I think I had the best time of my life in all my 27 years!
This weekend (February 7-9, 2009), I headed to Los Angeles to attend the 51st Grammys with Lucy and Brandon. A huge thanks go to Jackie Guerra for scoring these tickets for us! She played Suzette, sister to Jennifer Lopez’s titular role, “Selena.” We also planned on meeting the night before the Grammys in Universal City, but more on that later. Okay, on with the story:
FEBRUARY 7, 2009 – On Saturday morning, my dad took me to SFO airport, and I checked in just in time for my 9:25 am flight. I handed in my suitcase (my Grammys suit was inside), successfully passed security, and waited by the designated gate. Thankfully it was a smooth flight to Los Angeles and no one seated next to me. Because I’m a writer at heart, I took out a pen and paper to keep occupied. One thing you should know is that you’ll ALWAYS see me carry a pen and notepad. They’re my creative tools.
I arrived an hour later. I texted my parents, Lucy, Brandon, and Jackie to let them know I had landed safely. Brandon replied that they were waiting for me by the luggage area. As I was looking for them, Lucy called out to me and we greeted each other. It was just so lovely to see them both again. I just needed my other film buff friend Connor and we’d be complete. I had to wait for my luggage to come out, which took about eight minutes, and I began to worry because I didn’t want the suit for the Grammys to get lost. Finally, a second carrousel started working, and out comes my suitcase. After that, we waited for a taxi, and it took us to our Hotel in downtown Los Angeles at the Wilshire. There was a mix-up when we checked in at the Hotel, and the receipts we had weren’t showing in their system, but it worked out and we settled in.
We decided to have breakfast, so we went to City Grill, a restaurant across from the check-in, and went over our two-day schedule. We would meet up with Jackie Guerra, an aspiring actor friend, Jamie Fishback (from Twitter), network our feature film in the works, and attend the 51st Grammy Awards! We each went back to our own rooms to relax because of jet lag.
I wake up after an hour because I have the strangest sensation that something is missing, and sure enough, the confirmation letter that grants me entry access to the Grammys is missing. I freaked out and called the Hotel’s service for help. I describe to them that the letter is inside a manilla folder and where I remember leaving it last. So, they direct me to the main lobby to talk with security, and I update Lucy and Brandon, who generously helped search for it. Then, after an exhaustive search, I see the manila folder at the front desk and asked who left it there. A friendly security guard had found it, so I wrote a friendly message telling him how I appreciated him finding the access letter because it was very important to me. The manager at the front desk said they’d give him a promotion. Of course, he deserved it! Geez, a few hours in Los Angeles and already into check-in mix-ups and lost documents? What could go wrong next?
After coordinating with Jackie, it was decided to meet up at Universal City Walk (by Universal Studios) at 7:30 pm and eat at Camacho’s (a Mexican restaurant). I let Jamie know about the itinerary, and we went to get ready. After a few hours, we took a taxi and got there first. We waited while the music played, and then Jamie showed up. First time meeting him in person, but he’s a great guy. Then, out of nowhere, Jackie Guerra and her husband Bill* were walking towards us.
I stood up to greet her and gave her a big hug, and she squeezed me, LOL. Bill was behind her and held a massive frame. He turned it around, and it was the “Selena” movie poster with Jackie’s (and the rest of the cast) personal autograph! Jackie had told me earlier that day that she was planning on giving me something “big” and that we’d have to think of a way to ship it, but I never imagined it would be this. Then, because it was an early birthday present, and knew that I liked Justin Timberlake’s music, she handed me a DVD and Golf magazine signed by HIM! I was left speechless and thanked them profusely. After all of this grand introduction, we got to talk, laugh, eat good food and take tons of pictures and videos.
After the grand introduction, we got to talk (movie projects, networking), laugh, eat good food, and take pictures/videos. Jackie also showed us her first written book, which we bought, and she signed them. Before Jamie had to go to his wife, we took one group photo, and then Jackie took us to a quieter place to drink coffee. She let us know about the Grammys, and if there was anything we needed help with, to call her. She and Bill hailed a taxi, and we left our separate ways. P.S: – Oh, I helped install TwitterFon and Shazam on both Jackie and Bill’s phone and they loved it!