The Final Recap

I wish I could say I kept my cool, but I really didn't so I'll just admit to you that when I saw U2 walk by our booth, I almost hid my head and cried. I was about an hour late to my shift at Staples Center, and wrapping up things in the office. Try getting into the Staples Center during Grammy season and risk bad traffic, bad parking and the likelihood of being plucked out like a bad weed - the place is a fortress. Thankfully, I was staff - see this pass? I'm all access, man. As I walked in, I heard the music of U2 flood my ears. Unmistakably, it was "One." The auditorium was practically empty and the house band was doing a run-through of the music. My coworker came up and met me, and I said giddily, "They're playing one." She said, "Bono kissed my hand." I hugged her and said, "I hate you!" I was late to my shift and paid dearly for it. Indeed, she asked Bono to sign our charity auction items and before she could even finish her plea, he had her at hello. Damn. It.

The band passed by several more times and with each sighting they muttered hello's and Adam told me I was doing a good job. Edge came by several times, with his family no less, and congratulated us for garnering more signatures - and hopefully, higher bidding prices. And now for the fourth member, Larry. I was rudely turned down by his talent escort, but during a pit stop that the Edge made with his daughter (whereupon she revealed to me that she also plays guitar - yup, they start 'em young!), we got his signature. Bruce S. by as well as Mraz who I led through the signings process. And then the now Best New Artist happily signed all our items. At about 8 PM, I called it a night, and then of course Paul McCartney came by. Damn.

There's more to this low down, but I'll keep it for the face to face interaction. We're talking about high profile celebs here, you know. It ain't no d-list honey!

As for the show itself, what can I say about seeing Coldplay, Madonna, Mariah Carey and Gwen Stefani in one place? Not enough. It was at times fun, funny and inspiring too.

On to the less exciting news was what we wore on the Heinken green carpet. Isn't C so the man of the hour?



He sported a beautiful, velvet pinstriped Calvin Klein blazer with a french cuffed shirt. Check out that Sean John tie. Bling bling.



And here's me in my Bakti dress from Bloomingdale's. I loved it - it felt like it was made for me.



And for those of you who revel in our significant high difference:



Phew! It's over! All the hard work paid off. Thanks for reading!