title: How to create page overlay while data is loading - asp.net/jquery/blockui
body: <p>I'm trying to display an overlay that says "page loading...please wait" while data is being retrived from a sql server. I'm hoping to use the BlockUI plugin for this but anything will do. I have an ASP.NET page using a site.master. The plugin works but no matter what I tried, it only appears AFTER the page was fully loaded.</p>
  
  <p>The bulk of the waiting is down to work done in the Global.asax file. In the Session_Start section, I have a function that returns data to populate dropdown menus on my page. This takes about 20 seconds to complete.</p>
  
  <p>So, what do I need to do in order to view the overlay BEFORE the page is fully loaded?
  Thanks for any help or advice.</p>