Signing?

[tragicomix]

Did anybody manage to get an autograph of LC after the concert so far???

[howthelightgetsin]

Heres my story from The Big Chill(also in that thread sorry for repeat post for anyone who has read it before)

Here are some of my pics on my flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/takenby1
and
http://www.myspace.com/takenbyaymi
I may put on more soon... the ones on there are my favourites.

I'm a music photographer and did everything I could to get a pass for this weekend to see Leonard. I dreamt about blagging it backstage and printed off my favourite lyrics of his - then after packing them felt sure I jinxed meeting him.

On the Saturday someone pulled off my photographer's pass as I squeezed through the Mighty Boosh crowd - I was heartbroken - what if I now couldn't get into the pit and take some of Leoanrd The press people had no more and none on the Sunday then they gave me a diff pass - turned out it got me backstage... another photographer said... 'you wanna meet him go back there' well I did...

I was nervous - saw he was in a blue and white marquee and asked if any chance of meeting him and told no - so walked over to grass bit and had a cig and try to look relaxed... then noticed the cabin next to me said 'LC Dressing Room' and then he was there with 2 guys and I shook his hand, he signed my lyrics - I was shaking(so annoying and embarrassing when trying to act cool) so made a joke of it and said 'god im shaking how annoying# and he said 'dont shake sweetheart' and smiled then chatted to me about being a Virgo(as I am too) and other things like the tour and buddhism. I'll never forget it - ever! Thanks to whoever nicked my photo pass on the Sat - fate meant I got in. I'm still in shock now when I think about it all, but so happy too After a girl called Sunny I met in the photo area had travelled all the way from New Orleans to see him and so I swapped passes with her and she met him too and got a photo(I should have but was shaking so much and my camera was heavy I thought I'd drop it! lol! Anyone else I wouldn't mind but hes an idol of mine - I wish I'd got a portrait shot damn!) and he signed her notebook too.

Thanks Leonard for being such a gentleman and a pleasure to meet. Your music is a beautiful gift.

Just bought my O2 14th Nov ticket and can't wait! That'll be twice at the O2 and Big Chill. I'm gonna try for a photo pass for the O2 but bought a ticket because I can't not go!

Here is a pic of the autograph http://www.flickr.com/photos/takenby2/2743408631/

[confetti]

excellent story Amy and amazing quality photos.

[maurice]

Great story!

[howthelightgetsin]

Ah thanks guys I'm still in shock now it happened and so grateful it did

[prendio2]

I went to each of the three concerts when Leonard was in Dublin in June. I spent the Sunday out around town because it was such a beautiful day (before the third concert, during which it rained in the end) and carried the Book of Longing with me all day in case I would happen to bump into him.. obviously enough, I didn't.

But I heard a rumour that night that he was staying at the Gresham. I decided to head up there the next morning in the hope that I would be lucky enough to meet him there.

I was hungover and really tired on Monday morning but I told myself I'd regret it if I didn't try so I went off up to the Gresham and sat in the lobby with that morning's Guardian and the Book of Longing.

And luckily enough within about 15/20 minutes Leonard arrived into the Lobby, dressed as smartly as always, wrapped up warm to head out for a walk about town. I approached him on the steps outside the hotel, tapped him on the shoulder and said "Excuse me Leonard."

I was hopelessly nervous which was very obvious I imagine. I said I just wanted to thank him for the past three nights, and that it was a privilege to have seen him in concert. He responded that the privilege was all theirs. Gesturing with my book I explained that I'd been carrying it around in the hope that I might meet him and would he mind signing it. He replied "of course", took the book, but instead of the pen I was offering, took his own (much nicer) pen from his jacket and proceeded to write in the book. He asked my name, Oisin, and inevitably the spelling of it, and I found it very hard to believe that I was telling Leonard Cohen how to spell my name.

As he carefully inscribed the book I asked a few small questions about the tour, life on the road, the hotel, where he was going next, and he answered that it was good to be on the road again, that he had stayed in that hotel on a previous visit also, and that he would be going to Manchester next.

He handed the book back, I thanked him, we shook hands I wished him good luck with the rest of the tour.

I felt an odd mix of emotions that day.. delighted to have met him, chatted a little and that he signed my book.. and a curious embarrassment, that I had gone to such lengths as to wait outside his hotel, that I had been so nervous and clumsy, and that I hadn't been more relaxed, open and engaging in conversation.

As time goes by the embarrassed emotions fade and I am left just with the delight of having briefly met Leonard and completing my Book of Longing.

See http://bit.ly/bookoflonging

[howthelightgetsin]

Great story I understand your mix of emotions I had them too. Now I'm just thankful that it happened