Lily Monir Matini, Esq.

had a blast with friends before and after the show
big shoutouts to (even though most of these people are on myspace):

Emily Hawtberg for the MAC advice, $45 purchase totally worth a new shade of lipstick and a killer makeover

Sean and Tonya, who throw the best party ever!
hope to reprise the hot tub fun at CJ and CH/NJC

and Marshall for the Standard in downtown LA Sunday night
what a great time, dancing and closing the night down together
http://www.standardhotel.com/

here’s the lowdown on the Grammy’s:

the Grammy’s are pretty much a rock concert, so no ability to meet
celebs there (they all come in from separate entrances), unless you
have seats on the restricted access red carpet floor seats, the sound
for the show was better than tv or via recording b/c it was live, all
the performances were worth the trip alone, especially Mary J. Blige,
Beyonce, Shakira, and Justin Timberlake as well as Chris Brown’s dance
tribute to James Brown (had no idea Chris could dance like that)

the pre-telecast awards have open seating for everyone, including
artists and their staff if they attend and pick up any awards there,
most of them are busy doing interviews, soundcheck or performing
elsewhere, so the academy accepted a lot of awards on behalf of the
winner, while there are fewer celebrities and artists at the
pre-telecast, there’s a greater capacity to meet those who show up
(some i remember being there: e.g. Kirk Franklin won for gospel twice,
OK Go for best video, Lewis Black for best comedy - and best acceptance
speech: hilarious), no restrictions and tons of great food, much better
than the food concessions (hot dogs, pretzels, and ice cream) at the
Staples Center, where the Grammy’s were held

Tony Bennett was 2 rows in front of me at the telecast, i could have
easily met him afterwards, but i got bad advice from the venue staff to
leave early and beat the lines at the Staples Center, had i known the
Grammy’s were starting at 5 pm, i would have hung out at the
pre-telecast longer

all the same, guess it was good that i went to the Staples Center early
b/c i negotiated my way to front row seats in the 300 nosebleed section
my free seats were in, by giving free legal advice (federally-based of
course) to the ticket door man and general manager, my free seats had
obstructed view above the rigging of the lights - which were not
lowered in the course of the show, so it was worth it to negotiate for
front row seats in that section, best i could do in that situation

unfortunately i didn’t have tickets to the official after-Grammy
celebration party and all my potential after-party connections fell
through, but The Standard with Marshall totally made up for it

best tip: since cameras aren’t allowed in the pre-telecast or the
Grammy’s itself, wear a suit and take in a disposable camera in your
inside jacket pocket, every door has metal detectors, which beeped when
my dad went through, but he said there was metal on his belt - totally
true, they swiped his belt, and let him pass, no questions asked,
sometimes if you beep and keep walking, they don’t stop you either, no
lies or express deception, just a way to work the system, and if you
get caught, more willing to lose a $10 disposable than a $300-500
digital

as for celebs:
i didn’t meet any but my dad did the night i left him alone for dinner
at the Wilshire Grand (during S&T’s party), he made a connection
with a couple people who work for A-list talent, one of which performed
at the Grammy’s, that’s all i can say right now, the guy happens to be
based in Maryland, and if they connect my dad for his plastic surgery
services: www.rejuvenationcenter.com like they said they would in
April, we might be in business, in more ways than one

the huge rooms at the Wilshire Grand (2 bathrooms, 2 beds, free
wireless, room for 30+ to party in), the free flight on Alaska -
grade-A service, and free tix to the Grammy’s were totally worth the
trip, best wishes to all those who attend in future years, especially
next year’s 50th annual event! and if you have a free ticket, remember
the chick gave you all the free advice

Forever in Love with Music,
Lily

ps. the pre-story, how i got my hands on these tix, in case you missed the bulletin:

Lily wrote:
> hey LAers,
>
> so i’ll be flying out Saturday morning, 9:15 EST
> arriving at LAX around noonish with my dad
>
> staying at the Wilshire Grand for the weekend
> and flying back to VA on Monday after noon
>
> so far my schedule’s free all day
> Saturday and Saturday night
> might catch Shannon’s show
>
> Sunday after a MAC appointment at noon
> (thanks for the tip Em)
> i’ll be at the Staples Center for the
> Grammy’s from 1 pm till evening
> so Sunday night later on is free too
>
> give me a shout if you wanna meet up
> see you soon!
> Lily

—————– Bulletin Message —————–

From: Lily Monir Matini, Esq.

Date: 01 Feb 2007, 04:24 PM

by yet another miracle from God, i won all-expense paid flight,
hotel and tix to the Grammy’s, along with a free guest pass which i’m
giving to the greatest man i know, my father: Dr. Khosrow Matini:

www.rejuvenationcenter.com

i might be in LA the Friday before and the Monday after, don’t know
yet b/c i haven’t figured out the exact flight info, so that’ll be
forthcoming, but i’ll definitely be in town the day before and the day
of the Grammy’s, Sunday night

give me a shout if there’s fun to be had before the Grammy’s,
especially if you’re willing to pick me up from wherever i’m staying,
no doubt near the site of the Grammy’s, in the Staples Center

courtesy of Hot 99.5 FM and Interscope Records, much thanks!

i need someone to help me with hair and makeup, Alanna? anyone? i’ll figure out a way to compensate you handsomely

if you want a chance at going to the Grammy’s next year:

- Listen to Hot 99.5 FM locally in the DC metro or online here: http://www.hot995.com/main.html

- Add 1 877 995 HOT1 to your cell phone address book

- Add Hot 99.5 FM on your myspace page for up-to-date news:  http://www.myspace.com/hot995dc 

- Remember the Grammy’s are always the weekend after the Superbowl, so plan accordingly

- Keep me on your good side for more helpful tidbits of info
- Check on contests for Grammy prizes around the last 2 weeks of
January, HOT 99.5 FM was the only station running a contest in the
tri-state area

- If you win, take me as your guest, since I’m helping you now

i’m so psyched for: THE POLICE are reuniting, Mary J. Blige
performing her best hit: "Be Without You, The Fray up for their best
song "Over My Head," Stevie Wonder there, and more!

i’ll keep you posted with more details and pictures in the near future

PRAISE GOD!

Lily