How did I get to go to the VMAs? Simple. My parents are awesome. They were at a fundraising auction for the MS Society and one of the items up for grab was a two-ticket package to the VMAs in Los Angeles. Knowing me so well, my parents spent their money well and surprised me with this incredible gift. Not only was I going to watch a medley concert of the top artists of the day, but I was getting to reconnect with my California friends. As the VMAs tonight draw closer, I can't help but relive my own trip to the show.
I landed in Los Angeles last year with some extra time on my hands thanks to the time difference. It was 10am PST and I needed an outfit for the show that night. I couldn't help it, nothing I brought seemed chic enough for an awards show. I checked in at my hotel and weaved my way through the swarms of screaming teenage girls camping out all around. Did I forget to mention that One Direction was staying in the same hotel that I was? So yes, I forced my way out of the hotel past the girls just waiting for one of the One Direction boys to come over to them and say "you don't know you're beautiful," and made my way to the mall I used to waste time at while I was in college.
As I sang "Let's go the the Mall" on my way to the Westside Pavillion, it was like it was just waiting for my return. In just two hours, I found trendy black skinny jeans and a sparkling sequin top for some LA flair. I took a note from Elvis and picked up some black suede pumps to spice up the look (ok, not quite blue suede shoes, but these are the girl version) and got a pair of earrings that almost perfectly matched the shirt to finish it all off.
I had my LA look ready, now I just had to get myself up to par. I decided to treat myself and get "Fancy" so I splurged at a local hair salon to get a blowout for the event. Now that I had my nails done, hair done, everything did, I was ready to go.
One of my best friends Joey was my guest for the show and he came to pick me up. We were on our way to the Staples Center! Sort of. I had been gone from California only a short while and already I forgot what traffic on the 405 is like. The fine print on the tickets explicitly stated that if you showed up after a certain time you may not get in. The "Traffic Jam" was making me slightly panicky but sure enough, we made it there not only in time to get to our seats, but to also bump into old friends and grab a drink with them!
 |
| Me and Joey: VMAs 2012 |
I spent so much time anticipating and preparing for the show and it was over in the blink of an eye. It was a diva-filled show with Rihanna, Pink, Alicia Keys and Taylor Swift all performing and it was incredible to see the music royalty of Hollywood gathered in one place for the evening. There may not have been an infamous incident to occur last year as per what usually happens at the VMAs, but it was still a night to remember.
After the show, Joey and I hit the town getting dinner and bar-hopping in Hollywood, and I spent the following day catching up with other friends before I had to catch my flight back to DC. As I said goodbye to everyone, they asked me when I was coming back and while I miss my friends on the golden coast, I honestly said I'm "leaving on a jet plane," don't know when I'll be back again. Getting to visit LA and see the VMAs live was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I wish I could be in Brooklyn for the show tonight.
It's "no sleep 'till Brooklyn" as I wait today to watch the show, this year from my couch. Even though the performers won't be able to hear my "applause" through the TV, I'll be watching with the same vigor I always do, this year crossing my fingers that N*SYNC makes the reunion they are rumored to, and teach these new boy bands a thing or two about "Pop" music.
No comments:
Post a Comment