— 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 
[Cloud USA] Road Trip for Rain: On the hunt for R2B Return to Base in Atlanta.
•August 21, 2012 • 14 Comments— Written by Stephe Thornton, Managing Editor ^@@^
Hi, Clouds and Rain fans! What’s shakin’ in your part of the world? Let me tell you what’s shakin’ in mine.
Ever since the Shot Heard Across North America (the wonderful news of Korean blockbuster R2B: Return to Base coming to select theaters in the U.S. and Canada) and the various R2B movie promotions for English speakers that have hit the Internet, we’ve been moving about in a fog of ecstatic disbelief. Truly, we did expect Rain’s film to make its way to our shores at some point, but never this soon, and certainly not outside of L.A. or perhaps New York City. That we’re going to get to watch Jung JiHoon/Rain getting his Top Gun-on in Atlanta, beginning this Friday, August 24 (along with 12 other cities, so far), though confirmed, still seems the stuff of wildest dreams. But that didn’t mean I could just sit on my duff and wait around, oh no. I had to hit the road.
It was time for a (mini) Road Trip for Rain and R2B. Oh, yeah!
Round One. Video 집으로 가는길. The weather cooperated beautifully this past Saturday afternoon. It was gorgeous. So I hopped in the RainBuggy and took a leisurely ride out to Buford Highway, several suburbs over by expressway. It’s always a pleasure shopping at On The Way Home Video (Video 집으로 가는길)(jib-eulo ganeungil). It’s neat and clean, and stocked to the brim with everything you could ever think of on disk. There’s always something playing on the Big Flatscreen—Gag Concert, Vitamin, or whatever K-Drama is on TV at the time. And they’re really nice folks, as helpful as can be, despite the language barrier. Our broken Korean + their broken English = Both Sides Win! And so the conversation when I blew into the door went a little something like this:
Me: “안녕하세요! Hello there! How are you today?”
Them: “안녕하세요!” (annyeonghaseyo/hello/good day/hi, how are you) Young Guy and Ajumma look up and see me. Their eyes get wide. Young Guy practically leaps from behind the counter and towards me. “Can I help you? Can I help you?”
Me: “Yes. I’m looking for 도망자 (Domangja). The Fugitive Plan B. You know 비? Rain?”
Young Guy: “Sub… title?”
Me (nodding): “네.” (neh/yeah)
He shows me where it is on the shelf, waits for my nod of approval, grabs the 20-disk *no-frills set lickety-split, and voilà, I’m at the counter to pay for my little bit of heaven. While I’m paying:
Young Guy: ” You like 비 ?”
Me: “Oh, yes. I’ve been a fan for six years. Very talented entertainer. 몸짱.” (momjjang/athletic body) Don’t laugh, y’all. I had no idea how to say The Sexiest Asian Man of This Decade And The Next, so momjjang had to suffice. Young Guy runs off, and brings Ajumma an extra *no-frills item to put in my bag.
Ajumma: “Rain. Last Concert, for you.” It took me a moment to realize it was a complimentary gift. And when I did, before I knew it, I had done a couple of little leaps in the air.
Me (clapping and laughing and all silly): “Oh my god. 감사합니다 ! (gamsahabnida) 고맙습니다 ! (gomabseubnida) Thank you! 고마워요! (gomawoyo)”
They looked mighty pleased with themselves, and laughed and nodded.
Me (catching my breath): “Did you know Rain’s movie is coming here? 알투비, 리턴 투 베이스?” (R2B, Return to Base)
Them: “Yeah, Rain. 영화 ! (yeonghwa) Movie!”
Me: “At the AMC Colonial in Lawrenceville. Starts August 24. Friday.”
Them: “Okay!”
Me: “Have a good Saturday. Bye-bye now!”
Them (waving): “Bye! Thank you!”
The last time I dropped by On The Way Home, before this visit, I bought period K-Drama Il JiMae, and movie Sector 7, and got a complimentary gift of the movie The Chaser, subtitled. Running your business like that will keep folks like me and Terri coming back for more. Trust. 🙂
(*no frills: Direct from the producer/distributor without all the bells, whistles, and pretty packaging. They do have that, if you want it, but it costs a pretty penny.)
Round Two. It’s a bird… it’s a plane… it’s Rain in the newspaper! I left the store as happy as a clam. It’s a wonder I remembered to pick up a few newspapers to check for R2B ads. And I tell you, I could not believe my luck. The very first one I looked at, The Chosun Daily News Atlanta (one of the major publications) had an article about R2B right on the front page.
Round Three. R2B is going to land where? From there, I went one exit up on the expressway, hit the 316 going east, and after three exits was right at the AMC Colonial 18 theater in Lawrenceville. Altogether, it’s a little over an hour from my home. Not bad! Make no mistake, though, I would have driven longer and farther. This is an opportunity that I shall not miss but for an Act of God. Believe it.
The AMC general manager told Terri last week that they couldn’t officially advertise R2B until Tuesday the 21st, so I didn’t expect to see anything about the movie posted anywhere. I just wanted to make sure I knew where it was, take a quick look around the joint, and revel in the knowledge of what was to come. The theater is in a nice, open suburban area where there are plenty of places to eat and shop, and isn’t hard to find at all.
Terri, Jim, and I and our party will be shooting for the 7 PM showing on opening night. I do hope that some of you will join us in Atlanta on this very special occasion.
I’ll be road-tripping again on Tuesday the 21st, to see if any other R2B goodies are to be had. I’ll let you know what I find. For you PSY (싸이) fans out there, of which I am one, I found Mr. Gangnam Style on the cover of Kstarnews. 🙂
Until next time, peeps. For right now, I’m going to relax with a cold beverage and Rain’s Last of the Best.
— Stephe @cloudusa.wordpress.com / CloudUSA.org
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Tags: Bi Rain movie, Bi Rain R2B: 리턴투베이스, Cloud commentary, Cloud USA, Cloud USA article, Cloud USA News, Cloud USA roadtrip, Hangul student Stephe, Jung Ji Hoon, R2B North American opening, R2B: Return To Base, rain bi