Change of plans: Five for Fighting, Day Four

So, as I mentioned in the last blog post, I received an unexpected invitation by John Ondrasik to attend the last Five for Fighting show in the current tour in Thousand Oaks, CA. I had initially requested to get on the guest list for that one, but was told the list was maxed out. Instead, I settled for the show in San Juan Capistrano...you can read about that one also in the last post. After making a new hotel reservation, I had to quickly come up with an alternate plan on how to spend my free day in Los Angeles. The easiest place I could think of was the Los Angeles Zoo. It had been several years since I last visited that zoo, so it was settled.

My drive back north on I-5 was much better than yesterday's nightmare on I-405. When I arrived at the zoo, I was surprised to find the parking lot packed with vehicles...and the zoo and only been open for a half hour. I soon discovered the reason why...they had a Halloween event going on. I found myself having to deal with a zoo full of rugrats and their parents! Not only that, the temperature was hot...much too hot for my liking. I would later find out it was over 90 degrees! But, I made the best of my zoo visit by enjoying the animals...and taking photos of them. I tried to look for the unusual or creative shots. For instance, the meerkats seemed a bit intrigued by the gummy meerkats above their enclosure.

Mommy, what are the tigers doing? They're just playing! Hot and sweaty from my zoo visit, I was ready to check into my hotel and prepare for the Five for Fighting concert. I got to the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza pretty early, but I always do. After getting my comp ticket from the box office, I sat outside the building that contained the Scherr Forum...the venue for the show. The bench I was sitting on was very close to the security box that controlled access to the performers parking area. Suddenly, a late model black sedan pulled up to the box...and it was John driving! I yelled, "Hey!" and John replied that he would see me later.

A short while later, I went inside and waited in the lobby for the doors to open. I chatted with the gal staffing the merch table...she had been doing so for the whole tour. When I got inside the theater, I found my seat was at the top row of the orchestra section...that would be sixth row from the stage. As the attendees filed in, I kept my eye out for John's family. Soon, I saw John's parents come in and take a seat down the row from me. A little later, John's wife Carla arrived and prepared to sit next to them. When she looked in my direction, I waved to her and Carla came over to greet me.

My last Five for Fighting string quartet show of the tour was fantastic as usual. The audience was filled with John's family, friends and industry acquaintances. The venue requested that people not take any photos or video, not that I really needed to do that. I've already done that during the previous shows, and I really have enough. What is more memorable is my interaction with John and the quartet. And, after this show, I introduced myself to John's parents...I've never really formally met them in the past...and it was nice talking to them. John came out to chat with his friends, and I was able thank him and say my goodbyes.

And so, my latest rendition of the Five for Fighting groupie experience has finally...for sure...come to an end. It was fun...lots of fun...but, I have more road trip to go. Tomorrow, I continue on to Yuma, then Tucson, before working my way back north. I'm dreading what appears to be more blazing hot temperatures. I may need to find indoor activities if this continues. I'm melting!