The Date: November 1, 2009
The Place: Trump Taj Mahal – Atlantic City, New Jersey
The Mission: To Meet David Archuleta

The day begins much like any other day would have – well almost….Instead of waking up at home in Yorkville, New York, I am waking up in room 2428 at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. Now, I’m thinking to myself, “This is it, Sharon – today is the day!!! Today you will meet David Archuleta!!!”. I am experiencing many different emotions ranging from anticipation to trepidation to exhilaration – how will it all turn out??

I’d scouted out the path to the Diamond Ballroom C/D (the room in which the scheduled Meet & Greet will be held) several times since I’d arrived at the hotel. I wasn’t taking any chances…I wasn’t going to risk turning right when I should have turned left – no way was I going to be late for this scheduled 12:45pm Meet & Greet!! I checked the itinerary that I’d received from iloveallaccess staff one last time and ooops…I discovered that I’d come all the way to Atlantic City with numerous gifts for David, but in my excitement, I’d failed to thoroughly read the itinerary which clearly stated that David would not have a tour bus on this trip and, therefore, there would be no place to put gifts after the show so they wouldn’t be able to accept them at this show. Drat!!!! I wondered what to do with everything I’d brought for David – should I save the gifts to give to him next time (wishful thinking) or send them on to his management agency – I’m getting ahead of my story now – I’ve got to learn to slow down… This gift thing is just a small bump in the road I tell myself and I can handle this because my ultimate dream is about to come true!!!

I head to the Diamond Ballroom C/D early and realize that a line has already formed consisting of some of the most devoted David Archuleta fans that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. There is a sign adjacent to the room indicating that this is the location of the David Archuleta Meet & Greet. I want a picture of the sign to send to Fan Scene along with this story, but I’m a little leery of taking it (the picture – not the sign lol) because my picture taking skills with my new camera still leave a bit to be desired…so I approach a young girl standing in line and ask if she will take the picture. She does so for me without hesitation (thanks, Brianna)!! One thing that continues to amaze me is the kindness that David’s fans exhibit – they just seem to be there for each other and when they are needed – they step up!!

I’m so impressed by the utter devotion fans have for David. Todays’ concert will be the fifth that I’ve attended, but having spoken with several fans waiting in line with me today, five concerts seems to pale in comparison to the number attended by some of them. Take Trish from Columbus, Ohio who’s traveled to what seems like here, there and everywhere from Utah to Florida to Atlantic City (to name but a few) to attend one of David’s concerts and she plans to attend several concerts on David’s Christmas tour, as well!!! Way to go, Trish!!! There’s also Spidey, Joy I, Mhel and Gloria all in line today – not to mention a young girl originally from Honduras who agreed to take some pictures for me at David’s sound check (thank you for your help – you were so kind – oh, but I’m getting ahead of myself again – sorry….)

The doors soon open to the Diamond Ballroom and in we go – our names are checked off a list and, of course, we must present appropriate ID – no problem. Refreshments sit on a table while we gather at the other tables to wait for further instructions as to what will happen next…We talk amongst ourselves and I mention to those seated at my table that as I was leaving to catch my bus for Atlantic City on Friday I announced to my co- workers – “I’m leaving now to meet the son I never had…” (but wished I did) lol… I take several snacks that have been provided for us, but when push comes to shove – I’m just too nervous to eat!!!

We’re told that we will be going to the sound check shortly. We’ve been given a raffle ticket along with our concert ticket and one purpose for the raffle ticket is to choose the people who will ask David questions at the sound check. I’m not one of those lucky people….We are led to the arena for the sound check and as we approach the Mark Etess Arena, we can hear David singing with his band and fans in line start to sing along softly…We must wait until we are told we can enter – once we’re given the green light, we enter and our ID tags are checked. Before long we see David and his band onstage. I’m beside myself with excitement – but, in somewhat of a daze….David greets us from the stage – a fan comments on the t-shirt he is wearing and another comments on his hair…David continues with the soundcheck. Soon the Q&A period begins.

David is his charming, genuine self – the person we all love and admire. Before long we are ushered back to the ballroom for our photo op with David. I’m now a nervous wreck….One of the items that I’d planned to give to David was a Woodstock ‘99 t-shirt (I live about 12 miles from the site of Woodstock ‘99) and although I’d be unable to leave it for him, I’m thinking that I’ll slip it on over my sweater and if David admires it (as I hope he will), I”ll say “I brought it for you” and take it off and give it to him…oops getting ahead of myself again…In line now…about 10 or 12 people ahead of me…I’m trying to remember what it is that I’d planned to say to David – I’m just a mess – what’s happening to me – I’m falling apart and it’s almost time for me to meet David…Now it is time for me to meet David!!

I’m standing next to him and his arm is around my shoulder for the photo…I’ve had months to prepare for this moment and, yes, now I feel like a deer whose been caught in headlights!!! What to do, what to say, how to act….is this really happening – my Kodak moment is about to slip away, think girl, think.. get a hold of yourself…. I should introduce myself & tell David my name – what is my name, I don’t remember – is this what an out of body experience feels like??? I finally speak and say something to David like “thank you for this opportunity”. I’m so nervous that I’m biting my lip as our picture is being taken. What to do now? After the picture is taken I start to walk away, but then I turn to David and say “you’ve brought joy to my life”. David smiles and says “thank-you”. Everything is a blur now…I walk away in a daze… I hadn’t said anything that I’d planned to say to David, but what I did say was heartfelt and at least I wasn’t totally speechless (as you might recall, I had been speechless outside of the Times Union Arena in Albany on August 6, 2008)…still, I’m so frustrated with myself right now!!!

I watch as the remaining fans have their pictures taken with David – some ask for hugs and he obliges – gosh, why didn’t I ask for a hug – I didn’t want to overstep any boundaries or make David feel uncomfortable…maybe next time…. I’m standing alone now wondering what comes next…Soon David is ushered off as the concert will begin shortly. Numbers on those raffle tickets are drawn for items autographed by David – I’m not a lucky winner this time either…but that’s OK …I’ll survive…After all, I just had my photo taken with David Archuleta!!

It’s time to go to the concert – off we all go. I’m still in a daze. I find my seat Section 103 Row 9 Seat 18. Pretty good location!!! The place is filled with David and Demi fans – it’s almost show time – it won’t be long now…there appears to be a huge white curtain and what appears to be a huge dark silhouette on it or behind it and it’s just awesome – I think it’s David – it is!! His name is being announced and the crowd goes wild!!

There he stands…he’s about to sing “Touch My Hand”…and so the concert begins with David and his glorious voice…I’m enthralled as I begin snapping pictures (but I should warn you that I must have inadvertently hit the delete button because I lost every single picture that had been taken In Atlantic City and I’m still sick over it…I really need lessons on how to operate this camera I bought…. but I’m getting ahead of myself again)…David is singing and he’s right on his game, but then when isn’t he?? Remember that Woodstock ‘99 t-shirt…I decide I’ll be brave lol and at least try to throw that Woodstock t-shirt on the stage for David during his performance. I’m not too far from the stage and I think that this might be achievable. Where is the shirt? I can’t find it – I thought when I’d taken it off after our photo was taken (David, unfortunately hadn’t noticed it) that I’d put it in the bag of goodies that we’d each been given at the Meet & Greet, but it’s not here. It’s gone – I’ve lost it somewhere between the Diamond Ballroom and the arena…What next???

The concert continues and David closes the show with what he refers to today as “the song that started it all”, “Crush”, of course, and then his concert is over. David waves to the crowd as he leaves the stage. After 6 months of waiting for this day to arrive, it’s over!! I have to hurry to catch my bus and take an all night bus ride so that I can be back home in time for work tomorrow morning. It’s a long bus ride and it turns out to be less than wonderful but the memories of the day that preceded it will be etched in my mind forever!!!

What an experience, what a day!! Mission accomplished!! Hooray!! Thank you iloveallaccess staff!! Thank -you, David…Oh, and by the way, I remember now … David, my name is Sharon!!!

Sharon Gulla

*Editor’s note: Photos pending.

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~ by archuletafanscene on November 5, 2009.

David Archuleta

Tags: David Archuleta, David Archuleta Fan Scene | For Fans of David Archuleta, Sharon G