Marla's Vacation with Nate

Nate's spring break and my vacation to Los Angeles provided a bit of excitement this time. We had two major celebrity sightings and I was almost run over by a (pod, herd, hoard?? you choose) of papparazzi. Papparazzi are a phenomenon! They hide in corners, stand on car tops and then, when the celebrity arrives they hold their cameras high over their heads and move as one cell with the celebrity as the heart of the amoeba. They move with amazing speed (herd of gazelles comes to mind). There is no way you want to be in their way or you will be trampled.

Now--for the details. Britney Spears arrived at the Millenium on Saturday the 24th just after Nate and I arrived for his first class of the week. He was already in the classroom when she arrived with body guards. She was in the "celebrity room" when I arrived to watch class. However, as soon as class started she came out and completed the warm up exercises at the back of the room. It was amazing to watch everyone run in with water for her and then a Starbucks. Once the exercises were over she gave the class about 10 more minutes of her time and went back to her "room". She left before class was over. However, entering and leaving she was within a foot of Nate and he was happy. (BTW--she had a wig on and wore a hat--she was in pretty good shape for having had two kids but the spankies were a bit tight.)

On the same day we saw Marques Houston ("You Got Served 1 & 2" and various albums).

We also tried out the Debbie Reynolds studio hip hop classes and had good quality instructors there too.

In addition to dancing we took a bike ride along the beach from Venice to Santa Monica pier and toured the Getty museum. We had great family time with my brother-in-law and his wife and spent most of our nights at dance class. Oh-yes, did I mention driving? I have definitely logged chauffer hours once again. Also, I think we had over 25 Bentley and Rolls Royce Phantom sightings and at least 10 Ferrari's. Nate was in heaven.

We arrived home (Denver) on Friday. Nate then had the Monsters of Hip Hop Dance convention. The instructors/choreographers at this session have worked with Pink, Britney, Janet Jackson, Alicia Keyes, Missy Elliot, "You Got Served", Beyonce, N'Sync, B2K and more.

Nate, was really happy when he finally got noticed this weekend. He put two new "feathers" in his cap. One--he won a scholarship to the Millenium in Los Angeles. (This pays for his classes next time we go to LA) and he got an invitation to speak with MSA, the largest dance/talent agency in L.A. So he is feeling like he is on his way. Now we get to keep him grounded until he gets out of school.

Next year his goal is to dance well enough to make it to the large Monsters show in Los Angeles that is held every August. When he makes that we'll then go talk to the agent (2008).

I'm glad to be home. Tim didn't miss us too much--he is in the final tax crunch. We are all looking forward to April 16th so we can spend some time with him too.

Marla