U2 Chicago

The day after the U2 concert in Nashville, David and I headed to Chicago for the next leg of the tour. We are not groupies...I promise! For the two previous concerts, we had tickets for reserved seats. We decided to do General Admission for the Chicago show to try and get a closer experience. However, in order to get this closer experience, we had to give up an entire day of our lives to waiting in line. We arrived at Soldier Field at around 8:45 a.m. on the day of the concert. We were not the first to arrive...ha! We were #523 and #524. Thankfully, we were positioned in the shade so this was the first of many things we were grateful.

We quickly made friends with those around us who were from the varying states of Ohio, Wisconsin and Kentucky. Each group had a different experience with U2 and a different reason for being there. We came prepared to wait out the day with cards and books but found that the conversations with those around us moved the time more quickly and didn't even need these forms of entertainment. Due to the warm weather, the stadium and U2 were concerned for our well-being and wanted everyone in the shade. So, the first 700+ of us GA's were moved to the inside of the stadium. Here we are inside at our new spot in line.

Three different times we were given "markings" to determine our "place." We were given our "un"official Sharpie # that marked where we were upon arrival in line. We then were given green bracelets to mark that we were general admission ticket holders. The black stamp was given to us for entrance in/out of the inner circle once we made it inside.

We had to choose our spot quickly once we were let onto the field of the stadium. We decided on the back railing of the inside circle so that we could get a full view of the stage, screen and have a level view of the outside ring where all four band members at some point during the concert would walk past us. We also had the bonus of being able to lean against the back railing, which was a life-saver on our backs!!

Here are a few shots during the concert. I had hoped to get better shots but it's difficult when it's dark and they are moving quickly. But I was able to capture the proximity of ourselves to the band.





At then end of one of their songs, it began to sprinkle for just about a minute. However, it was long enough that they put up their umbrellas on stage. How cool are they?!!

The entire day was an incredible experience and worth every minute of the wait! I would do it again....no, I don't have tickets for another show...yet! ha!

U2 Nashville

David and I are pretty big fans of U2...okay they are my favorite band. We saw them in Atlanta in '09 on this same 360 tour. After that show, all we wanted to do was see them again. So, we bought tickets for their proposed show in Chicago in July '10. Bono hurt his back and all concerts were cancelled for the rest of the year. Our show was rescheduled for July '11. THEN, they announced they were adding a show in Nashville just three days prior to their Chicago show. We couldn't NOT see them in our hometown. :) So here we are at the Nashville show.

We caught dinner with friends before going to the show in Hillsboro Village. It was fun walking from dinner to the concert and seeing so many familiar faces along the way. It seems like almost everyone we knew from Nashville was going to the show.

What a fun night, especially when Bono referred to having dinner the night before with people like Jars of Clay, Amy (Grant), and Michael J. Smith (I will now also refer to Michael W. Smith as Michael J. Smith...if Bono says it, it's TRUTH. :))

music for preschoolers

Wednesday is music class day for my boys. We enjoy this sweet time together of making music with percussion instruments and singing fun songs. Today included a Thanksgiving song list. Above are a few of the instruments that they enjoy playing. If you are interested in finding these for your own home, you can go here.

keb' mo'

Keb' Mo' was one of the performers last night at TOKENS. This was one of the songs that he sang and has become one of my favorites...hope you enjoy!!

music class dress up

I signed up the boys for a music class this year with Music with Mommie. They have enjoyed it so far and have made some new friends. For our class this past week, the kids all dressed up. This was our first time to try out our Halloween costumes. Asher was excited about being a football player. Jonas liked the idea of being a monkey UNTIL he had to put on the costume. I couldn't even get him to put to hood on for one picture.

All the kids enjoying the music (although you can't hear it in this picture :)) and bubbles...minus one kid.

Here is the child missing from the above picture. Still quite unhappy with the monkey situaiton.

One of Asher's favorite things to do is to play the "big drum." It can get quite loud when all of them play.

Asher enjoying dancing with the scarves (not stars..ha!) and yes, that is the hidden Jonas, crouching monkey!

Well, at least one out of two enjoyed the dress up time.

U2 Live in Atlanta

Last night, David and I stayed up a little past our betime to see the live U2 show on YouTube from the Rose Bowl. The show was great but it still didn't compare to seeing the show in person in Atlanta a few weeks ago rather than from our living room.
Live in Atlanta...

You can see why the it's called the 360degree tour!

One of my favorite songs was I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight. They played a different version that included the bongo drum. Incredible!

The Edge....

Saying goodbye!

Here was the setlist for our show.
10/06/2009 Georgia Dome - Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Breathe, Get On Your Boots, Mysterious Ways, Beautiful Day / Blackbird (snippet), I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / Stand By Me (snippet), Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of, No Line On The Horizon, Magnificent, Elevation, Until The End Of The World, The Unforgettable Fire, City Of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight / Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (snippet), Sunday Bloody Sunday / People Get Ready (snippet), MLK, Walk On / You'll Never Walk Alone (snippet)
encores: One / Amazing Grace (snippet), Where The Streets Have No Name / All You Need Is Love (snippet), Ultra Violet (Light My Way), With Or Without You, Moment of Surrender

Thanks for the early birthday present, David! And, thanks, Julie and Steve for hanging out with us pre- and post-show and arranging our hotel for the evening. What a fun night in Atlanta! Oh, and thanks Nana and Pops for watching the boys for the night. So, U2 has released their tour stops for 2010 in the US...anyone want to join me (and David, of course) for another show?

Live Music

David and I are normally home by 7pm any night of the week so that both kids are in bed by 8pm. But this past Saturday night, we were leaving the house at 8pm and heading downtown (thanks, Allison for babysitting). I could not believe how many people were out and going places and then I realized, they either don't have kids or have a baby-sitter. (You can tell we don't get out much any more.) This is what we were going out for:

Thanks to David's work we had free tickets and great seats. I would LOVE to show you how close we were to the stage BUT unlike the majority of the crowd, I do not have a phone that can videotape or even take pictures (again, showing how behind I am with the times). But I can show you the cover of the free CD Coldplay gave away after the concert.

This was one of the best concerts I have been to and would highly encourage you to buy tickets if it is coming anywhere near where you live. I can't stop thinking about it or listening to their music. Does anyone else feel this way after a concert? Chris Martin is not just an incredible singer but an amazing performer. Since I couldn't videotape the concert for you, I'll give you a sample of someone who did.

video by thejjb1

You Gotta See This

Grazie Susan Boyle! from seb fil on Vimeo.

I can't stop watching this video and each time I find myself in tears....sweet tears!

Shaun Groves

(picture from Shaun Groves blog)

Last night, our church hosted the muscial guest, Shaun Groves. He was part of a series we have had on Wednesday nights, where the muscial guest shares songs related to one of the Fruit of the Spirit and then a host and the audience have an oppurtunity to dialogue with the muscial guest between songs. Shaun's focus last night was on "gentleness." His songs spoke of the Kingdom of God that is NOW and how as Christians we are to become poor in Spirit first so that gentleness may be displayed in our actions. His main message was about our responsibility as Christians to take care of the poor and how our churches are failing to prepare us for this. We are more often taught on being "saved" so that we will go to heaven (and not hell) when we die but we are not being taught that Jesus was sharing a bigger message that many of us have missed. Jesus' message was that you are "saved" so that NOW you can act and bring about what He calls the Kingdom of God, a Kingdom where mercy, peace and justice reign! Not a popular topic we hear from the pulpit these days and that is unfortunate. Shaun tackled this hard question from an audience member on why do we not hear this message in our churches (of any denomination)? Shaun gave a great response that convicted me and brought me to tears. He even took the time to sum it up on his blog and you can read his response here. I hope you take the time to read his comments and share with me what you think.