The
day started very early. I didn't know what was happening. I
bolted out of school at the start of lunch time and arrived
at Borders around two o'clock. I don't think you need to
know how they moved the chairs and stuck posters on the
table, so I'll simply tell you my story about meeting
Charlotte in person.
Time was drawing nearer. My heart was beginning to pound
furiously and my mind was scrambling.
To my surprise, there weren't that many people as I thought
(hoped) there would be. There couldn't have been more than a
hundred and most of all, no media. Personally I thing they
did a bad job at promoting, I took advantage of it though.
It has it's good side. As one of the staff began the
introduction, the moment had come. She walked along the
aisle from the back of the store. I saw everything as I was
the first one in line. She had a small bottle of orange
juice in her hand. I seriously cannot remember much, but
Charlotte placed her bag on the chair-couch and the
interview had started. I kind of envied the host standing
right beside her and sharing the mic. The one thing I recall
clearly is that Charlotte loves chocolate. Apparently there
weren't any Cadbury in America, Japan, Korea nor Singapore.
She said she was so glad coming to Australia and finding
Cadbury. She introduced us to her friend Jo after a question
about family and friends. There was another question asking
what kind of music she listens to. A whole list came out and
all I could catch was a Welsh indies band and Barbra
Streisand. Then she was asked about her birthday. I think
she said she went to Bondi Beach and
then Taronga Zoo. She patted a Koala and touched a spikey
thing (Echidna).
After
that we all sang Happy Birthday for Charlotte. She welcomed
it with a bright smile and a thank you. Out came a chocolate
cake with four candles but only one was alight so they had
to quickly relight the others. Charlotte had a hard time
blowing them out as they were a little sparkly. Each time
she blew it out it came alight again! I thought about going
forward and giving it a try, but I didn't have the guts.
Charlotte with a little pause, cut a piece and took a bite
off the edge. Mind you, it was still on the
knife! The security and host scrambled a bit and the signing
had started.
I don't
know how I approached the table, but somehow I did. Now all
illusions, images and pictures had
become reality. I placed my drum stick on the table and
asked if she could please sign it. The signing
pens seemed to have a hard lid. I hurriedly placed all
things on the table and told her I'll open it. She
gave the pen to me and I opened it (I had a little practice
with a bigger, fatter and harder to open pen
the day before) :). She asked the spelling of my name.
I didn't catch the last words. Confusion. I told myself she
was asking for the spelling of her name. What An Idiot! I
reluctantly started to say 'Cee' -she looked up at me in
question.
'oh my name!' says I
'yes, yes yours!' she says with a smile and let's her
body come up from the writing position. She goes down
to write again and I ask,
'um, I actually have two names.'
'oh' with a little question mark
'my real name or internet name?'
'your real name of course!' She says with a big smile
and yet again springing up from writing.
'my name's Aki (pr. ah-kee), a-k-i' I say, and I
can't help smiling myself. So she writes 'To Aki' and
signs 'Charlotte Church'
As you
can see, it hasn't been too smooth getting the first
signature. I said some silly things, but that's just me... I
didn't expect a personalized signature, especially on a drum
stick. The writing has turned deep purple now, a bit darker
than Mark's former site. It's even got a very very minor
halo. It's a really good effect but I think they're from my
sweat... I was holding them for practically the whole time.
The next two signatures could have been done fairly
fast if I hadn't have interrupted. She was signing the CD
booklets and I just had to say something.
'you should.. you would have heard of Mark by now?'
She looks up surprised or thinking 'Mark???'
'um, webmaster, CharlotteChurch.net?'
'oh! no. whenever I touch a computer it craches so,'
with another sweet smile.
'oh, ok' and that was the end of that.
'Do you want me to sign the poster?'
I wasn't expecting it but how could I say no? I unrolled the
poster.
The big fat marker I was talking about. well it was on the
table and she was trying to get it open. I said
I'll do it but this time she did it herself. She kept the
marker. well, not for long.
She then took her arm out straight and we shook hands.
A moment in life I will never forget.
All I remember from there is saying 'thank you,'
'thank you,' 'thank you so much'. -but I forgot to say
'good luck'. I can't believe it. Why did I? why didn't
I? 'good luck'
That's all I want to say.
From a few metres back I watched others getting autographs.
A lot of them weren't allowed to get their
poster signed which made me feel kind of lucky. but some of
them got to take a picture with her, and That is lucky! Each
time, Charlotte leaned over the table and gave that megawatt
smile right next to her fans.
Time
went by and her orange juice was running low. I asked
myself, should I go and buy one or not. The
answer was no. A little more time went by and the bottle
looked mighty low on juice. This came to mind-
'once in a lifetime opportunity'. I ran for it. The cafe in
Borders had a line of beverages including orange juice. I
was rushing and my mind was jumping, but the person in front
was taking so long to order.
All I wanted was orange juice! Then the staff side started
talking about men of Harlech! about warriors
chopping off heads! I was so restless, all I wanted was an
orange juice! Finally I got it, rushed back and gave the
orange juice to security (he was only about a metre from
Charlotte). Though, I don't think she ever got the orange
juice though.
I was
called back by one of the security. He said that Charlotte
has a present for me. Naturally I was
stunned. It turned out to be the marker. She said something
in the lines of 'Sorry! I took your marker
didn't I!?' She gave it back and I, putting on the best
smile I could said 'actually you should have kept
it' All of us had a little laugh but again I did not say
good luck...
The
day had started a little cold and wet but I remember warmth
and blue sky when I left the building.
From the train I saw the sun getting ready to close the day.
It was a beautiful sight. - Jake
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