Tend to Talk Too Tersly

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So I've been home for an ENTIRE week (almost) and I haven't updated. It'll be ok. Nothing Earth shattering has happened aside from my seeing U2 LIVE and my seeing my sister's boyfriend, Jeffery, graduate earlier today. I'll tackle one issue at a time.

If you don't like U2, I'd like to say that there is a chance that you really could like them, but it's not very likely that you'll ever have it since the real fans are cutthroat with each other to get tickets to that chance. Going to their concert is radically different from hearing them on a worn out CD as I have for the past 3-4 years. My sister, whom I went with, is almost disgusting because she's such a big U2 fan, but I've always quietly skirted along the "they're OK" lines. I really enjoy their 80s stuff from The Joshua Tree Album, "Where the Streets Have No Name" is my favorite song. For a international super band that's been in the running for over 20 years, I figured a couple of really cool songs doesn't quite meet quota and I'm sure there are more who agree with me. But regardless of what you think of their music, there is little way of denying that they put on an amazing show, nay and experience.

The stage is set up so that an ellipse, or a half circle of catwalk, comes out from the stage and around a portion of audience. Melissa and I were about 8 yards from this ellipse and quite close to the center of it. The opening band was institution (the new band of the lead singer of Bush) and they were decent. They apparently played a lot of Bush songs, but since they were a little before my time, I didn't know any of them.

U2 kicked off with "City of Blinding Lights." As the piano tinkled on, Bono hopped up on stage RIGHT in front of us and confetti came drifting down in a huge cloud. To my disappointment, the band didn't come out onto the ellipse as much as Melissa said they did in Philadelphia, but it was ok. Every song sounded amazing. Bono frequently involves the crowd so there were many sing along and every note from Edge's guitar, Larry's drums, and Adam's Bass came through with clarity I've never experienced at a concert before. If you ever doubt U2's place in the the influence of rock music, just go to their concert and listen to Edge's trademark technique during "Still Haven't Found" or "Where the Streets have no Name." Then feel the pattern of thumps vibrating through your chest from the drums and the driving bass during "Sunday Bloody Sunday." You'd hear "Beautiful Day" for the first time because it's like hearing a different song from what was killed on the radio a few years ago. I promise, no matter where you stood before, you'll find some new level of respect for them musically after seeing them live.

I could go on for hours talking about the effects during the show, but that would get boring. They had a LOT of cool props and lights (including 6 curtains of linked lights that displayed images across them) but no single thing is what made the show good. It was really just a lot of fun to see them up close, hear their music for what it is, and experience it with a true fan and a wonderful sister.

As for Jeff's graduation...I'd say congrats, but apparently he doesn't like that so...go do...something...Jeffery...
We had refreshments after the ceremony and then had lunch at Ameadeo's (sp?) with his family, who are all lovely and charming people. If you ever go to that little Italian restaurant on Hillsborough Street, I highly suggest the shrimp alfredo with linguini.

And with that, I have a danger filled world to save with my atomic ice breath...