Record Signing @ The Wherehouse - Hollywoood 2000

Well, here it was...already April, and finally, word came out that the new Duran album was going to be out. NOT ONLY THAT...but that they were going to be doing several record signings. And sure enough, one of them was going to be in Los Angeles...and they were going to do a short show beforehand too..YAY!! My poor car, which always seemed to be one hassle after another, finally just died, and very quickly, I had to get another one. With another, more reliable car, I was ready for anything.

I asked for the time off very early-just to make sure. And I was never more exited..debating the actual possibility of meeting...gasp...Simon. You can even ask anyone I worked with!! It was the only thing I talked about after that! WHAT WOULD I SAY? WOULD I FAINT? WOULD SIMON CATCH ME IF I DID? WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO ME AFTER THIS?

Finally, the date arrived, June 13th 2000, and I Denise and I decided to get there EARLY to make sure that we would not miss it. So, we made the drive from San Diego. We got there, and immediately got our wristbands...and waited in line. We were pretty close to the front...which I was glad about. And all day...we waited. It was hot out, so it wasn't easy...but we were determined.

Finally, the time arrived. I ended up right where I wanted to be for the show...right in front of Simon. I think there was 1 person in front of me..but she didn't block my view at all...which was great. They played a few new songs, and some older ones...and then it was over.

I think the entire time I kept trying NOT to think about it. I had this dreadful fear that somehow I would make a horrible fool of myself...or faint...which would be worse. So I just stood there...waiting for the moment. They let us in, and my eyes started tearing a little...I mean how could they not?...it was the most awaited moment of my life. I wore my HE shirt just to stick out a bit more I guess..Warren signs our CD covers but without looking up really, and then it's on to Simon. And when I was right in front of Simon, he looked up and smiled.."Hey I like your shirt.." !!! Ummm....thanks...(OMG his voice!!)!!! He looks over to Warren..."Warren look, (he has to say it twice so warren could look up from signing someone else's CD cover)look, she's got the shirt on" and Nick looks over and smiles and Warren goes..."OOOH Cool the Elvis shirt!" And I casually say...Well I couldn't leave home without it today now could I? They all smile, and Simon continues smiling as he signs my CD cover...and hands it back..(he signs Denise's cover too, and she gets asks to get a picture of him..which he says sure)and then we head to Nick. Nick signs Denise's CD and then mine too. Denise asks Nick for a photo too, and he says yeah. Of course all this time, my heart I'm almost positive stopped beating. Either that or it was going really fast. And I'm thinking to myself...Oh my gosh I can't believe I'm actually standing in front of Duran Duran-and Simon!!...but then it's over, and Denise and I go outside.

MY CD COVER

Once outside, I have a total breakdown. I go to sit down, and just stare at my CD cover..and sob totally...but somehow I am trying to regain control. It was a total moment...I'm glad they were all so nice, and Simon was amazing of course. Oh yeah...and I didn't faint! We left soon after because we had to work the next day...and the cd cover came with me. By the way...SIMON? WHAT DOES THAT SAY??