Training Exercise #1

Well, I guess we could call it training for the big move. Even though it was a school night, a group of friends and I went to see Mexican music sensation (!) Julieta Venegas in concert. Okay, maybe 'sensation' is overstating it. But you know, I did think it would have been more crowded. I had the impression that she was a big star, but maybe not--I looked at her web site, and she's playing small clubs all over the U.S. Maybe just not a big star here.

Either way, it was pretty fun. We sprung for the VIP tickets, and so we didn't have to wait in line, and we got to sit in the barricaded-off front section, complete with tables and a blond waitress to bring us beverages. The masses were behind us, standing. I wonder if I should insert something about economics and class system in action here? Nah. I'll stick it to The Man later. (maybe I AM the man...oh, well).

But the show was great. Julieta sang her hits, some new stuff, and some old stuff. On key most of the time (am I the only one who's noticed some pitch problems in live shows?) The crowd was happy. They were so happy, in fact, that they stood in front of me taking photos until I asked them to move. I politely blew smoke on them first, though. No one got the hint.

During one of the encores (Sin Documentos), an Argentinian chick asked if it was okay if she stood in front of me for this song, because it was an Argentinian song. I didn't know before, but I think Sin Documentos is a cover. Some preliminary investigation revealed this video, which appears to predate Julieta by quite a while. I'm sure I could learn more if I tried, but I'm just too lazy.

AND, the poor guy beside me. He'd printed out his favorite JV photos, and had his Sharpie all set to go, and then when Julieta finished singing, he rushed the stage to beg an autograph. He was the only one! There wasn't a mad crush or anything. No one had to pull passed-out sweaty teenagers over the barricades. But she didn't sign it. She took flowers from someone else, but didn't even bend down to acknowledge the guy. He was disappointed, to say the least. But...I think he had snuck into the VIP area.

Maybe I should've used my cred to get it for him. It's the least I could do, being a VIP and all...