand the chance to meet an Apollo astronaut is rarer than francium, so imagine my excitement when I heard that Buzz Aldrin was to make a public appearance. Last night I packed up my camera, pen and newly-printed 8x10 WSS. This morning I awoke at 4am and drove several hours to be first in the queue. I got a great seat in the auditorium and Buzz walked past me so close I could have touched him. It was my first time ever being in the same room as an astronaut and I'll never forget it. I thoroughly enjoyed Buzz's speech, although it was understandably pitched at the general public and quite generic.

After the speech, my hurt began. Buzz was quickly whisked from the room along with a few apparently randomly-selected family groups. I hovered around in the hope of finding out where the autographs were happening, but quickly discovered that a lone middle-aged man gets little sympathy from minders who are focused on selecting kids and disabled people. I wandered from the room and then stumbled upon the foyer area where it was happening. There was already a huge crowd which I joined but my hopes faded again - there were too many of us. I watched as some fortunate people pushed their way out gleefully clutching autographed items. It became obvious that many of them didn't even know who Buzz was, they just happened to be passing by at the right time to get a sitting. Eventually word filtered back that Buzz had left and the crowd slowly dispersed. I found a seat and began consoling myself when a couple sat next to me - the woman was showing off a digital photo she had just taken of herself with "some astronaut guy".

I know I should be happy I got to see Buzz in person and hear him speak, but for some reason I can't get over the crushing disappointment of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity gone begging.

Some days luck just doesn't go your way.

BA002
Member

Posts: 175
From: Utrecht,NL
Registered: Feb 2007

posted 03-13-2010 10:48 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for BA002   Click Here to Email BA002     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm sorry that you didn't get the autograph you hoped for. With astronauts' public appearances it's always touch and go when it comes to autographs.

However, I think in time you will cherish your memory of hearing Buzz tell his story more than you will miss the autograph.

icarkie
Member

Posts: 618
From: BURTON ON TRENT /England
Registered: Nov 2002

posted 03-13-2010 11:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for icarkie   Click Here to Email icarkie     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Dave, I feel for you guys in NZ and Oz when it comes to astronaut visits. I know it can be a rare thing (Francium? I was thinking more like Rocking Horse Poo).

I emailed my cousin in Manukau (who works at the airport to look out for Buzz) and also to see if her lad was going to go to the event...

If it wasn't for the likes of the Autographica and the odd public talk run by a dedicated few of us Poms here in the UK would be in the same boat.

Sorry you didn't get a signature but at least you got to see him.

paulushumungus
Member

Posts: 466
From: Burton, Derbyshire, England
Registered: Oct 2005

posted 03-14-2010 01:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for paulushumungus   Click Here to Email paulushumungus     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It is rare that he does free signings these days and if he does then it is normally of his latest book release only. I know that it will cost a considerable sum to get him to sign one of your personal items at one of the "postin" signing events but you can choose your best item to get it signed and it will be a better quality signature Im sure.

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