GusH Brunch Photos

These are the digital ones. I have a batch taken via a disposable camera. I'll have to get them to the computer somehow. Sadly, there are not any good Beth/Ricky pictures. I tried getting some, but they came out too dark. :(

GusH/Cooper Brunch Recap

Remember that this was my very first time meeting both Ricky Paull Goldin and Beth Ehlers.

I went with my mom and grandparents as a college graduation gift, and we got there with about 45 minutes to wait in line outside. It was a LONG wait, LOL! And I had trouble breathing the whole time because I was so excited & nervous. Boy, I’m glad we were one of the first groups in line! As we were approaching the check-in table, Beth arrived, and I was totally star-struck. She walked in and stood next to us for probably just a few mere seconds, and it was awesome. I kept thinking it was so surreal. With that, I was smiling through brunch. I met Debbie (jaimeGL from the message boards) when we checked in, and then we were off to Table 8.

We were at our table for a while as more and more people poured in. My mom was the one who informed me that Ricky arrived, and I freaked out a little, LOL! I think I let out a gasp or a small scream. And my mouth might have dropped when I first laid eyes on him. It was from a good distance, though, since I was still at our table. We were seated at a corner with two other women, and two people didn’t show up. So there was just the six of us. There was candy, soap, and candles for everyone to take with them. The candle was the same for everyone… It’s in a tiny mug in a box tied together with ribbon, and it has a tag that says: Gus & Harley The Perfect Blend. I totally gushed over that tag!

Eventually, everyone was seated and Ricky & Beth got everyone to be quiet as they talked. I got a couple of pictures of them from my table, but they might not come out good. They talked a lot about leaving GL, the Emmy Red Carpet show, and being on AMC, and they were very honest with us. They both talked their heads off, lol. Beth explained the GL producers telling the other Cooper family actors not to come, and it was very disappointing that they weren’t there. To me it’s more meaningful to have the brunch at a Greek restaurant if ALL the Coopers are there. Ricky and Beth mentioned how they couldn’t use the names “Gus” and “Harley” to advertise the brunch because they don’t own the characters. Beth talked about her decision to leave GL: not wanting to be there without Ricky, Harley’s future not mattering without Gus, she and Ricky not being finished telling Gus & Harley stories. Beth was crushed when she found out Ricky passed; she said he’s “a dear, dear friend” and the person she texted with complaints about GL. Beth was fine breaking up with Ricky on-screen because she believed Gus & Harley would reunite. Ricky did too. That’s what happens on soaps: “You break up, but you get back together,” Beth exclaimed. They were surprised by how separated they were due to being in totally separate stories and not even being in the same room most of the time. Beth mentioned how Gus & Harley never bumped into each other and also weren’t having sex anymore. Ricky replied, “And that’s why we’re gonna have sex right now!” LOL! And everyone cracked up and cheered. It was hard for me to stop laughing. Beth responded while still laughing, “I hope we have sex as Jake and Taylor.” HAHAHA! I so wish I got that part on video!

Beth said she was sorry for stealing Marina’s boyfriend, and she said she played Harley as if she was having a mental breakdown. Someone might have her asked this, but Beth said the best part about playing Harley for so long was being a member of the Cooper family. The Coopers were like a real family, and I agree. Frank was really her brother, and Justin was really her dad. And so on. Ricky and Beth brought up the beginning of GusH…how it wasn’t a typical love story because Beth (and Harley) was pregnant. They didn’t expect to be so popular and neither did The Powers That Be. They were just playing Gus & Harley they best they could, trying to make them work.

All My Children was discussed. They urged us to watch them on their “new show”. They didn’t say much more than what we already know. But what they did say must stay in that room. “Everything stays in the room, right,” Ricky said. They talked about their story and their new characters. Beth said Taylor is 32 and laughed at how her characters keep getting younger, LOL! Ricky said he has learned a lot from playing a doctor. He told a story about picking up cold medicine at a pharmacy where he tried helping a woman there with her medicine. He had said, “I’m not a doctor, but I play one of TV.” And the woman was like, “You’re Jake on All My Children!” Ricky is too funny! Someone said they tape AMC and only watch Jake & Taylor. Ricky and Beth laughed and said, “That works! Just watch us! You don’t have to watch the rest of the show.” HAHA! Someone also brought up voting for them in 2005 for the Irresistible Combination Award, and Beth said, “We were shocked.” There was a Q&A Session, but I don’t remember what all was asked. Someone did ask if they were going to Super Soap Weekend. Ricky was a definite yes, but Beth was a no… Beth explained how Will has a broken arm now; Hank had one last year. She joked about the three of them breaking their arms, but not her ex-husband. She went on to explain her reasons for not attending Super Soap: she wants to do Disney World with her boys since they’ve never been there. She didn’t want to be saying goodbye to them as they go on a ride with someone else. She said something like, “Who would watch them?” A bunch of people said they would, and Beth was touched by that.

I’m not sure how they wrapped things up or what the last question was, but I know Ricky was like, “I’m sure you’re all starving.” So, they finished speaking, and then they were surrounded by people taking pictures of them. I was too nervous to go up there to get pictures, so, sadly, I do not have any really good or cute photos of them together nor any photos of me with both of them. I was too timid! The door prizes were handed out. We got tickets when we checked in with numbers on them. It seemed like there were six prizes, and my group didn’t win anything. Someone at our table won an autographed script, and someone at a nearby table won an autographed pack of cigarettes, representing Gus’s smoking habit of course. I cracked up so much at that, and the woman said she didn’t smoke. My grandmom got me to go up to the crowd surrounding Ricky, and that was nerve-wracking because it was my first time being close to him. I got three pictures with him, and I was in heaven, LOL! He had a hand on my waist, I had an arm around him, and our heads touched. *SIGH* I think I said hi to him, and I told him I was nervous. He replied, “Oh, I’m nervous too.”

Eventually, the photo mob stopped taking pictures, and it was a matter of waiting to be told to stand in line for the buffet breakfast. It was a long line that ended near the restaurant’s front entrance. While in line, I did see Ricky and Beth get a little bit to eat. And I saw a cute moment between them… Ricky was standing while talking to a few people at Table 2, and Beth was behind him trying to get his attention. I think someone wanted another photo of them. I also think Beth said something about him never shutting up. She kept calling him “honey”, but he wouldn’t stop his conversation. And then she gave him a fake kick in the ass. If she kicked him, it wasn’t a hard kick. Probably just a nudge, LOL! Oh, they are adorable! I didn’t see when he finally turned around to see what she wanted.

So, we got our food, got back to our table, and ate. Of course I was keeping track of where Ricky and Beth were. And I wasn’t all that hungry because I was too excited. Ricky and Beth started out together visiting each table, but at some point they ended up in separate directions. We were visited by Beth first, and she is just so lovable & adorable. I think she stood the whole time, and I got a couple pictures with her. She signed the welcome/thanks card/poster (or whatever it’s called). I think she asked if we watched AMC, and I told her I had been watching for 12 years and that I grew up with it. I also said it’s weird seeing her and Ricky on there. I had three more things for her to sign: the July 29th 08 SOD cover, an 8x10 photo of Ricky & Beth kissing at the 04 Emmys, and the back cover of my GusH Book (a journal with all kinds of Gus/Harley stuff in it). She loved the Emmy photo! She commented on how great her hair looked, LOL, and pointed out that it was the year Ricky was nominated. I had a couple things I made for her and Ricky: 5 signs/posters that said different things and a disk for each of them. I gave it all to Beth and tried explaining the disk is for the computer and the sign are for her and Ricky to share. She was amazed how much was on the disk (wallpapers, poems, music, etc.), and the signs moved her, especially the last one with 3 GusH sayings & a small picture. Since I gave them all to her, I don’t know how Ricky reacted to them. I could have given the signs and Ricky’s disk to Ricky, but I wasn’t thinking, lol. Beth adored the GusH Book. She flipped through it and saw some pictures, a colored map of Greece, and the wedding plans I had made for GusH back in 2004. I pointed out that I even wrote the vows. The book simply amazed her. And I enjoyed my time with her. It was comfortable being with her, and she was easy to talk to. It was almost like I had known her for a while.

A little while later Ricky visited the table, and he sat next to me!!! *SIGH* I got more pictures with him. I also told him about watching AMC for 12 years and that I grew up with it. I had him sign the SOD cover and the Emmy photo. We told him how Beth loved her hair, and he chuckled. He really liked that photo too. He signed the GusH Book, and I explained how it’s all about GusH with pictures, transcripts, and more in it. He flipped through it briefly and said he wants a copy of it when it’s finished. I said I’d copy it if I knew how, and he told me to go to Kinkos. My mom asked him what it was like working with Michel E. Knight (Tad, AMC), and he told about how much fun they have on set. There were two bar scenes where something went wrong, but they kept going with the scene. One scene at The Comeback one of them was calling the bartender the wrong name, and the other tried correcting it. Another scene Michael was sitting in the wrong barstool, and Ricky tried to get him to move. Both scenes kept rolling with those unscripted moments. I was cracking up so much at that story. Ricky is so funny! And I felt very comfortable with him too. It was wonderful being so close to him. I remember staring at his stubble, his eyes, and everything else, hehe! Oh my, he is gorgeous! I think I’m in love, LOL! As he left our table, he blew us a kiss, and of course I blew one back.

Besides meeting Debbie, I also met a friend from MySpace – Brandi. She got a cute picture of me sitting with Ricky since her table was just across the room. She told me about the picture of the Coopers she had the actors sign at the other GL events over the weekend. It’s a very good recent one of them. She said Frank Dicopolous (Frank) got really choked up over it because he misses Beth. To him she really was his baby sister. I teared up just hearing that story. I watched when Beth signed the photo. She just held it & stared at it for a while and let out a huge sigh. Very sad indeed.

The brunch went way overtime. When leaving, Ricky and Beth were visiting the back tables. They were so gracious to make sure they talked to everybody, signed autographs for everyone, and got a bunch of pictures taken. They’re wonderful, and I had such a terrific time with them. I love them even more, and I cannot wait to meet them again. It was extremely sad to leave with the realization it was all over. I would have liked to give hugs and say goodbye to Ricky and Beth since it felt like I was leaving very good friends. All in all, it was the highlight of the day and one of the best times of my life.

I'll post pictures soon. I'll also post pictures of the signs I made them and the items they autographed. And I'll explain more about the disks I made them and the GusH Book. Stay tuned! :)

Here is what the special, unique candle looks like:

Cooper Brunch TODAY!!

It's the event no Gus & Harley fan should miss. It's a final farewell and celebration of Gus & Harley. It's one last party for the Cooper family. It's the most special soap opera function EVER. I was determined to go, and I will be there!

Read all about the Cooper/GusH Brunch here: http://www.rickypaullgoldin.com/brunch.html

This will be my first time meeting Ricky Paull Goldin, Beth Ehlers, and the other actors. I've never met any famous person before. So it's extremely exciting, and it's a dream come true. I think I'll cry once I lay eyes on Ricky and Beth, and I won't believe that it's happening until I'm there. I'm attending with my mom and grandparents as a college graduation gift. I bet it will be a blast for us, the actors, and everyone else there. Fun for all the fans! And bittersweet because we all love Gus & Harley so much. I expect for this brunch to be all about GusH & the Coopers. There will be a lot of love and tears in the room. And it'll all be worth it.

This is posted an hour & a half before the brunch begins. That means we are on our way to Manhattan via train right now! If you're reading this, that most likely means you are not going. You're missing out on a fun time. I promise to post photos and a huge detailed recap of the event. For me a wonderful and memorable time is ahead! We're spending the day in Manhattan. After the brunch, we're off to the Empire State Building and maybe a tour bus, which would symbolize Ricky Paull's first fan club weekend event - The Gus Bus Tour of 2003 (I think). It'll be a day to cherish forever since I love New York City as well as GusH.

I can't promise I'll post/report tonight once I'm home, but you never know. See you when I return! Hope everyone has a terrific Sunday!

Favorite Gus & Harley Places

Top 10 GusH Places (as chosen by me)

10. Olivia's Bar - Gus & Harley shared few moments here, but one was very special and sweet. It's an unforgettable one. In winter 2004 they were arguing, and it kinda slowed to a stop. Gus bent down to take her shoes off, and they danced without music as if there was no one else in the room. How romantic!!

9. The Beacon Hotel - Gus & Harley have spent numerous nights and afternoons in their room here. Most of the time they went to escape reality and have sex, which is always great. But there's one time that really stands out when GusH were truly being their fun, adorable selves. Harley showed Gus the honeymoon suite in preparation for their 2004 wedding. She told him about all the perks (hot tub, snack bar, massages), and he convinced her to try out the bed.

8. Pennsylvania - Gus & Harley had a real adventure in this state in 2002. They drove there in Gus's mustang to gather evidence for a case. So many things happened! They broke down twice in the middle of nowhere, danced as the car battery died, slept in the car, gazed at the stars, and ended up at a hotel. Gus surprised Harley with a very romantic room, where they started a fire when he threw his shirt into the fireplace. They heated things up in the car but were caught and sent to jail for the night. It was quite a memorable trip!

7. Harley's Angels Office - Harley ran her own PI business once upon a time and spent a couple times here with Gus. One time when they weren't technically together and Gus lived here (in 2005), they spent the night together sleeping. Another time (in 2003) Gus got to see Harley in a poofy wedding gown, which both of them didn't like. But the best moments occurred in the fall of 2003 during the Lori Jenson case when they made a side bet. They bantered about the case, him looking through evidence first, etc. Of course it was all about who would win the bet, and it was just hilarious. Good times!

6. Greece - Gus and Harley were never actually shown here, but they honeymooned here for about three weeks in 2005. So it is an important place for them. They were probably in Santorini because Harley had always wanted to go there. They also probably did some sight-seeing; maybe they ventured onto the main land and into Athens to visit some ruins and museums. Or they could have just stayed in their room a lot and relaxed on the beach. And I'm sure they had lots of sex.

5. Springfield Police Station - Gus and Harley were detectives; they were partners for many years. Their work is the reason they met. Obviously they have spent lots of time here, sometimes working and sometimes canoodling. They worked very well together. Their best moments were when they hated each other throughout the year 2001. They shared a tiny office and bickered constantly, which was SO funny. And the sexual tension was always there. You know they just wanted to kiss and go at it like crazy. It was agonizing yet very entertaining to watch.

4. Gus's Hotel Room #5 - This is where Gus lived during 2001 and 2002 before he loved in with Harley. There were quite a few moments here, two of them more significant than others. Their official first date was the most hilarious time of their whole life together. It was the first time Harley ever saw where he lived, and the place was a complete mess. But he cleaned up, and they had a very fun evening. She met his inflatable carpool doll, she discovered his messy closet, and he saved her from exploding lasagna. Freakin' hilarious!

A couple weeks later they discussed vacationing in Greece, but the timing wasn't right. Gus transformed his room into Greece. He had travel posters, vines, a tiny miniature beach, Greek music, and Greek food including an ice cream Parthenon. That proved how romantic he was, and she spent the night. Gus & Harley made love for the first time (and a few more times), making it one memorable date.

3. Company Restaurant - Harley's family owns this place, so of course Gus and Harley spent a lot of time here. They've had numerous moments inside as well as outside. Inside... In 2002 Gus gave Harley his mom's ring as a training ring. They weren't ready for engagement or marriage yet. And in 2004 during time apart one thing that led them towards a reunion was a long, loving, passionate kiss at Christmas. Outside there's a bench that I think is sacred to them because there have been many sweet times there. They said their first "I love you"s, decided to move in together, made romantic plans, and have had several conversations - not all bad or serious. That bench holds little cute, affectionate moments. One of my favorites is when they met up after their dance at Olivia's Bar. Harley sat in his lap, and they talked about them in terms of still getting married and remembering to say, "I love you." They went home after she promised to woo him in the bedroom, bathroom, and his car. Yum!

2. Harley's Old House - She had bought this house with Phillip, but I've always thought of it as Harley's house. She has many memories with Gus since they lived here for about two years. And since they lived here, they've done everything here. The main place for action was the living room. And in this house Gus and Harley have worked together, fought, made up, played with Zach & Jude, welcomed each other home, and a slew of other things. Two memorable events occurred here...both in 2003...

In May they had their hottest love scene EVER. All fans agree it's their best; it's everyone's favorite. Gus and Harley had been with Alan most of the episode with few moments alone. Thus, the love scene came as a pleasant surprise, and it was downstairs... Gus had Harley against a wall, ravishing her stomach. Then he had her on the coffee table, planting kisses up her thighs. Then they were kissing wildly, and they fell back on the table. They SO had sex on that table! It is one hell of a love scene. Fans call it The Wallbanger, and it's something to see with your own eyes.

In June GusH had their most romantic moment in this house. They had dinner with Alan and were talking after he left. Harley felt Gus was slipping away from her, but that wasn't the case. Gus was late for dinner because he stopped at the jeweler's to buy an engagement ring. He proposed and got down on one knee, and what he said was so beautiful. Harley said "yes", and I cried happily. They got engaged right in their living room, which is what makes it such a romantic, wonderful proposal. It was unexpected and unplanned. I like that.

My favorite room of this house is, of course, the bedroom because we all know what went on there. Gus could hardly keep his hands off Harley every night (from what we heard). But unfortunately, they had very few scenes in that bedroom. Such a shame!

1. GusH's House - Harley needed a new house after Phillip had her old one demolished. Gus is the reason construction began on a new house, and it ended up being Gus and Harley's first house together. It was unfinished for about a year & a half. They were even married for close to a year before they finally moved in. They spent many times in the house while it was unfinished, and thanks to Gus it became livable.

In 2006 Gus and Harley separated for a little bit. Gus returned to his pain pill addiction, and Harley took a vacation. While she was away, he got his act together. He kicked his addiction and became determined to make things right. When Harley returned, they finished their house together and moved in with Zach & Jude. And that was one hell of an episode! Very memorable! Gus clearly didn't know what he was doing, but he had help as he tackled plumbing, electricity, doors, bathrooms, etc. Since Harley knew Gus was clueless, it was a very comical episode. Working on their house really brought Gus and Harley back together. But even though they moved in, the house was never 100% finished.

Of course since they lived here, they did everything here. They lived a fairly happy life with the boys, and for a good couple months life was normal. That's what I like the most about their time here - there were so many scenes of them together & with the boys that made it seem like a real home. Gus and Harley had photos, drawings, and personal things everywhere that made it homey. They also tried expanding their family and welcomed a baby girl into their life & home. She brought the Cooper family together, and GusH wanted to adopt her. They loved her so much, but it wasn't meant to be. Gus and Harley still had Zach & Jude, and the four of them made a cute, wonderful family.

This house is the best GusH place because it's THEIR house. It will always be special to them and their fans. We will continue to reflect on all their times here and every place they have ever been on screen (and also off, such as their Greece honeymoon). Hope you all enjoyed this list I made, and sorry the first couple aren't as detailed as the later ones. This countdown is what it is.

A Great Marriage

It had been a few months since GusH were married when I decided to make this wallpaper. I wanted to experiment with picture frames/shapes and also show that marriage is working out well for them. They were having a fun, sexy marriage. Lots of great kissing scenes and whatnot. They were living a great life together.

So, I chose three pictures to showcase their marriage thus far. I think they're pretty self-explanatory. For each of them I drew a unique frame. I chose purple for the background because it's a pretty color and perfect for the other colors I used. This is the second time I used purple for a background.

I wrote "GusH" and "Love" on the one frame because there were those spaces on there that were begging for something to be written on them. And I had to write something that kinda explained what the wallpaper was all about. That's what the "Marriage seems to be good" is for. I could have written something else, though, that would have been a bit better. There were a few ideas running through my mind.

I drew white cloudy flowers in the corners to represent their wedding. Remember white screams wedding in my book. I drew those green designs at the top & bottom to add even more prettyness and to fill in those spaces. It's hard to tell if they're perfectly centered with each other. Sometimes it looks like they are, and other times they look off. I did the best I could.

Those pictures must have been my favorite at the time from their few months of being married. Right now I'm thinking the one in the oval frame is the best because of what was going on. Gus was trying to convince Harley to "play hooky" and have a second round of sex before attending her press conference (or whatever it was). He whispered who-knows-what in her ear, but his attempts didn't work. So, he told her that they would do some roleplaying later. Hehe!! GusH was one sexy couple.

GusH's Valentine's

I think it was around Valentine's Day that I created this wallpaper. Valentine's Day 2006, that is. And that year they were forced to be apart, so I made this to show the two best Valentine's Days that GusH spent together.

On the left we have Gus & Harley's very first Valentine's together, which was in 2002. They weren't actually a couple yet, but they were getting there. And this Valentine's helped a lot. They didn't expect to be together, but they were at Company all alone. Gus gave Harley a Valentine, and they bickered until he finally blurted out, "You make me happy is what I'm trying to say." That led to tons of kissing, and they were going to go to his place to "talk or not talk". But their night was terribly interrupted, and Harley's brain kicked in, telling her to back out. So, it was a memorable Valentine's even though it didn't go past a few scenes at Company.

And on the right we have 2005 Valentine's, in which Harley's murder trial was wonderfully postponed by someone dressed as Cupid. They weren't exactly together, though, or at least they weren't suppose to be since Gus was her lawyer. But in this episode they seemed like a happy, normal couple. GusH snuck away into an unknown room, and Gus backed her against the door to kiss her. Turns out there was a minister there, waiting to marry someone, and once the engaged couple showed up, GusH helped them through a problem and served as their witnesses. When it was time to kiss the bride, GusH were also kissing. And Harley caught the bouquet. It was just a sweet, happy Valentine's to escape from the horrible drama GusH were going through.

Besides showcasing the best Valentine's shows, I made this wallpaper because I never made a Valentine's one before. And I wanted to use the best song there is for this holiday: Marina McBride's "Valentine". I think it's too obvious why I put hearts with those pictures. And the text is pretty much a space-filer. I chose three romantic and pretty colors, and they stand out the most on a black background.

I believe I put this wallpaper together fairly quickly. I say that because I don't like how I positioned the pictures. If you look at just them and how they're spaced out, they look sloppy. It bugs me so much, but what's done is done. See, I like things to be perfect (or what I think is perfect). There are more minor things from other wallpapers that drive me nuts, but this spacing "problem" tops them all. Yeah, I must have made this wallpaper too quickly...without even thinking of improving the pictures' positions.

Anyway...try to disregard the last paragraph if you don't want to see the imperfection I see. The reason I told you about it is because it was something else to tell. All part of the wallpaper-making business, I guess. There are always things to share/tell.

This is still a lovely, romantic wallpaper, though. And GusH is a very romantic couple.

From Work To...You Know

In October 2005 Gus & Harley were getting settled in at the Spaulding Mansion because Harley was named the new CEO of Spaulding Enterprises. This wallpaper shows GusH in their room at the mansion. They had had a stressful dinner with Beth (who was married to Alan Spaulding) and I think some of Harley's family. Afterwards in their room, Harley was trying to get some work done and Gus tried to help since she was new to the business world. But Gus had other things on his mind, and it getting take long before her mind was there too. She did not get much work done, and they had a very passionate kissing scene & also a nice afterglow. So, in celebration & praise of those two scenes, I created this wallpaper.

I used my favorite pictures of what I have available to use. The two left-corner pics are suppose to show that she was trying to get some work done. The others show what GusH do best - make love to each other. For three of them I used the marquis tool to "cut" them out. Two of them I decided to rotate a little. Three of them I added effects to spruce them up. With the bottom center picture I wanted a spotlight on that hot n' heavy kissing, hehe.

The background is red because that's a color that screams "passion" and "sex". The white of the text matches the background. And that saying is really clever... "Look how easy it is for GusH to turn work into sex." It's perfect because it's obviously 100% true.

Even though this episode didn't have a love scene, these two scenes featured were really wonderful and unexpected. They made up for not having a love scene. So, I made this wallpaper showcasing all this hotness. And my favorite picture is the one in the middle, overlapping the two rotated ones. Harley had rolled on top of Gus, and they started making love again as he pulled the sheet over their heads. So hot!