From the Kurth to Public Enemies Chicago...what were we thinking??

*Edited - More pictures added just for Osh! (Tonight 6/21)

2nd edit (sorry) - I just wanted to add that I am glad for the fans in Chicago that they got to meet Johnny. I didn't mean anything bad about what I have said. It is just a "different" experience than Columbus or Milwaukee. That's all.

Last night I went to visit some friends of mine in Columbus, for Shakenbsis birthday party. I arrived at the Kurth around 7:30pm, after a short few detours around the flooding. Low and behold, I pull up right next to Osh! We had a great time chatting with everyone, and having some cake and yummy nachos! The next thing I know, Evan is on the phone with his Public Enemies "source", and I am off to Chicago at 11pm on a Friday night. It took much deliberation on our parts to even decide to go in the first place. The whoosie girls wanted to come down desperatly....sorry girls. I remembered that there is a curfew for kids under the age of 18 in Chicago, which I am sure that they enforce. So, it was a no go for the Whoosies.

Shakes.....looking at little kitty Ginny under the table at the Kurth!
Some of the Kurth gang!

Me....in my ping-guin shirt....just for you Sir Jack!

Ping-uin shirt goes down to Chicago and back!

Evan made a run for bug spray at the Kurth! Boy, some of us were getting bitten by those pesky little skeeters! Osh found the bug spray quite amusing!

We started off with a great plan to get to the filming in Chicago. We just had about $150 cash (in big bills LOL....no...we are not rich....just happened to have it), no credit cards, and no gas. Suz's was kind enough to let me leave my car parked at her house in Columbus, and we headed off to get some gas. THANKS SUZ!!! Once we were on the road, it was easy sailing....until we got to Chicago. 4 toll ways, and about a half hour of bumper to bumper traffic in Chicago, we finally found our exit. It was now 1am, and we were in the heart of Chicago. Needless to say, I was not expecting to find (and I know this is going to put me on "someones" list....I'M SO SORRY) a homeless man, with only one leg, knocking on peoples windows asking for money. Now, I did feel bad for him, but the fact remained that we didn't have all that much with us. It took almost $100 to get down there and back! I see the light turn red, and I plunge myself head first into a map of Chicago. "Don't make eye contact with him!" I yell. Horrible I know. I hear Osh explaining to the man about how we don't have anything to give him, and I bust out laughing, so I cover my face with the map. I know, I know, I know. I am going right to "you know where"! The next thing I know, this man has his crutch right in front of the tire, and the light is now green. Needless to say, Osh had pull quite the manuver to get out that situation. You can read all about it on her blog http://thehousethatoshbuilt.blogspot.com/ It was quite an ordeal, more so because we had become so flustered (and me hysterical), that we missed our turn, and drove straight past base camp. After a little bit of driving, we found our way back, and into a parking garage for a hotel. We walk a few blocks, and to our surprise, there is base camp. With NO security. Not even a bit of tape to rope it off!

We were practically standing in base camp, when all of a sudden I hear screaming coming from where I can't see around the corner. Johnny had pulled out in his SUV, and I swear like 100 people chased him for a block or so, screaming their heads off! I have NEVER seen this before! In all my time watching the filming, this has to be the first time I regretted being in the vicinity. I was embarrased for both myself, and for Johnny. It didn't sink in until i saw this, that he has to deal with this sort of thing ALL THE TIME! I felt really bad for him. So then I start to ask myself....is this the Depp Effect? Or Depp hysteria?

Although I cannot understand for the life of me why so many people would run across an open street just to stare at a car, I do understand now why Jerry has to be the way he is. He once told me that "You wouldn't like my job if you had to do it everyday." Now I know why.

Anyway, we all take a seat near base camp, and wait for Johnny to return. I would have liked to have said hello to some of the other actors, but I never saw them. I did hear that some people caught a glimpse of Marion Coutillard. Not more than a half hour goes by when I hear screaming again! I got up to see what the fuss wa about, and there is johnny in a car, being pulled by a trailer going around the block. He is followed by several more old cars, who honk at us as they drive past. Johnny does a quick wave, and then goes round the block again. he came back about 15 minutes later, to the arrival of more screaming...more cameras, and security asking people to back up. Becky and Marcella were there tonight, and got some great video of Johnny talking to Michael Mann. We had been looking for them all night, and suddenly ...there they were.

People started to gather at both ends of base camp. About 1/2 hour after Johnny arrived back at camp, I see Osh get up and start walking over to this fence railing on the otherside if base camp. I said " Well if Johnny is around, and I see Osh start moving like that, I am following" Sure enough, here he came. He waved to the crowd, and starting signing autographs. Then all hell broke loose......People had noticed where everyone was moving to, and pushed....shoved....and literally clawed their way in to the front row. I have NEVER in all my life been so angry at people. This poor little girl got smushed right up against the railings...I just pray Johnny did not have to witness that. Once people found their spot, it calmed down a bit. Now, I have no problems with Chicago, or the people that live there, but what I do have a problem with is screaming and yelling and pushing. There was no need for that, and I had never seen anyone do this before. (Chicago was very different to any of the other towns I have been in) Johnny Depp has ALWAYS been gracious to his fans, and it is NOT an obligation for him to come and do meet and greets. This sort of behaviour (not to mention the drunk people that were hanging around tonight, just walking in and out of basecamp) is exactly what gets these "meet and greets" cancelled for everybody! He is a person, just like you and me, and deserves to be treated with respect!

When I saw the filming in Columbus, I could not believe the amount of respect, admiration, and restraint that was shown by the individuals who were lucky enough to be there. In Chicago, it was the complete opposite. Screaming, drunkiness, pushing a little girl?????? Come on now! Just to clarify things though......not everyone was behaving in this manner. There were some VERY nice , and respectful, people down there. You know the saying...."It only takes one bad apple to ruin the bunch" (or something like that)

Back to Johnny: He came down the line VERY fast, and Osh managed to get 3 things autographed. One was for Mary's daughter who could not come down. Evan was nice enough to ask Mr. Depp to sign it for her. As for me, I already have the autograph I wanted, so..

I saw him coming, and saw how tired he seemed. I didn't want to press the matter, so when he got to me I asked, "Could I have a photograph with you Mr. Depp?". He didn't look me in the eyes, as he normally has done in the past, but grabbed my arm instead, and gave it a little squeeze. It was at that moment (and I know it sounds stupid) that I realized he seemed very tired, and apologetic. Now I could be TOTALLY wrong, and I am in no way able to judge another person's feelings...nor should I be able to. I do NOT know what he was feeling at the time.....it's just my personal opinion. As he let go of my arm, he finally looked up at me and said "I'm sorry love. I can't. He won't let me." (nodding to jerry), and then moved on. (When I get around to it....you'll get my Depp Effect story)

I wasn't upset. I knew that my chances were slim, but it was the only thing I had been hoping for since first hearing about Public Enemies. I have met Mr. Depp 3 times, and each time I was told no photographs could be taken, and that's ok. He is a busy man, and I shouldn't expect it. I guess deep down, I am a little dissapointed, but that's life. I had some GREAT times, met some great friends, and even met a homeless man. (Kinda) I know. I know.

I LOVED going down to Chicago with Osh, and Evan! It was a blast, and I have never laughed so hard in my whole life! here are some pics that I managed to get. Sorry, but there were so many people, that I did not want to add to the hysteria, so I stopped taking pics!

As much as I would like that one last shot at gettng a photograph of Johnny and myself, I am afraid that this long road that is Public Enemies, has come to a hault for me. It's been an amazing ride, and an even greater adventure! Thank you to the cast and crew of Public Enemies, and to my friends over on PEC!

*Please feel free to email me if you would like to use any of these photographs, but please do not take without asking*

That's Osh's thumb, as she and Jerry exchange a "thumbs up" when telling Jerry that it was Betty Machete's Birthday!

Meeting Johnny at 3:30am Saturday 6/21 (still in some makeup...check out the scar!)

Base Camp Gathering

No Barriers up at Base Camp...we were close enough to touch it

In fact, a certain someone DID touch Michael Mann's Bus!

Here come the cars!

Another certain someone.....who shall remain nameless (you know who you are!) found these wardrobe divider laying out in the street

Check out how much the person before us paid for gas!!!!

And last but not least....the past two times I have met Mr. Depp, it has been raining. Check out the view we got on our ride home from Chicago this Morning. I guess this does signify that Public Enemies has come to an end for me....at least till next year.