U2 U2 U2 U2 U2 U2 U2

What would a proper U2 be without the 3 Musketeers? That's all I've really known since the 1990's. So I'm going to include some pics of Aaron enjoying this concert with us front row from AZ. We were very fortunate this time around because Rebecca and her Husband Mark were present also to enjoy this amazing Set!!!               Like I talked about before, seeing U2 in concert is an experience. To me.... there are concerts and then there are U2 concerts. Without these two musketeers the experience would not be the same. Such a great time out with these two guys at the concerts over the years. When I go through the motions of staying in line all day and devoting an entire day and a half towards this group, I expect to get something back other than a great performance, right?
I mean come on be serious, if we really call ourselves Superfans 1-3 we have to try and gain everything we can, while we can that U2 is around right? There are a few items that I like to collect at the concert while I'm there if I'm lucky enough to get front row. The first is a set list. The second is I try to get a pick from The Edge or Bono. Those are pretty difficult. But the easiest of them all are pictures that I can take of the band from a great location. This time around I was unable to bring my camera and I relied on the guy next to me to take a few shots with his digital camera. I actually lucked out, because they turned out really well. Before checking out the pictures below check out the awesome new technology U2 put in place at this link that can allow you to locate yourself in the stadium and tag yourself within a High resolution picture!
http://www.u2.com/gigapixelfancam/110607/138138-jonathan-ruff

 
 

And this part was for her

This one's for the lonely
The ones that seek and find
Only to be let down
Time after time

This one's for the torn down
The experts at the fall
Come on friends get up now
You're not alone at all

And this part was for her
This part was for her
This part was for her
Does she remember?

It comes and goes in waves, i....

This one's for the faithless
The ones that are surprised
They are only where they are now
Regardless of their fight

This one's for believing
If only for it's sake
Come on friends get up now
Love is to be made

And this part was for her
This part was for her
This part was for her
Does she remember?

It comes and goes in waves,
I am only led to wonder why
It comes and goes in waves
I am only led to wonder why
Why I try

This is for the ones who stand
For the ones who try again
For the ones who need a hand
For the ones who think they can

It comes and goes in waves,
I am only led to wonder why
It comes and goes in waves
I am only led to wonder why
Why I try

Greg Laswell

When Inspiration flows freely

 I've always told myself....

Get that nasty feeling out of your system as quickly

as you can so that you don't regret it down the line.

Also, that you don't carry that burden with you the next day,

so that you may transfer that nasty feeling toward another soul.

This is why I enjoy the brush stroke, the smell, the texture

of oil paint late at night. For me, it's a calming and soothing rehabilitating feeling for me. Also when I paint for others I feel that that satisfaction feeling of their happiness of loving a piece that I made.

Art was never on my radar growing up.

I was always looking up to my sister in awe of everything

that she created. But through her inspiration and guidance I can

add some pointers to my feeble attempts towards my inspiration.

As I move forward in life inspiration is key with transition.

Growing up I might have looked to the wrong inspiration as I molded my life. However I feel that new inspiration is such a blessing at a very key point in my life. Whether it's through guidance, my painting, or my walk in life, I feel that inspiration is 

a key part of my maturation. 

"Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely."

~ Karen Kaiser Clark

Just a quick glance at happiness

I'll keep the long, juicy filled blog for another day when I have all of the pictures to make it amazing; however here is a quick glance at what we waited in line all day for.

Front row next to The Edge.

It doesn't get much better than that at a sold out Oracle Stadium.

It was amazing. Not just that I was there with Superfan #1, but of our location and the concert in general. U2 belted out 24

amazing songs over a 2.5 hour reign.

Like I said these pictures don't do it justice being taken by my IPHONE.

We were so close.....

Each and every time we get to experience
these guys, we are very lucky.

I swear at least three times in the concert Bono looked at Sooz and I, as if he were singing right to us.... no lie, I swear!

 I feel like a kid in a candy store when

I get to experience this band. 

From the stands, from the seats, even from 10 feet

away, U2 was made for a stadium concert venue.

It's more than a concert, it's a production. It's so planned out to perfection, that I think each and every 

fan can take something different away from the concert.

I've always enjoyed going to the concerts with my superfans because they know how amazing U2 is in concert. We each hold that common bond of loving the band in its entirety since we were very young. I'm sad in some ways that my Sister (superfan#1) 

and my brother (superfan#2) might not be able to trek

down with me to Anaheim in a week for their next concert.

This is why I'm trying to steal superfan #2 away

from his obligations in the bay area just for a day as

we trek down to try and find "happiness" again. We'll see. 

Maybe I'll bribe him and his lovely wife in some way or another. 

They only come around every so often right????

HaHa well there's my happiness for the week. 

Oh and also I was able to grab this while at the show!!!!

Thanks to my boy AJ from the U2 road crew.(pictured above)

The Day

The dawn breaks with excitement on his mind.

He collects his thoughts as two years have past.

His love for something as simple as a 4 piece quartet

has driven his heart, soul and body toward exhaustion.

Night turns into day as the fire continues to burn.

Will the night equate complete happiness?

The cold concrete is forgotten

as the seeming less future is foreseen.

Dates, pictures, hymns and stories are

thrown around as a stepping stone for discussion.

The group commences.

they begin there walk towards a song in the night

My heart rejoices with the rest.

The exhaustion secedes long enough 

to feel success of a brighter day.

The ink still stands 

as a reminder of better days spent

with the people I love.

jr 6/7

Have you ever wanted to meet someone really, really badly?

So have you ever wanted to meet someone, just to sit down to have a chat with? Well since I was eh..   say 8 years old I have been infatuated with the Enigma that is U2. I have been to countless concerts throughout the years, 2nd Deck at the Coliseum back in 1993 being the first one for the Zooropa Tour. Ever since that concert I have been addicted. At first it was just going to the show was enough for me. Not anymore! My Cohort Crazies (as I just made up the name) 

have been known  for doing some out of control stunts, just to see these guys up close. We're talking about staying up all night, waiting in line for up to 12 hours just to be one of the first ones in line to start the Underground U2 fan club list. My brother Aaron, sister Susannah, and myself recently traveled to Arizona to watch U2 out of state. It was a crazy idea to tell you the truth. 

Each of us were going through different things in our life and it was amazing to spend some time as siblings again. Long story much shorter, we arrive at the venue bright and early in the morning to get our name on the "list". And with that you get the number on your hand so that you may go about as you please throughout the day without losing your place in line. The line can get a little bit crazy at times as the day wears on. Example below where we have been waiting in line since 5 in the morning and this guy decides to show up 30 minutes before they let us in. he quickly got the clue.

 I really enjoy the time with my siblings as we wait all day to see our favorite band. Our quick foot pursuit from the G/A line down the back corridors of the stadiums is somewhat thrilling, as they whisk you to the floor level only to get as close as you can to the band. That is what is thrilling.

 

I enjoy making friends with people around me at the concerts. And my best friend that I always try to find is AJ in the U2 road crew. He's a shoe in for a set list and maybe a pick or two. I always gotta make the friends.  

Sitting Front Row against the metal barricades is the best feeling at a U2 concert. Especially when you stand up and turn around to see whats behind you an hour before the concert. 

So the question still stands. Have you ever wanted to meet someone really, really badly? Well for me its pretty plain and simple after reading this blog entry thus far.

 

 

 My answer....

Bono (Paul Hewson)

The Edge (David Evans)

Larry Mullen Jr.

Adam Clayton

They make us feel alive inside when we are belting our lungs out while singing along. I love these guys! 

 

They bring me closer to my siblings and they put a huge smile on my face!  I really want to meet U2, badly. However; if I can meet them while being front row for the 8th time while putting up with Lenny Kravitz for 45 minutes, I'll be a happy guy! Here's to Tuesday Night and getting closer to meeting my favorite band!