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Ray4AJ
04-01-2013, 01:34 PM
Skip down to the second paragraph for the actual event description…

It’s going to be hard for me to match the other members’ descriptions of the event. They’ve covered the logistics of it well, so I’ll skip that. For me, being there was really special. It’s just been 11 months since I discovered Alizée. The way I feel about myself has dramatically changed since then, and I attribute that to her, somehow. I can only guess how that happened, but I’ve stopped analyzing it. I see a really good person inside her, and to try to pay her back I try to support her career. Watching videos, En Concert, all the interviews and reading about old interviews and translations has created that image of her that have. I was having a bit of trouble fully believing that image because I know that what viewers see is only what you are shown, and sometimes that can be misleading. I suppose it’s been important to me to find out that she is ‘real.’ I got a slight confirmation of reality a few weeks ago when I got the Talents France Blue CD and posted a picture of it on Instagram. The next morning I was happily surprised to see that she ‘liked’ the posting. It was as if for just a moment, she had let me know she was real. I know, it sounds corny, but Scruffy and Jake can confirm that I am. I had been thinking about going to an autograph session since she announced the album on the ‘live’ Q&A video that came out last summer. At first we thought it would be in October, then it kept being delayed. I never wanted to go to Paris, or Europe, or anywhere. I was fortunate that right now I was able to take time off from work and afford the trip. I felt that if I missed this opportunity to ‘meet’ her that I would regret not going. So off I went. During my connecting flight from London to Paris, I kept thinking that I could not believe I was actually going to France. Scruffy met me at the train station and on the ride into town, I kept saying the same thing. Even though I was able to see many of the famous and significant sights of Paris, I was there for one reason. That came the next day at the FNAC Saint Lazare . So I wouldn’t be disappointed, I never thought we would get a private session with Alizée. I hoped we would so I would be able to get a lot of great pictures of her. But I knew I’d be happy just waiting in the regular line. Scruffy has already described the ups and down of the lead-up to the session. So it was off to the regular line for me.

We were in the room already when she made her entrance and we caught a brief glimpse of her entrance, but were too far back to see her posing for the cameras. It was really exciting to know she was in the same room we were in. They had the ropes set up like a back and forth queue moving side to side through the room, so the front row was a 15 minute show just 10 feet from her. From the back though, we were all holding our cameras up to try to see her up front. Finally I gave up and just waited until we got closer to try for some camera shots. There was so much excitement among the fans. It was amazing once we got to the front row. Just watching her interacting with each fan as if they were the only two people in the world. Everything I had thought about her seemed to be true. I’m amazed that she did it for 3.5 hours. We started discussing who would take each others photos when the time came. Loose plans were made. Closer and closer to the front of the line. It almost seemed like my turn came too quickly. I wasn’t really ready. I had written my name on a slip of paper. I remember saying I had come from the USA to see her, and she pronounced my made perfectly. She may have said something else but I don’t remember. I had written a short note in a card, and I had found a Tinkerbell bookmark a few weeks ago that I included in an envelope which I gave her (It appeared in the photo she posted! Yay!) Then I handed my camera to the manager guy and went around right beside her for the photo. I hadn’t set the camera right and the photo didn’t come out too good. So for a moment in time, I was in the same place as she was. So she’s about as real to me now as this keyboard that I’m typing on. I threw her a ‘merci,’ grabbed my camera from the guy, and just sort of drifted away out the exit. When I got back into the store, I was in a daze. No one else came out for several minutes. I guess I could have stayed with the group but they had been forgotten. (Sorry guys!) Then it was back to waiting to see about getting the 80 CDs autographed. We thought there was a chance that would happen after the line was gone, but it did not. I got the impression that they would all be signed though later this week.

Now, she’s real, and I feel like the impression I had of her was accurate enough. I spent some of the 8 hours on the plane yesterday thinking about it all. I realize that I still really know so little about her, but I’m as certain as I can be that she is a nice, thoughtful, and caring person. And that’s all I need to know. Her depth, her tattoos, her fashion choices, how she spends her free time… None of that matters to me. I just want to support her and her career by helping other fans learn about her and keeping her in people’s minds and hearts. She knows more about her industry and career and what she wants to make of it than any of us, and she does what she wants to do, no matter what we want. Not that there is anything wrong with us discussing how we feel about those things. We just have to realize that we aren’t going to influence her in what she does. It’s like she is driving the fan bus, and we can get on and off whenever we want. It goes where she takes it, take it or leave it.

Marka
04-30-2013, 03:28 PM
I actually acknowledged this blog only now... sorry Ray :(

What you have written about her not really being real for you for more than 10 months, about her "fan bus", which one can leave anytime he/she wants, ... you are correct! I think that your fandom matured...

And as a story, this is a beautiful addition to the thread about your (you, Scruffy and Jake) stay in Paris. I love reading these stories!

Ray4AJ
04-30-2013, 09:51 PM
Not a day goes by that I don't think back to the March 29 autograph session when I met Alizée. I say met but it really was just the brief encounter that it would appear to be, just like all the ones we have seen on video over the last month. In my first description of the event I described that my life has changed for the better since I discovered her, and I feel like I owe her for that. She means quite a lot me in that respect. To be right there at the table with her, and then to be right beside her for the photo, I really was overwhelmed by it all at the time. I'm not able to come up with words to describe it. I was there watching the scene, and I suppose participating in it, but I was also running on 'autopilot' and just along for the ride. Seeing her in person brought it all together for me. I know that for every fan there is a unique case of fandom, and each fan has their own reasons and expectations. For me, it's converted my impression of her from a voice singing songs that I can't understand and someone on video from all the interviews and tv appearances and En Concert, and Enfoirés into an actual individual, just like all the other people I encounter everyday. (Though most of them bother me.) I have no interest in her other than supporting her career and wishing her the best, and helping others to know about her. Meeting her makes all that easier to do.

Something unexpected has occured however. For several months before the new album released, I had been making an effort to download and save as many photos of her that I could I find. Each day I'd spend some time locating and saving copies of everything new, as well as looking for older things that I hadn't saved yet. That has no longer seemed important to me. I still like to see what new pictures come out each day, and there have been plenty this last month, but I don't 'collect' them anymore. I don't really know why that is.

And now when I see the newest interviews and video, I see her and I remember meeting her, and much of the awe and mystery are gone. I don't mean that in a bad way at all. I have a more realistic view of who she is and how she is merely another one of us dealing with life day to day, and trying to do what she wants to do.

And I wonder how she has been able to unknowingly do for me from the other side of the ocean something I've never been able to do for myself in many, many years of trying.

I doubt that I'll feel a need to go to another autograph session. I had one item from my "5" collectors box set personalized this time, and having convinced myself that she is 'real' I don't see what returning would accomplish, other than showing her that she has fans all over the world. But I won't rule it out either. Next, I'd like to see her performing live, hopefully singing her own songs, or at least maybe at Les Enfoirés.


I apologize for this being unorganized and poorly written. It takes quite a bit of effort for me to write about my thoughts and even more to actually share them. I've been told by some members that they are interested in hearing more about the autograph session so I'm giving it a shot.

Marka
05-01-2013, 05:45 AM
...
Something unexpected has occured however. For several months before the new album released, I had been making an effort to download and save as many photos of her that I could I find. Each day I'd spend some time locating and saving copies of everything new, as well as looking for older things that I hadn't saved yet. That has no longer seemed important to me. I still like to see what new pictures come out each day, and there have been plenty this last month, but I don't 'collect' them anymore. I don't really know why that is.

I'll just mention that I have actually never been in that phase... I am collecting her photos, videos only now, when I joined Digimazes DC++ Alizée network and thus got access to other Alizée collections, in hopes of having them in one place and stored, to keep them as a memory of her.

And now when I see the newest interviews and video, I see her and I remember meeting her, and much of the awe and mystery are gone. I don't mean that in a bad way at all. I have a more realistic view of who she is and how she is merely another one of us dealing with life day to day, and trying to do what she wants to do.

:clap: :2_thumbs:

And I wonder how she has been able to unknowingly do for me from the other side of the ocean something I've never been able to do for myself in many, many years of trying.

Can you please elaborate?

I apologize for this being unorganized and poorly written. It takes quite a bit of effort for me to write about my thoughts and even more to actually share them. I've been told by some members that they are interested in hearing more about the autograph session so I'm giving it a shot.

I am interested into hearing more about development of your perception of her and your fandom, not just about the autograph session.

Ray4AJ
05-01-2013, 06:41 AM
Can you please elaborate?

I am interested into hearing more about development of your perception of her and your fandom, not just about the autograph session.

I didn't want this to merge with my last post, so I left it out. Yesterday at work I was planning out the one month update in my head. It was brilliant and I forgot most of it by the time I actually wrote it up last night. Happens all the time. I took a break from work and checked my phone to see if there were any updates from the world of Alizée, and I had received a notification of your previous post. I thought that was quite a coincidence!

I know you have see this thread:

http://alizeeamerica.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7244

and it is there that I'm planning to post about my first year of being a fan sometime soon.

Marka
05-01-2013, 02:33 PM
I didn't want this to merge with my last post, so I left it out. Yesterday at work I was planning out the one month update in my head. It was brilliant and I forgot most of it by the time I actually wrote it up last night. Happens all the time. I took a break from work and checked my phone to see if there were any updates from the world of Alizée, and I had received a notification of your previous post. I thought that was quite a coincidence!

That happens also to me and I believe also to many other people. Don't worry, you'll remember it later when you will be writting something bigger, and you'll be able to make it even more brilliant.

I know you have see this thread:

http://alizeeamerica.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7244

and it is there that I'm planning to post about my first year of being a fan sometime soon.

Sure I've seen this thread! Though, what bothers me with such threads is that everything is intermixed, everybody is trying to focus instead of going in the direction that would describe what he wants to say the best. I prefer to read a stream of posts from one person, then a stream from another person, and so on... basically, I like reading blogs, or semi-blog threads, because if authors of posts change too often, I tend to get confused. I don't know, perhaps I like to perceive what you write on the more personal level, perhaps even more "real", although this reality is still far away from the reality you described above :dontknow:

Fall
05-01-2013, 11:06 PM
and it is there that I'm planning to post about my first year of being a fan sometime soon.

I'll be looking forward to that Ray! The first year is always magic :)

Ray4AJ
03-28-2014, 10:44 PM
I'll be looking forward to that Ray! The first year is always magic :)

Oops! Never got that one-year fan recap written. 'Maybe' I'll get a two year write-up posted in about a month.

Anyway, I've been remembering this autograph session from a year ago quite a bit recently. It was really special to me to be able to have things work out so I could attend and a great experience. Giving me that minute or so of her time really meant a lot to me, and while it diminished some of the original 'magic' for me, it reinforced other parts and made some brand new magic.

I just re-read my report from a year ago, and there isn't anything to add or change.


Edit - Well, I want to thank Scruffy again for all he did for me there and for all he does for Alizée and her fans.

Shepherd
04-09-2014, 03:19 AM
I'm amazed at how patient she is with her fans. For her to sit for 3.5 hours signing autographs has got to be grueling, especially after doing this sort of thing for 14 years. It's one of the reasons her fans are so faithful to her.

Edit:

Ray, thanks for the wonderful description of your visit with Alizee. I really enjoyed it.

alizeefan
04-20-2014, 11:44 PM
RAY the amount which she inspired you , imagine being her and the inspiration is exponential - we are each one and she is one therefore she gets it a lot more than we do . It is refreshing to find artists who love all , show it and a genuine love of the music . She may indeed own the bus but definitely lets others drive and we all pitch in for gas then at times have say when the bus STOP , on , off , go . A star like her it is obvious she is influenced by those around her and as your story goes demonstrates that well , many others too which will be forever . While I don't go out of my way to promote her I sure do at times and probably more than any other artist . But enjoying how it is in the now and perhaps greedily I kinda like it without the too many fans , 100 times the amount of fans in line for autographs , at this forum , etc .

I'm amazed at how patient she is with her fans. For her to sit for 3.5 hours signing autographs has got to be grueling, especially after doing this sort of thing for 14 years. It's one of the reasons her fans are so faithful to her.

Edit:

Ray, thanks for the wonderful description of your visit with Alizee. I really enjoyed it.

I agree on the thanks to Ray and it being one of the reasons fans are faithful .
I'd guess she only does a couple a year and that maybe being generous but add a few more per year in the early days , add to that the getting recognized and other autographs sent to her , on the street or at other shows , venues appearances and so on . That maybe only about 30-50 sessions lifetime and being paid for most of the long ones would take away the tediousness adding to the excitement . Anyway it reminded me of this video gives a good idea how it is for the stars to meet the fans .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73cnV60TXRA

Paybays
03-26-2015, 06:56 PM
I envy those who got the chance to see and meet her like that. Even tough it is just 2-3 minits you can tell Alizée whatever you want.

I'll probably be there the next time

Ray4AJ
03-29-2015, 02:34 PM
Two years later today, and it still seems like it just happened. They say Videre est credere... seeing is believing and I guess that it was something that I needed to do to convince myself that she really was as kind and genuine as she seemed to be.

When I see photos and videos of her in interviews or performances, I always remember that day and that minute or two of her time that she gave me. It helps me to keep an open mind about the some of the things she does, and to give her the benefit of the doubt and to 'let' her live her life as she chooses.

Un-rêve
04-02-2015, 12:57 AM
Two years later today, and it still seems like it just happened. They say Videre est credere... seeing is believing and I guess that it was something that I needed to do to convince myself that she really was as kind and genuine as she seemed to be.

When I see photos and videos of her in interviews or performances, I always remember that day and that minute or two of her time that she gave me. It helps me to keep an open mind about the some of the things she does, and to give her the benefit of the doubt and to 'let' her live her life as she chooses.

Oh that's just beautiful man. :)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_SOia9FmQ0

Ray4AJ
03-29-2018, 08:27 PM
Today it's been five years since the "5" autograph session at a Paris FNAC. It was amazing to have been able to attend and I still almost can't believe I was actually there. I don't really have anything to add to my account of the event.

Scruffy did his best to get 80 CDs autographed for forum members that day, and while she couldn't sign them then she did within a week or two and everyone that asked for one got one. You can read about that in this thread: http://alizeeamerica.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7352

Speaking of Scruffy... in my time here at AAm and as a fan he has been the member who has been here for the forum and the members. I'm sure everyone knows that. I saw how much effort he put into getting those 80 CDs autographed, returning to the store several times and working through the language barrier and in the end it all worked out.

He also spent his own vacation time showing me and another member around Paris when he could have been seeing the places he wanted to see. I appreciate all the time he spend with us and for the forum during that trip, and sharing his experiences of other Alizée events and performances that he attended.

He and I clash on occasion... Mostly due to my poor communication skills... I respect and appreciate what he does for Alizée, the forum, and me.

Scruffydog777
03-29-2018, 09:26 PM
Thanks Ray! We do see things differently at times and that's been true of other members over the years. It happens.

Things have gotten pretty thin here over the past year or two and Ray has really helped to keep our members interested in what's going on, especially in chat where I only make occasional visits . This forum could have easily have followed the same route that the Alizee forum did if it wasn't for him.

He's also had the main responsibility of keeping things organized and that's almost an impossible job for him. We're often all over the place in some of our threads and the bad part of that, if you're looking for something that was said a few weeks ago, it's probably in an unrelated thread.

Luckily we've had some good members of late, but it's his job to police this place and he's done a good job of it, knowing when something needs and doesn't need to be said.

So thank you Ray for what you've done for the forum.

Edsel Di Meo
03-29-2018, 10:46 PM
Omg scruffy!!! what you did was super sweet!! omg i'm super jealous! You're the real mvp!

CleverCowboy
03-30-2018, 08:05 AM
Today it's been five years since the "5" autograph session at a Paris FNAC. It was amazing to have been able to attend and I still almost can't believe I was actually there. I don't really have anything to add to my account of the event.

Scruffy did his best to get 80 CDs autographed for forum members that day, and while she couldn't sign them then she did within a week or two and everyone that asked for one got one. You can read about that in this thread: http://alizeeamerica.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7352

Speaking of Scruffy... in my time here at AAm and as a fan he has been the member who has been here for the forum and the members. I'm sure everyone knows that. I saw how much effort he put into getting those 80 CDs autographed, returning to the store several times and working through the language barrier and in the end it all worked out.

He also spent his own vacation time showing me and another member around Paris when he could have been seeing the places he wanted to see. I appreciate all the time he spend with us and for the forum during that trip, and sharing his experiences of other Alizée events and performances that he attended.

He and I clash on occasion... Mostly due to my poor communication skills... I respect and appreciate what he does for Alizée, the forum, and me.


I believe there is absolutely nothing wrong with disagreements, even "clashing", as long as there is a mutual respect. There are mainly just guys left here on this forum, and we justdon't communicate as well as our female counterparts. We tend to be more abrupt in our posts, and since we cannot see each other face to face, sometimes a post can be taken the wrong way. I tend to be very opinionated, which is not always good, especially when I am wrong (which is often). But we are all here for the same reason, so we just learn to live with each other :)

Ray, I have read a ton of old threads since joining this site, but I always navigated back to the early ones. I haven't read this thread of yours until this morning, so I was not aware that you were at an autograph session. Your description of your experience was very good. I think I would be in a daze as well. Being that it has been five years and you still are amazed that you were there proves it was worth everything you put into it to experience it once.