I Wasn't Ready For It
Seaport District pop-up, NYC, November 12th, 2017. Taylor Swift completely revolutionized the music industry with the release of Reputation. You earned points for the tour presale by watching music videos, buying merch, downloading/streaming the album, you name it. After all the chaos and money, she then announces a NYC pop-up with new merch that doesn’t earn you any points. Here we go again, take my money. I wanted to get there as soon as it opened, but I kept being presented with obstacles that just weren’t letting that happen. When I finally got there in the late afternoon the line was still out of control while everyone patiently waited in the cold (note to future Taylor: SO happy the Lover pop-up was during the summer). It took about two hours to reach the front of the line, and we were the cut-off for the next group of people. The woman working the door got a message over her walkie and advised us to hang around as long as we can, whether inside or across the street. I said to her, “Taylor Swift better be coming for you to say that”, and she assured us yet again to stick around.
It couldn’t have been better timed. We probably spent a good two hours in the pop-up taking pictures with everything and shopping the new merch. And then there were screams. And flashes. And I knew it was happening. She was here. Everyone went to bum rush the door, but seeing as security was all lined up by the “Look What You Made Me Do” throne from the music video, I knew she was headed straight to the back by where we were. Security was on her as she waltzed through like the human angel she is, and she had no problem dodging the arms of her team trying to barricade her to snap a selfie with every adoring fan. She even noticed a flash went off after the picture was taken and went back to redo it. Angel. Off to the throne the queen went. A voice shouted over the screaming crowd, “everybody line up, we’re doing groups of 6”. She’s taking pictures with everyone. How is this happening right now? There is no longer any such thing as self-containment. I am not mentally prepared for this. Maybe it’s better that way. What do I say to HER?
Though I’m never any braver than anyone else, I always manage to be the spokesperson for my group at these things. I always muster up a brief moment of courage to say something, anything, because I want them to like me and remember me. Well this is how it went:
Me: *Hug* This is literally the best day of my life, I can’t believe I’m meeting the person that writes the soundtrack to all our lives!
Taylor: OMG you’re so nice, I like your outfit!
Me: OMG me? You’re so nice! I like your outfit! I really can’t tell you how much this means to me
Taylor: *Laughs* *High fives*
Me: *Walks away crying from being overwhelmed after taking picture*
That’s the end of the story because I blacked out after that.
