I just received a phone call from Criss (June 2, 2009) after winning the referral contest last year....

Hi everyone...I received a phone call from the one and only, Criss Angel, today (I won the referral contest from last year)...and my prize was a call from Criss himself.

It caught me off guard...I knew the call was coming soon, but I didn't know it ws going to be today for sure. So it was a nice surprise as I was having such a horrible day at work.

So what did he say...

A lady from his management called first, and then he came on right after with a, "Hi Ellen, how are you? It's Criss. How is all going today? Congrats on winning this contest. I am so impressed!"

Gaaaaahhhh...THAT VOICE ! I was a bit shell shocked, to say the least, but I held it together to remember eveyrthing that I wanted to tell him.

We talked for probably five minutes or more. Not very long. But it wasn't a rushed call at all, and he was very chatty and relaxed. Just sounded like he was hanging out in the office! He asked me what I did for a living, and told him that I am working three jobs right now as a part-time paramedic and nurse and as a secretary. He just laughed and said, "It sounds like you do too much like me...a jack of all trades." He asked where he was called to, and I said that I live in a small town outside of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

His response, "What state is that in?" LOL. Nope, that's in Canada, and he put on the "Oh, from Canada, eh? I've been there several times, to Montreal back and forth for my show, and a few other places in Canada...but it doesn't sound like you are anywhere near there!" I told him I was in the middle of the country, and that we Canadians kick some serious Loyal butt up here. He laughed and said, I have so much support from Canadians, it's insane! I'm really lucky! So many people have come and seen my show from there" I also told him that the fan who won the private meet and greet with him is also from Canada.

He thanked me several times for referring all the people that I did to the site, and that he autographed me a hoodie and some pictures, and that they have been sent in the mail already. I told him that I met him last November at a meet and greet, saw the show, and that I had made him a banner that he selected for Believe. He asked me to describe it and he remembered it, "Oh, the one with the Crowmen and the Luxor...ya, ya, I know that one. I see it everyday backstage. They are all going to be hung up around the Luxor and in the theatre lobby. I"m just waiting for the go ahead from the staff." And he said that he has been working non-stop on Believe and all the new illusions that he is putting in the show.

Then he asked me, "Do you have anything you want to ask me?" ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Where do I begin?...I asked him if I could tell him why I became a fan in the first place, and he said, "Go ahead...you can say whatever you want!"

Basically I just told him how Body Suspension is the reason I became a fan in the first place. I spoke to him quite a bit about it, and why the entire episode is porbably the one thing I can now say has changed my life in a positive way, with the greatest impact I've every had. He said it was the most intense demonstration he'd ever done before, and again said that if each and every demonstration touches someone out there in a positive way then that is what gives him the most out of what he does.

He asked me why it meant so much to me, and I went on to tell him that at birth I developed brain damage from a high fever, which resulted in many obstacles in my life that I've had to overcome. I told him with all the diversity that he went through to get to that place, to hang under a helicopter and see him fly the way he did, it made me fly...it made me realize that in just a matter of minutes of watching that episode how much anyone can change their life or make a positive impact on others. I told him that episode gave me "empowerment", something that I knew I had, but never really realized until that very day I saw that episode five years ago. And that there is not a day that goes by that I don't use it in a positve way.

I have to say...I got a bit choked up, and he was really good about it. He thanked me a few times during the conversation, "That is so sweet, you have no idea how much I love hearing how I make an impact on people! It totally makes my day !"

Then he asked me when I was coming back to Vegas...I told him it probably wouldn't be until 2010, but that I could use a good vacation right now ! He laughed and said, "Ya, I know...don't we all !"

Before the call was over I did say, "Criss, you have to give me one thing that I can put on the website from you personally, because once I tell people that you called me some will want to know what you said and how you said it and what we talked about. Do you have anything that I can say personally from you to all of those who are on the site everyday who don't get his amazing opportunity?"

He just said to tell everyone that he loves EVERYONE ! He couldn't express that enough. That even though he is busy, he can't get over how much people take the time to support him and keep him on the map. He said this over and over again, and wanted me to tell everyone on the site how much we all mean to him, how much our Loyal support means, even though he can't personally thank each one individually. His last words to the Loyals was, "May all your dreams come true !"

Oh, and he said, "On-line Loyalfest is coming up soon !!"

To end the call, he thanked me for being an amazing fan (his words, not mine, lol!), who has given him so much support and love over all of what I've done. And he told me to stop by again at the Luxor the next time I'm in Vegas so he can meet me again.

"You're a sweetie ! Love ya, hon !! Thanks for all the support. It means the world to me !!"

And that was it ! I didn't freeze up, it was a really chatty call, and he sounds exactly the same on the phone as on TV...obviously!

LOVED IT ! How often does Criss Angel phone someone? I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity. A great day, and a great memory !!

And to everyone who reads this blog...Criss truly does care about all of us. I heard that in his voice personally today...not just in his words, but by how he said it !

Cheers, everyone. See you on the boards !

Ellen