Such a wonderful week, it's quite bizarre to think it's over now - even moreso to think that it really happened! When I go through everyone's photos and videos, I keep thinking I should be pinching myself! XD
I only found out that Ayu was in London by stroke of luck; I was listening to Ayu last Sunday night and wondered what she was up to at the mo. So I did some Googling and eventually found out that Ayu was in London! Ayu was in the city I lived in! :O
So after initially being quite stunned I made plans to go see if I could meet her and get an autograph. I went out on Monday night, but it was much too cold and I wasn't really prepared for staying out too long in it! So I went back on Wednesday night and I was amazed at how many other people there were! I had never seen so many other Ayu fans in one place before! It was an awesome atmosphere and everyone was so great to chat to and laugh with that it made the wait in the cold slightly easier for me
It also helped that we were allowed into The Langham for a drink and a sit down early in the evening!
I kept thinking as the night went on, "I should leave, I have work in the morning, I'll miss the tube and train home", but I stayed there because I was so sure that when Ayu did turn up, it would be all worthwhile. And it totally was! Even though it was so late (around 3:30am-ish) and she must've had a busy day, Ayu was so sweet, patient and kind! She signed my "Ayu no dejideji nikki 2000 - 2009" book, making a treasured possession even more special to me!
When it came to the group photo moment, I had my own little fanboy moment! When Stan was taking people's cameras, I held mine out but he missed it. However, when we all huddled together for the photo, Ayu noticed that I still had my camera and she actually took it from me and gave it to Stan!! That was just *so* fantastic and sweet of her! It's as though now whenever I look at my group photo, I tell myself that Ayu was responsible for it! If it wasn't for Ayu, I wouldn't have this photo!
Larger version here
Friday was equally fantastic! We didn't have to wait much longer for Ayu to show up and she seemed less tired as a result! We got another wonderful group photo and - as she did on Wednesday - Ayu held each of our hands for a brief moment and it made the week seem so real! Because really, for years Ayu was the last person I admired who I ever expected to meet! I never thought it would happen, and certainly never thought she'd come to London! And yet it really happened and whenever I look back on it, I smile. Ayu just seemed to have that effect on all of us. She's an absolute gem and I really hope she comes back (or at least heads somewhere in Europe again, great reason to take a holiday!! XD )
Thank you as well to everyone there on Wednesday and Friday night for being such a great bunch of people to hang out with!
I wasn't an AHS member at the time, so I was somewhat nervous about going, but all of you were awesome - from the Amy Winehouse jokes to running down Regents Street shouting out the chorus to 'Humming' (Everybody go, everybody JUMP~!) - so thanks very much!!