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14th July 2001, Saturday
The Radio Music Awards
The place is dark and hazy-looking because few lights are on and the crew members are fiddling with the cameras and equipment. People are already in the mood to party and they're bopping to the tunes of N'Sync and Ricky Martin. There's some sort of delay and we're all on the edge of our seats, grumbling under our breaths in impatience. On the screen, the mobile phone advert with the hyperactive girl has been played repeatedly for at least a zillion times. I'm beginning to seriously consider making a miniature model of this girl and sticking pins into strategic locations on it.
Finally, when I'm about ready to eat the strap on my bag, the screen lights up and a booming voice announces the all-star lineup for the night. There's Bosson! Sister 2 Sister! Jared Douglas! 2 Be 3! Standfast! A million others--but no MDO! Where are our darlings? The names have stopped flashing. Abruptly: "And now, MDO!" The twangy first notes of Just A Little Piece Of Heaven blast out, the stage is set ablaze and suddenly Abel, Didier, Caleb and Pablo are jumping about yelling "Whoa-oh!" This is more like it! Guys, bailalo caliente que alucine la gente!
The guys are dressed in black and they're wearing leather wristbands. Could they be portraying the image of rebel gangsters aiming for heaven? My beloveds for the past three years give an energy-charged, vivacious rendition of their brilliant song. Seeing only four guys on stage gives me melancholy pangs as the fact that dear old Alexis is gone for good is driven firmly and unmistakably home. Four of them--it's like going back to the days of Un Poco Mas, yet painfully different because Anthony isn't there. Didier takes over Alexis's part, and he does it beautifully. Abel hops up and down with his characteristic zeal and effervescence. They make me proud!
I realize I'm surrounded by N'Sync and Westlife cult followings whose lung capacities enable them to be major contributors to the already alarmingly high decibel level. We make our way down to the raised platform on which the performers are lounging.
The guys are seated around a little table, just relaxing and chilling. Abel is nursing his glass of water while Didier guzzles from a Coke bottle. Pablo's hair has grown out considerably and is now a pile of wheat-gold curls heaped atop his cranium, making him look somewhat Little Lord Fauntleroy-ish and sweetly cherubic. The perfect image for Pablito. Caleb's hair is pulled back and he's looking real upbeat and cheery, although I observe him commenting to Pablo that he's perhaps strained a muscle in his shoulder while dancing the "Just a little piece of heaven..." parts. He looks none the worse for wear though, and when he spots me his eyes light up in recognition and he grins from ear to ear. We wave to each other and he nods in smiling satisfaction.
Hereafter I endeavour to catch Didier's attention because I want to tell him cumpleanos feliz por adelantado, but before long I realize that I have a snowball's chance in hell, because Didier stares ahead of him the whole time and never thinks to look around to see what he might see! He just sits and watches in a blurry state and occasionally bops a bit to the music, unlike Caleb, who's being particularly bright-eyed and frequently catches my eye and smiles. This is possible because it would seem that the only other people who are showing an interest in the guys are people who, not even knowing their names, very cleverly yell "Hey, MDO guy!" to them. When Caleb hears Jennifer Lopez's name being mentioned, he starts twitching and gyrating in true J-Lo fashion, even giving a few wiggles of his derriere for good measure. This guy is priceless. I am reminded of the way he beamed like a proud father when I told him I liked his little giraffe that was riding in the front pocket of his backpack, after which he informed me that I would see it with him everywhere.
Abel's hair has grown out too, and he's so handsome. He glances over the railing and I wave to him. He waves back--I think he remembers me--then proceeds to flirt long-distance with me. He stares at me, then narrows his eyes, purses his lips and playfully shakes his index finger from side to side at me, like, Naughty naughty! I feign shock and he grins back widely. Abel teases me without even saying an audible word to me! Unfortunately this form of communication (Abel pulling faces and gesturing) does not go on indefinitely as I notice the Flying Dutchman staring hard at me from the platform <shudder>. Abelito, como te quiero! Te mandar mis besos.
Perhaps Abel is feeling slightly under the weather though, because he disappears towards the end and doesn't come back out for the finale. However, the spectacle of Pablo and Caleb grinding their hips against those of Sister 2 Sister is enough for me, I don't need Abel in there making close contact with them as well! Didier shows more chastity and restraint, for which I am proud of him. As the party draws to a close and they run offstage, I'm left with the sound of a big, hearty laugh resounding in my head.
Photos of The Radio Music Awards
