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HANLEIA APPRECIATION WEEK: DAY 3 ♛ My Experience Meeting Carrie Fisher and My Love Note to Her:

I thought on Carrie and Harrison appreciation day (i will do one special thing for Harrison Later) I thought I would once again post my pic with Carrie and share my story of that precious time I got to spend with her

When I found out I was meeting her that June at NYCC, I was over the moon. When I got into Star Wars again in 2015 I learned about Carrie and her struggles and related to her in many ways. Ironically the week before I was talking to a friend about what I would do when I met her, low and behold. Just as I promised I got to work finishing the first Installment my Legendary Heroine Verse and publishing a copy for her as a gift.

I was honestly really nervous to meet Carrie cause when I met Ming Na in 2014 I was flabbergasted and had no idea what to say and I was afraid that was going to happen with Carrie. So for the week leading up to New York Comic Con I practiced.

The day comes and already the line was building to meet her so I split with my friends and waited two hours for her to arrive. Seriously it was worth it.

Obviously one of the things that stood out when she finally came she brought out a can of coke and placed it in a wine glass. And I am already like Legend. Anyway I waited about another 30 minutes and finally it's my turn.

First off my friend and I brought Gary a Toy so I gave it to him first (as much as Gary was adorable this was about Carrie today). Carrie was cute calling out for Gary to take the toy so that is one of the things I think about when I wanna remember Carrie and Smile. And then I gave her a published copy of A Brand New Hope.

I basically explained to her why I wrote it how much she meant to me and how she helped me overcome my mental illness and this how the convo went down (obviously this probably not verbatim but it's the gist):

Carrie: so what do you have Bipolar like me?

Me: No I have a General anxiety Disorder I tend to get panic attacks and get nervous in stressful and crowded situations.

Carrie: Oh yes I have bad anxiety. I couldn’t sleep last night cause I was flying to New York and I always get bad anxiety when I am flying.

(Note: that is the only unpleasent part cause when I think about it it was an ominous warning of what was going yo happen but as this is a happy story when I get upset I remember the rest of the convo and the mere fact I am TALKING AND RELATING TO MY FAVORITE CELEB OVER SOMETHING THAT PLAGUED ME SINCE CHILDHOOD WHEN HAS YOUR FAV EVER!)

Me: Ugh Yeah I hate flying I was terrified to visit my friend in Arizona, but I get more scared of crowds cause Im totally afraid of strangers touching me and my Claustrophobia.

(( At this point Carrie assumed and she was right I was stressing out at being at this big Con ))

Carrie: Well I admire you then, the fact you came here to visit me in this big crowd is incredible and you should be proud of yourself.

For the 24+ years I suffered this horrible illness I had people scoff off my disorder and said they were proud of me for other things, but for the first time someone, someone I looked up to for that matter, told me how proud they were of me for living my life with this. Something changed with me that day and I could already feel a comfort I never felt before.

Of course the conversation couldnt last forever I wish it did cause it was so life changing. But Carrie drenched me in glitter which was in my hair for the next two weeks no joke and I told her Id see her later at the photo op. I did get a bonus surprise as I was leaving Carrie’s assistant called me. I thought I left something but nope it was better. Carrie wanted me to make sure I saw Gary playing with the toy u brought him and so I was briefly brought to the back to see Gary happy squeezing the hell out of his toy it was a sweet moment.

I got to meet Carrie two more times that weekend. I think the third time when I gave her a coke and a Han Solo Pop Funko was probably an extra blessing which I was so grateful for.

When Carrie died two months later I remember being so Angry with God cause I prayed for her recovery but she still took her from us. But I forgave God as a Conservative Jew I believe God puts people in our life even so briefly for a reason. And the reason was clear to me.

I kept telling people up until that day I was comfortable with my disorder, with elders putting me down about it I really wasn’t. I needed a guide someone to tell me it's okay, you are wonderful and strong.

Carrie was it. Thanks to her and that encounter, I am starting to not hate myself when I have panic attacks. There are still times I do but then I remind myself of that statement and I am like Nor it's normal it's okay to have breakdowns youll be okay soon. If it wasnt for Carrie when I had my anxiety spike I would have been ashamed to get help. From that total of five minutes I talked to she taught me to love myself even with my flaws. And being part of that legacy she leaves honestly keeps her more alive than ever. Even in Death I seek comfort in the presence I feel when I am at my worst.

So on this day where appreciate the two wonderful actors that brought our favorite couple to life… Thank you Carrie. Thank you for giving me the courage what took me so long to do…..love myself.

#hlweek #carrie fisher #star wars cast #thank you carrie #always alive #always always always #nor speaks

*Pre-Release Exclusive!*-”Always Alive” by Sempervivi (Lexington,KY)/Indie Rock/Release Apr 8th 2017

Hailing from the city of Lexington in the center of Kentucky, Sempervivi is the brain child of singer-songwriter Derek Price who’s been a member of other notable area bands such as Stellar Kin and Analog Apostles. Price began Sempervivi in 2015 as a solo acoustic project and took influence from bands such as Saves The Day and The Get Up Kids. Coming soon on April 8th, Price is releasing his second EP of his Semperivivi project titled Always Alive via Bad Apple Records and follows his 2015 debut EP Artifacts.

The most notable change with Always Alive compared to Sempervivi’s first EP is the addition of a full electric band featuring experienced players from Lexington’s rich music scene. This provides the upcoming release a great deal more energy than the mellow acoustics of Artifacts. Rooted in guitar-centric indie rock, the record has a nostalgic 90s feel to it and contains relatable lyrics centered around themes such as love and family. Songs such as “So Close” and “ADHDAD” provide an adept display for dynamic songwriting and catchy riffs and “My Lullaby”, which was featured in acoustic form on the previous release, is displayed in full band form on this record and given new life. The upbeat percussion and lyrical positivity gives the tracks an upbeat and light-hearted feel and maintains the same focus on songwriting the project’s previous release displayed.

Always Alive hearkens back to the pop friendly, singer-songwriter indie rock of a bygone decade and pays homage to that era beautifully. The head nodding and catchy compositions can easily become favorites of alternative rock fans anywhere. Sempervivi will be performing a CD release show for Always Alive on April 8th at Al’s Bar in Lexington, KY alongside Home Grown Head, Ezra, and Wesley Saylor.

-Donte M

Favorite Track: “So Close”

For Fans Of: Dinosaur Jr.,Counting Crows, Dave Matthews Band, Indie Rock, Alternative Rock

Artist Links: sempervivi.com, Facebook, Twitter