Melissa and I met up at Virgin Megastore at 5:30 on a Tuesday morning to obtain wristbands to meet Morrissey later on in the week. After hearing stories from the L.A. signing, we were worried that people would be sleeping outside. To our surprise, we were the second people there. We made friends with two nice boys whose names escape me, and Kristin and Dina. We were tired, cold, hungry, and anxious by the time the store finally opened. We were also all a bit excited we were going to be first in line to meet Morrissey, but to our dismay, they informed us that since "technically 12 midnight is considered Tuesday (as if we didn't know), they sold tickets from 12 to 1 the night before." However if you look closely at the promotional poster, it states that the DVDs would go on sale when the store opened on Tuesday, October 17th at 9 AM. Regardless, we were still happy to even get wristbands at all. I was number 62.

From Monday night up until Friday morning I lost hours of sleep thinking about meeting Morrissey; I was so nervous. Melissa and I met Dina and Kristin in line around 4:30 PM on Friday. No one was in number order at that time. Finally the line began moving and we were by the cafe in which Morrissey would be signing. At 5:00 security told us to find our place in line...after we were all cramped behind barricades. Then some people began saying, "I see him!" We all struggled to get a look. I saw his head and got giddy. Dina saw him and screamed. The uptight crowd quickly hushed her.

Finally the line began moving into the cafe. My heart started pounding and I kept rehearsing everything I wanted to say to Morrissey so I wouldn't fall all over my words. I kept looking back at my friends to see if they were as nervous as I was. They were. The line moved a lot quicker than I expected and my turn was approaching rapidly. Before I knew it I was inside the cafe and there were only three people between Morrissey and me. I saw him up close for the first time and the realization that I was really going to meet him hit me. I got a bit emotional and security asked me if I was going to be alright as if they would throw me out if I wasn't. I answered yes and collected myself. It was time.

I walked up to Morrissey and said, "Hello. How are you?" I think he replied, "Good." Then I asked him if he would sign my DVD, "Emily, Crash into my arms-I want you." Under his breath he replied, "Oh fuck," with a little smirk. Not the response I was expecting. He looked up at me and asked, "Is that Emily with a 'y'?" in the most gorgeous English accent. I replied yes but he didn't hear, so I told him again. He then asked, "And would you be Emily?" I told him I was. When he finished signing I asked him if could have a hug. He timidly got up and reached across the table. I met him half way and we embraced. As we were letting go I kissed his neck. Then I looked into his eyes and told him, "Thank you for always being there." He looked at me like I was crazy and gave a little nod of acknowledgement.

I stuck around afterwards with some other people and watched the signing from the balcony across from where Morrissey was sitting, annoyed I hadn't brought a camera. When it was over, he exited the cafe where we were standing, and all of us that were still there clapped and cheered for him. He made a gallant little bow and disappeared. I ran up to a staff member and asked for Morrissey's water bottle because I'm a big geek, but he informed me he had already thrown it away. I was visibly distraught, so he went back to see if he could still retrieve it. He came back and told me it was gone, but instead gave the two pens Morrissey used to Dina and me. Before I left I also got a promotional poster. It was a wonderful night. My only regret is that I didn't talk more with Morrissey to make the moment last longer. But I said everything I wanted to, and I met so many nice people. Plus Morrissey said fuck to me.