U2fan6313
War Child
Apologies in advance...this is going to be long.
Many of you might remember my threads in the Zoo Confessionals last year about quitting school because of personal issues. And I never updated what happened (except to one person via PM). Basically, I did end up withdrawing from school. I sat around for months in a very bad place going on and off a couple different anti-depressants. In March I started working on my dad's farm for the summer. And I decided to save up to go to Ireland, which has been my dream for years, and basically the only thing I knew I wanted to do with my life.
In summer of course was the tour, providing me more joy than I had ever experienced and desperately needed. I went to East Lansing, Montreal 1 and 2 and Toronto. I met the Edge in Montreal outside their hotel. There was about 20 people there waiting, and Darren came out and told us that Edge was behind schedule and wouldn't have time for pictures but maybe autographs. When Edge came out, he took the time to sign the first row on both sides of the waiting line...almost everyone that was there. He was so incredibly nice. I couldn't say anything intelligent except "thank you" and "thank you so much" over and over again like an idiot. But at least I said that...
After the concerts I continued to save as much money as possible, while weaning myself slowly off my medication because I didn't want to be on them in Ireland. In September, I spent a little of that money at the Toronto International Film Festival. I met Edge again...and Bono. Now, I love all of the members of U2, but Bono is my hero and the thought of meeting him was indescribable.
The way the red carpet for From the Sky Down was set up was a narrow entrance framed but a very long row of gates where people could stand to get autographs and pictures. It was up to the individual star how far they walked along those gates. Bono and Edge, good to their fans as always, walked the whole thing. Edge came around first and signed a picture I had. As soon as I saw Bono I started to cry. He wasn't really stopping to talk to people too much, but our eyes met and he asked me my name, I guess because he could see how emotional I was. I had to say it twice because I was so shaky and he couldn't understand. And then he wrote "Bono 4 Carly
" on my picture. I cried for the rest of the day and at points the next day as well. The next night I met Davis Guggenhiem (director of From the Sky Down), his wife Elizabeth Shue and Kiefer Sutherland (another of my favourite people). They were all so incredibly nice.
On September 26th I left for Ireland. And as I predicted it would be, it was an incredibly amazing and emotional trip. I was there for a month. I felt so alive and so at home there and I had been looking forward to it for so long. Friends of mine were staying at the Clarence on Oct. 8th, the day of the Economic Forum and we were watching it live on TV. They reminded me that Dublin Castle was just a two minute walk away. So I waited near Bono's car with a few other people. When he walked out I was sort of pushed to the back. He was getting in his car, and a man I had been talking to before said "Bono, can you sign her flag?" I had brought with me a Canadian flag that I took to concerts with U2 written in the maple leaf with a heart around it. Bono looked at me and said, "Sure!" We held the flag while he wrote "Bono + Canada 2011" on it. I shakily and very apologetically asked for picture. I really did not want to be a hindrance or make a bad impression. He said "of course" and pulled me in close. When I say he pulled me in, he put his arm around me and pulled me off the curb into the open doorway of his car. He waited for the photos to be taken...and then kissed me with an audible "muuuaahhh" sound. I couldn't believe it. Not only had I gotten a picture with him but he KISSED me. adslfkasjdlfkajsdf just unbelievable. I still have trouble believing it. I know some of you have experienced meeting him, but for those who haven't...it's so hard to describe. I mean...I attribute part of my soul to this man because he's changed my life. So meeting the person you look up to more than anyone is...well...there are no words for it. I only wish I had the strength of mind at the time to tell him thank you for everything. I have yet to accomplish that.
So...in short, last year was the worst year of my life, giving way to easily the best. I don't know who does, but someone works in mysterious ways and I am so lucky, and so blessed, to have been given those opportunities. It's so difficult to believe they even happened but when I think about it I can't help but smile, and even now, sometimes cry.
Many of you might remember my threads in the Zoo Confessionals last year about quitting school because of personal issues. And I never updated what happened (except to one person via PM). Basically, I did end up withdrawing from school. I sat around for months in a very bad place going on and off a couple different anti-depressants. In March I started working on my dad's farm for the summer. And I decided to save up to go to Ireland, which has been my dream for years, and basically the only thing I knew I wanted to do with my life.
In summer of course was the tour, providing me more joy than I had ever experienced and desperately needed. I went to East Lansing, Montreal 1 and 2 and Toronto. I met the Edge in Montreal outside their hotel. There was about 20 people there waiting, and Darren came out and told us that Edge was behind schedule and wouldn't have time for pictures but maybe autographs. When Edge came out, he took the time to sign the first row on both sides of the waiting line...almost everyone that was there. He was so incredibly nice. I couldn't say anything intelligent except "thank you" and "thank you so much" over and over again like an idiot. But at least I said that...
After the concerts I continued to save as much money as possible, while weaning myself slowly off my medication because I didn't want to be on them in Ireland. In September, I spent a little of that money at the Toronto International Film Festival. I met Edge again...and Bono. Now, I love all of the members of U2, but Bono is my hero and the thought of meeting him was indescribable.
The way the red carpet for From the Sky Down was set up was a narrow entrance framed but a very long row of gates where people could stand to get autographs and pictures. It was up to the individual star how far they walked along those gates. Bono and Edge, good to their fans as always, walked the whole thing. Edge came around first and signed a picture I had. As soon as I saw Bono I started to cry. He wasn't really stopping to talk to people too much, but our eyes met and he asked me my name, I guess because he could see how emotional I was. I had to say it twice because I was so shaky and he couldn't understand. And then he wrote "Bono 4 Carly
" on my picture. I cried for the rest of the day and at points the next day as well. The next night I met Davis Guggenhiem (director of From the Sky Down), his wife Elizabeth Shue and Kiefer Sutherland (another of my favourite people). They were all so incredibly nice.
On September 26th I left for Ireland. And as I predicted it would be, it was an incredibly amazing and emotional trip. I was there for a month. I felt so alive and so at home there and I had been looking forward to it for so long. Friends of mine were staying at the Clarence on Oct. 8th, the day of the Economic Forum and we were watching it live on TV. They reminded me that Dublin Castle was just a two minute walk away. So I waited near Bono's car with a few other people. When he walked out I was sort of pushed to the back. He was getting in his car, and a man I had been talking to before said "Bono, can you sign her flag?" I had brought with me a Canadian flag that I took to concerts with U2 written in the maple leaf with a heart around it. Bono looked at me and said, "Sure!" We held the flag while he wrote "Bono + Canada 2011" on it. I shakily and very apologetically asked for picture. I really did not want to be a hindrance or make a bad impression. He said "of course" and pulled me in close. When I say he pulled me in, he put his arm around me and pulled me off the curb into the open doorway of his car. He waited for the photos to be taken...and then kissed me with an audible "muuuaahhh" sound. I couldn't believe it. Not only had I gotten a picture with him but he KISSED me. adslfkasjdlfkajsdf just unbelievable. I still have trouble believing it. I know some of you have experienced meeting him, but for those who haven't...it's so hard to describe. I mean...I attribute part of my soul to this man because he's changed my life. So meeting the person you look up to more than anyone is...well...there are no words for it. I only wish I had the strength of mind at the time to tell him thank you for everything. I have yet to accomplish that.
So...in short, last year was the worst year of my life, giving way to easily the best. I don't know who does, but someone works in mysterious ways and I am so lucky, and so blessed, to have been given those opportunities. It's so difficult to believe they even happened but when I think about it I can't help but smile, and even now, sometimes cry.
I would say this was one hell of a year but this all happened to you in the space of a few months! Very lucky 
Lucky woman!
And wait - who are you on Tumblr? Brain malfunction. 
We got there the day of the 2nd show, security told us he'd be out at 2. Turned up at 5, so we got signatures but no pics. Ah well, I'm happy with what I got. 
