The Antenna Awards

The next day was the awards show. We who live 2 hours from the heart of Melbourne where the awards show was being held had to leave far earlier than anyone else, I am sure. We also left earlier than we originally needed to because Darran had to pick up some stuff for the mini series he is working on...which meant that I had to be in my dress, nylons and fat sucker upper at 2pm, the event didn't start until 7pm and we didn't get home until about 1am...yes, I was ready to get out of those darn nylons...but enough about me and the dress drama...let's fill you in on the rest of the night.

After running errands we got to the Regal Theatre about an hour early, as they asked Darran to come so that they could prepare him for his presenting part. So as soon as we got there, I stopped in the bathroom (to see just how fresh I still looked after being in the car for over 3 hours) and they took Darran off to go through a couple of presenting things. But when I came out of the bathroom, I had no clue where Darran had gone. So there I stood in the lobby next to the bar watching the TV crews set up cameras and watching this extremely short and little security guard act big and tough. After about 20 minutes of watching the set up, Darran suddenly reappeared, and as soon as I saw him I burst out laughing. I know, I'm terrible.

Why was I laughing? Look at this picture! (Sorry hon, don't mean to embarrass you, but everyone needs to see what I'm talking about) Well, the girls from the local make up college had gotten a hold of him back stage and put so much make up on him (so he wouldn't be washed out on TV) that he looked like he was wearing more make up than me. It was shocking! He actually looked worse than a dead person in their coffin at their viewing! I couldn't contain my laughter and kept laughing, until finally I was able to gain my composer. At that point I leaned over to whisper, "it isn't everyday that we both get to put our faces on to go out." He didn't think it was very funny, but I got another burst of giggles and just couldn't stop. I think I had given him such a complex that he left me at this point and went into the bathroom to take a look for himself. When he returned, he totally understood why I was laughing like I was.

Finally other people started to come and the night got underway. I was still very nervous to see if I was too under dressed, even though Darran had complimented me several times on my dress and how I looked. As people started to arrive I immediately felt better as I soon realized that anything and everything goes at these sort of functions. I saw Oscar style dresses, little sun dresses, and someone wearing a cotton skirt with a papoose (baby included!). So I felt like I had done well in my dress selection.

The awards part of the evening got under way after a few drinks and entrees. They came and pulled Darran away before the awards started to get him ready for his presenting part. So I sat there watching the show alone. When the category for Outstanding Sports show came up, Darran was still in the green room getting ready to present, so I mentioned to Rob (a guy who worked on the show with Darran) that if we won, he had to go and accept the award. Well, I am thrilled to report that Darran's show did win for Outstanding Sports show, and Rob was all to happy to go up and accept the award on Darran's behalf. Once Rob accepted the award, out walked Darran to present the next two awards (great timing, huh?) The guy Darran present with came out without any pants on, so I don't know what was worse, Darran and his makeup or the guy in his undies... Darran did a fantastic job presenting then hurried out to the interview room to make his acceptance speech...all the while I sat there in utter amazement that Darran finally had gotten the recognition that he deserved for all the hard work he put in on this show.
This is the award. A beautiful heavy glass statue. On the base is inscribed: Outstanding Sports Show The Surfers Life 2009 Antenna Awards. It's really a pretty award! And so fun!

Here is Darran and Rob (one of the presenters) right after they got the award and came back from making their acceptance speech.

And here we are (post trip to the bathroom for Darran to wipe off his makeup). We had a great time and it was such a fun evening! I am so proud of Darran and the fact that so many others saw his show and realized the great show that it is, and all the hard work Darran put into it.

He was also nominated for Outstanding Recreation Program, but didn't win. The show that won which is called On the Water, was a show that Darran did a lot of video work for last year (remember his trips to all the jet boat races?). So even though his show didn't win, he still felt like he won apart of that antenna award as well, for the work he put in on that show.

I tell ya, never did I ever imagine that I would be going to award shows and hobnobbing with celebs (even Aussie ones) in my pre married life. But, as far as award shows go, now that I have this one under my belt...I think I can handle it!

Congrats again Darran! I'm so proud of you!!!