When?

Where?

What?

7 Ago 2003

US Open

My 2nd time at the Open. First day got to see some excellent games. Lots of French players. We first saw Lindsay quicky dispatch Melinda Czink (HUN). Then we moved out of Ashe Stadium to be closer to the action: the Grandstand. I got to see Mark Philippousis pounding 130 mph serves over Anthony Dupuis (FRA).  Next Amelie Mauresmo in cruise control over Maria Kirilenko. We moved from the Grandstand to Armstrong Stadium to see Roger Federer, who was playing so flawlessly it was boring. So we moved back to the Grandstand where Younes El-Aynaoui was duking it out with Rafael Nadal (ESP). Then I kept getting closer and closer during the Carlos Moya - Wesley Moody match in the afternoon, until I was courtside! The next day (30 Ago 2003) there were lots of rain delays, not much to report.

First time visit to Carnegie Hall. This was a very special way to celebrate Mexican Independence Day. Of course, the place was packed with paisanos. The set couldn't be simpler, two seats for the guitar players, Chavela in center stage. She has such a unique voice, the voice of so much pain. No wonder they say she is La Llorona incarnate. And when she did sing La Llorona... the feeling just swells up from the pit of the stomach, and you just want to cry.

My first night at the opera. I really enjoyed it. The acoustics of the newly remodeled opera house are fantastic. Enjoyed finally seeing the opera after hearing only snips of the music from Amadeus. The stage design, the music, and most of all the lovely company of Karen, her mom and Ingrid. It made for a very enjoyable night.

This was a great concert. Irving Plaza was the perfect venue for it, small and intimate. The people there knew what they were going to, and the mix of tango and dj is great to get people moving. Almost everyone I know who has listened to their stuff firsts asks who it is and then wants a copy!

Opera night with mom, dad, Laura and Karen. Finally got to see Figaro singing "Fortunatissimo de verita! Fortunatissimo de verita! Lara la la! Lara la la! Lara la lara la! Lara la la! Fiigaro! Figaro! Figarofigarofigarofigaro!" etc. The guy in the role of Figaro was perfect. He had the voice and the charisma for the role. The guy in the role of Count Almaviva I wasn't that impressed with, he lacked a bit of "oomph". But the lady in the role of Rosina had an amazing voice, her arias would raise the hair on your skin. And I particularly liked they guy who played Don Basilio, he had a deep deep bass that just resonated richly in the hall. I had never seen a horse live on stage either!

We started with dinner at Periyali, with a sample of the delicious octopus... Unfortunately, I forgot my camera at the restaurant and had to rush out of the opera to get it!