Crrrrrruising in the PFCV

Rockapella in Las Vegas: Day 1

Clark County Amphitheatre

Saturday, September 13, 2008

KP and I got up, stopped off at Winchell's for our breakfasts-to-go, and drove over to the Ontario Airport. On our flight to Vegas, we sat next to a woman whom I accidentally bumped while she was putting on her make-up. Thank goodness I didn't bump her very hard, and she didn't appear to have a huge line of eyeliner on her face afterward. She was actually very friendly, and I learned a lot about Lady Di (she was named after Princess Diana, but pronounces it like "Dee"). I really liked her story, so I need to tell it here.

Lady Di is from Columbia, and when she graduated from high school, she didn't know any English, but wanted to come to America to study communications. She ended up learning English while working at KFC, and one of the customers, also Columbian, befriended her, and helped her with her English. Then this wonderful woman, whom is an alumnus of USC and has kids there, somehow got Lady Di into their business program. LD met the woman's son during all of this, and now she's a hockey fan because he's a hockey player, and they've been together for a couple of years. The boyfriend had just called her at 2am and asked her to join him in Vegas, where he was staying with his teammates for a game. LD was rightfully quite thankful to the other woman, and I was amazed at how wonderful she was for everything she did. Sure, she might have been trying to find a nice girl for her son, but she really did a lot for her. I love knowing that there are people like this in the world.

So back to the main characters of my tale....

KP and I said our goodbyes to LD, checked out the cute musicians at the baggage claim (they had been on our flight, all dressed alike and carrying instruments), and made our way to the car rental center. Alamo allows you to choose your own car in your price range, and we simultaneously saw a pretty baby blue PT Cruiser. A couple of people were walking in that direction, and we silently were saying to ourselves, "Don't take our car," and it apparently worked, because they then walked to a different one. I said to KP, "The PT Cruiser?" She said, "Yeah!" and we happily took the car. The car rental guy was trying to tell us about other cars in the row, but I asked if we could take the Cruiser, and he said yes, so we were even happier.

Happy Sherry in the Prettiest Frickin' Car in Vegas

We had plenty of time to kill before checking in to our resort, so we drove to the amphitheatre to scope it out. KP called Liz on the way, and as I kept yelling about the pretty car, I also added that it was so cool that we were driving a gangster car in Vegas. (The Bugsy Malone era, not the current era). There was some road construction going on, so I pissed off the GPS and turned around a few times. It didn't matter, because I was just way too happy to be in our beautiful car. We then found a California Pizza Kitchen and had our lunch there. KP especially enjoyed her Peach flavored Arnold Palmer, which had been suggested by the server. Jenn's plane had landed while we were there, so she met up with us afterward, marveled over our beautiful car (she almost got a silver one herself), and went to her parents' house for a short visit. When we got to their house, Jenn saw Filipino food and immediately gave our pizza leftovers to her parents to enjoy later so that she could eat pancit and adobo. KP and I watched "Kindergarten Cop" while petting Barney the dog. After Jenn gave us a tour of the house, we went to Fresh 'n Easy to get snacks for our picnic. Jenn and I really liked the place, (KP already goes to one a lot), and we bought grapes, stuff for Jenn's baked brie, and utensils.

We then went to Cancun Resort for check-in. My parents have a timeshare with the Monarch company, so they offered to let us stay there. As the name implies, the center of the resort, which is the recreation area, had an Aztec pyramid with a cool waterslide down into the beautifully blue pool. We were very happy to see that our room had the pool view. Jenn and I stayed in the master bedroom, which had a huge bathroom with a jacuzzi tub, two sinks, and a bench! The amenities were from the Toracco brand, which we had tried already at the Sienna in Reno, so I was a happy girl. KP stayed in the living room on the pullout bed. There was also a bathroom attached to the living room, so we all had our own sinks. That was cool. The kitchen was well-supplied with utensils and dishwashing stuff. We also had a nice dining area. My dad called while we were checking around, and we all yelled our excited thank you's to him.

Jenn proceeded to make her Brie En Croute while I took a shower. After I had turned off the water, I heard a scream from the kitchen. Apparently, due to the fact that the only baking pan available was too big, the brie spread out instead of just baking as one piece. Ergo "Jenn's Brien En Croute Taste Explosion." After we calmed her down, Jenn started to get ready, and I told her that I felt like she was a sister to me since we've known each other so long and are comfortable telling each other practically everything. I invited our other sister for the weekend to sit with us while we got ready. KP's always the quickest dresser, so she sat on our bathroom bench and said, "Sherry, one of my shoes is longer than the other!" So there I was, kneeling on the bathroom tile, lining up the back of her shoes with the grout line to prove to her that they were, indeed, the same length. (One of the tops of the shoes was a little longer than the other, though). Hey, I never said that the shoes would be perfect.

We drove to the amphitheatre (in the Prettiest Frickin' Car in Vegas), and saw that other people had already arrived. I refrained from running and we still obtained space on the grass directly in front of the stage. Had those steps not been there, we would have been closer to the guys. I was told that only PortaPotties were available, so I decided that I'd probably be going across the way to the Premium Outlets to buy something just to use a civilized restroom. Later on, though, they announced that there were restrooms in the Pyramid, so I was happy. KP saw Fred and he said that the guys had yet to arrive for sound check. Cindy arrived soon afterward. She questioned whether or not we had enough space with just her towel and our two blankets, which turned into a conversation of people thinking 4 people could watch Fantasmic on one beach towel but only if they're Smurfs, and a Durango fitting 7 people, but that would only count if some of them were midgets. I asked "What is a 'Midget Smurf'?" Ooh, wouldn't one of those have looked CUTE in the PFCV? OK, don't agree with me. Look at these cuties instead:

Sher, KP,Pocky Bag and uneven shoes

Sher and Chef Jenn

I actually have a nice picture of the other cutie, but she doesn't post her actual picture anywhere so I'm respecting her privacy, but trust me, it's a nice picture of the two of us.

The guys arrived for sound check, and we were happy. Jeff said to all of the early birds, "You're the lucky people who get to hear the sound check. You're all going to go home after this and be like, "Yeah, they SUCK!" Pshaw, my dear. Geo was wearing orange and blue and it irritated me. Jenn, meanwhile, asked if we wanted any food. I said, "Let's have some grapes. We can throw them at George." I really don't like those two colors together. Kevin walked onto the stage, and when he turned to us, Cindy and I were silent for two seconds before consulting with each other as to whether or not the shirt he was wearing was a Gloomy Bear. It was actually a pig, though. I think that I would have screamed joyously if it had been Gloomy. I have GOT to find out if he knows about that. Then Scott walked onto the stage with a Monchichi, set it on one of the stools, and proceeded to take pictures of it. He also brought it to the front of the stage, set it on the floor with a microphone directed toward it, and took more pictures. I don't know what that was all about, but it was damn funny. Yes, they were doing the sound check while this was all happening. Kevin saw two kids playing on the right side of the audience, and awarded one of the toddlers with "Coolest Hair." More on that later. Mox showed up a little bit later and did end up fitting on our 3 blankets.

SHOW

Tonight: Kevin is dressed like he's one of the Gatlin Brothers again, according to KP, whom deemed that last night. Scott wore a white shirt instead of a lavender one under his gray suit.

4U4Now4Life: Scott said that the drive from Lancaster to Vegas is like Mars, and mentioned that they stopped at "The Mad Greek" on the way. Now, though, they were at Mecca, evidenced by all of the lights.

ZIP: Scott introduced JT as the "Rumble Neath the Strip." It took a bit of time for the spotlight operator to focus on Geo when he was the LEAD. This happened throughout the night, which annoyed the heck out of me.

Got To Get You Into My Life: The group of little girls to the left us screamed quite loudly, as if the guys were the Jonas Brothers. One of them was celebrating a birthday, according to her dad, whom was trying to get the guys to sing "Happy Birthday" to her during sound check, which they didn't do. Anyway, THIS little girl noticed the pelvic thrusts during "Got to Getcha/Got to Getcha." Whoo!

Stand By Me: Scott listed all of the people that John had performed with, including Carrot Top. Then he corrected himself and said, "No, not Carrot Top. He's the King of Las Vegas! I keep seeing billboards. He's buff."

Use Me: JT's intro made one of the girls in back of us say loudly, "He's cute!" After Scott did his dance, he said, "I'm buffer than Carrot Top." During "They sit me right down and they talk to me," John violently shook his finger at Scott.

Kevin said, "We drove across Mars today. It's strange being from Florida to see the solid blue sky. He walked toward the group of little girls and said to them, "You've GOT to stop doing that! You're hurting my ears!" The girls screamed, "WE LOVE YOU!!!" and he replied, "We love you, too! Stop screaming." He then looked for the little kid with the mohawk, who turned out to be a 3-year-old boy, now too shy to say his name. He then said that it was a good night for the beach. We don't have to worry about sunscreen. You can wear your suit wihtout anyone seeing you in it." Apparently, Kevin isn't as comfortable in his Speedo as he purports to be.

Under the Boardwalk

Tell Me What You Want

Drag Your Lovely Over Here

California Sad-Eyed Girl: A plane flew overhead, and Scott said, "INCOMING!" before the song started. When they sang "San Bernardino," we heard a "Whoo!" from the back of the crowd, which made Cindy and me laugh, which caught Scott's eye and he smiled at us for, like, a LONG time. I don't know if he had heard the "Whoo!" though. He probably thought that we just loved the line, which we do, but we were trying to giggle quietly, and you know how that doesn't stay quiet for very long.

Scott said that Kevin won $20.00 at the roulette table. "Not that we condone gambling of any kind. Me, on the other hand...I enjoy the buffet." He described Geo as this "Grrrrroovy thing." He also declared JT to be "The King of Vocal Percussion," and some dude yelled out, "He's the BEST!", to which Scott retorted, "Your dad's here tonight." Scott said that an interviewer in Korea called JT "Jeff 'Living Legend" Thacher." Kevin said that Scott sings notes "only puppy dogs can hear." Scott said, "Have you noticed the ring of schnauzers around? That's what happens when you have an outside show." Kevin: "Especially when the Dog Show is in town. Heh. DOG SHOW!" (No, I don't know why Kevin found this especially funny, but it was cute when he laughed at himself).

Paper Doll

Rhythm Section

Rock the Boat: Scott said in a Jamaican accent, "Oh, YEAH! Rrrrockin' the Boat! SO HAPPY!" (I think that our Rrrancho Cucamonga thing ignited Scott to roll all of his Rs just for us).

Jingle Medley

........

Chewy, Chewy Coconut>>>>>>>>>>Coconut!

Yum YUM!

My Girl: Scott and Kevin were backstage and were late to start the song. Hello, there's a show going on out here! John chose a woman named April to join them on stage. Jenn was sadistically happy that the birthday girl didn't get picked. So was I. (Ssshhhh....). April told Kevin that this was her son-in-law's name, and said, "I don't like him." Poor Kevin. Geo did his usual low bass sound, to which Kevin asked April, "Did that rattle your stool?" He commented on April's beautiful top and asked if it represented some reason. April said, "Prowlin', Baby!" and snapped her fingers. Kevin then purred at her. He sang to her, "Oh, April....how you look so KITTY tonight...rrrrrrrrr."

April only has eyes for Geo as he approaches

Ain't Too Proud to Beg: KP and I just noticed that when Scott and JKB sing "Half a Man," they have their hands out to show the size (not Midget Smurf size). They enhanced it tonight, though (at least I assume it was just for tonight) by also adding claws. It was hilarious.

People Change: They began the song, but April was so overwhelmed that when she returned to her friends, she said loudly about Geo, "He is FINE!" This brought her group to fits of laughter, prompting Scott to stop the song for a moment. They started up again, but then Kevin pointed out to John that something was on Scott's pants. Scott noticed, and stopped singing, asking what was going on. Kevin: "There's a roach on your pants." So they swatted it away, which apparently killed it. "People Change" then turned into "Roaches Die," as Scott changed most of the words to what is usually a depressing, lovelorn lament. "He ain't got no more time in the world...I need to find a rhyme for roach." Jenn and I yelled, "COACH!" Like, it's not the word "orange," you know, Scotty. Toward the end of the song, Scott looked down at the deceased insect and said, "It's a cricket!" and sang at the end, "So Sorry." That was the funniest rendition of that song that I've ever seen. KP told us later that she was laughing so hard that she had an asthma attack. Mox didn't notice, apparently, because he was too busy laughing himself. Thank goodness we didn't have to go to the hospital for that. I only know where the hospital is in Lancaster.

George said that he tried to be a stunt double for Whitney Houston, and told us that "even if I suck, y'all, scream a little bit loud if you can." He sang "I Will Always Love You," so we screamed, and I yelled "OW!" because the screamy little girls really took it to heart, and my ears hurt. George then talked about the different kinds of music he likes, and mentioned Marvin Gaye, so when he said, "I just thought I'd sing--", I said quietly, "Sexual Healing!" But no, he sang his regular song.

Papa Was A Rolling Stone

Where in the World is Carmen SanDiego: Scott was surprised that the first time he said, "There's one more thing that we gotta do, and you know what it is," and the crowd yelled "DO IT ROCKAPELLA!!!" He said, "Wow, you really knew what it was!"

ENCORE

Shambala

Then they mistakenly asked for requests, which became the regular free-for-all, and people asking for songs that they've never sung, like "Lean On Me." JT really hates that people think they sing that, because it's mislabeled on some internet sites.

Zombie Jamboree: At the break, when Kevin bent over, Jenn yelled, "CRICKET!" but instead he just asked "WATER!" It's really dry here compared to FL.

Scott, Kevin and Jeff didn't really talk to anyone at the meet and greet. CSL4 and Kev had red-eye flights to catch, and JT took off with his friends/family.

I talked to April, and she's hoping that whatever video is posted cuts out the part about her son-in-law. Not that it's not true, but her daughter would get mad. Tonight was her first live show. She had seen them before on PBS. I said to her, "THIS is your first show?! It's going to be all downhill from here now!" She was just a riot.

Cindy asked me if I would talk to Geo about my song request. I said, "Yeah, I will!" So I asked him to sing "Sexual Healing." He said that one day he'd sing it just for me, and I won't be in the audience, so just in case, I should go to all of the shows. He wanted to take the red-eye, but there was a mix-up with the tickets. I said that I thought that he liked to stay in places so that he could get some rest between flights. Then he yelled at me because I didn't know that he'd want to go home after their last show. So I noted that he was yelling at me. He said, "That's not yelling. When I'm mad, the Beast comes out." He said that he used an eye mask during the drive from Lancaster to Vegas so that he could sleep the whole time. I told my friends that he's going to disappear during his break and he said, "How do you know that?" I said, "Because you told me. I actually listen to you when you talk." He, however, doesn't remember who he's told what to, so I need to take advantage of that someday. He said that he likes "Paper Doll" more than "Papa," since he makes up stuff as he goes (PD). Sherry: "Wow. You're friggin' AWESOME!"

John came by to say hi and I asked if he was done with his Christmas shopping yet. Not yet, but he would be doing it all during the break, and will be done in October.

We went to South Point casino to have dinner at Coronado Cafe, which, according to Jenn, had everything you could possibly imagine. Except Filipino Food. Glenn met up with us there, and somehow a "Back to the Future" conversation evolved, as they all discussed how many DeLoreans were used in the three movies.

I then took Jenn and KP back to the hotel because they were tired, and met up with the others at the Luxor to try out my luck.

Next Up: Vegas, Day 2