My Darren saga...
So, this is my amusing tale about my interactions w/ Darren Criss. OK, maybe only amusing to me, but still... I've had a few people ask, so here is my tale...
My amazing friend Jenn mentioned to me one day about A Very Potter Musical. (Due to personal circumstances, I had been offline for almost 2 years, so I was a little behind on things...) Both of us are obsessed with Broadway musicals as well as Harry Potter, so this just seemed to be perfect. Last August (2010), she mentioned that when she came down to L.A. to visit, she would bring a copy of AVPM with her, (She lives up near San Francisco.) So, when she got there, we sat down and started watching AVPM. From the first notes of music and that opening shot of Darren/ Harry sitting in the middle of the stage, I was hooked! Even after it was over, I couldn't stop thinking about Darren... his talent, his cuteness, etc. (lol)
We found out that Darren was playing a show at The Mint that upcoming Monday, so we made plans to go Needless to say, I was super excited! The show was fantastic and even better than I expected it would be. Joey Richter and Brian Holden were guests at the show, so I got to see them sing as well. At that moment, I became a Darren fan for life! That night Jenn had to catch a train, so we were unable to stay to meet Darren. Nevertheless, I would not give up on meeting him!
Soon after that, I found out that on September 20th, Darren was playing another show at The Mint. I quickly got a ticket and, unable to find anyone to go with me, I resolved to take myself to the concert. I had just had knee surgery about 10 days prior, so getting around on crutches was still a challenge for me. After waiting in a long line for the prior concert, I made up my mind to get there super early. This time, there wasn't really a line, so I was able to get inside and snagged a seat in a booth. (Standing for hours with crutches wasn't that appealing!) I had a great view of the stage, so I was really happy! The concert was fantastic, and afterwards I slowly made my way outside to get in line to meet him. I nervously (and excitedly) waited in line, and I wasn't disappointed! As I'm walking (or hobbling, take your pick) up to him, he's like, "Oh, my gosh. Are you OK?" How sweet! Our first time meeting, and he's concerned if I'm OK. I explained to him about my knee surgery. We talked for a little bit, and then he signed my album of his and took a photo with me (and gave me a hug!). Needless to say, I was on cloud nine for the rest of the week!
So, the next week, on September 30th, I'm at work getting all excited about a book signing that I was going to that night with Amber Benson, Sina Grace, Christopher Golden & Tom Sniegoski. I had been planning on this event for months, and I was super stoked to meet them all. I'm a huge Amber fan from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and I think Amber is a very talented writer. (Tara is one of my favorite characters from Buffy.) I also really love Chris Golden's books. Anyways. So, I really wanted to see them all, and skipping this wasn't an option. This same afternoon, I'm killing some time on Twitter, and I run across a new tweet from Darren mentioning that he will be playing at Maggiano's that night for the last time for a while. At first I was really upset, seeing as how I had this book signing in Burbank and at the same time Darren would be playing at The Grove in L.A. Most book signings I've been to take forever, so it was looking like I would miss Darren's concert. At that point, I figured I could try to get down there if I got out in time, but I didn't hold out much hope. The book signing was definitely worth it, and I got to talk to Amber for a while. I also talked to Sina about art & illustration, which was really cool. Surprisingly, the signing went really smoothly and got out earlier than I figured. I remember checking my watch and seeing that it was only 8:30 (and supposedly Darren didn't start until 7:30), so I figured I'd try to get down to Maggiano's and pray that Darren was still playing.
I high-tailed it down to The Grove and luckily didn't really hit much traffic on the way down there (or get a speeding ticket)... very strange for L.A. I managed to make it in about 20 minutes, so after parking and all I got to Maggianos at 9. Darren was still performing, so I was beyond happy! I snuck in around the back (well, as much as you can sneak on crutches) and took a seat at the bar. I just sat there, enraptured, with this dreamy-eyed look and a huge smile on my face. I really couldn't help it. He played all kinds of covers (especially Disney!) and some of his stuff. When he sat down at that grand piano, I melted! I just chilled there, lost in the music. I got a Godiva chocolate martini and just took it all in. (Hey, I had to get a drink to pay for something to validate my parking... and it was quite tasty!) He took a break and came behind the bar for some water, and at that point I didn't say anything, 'cause I didn't want to bother him. (I get shy like that.)
The cool thing was that there were some other HP & Darren fans at the bar with me, so we all got to talking. (Usually I'm too shy to ever make conversations with random people.) I actually made some new friends that night: Brenda, Liz, Adriana & Megan. (We've met up for other Darren events since then.)
As it got later, some of the younger fans & their parents left. This high table in front of us opened up, so we moved there (closer to Darren...). I'm sitting on the right side of the table next to a column (with my crutches propped up next to me.) Darren is literally directly in my line of sight, so I'm sure he saw me go all dreamy when he started singing again. (Embarassing much? lol I couldn't help it.) I know I just had this dreamy grin on my face all night... yeesh. So, he's playing for a while more, and then he pauses for another break and to go get some water. He walks down the walkway near me, ducks around the post/ column, gives me a hug and tells me, "Hey, Valerie! I'm so glad you came out tonight. I'm glad to see you!" My jaw almost hit the floor, and I tried not to look too stunned. (Darren found me in the crowd to say hi?!?) He said hi to Brenda next to me (but he didn't remember her name...) We spoke briefly but then he had to get back to his performance. I just looked at Brenda with the biggest grin on my face. She was like, "He remembered you!" I told her we had only met once before. She had told me the same thing but was impressed that Darren had remembered me. (So was I. I don't really consider myself that memorable, so I was blown away!) As we're all talking, Liz tells me about this party she had where Darren came to play and that she knows him, so I was super excited. We all just chilled and hung out watching Darren. He played until like 10:30 or 10:45 or something. Afterward, we got to meet up with him and hang out for a bit. We were all just randomly talking and stuff. Darren asked how my knee was and my recovery from surgery; he must have a great memory! At one point when we were talking he looked over at me and was like, "Yeah, I saw you sneaking in the back there." (Seriously? If you're performing, how the hell did you notice me?) We took pictures and then it was getting late, so we helped Darren carry his equipment out to his car. Needless to say, that was one of the best nights ever! The cool thing was that this was right before my birthday, like 4 days, so it was like an early birthday present! I probably should have mentioned it to Darren but got too shy to bring it up.... I was on a happy-Darren-high for a while! :)
The next Darren concert was at The Mint on November 13th. He actually was playing 2 shows that day, so I got tickets to both! I was so excited, and at this point, I was seriously crushing on Darren. I met up with my friend Brenda there for the first show. As always, I enjoyed the show. For this first one, he had a full band with him. Afterwards, we got in line to talk to him. At that point, he was rushed for the next show, so he wasn't taking any photos. Since I hadn't brought anything for him to sign, I just had him sign my Mint ticket. They rushed us through, so we really didn't get to talk, but he congratulated me on getting off my crutches and gave me a hug. :) We then met up with our friends Liz and Megan, who were there for the next show. Brenda & her friends had to leave, so Liz, Megan and I went to get something to eat before the next show. Darren's next show was acoustic and just him, and I enjoyed the difference between the two shows. He just owns the stage and made the concert so fantastic! Afterwards, we went to the end of the line to give us more time to talk to him. He was still as friendly and down-to-earth as ever, even though he was clearly tired form his long day. He talked with us for a while and took pictures, gave hugs, etc. Seeing as how we were some of the last people there, we figured we should actually let the man get home! That day was so much fun, and I got the best photo w/ Darren!
When I heard Darren would be playing at The Roxy on December 18, I got tickets immediately. After all, this was at The Roxy! (Merry Christmas to us, right?) That day, I was actually at a Christmas concert in Sun Valley with my family, so I had to make a beeline down to Hollywood right after. It was pouring rain, and, in true Valerie fashion, I had no umbrella. I had on this cute velvet & lace top and a satin skirt...which were quickly soaked in the bad weather! (I really don't think an umbrella would have helped...) There were actually 2 shows that day, but I missed the earlier one, as I had already gotten tix for the Christmas concert before the 2nd DC show was announced. When I got to The Roxy, I met up with Liz, Adriana & Megan (& friends) in line. Yes, everyone was waiting outside in the pouring rain while we waited for the doors to be opened. They let us in only a little early, which sucked, but we were all really excited about the show. This one was bigger than previous ones, and I was so happy for Darren. We also got an autographed postcard if we donated a toy for Toys for Tots, so, of course, I brought one. I had heard that there was no meet and greet for the prior show, but we hoped that Darren would come out after the second show. Liz knows some of the band members, so Jonathan and Chris (both band members of The Dot Dot Dot) stopped by to talk to us before the concert. Darren had another fantastic show, and Joey made a surprise appearance as well. Afterwards, Jonathan came back to talk to us and mentioned that Darren would not be coming out, as he was sick with a cold. (Poor thing!) I was really disappointed but definitely understood.
So we're standing outside, and Liz mentions that Chris and Jonathan invited us over to their house to chill. (So, no Darren but we get to hang with his band... how cool is that?!?! :) !!!) We all form a convoy and meet back up over at their house (known as The House). We also got to meet Wil, Neal, Brian and a few other band members. Apparently, they all hang out there together a lot. (The even cooler thing is that this is back closer to my end of town. Turns out they're only about 10 minutes from my house.) So, because we're all soaked still at this point, we have to take off our shoes in the house. (So I'm now walking around barefoot and looking like a drowned rat... in cute clothes, lol. Not the impression I wanted to make...) We all just hand around, talking, listening to Darren stories from childhood and college, etc. It was pretty amazing. They had this huge bookshelf filled with fantasy books and my fave TV shows on DVD (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, True Blood, Mercedes Lackey, Sookie Stackhouse novels, The Vampire Chronicles, etc.) Quite a few people are coming over, and it's turning intoa pretty chill after-party. So, we're there like maybe an hour and a half, and guess who walks in the door... Darren! I was definitely not expecting that! (I felt bad, b/c instead of looking cute, I was soaked, but whatever...) So he came over to talk to us and introduced us to his friend that he brought. (Yes, he still remembered me!) We all hung out for a while, but then it was getting late (not to mention Darren had to be on a plane in like 4 hours for the Philippines), so we went to say good-bye to the band and Darren. He gave me a big hug and thanked me for coming to the show and hanging out. This was so epic! :) I didn't sleep all night! (Best early Christmas present!)
:)
A few months go by, and Darren's busy w/ Glee, so there are no new shows or anything around here, at least nothing that I can afford to go to. (There's like fundraiser benefits & stuff...) April rolls around, and I find out that he's doing a signing for the new Glee Warblers CD at The Grove. Right away I make plans to go down there. Luckily, April 22nd (2011) was my Friday off. Knowing how crazy signings have been in the past, I knew I had to get down there early to get a wristband for the signing. That morning, I get up at the crack of dawn, after only like 2 hours sleep, and get to The Grove's Barnes & Noble at like 6:45 or something. (I was running late, as usual...) I missed meeting my DCST friends, sadly, but maybe one day! Anyways. So I'm sitting there in line until the store opens at 9. I brought my ipod, sketchbook, and The Last Sacrifice to keep me occupied. The whole process went pretty smoothly. After that, I actually had to head back home, as I had some errands to take care of. Things got hectic, and I find myself running late getting back to B&N. (Damn L.A. traffic.)
So, I get there and they've already called my group B to get in line... I get in line w/ the Es, but when they are checking wristbands, the lady leads me up to the B group. (Cool!) So, we're all just chillin' and then Darren comes out! It was mass chaos in there, so I knew that we wouldn't get a chance to talk much. I got craptastic pics in line, and then they made us put our cameras away before we got anywhere close to Darren. (Really, people?) I'm so excited to get to talk to Darren again, but at this point, especially since so much time had passed and the sheer number of girls there, I have no hope that he will actually remember me. When it's finally my turn, I start walking up to him, and his face lit up with this huge grin. He looked at me and was like, "Valerie! It's great to see you again!" I about died. I start grinning like an idiot and blushed. I walk up, and they hand him my CD cover. We talk a bit, and I remember thanking him for doing the signing and congratulated him on everything with Glee and Starship coming up. Without me even asking, ('cause nothing was supposed to be personalized) he wrote my name and a message on my cover. The security people were looking antzy to keep the line moving, so we both knew I had to leave. He started to say something then waved his hand (like "pshaw!"). He was like, "I'll definitely see you again," and gave me that amazing Darren smile. I was like, "Oh, definitely!" I couldn't keep that elated smile off my face. As I walked away, I looked down at what he wrote: "I <3 Valerie. Darren Criss :)" 'Nuff said!
I was able to go see Glee Live at the Staples Center in L.A., and I felt so proud watching Darren as Blaine just rockin' it out there! I tried hanging around after the show, but no one was really coming out. We will see what the future holds for my next meeting with Darren!