Haha, It's cool to see everyone's different experiences of the event. Guess it's my turn then. ^.~

I got to a late start but thought I'd make it by 6:00 till I hit traffic on Highland. I'm new to LA so really I had no idea how bad it was. Ended up paying $20 for parking in a spot that said $10 max. I think the guy scammed me or something but I was in a hurry so I just paid it.

I was worried I wouldn't be able to find the Sephora but I stumbled upon the Huge line going down the stairs from the store front. It was pretty obvious everyone was there for Utada. Of course the minute I joined the end of the line the security guards started to tell everyone to go away since there was no way we would be getting in.

Seeing as how I had no intention of just walking away after blowing $20 on parking I went up stairs and stood with the crowd of people waiting to see her leave. I don't know about the other people but the two security guys (one was the mall's, the other was in a black suit) were definitely very rude. No one was being noisy or destructive, we were all just waiting and trying to hear/see Utada. Besides, all their shouting did was make people shuffle about.

I ended up sitting on one of those stone benches with the plants in the middle and started talking to this guy. I guess he had done the email RSVP (I had missed that completely) but apparently the guy with the list disappeared. Some girl came out with a list and let a couple girls in so he went over to her. She made him wait so we started talking again. By a crazy stroke of luck, when she came back he told her he had RSVPed for 2 people so she let us both in (this was super nice, he didn't have to do that at all).

When we got in most of the event was over. We got to hear Utada talk about a couple of her songs and answer a few fan questions, but I had a really hard time catching a glimpse of her. It would have been nice if she had been higher up or something. I ended up watching through someone else's raised camera.

Then it got crazy cause the Kiss DJ said Everyone would get to take a picture with Utada. Needless to say just about everyone stood along the wall for about 20 min and maybe 15 people got pictures before she had to leave for her flight to NY. Then we were told we'd all get a picture print or a makeup bag so everyone sorta rushed the doors. It was all so disorganized. It didn't take long for them to run out of whatever was getting handed out and my new friend and I left empty handed.

My impression was that they had no idea they would be getting that many people. I can only hope things will be better prepped for the other events. Really it doesn't take much to have a stack of 500 photos printed to make sure everyone gets one (it would be a nice bonus if Utada signed them but I wouldn't expect that). At least I was able to get in and hear her talk, and I made a new friend. Hopefully next time she's doing a promotion in the area it's better organized.