Friday, April 20, 2012

The George Lopez Story


Sometimes you need to gun it!


Anabelle, myself, my cousin Ashley, and her boyfriend Ray made it a semi double date night attending the George Lopez comedy concert.  On our way to the show, Ashley, being all decked out, took picture.  After picture after picture after picture of herself to post on Facebook.  She had taken so many picture retakes she had my battery in the red before we had arrived at the venue.  Thinking that I didn’t necessarily need my phone, I turned it off but I did keep it on me.  I mean hey, don’t you feel naked without your phone, even if it’s dead.



About 3/4 through the set, George Lopez had mentioned how his schedule had worked out in his favor.  He shared with the audience that he’d be able to spend his birthday at his house on the island of Lanai because the day after this concert, April 23rd is his birthday, which is also my birthday.  I didn’t pay much attention the rest of the show, I was too busy plotting. I kept telling myself to “Think…. Think of how I may be able to meet George Lopez for my Birthday.” Then it hit.  It was a long shot but it was worth a shot.



As the show ended, I turned my phone on and Anabelle and I began walking downstairs while it booted up.  With barely any juice left, I jumped online and googled George Lopez’ twitter name, which simple enough was @GeorgeLopez, racing against both time and battery, I tweeted him faster than a belieber tweeting Justin.  I tweeted:@GeorgeLopez.. Just seen your show at the MACC… You killed it. Heard we have the same B-day… Can I meet you for my b-day??



By then phone was on the brink of dying.  I maybe had 2-3 minutes max left before my phone dies.  Anabelle and I met back up with Ashley and Ray.  Everyone asked why I was sitting down and not leaving like the droves of other people were.  I told them about my Hail Mary plan and could see their thoughts of absurdity painted on their faces.  As crazy as it seemed, I asked them if they could give me until my phone dies, which was bound to happen at any moment.  I knew it was a long shot but sometimes you need to gun it.  Within a minute of sending the tweet, my phone vibrated with a notification.  It was a response from George Lopez telling me to ask for someone named Bruce.  The 4 of us were ecstatic, we were no on the hunt.



Shortly after some questioning and explaining our situation a few times, we found Bruce, who was looking for us as well.  Bruce had led Ray, Ashley, Anabelle, and I back through the amphitheater.  We were escorted onto the stage, then backstage, and towards the dressing rooms.



There he was waiting the most for us, George Lopez.  I was as in shock to have this “Plan” work as I was to meet him.  Anabelle, being an even bigger fan of him than I am was on cloud 9.  This dude was super cool and extremely cordial.  When meeting him, he gave me the pound and a big hug and did the same to Ray, plus and added kiss for both Anabelle and Ashley.  Needless to say , the 2 girls nearly melted.  He struck up conversation with each of us and answered all the groupie questions we threw at him.  We took pictures (with my camera, not a phone) and he even gave each of us a George Lopez shirt.  He was beyond awesome.



Leaving the amphitheater started reminiscing on how crazy an experience this was.  After getting home and posting the picture on facebook and pinterest, dozens of comments poured in.  There were many requests for a retelling of the story and of course I obliged.



Since this experience, I‘ve always took great pleasure in the sharing of this story.  The irony is that it’s not for my benefit or to boast but for the listener to get the lesson that’s behind his unharrowing tale.



What would have been the absolute worst thing that could have happened in the scenario?  It would be 1 of 2 things; George Lopez could have either said no or they could not have answered at all.  Sometimes you can’t be afraid of denial.  Sometimes you can’t be afraid of failing.  If an opportunity presents itself, no matter how far-fetched it may seem, you need to at least try to capitalize on it.  Sometimes you need to think outside the box.  Sometimes it won’t work.  Sometimes it will.  There’s only one way to find out.



Sometimes you need to gun it!






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