THE VIRGIN MEGASTORE SIGNING

god, there was sooo much going on today, i'm completely exhausted. well, needless to say i arrived at the megastore at 3:20. i was running late because of errands. i had a friend wait on line for me, but when he got there, there was a big long line anyway. he said some had been there since 9am! it was an utter madhouse! people milling around everyone going in every direction. wasnt very controlled. they were setting up the barracades and area for mariah to make her grand entrance through the front of the store. i didnt get to see this (saw it on the news) cuz we were already downstairs waiting her arrival.

i went inside to get the cd and cassette (two bracelets). once you get rung up, you got a black bracelent with #1"s written across it in white (kinda cool). i got those, then went back to the line. after standing there in the drizzle and cold, the line(s) finally were let in at about 4:30.

we went downstairs and lined up along the walls of the store. it would be another 2 hours before mariah arrived. 6:30 we heard the word that she was here, and outside coming in. finally, she came down the escalators with cameras and the press following madly behind. the whole store broke into an uproar!!! she disappeared behind the curtain but came out a few minutes later.

there was a place sectioned off for her with her table and posters and flowers. the press was hounding and covering all over her. some of us from the line got out of line and ran over to the barracade just before her table to get a few shots. good thing, because they announced no more pictures (damn it!). i managed to get a few in anyway.

after she gave a radio interview with z100, it was time for the fans to get their stuff signed. it was announced that she was only signing one thing (as usual). i'd say there were about 600 people there to get her to sign. but, only the first 500 would be invited to the after party (smile). as we were waiting earlier, a person from virgin came around and gave us silver bracelets that said: "WINNER-MARIAH CAREY #1'S PARTY WEBSTER HALL 11-17-98".

so, this was the guarantee that all of us would get in to the after party at 9:00pm at webster hall. webster hall is a dance club that is very popular. it was only a few blocks away from virgin megastore.

the line moved very quickly. it only took about twenty minutes for me to get up there. i had mariah sign my #1's poster (it's the same as the album cover). actually, i gave it to my friend to get her to sign for me. he managed to get her to sign my cd cuz i wanted her to sign the 11x14 picture i had of the adoption fair . i got up to the table and put the picture in front of mariah and i said "remember this?", she said "yeah, i remember that!" and she looked at me right in my eyes. i nearly died. then as i left the table going up the escalator, i took out my camera and got some nice shots of her. then i was able to take even more up on the balcony that overlooked the whole table.

as we were leaving, there were still people outside waiting since 4 and it was now 7:45. i left there and went home to drop off my stuff and get something to eat and get ready to head back downtown to webster hall.

WEBSTER HALL AFTER-SIGNING PARTY

i flew back down there as fast as i could. i ended up getting there at 9:15. mariah had already gone inside. there was a line for people who had the wristbands (another line!)and i was dead last, but it didnt take long to get in. once inside i went up the main floor. there were people there, but not the whole 500. i think it was 18 and over so alot of people couldnt get in.

there was a dj and the whole place was set up nice. there was a huge screen on the stage with two smaller screens on the left and right. two huge #1's album cover pictures on the left and right, streams of white and silver balloons from the ceiling. it was done up really nice! there was no alcohol (bummer) but the drinks were free. there was no food either. luckily i had eaten before i got there or i would've passed out from hunger.

so, i grabbed a juice and made my way around the floor. i spoke to a few people who i chatted with on line, and i went close to the stage. there were people huddled around the stage at that point so i stayed there so i could get a good view and to get some good shot of mariah.

the music played more, and they were showing mariah's videos on the screens. about an hour passed, and you could see behind the screen that they were setting up something. then a guy comes out and says "somebody wants to see you". and out came mariah. she strutted on to the stage and everyone freaked!! i was sooo close. i was about 5 feet away and snapping pictures like crazy. there was a lot of pushing and screaming, but that was okay.

she thanked us (the fans) for making her songs #1. then, balloons fell from the ceiling onto the floor along with confetti! mariah walked close to the edge of the stage and signed autographs on balloons and anything that was thrown in front of her. it was pandemonium!

then, they pulled out a huge, 5 layered cake with white icing out. it had a big #1 at the top. mariah cut the cake and said that it was for us to enjoy! cool! she left the stage and her cake servers passed out chunks of cake to everyone on the floor. it was like we were all a big family.

funkmaster flex came in to dj. so you know the music was really pumping then! after everyone got their cake, someone from mariah's camp came on the floor and was passing out silver bags. i managed to get one. inside it had the christmas cd, hershey kisses, and an autographed picture of mariah. it was a glossy 8x10 publicity picture of her laying down with the cat on her chest. fortunately they gave these bags out all night. everyone got one, or two, or even three or four!!!

dj kid capri made an entrance then left. everyone was dancing and carrying on to flexmaster flex' spinning. we all thought mariah would come back out, but she didnt. i stayed until around 12:30. as i was walking out, i missed mariah getting into her limo. it was parked a little ways from the door to webster hall. people were leaving the party. i stayed around the door watching people get into the def jam bus. as i'm standing there, i see trey lorenz. i yell out his name and he turns around. i ask to take his picture. he was a little intoxicated and he said "well, dont take my picture, take one WITH me goddamnit!". i said, "sure, i'd love to!". he said his new album would be out soon.

i left and walked down the street to the train station. the friend i went to the signing with called me on my cell phone (he didnt go to the party) and told me i was on the news. i forgot to tell you guys that channel 9 news was taping people inside of the store in line downstairs.

so, when i got home, he showed me the tape of the news. i was on channel 7 news. i came out when i came up to the table for mariah to sign my 11x14!!! i couldnt believe it!! well, that just made my whole night, also!

overall, it was an exhausting day, but well worth it!!!! i wouldnt change a thing. well, until next time mariah. this was the 6th time i've seen her in 14 months! what's next?

shout outs to DB (john black) who let me and my friend move up in the line a little closer. hope you had fun! thank you guys for taking the time to read this and i hope it was interesting.