I'd got to London around 10am wearing my Kermit sock, Kermit T-Shirt, and small Kermit hanging on to my rucksack. Went into HMV and saw everything set up.
Some of you may remember that in January I met Steve... Lets just say he doesn't forget a face :0) I was sooo over the moon that he recognised me, smiled, came over and shook my hand, I would have liked a Photo with him he did say that he'd do it later but he was setting up the whole display which was hidden from us with large cardboard cutouts - but whenever he appeared into view he smiled at me
Shortly I was joined by Chris (Kermieuk) and we got chatting, went off to get our Guest passes and joined the Guest line, photos were taken of us, there was a lady making balloon animals and my Kermit Muppet was photo'd a few times.
A lady who was making Balloon Muppets (very good ones as well) came around us, and it was around this point I brought out my Kermit Muppet and put him on and there was quite a bit of appreciation for that, people wanting to take Photos of us etc.
The soundtrack to the movie was played and shortly Bill made an appearance at around 12:45 or so they were doing sound tests and we heard Pepe say how they'd be joining us soon - the excitement arose, press flooded the front of the stage and then... The display was removed.
And Kermit the Frog and Pepe greeted their adoring Fans we cheered, we whooped, we whistled, we clapped. Chris (Kermieuk) were about three or four in line and when it was my time to go up on Stage, something just weird happened, because there in front of me was Kermit... Kermit!!! KERMIT!!! What on earth is anyone supposed to feel? (Admittedly there were many people GROWN adults who were quite overcome with Emotion when they went to meet them) but to have Kermit just be - well Kermit, talking and moving and addressing you... Also, Kermit said to me:
"Very good to see you, see you again actually."
So it was nice that Steve made that cute reference
I tried not to break down and think to myself:
"I AM SPEAKING TO KERMIT THE FROG!"
I was given the microphone, and read out something that had come to my mind last night, I knew that I DEFINITELY wanted to mention Jim up there but couldn't find the right words.. In the end I said:
"All my life you have touched me.
And this is because in your Heart you have Jim Henson.
And because you have him in your Heart.
Jim Henson touches us all."
Kermit the Frog showed his appreciation to this and it just felt so right to hug and Kiss him, whilst Pepe (in an uncharacteristic sweet moment said "Thats beautiful.")
N.B. Many thanks to Chris for taking the Photos he took of me on Stage - I'll treasure each and every one.
We all stayed to watch the rest of the show, and see how it all went, but the way that Kermit and Pepe just without lines, just totally adlibbed, coming up with jokes, *Snaps fingers* just like that was just incredible.
There were a few "potty breaks" at the request of Pepe and to be fair they were at it for over an hour, but the humour and the substance never tired, there was one moment that was kind of close to the bone when Pepe enquired about one couples "Sex life." a few times to which Kermit interjected very quickly with "Time for a photo."
A lot more people turned up to this than there was supposed to be originally, and at one point I did meet Bill (who posed for a Photo) and was lovely with it...
Sadly though, I didn't get the Photo I've wanted with Steve, I've had it on good authority that the time will come when this happens
Such lovely parting words... The quest continues.