From Denver to DC!

October 5th 2007 was the day Jennifer Lopez read the above sign in Washington DC.  On her first tour and just 4 months after seeing her in LA, I made the trip from Denver to DC.  Not only was I thrilled to see Jennifer perform on her first tour, I was determined for her to read the sign.  When the tour was announced I began looking up all cities that were planned for the tour.  The deciding factor was how close I could get.  After looking up Florida, Texas, Las Vegas and many other cities, I found Washington DC.  I searched and searched and had come up with floor seats sections 6 or 7.  These seats were in the back of the floor.  When I looked up DC, I found section 1, row N.  After viewing the seating chart, I realized that was row 14!  Click and purchase!  I was off to DC!

Having been to Washington DC in June of 2007 for the National Healthcare for the Homeless Conference for work, I felt familiar with the city and booked a hotel close to the Verizon Center.  When I left DC in June, I told myself I would visit again.  I didn't think I would be returning so soon and to JLO!  Since I was making the trip from Denver, I had to be sure to represent Denver to the fullest.  I made the sign and it got lots of attention.  I also had to let everyone in DC know that I was the biggest Jennifer Lopez fan from Denver.  I had a shirt airbrushed with a photo from her Brave album.  I also had Hollywood Barbers hook me up with a JLO fade.

The concert was greater than I ever imagined.  Jennifer even though she was pregnant at the time, danced and sang her heart out.  She performed old songs, new ones, and also Spanish songs.  My seats were outrageous!  Due to the extension of the stage when Jennifer walked down the T shaped extension, she came closer and closer.  Even though I was in row 14, there were moments in the show Jennifer was just 10 feet away!  I took tons of photos and a handful of videos.  I had to take two cameras with me because I knew I would need more than one battery to get all the footage!  Along with the video below, I have posted others of Jennifer on my YouTube Channel.  Check em out!

My favorite part of the show was when Jennifer read my sign.  I must say I was determined for her to notice me yet again.  As I sit here and reminisce about this concert 5 years ago, I anticipate the greatness that will be when I see her in a few days!  From Denver yet again to see Jennifer Lopez!  I am eager to see her now, five years later and the best she has ever been.  Her first world tour.  After touring South America in June, she is now on the US leg of the tour with Enrique Iglesias.  Latinos Stand UP!  The months turned to weeks and now just days away.  I am ready to leave Denver and head to a new city to continue the chapters in my JLO Love Story. Next blog post will be after the concert!  Stay Tuned.

   My sign is visible in these clips I found courtesy of nickclark21. 

http://youtu.be/fYi7xT3HDlk                           http://youtu.be/f45YzW6GDfI              http://youtu.be/g6S3gblkvjE

From Denver to LA!

The date was June 2nd, 2007, when I experienced J.Lo live in front of my eyes singing and dancing.  Three months after her first Spanish album, "Como Ama Una Mujer," was released, she was performing in Irvine, California with the Reventon Super Estrella Concert.  To me, it's a Spanish Summer Jam.  The top artist at the time coming together for an all star line up.  In Denver we have this every June with "Today's Hottest Hip Hop and R&B," as KS 107.5 claims.

Since my 24th birthday in 2007, I had planned to see Jennifer in concert.  With a Spanish album out and new English to follow 6 months later, I had my mind set that I would be traveling to see her somewhere.  After I heard about Reventon Super Estrella, I scrambled to get tickets and book a flight.  Since I would be in the LA area, I decided to also visit Madre's, Jennifer's Latin Restaurant that once was in Pasadena, California.  I am still saddened that it closed.

When it came time to book my flight to Los Angeles, I had to arrive on day earlier than the concert in order to visit Madre's.  Upon my arrival into LAX, I picked up my rental car, and headed to Hollywood to check into the Renaissance Hotel located on Hollywood and Highland.  I would only spend one night in Hollywood as the concert was in Irvine and required another hotel reservation closer to the venue.  Madre's was super delicious and so comfortable.  I did feel like I was at my grama's house.  All the candles on the tables, the fresh flowers and the table cloths so reminisent of the "mantels," my madre always had on our table growing up.  The ropa vieja was so spicy and full of flavor and the arroz con leche was second best to that of my abuelitas from Mexico.  I'm thankful I got the chance to experience Madre's first hand.  Now it was concert time!

After driving from Hollywood to Irvine, I checked into the Marriott.  For my whole life, I've stayed in Marriott hotels when traveling, thanks dad.  In order to not miss J.Lo I called the Verizon Amphitheatre to get the line-up schedule.  I made sure to arrive thirty minutes before Jennifer was scheduled to take the stage.  The parking was outrageous and the amount of stairs I had to climb to get to my nose bleed seats was something similar to a five mile hike up the Rocky Mountains.  Being my first concert to see J.Lo, I made the exception to purchase nose bleed seats.  Never again would I experience her live from so far.  Up close and personal is the way A.RO rolls for J.LO!

Jennifer took the stage and performed a four song set featuring the classic, "Waiting for Tonight."  The above video is courtesy of JadoreDior on YouTube who was in attendance also and had a closer view than I did.  My personal footage is below.  Click the links to get my perspective of La Lopez.  Little did I know that after this trip to Los Angeles, Jennifer would announce a tour with Marc Anthony in support of the release of her, "Brave," album.  Seeing Jennifer live twice in a year?  It was 2005 all over again for me.  Only this time she would be singing and dancing her heart out live in front of my eyes!!!  The live experience is unlike no other.  The videos, the radio play, cannot compare to seeing it all live!  Being in the same vicinity, feeling the energy, the heat, the vibes of J.LO is unreal!  My J.LO Love Story continues, stay tuned for Chapter 4!

http://youtu.be/zhvLF_Lc65M

                                                   http://youtu.be/65KHmhnA0tI

                                                                                                              http://youtu.be/ycbEJG5uT3c

From Denver to Chicago!

It was a sunny day in September 2005 when I arrived in Chicago for the World of JLO Shop opening and fashion show being held during Chicago's Fashion Week. Just 6 months prior I flew to NYC to meet J.Lo! When I returned to Denver I started extensive research and found tickets were being sold for a charity fashion show being held at Marshall Field's in downtown Chicago. "An Evening with Jennifer Lopez," included a cocktail reception before a fashion show of Sweetface and J.LO lines, and a private shopping after party. How lucky was I going to be to get to see Jennifer twice in the same year? I had to be there.

Fashion show tickets? Check! Flight into the Chicago airport closest to downtown?  Check! I was unable to find a hotel within walking distance to Marshall Field's and instead decided to stay in the Chicago Suburbs, 40 minutes from the city. Marriott was gracious enough to provide limo transportation from the airport. Upon my entry into the limo, I browsed the local newspaper and found this souvenir. Jennifer was going to be at the store for an opening going down just hours before the fashion show, which was also open to the public. While staying in the burbs, I traveled downtown by train and made it just in time for the show. Hurrying through crowds, elevators and running up stairs to get to the 6th floor of Marshall Field's and getting seated just minutes before showtime.... it was meant to be.

As I was seated in the first row close to what was the exit of the show, I reached down and scooped up a handful of Swarovski crystals that covered the H shaped runway. The lights dimmed and the music started. A screen flashed images of "JLO Story," which was featured in the Sweetface NYC Fashion Week Show and also shown on the MTV Special, "Beyond the Runway." The models worked the runway as they walked past each other as they turned corners and posed. Those who were not hypnotized by the models looks, the sexy chic garments or the rocking of some hips, could easily follow along in the booklet we were given that listed all garments and a place for notes. After the finale walk, Jennifer came out and made a cameo on the runway. That moment along with others from the show I was sure to capture. Video below.

After the fashion show, all guests were instructed to head downstairs for the shopping after party. Everyone had first pick at all things JLO in the exclusive World of J.Lo Store. The store featured numerous clothing pieces, including shoes and hats, watches, sunglasses,and handbags. As I made my way from rack to rack, table to table and display to display, I was generously offered various delicious decorated bite size cupcakes of pure goodness. All had JLO on them. Wait staff offered dessert treats and Jennifer martini bottled cocktails to me as I tried on sunglasses and the DJ played classic dance jams like "Waiting for Tonight."

Before I made my exit out of the now Macy's, then Marshall Field's on State Street, I was given a J.Lo bag. Inside a free bottle of Live Perfume. With this in hand, I walked back to Union Station to hop the train back to the Marriott in the burbs. I had to nap on the way back. I just didn't have 45 minutes in me. I was on E, but had an amazing time! Chicago is a large city. One day I will make it back. The next day, I left Chi-Town and had already started thinking about what event I would attend next. As I sit here typing this it gets closer and closer to Jennifer's birthday. Happy Birthday Jennifer!!! A.RO LOVE!S JLO!! Flying from Denver CO to see you in concert for the third time in just under two weeks!  We will Dance Again!  My J.LO Love Story continues.

From Denver to NYC!

It was March 1st 2005 when I arrived in New York City.  The moment I never thought would happen was going down in just some hours.  I had arrived a day later than expected due to a massive snow storm in Texas, where I happened to have a lay over the day prior.  The fact that I had to check in to my hotel located blocks from Times Square and rapidly make myself presentable for Jennifer Lopez had butterflies in my stomach and stars in my eyes.  All this was made possible due to MTV and Epic Records.  

 In January 2005 MTV launched the Get Right with Jennifer Lopez contest online.  Grand prize winner got flight and hotel accommodations and VIP Access to her in-store album signing in Times Square.  When I saw this on MTV I immediately made my way to sign up.  Reading the fine print details of the rules and regulations, I found out a person may enter once a day.  I knew I had to increase my chances and commit myself to finding access to a computer to sign up every day.  I had already started to plan my trip to NYC and had purchased a flight and had a hotel room on reserve.  I planned to arrive in NYC two days prior to the in store and sleep in line, just to meet Jennifer.  My love for her was already 8 years deep at this point.  On February 16th I got a call from Winnie at Epic Records informing me I had won the contest.  My brothers and I will always laugh about this because the whole two weeks that I voted everyday, going to visit  relatives just to use the internet,  Baltazar always said, "You're not gonna win anyway, I don't know why you're voting everyday?"  And just like that, I did! In that moment I realized the impossible IS possible.  

The sacrifice I was prepared to make, and still would make, no longer had to be endured.  I was going to meet Jennifer Lopez and have VIP access.  I would not be one of the hundreds of people lined up outside of the store.  Instead after changing and putting on my custom made J.LO shirt and jacket, I made my way down the narrow and crowded streets of NYC to the Virgin Mega Store located in Times Square.  I walked right in and straight downstairs thanks to the VIP lanyard that was waiting for me at the Paramount Hotel courtesy of Epic Records.  I was also lucky to get all of her albums, which are currently still in their original packaging.  Of course any true J.LO fan would already have the albums, as well as the import singles, remix singles, DVD's, a few J.Lo bags, a wallet, some watches and countless magazines.  Or is that just me?

I was instructed to wait in a private section located just at the bottom of the escalator, in front of the table that Jennifer Lopez would soon be sitting at.  This section was blocked off by steel barricades from the general public.  They waited a few hundred feet back.  As we waited I begin to feel faint, light headed, and anxiety.  Then within 20 minutes Jennifer made her way down the escalator and the crowd erupted in applause and cheer.  She made her way behind a white curtain and emerged a few minutes later.  She then posed for pictures and did a few interviews for Z100, Univision and numerous other media reps that were present.  After she spoke about the album, she took her seat at a table topped with different colors of Sharpies and Evian water with a straw. I was about to meet La Lopez!

As Jennifer sat at the table, the fans were instructed when to approach her, handing the CD to her body guard who gave each a quick once over before giving it to Jennifer.  The line seemed to be moving fast and I started to feel a weird combination of extreme joy and panic.  I could feel the tears building up as the close to 30 people in front of me was now down to 10.  I took a few deep breaths and thought to myself, "You won this.   You deserve this.  Make it memorable."  As I was now next in line waiting to take those last 5 steps before standing right in front of Jennifer, I was speechless.  I was in awe and could not find the words to express my emotions.  Jennifer surprised me when she smiled and said, "Thanks for coming down and supporting the album, I appreciate it."  My response was, "I love you soooo much.  I won a contest to meet you and came from Denver.  You are amazing.  I love you."  As I spoke Jennifer's eyes were locked in mine as if she could see my soul.  She then asked, "What's your name?"  Oh my GOD! She wants to know me! My last words to her were of course, "Thank you so much and I love you."

As I was ushered onto the elevator by the tons of security guards, I looked down to see Jennifer rapidly signing all her fans CD's with the message With Love, Jennifer Lopez.  I had her personally ask me what my name was.  I had caught her interest and that changed me forever.  Not only had I just met someone I have admired for years, but she was nothing but sincere and sweet.  I knew this was not the last trip I would take to see Jennifer.  The admiration and borderline obsession at times was now personal.  This is just the first chapter in my J.LO Love Story.