CelluliteQueen.com

TO:                  Everyone I know
FROM:            BARBARA-ANN
DATE:            10/02/02
SUBJECT:      I KISSED RUDY GIULIANI!!

Hi Everyone!!  Again, I did what everyone else told me couldn't be done!  I KISSED RUDY GIULIANI!!

Today Joey, Kenny and I went into Manhattan to wait in line at Barnes & Noble on 5th Avenue to get our "LEADERSHIP" books signed by Rudy Giuliani!!

I've been a fan of his since he first became Mayor of New York, and cleaned up the City, making it a safer, more beautiful place to visit. …and you know how often we visit Manhattan!!
 
But I've absolutely ADORED him ever since September 11th when every other Politician in America was hiding under their beds, shaking with fear after the attacks.  Rudy was the only one that stepped up on National Television and told everyone to keep calm; and told us exactly what was going on, and he didn't try to sugarcoat the ugly truth as it unfolded...

I told my Mom on the phone last night that all I wanted to do was to get my picture taken with Rudy Giuliani and to give him a kiss, and she said they probably won't let anyone get that close to him for security reasons.   Then she laughed and said, “But if anyone can get past Giuliani’s Security, it’s you.”   LOL!!

... And you know me when I get bound and determined to do something!! 

So I printed up two signs on my computer with the American Flag as a backdrop with the words "RUDY FOR PRESIDENT!!" across the stars and stripes.  I laminated them both in plastic and Joey, Kenny and I set out for NYC by bus this morning for the 15-minute trip.

We got to Barnes & Noble around 9:00 and purchased our "LEADERSHIP" books and had to get a wristband to wait in line along 48th Street ... we ended up standing next to Jennifer, a really funny girl from Brooklyn.  We hit it off immediately, as we're both Nuts ...

She took one of my two signs and we started to wave them around at the passersby, stirring everyone up.  (Not everyone walking along 48th Street in Manhattan is a fan of Rudy Giuliani, you know.)  heehee!

Since it was a quiet news day in the City, nearly every NYC newspaper had reporters and photographers there taking pictures of the very long line, which stretched from 5th Ave. down past Park Avenue...  So, of course, since Jen and I were chanting "RUDY FOR PRESIDENT" and "Go Ruu-dee, Go Ruu-dee", we were interviewed by nearly every single one of them!! 

The ones we specifically remember being interviewed by were: THE DAILY NEWS, THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE NY POST, THE SUN TIMES and THE COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY newspaper. A German Radio Program that needed to use an interpreter also interviewed us!!  LOL!!

They all took our pictures, asked us our names and where we were from, and why we liked Rudy so much.  (Needless to say, by now Joey and Kenny were pretending they didn't know us!)

THEN THE TELEVISION CREWS came on site ... and we were interviewed by all of the major networks!!  We spoke with the reporters and camera crews from CNN, FOX, WOR, NBC, CBS and ABC.  We were also interviewed by several college TV crews...

Since Rudy is really HOT news in NYC, and like I said earlier, it was a quiet news day, Jen and I were continuously giving interviews!!

As we got closer to the entrance to Barnes & Noble, all of the 'paparazzi' went inside to wait for Jen and my turn to meet with Rudy...

The way they had it set up:  When you walked in the door, Rudy was on a little ‘stage’ behind a desk on your left, and an aide took your book from you and handed it to Rudy.  Your personal belongings were taken from you also (for security reasons) as you were ushered to the right.  You were directed to walk behind a four foot high wall and watched from about 40' away as your book was signed.  When you reached the other end of the room, your book was handed back to you along with your belongings and you exited out the other door onto 5th Avenue.

WELL ... when Jen and I got close; they took our belongings (like everyone else) but Rudy's publicist came out of nowhere and said "These two are to come this way with their books and signs."

Jen and I were led onto the stage with Rudy, while we were humming the song  "Hail to the Chief"  and waving our RUDY FOR PRESIDENT signs! 

He stood up and greeted us both with a handshake and a kiss on the cheek.  He sat down to sign our books, and kept laughing about the signs I made!

The Paparazzi went nuts, flashes going off, cameras clicking and whirring, and they were yelling to us to turn and face them, etc.  Jen and I were shaking, but smiling our asses off and loving every minute of it.  (Now I know how a Celebrity feels!!)   

After he signed our books, he turned to me and said,
“I think we're a little premature for these signs, don't you think?"

I said, "Well, we have to start campaigning for you sometime, don't we?"

So he jokingly said he'd hire me as his Campaign Manager if and when it got a little closer to thinking about running for President! 

He thanked us again, and gave us each another kiss, and then he started joking about Jen's Yankees cap, as he's a huge Yankees Fan.
 
The cameras were still clicking and flashing away, and I was absolutely star-struck. 
 
Then I leaned over and kissed Rudy Giuliani on his temple, above his glasses!!  SUCCESS!!

Rudy smiled at me and thanked me again for making the signs, and asked if he could keep them.  "You never know, these may come in handy!"  he joked.   

The reporter from THE DAILY NEWS took my email address and was nice enough to send me a few of the many pictures she took of us with Rudy.  

So, that's the scoop... I had my '15 minutes of fame' today, and I also got to kiss Rudy Giuliani!!   Who knows? He may just be the Future President of the United States one day!!   How many people do you know can claim they’ve kissed The President?

Don't forget to watch the News on TV tonight and check out the NY Papers tomorrow!! 
 
I just wanted to share my day with you!!  ...and just for the record -- I'm still shaking!! ~ Barbara-Ann :)   
 

P.S.  The next morning, Jen, Rudy Giuliani and I appeared in every major Newspaper on the Eastern Seaboard, as it was picked up by the Associated Press.  I have copies of the articles that were printed in THE DAILY NEWS and THE NEW YORK POST, as well as in a local New Jersey Newspaper, which is where I lived back in 2002.  

In addition, a friend of mine said his Radio Alarm Clock went off the next morning, and he heard my voice.  Still thinking he was asleep and dreaming, he shook his Wife awake as well.  The two of them started their morning laughing, not believing the first thing they heard upon awakening was my big mouth extolling the virtues of Rudy Giuliani!!  This is especially funny, as they are both Democrats!  heehee!

...and just for the record - I vote for the PERSON, not the Party!!