Movie Locations and More

Old Tucson Studios

2012-02-04T23:44:00.000-06:00

While visiting my best friend, we visited the Old Tucson Studios. Although not a western fan, it was neat to see an area that has been used in hundreds of films and television shows.... most notably The Quick & The Dead, The Three Amgios, Young Guns II, Rio Bravo, Outlaw Josey Wales, Tombstone, etc.

Here are some pictures from the visit.....

Creeeeeepy.....

And yes.... a complete rendition of the movie, The Quick and the Dead.......

Revenge of the Nerds (1984)

2012-02-04T23:25:00.000-06:00

My trip to Tucson brought to a few filming locations, most notably the classic.... Revenge of the Nerds!

First up, the Alpha Beta fraternity house... before they burnt it down....

Screenshots.....

The freshman dorms the nerds were kicked out of.....

Screenshots.....

Betty Childs' sorority, the Pi Delta Pi house.....

Screenshots....

And finally, the nerds house....

Screenshots.....

Can't Buy Me Love (1987)

2012-02-04T22:52:00.000-06:00

On a recent and first trip to visit my best friend in Tucson, I took the opportunity to visit a few film locations, including Can't Buy Me Love....

Here is the rich girl, Cindy's house.....

Screenshots....

Scoops....now a KFC....

Screenshots....

The high school....

Screenshots...

An Evening With Madonna - Smirnoff Dancer Competition

2012-01-14T23:22:00.000-06:00

On November 12, 2011, Madonna held a special audition for thirteen finalists of which she would choose one to join her on her next tour. I felt like literally everyone I knew won tickets through the fan club except me! But, my good friend Ernie, called about 4 days before the show and said his boyfriend couldn't go and I could use the ticket! Needless to say, I booked my ticket immediately and headed to NYC!

Fast-forward to the day of the show, some friends were in the wait list line and saving some spots, so we kind of went back and forth, eating, getting, food, etc. throughout the day. On our way to get some coffee, we stopped to take some pics in front of the venue at Roseland....

We had started to venture on when we noticed a Smirnoff wrapped shuttle stop, and off came all the dancers and the choreographer of the event, Shay. Shay has been on the past couple of Madonna tours and is with her quite a bit throughout the year. I've met Shay several times and when I stopped to say hello and get a picture with the dancers, he was more than kind and introduced me as his good friend to the dancers!

So, endless waiting and we finally get into the Roseland Ballroom. We were right at the front of the line (at least in the beginning, but the amount of cutters was amazing!), so we got right next to the VIP area of the stage where we assumed Madonna would be sitting....

Free drinks... with Smirnoff Vodka of course... and more waiting... and the VIP area begins to fill up. Her daughter Lourdes and some friends were having a good time....

As well as her manager, Guy Oseary....

And her publicist, Liz Rosenberg.... who got all dressed up for the occasion....

And Shay of course!

They had a small pre-show, and with lights and excitement on the balcony, we could get glimpses of the Queen arriving and watching. At the time, we were kind of worried she would stay up there the whole night just out of sight!

She then left the balcony and disappeared. And then... she rose from under the stage in a spotlight and I had the same chills the first time she arrives to the stage in one of her concerts! (Yes, her thighs don't look the best in the pics, but it IS just the pictures, believe me, she is in phenomenal shape!)

She then crossed a small bridge and watched each of the dancers do their thing....

There is then a short break and she cavorts with the other VIPs.....

Shay and the group put on a special performance...

Followed by a dance-off....

And then she narrows it down to four dancers....

Another VIP break....

Then it's time to pick the winner... Lil' Buck From Memphis!

Lil' Buck was actually right in front of me in the group pic from earlier!

So, back to more mingling with Lourdes and the other VIPs....

Then dancing....

More mingling....

"Me and Madonna".... haha

And in a show of her power, she did some dance moves of which we all immediately copied and obeyed.....

And then off to the DJ booth.....

Nothing like singing Madonna songs WITH Madonna....

And so the night ended and off she went....

FYI, here is the front and back of the shirt I made for the show....

Even though I've seen her 20 times in concert, this night was truly unique and fun and to see her off script and having a good time! FYI, here are some press photos from the "other side"!

Madonna - Sticky & Sweet Tour: Show #10 - Miami, FL

2012-01-04T01:06:00.000-06:00

Final North American show in Miami at the huge Dolphin Stadium. Here's some shots hours before the show started with some of the dancers...

A few celebrities here and there before the show, most notably A-Rod....

Probably my worst seat for the tour yet, but still a good time....

Timbaland made an appearance for 4 Minutes!

And Pharrel showed up for the finale!

Madonna - Sticky & Sweet Tour: Show #9: Las Vegas, NV

2012-01-04T00:50:00.000-06:00

Second night in Vegas.... and I couldn't wait to get out of that town!

Madonna - Sticky & Sweet Tour: Show #8: Las Vegas, NV

2012-01-04T00:41:00.000-06:00

My first time...and probably last time to Las Vegas, I just don't get that city. As I was warned, the Vegas audiences were some of the worst.

Of course, I bump into Madonna's manager, Guy Oseary, and other dancers....

Peter Berg was at the show as well as Lindsay Lohan....

And here we go.... I was actually not supposed to be next to the stage, but the two seats were empty and I stood there. Ten minutes into the show, two people came and took those seats and I stood my ground. Little while later they tap me on the shoulder. I thought they were going to tell me to get out of their area, but instead, he handed me a $100 bill and asked him to email me my pictures!

Madonna - Sticky & Sweet Tour: Show #7: Los Angeles, CA

2012-01-04T00:28:00.001-06:00

Ah, my favorite city, Los Angeles. Madonna performed in Dodger Stadium. Apparently there was some problems with part of the stage, but the show went on thankfully. Before the show, I texted the dancers to meet me down by the handicap section to meet some fans....

Lots of celebrities at this one... Donald Sutherland....

Lucy Lui!

Peter Berg!

Jennifer Lopez!

Ryan Seacrest!

Drew Barrymore!

Kate Moss

Elizabeth Banks and Carla Gugino...

All these celebrities... plus a special appearance by Britney Spears!

And Justin Timberlake!

Madonna - Sticky & Sweet Tour: Show #6: San Diego, CA

2012-01-04T00:09:00.000-06:00

Off to San Diego to see Madonna in the Petco Stadium. Before the show, I got to see her doing some soundchecks in her sweats!

This was an extra special night as it was election night and some of the dancers said they were all huddled backstage waiting for the results.

Here we go!

One of my favorite parts of the show....

For the final songs, Obama was up on the screen and they all wore special Obama/Express Yourself shirts!

Surprise, I bump into one of the dancers int he parking lot afterwards!

Madonna - Sticky & Sweet Tour: Show #5: Chicago, IL

2012-01-03T23:46:00.000-06:00

Second night in Chicago... before the show got to bump into her manager Guy Oseary....

And a great M drag queen who recreates all of her costumes...

And the show....

After the show, we went to Madonnarama... and bumped into some of her crew, including her hair stylist who gave her my shirt from the last tour....

Madonna - Sticky & Sweet Tour: Show #4: Chicago, IL

2012-01-03T23:29:00.001-06:00

After three shows on the east coast, I flew back home for a bit, then headed off to four cities and six more shows.... Chicago, LA, San Diego, and Las Vegas. First up were two shows in Chicago. By this time, I had got my new Stick & Sweet tour tattoo. (This is an updated version, I added the M's later.)

Before the show, got to see a couple of my favorite dancers... Here is Jron with one of my shirts around his neck...

And good friend, Willie Wanker, who some will recognize from the Madonna tour documentary....

And friend Will, who I bought a ticket from the previous tour and changed my life!

And the show begins....

It's Britney, b*tch

Madonna - Sticky & Sweet Tour: Show #3: New York City, NY

2012-01-03T22:56:00.000-06:00

The next night, back to Madison Square Garden! This time, a couple of Madonna's dancers opened the show. I got to watch with some of the other dancers who came out to see it....

(Some camera problems that night!)

M's dancers admiring :)

And surprise, we meet the dancers and musicians after the show as well...

Madonna - Sticky & Sweet Tour: Show #2: New York City, NY

2012-01-03T22:47:00.000-06:00

A couple nights after the East Rutherford show, I headed to Madison Square Garden to catch two of the NYC performances. Before the show, bumped into one of Madonna's great dancers and choreographers, Shay!

ChiChi Larue!

Robin and our wristbands!

This time my seat wasn't next to the stage but in a good spot in front of it....

Can you tell one of my favorite dancers?

Probably my favorite shot....

And after the show... surprise, we meet her dancers who insist they all get a shirt!

Madonna - Sticky & Sweet Tour: Show #1 - East Rutherford, NJ

2012-01-03T22:16:00.001-06:00

Ok, this is going to be a multipost. After the confessions tour, I vowed to see her ten times on her next tour and actually achieved that goal. She started the tour in Europe, but I definitely made it to opening night in the United States in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

My friend, Ernie, and his infamous pink cap which can be spotted in dozens of press pictures!

I was very strategic about the shirt for this tour as well. Since the theme was candy, I made my own candy shop shirt with tons of candy bars and goodies, but replaced the names with all the dancers and musicians...

Sure enough, we bump into a couple dancers before the show who I quickly befriended and were great pals throughout the whole tour....

I had a decent seat, but thanks to the kindness of a good friend, Robin, I was next to the stage. Here is my viewpoint before the show....

My friend, Ernie...

and Robin....

and me!

And the show begins!

Rosie O'Donnel in the house!

Pose!

Once again, you can play the Find Robert game, but my friend Ernie is much easier to spot with his pink cap!

I am on the far left corner, Ernie on the right corner...

Madonna - Confessions Tour

2012-01-03T21:01:00.001-06:00

Well... finally here's the "and more" part of "Movie Locations and More"... and yes, it is Madonna related.
I was an on and off Madonna fan for years, but my sophomore year in college was an off-year (too much into The Smiths). So when I was offered a free ticket and ride to the Blond Ambition Tour, I said... no thanks. Then Truth or Dare came out and it changed everything. I finally got what she was all about and wow, what a show. I dreamed for years of what it must be like just to be in the same auditorium with her watching her perform. Fast forward to 2004 and I finally made that dream come true when I first got to see her in Chicago for the Re-invention Tour, Row 13, Seat 13.

Here is me... anxiously awaiting in my seat!

I was so in awe of seeing her so close, I immediately booked a ticket to see her in Atlanta two weeks later, Row 6! Cameras were a big no no, so I took some crappy cell phone pics....

My Reinvention Tour Jacket....

So after that tour experience, I vowed to see her next show at least 7 times and make two of those times front row. Well, I more than did that and ended up doing eight shows on that tour.

First up, opening night in LA at the Forum. After seeing her documentary, I'm Going To Tell You A Secret, I kind of had a glossy dreamy vision of what The Forum must be like.... which it was nothing like, pretty crappy place to be honest. I didn't have the best seats, but it was the best I could get and I was just happy to be there....

Next up were two nights in Chicago. And the second night ended up being a lifechanger for me. I had Row 8 and I went to check out my seat as soon as I got there. The fellow next to me, who I bought the ticket from, said I just missed her dad and stepmom going in backstage. We anxiously awaited for them to come back out. Moments later they emerged, and I stood up and said hello. Behind them was her makeup artist and hair stylist. They asked if they could take pictures of my shirt I made and was wearing and my tattoos:

I said sure, and then they were on there way. The show begins and I get tapped on my shoulder from Andy, her hair stylist. He says, "She saw the pictures, she wants the shirt." I about died and was in disbelief that not only had Madonna liked my shirt I made, but she wanted it! I made him go get me a shirt and he gave me a tour shirt in exchange. I asked to meet her, but got a flat no, and that was that. Still, I was flying high for hours for that experience. Here are some pics from that show.

Before the show... last time I had this shirt before it got into M's hands!

After the show... ecstatic... with a new tour shirt!

Next up was two shows in Hartford, Connecticut. On the first night I had third row by the center stage and the next night was front row! I made the same shirt so I knew she would recognize me. A buddy I bought a ticket from was going with me and we were hanging out before the show when we bumped into a few of her dancers and we took this picture:

One of them said, "Oh, you're the guy with the tattoos and shirt she has... she was talking to you during dinner the other night." Again, I died a little inside. Not only did she take my shirt, but she was talking about me. So that first night, I went into the show more excited than ever. Here are some pics....

Before the show, the Hartford paper also took some pictures of my tattoo and put it in their paper and online edition....

Next night, me and my friend made a plan and we put together a bunch of stuff to give the dancers... disco ball necklaces, bad poetry (so she knew what we were wearing and where we were sitting), my "Cloud lover" shirt for my favorite dancer... and her favorite candy. Of course, we bumped into the dancers beforehand and gave them all of our stuff to pass on, including my Cloud Lover shirt...

Front row at Madonna is amazing, and when she looks right into your eyes.... well, there's nothing like it. She definitely gave us a nod after reading our shirts and some winks and whatnot through out the show. Here are some pics taken with a disposable camera. (I know, I was afraid to bring in a real camera!)

Next up was Philadelphia... and I was bringing my best friend, Timmy, as part of his birthday present. Sure enough, we bump into some dancers before the show... and once again I wrote her some bad poetry and brought her favorite candy. (Don't think it's coincidence that her next album was called Hard Candy, eh?) We had Row 6 that night and again, it was amazing....

My best friend and a Guy Pride shirt I made for him....

The dancers hanging out... and sharing the gifts we brought...

Well.. that was supposed to be it... just six shows, one shy of my goal. Her final two shows were going to be in Miami on a Saturday and Sunday. On that Friday, I said, f*ck it, I'm going to go to her last show and booked a ticket to fly down Saturday and see her final show on Sunday. After canceled flights, delays, etc. I finally got into Miami and my hotel about 6:30 PM that night. My hotel was only a couple blocks from the venue, so I thought, I'm not going to the Saturday show, but I'll just go check out the excitement. While there, I bumped into some fellow Madonna fans and they convinced me to go ahead and buy a ticket since I was there already. Wow, did I luck out.... right next to.... TOUCHING... the center stage. It was an amazing experience coupled by the fact that Ricky Martin was across from me and Gloria Estefan was catty corner. I didn't even bring in a camera, but here are some pics I took with my cell phone.

Yikes I was close!

Cloud!!!!!!!

For giggles, it's always fun to see other peoples' pictures and spot yourself... Find Robert below!

The show ended and I thought, what a great night. But... it was about to get better. I took a side exit and my instinct told me to just wait around there, so I did. I happened to notice three white vans with M1, M2 and M3 in the windshield. I figured this was the transportation for the dancers and musicians and I was right. I got to meet nearly every person on the show... except Cloud who took a different entrance. Here are some pics....

So... the next day, final North American show. A couple friends joined me and we hung out in the area. As usual with my good luck, we bump into about ten of the dancers on their way to lunch. I asked to join and they said sure! (I honestly felt like I was living in Truth Or Dare world now!)

So that night, I didn't have the best seats in comparison to before, but it was a great show.

Her manager, Guy Oseary

I ran out of the show a few minutes early to watch Madonna and her caravan exit the arena.... (exciting, huh? lol)

And again, got to hang out with the dancer before they went to their party... and finally met my Cloud!

My beloved Cloud....

So yeah....how could I possibly top that tour experience? Sticky and Sweet, coming up next!