In the City of Blinding Lights

Depending on which city Bono's in when you ask him, that'd be New York or London, now what city am I in right now? This past week has been a whirlwind! On Monday I did make it to the "secret" U2 show by the Brooklyn Bridge. It was SO wonderful to see them live again after three years. Bono sounded much better than he did on SNL last week, the band was in good form, and everyone was happy! They were, I was, everyone around me was. It was a lovefest. And we got 10 different songs out of them at this early stage. And the setting was stunning. It was such a perfect way to kick off another year of U2. Fortunately, everyone at work was very understanding of my running off at noon...they all know me as a U2 freak and I gave everyone advance warning - I think that was the key.

If that wasn't enough, on Tuesday night it was off on planes again, to Amsterdam and then to London, where I am writing this now. For what I paid for the plane and the hotel - $282 and £45/night respectively, it's turning out to be my poshest Euro trip ever. First, since I am Platinum still for the next few months, I get to use the pre-departure lounge. Then, I got bumped up to Business on the way out! That was sooo welcome, even though American's international coach is one of the most comfortable around, it can't beat a full Business class service. Getting bumped to Business also let me use the Arrivals Lounge at Heathrow, which is quite posh and has free showers - very welcome in the layover til my Amsterdam flight. My Amsterdam hotel was a cheapie but nice, and clean. My London hotel (considering London standards and prices) is my best ever digs here. 4* - King bed, nothing crumbling or smelling, nice decor and stylish furniture, ROOM to move about and stylish, modern full en-suite. What a difference from what I usually get here (well when I don't sleep on m.'s sofa bed for free, which you can't compare). So, anyway, at least I am traveling in style. The exchange rates for both the Pound and Euro are brutal though! I'm on limited EasyInternet time at the moment, will write about what I've actually done on this trip in my next post.

Rock 'n Roll Intrigue

So, the plot has been thickening with U2's "secret" (ha!) show. Looks more and more like it is a go - but just how many stops on the U2 train will there be tomorrow? Looks like the more definite stop will be right here in good ol' Brooklyn. Already hooked myself up with the ticket. The original rumored place is not out of the question though, we may be getting the U2 love throughout the city tomorrow! Is anything ever easy with this band? No, but blogcritics.org have pretty much summed up why we put up with it. And yes, SNL last night was a pissa!

I'm racing to get this proposal done in time, and I think I will - at home. Went all the way to the office this morning, only to have one of the locks break the key! So I had to turn right around back home. Have calls all over town to make sure I can get into the office early tomorrow. I will make it.

Let's get this party started!

I am all over this like a monkey to a banana tree, yessir. Going to be a little tricky getting out of work early that day, but I can swing it. From that sketchy post, I had all the details within a few hours. The U2 fan grapevine is good... Means working all weekend though in between the laundry and the packing. And, I got the actual real album today, five days early. I looove New York...

Somewhat U2-related, I also had a major blast from the past drop an e-mail into my Inbox this morning. Well, I'd been doing a little innocent Google stalking and passed along what I found to someone else looking for her, and she wrote me too. Google, bringing people back together. Wonder if they will pay me for that slogan...

OK, off to bed, have to hit work early tomorrow to compensate for next week's anticipated madness - ah, I've missed it!

1st Anniversary. Restart.

I am still alive! As if anyone is still checking this. Yes, I went on a bit of a walkabout away from the blog. Unplanned, mind you. Life...no, I have no life so make that work, got me away from it for awhile. Anyhow, today is the one year anniversary of when I started this thing, so I figure it's a good time to get back into it. May still be a bit spotty over the next week or so, but I am back to rambling on again.

Just ordered a new cell phone that I really shouldn't be spending money on, but it's really cool. I've been mulling over models and prices for months, but decided to get it now as I'm going away next week and I'll need to call back home. My current phone was supposed to be tri-band, but T-Mobile somehow gypped me and it never did work in Europe. My new one's got a camera (with a little video recording!) - so expect a few more photos on here, color screen, mp3-playing capability, and much better wap-ing. Finally in the year 2004 - well make that 2003, at least - with that technology.

Hopefully it will serve me well on my trip next week to Amsterdam and London. Been sitting watching the dollar tank lower and lower against the Euro and Pound, but what can you do. I'm going to be doing a lot of Asian take-out, maybe have lunch/dinners instead of lunches and dinners this trip... But, I'm excited to finally be seeing Amsterdam, even if it's not been a very good month for the city.

Oh yes, you know I do have the new U2 album. Been listening to it for nine days now, my co-workers think I am truly nuts. I like it lots, and am in love with Original of the Species and Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own. More about that on the weekend. I have near-definite plans for the tour opener in the Miami area on March 1, but I'm a little bummed because I found out today that the Australian closer is December 18th (2005). I had been toying with the idea of cashing in the frequent flyer miles and taking an Australian vacation to coincide with that, but December 18th is just so darn close to Christmas. I'll have to think, and see if I come up with a plan. Right now I am just sitting here listening to bad rock/rap and nu-metal, waiting for K-Rock to play 2 or 3 U2 songs in a row, so I can try to get into a listening session with the band in attendance on Sunday. The things I do for this band.

Oh yeah, I'm bummed about the way the election went, but I was prepared - I think the Kerry campaign really blew it. But, I lived through Reagan, lived through Bush the First, and I will probably live through Bush II, term two. I hope.

That's about it for now. Was it worth the wait? I didn't think so. But, wait.

Hello, hello...HELLO

Nothing to kick me out of my blogging slumber than some brand, spankin' new U2. Ahhhhhh... And boy, are they kickin' it with Vertigo! Lean, mean, and ready to rock 'n roll. The worldwide radio release is tomorrow, but as is customary, Irish radio played it today. That was the cry for other radio stations to jump the blocks, and the tune was out on the 'net within an hour. Haven't heard that rhythm section pump it out like that in ages. And The Edge - he's got his balls out and they are big - and that's a good thing. Very dirty guitar, the kind of dirt you want to roll around in. And Bono's part - the lyrics are much better than Electrical Storm and Elevation, not cheesy. Not the deepest lyrics, but this is a fun, rocking song, not meant to be that deep. However, there is something in there. Thumb quite up from me, and I know that this isn't even the best song on the album, have heard rough, poor quality sound files of Love and Peace or Else and Miracle Drug from the new album, and those are very promising. The boys are back, and I'm not worried about this album. No siree.