[fan account][R2B] “Dear 비: Your movie in Dallas, in a word… Awesome.”
— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^
Love this account, BiA. Thanks for sharing it with us. And tell your mama she is The Bomb! Gee and Vicki, good to see you! So glad you three had a great time. A special kind of magic happens when U.S. Clouds unite, doesn’t it? 🙂
°
FAN ACCOUNT: R2B – Return To Base – August 24, 2012 in Dallas/Grapevine, TX
By: Dee Dee / BiAlamode @Cloud USA
Images credit: BiAlamode @Cloud USA
So it began, my day that is, at 3:30 AM. That’s right, AM! August 24, 2012 marked my “date” with a hot, Black Eagle Ace named Jung Tae-Hun aka Jung JiHoon aka Rain, and I wasn’t about to miss this golden opportunity. Now, I must say, JiHoon, only two men in my life have ever had the ability to get me to see 3:30 AM. The first was the doctor that brought me into the world and the second… I married him (yeah…*imagination required here*). So, you can imagine my surprise at myself that yet another man could make ME get up that early to drive 4 hours to see HIM, that man being you, Bi. (SMILES)
Why get up so early you ask? Well, I’m not one to do road driving alone, so I had to swing by Spring/The Woodlands, Texas, to pick up my ever faithful and first partner in crime, my “Umma” (to everybody else Mama). Also, to get to her home I had to use the same interstate, so it worked perfectly for me. Also, we left early to give ourselves enough time to get to the city and to find our way if we got lost.
There was not a soul in sight leaving my house 5:00 am. Well, maybe a few souls that had to go to work, but that was it. I got to my Mom’s house at about 5:35 am. Then we hopped on I-45N headed to Dallas and you, Bi. It was still pitch black outside and drizzly. What was just early morning mist turned into morning fog… dense fog as I continued driving. The drive was smooth going, even down the highway since it was so early. It was a little eerie when a 4 to 5 lane interstate dropped down to two lanes, still pitch black. However, I kept pressing on. Finally after approximately an hour and a half of driving, morning light decided to make an appearance. The Texas State Highway Patrol was surprisingly scarce, which I was grateful for, since 80-ish mph was “the new 60 mph” in my highway driving repertoire.
Well, Bi, at around 7:45 am we arrived in Fairfield, TX. Since we had a hankering for some morning sustenance, we stopped at Micky D’s (McDonalds). While sitting and eating our breakfast sandwiches, I see this on a local burger joint right next to Micky D’s [Editor’s note: See image directly above, haha! ↑↑] I had to laugh. We Texans can be “colorful” that way. (SMILES)
We finished eating and off we went, zipping back down I-45N. I was getting excited ‘cause I was getting closer to you, Bi. Centerville… zoom, Madisonville… zoom, Palestine… zoom, Corsicana… Oh boy, the miles were winding down and I was getting even closer.
I was also getting excited because… well, Bi, it wasn’t just my “date” with you alone. I was also going to be sharing our August 24th date with two other Cloud sisters. Ms. Gee and Ms. Vicki (BiThatWay). As you would say, “I’m so excited.” However, my excitement became frustrated anxiety when we got into the city of Dallas. As with most big urban cities, new construction and temporary signage can be a mini-nightmare for visitors to a city. “Do, I turn here??” “What does the paper say??” “Heck, what’s on the paper is not on the sign!” “I don’t know!” “Slow down so I can read it!”…….just a few of the phrases bandied about in the car.
Well, we finally made it to Grapevine, TX at 9:30-9:40 AM. This was great, Bi, since the movie didn’t start until 10:20 AM. Upon arriving at the theater, we parked and then went to the ticket booth. After looking to see if the movie’s times were listed (they were not), I stood in a one person line and waited to get the tickets. While waiting, I looked over to my left and saw a cute, tiny woman with a very familiar tattoo on the back of her neck. I knew this was Ms. Gee. I called to her, but she didn’t hear me.
Finally it was my turn. I got the tickets (woo hoo!!) and headed on in.
Ms. Gee was sitting on one of the stools at the closed eating area. I went over to her. “It’s me, BiAlamode!”(Aaaah! Clouds unite!) We hugged and proceeded to chat and take pics like old friends at a reunion. She said, “Vicki is on her way, only 15 minutes out.” Sure enough, after 15 min. or so, Ms. Vicki came in the lobby. We all embraced again, took pics again (a Cloud trio now). I introduced Mama to my Cloud sisters, of course. By this time, it’s show time. One thing that annoyed me, Bi, was that there was not one movie advertisement or poster to even let the public know the movie was there. I was highly ticked… Ms. Gee was on the case though. (This scroll screen was the only indicator the movie was there.)
(Scroll screen in front movie screening room; the only signage that “advertised” R2B in the whole theater)
(Mama in front of movie theater, and holding tickets)
To put icing on the “cake” that united us Clouds, we ladies went to lunch together and had a blast. Ms. Gee, I will never forget your effervescence and fun stories. Ms. Vicki, thank you for being so nice, warm and friendly. I’m glad my mom got to meet two of my Cloud sisters.
We had a blast, Bi. Discussing you, the movie, and swapping stories about life as we know it.
The movie, in a word… AWESOME!! I want to see it again. I can’t wait for our next “date”, Bi, and hopefully it will be in my city (Houston) next time. Until then…
Dee Dee (a.k.a BiAlamode), Gisele (a.k.a. Gee), and Vicki (a.k.a. BiThatWay).
Oh, and Bi:
P.S.
This is a statue of General Sam Houston, the namesake for my hometown, Houston, TX. To get this photo, I had to stop “on a dime” going 90 mph, sandwiched in between two 18 wheelers, with Mom in my ear, “You’re gonna miss it, you’re gonna miss it, you’re gonna miss it… STOP, Dee Dee!” But hey, we lived to tell about it!
This statue is even more striking at night… too bad I didn’t get that photo!
Sincerely,
BiAlamode (Dee Dee)
° ° °
CloudUSAers in Dallas for R2B’s opening day. Image credit: Vicki McCollums Edwards @Facebook.
Cloud USA 
Bia and Vicki, Hi, Thank you for sharing your awesome recaps of your journey and determination to see R2B , it sounds like you all had a great time, it makes a big difference to see it with people who know of Rain and share the same feelings. I am a newbie fan of Rain. I saw it in NYC at the AMC -Empire Theatre on 42nd Street last Saturday and I loved it. I was so engrossed in understanding the storyline that I feel like I too need to see it again as I didn’t concentrate on the views as much but I will not get a chance to go back to NYC this week. I am thankful it was shown in my home state and grateful I got to see it at least once. Great movie.
LikeLike
@tonicny, I was glad to share. You’re right it was WAY cool to have my fellow Cloud sisters there with me. I’m glad you got to see the movie as well. (SMILES)
LikeLike
There’s cute cloud’s in Texas, for real!! 🙂 Steph and Terri do you know any clouds in Michigan, perhaps close to Grand Rapids?
LikeLike
Patrice,
Unfortunately, I don’t know of any Clouds in Michigan. Stephe, do you know of any?
Terri :-}
LikeLike
@Patrice, Thank you for your compliment. I hope Michigan Clouds gets some Rain too! (SMILES)
LikeLike
You guys look lovely, thanks for the fan account. Unfortunately R2B is not showing in my neck of the woods, but hopefully one day I will get to see the movie.
LikeLike
@anonymous, Thank you and your welcome. I was glad to share the moment with my fellow Clouds.
LikeLike
Ha! I just realized we’re all wearing black and no it wasn’t planned. I guess great “Cloud” minds think alike! (SMILES)
LikeLike
I must say that meeting BiAlamode and Gee this weekend was a “blast”! Their company was so enjoyable and meeting BiAlamode’s mom was just icing on the cake. We recognized that we have multiple things in common other than just our dear Rain during our extended visit over lunch. (thanks again Gee) My second viewing of R2B took place Sunday at 6:50 pm with a friend that just moved back to Texas from Colorado. She became a Cloud when I posted Bi’s video of Nan on her FB page last year, because I knew Lee Byung Hun was one of her favorite Korean actors and we both loved him in Gi Joe—-so I was certain that Rain was right down her alley! When I told her about the movie being shown in the Dallas area—-her first comment was, “What time are we going?” I reached my destination–AMC Grapevine Mills–a bit early and waited for her to arrive. There was quite a bit of construction on the freeway so traffic was heavy in the area. On her arrival, we got our tickets and made an express stop at the concession stand—-then proceeded to find our target! (WHY am I using aviation/pilot terms since I saw the movie?….LOL) We took our seats and made sure our seat belts were securely fastened before the movie started—kekeke (because they can be used as a flotation device if necessary). As I looked down our row, I noticed 7 or 8 ajummas (some with the big sunvisors on IN THE THEATER). They peeked around at us with an inquisitive look too! A young family (Dad, Mom and about an 8 year old son) came in and chose seats directly in front of us—–Why did the little boy have on a blue sparkly tracksuit jacket like Kim Joo Won (Hyun Bin) in Secret Garden? I immediately smiled, then my eyes met his parents eyes and ALL THREE OF US burst out in laughter! My friend asked me “why does he have on that sparkly jacket?” My question to her was: You haven’t seen Secret Garden, have you? She replied no, so I told her she should place that on her DramaFever playlist. As we watched the film, my friend asked multiple times “why is HE sooooooo sexy?” I said “it is what it is and IT is sexy! (LMBO) Well, at a crucial time in the movie one of the ajummas cellphone rang REALLY loud. (annoying ringtone/at the bottom of her purse fumbling to find it)…..THEN she proceeded to answer it and have a fussy conversation—ending with the classic “aish and aigoo”. All eyes in the room were on her with heat seeking missiles ready to deploy! Once she was done, we all got off “high alert” and went back to “Alpha 1” position, enjoying the beautiful thing that is Jung JiHoon on the big screen. When Rain appeared in the scene where he has on a suit while borrowing his friend’s car, all we could say was….wait for it Stephe…..ROGER THAT! There were about 40 or 50 people in the theater this time, so I hope more were able to make the last showing of the day at 9:40 pm. I was disappointed in the theater not having any promotional items on hand—-not even the normal posters in the hallway. Thursday ends R2B’s “limited engagement”……….even if Bi’s movie wasn’t here for a long period of time, I guarantee everyone who saw it was pleased and happy for him being able to have his feature film shown in the USA! over and out……..wah!
LikeLike
Vicki, this is a frickin’ fan account, not a comment! ahahaha 😉 Got a pic or something, so I can post it on the blog? LOL!
I’m serious! Very cool.
Stephe ^@@^
LikeLike
Stephe, I am so sorry—-didn’t mean for my comment to be the length of the Mississippi river….LOL..I didn’t recognize that it was that long until I posted it…duh.
LikeLike
Gurl, that was a COMPLIMENT. I like it! Don’t apologize — give me permission to post it. LOL! 😛
Stephe ^@@^
LikeLike
go right ahead……I emailed the pictures of my tickets to you!
LikeLike
Thanks! 😀
^@@^
LikeLike
Heck, next to some of MY long-ass comments, yours was a little guppy. kekekeke!
^@@^
LikeLike
Yes, Vicki I agree lady….this is a great fan account. Mom may not be a Rain Cloud but she did tell me she was pleasantly surprised that she liked the movie (she’s not crazy about subtitled films). Hey after the movie was over and we were walking out, you did hear her say….”He’s cute though” (referencing our favorite flying Ace). She DID notice that. (SMILES)
Oh and yes, thank you for lunch Ms. Gee and Ms. Vicki thank You for the cds/dvds as well. I’ve been listening to them since that day. You ladies make it down my way, it will be my treat. (SMILES)
LikeLike
Hello BiAlamode! thanks for the thumbs up! I do remember your mom saying “he’s cute though” with a sly grin! I hope to be in your neck of the woods in the next couple of weeks! Maybe R2B will be there waiting for us at one of the AMC theaters…….putting that wish out into the universe…..I’ve had two of them come to fruition: R2B being shown in the USA before the end of the 2012 and the RAIN: The Best of The Best being shown in Korea’s theaters being packaged as a DVD that can now be pre-ordered on September 7th. My “mojo” is working at top speed….LMBO
LikeLike
You better Wooorrk!…….your “mojo” that is!! You don’t know how I wish this movie would come here next. Texas is huge…..with lots and lots of “ground” to cover. (SMILES)
LikeLike
Awesome fan account, Vicki.
I’m so delighted that you and BiAlamode got to meet Gee. She’s terrific. (Ya’ll are terrific too, but you know what I mean. LOL.)
I swear everytime Ji-Hoon said “Roger that,” I thought I was going to melt. I can still hear it in my head. LOL.
Terri :-}
LikeLike
Roger that!………….*Kekekekeke!*
LikeLike
Yeppers! When they called him “Golden Eagle” during his mission, that was sooooooo appropriate! I liked to hear him say “Alpha 1 or Alpha 2” during his cockpit communications…….Git it Tae-Hun! Side note regarding the Sam Houston statue: I hadn’t been to the H in a while during that time frame when he was under construction, so I didn’t know they had placed that in Huntsville. I was rolling fast and furious down I-45 early in the AM and when I saw this BIG apparition appearing thru my sleepy haze—–oh boy, WTH IS THAT? kekeke
LikeLike
Exactly! For those who don’t know Huntsville is where Sam Houston State University is located. The statue is closer to the University. The Sam Houston monument (as Vicki knows) is close to our world renowned medical center in Houston. It’s across from the Houston Museum of Natural Science at the entrance to Herman Park.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Medical_Center
LikeLike
Wow, Dee Dee, you are a good writer! What a great fan account!
I got to go on opening day, too, but instead of getting up at 3:30am, I got back home at 3:30am. What we will do to support Bi, right?! I thought Rain did a terrific job and the aerial scenes and CGI were great. I can’t wait to see it again on Wed. night in a reunion with the two Cloud sisters who I went with to Seoul in 2009 for Legend of Rainism.
At the 10pm showing that I went to not many people were there. There were probably alot more earlier in the evening. About half the audience were non-Korean.
LikeLike
@isilvalie, Thank you so much. You’re right, like I said before only Bi could get me on the road at 3:30 in the morning. I want to see it again because you get to see things you missed the first time. Yes, Bi was great and I loved the aerial scenes as well. All “Matrix-y” and slow-mo. However, I do think it would’ve been nice had they put a little bit more “back story” on some of the main characters….just a little. But that’s just me. Maybe they’re saving that for the deleted scenes on the DVD. (SMILES)
LikeLike
How nice you could meet with others Clouds friends and your mom made you company. Did she like the movie Bia
LikeLike
Aww great account! Wish I could be there and watch R2B with all of you! Someday…:D
LikeLike
Wow, you guys had a great time I see. It;s always more fun to get together with fellow clouds to enjoy Rain event. Most def, you can make more noise about him. How awesome that your mom agreed she would go tooo.
I wonder if my Rain friend living in Dallas went also. Im jealous but happy she was introduced to him and shook his hand at a after party when Bi was in L.A. a few yrs ago.
It’s so cool that all of you could see R2B, I will have to be patient to see it . I can’t wait!
LikeLike
Terri, I thought Paola was gonna kiss ya when you loaded her up with Rain goodies in the parking lot after the movie, LOL! It was like Santa Claus coming to town in the summertime. kekekekeke
Stephe ^@@^
LikeLike
*chuckle*
Terri :-}
LikeLike
U.S. Cloud Maliaka, in Nashville, drove 4 1/2 hours down to Atlanta on her R2B hunt Saturday. Unfortunately we didn’t get to meet her at all before she left, because of our schedules. But we were doggone impressed, so I’m sending her some Rain goodies.
Way to go. 🙂
Big ups to everybody out there for supporting Rain and R2B, BTW! Awesome. JiHoon, you are loved.
Stephe ^@@^
LikeLike
Yeah!
Terri :-}
LikeLike
I am glad u ladies had fun. I wish that I’d got to see oppa on film.
LikeLike
Hi, Jessie. 🙂 Where are you located?
Stephe ^@@^
LikeLike
Hi, Jessie. 🙂 Where are you located?
Stephe ^@@^
LikeLike
Oh, one more thing I forgot to mention. Ms. Gee let everybody know who was nearby or passing by that we were “Rain’s” Clouds. “You know HIS Clouds”…that’s us (indicating me, Vicki and herself).
Love you Ms. Gee!……..(SMILES)
LikeLike
Your a sweetheart. I meant to compliment u On a great fan account of our get together. By the way I went see the movie again tonight. It gets better with each time.
LikeLike
Thanks Gee! When this movie comes to DVD….I’m gonna be on it like “skin on a grape!” SMILES!
LikeLike
LOL. Ladies, I can just imagine that scene.
Terri :-}
LikeLike
Beautiful 😀
LikeLike
@Bia
4 HRS drive early in morning are u serious ??
but that give high intense to know u are support this Movie wwowowow is that some thing u run into Gee and notice her that what a true reunite when it come to Rain across the world i am happy that u make on time and even out to eat Breakfast & dinner together And chat and watch movies together and get to know each other i felt warm by that meeting new fans from other !!
LikeLike
BiA, I too Had so much fun. Your mom is so cute and nice. That’s because We share the Same BD. (Smile). You fogot to Tell everyone that We were the only only ones in the show that was not Korean. Soon We’ll see each other soon.
LikeLike
LOL! You’re right Gee. I did forget to mention that we were the only non-Koreans. Oops, sorry. I was a little sleepy when I wrote this…SMILES! You and Mama are kindred spirits sharing the same B-day. I’ll pass on your compliment to her. We have to do it again!
LikeLike
In a word, “WOW”. I wish I could’ve gone and met up with you guys but I had to work 😦 I keep checking and hoping that it will stay for one more weekend but I think it’s wishful thinking. I loved the way you told this and glad you had an awesome time.
LikeLike
*everyone* I am so excited I can’t even spell. Lol
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing Lady Ninja!!!! Glad every had a great time.
LikeLike
Not a problem. We did have a great time. Lady O (SMILES)
LikeLike
Was there a lot of people there? Was the theatre full or no? I wish I coulda went. Sounds like you all had so much fun, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I met fellow clouds!
LikeLike
@Kongsao,
Yes….4 hrs! ONLY because it was Bi. (SMILES) I was glad I got meet my Cloud sisters. Hopefully I’ll get to meet some more Clouds in person in the not too distant future.
LikeLike
**I meant for this comment to go under Kongsao’s**
LikeLike
@Connie,
Honestly, no the theater was not packed. However, it was the 10:20 am showing and I gotta say there was about 20/25 or so people including us. To me, this was a lot considering it was early morning on a week day and with no theater advertising whatsoever. I actually took the day off to drive to Dallas for the opening day. You had to KNOW the movie was gonna be playing. This tells me that Bi’s fans sought him out. So I was not discouraged by the turn out at all.
LikeLike
aww…thats awesome…I’m glad that all of you have gotten to see it..Stephe and Terri too. I want to see it but I will just have to be patient….sigh…
LikeLike