Friday, February 19, 2010

American Idol

Yesterday, I got home from work and thanks to the wonders of modern technology, sat down to watch American Idol. One year ago I was doing this same activity with Mom. She is the one who got me hooked on the show years ago and is the best one to share this with. We never missed an episode and we had our own simple way of judging. One thumb. Thumbs up is "great", thumbs down is "awful". But it can also be anywhere in between depending on the performance. I miss this so much, talking to her, laughing with her, seeing her smile, sharing such special times together.

Because of our shared enjoyment of the show, I decided I needed to take Mom to LA and go to American Idol to see the real taping and get to experience to whole process. I had been once before with some friends who had connections, but apparently it is VERY hard to get tickets for just the average Joe. But I persevered and made plans for a trip to Cali.

I contacted an organization called "Dream Foundation". We were in LA before we heard from them and had resolved to just enjoy our time in the sun. But we got a call and about 4 hours before the show we were heading to the CBS studios. We were told that we were only going to get to see the dress rehearsal, but we took our chances. After standing in line for a long time we were finally escorted to our seats. We sat down, the stage manager cames out and gave us some info and then Ryan Seacrest started to walk down the mobile center stairs. Suddenly the stage manager falls from the second story right behind him. Luckily she was not hurt, but it took awhile for the paramedics to get her on the backboard and out the door. As soon as she had left one of the giant revolving ball stage props cames crashing down. Then we were all escorted out for fear that it was going to fall all the way down. That was it, no American Idol rehearsal.

We found our contact outside and begged and pleaded that they might find some seats for us for the real show. More lines ensued but we did it. We made it in. We watched the whole show, I think it was final four. Then we even got to watch the taping of the musical guests for the next night, No Doubt and Paula Abdoul's dance and singing performance. It was an amazing night, and I drove a very tired Mom back to the hotel. I'm still not quite sure who enjoyed the trip more, but it is an amazing, precious memory that I get to be reminded of every time I watch the show!

2 comments:

  1. it's good to hear from you again Shelby!!!! a true American Idol...

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  2. Hi Shelby -- I just happened to check your blog tonight and saw this post from Feb. Guess I'm a bit late. I really enjoyed reading your recap of this lovely memory of special time with your Mom. Of course it made me cry. It is still so hard for me to accept that my friend Teri is no longer living in ABQ. I often pray that I can have even a fraction of the unquestionable faith that she, your Dad and you and Jeremy have. I pray there is a heaven for this is clearly where Scott and Teri must be. I miss her. But I know it can not compare in the slightest to the void that must exist for you. Hugs and love, Sandi

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