This question plagued my mind since I found out I had been chosen to go see her worldwide live stream by Yahoo in NYC on August 18, 2014. I was so excited, New York City and Taylor Swift, two of my favorite things and I was going to see them at the same time. I booked my flights that night and couldn't sleep I was so excited. I was going to meet the person whose music I had listened to for the past 4 years non stop. Is anyone ever ready? I certainly didn't feel ready, but this was my chance.
I love Taylor's music so much I started this blog where I analyze all her songs. I love to find out why she wrote them and intensely look at the lyrics. I feel like I am writing her journal sometimes. As I analyze her songs I feel like I've gotten to know her so well. I appreciate her willingness to share. I feel like I understand her like I understand my good friends. I understand what she is going through because I have been there myself and still experienced times like that in my life. I have felt invisible, on the outside, people had been mean to me. I have dreamed of being her best friend, talking all the time and be there for each other. I dream of days where we'd bake together, can jam together, share poetry, share novels, go on hikes, visit hospitals, write songs (I play the violin and have written a song). But alas, all those things are far shot and I could only dream to meet her one day and thank her for all the support her music had given to me in my life.
I applied to several contests during her "Red" tour promotion, including a photography one, another passion in my life. I wanted so bad to go to her
livestream in Tennessee or be a
"tay follower" during release week. But it wasn't met to be. When I went to the
Red tour concert I desperately wanted to meet her, but I'm not one to wear elaborate costumes.
I sat in section 13 and ran to see her when she came to the b stage. I had to stand on my chair during the concert to even see her, there were so many people there and I was in the very back of the floor. The night passed and there was a guy with giant cups taped all over himself he was picked to meet Taylor, not me in my plain outfit. I resigned myself knowing it was a long shot to meet her and watched all the disappointed very dressed up fans that were leaving without meeting her. I wasn't too disappointed, her concert was on of the best ones I had ever been too. I just felt it wasn't my time yet.
I lived in New York during her the "Red" album release and went to the city all the time, but moved away recently.
When Taylor moved to NYC I found myself wanting to be back there so badly. I'd see her do things I had done myself, ate at Sara Beths, wandered around Central Park, watched broadway shows. I missed NYC so much and I wished I could be there and bump into her.
When Taylor released the clues I found myself wanting to go so bad again especially when I read about fans being there. I didn't know if they had already picked some. Then I saw on her website that they hadn't been and I could apply. I waffled back and forth about going, if I went I'd have to take a last minute airplane flight. I had this strange gut feeling I'd be picked. I thought I submitted a lame essay.
"Taylor Swift is my favorite artist. I have a blog www.taylorswiftsongs2@blogspot.com about the meanings of her songs. I found there aren't a lot of sites to find the info. I feature descriptions Taylor has given of the songs. I would love to interview her about some of the songs, such as Today Was a Fairytale. I just adore Taylor and her music. I would love to be there for the live stream and meet Taylor." The next day I thought of a much cooler entry, oh well.
Thursday came and my phone was dead half the day. Even though I felt a gut feeling about it the other day, when Thursday came I didn't think I'd get picked, tried not to get my hopes up. After all the day would probably pass and there would be no phone call. At 5:30 MST I was playing with my kids and I got a call from NY.
"Hi this is .... from Taylor Nation, you have won the Biggest Fan in the Big Apple contest". I was in SHOCK, COMPLETE UTTER SHOCK and was a bundle of nerves for the rest of the night. I won? I told the guy on the phone that I didn't know if I'd be able to go and would have to check on flights.
I couldn't sleep that night I was so excited. I kept thinking of what I wanted to tell Taylor and was so excited for the opportunity. I called Taylor Nation the next day and they didn't answer at first, I hope my spot wasn't given to someone else. Eventually I reached them and confirmed I was going. She gave me all the details, including they were very secret and not to share online at all. I wondered what we were doing for 4 hours, we were meeting at 1:00 and it started at 5:00. Were they going to drive us somewhere? I couldn't tell anyone where I was going and had had plans with people that weekend. I saw some of my friends that weekend from when I lived there. I couldn't tell them anything and felt like a
secret spy. I curled my hair the night before because I had to get up early and went to bed. I had the hardest time sleeping, I was very nervous/excited.
What would I say to Taylor when I met her? I could chat with her for hours, that would be so fun, but I knew it wouldn't likely be the case. What did I most want to say to her? I could ask about her songs, I could tell her I loved her concert, ask about her favorite books, ask about her famous cookie recipe. Since we were supposed to be there the whole day I took the train down to the city and arrived at 9:00am. I had lots of time to think about it. As I walked to the meeting place I saw a mother and daughter with a Taylor shirt. I wanted to ask so bad if they were going to the livestream, but didn't. It was a secret after all.
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| The card I got for Taylor from Papyrus |
I didn't feel like eating, but they told us to eat lunch before hand. I found the hotel where we needed to meet and found a place to eat. Let me tell you, in NYC at lunch time, the uniform to wear is blue shirt and black/khaki/dark blue pants. I wrote my poem on the card during lunch in multicolored pens. I forced my food down my throat. When I finished it as 12:55. I waited around for a few minutes because they told us not to be early. I finally went in 5 minutes past. There was already a very long line. Wow. I was so relived to find out I'd really won, I was a little nervous it was so giant hoax. I made friends with a girl named Gabby in line. It was so good to be able to talk to someone about this. Whew...They were taking people up in groups of 10. I got to the table and they asked me for the password, "Project Hummingbird" I uttered. He checked my very small typed name off the sheet. I was escorted upstairs, by the very cheerful Rita. I asked her what her job was and she couldn't say. She said I'd find out later and that she'd been up since 5:00 am. We went up the elevator, a very nice elevator by the way, and there was another line. This time we gave up all our belongings and they checked our names off another sheet. I asked to bring my card, but they said no. We were wanded to make sure we didn't have anything else on us. They stamped our hands and gave us wristbands. I got group 2.
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I walked into this great room where there were tables with 9 chairs at a table and people seated at them. Taylor's music was playing. Taylor Nation representative 1 greeted me and we chatted for a couple of minutes. She was SOOO nice. I waited for some of my friends I'd made in the hall. We found a table and had fun chatting. By this time I was tired. My insomiatic episodes because of this event had made me exhausted. We wondered what the groups were for and how long we were going to be in the room. After a while a Taylor Nation representative 2 came in the room and told us that
we had been picked out of 5000 people and said she was really excited because most of us had never met Taylor before. Later during the day a Taylor Nation representative told us that Taylor had read all our submissions! (I wondered if she had looked at my blog, probably and she may have read some of your comments readers) There were several gasps and excited faces in the room, mine included. I was going to meet her! We waited and waited and waited some more. After another little while we split into groups and introduced ourselves, where we were from and why we liked Taylor. It was so fun to meet all the people and hear their stories. We danced and sang to Taylor Nation representatives favorite song 22, and Mean. It was so loud and crazy, everyone in the room knew the words! Around 4:00 we took some pictures of the groups and were told we were going to go to the live stream. We were told we had to stay together and were going to walk across a busy street.
Group 1 went first, then we were next and accompanied by mysterious Rita. She told us we were the best group. We walked to the corner of 7th and then turned left to go to the GMA studios. When we got in there were snack boxes filled with; water, coke products, a banana, a nutigrain bar, and Doritos. I could have eaten everything, but chose the water and the nutrigrain bar, to give me the most hydration and energy. We didn't have much time to eat, honestly I wish they would have given those to us while we were waiting up in the hotel. They had us throw everything away, I was sad to waste the food. I was finishing my bar on the ride up. The mysterious Rita then revealed her mystery. She was the talent coordinator for GMA. What an awesome job.
Since we were the second group inside we got to sit up front. We were so excited to be so close to Taylor. The rest of the groups filed in and were strategically placed around the room. They moved people around according to what would look better. The head honchos of ABC and Yahoo were there and greeted us. They told us not to look at the cameras and to "SMILE" all the time because we never knew when the camera would be on us. They also said not to hold back. While we were waiting the crew men were fervently taping down the carpet close to where Taylor would enter. They were very worried about the carpet. They had livestream parties live up on the wall, they didn't know they were being watched, but we were ;)
They told us when the clock on the camera hit 17:00 it was time to go. We actually saw the album cover before it began. I think it was an accident. To calm our nerves one of the girls sitting by me
started an acapella singalong to "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together". The whole room know the song! Before we knew it it was 5:00 and Taylor was on top of the Empire State building (it had to have been prerecorded because we were at GMA and she walked through the door). I was and am amazed how she walks so well in heels. I have such a hard time walking in heels. She sat down and that was that. Taylor Swift was right in front of me. And announcing her new album/single. One of the cool things is I could see her telepromter. She mostly followed it. Then she introduced the album, "1989" saying it would be inspired by the 80's. As a child of the 80's, I grew up on Full House and New Kids on the Block, Paula Abdul etc. It didn't surprise me either because "Sweeter Than Fiction" has a very 80's feel too.
Next it was time to announce the introduce the single. When the "Red" album came out it took me a few listens to really get used to it and love it. I think it's the same with
"Shake It Off". I like it now, but was just surprised with it at the time. I was a little disappointed she didn't perform it for us, but we got to dance with her! She came over by me and we danced together for a while.
After we finished the livestream, btw I thought it was supposed to be 90 minutes but it was only 30, Taylor danced a little more to "Shake It Off".
She said she had more interview to do, but had secured a location for a pizza party and asked if we wanted to go. New York pizza with Taylor? YES! The next interview was GMA. I knew she was going to be on the next day and was wondering how to get tickets, but now I didn't have to worry and wake up early because I had one!
While we were waiting for Amy Robach of Good Morning America, I said, "Taylor I like your shoes". She said, "thanks they are teal". She also asked us if she had made it clear that people could actually buy the single on iTunes. We assured her everyone would know how to get it. Before the interview began Amy told Taylor that it would be edited and look great.
During the interview she called us her A team. She also elaborated more on "Shake It Off" and I appreciated the song more. At the end if the interview Taylor was fun and said things like Its good and it's morning in America. She thought she was silly and rambling, but Amy assured her that's why people liked her so much, she was real.
They told us they wanted a picture of Taylor with the group. Someone said, "you smell so good". She said, "thanks, they put this body butter on me for the cameras". She then went and took pictures with the other groups. As I walked out of the studio to the bus, I saw Mama Swift. I didn't talk to her then because she said she would see us at the next event.
They took roll again. The orange bus with groups 4-6 went first. We turned up Avenue of the Americas and headed north, then we turned left on the next cross street. Our bus driver was amazing. He had to squeeze past a food truck and barely made it. The whole crowd erupted in applause when we finally made it. Taylor Nation representative 2 joked and said they only hire the best. We headed toward Hudson Valley Parkway. We turned on Hudson Valley Parkway and I knew we were headed to Taylor's house. The ride was very beautiful, it follows the river. I chatted with the person I was sitting by, one of the realest conversations of the day. At first we were in awe of what just happened, but then we got talking about our lives and it was relaxing. When we got to Tribeca, I asked, "Are we going to Taylor's place?" and the Taylor Nation Representative 2 said that they had had a lot of options for pizza places and she didn't know. But I think she did. When we got to Taylor's street they said something about construction and we took the other street down.
Then we pulled up to Taylor's penthouse, the bus was crazy with excitement. We went up the stairs she is always photographed at and into her lobby. There was a line on one side of the lobby already and very excited people. Taylor Nation representatives 1 and 2 kept
telling us to be quiet, that we could make as much noise as we wanted once we got up. We were wanded again and told to take the stairs. I realized as I have many times right then that I need to work out more. But that's another story. When we got to the top there was another line. Her body guard was there and warned us of Meredith. "She is feisty", he said. At this point I decided not to pet her cats just to make sure they didn't get nervous. We waited and waited and eventually
heard Taylor's voice. She was greeting everyone as they came in the apartment! While I was waiting to meet Taylor her song came on the radio. It was the first time she was hearing it live. She has speakers throughout her house that she can control in various rooms. I even saw a control in the bathroom. I listened to Taylor talk to other fans without shoes on, she was really at home in her house, and noticed her birdcage in the entry way with one of her grammy's and antiques inside. (There were other birdcages in the penthouse with decorations in them). She told the fans that they could hold her Grammy's otherwise they'd just collect dust (Later a Taylor representative told us not to hold them, but we told them Taylor said it was okay).
As it got to be my turn
I was so nervous and didn't know what I wanted to say. I wish I had the card and could give it to her and then focus on other things, like asking her advice on baking cookies, how she liked New York City (a city I LOVED too), about her songs, her fascination with doors and rain, her favorite Frozen song, decorating tips (cause I don't know how to do it), and jam, (I love making jam/jelly/syrup/juice, marionberry is my absolute favorite!!). I let the person before me go first, and then we actually went together. She told us she liked our outfits. The other person I was with talked with her for a bit and then she said I should tell her about my husband and kids. I told her I had a card for her, but I couldn't bring it. She said her management just needed to check to make sure it was okay. We talked a while longer and I then it was over. I could have talked to her for another hour or so, but so could have everyone else in the room. She said there was pizza and she would see me inside.
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| This is the area I met and said goodbye to Taylor Swift. Where the painting is now is a print of her beautiful grandmother. She said good bye to us in the outer lobby, you can barely see it in the right of the picture. |
I went to the kitchen first and saw Perez Hilton, he had come through while I was waiting in line. He was talking to Tree Paine. At first I thought she was his publicist, but she is really Taylor's. I went to her sitting room, that has a tv, dvds
(Frozen was the in mix), polaroids on the wall, probably about 20 or so, couches, and windows. On the way into this room she has a display that includes Jane Eyre and Alice in Wonderland. Jane Eyre is one of my favorite books! Scott Swift was in there talking to other 89ers about college. He was telling them about his soup can approach, read the material before class and not to be too busy writing everything down that you miss the point of the lecture.
After I finished talking to Scott I went to the bathroom. It smelled lovely, there were two different kinds of soap, a bar soap, kind of oat mealy and some kind of purple, reddish French soap, and
a Le Labo candle. The hallway from the sitting room to the bathroom has black and white prints of Taylor's friends and family. I love black and white prints, they are able to capture emotion so well. There was a white hand towel and the picture of Karlie and Taylor from the Redwoods in a large black and white print on the wall. I headed to the main area of the penthouse afterwards and found the
Don Giovanni Pizza. I forced myself again to eat and folded it in half like a New Yorker. I wandered around the penthouse and was struck by all the antiques and how simple, but elegant the decor was. I had forgotten Taylor's love for antiques. I have been in cluttered houses recently, it was refreshing how uncluttered and clean her house was.
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| The decor is different, but this is the great room and the library where the piano sits. We held the grammy's about the spot where the picture was taken. Notice the beams too, they are original. |
A little while later there was a commotion in the kitchen. I snuck around in the sitting room area. Someone told me to go in the kitchen. I stood by the refrigerator. Taylor was talking to everyone about various things. I couldn't understand everything, but I did hear Taylor say that the beams were original and the building used to be a saw mill. Then someone asked Taylor for a drink and she went to her fridge, opened it for a minute, I saw some cheese and then decided to pull out a drink from a hidden drawer.
Before I knew it, "Shake It Off" was on the radio again, and we were dancing again, and I was dancing by Taylor's refrigerator in her kitchen with her! |
| Notice the amazing stove! There's a grill in the middle. And the cabinets are amazing. The drinks were in here, water, sprite, diet coke, and coke. They were in silver large oval shape metal buckets. I was standing by the drawers. |
After the song was over Taylor asked if we wanted to take some Polaroids. I went to the great room again and waited my turn. I was so excited to meet Stephanie, a lawyer and member of
Swiftcast podcast. We were about the same age. As Taylor took Polaroids with each group we ducked down so we wouldn't be in their photos. As my turn approached I thought ahead and had a question for Taylor. "How many people is the Lucky One about?" I asked as I clutched the Grammy with both hands. She said three. I should have asked, is one of them you? But I didn't. I asked if she would confirm the people if we guessed right. She had some witty comment where she said no, you can keep guessing.
I headed to the kitchen next, people were starting to get in line to leave, and grabbed another water bottle for the long ride home. I stared at this photo Taylor had printed in her kitchen "A cafeteria seating chart of Taylor Swift's BFFs" by Ryan Casey for Vanity Fair,
as well as her flower water colors, and a "Welcome to Tribeca" water color by LD (Lena Dunham), which were on a chalkboard with a snowman that said "Goodbye Winter".
I didn't want to wait in line, but wanted to explore more, why wait when I could explore? I headed to the library where there was a Steinway and Sons grand piano. No one was in the room, so I sat down and played it. I didn't know there was a bathroom in that room or I would have explored that too. I went to the kitchen and looked at her seating chart again, and then looked at the Polaroids again. Then I headed back to the great room. I talked to her radio promoter. He was an older gentleman. I asked him if there would be any slow songs on the album. "All Too Well" was my favorite from her last album. He replied, "Nothing like 'All Too Well' or 'Begin Again', but there are some love songs, they just have energy. I was sad at first, but I could take that. "Love Story" and "You Belong With Me" had energy and I loved them.
Taylor Nation representative 3 said we needed to go. I tried to look at the Polaroids for my picture, but it wasn't developed yet. Reluctantly I got in line. There weren't too many people behind me. Taylor was handing out bags. Her body guard and her dad were also in line. I talked to her body guard for a while and he said that the paparazzi in New York were a lot nicer than the paparazzi in LA. I talked to her dad again and he reminded me of my homework and of the advice he gave me. Then before I knew it, it was my turn to talk to Taylor again. I can't even remember what I said, I hope I said thank you. She handed me the bag and told me to make sure I said hi for her to all my friends I had told her about. Then she said, "see you at the show" as I walked out.
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| Taylor's grandmother, Marjorie Finlay, she was an opera singer. Not this picture, but a different portrait was the last picture I saw leaving the penthouse. |
And then it was done and I was heading down 5 flights of stairs again. I got back on the bus, at the very back. They handed us our bags and I pulled out my card for Taylor. Everyone was so excited to tell people what they had been doing, they all pulled out their phones and were basically on them the whole ride. I handed my card to Taylor Nation representative 2 and she said she would get it to Taylor. I really hope that she got it. I didn't have much time to say goodbye to people because my train was leaving, but managed to say goodbye to a couple people and then raced off for the train.
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| My souveniors from the day. Scott gave us the guitar pics at the livestream. |
What struck me about this experience was how nice and genuine Taylor was. She invited us into her house for goodness sake. I think she definitely gets it from her parents. Her dad was so nice too. What other famous person would have 89 fans over to their house? She greeted us and said goodbye to us while we were there, she grabbed a drink for someone; A perfect hostess. I didn't get to talk to her as much as I could have, and froze a little when I did get my chance, but am so impressed that she did this and that she was so nice to us. It will be an experience that I never forget and makes me an even bigger Taylor Swift fan. Thanks so much Taylor for doing this for all of us!!!
Here's some more links to other stories from the day,
Jennifer,
Tyler,
Nora,
Marie,
Marley,
Shelby,
Katie,
Amber
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