It always pays to be up the front which is how I came away with a prized possession when Ne-Yo gave me everything in the USA.
When I came to reach highest to grab his sweat towel just at the point when he was belting out his classic toon with Pitbull.
And yeah, picture me with a Kodak, although we had moved on from that by 2017.
And our friends from the American Travel Fair in Washington DC boomeranged us holding the precious cloth later on.
All of which memories came flooding back as news pinged in my inbox of Pitbull’s much-anticipated run in Las Vegas.
Tonight, let’s enjoy life
Pitbull is taking the party to the Neon City this weekend, Friday, September 12 and Saturday, September 13.
As part of his Pitbull: Vegas After Dark The Residency.
Short notice we grant you but you might want to come back on November 21 and 22.
And a hint there for someone with that week being when I’ll have marked up six decades on this third rock from the sun.
This being Vegas there’s always a fight going on with this weekend seeing Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford going at it at the Allegiant Stadium.
Although Vegas brings out the lovers not the fighters in us.
Whether that was the Beatles LOVE Cirque du Soleil at the Mirage back in the day.
Or dancing to the Whip-Its with Cami from Utah off the Strip.
The Big Fight
Not that we don’t enjoy watching a good fight or wrapping ourselves up in boxing memorabilia, hype and thunder.
Channel your inner Muhammad Ali then at the Hall of Excellence where The Greatest’s boxing gloves are on display.
Along with Tiger Woods’ golf ball from his first Masters win, Olympic gold medals and all seven of Tom Brady’s championship rings.
Take a self-guided tour, narrated by such voices as Oprah Winfrey, Bob Costas, our old pal from Huntington Beach Snoop Dogg, and Morgan Freeman.
Think outside the box
If, of course, its showmanship you’re after follow the yellow brick road to the newest experience at Sphere for a mind-bending showing of The Wizard of Oz.
Which is expanded to fit the 360°, 16k definition screen.
You’ll be wrapped in colour and movement as seats rumble while you feel cool breezes and the sweet scent of poppies fills the air.
And we got a whiff of how much fun these shows are from taking in Shrek at Universal Studios in Orlando.
Before the show, take photos with the giant ruby slippers installation outside.
Also, during Canelo-Crawford weekend, you can catch the Eagles live as the legendary rockers continue their residency.