Gerry Addicted Lust Syndrome (GALS) continued

[irish]

GALS, WELCOME to the 8th Floor of the Support Center's 3rd Highrise!

Just sixty one more floors to go to reach 69 again!

posting for Susan Sporran

Summer is coming to an end and soon we will be treated to two new Gerry movies to support ... Chasing Mavericks and Playing For Keeps. There are so many new GALS to get to know ... so let's cozy up and talk about our hopes, dreams, heartaches and of course the man himself ...... grab a chair and a and join us in the support center so we can get to know each other better.

Yes! This is our GALS Mantra:

Sink the Boat -- Ride the Phantom!!!

A HUGE THANK YOU to QAZklh for making the graphic for us..."

AND NOW.... the original thread.

Being the compassionate person that I am, I can recognize a cry for help when I see one. Having said that, I have decided to start a new support group for those of us with Gerry Addicted Lust Syndrome - from now on, all with Gerry Addicted Lust Syndrome will be known as GALS.

This group is open to all GALS and non-GALS alike who believe they are in serious need of support and guidance as they realize how serious their addiction has become. This is not a support group which advocates traditional intervention, as the failure rate would be astronomical, but merely a group whom you can turn to who share in your addictions or withdrawals, whichever the case may be. Some of the signs that you have GALS include, but are not limited to:

1. You buy every magazine on the rack looking for photos or articles of Gerry and start to get the jitters when there has been no sign of him for weeks.

2. You drive 500 miles to see a Gerry movie.

3. Your significant other (or just someone you're dating) gives you stark reminders they are SOOOO NOT Gerry.

4. Co-workers, friends and/or family start teasing you for your addiction � people can be so cruel...

5. You become addicted to caffeine because you can't pull yourself away from GALS...."'cause just MAYBE he'll be on Chat tonight."

6. You obsess with much glee, "Gerry has a computer...and he knows how to use it!!!!"

7. You find yourself asking aloud, "Did he REALLY mean what he said about the 3:00 a.m. thing and does he REALLY wear a size 11 shoe?" Then smile broadly.

8. You catch yourself speaking in a Scottish accent for no apparent reason.

9. You change the decor in your bathroom to accommodate your new yellow towels.

10. The "G-Spot" takes on a whole new meaning.

11. You spend days wondering why a Scot would be named "Andre."

12. You buy "Mrs. Brown" just for the skinny-dipping scene and play that one scene in slow mo and super slow mo, over and over and over again. (Okay, so maybe that was just me.)

13. You have a picture of Gerry in your wallet, and refer to him as "your man, Gerry."

14. You spend your hard-earned cash assigned for other "non-essential" items (phone bill, power bill, etc.) on essential Gerry related items.

15. You go shopping for your "real-life" man and finding yourself thinking, "OMG!!! Gerry would look so :censored: hot in that!!!"

16. You have to buy a new hard drive to accommodate all your pics and videos of Gerry.

17. You search through a couple hundred $5.50 DVDs at Wal-Mart because an employee said Dracula 2K might be there.

18. You can't possibly walk past Starbucks without dreaming that maybe... *sighs*

19. You refer to the Gerry wallpaper on your computer as your "happy place."

20. While looking up at the clouds you SWEAR there's a cloud in the shape of a "G"...funny thing is, the GAL next to you sees the same thing!!!

21. Multiples (Gerrygasms) are an every day occurrence!!!

This list will continue to grow as you tell me your addictions...

Below is a very simple 10-step program to help foster our addiction.

1. You must admit you have GALS. This is so important to further your addiction. Yes, this support group wants to nourish your addiction, not starve it. We are here for you.

2. Come to believe the Great and Powerful Gerry is greater than ourselves and only our visions and/or fantasies can keep us addicted. To truly become addicted, however, one must at one time in ones life made the Gerry Mecca Journey (GMJ) and meet him in person.

3. Make a decision to turn our will and lives over to our addiction to Gerry.

4. Make a searching and fearless immoral inventory of our fantasies of Gerry.

5. Lend your support to those who have GALS, but are yet unable to admit it.

6. Watch every movie (more than once) in which Gerry has a role. To be truly addicted, you must develop a love of all Gerry genres (yes, this includes "Tale of the Mummy" and "Dracula 2000").

7. Frequently quote lines from Gerry films. Memorize them, use them, replace old phrases with new Gerry lines. This will prove to all your serious commitment to your addiction.

8. Know Gerry's biography better than you know your own. True GALS will know all Gerry's trivia. Study it, soak it in, become one with Gerry's biography.

9. Give generously (money folks) to the website which has fostered your addictions and allowed your fantasies to take flight.

10. Convert all who are convertible to this syndrome. This is the true mark of GALS. Do not judge - for your next recruit may be your boss!

As this is a relatively new Syndrome, the above guidelines are subject to editing, amending or scrapping all together as we GALS deem necessary.

The first step to true addiction is to admit you have GALS!! I will begin the group.

"My name is Dr. Em and I have GALS."

All are welcome to join in our group. GALS, we must not suffer in silence!!! We now have a voice!!! Let it be heard!

*Disclaimer: We GALS appreciate not only Gerry's royal hotness for which there is no rival, we indeed, also recognize his abundance of talent, soul, passion, spirit, sense of style and humor, sincerity...can I stop now? Our addictions are all-encompassing and we embrace Gerry EVERY WHICH WAY WE CAN!!!*

To Cleobethra for our "Warning Label."

Susan~Sporran

[Texas gramma]

I'm first. STREEEAAAKKK!

Now, after seeing me in the buff, go take an antiacid and have a good day!

Hugs,

Susie

[Music of the Night72]

Hi to all of my GALFriends!

I'm here

but now I have to go and do the dreaded nasty for the day ...............

LOTS and LOTS of HUGS for all my GALFriends!

Tammy

[Mesmerized]

Hi. My name is Sharon and I have GALS. I agree it's futile to fight it. It's time to embrace it and recruit others. (I'm doing my best!) I have not explored the full width and breath of this syndrome as I have many G movies left to see. My journey into the depth of GALS was recent and sudden. Sit down, I had never heard of Gerard Butler before June of this year. I know I was sheltered. I was consumed by my running and struggling with my business for years. I had very little time for movies or anything else with one exception.

I did find myself with an addiction to Clay Aiken even though I didn't watch American Idol. That man's voice is phenomenal and he's funny as hell. A humanitarian too. (My addiction subject must include talent, humor and good works. Sound familiar GALS?) That addiction was fast and furious as well. Discovered Clay in May of 2003 by accident. I walked into a family member's apartment and heard this awesome rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Water being sung. Thud. By mid-July I was throwing Depends on the stage at him (my 40 yr old version of the underwear others were throwing.) In October, he told Jay Leno he had gotten a pair of Depends thrown at him. He unleashed this beautiful smile and told Jay of my note that read... "We Love you too!...your Older Fans." I went to see him a few years ago in Spamalot at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway. Hoped to take in a performance of Phantom of the Opera (next door) that day but when I went by it was 'dark'. Fast forward to present...

After letting my business ruin my 50th birthday...I decided to make a change. I actually have time now to enjoy the entertainment world and my life in general! (BTW, I did a birthday 're-do' last month and had a wonderful "50th" on my 51st birthday.) So with my new found freedom, one day in June while flipping channels, I stumbed across a masked Phantom luring a beautiful young woman into/behind a mirror. I was delighted to realize there was a movie made with this beautiful music that I had heard parts of over the years. But I knew very little of the story itself.

As I watched this Phantom leading this woman, I heard him open his mouth to sing and was a bit surprised actually. I was expecting a rich, full, fill-the-house opera voice as I've heard people talk about. This was edgier, not as "perfect" as I assumed it would be, yet I liked it. (REALLY liked it.) He made me feel his sense of power yet vunerability. His "sweet intoxication" if you will. By the end of the movie, I'm sobbing.

Days later, I recorded it and watched from the beginning. I became Mesmerized by 'this Man, this Thing'... this actor. I began getting to know him and the cast through you tube. I was shocked to find out that he has been acting in big stuff for years. (I never heard of him. I had heard of "Bram? Stoker's Dracula but not 300. I knew the names of Hillary Swank and Kathyn Heigl in passing but couldn't tell you anything about them or their career. And Gerard Bulter...huh?) So I rented 4 of his movies. Two months, 9 movies, 48 "save picture as" clicks and 72 'gerrygasms' later, I find myself here at GALS confessing my addiction.

But I know I'm among like-minded sufferers here. You, of all people, understand how this addiction feels so good - er - I mean - hurts so bad - this is supposed to be suffering, right? Ok, I'm going to take a stand and say it...Even though I've come to a support group...I am not suffering at all. I'm actually enjoying every freakin' minute of it! (Actually, the suffering part is knowing I'm single, unattached and my 'just once' idea doesn't even stand a snowball's chance in hell. ) Real life is good but a few parts of it suck!

Passing the microphone...next?....

[irish]

Sharon, to the support center. Here, if you can catch this couch....have a seat~ Thanks for sharing your story with us.

Many of us were lured into the crazy world of Gerry and GALS by the Phantom (albeit a number of years before you...lol). But I almost envy you....you have so many delightful moments ahead of you...watching Gerry films for the first time and getting to know more and more about this guy we all love.

I loved Phantom of the Opera. My hubby and I went to see it in San Francisco four times in one year! So when I saw they were making it into a movie I was thrilled. I couldn't wait. You're right...Gerry was a different kind of Phantom than what you get on stage. But for me personally, he ruined any other phantom. He brought a sensuality and vulnerability to the character that I had never seen or felt before. I was hooked. Had to find out everything I could about this guy! This search led me to a few Gerry sites but this is where I found my "home".

GALS to me is so much more than just a bunch of crazy fans ... it is about life long friendships that have formed. I lost my wonderful husband to cancer in 2009 and I am about to embark down another hard road (my step daughter's murder trial is about to start in a little over two weeks). I don't think I would have made it through the dark times (which I still have) without my GALS who are my sisters now. My hubby Dan'l, thought I had lost my mind when I joined GALS but when he got sick and I refused to leave the house without him he was so thankful for the friends that were "here" to support the both of us. I have a wonderful family and great friends but this "fanmily" is something special.

So anyway, again welcome.....have a and !

hugs,

Sue

[Music of the Night72]

Welcome my friend Sharon to the support center

I first saw Gerry in Dracula 2000. I was just enchanted at this BEAUTIFUL! man. My all time favorite line is ..."I don't drink ........ coffee" Coffee is another of my addictions; so I thought that just absolutely hilarious!

Fast Forward to 2004 and Phantom of the Opera; I had read the novel when I was in Junior High School; and have seen the stage production a few times--I was excited that the Phantom was becoming a film (not to mention I love Joel Schumacher! (Lost Boys (LOVE IT!) St. Elmo's Fire (okay who's singing the song with me ) not to mention a few of the Batman films). When I first saw the Phantom starting to appear in the mirror; my heart was racing (just as it raced when I first saw the Phantom come to life on the stage). As the Phantom was leading Christine through the maze of halls; then through the back streets; to the boat; and then finally to his grotto--I was practically falling out of my seat! I kept leaning forward as if I was trying to walk with them; lol As the film progressed I was just in awe at how this BEAUTIFUL man brought my beloved Phantom to life on the big screen. Gerry's brought a whole new legacy to the Phantom character. I agree that Erik really existed! The Angel of Music is alive inside Gerry (as well as those that bring him to life on the stage)--back to Gerry; he brought Erik front and center; and showed us just how magnificent he is; how vulnerable he is; how beautiful he is (I hope that people walked away with the lesson that a mask; that imperfections are only cosmetic; beauty is the heart and the soul of someone). When your watching the stage production for me the music captivates you; you get to see the actors performing but you don't get to be up front in their faces; like you can in the film. The film pulls you in and takes you through each scene; you get the visual and the musical all in one (I hope that makes sense )---not to mention I went through about a box of kleenex!

In my web searching of Gerry; last fall I stumbled across GALS. I read the forums for a few months before I sent in my request to become a member. My first impression when I was visiting that GALS was so much more than just Gerry and discussing Gerry. GALS was a fanmily. In the short time that I have been here; I am just in complete awe at just WONDERFUL each and everyone of the GALS are. Everyone comes together and Everyone supports each other. I've met the BEST GALS; that I can tell you with a doubt my friend Sharon (my 2nd Mom (aka Aunt) is named Sharon ) that you will have friendships that last a lifetime.

Welcome again my friend Sharon! looking forward to seeing you here sitting on the couch with us

LOTS and LOTS of HUGS!

Tammy

[Texas gramma]

Tammy, thank you for saying such lovely things about GALS. FANmily and charities as well as Gerry is what we're all about! Makes us MODS proud when newbies understand us!!

Hugs to all our newbies. So happy to have you here!!

Suzie

[Lady Elissa]

I came to world of Gerry fandom from Phantom of the Opera as well. After lurking for a year on another Gerry fan site, I finally joined in. At that time I was really shy about posting and just couldn't believe there was anyone else as old as I was who was active in a fan site! My family all thought I had lost my mind!

I soon made my way to GALS and announced to my husband one day that a Gerry movie, "Beowulf and Grendel", was being shown in a theater in Austin for one showing only and I was going! Rather than have me going by myself to Austin with a bunch of people I only knew from the Internet, he agreed to go with me. We ended up offering rides in our minivan for anyone else in the San Antonio area who wanted to go but needed a ride. That led me to my best friend, Suzie! My husband was very impressed with everyone we met that day, and he loved the movie too! When I announced a few months later that I was going to the GALS convention in Vegas, he came along. He ended up joining GALS, though he rarely posts, and has attended several Vegas conventions with me. His screen name is PAL Good Sport!

[BlueJean]

Lady Elissa - what a neat story. And what a neat husband.

I was much the same way - I am still quite certain that I'm the oldest Gerry Fan still alive. I braved driving to Denver to a location where I had never been before to see Beowulf. I conned my SIL and a friend to go with me. I met many Gerry fans there - they were staying for all the showings! Also, my SIL, friend and I sat directly in front of

Kathy (Forbes) and her husband.............altho, of course, I didn't know who they were then.

I love to read these accounts of our travels through Gerryland.

BonnieBJ

[Texas gramma]

Oh, BJ, you are so NOT the oldest GAL, not by a long shot! The big 70 is about to hit me and another GAL as well! However, we are like Gerry we just keep getting better with age!!

Suzie

[Forbes girl]

Lady Elissa - what a neat story. And what a neat husband.

I was much the same way - I am still quite certain that I'm the oldest Gerry Fan still alive. I braved driving to Denver to a location where I had never been before to see Beowulf. I conned my SIL and a friend to go with me. I met many Gerry fans there - they were staying for all the showings! Also, my SIL, friend and I sat directly in front of

Kathy (Forbes) and her husband.............altho, of course, I didn't know who they were then.

I love to read these accounts of our travels through Gerryland.

BonnieBJ

Bonnie when I heard that Elissa had gone to see Beowulf in a theater I thought of us at the same theater in Denver. The story is funny so I will retell it. First of all, my hubby is a good sport and drove me to Denver to see Beowulf. While sitting in the theater he counted all of the females and guys and felt he was vastly in the minority, being a guy. He laughed about that. Then three ladies sat down in front of us. Of course, I didn't know one of them was Bonnie BJ. Before the movie started the three stood up to change seat order and one gal moved out into the isle and she looked at my hubby and me and said, "Don't worry we will get settled before HE comes on." I whispered to my hubby that the three gals were definitely Gerry fans. Gerry looked so awesome in that movie on the big screen. Even my hubby said while walking to our car that Gerry is quite a handsome guy. I've been a Beowulf lover ever since.

Sharon! Looking forward to your posts so we get to know you better. We are ALL fanmily here. You have come to the right place because we ALL feel like you. Enjoying Gerry and his career together helps us survive our Gerry addiction.

Tammy...How sweet of you for that last post. We all love you here sweetie!

My first Gerry love was Attila. I watched the series on TV and couldn't take my eyes off of him. Then I lost track of him. I had no idea that he was the Phantom in POTO until I read the credits at the end of the movie. I was amazed that I felt the same about the Phantom as I had about Attila. They were totally opposite characters but the same actor. I was blown away by that. What a talent. I am not one to take to an actor like I have to Gerry. He is still my one and only favorite. I will be loyal to him and only him til death do us part. No doubt I will be leaving him first. LOL!

~HUGS~ Kathy

[Lady Elissa]

Kathy, my husband is now retired, but at the time that we saw Beowulf and Grendel, he was a high school and college level English teacher. He is quite proficient in reading Olde and Middle English. The organizer of the movie showing from that other Gerry site convinced the theater manager to show the film because she guaranteed him a full house. She contacted the University of Texas and the Austin area high schools to tell them about the movie. The house was packed with not only Gerry fans from all over Texas, but school groups of students and their teacher. She asked me if my husband would make a presentation at the showing. They had a professor from the University of Texas come and speak about cinema arts and then Bill got up and gave a presentation on Beowulf and read a portion of the poem in the original language. It was a great day! The place went wild when Gerry first appeared on the screen!

[Forbes girl]

Kathy, my husband is now retired, but at the time that we saw Beowulf and Grendel, he was a high school and college level English teacher. He is quite proficient in reading Olde and Middle English. The organizer of the movie showing from that other Gerry site convinced the theater manager to show the film because she guaranteed him a full house. She contacted the University of Texas and the Austin area high schools to tell them about the movie. The house was packed with not only Gerry fans from all over Texas, but school groups of students and their teacher. She asked me if my husband would make a presentation at the showing. They had a professor from the University of Texas come and speak about cinema arts and then Bill got up and gave a presentation on Beowulf and read a portion of the poem in the original language. It was a great day! The place went wild when Gerry first appeared on the screen!

Elissa...That's so cool. Your hubby is a very special guy! Sounds like a fun and educational day with lots of Gerry gorgeousness thrown in.

At our theater in Denver, after the movie, there was a re-enactment organization that dressed up in the outfits from Beowulf's time and had sword fights outside of the theater. That was fun to watch and experience. It is too bad Beowulf was not seen in more theaters. The DVD just doesn't do it justice, especially with that awesome Iceland scenery. I did buy the Blu-ray version which is much better than the regular DVD but nothing compares to the BIG SCREEN!

~HUGS~ Kathy

[Lady Elissa]

Kathy, my husband is now retired, but at the time that we saw Beowulf and Grendel, he was a high school and college level English teacher. He is quite proficient in reading Olde and Middle English. The organizer of the movie showing from that other Gerry site convinced the theater manager to show the film because she guaranteed him a full house. She contacted the University of Texas and the Austin area high schools to tell them about the movie. The house was packed with not only Gerry fans from all over Texas, but school groups of students and their teacher. She asked me if my husband would make a presentation at the showing. They had a professor from the University of Texas come and speak about cinema arts and then Bill got up and gave a presentation on Beowulf and read a portion of the poem in the original language. It was a great day! The place went wild when Gerry first appeared on the screen!

Elissa...That's so cool. Your hubby is a very special guy! Sounds like a fun and educational day with lots of Gerry gorgeousness thrown in.

At our theater in Denver, after the movie, there was a re-enactment organization that dressed up in the outfits from Beowulf's time and had sword fights outside of the theater. That was fun to watch and experience. It is too bad Beowulf was not seen in more theaters. The DVD just doesn't do it justice, especially with that awesome Iceland scenery. I did buy the Blu-ray version which is much better than the regular DVD but nothing compares to the BIG SCREEN!

~HUGS~ Kathy

I got impatient waiting for a US release of the DVD so I ordered mine from Canada. I still have only the Canadian version. I never bought the US release. I guess I should upgrade to the blu ray and give my daughter my Canadian DVD.

Tammy, I got carried away talking about Beowulf and Grendel and my own introduction to GALS. I meant to say that I agree with everything you said about our GALS Fanmily. I'm glad you're here! That goes for you, too Sharon! And all our new members, oldies too! OK.....group hug!....

[Texas gramma]

I have told this story before, but my first experience with Gerry was in Timeline. I fell in love with the heroic and romantic Andre' Marek! When POTO hit the theaters, my husband was too ill to go see it and I didn't want to go alone, so we had to wait for the DVD. Gene was sleeping, so I curled up on the sofa and watched POTO by myself the first time. When Erik turned to the camera in the golden corridore and we got to see his full face up close, I forgot to breathe and I KNOW I said "Dear God, WHO is that beautiful man????" As soon as the movie was over, I was on Google looking him up, only to discover he was also my beloved Marek! I was a goner! I watched POTO twice more in the next 24 hours and even Gene loved it! I soon discovered GALS and the rest, as they say, was history. *sigh* Ever since that day, Erik and Marek have battled in my heart to be my "favorite"! Hahaha!

Suzie

[Mesmerized]

Thanks everybody for telling of your introductions to Gerry. I know you may have told it before but hey, it's fun to relive it, huh!

I'm not qualified yet to join in the Survivor Game. (I get way off topic anyway!) But I'll enjoy watching you all do battle for your favorite man!

I'm going to have to rent Timeline. It's on all the time but always on Showtime that we don't get.

Atilla, the Jury and a few others are available at one of our libraries. I'll try to catch up quickly so I am better informed of the characters. I just met Creedy. Cute! Funny, loves children, brave...sigh. Not my kind of movie so I had to endure the rest once he was gone.

Anybody know why my avatar doesn't show up in my posts? I need to work on a 2nd one and a siggie and trading card. Ah...so many choices. I'm gonna need some screen caps and get busy!

Well, again, nice to meet you all. I look forward to getting to know you in your "real lives" and in our fun fantasy world!

Edited August 25, 2012 by Mesmerized

[Lady Elissa]

Sharon, a lot of us turn "Reign of Fire" off after Creedy's last scene!

[Forbes girl]

That's true Elissa. But I can't watch Gerry die. The same for Lara Croft. Geez....he dies a lot in his movies. Usually in Lara Croft I watch the alternate ending in the Special Features. I like that better.

Sharon...You are going to have so much fun catching up on Gerry movies. You will LOVE "Attila" and "The Jury".

~HUGS~ Kathy

Edited August 25, 2012 by Forbes girl

[BlueJean]

This is fun - walking down memory lane and discussing how we "met" and fell for Gerry. POTO was my first Gerry awareness. Then an article in Parade mag - of a "gorgeous Scotsman" who portrayed the Phantom. And the article mentioned his next two movies were The Game of Their Lives (Miracle Match) and Dear Frankie. I haunted Blockbuster and on the day DF was to be released to DVD - I was there at 8:00 am - they had gotten one copy and it was already gone! Aha..........but I persevered and wound up renting it from every movie rental in town and having Blockbuster order a copy for moi - so there.

A fan in Denver was responsible for B&G showing here - it was at an art theater.....and she even convinced them to keep it over another week. Such an exciting time.

I remember going into the restroom after one of Gerry's movies and saying to my friend that "I wish he would make a movie where he lives and gets the girl"...........and a couple of women standing there grinned and nodded "yes"! Problem is - I can't remember what Gerry movie that was.

Psst...........Texas Gramma - don't tell - but I'll be 78 next month.

BonnieBJ

[Texas gramma]

WTG, BJ! You look great!! No one can keep us old GALS down!!

Tight hugs,

Suzie

[Yoet]

well I'm kinda new here but I love this way of talking to other fans! It makes me realize I'm not that stupid being enchanted by this man..

Most people my age(17) ask me why I'm a fan of this way older guy but then I start my list(Handsome, funny, a real man and a great actor etc.) then I tell them he's my muse and gives me inspiration by my drawings and they go like; ohh when you put it that way...'m never done talking about his movies and his personality.

I can drive people crazy sometimes I know..

I fell for him in the bounty hunter but after P.S I love you and The phantom of the opera I was totally under his spell and couldn't miss any movie. 300 was so awesome I almost died..

Every movie that Gerry made (will make) is (going to be) amazing.

I just can't wait for Chasing Mavericks and Playing for Keeps!

My art of Gerry: http://yoet.deviantart.com/

Youandi

Edited August 25, 2012 by Yoet

[BlueJean]

Yoet - I clicked the link you gave............you are truly beautiful! Welcome to Gerryland.

BonnieBJ

[Yoet]

Yoet - I clicked the link you gave............you are truly beautiful! Welcome to Gerryland.

BonnieBJ

Thankyou!

And I'm happy to be here

[mousie]

It was December 22, 2004 at about 3:30pm Mountain Standard Time, when I got my first glimpse of Gerry walking down the hall with Christine in POTO. That was it for me, I was hooked! Turned out, I had seen him in two other movies, Timeline and Reign of Fire and hadn't noticed him *hangs head in shame*. Anyway, I first saw Beowulf in Vegas in 2006. That night, I got to meet THE MAN! I've seen all of his movies since POTO and I can't wait for Chasing Mavericks and Playing for Keeps! Welcome to the nutty world of Gerry fandom!

Luv, Mousie

[Lady Elissa]

Yoet! and to the Support Center!