Last Tuesday, May 29th, was Seán’s (Jacksepticeye) “How Did We Get Here” show in Detroit, Michigan. I’ve been looking forward to it for weeks – how often does he come to Middle America? It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I got online at 10:00am the day they went on sale and bought VIP tickets. I paid for my parking in advance. I got my outfit together ahead of time too…sort of. I went through a few changes but on the day it all came together.
I woke up early to get my hair done – no way was I sitting front row at Seán’s show lookin’ raggedy. Then I went home and showered to prepare for my day of play. I went downtown early because I wasn’t sure what Seán would be doing or when and I wanted to meet him while he visited my city. Sure, I’d met him already at Pax East – so what?? He was coming to me this time.
I went to the Renaissance Center to get some refreshments since it was so hot and I woke up early. I didn’t stay long because I wanted to be close to the venue, in case they emerged and explored. Sure enough, on my way off the People Mover back to my car I saw them! He and his group were crossing Grand Circus Park and I followed them until I saw them heading into a café. I put my bag with the water and iced coffee in my car, then walked back over to the café to meet Seán.
First, I went up to the counter and ordered an iced tea. He was sitting with everyone and I was intimidated by Tucker, (I think) Brent and Vernon (his girlfriend Signe was with them too and I’d have approached if it was just the two of them, but yeah). I was nervous and sweating because of the heat so I just sipped my tea and mulled over how to get his attention. While I was ordering I thought for a moment I’d caught his eye, but he didn’t make any indication he’d seen me, so I just went back to my business.
I texted a couple of friends but none responded. I screamed the loudest “Fuck!” in my head because out of the corner of my eye I saw the guys get up from the table to leave. That’s when I saw him walking over, a beautiful toothy grin under blue-tinted sunglasses. “HEY!” I grinned like an idiot, hugging him. My sunglasses fell to the ground because of how tight he held me (!!). “You knocked my sunglasses off!” I chuckled, preparing to get off my stool and pick them up. “Oh, I’m so sorry!” Seán said, beating me to it. I asked if he saw me sitting at the counter and he replied, “Yeah, I know my people!”
He enthusiastically showed me the ‘Positive Mental Attitude’ key chain I gave him when we met at Pax East and I squealed, showing him my bracelet that matches it. He asked me if I’d be at the show and I told him not only would I be there, I’d be front row. He said “Good!” I asked if they were heading out and he said yes but he wasn’t sure where they were going. I got tongue-tied again trying to think of a place to suggest, then we took a (gorgeous, if I do say so myself) selfie and he dipped. It was the most surreal moment ever – I barely expected him to recognize me, he’d only seen me in person once.
After more walking around and eating lunch I decided to “que” at the venue (there wasn’t really a line). It was getting late and I didn’t wanna wait too long to get inside. All of us early birds just stood around drinking water and shooting the shit with each other to quell our excitement. After Seán sneaked a short video of us and did an Instagram live video from inside, we were finally let in. My seat was quite snug against the stage and I wasn’t upset about it. I got a glass of Strong Bow and settled in.
I also got to ask a question during the Q&A! When he saw it was me who had the mic he smiled and called me LRookieBiebs, my username. He showed off the key chain and thanked me for coming to his live streams. “You’re welcome,” I said, blushing a little before asking what he expected from a new game called Detroit: Become Human. He told us not much but he’s excited to play it.
The show itself was incredible. No spoilers here – one has to be there to really understand and appreciate it anyway. But if he comes to your area I highly recommend checking it out. It’s not super long, which makes it easier to immerse yourself in the experience! You can get tickets for his next leg late this summer here.
When the show was over I came down from my high – I’d had such a good time that the normal post-concert depression took longer to hit. Nevertheless, I wanted to go out by Seán’s tour bus and see if I could chat with him one more time. Was I being greedy? Probably, but I didn’t care. I was taking full advantage while he was in my city.
We waited for about an hour before Seán came outside, barriers on either side of his bus to keep the crazies at bay. After another ten minutes he got off the bus and met every single one of us. He signed autographs, took pictures, and chatted the night away. I had my car parked in a lot across the street that would close two hours after the show ended and that time limit was closing in – I decided to chance it. I ran back to the car, drove it to a meter spot near where Seán was and got back in line. Luck was on my side again – not only was he still there, but I was last in line. I could take a little more time with him (if he was cool with that) and I wouldn’t take time away from anyone else.
This time I was a little less nervous. “Hey, I saw you in the front row,” he said. “I was peepin’ you every now and then.” Needless to say that line stuck with me. I told him I get tongue-tied and nervous around him…I’m sure that was clear.
I don’t remember much else, other than him thanking me again from coming to his streams all the time. We discussed Detroit: Become Human again, and I mentioned a few of his favorite series from this year. He asked my real name and I finally got to tell him – I won’t be upset if he doesn’t remember, though. I hugged him three more times…I never get enough of it.
Driving home I was on cloud nine but eventually I started missing him. There are plenty of things I didn’t say; as long as we talked I still didn’t get out everything. There are over 19 million of us in Seán’s community so the fact that he can pick me out so easily means more than he knows. It’s clear why he has so much support – he’s really sweet and cares about each one of us. Ask other people who have met him as well. If you haven’t yet, hang in there – he’s waiting to meet you too. In the meantime go out there, seize the world, and have the time of your life.
The LG Blog 