man what a nice surprise when i decided to check the forum today. i think this makes my few vanessa carlton meetings make more sense. The first time I actually met Vanessa was in 2007, on July 24 in LA. I was so excited because I was meeting up with my friend jess at the concert and she told me that vanessa might sign autographs at the end of the show. I was standing right next to the stage, pretty much at V's feet. jess pointed out to me that vanessa's parents were standing pretty close to us (which I thought was so cool). Then Stevie Nicks came out as a surprise and sang the One with Vanessa. I practically died at that moment. but it gets better. During the concert, vanessa kept sneaking looks at me i swear. We made eye contact a few times, and I could feel my heart melting. At the end of the concert, I waited around for what like seemed forever. I waited in line over by the corner of the stage with a bunch of other fans (like 15 pple or so), to hopefully at least get a glimpse of vanessa. She came out finally and signed autographs. i came prepared. I had a sharpie and my ticket stub and a random scrap of paper ( i think it was a flyer for the club the show was in). When it was my turn, I was so excited. I didnt know what to say to her. I asked her for a hug first. She gave me one, and I melted into her arms. I hugged her for what seemed like a little too long for being strangers, but she didnt mind, she let me let go first. Then I blurted out, "Could you sign my shoe?" I was wearing my new favorite shoes that I got for an early bday present. They are turquoise and white checkered slip on vans. I took my shoe off and handed it to her. She just laughed and said, "no one has ever asked me to sign their shoe before." She scribbled her signature on the shoe, and gave it back. I put it back on and said thank you. I asked her for two more autographs and she did them for me. I asked her for another hug and she said "sure". We hugged for a longer time than the first one, and when I finally let go, she said something that will be forever etched into my memory; "Next thing you'll be asking is to make out with me." Her bouncer/ security dude, that also took my picture with Vanessa for me just laughed. Before I got my picture taken, I had to run all the way back to my car across the street. I told her, "Could you wait around for like 5 more minutes, because I really want a picture and my camera is in the car." She said sure, and laughed again. I ran so fast, and got my camera. She took the picture with me, and she gave me a half hug (she had her arm wrapped around me and she squeezed me from the side). I just walked away breathless...
...The next time I saw Vanessa was in 2009 in March in LA at some super small venue. I remember the concert started at 10pm and I had a huge Linguistics test the next day early in the morning. But I convinced my friend John to drive us and I paid for the tickets. (I also had to buy him a drink at the club that the concert was at.) I studied with a flashlight on the drive up and I forced him to listen to Vanessa on the way up. Vanessa didnt come out and start to play until after 1030, and I had managed to secure a spot right in front of the stage, near V's feet. I stared at Vanessa the entire time, completely mesmerized by her beauty and everything. She talked about reading Joan Didion, and I was drawn even further to her. I had read some of her books pretty recently and I knew what she was talking about when she described the feelings that the book made her feel. After the concert was over, I made john wait with me in case vanessa came out. Most of the people left right after the concert, and a few more random pple came in, because another band was setting up to play. Vanessa finally emerged while the new band on the stage was sound checking. She was mingling with the few pple by the bar and signed a couple of autographs. I came super prepared this time. I had 3 pictures for her to sign for me and I was wearing the same shoes. When I went up to her this time, I handed her my other shoe that she didnt sign and a sharpie. She just smiled at me and said "i remember you. it was a while ago, but I never forgot that shoe." I swooned as she signed everything I brought, and asked for a hug. She stepped up closer to me, and wrapped her arms around me. She leaned close and I could feel her breath tickling my neck. I was feeling so flustered and hot, her embrace felt so good. Afterwards, she moved closer to the bar and ordered a drink. I blushed furiously because I was still standing next to her. I ordered a drink (cranberry and vodka, because i was sure as hell not drinking the vodka and tonic she ordered). when the bartender girl came back with the drinks, V was getting money out. I just pushed a twenty into the bartenders hand and said, "I got both drinks." Vanessa just smiled at me, and we talked for a few minutes, until some guy, (I think it was the violin guy) came over and told her that everything was packed up and that they were going to head out in a few. Vanessa just drained the last of her drink and said, "bye" to me after talking to the guy for a minute. I said, "before you go, do you think I could have one more hug? No making out I promise." She just laughed, she must have remembered what she said the last time. We hugged and my heart melted and then she was gone, blended into the crowd in the dim lights of the bar.
By far, the best two experiences of my entire life. I always felt that Vanessa noticed me for some random reason. I wonder if she even remembers me.
if people want pictures to go along with the story, the two pictures I have with vanessa personally and a picture of the shoes, give me a couple of days to upload them
