grand pianos and beds

i was really looking forward to watching alicia keys especially after hearing cheap starlets and rappers sing repeatedly on the afternoon of the concert. i tried to run the show like a drill sergeant. of course i was antsy for it to finish early. thankfully both ever gotesco's personnel and i were quite efficient that day. i left the mall show at quarter to six and still had more than half an hour to ride the train to cubao.

i had dinner with karl, who took me to a refreshingly spacious and quiet filipino restaurant along aurora boulevard. the food was good and cheap, and we had bottomless gulaman. how original =D

since anne told me that she was at the concert, i had hoped that karl would hand me over to her. unfortunately she entered the coliseum early, and my ticket, i mean sir reev, was nowhere to be found. he ushered us in and left after polite hellos.

luke and kyla fronted for alicia - quite a hard task. they were alright. not really entertaining, though skilled.

even if i've been to many concerts and gigs, it was still a lot of firsts for me. first time to not watch a foreign concert with my sisters. first time to watch an non-rock act. first time to watch a solo female artist. first time not to have a prime spot!

highlights: she bootyshakes! "rock with you" was quite an opener. she did anthony kiedis' headbang move! she did "higher ground" by the red hot chili peppers (which no one seemed to recognize!). she lay down on the piano!!! and then reached over to play a few bars... whew! to quote sir reev, "alicia... you're a bad girl!"

downside: the crowd was SO corny!!! no one was standing up! (well how could you, if you just had to wear that ruffly mini with stilettos?!?!) and i was too polite to block their view just because i wanted to dance. at least i was on my feet for around 3 songs. i was so far, i had to look at the monitor to see her face!

at least during the encore sir reev and i were able to go down to the fifth row. man, she's pretty! and quite robust. but it doesn't matter since she's comfortable in her skin.

sadly, i still wasn't able to see anne after the show since my parents were already waiting. went home with extra adrenaline that i talked off on karl.