Day of Days at LA Live

Day of Days

Saturday, November 12, 2022

X-Box Plaza at L.A. Live

Los Angeles, CA

It's been a few years since "Days of Our Lives" has conducted its "Day of Days" fan event .  I've only attended once before, mostly because of conflicting schedules.  That time was five years ago, at Universal Citywalk.  This time was in Downtown LA, close to my office, so I decided to take advantage of my parking space and my free time to attend.  None of my friends are regular watchers of DOOL anymore, so I just attend by myself and soak in the whole atmosphere.  So this probably won't interest anyone that regularly reads my blog, and is mostly for my own memory diary.  

I arrived at my office building about an hour before the start time of the event, and walked over to the plaza.  They had already started letting people into the area, which had been fenced off from other people at L.A. Live.  Admission was free, but we did have a security check.  Then they stamped one of my hands for re-entry and gave me a lanyard with a card for the event.

An hourglass!  So cool!
Please ignore my horribly dry skin.

  

Each person was given a DOOL canvas bag which contained a box-like envelope, a DOOL water bottle, a DOOL visor, and a DOOL face mask.  There were boxes of individual donuts available to pick up, which were labeled as coming from "Sweet Bits Bakery", a business owned by one of the show's characters.  Nice touch!  

While waiting for the event to start, I sat on one of the chairs facing the stage, where they showed a schedule of the signings.  The schedule included station numbers for each group of actors, and there were already some people lined up to talk to their favorites.  At the other time I went to this event, I really didn't have any idea what to do, so this schedule was very helpful for me to figure out my priorities.  I figured that I could save the ones I had already met as my lowest priority if I happened to have time.   Not all of those people were at this event, although most of the cast was there.  

The schedule was so packed with cast members that there were two sessions: AM and PM.  I texted my friends to let them know that I would meet them later rather than sooner.

There were signs around that had rules, which included the actors not signing our personal items, and recommending masks and keeping a safe distance to protect the actors.  Most people followed the safety recommendations, except for the mask thing.  That part was kind of awkward because each setup had 2 tables of 2 actors each.  Once you finished talking with the first two actors and getting a photo (most took off their masks), you would go to the next table and probably still have your mask off because you're also juggling your phone/ camera and the card the actors just signed for you.

I saw that the station for Drake Hogestyn (John Black), Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans), Martha Madison (Belle Brady), and Brandon Beemer (Shawn Brady) was starting to fill up fastest, so I got in line there.  

The event started, and the MC of the day, Tony, announced each actor's name as they came across the stage.  I was happy that Tony was the MC that day because I watch a weekly recap show that he hosts with a few other people every Sunday, called "Dishin' Days".  The actors already know him because they occasionally do interviews on the show and Tony finally got a chance to act on Days in their "Beyond Salem" spinoff on Peacock, so they are familiar with him already and it wasn't awkward at all.  

Billy Flynn planting a smooch on Tony

Remington Hoffman with Tony

Stephen Nichols with Tony

What I really like about this event is that they furnish the autograph cards, so you really don't need to bring anything but your camera / phone and your happy-to-meet-them face.  This year's cards were very nice, and that box-shaped envelope was in our bag to keep them pretty.  There were people from Peacock there to help with photos, and I asked for help instead of taking selfies because of my history with taking selfies of important moments.

I was behind a woman who was there with her mom and baby, so when we got to the front, Deidre and Drake were completely enamored with the baby and held him for photos and everything.  I was, like, "Why did I follow a baby?!" then realized that it was actually kind of a relief because I didn't know what to say anyway. I talked to a guy in line whom grew up watching DOOL with his mom, and was going to put her on Facetime when he got to the table.  I was going to help him with photos, but got so caught up in the moment that I forgot all about it.  He had help from the assistants, though, thank goodness, because I felt bad.  I just pretty much told everyone I loved them and thanked them, unless there was something specific I wanted to mention.  Deidre and Drake did not ignore me, though, and were very nice, trying to get my name spelled correctly.  

When I met Martha and Brandon, I let them know that Belle and Shawn are my favorite couple on DOOL, no matter who has been playing their part, but I do love the two of them.  I also said that it hurts whenever they're apart because I like the couple so much, and Martha reminded me that the conflicts are what keep them on the show.  I do know that, but I also like to see them be happy together for more than a couple of weeks at a time.  Somehow I was able to say all of that and not get lost looking at Brandon's gorgeous face.  My goodness gracious.  Like a perfectly chiseled work of art.  But I digress.

On the way to the next line, I saw Tony walking around, and asked to take a selfie with him.  For that one we could get right next to each other and take our time, so I felt more comfortable with taking the selfie.  I told Tony that I watch every week but don't post any comments because I feel like my input would be boring, and he told me that it's probably not, so I should post. I did look for the others that do the show, but they were inside the theater conducting some interviews and taking photos.  

With MC Tony

The next station was to meet Linsey Godfrey (Sarah Horton), Paul Telfer (Xander Cooke), Kyle Lowder (Rex Brady), and Bryan Dattilo (Lucas Horton).  Linsey and Paul were clearly having a fantastic time and were perfectly lovely to meet.  

When I got to the other table, I yelled enthusiastically, "KATE'S BOYS!" and laughed.  I don't know if they laughed, but they were a couple of jokers and laughed at whatever the other one said.  

I didn't have time to get in line for the other two stations, so I walked back to my office to sit down and rest during the lunch break.  I had some snacks, so I ate those and my Sweet Bits Donut for lunch.   Having my office nearby was also nice because I didn't need to search for a restroom, although I guess I could have used one wherever I ate lunch if I had done that.

When I returned to the plaza, the Day Players had already started their brief set.  The Day Players is made up of guys from the show: Brandon Barash (Stefan DiMera), Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), Wally Kurth (Justin Kiriakis), and Carson Boatman (Johnny DiMera), along with another guitarist.  They sang their version of "Let It Go" from Frozen, which was hilarious, and Journey's "Faithfully".  I enjoyed their performance, and contemplated going to see them the next night, but it was in West Hollywood and I just didn't want to deal with a Standing Room Only show after a day of mostly standing.  

Here's a little bit of them singing George Michael's "Faith":

I then saw that the line was starting to get long already to meet Abigail Klein (Stephanie Johnson), Robert Scott Wilson (Alex Kiriakis), Billy Flynn (Chad DiMera), and Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark).  I thought that I was near the end of the line, but it was in a different place than the end of the line for the morning session.  Although I had seen Billy the last time I attended, it was just a quick picture of him and I didn't actually get to meet him, so this was my MUST meet of the day.  But then that group was taking its sweet time to get to the tables, and we all wondered if we would even get to see more than just this group.  They finally got to the table, and the people that were at the front of the line took a lot of time talking, which was a little annoying to the rest of us watching the clock and wanting to meet people, too.  I did get up there and told Robert that I get confused sometimes because he was very recently cast as a different character, but his current one is so different that I'm good with it once he starts talking.  Robert kept messing up the spelling of my name and Abigail had to repeat what I said a couple of times.  He apologized and I giggled. 

I told Billy that he crushed my soul when he was mourning his wife Abby's death, and I cried so much that I was physically hurting.  Yeah, like I almost couldn't breathe, it was that devastating.  I told him that he was outstanding in those scenes, and he thanked me.  I'm glad that I was able to say all of that and not get hypnotized by his blue blue blue blue blue eyes, because they're really blue and beautiful.  I told Greg that he always makes me laugh, and that I loved that he and Billy had drawn on each other's cards.  Just like how I would expect their characters to act.  

I did have some time to get in another line, so I decided I'd best go meet Marybeth Evans (Kayla Johnson), Stephen Nichols (Steve Johnson), George Delhoyo (Orpheus), and Victoria Konefal (Ciara Brady Weston).  When I got in line, Victoria had left for a few minutes, so I was worried that I wouldn't get to meet her, even though it was weird to see her at a table NOT with character Ben, whom was busy being character Alex now, and therefore sitting at a different table with some other woman.  This is what happens when you ride off in a boat into the sunset!  

While we were in line, Tony came over to give away some Rokus.  He wouldn't give any to the quiet people.  I guess he didn't hear me yelling from behind my mask because some people were just way louder.  That annoyed me.  Not that I need a Roku but it was the principle of the matter.  The lady I had been talking to got one and she did nothing but raise her hand.  Later, some woman came up to the woman in line in front of me (the one who got the Roku by raising her hand), and proceeded to talk to the woman's baby for a while.  I asked if they were together because I wanted to know if she was going to also talk to the actors.  They had already closed the line at this point, and we had all been standing in line and it looked like she was cutting.  She said no, she just wanted to see the baby.  It was kinda weird because she obviously wasn't besties with the baby's mother, but they were friendly.  I got kidnapper vibes, but maybe that's because I was in line to see Orpheus.  She did stay for a bit to get photos of the actors (she wasn't in them), and I was annoyed for the other people in line who maybe wanted to get photos from their places in line.  

Anyway, I was happy to meet supercouple and best friends Marybeth and Stephen, because they got together very early on in my DOOL fandom.  

George was involved in trying to sign a bunch of cards, and then apologized and talked to me for a bit.  Victoria, though.  She heard me tell George my name, and asked me if I had heard the song "Cheri Cheri Lady" by Modern Talking.  She said that I should listen to it because they sing my name and it will become my happy song whenever I hear it.  She made sure that our photo came out OK, and also posed with some folks whom had missed her earlier when she needed to step out for a bit.  

The other lines were closed, so I didn't get to meet anyone else, and I was too late to get a cool Brady's Pub apron that they were distributing.  I did get photos of people when I could get a good shot, though.  I also got some water from the Peacock portable water station and filled up my DOOL water bottle.

Stacy Haiduk and Tina Huang

Dan Feuerriegel and Camila Banus

Leann Hunley & Thaao Penghlis

They then had everyone sit on stage, and they were joined by others who hadn't done the autograph sessions:  James Reynolds (Abe Carver), Jackee Harry (Paulina Price), and Judi Evans (Bonnie Lockhart).  Tony reminded the audience that the actors want to keep their jobs and wouldn't be giving any spoilers, but some people still asked spoiler questions to waste our time.  I guess it is a tradition that Drake and Deidre kiss during this panel, so that happened.  

They then showed a preview, and we all got sad for a few minutes due to some beloved characters getting deathly ill, but then all went bananas, because not only is Kristian Alfonso (Hope Brady) coming back, but so is Peter Reckell (Bo Brady, back from the dead).  Bo and Hope were the reason I got addicted to DOOL, so I was very, very happy.  

As we exited, we could pick up photo cards from the actors that we may have missed.  I was lucky enough to get signed ones.  (So that's what George was doing!).  

Here's the haul of photos I was able to get:

A lot of fans liked this venue more than the other one because it was more organized and in one spot.  I'm not sure if it will stay there because it will probably be bigger next year if there are no virus issues.  But this event had more cast members than any of the previous ones, and it was very well organized.  Thanks, Peacock!  

I had a great time and hope that I can go next year.  

Globophobia

This happened on last week's episode of "Supergirl", as Brainy discusses the phantom bringing forth everyone's fears.  I've never felt more in sync with Brainy than I do now.

DLR LotD 07/17/20

Disneyland Resort
Line of the Day

Friday, July 17, 2020 -- Special 65th Anniversary Edition

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Disneyland is closed for its 65th anniversary, so I didn't get to do my traditional DLR Birthday trip.  Instead, I'm watching shows about  Disneyland on Disney Plus today.  I decided to have a Line of the Day from each show.

A Pre-Opening Report from Disneyland -- 1955
"For the next few weeks as far as we were concerned, all roads led to Disneyland." -- Walt Disney

Disneyland Around the Seasons (Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color) - 1966
"There are quicker and quieter ways to find out the time, but they're not as much fun." -- Walt Disney, about the clock at It's A Small World

The Imagineering Story: S1 Ep1 -- The Happiest Place on Earth - 
"The plaza, or the hub, is the heart of Disneyland." -- Walt Disney

Happy Birthday, Disneyland!  See you real soon, I hope!

5 years ago at the 60th anniversary

A.Ham at My.Home

Hamilton on Disney+

July 3, 2020

The Sherry Cave

Yes, folks, I'm blogging about Hamilton from my house as I watch it.  I sent this Pic Collage to Bro and V.  

The last time I saw this show was in Puerto Rico with Lin Manuel Miranda reprising his title role, and I got all emotional thinking about that awesome trip, and the show that they gifted me for my birthday.  Then I started crying and realized that I needed to go back to watching the show and blogging already.  Also, those M&Ms needed my attention.

Love the vocal percussion during the opening castle logo.  Oh my gosh, I'm so excited!

I'm so happy that I can do this and maybe pay better attention another day, like tomorrow.  

I'm also happy that I get to see all of the performers that I hear when listening to my CD, even though I've liked all of the touring performers, too.

"Don't modulate the key and not debate with me!"

Love seeing Jonathan Groff's facial expressions as King George.  I love seeing all of the facial expressions up close!

That lighting with each BOOM!

Rewind is about to break my heart again.   Oh my gosh, her voice is so awesome!!!

Liz is watching right now, too, and loving the close-ups.

"Call me 'son' one more time!"  Whoa, so angry.

Lafayette / Jefferson is probably my favorite role(s) besides Hamilton.  Oh, it's Joe's, too!

I cannot help but say "Immigrants.  We get the job done!" with them, even when in the theatre, although without any sound.

"We'll never be free until we end slavery."

This is drum corps, but dancing with real-looking rifles and a live orchestra instead of brass instruments.  Also, you can't see the instruments.  So maybe Winter Guard?

Uh oh, here comes George again.  Crazy mofo.  "Awesome. Wow."  King George is from the San Fernando Valley.

"When your people say they hate you, don't come crawling back to me."  (You hear that, current President!?!?  Oh, sorry, I'm a little stressed out about our country right now.)

So, what actually happens to Theodosia?  I need to do some research.

Ooh, intermission!

I don't think Jefferson actually needs that cane if he can dance that way.

"We all know who really does the planting."

Love that cabinet meeting, especially when they reference Grandmaster Flash. 

So love Eliza providing the beatbox.

"My dearest, Angelica".  Grammar is important, and I love that they note that.

"Tell my wife John Adams doesn't have a real job anyway."

"Screw your courage to the screwing place." -- Macbeth / Beauty and the Beast / Hamilton

...and then Sherry gets pissed off at Hamilton.  But then again, he was a Tom Cat.

"I said that last time, it became a pastime."  Hey, that word is in my blog title!

Love that "Room Where It Happened" groove.

"You must be out of your go*&*mn mind!"  and then he talks about speaking with King Louis' severed head.

"I'm sorry.  What?"

Yes, George, history has its eyes on you.  Love King George's not realizing that a leader can just step down.  Also, his reaction to John Adams becoming president is hilarious.

Uh oh.  Ominous music.

Such power in Eliza's voice during "Burn".

"Everything is legal in New Jersey."

CRYING NOW.  Unimaginable.

"Can we get back to politics?"

"At least they know I know where France is."

I sometimes wish that my first name started with an "A", so I could sign letters like in the "A.Ham" / "A.Burr" way.

Ahhhhh, this countdown.  Sooo good.

Wise up, eyes up.

I love when she tells her story.  It's making me cry again.

That was so great!  Thank you, Disney, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and the cast and crew of Hamilton!  I needed this to make my soul feel better in such a tumultuous time.  Weird,huh?  Because it's not like this is a happy-go-lucky kind of show, but it's just...ahhhh.

Good night, and Happy Independence Day, USA!

Hi, Jose!

Rockapella in NYC / 
Birthday Trip to NYC - Day 2

Saturday, January 11, 2020

The Iridium

New York City, NY

I had a restless night of sleep because I had pillow issues.  Still, Jenn and I didn't actually get up until it was almost time to leave for tea.  We briefly thought of going back to the bakery for almond croissants, but were too involved watching "The Office" marathon and relaxing in our room to do that.

We finally got ready and took a taxi to Bosie to meet up with Stacey and KP.  I hadn't seen Stacey since she was in California for a visit, and we all had fun catching up and eating yummy treats.  I had the Brandied Apricot tea, and it was very good, and fruity, but not overly so.  Stacey got a Butterfly tea that magically turned from blue to pink when she added lemon juice.  It was pretty and fun!   I don't know what happened to all of my other pictures from tea, but here's the one that survived whatever snafu.

By tier (I shared with Jenn, so there are more than what is listed here):

Top: Scones with clotted cream and raspberry jam
Middle: Macarons (I chose pistachio and Earl Grey Milk Chocolate), mini madeleines, mini muffins and mini cookies;
Bottom: Tea Sandwiches (I chose Cucumber, Smoked Salmon, Beets, and Egg Salad)

We weren't quite done with everything yet when the server informed us that a party had canceled their reservation but was able to be there after all, and asked if we would be willing to move so that they could use ours and another table for their party of 8.  To compensate, they offered to give us each another pot of tea on the house.  (They don't give free refills).  We agreed, and this time I ordered the Chocolate Hazelnut Tea, which was also very tasty.  

Afterward, we hailed a cab to return to our hotel room while KP and Stacey walked to the subway station to go back to Stacey's place.  Our cab driver gave us some information about the sights we saw on the way, mainly NYU and another college that I can't remember.  

After an hour or so, Jenn was a little hungry, and I decided to eat, too, since our next plan to eat was after the show.  We walked to Luke's Lobster, which was next door to the Japanese place where we dined the previous evening.  I figured I'd had enough bread for the afternoon, so I chose to have my lobster over a bed of mixed greens.  Bananaman chose to have his own photo shoot.

Feeling safe because it's not a banana trap

Table numbers, I think

Even at the hotel room,
I have Insta-worthy food

We ate our lobster then got ready for the main event of the weekend.  We took a taxi to the Iridium, which was in the same building as the very crowded Stardust diner. Elisa, Stacey, and KP were at the front of the line, and graciously let us stand with them.  (There was only one other party already there, so we felt OK about it).  I got our tickets at will call, and could hear the guys warming up downstairs, which got me all excited. I also heard some of the trivia stuff going on in the Stardust, and heard that one of the answers was New Kids on the Block.  I think I would have rocked that trivia session.  Stacey let us try a preview of the new lemon flavored Girl Scout Cookie.  She has connections like that.  This is my cookie:

Do you like my very blue nail polish?

Jenn suggested that I take a picture with the Stardust statue because a bunch of other tourists were doing the same.  Armed with Bananaman, I obliged.

Clearly, I'm happier to be there than
the waitress seems to be

We still had plenty of time before the doors opened, so Jenn went looking for a back scratcher at the souvenir shop, to no avail.  I decided to walk to the Ed Sullivan theater because this is the closest I could get to seeing my guy in his natural habitat.

I didn't know he had this huge sign!

Still called the Ed Sullivan Theater

In case you didn't know who "my guy" is

The doors finally opened and as we walked through the door, there was JT!  He said with surprise, "SHERRY!!!" and gave me lots of air kisses, explaining that he was sweaty.  That's OK, dear.   We scored a table in the front, with KP and I sitting across from each other.  Our friends are so kind to let us sit there, knowing how much it meant to me with my birthday and KP with her not having seen the guys in over a year.  

Awaiting Pella Butts

I love the design on the menu

We ordered our drinks and food.  Jenn was ready to snack again, so she ordered chicken empanadas to share.  I wasn't really hungry yet, so I just ordered the Les Paul Black Beauty, which was my favorite drink of the weekend.

Toasting Les Paul on the wall
Hey, that rhymes!

Les Paul Black Beauty:
Vodka, Southern Comfort, Amaretto,
Curacao, Triple Sec, and Cranberry Juice

The venue is very intimate, and I wanted to put stuff on the stage so that I could have a desk for my notebook.  I didn't want anything to get in Rockapella's way, though.  A few minutes before the show started, we saw the set list get taped onto one of the amps, and I took a picture.  I will not share it here because, well, SPOILERS!  Just know that when I read one of them out loud, there were a few excited "oohs" at the table.

The empanadas did not arrive until 20 minutes into the show.  I don't know why this had to happen when we were the first people that came through the door, and that was an hour before the show started.  We were hoping to eat before the guys got on stage to prevent lots of distraction from the wait staff, but oh well.

Rockapella took the stage, and all was right in Sherry's world.

Jailhouse Rock

Scott pointed at KP.  Jose patted JT on the back as he rocked the beat.  That would throw me off, but I'm not a professional spitter.

Folsom Prison Blues

Scott looked at me and raised up his eyebrows with surprise.  I believe he was taken aback at this point, realizing that I was there, and we weren't in California. Then he almost clocked JT when he lifted his microphone stand up to his shoulder.  Whoa, I'm glad he was paying attention.

Scott welcomed us to "Springtime in New York", and was very happy about this weekend's weather.  Indeed, it was very pleasant, and Jenn and I like to think that we brought it over from So Cal.  Scott said, "I moved here from Florida, and the weather here sucks!" 

He said that he saw representatives from California in the house.  WHOOOO!!!  I may have been a little loud at that point.  Maybe a lot loud.

JT puts the "rid" in "Iridium".

Dancing in the Moonlight

I do enjoy the choreography during this piece and try not to do it too outwardly, because people can see me and I don't want to show off.  ;)

Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
I never noticed before that when Scott sings about shooting, the other guys sing "Bang Bang".

Scott talked about Calvin adding another sound to Rockapella, and he said that Calvin is also a very good kisser.  "I've heard."  

Satisfaction
Scott started to sing "and I'm doing this and I'm signing that" right in front of me.  Then REALLY got right in front of me, to the point where I had to back away.  Jenn was taking video at the time and backed away, too.  It was hilarious.  Thank you for recording the moment, Jenn!  Thank you for the love, Scott!





Jose picked Nancy to sing "Cupid" with him.  Jenn decided that she likes Jose and told me several times in a row, very loudly.  I like him, too.  I see him as kind of combination of Steve and Mitch.

Scott said that Jose was born and raised in Tampa, where he met Calvin at Busch Gardens.  Jose started singing with Rockapella during the Christmas shows and then had to learn the songs, harmony, and choreography for the regular shows, which is "not just 'ooh la la' or 'shoop de doo'. He is the most thorough" person to ever learn the gig.  Jose has notes for all of the songs that look like they're written in Sanskrit.  Jose said they were like hieroglyphics.  

This is Jose's first regular show with Rockapella.  He is doing a fantastic job!

Scott said that he arranged the next song while they were staying in Branson and playing at the Andy Williams theater.  "Branson could not be more different from this place tonight."

Moon River

Scott said about Bryant: "It's very rare to have that kind of voice added to that level of talent."  

Jeff has been with Rockapella since he was four years old.

Then Scott said that a lot of people have been asking them to do some of their old school, original Rockapella songs, and they were going to do one tonight, which they haven't rehearsed yet.
Then someone yelled: "ZOMBIE!"
Scott:  "Not that song."
Jeff:  "I think I need to stand for this."
(Remember the spoiler I warned about earlier?  It's here!)

I Am Your Man
The longtime fans cheered as soon as they heard JT's beat.  It was crazy how we all just knew and got way excited.  Scott still sounds great with those high notes.  He also backed up his own vocals when the other guys weren't singing them, which made me giggle, and he smiled at them.  It was awesome.  I was happy! They're such pros, I can't believe that they hadn't rehearsed it together yet, but knowing the way they learn their parts, I can see how they can proceed.  I hope they continue to do this song, as well as others from their old repertoire.  It makes sense that they do this when they still have the stools because they didn't used to do much choreography back in the old days.  I think the most choreographed song was "Zombie Jamboree".  It also makes sense because this is usually when they would sing "Paper Doll" or "Lazy River", which were tributes to the Mills Brothers.  I love it.  (I would have titled this post "I Am Still Your Man", but I needed to welcome Jose.)

Rock the Boat
I lip synched "Roller coaster" at Bryant and he smiled.

Say Say Say
I'm such a bad fan.  I forgot that this was the modern "Say Say Say" and not the Michael Jackson song when I saw the title on the set list.  DUH.  They should title it L-O-V-E so that I know it when I peek at the set list. Why don't they just know?  Why don't YOU just know, Sher?  OK, I'm arguing with myself and I need to stop before y'all send me to an asylum.  

I like seeing Scott's face when he watches the other guys perform.  It's full of admiration and cuteness.  I also liked when Bryant made him laugh. "HA!!"

Middle

Somebody yelled out a request.  Scott: "'Gangsta's Paradise'?  I'm sorry, that's not one of the ones that we do."

Scott:  "We have to do this song in the city of Folg..in this city of..Anyway, it's Folger's."

Folger's
(no other commercials)

Scott brought Alexa from New Jersey up on stage.  He asked her if she gets a lot of comments about Amazon's Alexa.  "Yes."  "What do you do in New Jersey?"  "I work."  Not a big talker, or maybe her job is highly sensitive, I don't know.  

Stand By Me (with Alexa)
Ain't Too Proud to Beg
Bryant shoved Alexa's stool with his hip as he sang to her.
Calvin, to Bryant: "You're killing this show!"
Bryant: "That's the first time I've done that tonight!"

Bryant told us that there were autographed photos of Fred available, and we cheered.
JT said, "I know this table wants one," as he pointed to us.  Well, DUH, yeah.  

There was some audible rustling from backstage.  JT:  " Scott, what are you doing back there?"  We figured he was eating potato chips.

Bryant saw Rockapella when he was 8 years old.
JT hid behind the curtain, and said, "Me, too."  
JT's occupation: "Professional clown, obviously."

During the drum duet, JT said, "Les Paul is watching us."

Carmen SanDiego
They sang this song every day for 59 years.
I like the new percussion jam section with JT giving props to each guy. So they now have their own vocal percussion solo.

Scott: "We can go off stage and come back here, but let's just stay up here, because I'm old."

Rapper's Delight
I took some video, and Bryant tried to take my phone from me.  Evidence:

When he did this, the video stopped, much like it stopped when Mitch was singing to me after his last show.

Here's the video from after I got it going again, just for closure.

Up On The Roof / Wonderful World  (off mic)
I could really hear each part well because of how close we sat to them.  

Jose pointed to JT and Scott while singing about not claiming to be an "A" student, and they pointed back, like, oh, yes, you get an "A".  Y'all made a great decision when you chose him, guys!

Meet and Greet

KP made a beeline to get the autographed photo of Fred, and I asked her to get one for me while I got my act together.  She called me over so that I could meet Fred's wife, Fran, and I introduced Fran to Bananaman.  While we were talking, Scott came over to say hi and thanks for coming.

KP gave her book to Jeff to give to Big Black Fluffy Kitty because it's dedicated to him.  

JT liked my sweater and said it was fluffy, saying, "You need petting."  Well, all righty, then!  Pet away!  So he did.  No, I did not say "pet away" out loud.  That I know of.  I don't know, remember that drink?!

I asked Bryant to take a picture with Bananaman.  Look at the cuteness!

I told him that Jenn had treated me to this trip, and while I was talking about how awesome she is, she walked up to join us.  She was smiling.  Bryant saw that she had heard me, and said to her, "You should have heard what she said about you BEFORE you got here, though."  I thanked him for the stage love

KP and I introduced ourselves to Jose, and I told him that my assignment was to ask him what part he played in "Hamilton".  He played swing, so he could play a bunch of parts, and knew Hamilton, King George, and the 5th Man, as well as all of the sons of Liberty.  WOW.  I'm in awe of these swing players.  I introduced him to Bananaman and asked him to take a picture with us.  He said that he hoped some of Bananaman's luck would rub off on him.

Yes, that's Jesse Leonard in the background.

Jose lives in NYC and recommended eating at the original Junior's, but we were going to the bigger, newer one.  

Calvin thanked us for coming out, and told us that he was flying back to Florida in the morning.  He said that they'd be coming out to California in a few months, so I'm hoping that we find out soon so we can plan!  Scott told Jenn about a couple of the cities, which made me happy because one is in So Cal and the other is in one of my favorite cities to see them.  

I talked to Scott's son, Jesse, and asked him if he subs for all of the guys in Rockapella.  He said that he only subs for Jose's part, not the other ones.  I mean, I know he doesn't sing bass, but he could do the others if he learned them, I think.

The posse informed me that Scott's daughter, Natalie, was also there, so I introduced myself to her, and told her that some of her mannerisms were just like her dad.  She talked about working New Year's Eve at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, and missed the weather there.  She was there from December until early January.  She recommended a restaurant for the next time we're in town, Beauty & Essex.  Hey, they have one in LA, too!  I told Scott that I was meeting his family, and he was surprised that I hadn't met Natalie yet.  I don't know why I didn't think to get a picture with him and the kids.

We said bye to everyone, and walked a few blocks to Junior's.  We didn't need to wait long to get a table, which would have been fine if we did, because we ate those empanadas.  I was only there to try the matzoh ball soup and the cheesecake, so I ordered those.  I also ordered a Core Apple vodka martini, but didn't like it as much as I liked the food.  Junior's is famous for their cheesecake, and I can see why.  It's YUM, and I had no topping on it!

Jenn and I then parted ways from Stacey and KP, and we walked around Times Square.

I waited a cycle or two so that I could
catch this cute pic of the Statue of Liberty
with makeup.

I don't know how people do the NYE thing here.
It's crowded enough on a Saturday night!

Bananaman = Torch

I look at this and now want a frozen banana.

We didn't have tickets, but we wanted to
pose here anyway because we'd been playing
our Wizards Unite game throughout NYC.

I somehow controlled myself and only bought a NYC Mickey Mouse Tsum Tsum at the Disney Store.  I wanted something with the Minnie Liberty on it, but didn't like whatever was available....or at least that I could justify buying, because I certainly didn't need to buy a backpack purse for myself that day to add to my luggage.  Maybe another day.

We took a cab back to the hotel and settled in for the night, still high on the fantastic show and the stage love and that yummy drink.

Next up: A little more of NYC