Merry Christmas!

World AIDS Day 2009

I went (RED) today and so did my little guy! We both wore (RED) shirts. I sipped coffee and iced tea all day from my (RED) Starbucks tumbler and even put my new 'all you need is love' (RED) CD on my iTunes.

Oddly enough, most of these things I do on a normal given day, but today I was doing it for a reason.

visit www.joinred.com and help make a difference!

A Week of "New"

Last week was an eventful one - well at least for me personally.

Monday, I finally went in and got my "reward" tattoo! I reached my 20lb weight loss goal this summer and just never got around to making an appointment and finding a new artist (my other tattoos were done by the same guy in California).

(forgive the picture, it was taken right after i took the wrapping off.)


The words are in Gaelic and they translate as "beautiful day." It's one of my favorite U2 songs and it's also a song that has helped me to keep going even when times are hard. Every day is a beautiful day in someway, you just have to look for it.

The other "New" in the week was New Moon! I saw it at noon on Friday. AMAZING movie! I am actually hoping to see it again in the next few weeks. The movie seemed to go by so fast! i wished they would have tacked on at least another hour of content - not at the end but just adding more details to the storyline that were in the book.

So now I am onto listening to Eclipse then onto Breaking Dawn before I head back to the people created by Nora Roberts. It really does amaze me how much I really like the Twilight series. It's the only book or books in my entire life that I have read/listened to more than twice! I am still enjoying it on my 4th time through :)

(RED) Zone Here We Come!!!!

This afternoon my hubby and I won tickets in the auction for (RED) Zone tickets!!! On July 6th, 2010 we will be upclose and personal with 4 of my favorite Irish men!

If you aren't familiar with the location of the (RED) Zone, the arrow I put on the map of Soldier Field shows where we will be. We will be on Adam's side :) That's the bass player.





To give you an idea of how close we will be,, here is a video from a U2 fanatic I met on the forums on @U2.com. Just click this link to view the amazing video.

Can Bono Get Any Hotter? Seriously....

The first 30 seconds makes my heart melt....

U2 Presale - Chicago!

Presale starts tomorrow for my presale code! I am STOKED to say the least!!!

Sweetie and I talked about tickets and what not - we decided to try for (RED) Zone tickets.

What is the (RED) Zone? Here is a description from Ticketmaster:

The very limited capacity (RED) Zones, which are high profile general admission standing areas located on the field directly adjacent to the stage runways, is the place to be at the Artist Page concert event of the year - U2 3602 World Tour.

(RED) Zone Package Auction winners will enjoy:

- The only reserved General Admission VIP standing area nearest the stage
- Entering the Stadium through an assigned VIP entrance/gate
- Avoiding lines and still be beside the stage; regardless of your arrival time
- Being greeted in by (RED) Zone Hosts
- And more...!

We start bidding tomorrow afternoon - I am hoping that we snag tickets. I have seen pictures from people who have had these tickets and I am amazed at how close they were. If we do snag these precious tickets I will not only feel amazing because I will probably see sweat coming off the guys as they pass by, but also because part of what we paid will help buy AIDS drugs in Africa.

I'm crossing my fingers and toes and hoping that my Irish luck helps me win!

Papercut....

New clip from New Moon! Less than 3 more weeks to go!

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

Happy Birthday To Me!

It's been a Twilight and U2 birthday :)

My hubby got me these:



The front says "Twilight" then below "Vampires are Forever" Then on the back it has Stephanie's website along with the store's website.
This shirt says "I bet she's tougher than that..." On the back, "she runs with vampires." This one I will be wearing to the New Moon movie on release day :)
And since Unforgettable Fire was remastered and releasing on Tuesday, he pre ordered it for me! woots!
And my son got me the Twilight Journal set. What's really neat is that the journal has quotes from each of the books inside on about every other page. Super neat :)

The other awesome thing is that I got cash and gift cards to resupply my wardrobe since I lost about 20lbs since last fall! I am in serious need of new clothes!

My Recent Obsession: Audiobooks.

Thank God for the library and free downloadable books to "check out" virtually or I would be in the poor house! I find myself going through a book in about a day and a half!

I am a big multi-tasker so i listen while I do house hold chores, fold laundry, drive int he car by myself... It makes the day go by quickly and I don't have to sit down to read a book but listen to it! I wish that i would have discovered this before I read Twilight Sagas because there was a full week where my housework suffered lol!

There is so much to be said about a library. Who woulda thought I would become a library rat :P

Bono and The Edge on the Cover of Rolling Stone

WOOT! U2 is on the latest issue of Rolling Stone! I'm stoked that I got this magazine for free from buying my bag with Bono as The Fly on the front (also a RS cover).

Can't wait to read it!

Twilight Scene It?

WOOTS!!! I just found out that Scene It? is releasing a Twilight version this October and supposed to be released on the Wii sometime this fall!!!

I'm stoked because it means I will be able to kick my hubby's ass in a game - finally! lol!

Oh Happy Day!!!

It's been a long time coming! We finally got 3G in our area!!!! After moving from the SF Bay Area we have been without 3G on our iPhones - unless we drove through Chicago or another largely populated area.

This morning I was letting the dog out and checked a list of stuff I had to do today on my iPhone. When I clicked over I saw 3G for just one second then it switched over to our wireless network. I told my hubby about it and asked him if it was real! He turned off his WiFi and sure enough it's for real!!! I actually did a little jig lol I'm such a dork ;)

Edward and SNL song

If you're a fan of Twilight and you like the SNL songs like Mother Lover and Dick in a Box then you will like this video :)

Twilight cuts done to the song Jizz in my Pants - makes me laugh! HA!

U2 Concert - A Look Back

On Monday I caught an interview on Good Morning America with the guys. They talked about how they had not played arenas in 10 years. 10 Years ago was the first time I saw U2 during their Popmart tour. I believe that Bono took on another persona during the tour - it was very different than any other tour they have done.

The last two tours I saw U2 perform in an enclosed place. I honestly believe that is why the last two tours seem like they were more intimate. I do have to say that the concert seemed to go by FAST! I remember when U2 did their first encore I looked at my iPhone for the time! I really thought they hadn't been on stage for long and it had been 2 hours already!

I feel very honored to be apart of a historic event in any U2 fan's life. :)

It was a Beautiful Night!

Yesterday was beyond amazing! Seeing U2 perform for the first time during their North American tour....being present at the event was something more special than I can actually say! Our seats were AMAZING to say the least! It was the closest I have ever seen them at any of the last 5 concerts I have attended.

I do have to say that the concert had a completely different feel than I had ever experienced than anything they have done in the past. The last two tours seemed intimate. This tour it felt like there was a disconnect. It was not at all the intention that the band had - they wanted the audience to feel like they were a 5th member of the band. Don't get me wrong, the concert was amazing! It was just different.

They also played a few songs from the past that i have never heard them perform live before: The Unforgettable Fire was among them as well was Ultra Violet. And there were some songs that they did not play that I had heard played live every other time I had seen them: Bullet the Blue Sky and Until the End of the World.

The night was amazing though. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I consider myself extremely lucky to get tickets and seriously awesome seats.

TODAY IS THE DAY!

Today I get to see four of my favorite Irish men on stage!!! I am beyond excited!!! This is the first time I have been able to attend a show that was the first one on the tour in North America. AND it's the first time that I got tickets on a lower level so Bono and the boys don't look like ants on stage (not that it really matters a whole lot since they have the big screens which are AWESOME!).

So I leave for the Windy City with my Sweetie and a fist full of cash to blow on every U2 item my little heart will desire :)

U2 performed during the half time show of the Super Bowl in 2002. The tragedy that occurred on 9/11 happened only 4 months prior to their performance.

At this time U2 was also touring and they had worked the tribute into the show. Just as you see it. All the names of those who lost their lives scrolled by as they same Where the Streets Have No Name.

Today, this is my tribute to those who perished and to honor those who are fighting to preserve our freedom.

Numb

Numb is a song that is mainly spoken by The Edge. The video is so funny! Take a look!

U2 Guide in Dublin

After cruising around a U2 fan site (@u2.com, I came across a map that shows all of U2's old haunts. It's a must do for any U2 fan headed to Dublin.


View @U2's Guide to U2's Dublin in a larger map

Get On Your Boots

This song was the first single released from No Line on the Horizon. Oddly enough the song really sounds nothing like the rest of the album. The song has grown on me though, although it does not rank among my top faves.

The Sweetest Thing

Oddly enough, Bono wrote this song for his wife, Ali. I remember reading somewhere he intended for it to be a love song. After reading the lyrics you will see that it didn't quite turn out like that lol Bono had said that somehow it always happens when he trys to write songs for his wife HA!

My love, she throws me like a rubber ball
(Oh, the sweetest thing.)
But she won't catch me or break my fall.
(Oh, the sweetest thing.)
Baby's got blue skies up ahead
But in this, I'm a raincloud
You know she wants a dry kind of love.
(Oh, the sweetest thing.)

I'm losin' you, I'm losin' you
Ain't love the sweetest thing?

I wanted to run, but she made me crawl
(Oh, the sweetest thing.)
Eternal fire, she turned me to straw.
(Oh, the sweetest thing.)
I know I got black eyes
But they burn so brightly for her
I guess it's a blind kind of love.
(Oh, the sweetest thing.)

I'm losin' you, I'm losin' you
Ain't love the sweetest thing?
Ain't love the sweetest thing?

Blue-eyed boy meets a brown-eyed girl.
(Oh, the sweetest thing.)
You can sew it up, but you still see the tear.
(Oh, the sweetest thing.)
Baby's got blue skies up ahead
But in this, I'm a rain-cloud,
Ours is a stormy kind of love.

U2 on SNL!

U2 is going to help kick off SNL's season by being their first musical guest!!! WOOT WOOT!

One

U2 made three versions of videos for the song One.

This version features Bob Hewson, Bono's father. And it seems like Bono singing the song to his father - but that is just my assumption.



This version features Bono sitting at a table at a bar singing the song. It almost seems like you're sitting at the table with him and he's talking to you. It's one of my favorite videos of all time.

This version features stills and video footage of buffaloes and flowers including the word One in different languages.



Mary J. Blige covered the song a few years ago. This version is pretty cool. I love MJB and she's performing with some of my favorite guys.

Johnny Cash - The Wanderer

Did you know that Johnny Cash performed a song on U2's Zooropa CD? It's the very last track and it's sorta a secret song. Johnny sings the song while The Edge plays guitar and sings background. It's actually a pretty cool song to hear Cash sing.

U2 Three

This was U2's very first album release. It was released in 1979 and only contained three songs: Out of Control, Stories for Boys, and Boy/Girl.

Limited copies were made, but there were several presses were made of the LP. Very few copies still exist.

About four Christmases ago, my husband asked me what was one of U2's singles that I wanted the most. My response was, "U2 Three but there is no way that you could ever find a copy of it." Apparently that set him on a hunt and lo and behold I unwrapped my very own copy of U2 Three! Although my copy is one of the later presses, I am still very proud to own it and display it in an album frame next to my desk.

Down 19 lbs!!!

One more pound and I will reach my goal for getting a new tattoo!!!
And I know exactly what I want to;)

Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own

Bono with his father, Bob Hewson who passed away in 2001

Bono wrote this song as a tribute to his father. From what I have read about Bono's life from his biography, his dad was pretty much a hard ass. Bono's mother died when he was only 14 which left his father to care for him and his brother. One gift his father did give him was his voice. Bob was an amateur opera singer. And if you ever hear Bono singing Miss Sarajevo and performing Pavarotti's part, you will see clearly he inherited his voice.

I really like the video for this song. Bono seems transparent. And another cool fact, some of the video was recorded in the house where Bono grew up.

U2 Way

photo from Getty Images

In March, around the time when No Line On The Horizon was released, New York City named a street after U2. U2 Way aka W. 53rd st.

Ok, ok...the wig's not so bad

I just found this photo this morning. It's from the Eclipse photo shoot. The wig's not so bad. Although, when it was parted to the side it looked pretty bad :P

Twilight Saga in 9 days

I decided to read (well listen because of I have the whole saga on audiobook) the entire Twilight Saga. I thought that the second time through it wouldn't grab me by the shoulders and demand to be read. Well, I was very wrong. I cannot believe how quickly I made it through the whole series again!

It's amazing how many things I didn't pick up on the first time through and how many things I forgot that happened or how they happened. Part of me felt like I was reading it for the first time.

I am so glad I bought the series because I am very tempted to start listening again! Yes, I know I have a problem lol

U2 does David Letterman's Top 10 List

When I was looking for a video of Breathe performed on David Letterman, I stumbled across this video and thought it was hilarious!

Kristin Stewart - Your Hair Dear Girl!

Eclipse is finally filming. All of us have been wondering how to they would make K-Stew's hair go from this mullet (bleck!):



To this:



The end result....


Um, not diggin the wig so much. I think that she should have kept her "Bella" hair and worn a wig to be Joan Jett...I hope it looks better on film.

Breathe

I remember hearing this song for the first time on the David Letterman show. U2 performed during the entire week that No Line on the Horizon was released. The first time I heard it I didn't really like it - it's very different from anything else that U2 has ever done. But the song grew on me and it's one of my favorites from NLOTH.

Grammys

U2 has more Grammys than any other band - period. The total to date is 22 and of course growing. Pretty impressive for a 33 year old band made up with a bunch of boys from Dublin ;)

Beautiful Day

This is one of my most favorite songs! It was the song that played at my wedding reception when my hubby and I were introduced. It's a song that can get me in a good mood no matter what has happened.

Bono said that he wrote the song thinking of a man who lost everything and still somehow finds something to be happy about. Maybe that's why it always seems to cheer my up :)

Wanna her the song? Click here for the video.

Next Stop Chicago!!!

U2 gave their last concert in Europe on the 22nd. Next stop is Chicago! The very concert that I will be at :) WOOT!

If you wanna see a video clip from the show click here. (I didn't watch it though;)

Kite - Letting Go

Today was my son's second day of kindergarten. It has been very strange to not have my little sidekick with me all day long.

Bono wrote the song Kite about his kids and letting them go - them not needing him.

Here are the words to the song:

Something is about to give
I can feel it coming
I think I know what it is
I'm not afraid to die
I'm not afraid to live
And when I'm flat on my back
I hope to feel like I did

Cause hardness, it sets in
You need some protection
The thinner the skin

I want you to know
That you don't need me anymore
I want you to know
You don't need anyone, anything at all

Who's to say where the wind will take you
Who's to know what it is will break you
I don't know which way the wind will blow
Who's to know when the time has come around
Don't wanna see you cry
I know that this is not goodbye

In summer I can taste the salt in the sea
There's a kite blowing out of control on a breeze
I wonder what's gonna happen to you
You wonder what has happened to me

I'm a man, I'm not a child
A man who sees
The shadow behind your eyes

Who's to say where the wind will take you
Who's to know what it is will break you
I don't know where the wind will blow
Who's to know when the time has come around
I don't wanna see you cry
I know that this is not goodbye

Did I waste it?
Not so much I couldn't taste it
Life should be fragrant
Roof top to the basement
The last of the rock stars
When hip hop drove the big cars
In the time when new media
Was the big idea
That was the big idea

I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight

If you have seen U2 in Blackberry commercials then you have already heard part of this song.

One of the videos for this song is animated and tells a story throughout the whole video. It's interesting and different. If you wanna take a look click here. You will see a screen shot from the video I am talking about ;)

I Will Follow

This song is probably U2's first hit. It was released on the Boy album in 1980 and ever since then it has become a well loved song by all U2 fans. In fact, it's my hubby's favorite.

Check out U2 performing the song. Taken from Live at Red Rocks:

The Passengers (aka U2 and Brian Eno)

In 1995 The Passengers released an album. The band was made up of all four members of U2 and Brian Eno (who often produces with the band). The album was filled with experimental songs, which is why the band released it under a different name.

The album says it's a soundtrack, but it's really not. The "movies" the songs are made up from are fictitious and names used relating to those films are actually plays on different band members names.

One song that might be reconized that was on this album was Miss Sarajevo. Luciano Pavarotti sang part of the song in Italian. It was released on the Best of 1990-2000.

Disappearing Act

Information on a new song revealed in an interview and noted on U2.com:

"And Edge explained that Disappearing Act was originally called White City and was started with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois during the session for The Unforgettable Fire in 1983. 'We discovered it six months ago, did some work on it in France and it's now finished.'

Expect it as part of the bonus material for the remastered edition of 1984's The Unforgettable Fire, later this year."

Looks like I will have to buy the remastered version of The Unforgettable Fire. Good album btw! I haven't listened to it in a while and think I just might turn it on as soon as I wrap up this post. The Unforgettable Fire brought hits like "Pride (In the Name of Love)" and "Bad."

OOOOOOooooooOOOOOO 5 Twilight Films?!?!

Read this.... I would LOVE to hear more about Edward, Bella and of course Renesmee and Jacob ;)

Temptation....

I checked my email today and received this message from U2.com. As a subscriber, we get special perks.... This is one I am trying hard to resist so I can have a fresh view and listen to the concert without knowing too much.... ugh!

Boy

U2's debut album, Boy, had two covers. The one below is what is actually on the CD that I own.



The image of this boy (who is actually the brother of one of Bono's close friends) was on the cover originally. It was thought that people would think that U2 were pedophiles so the alternate cover was used. This is the cover that U2 uses for the album on their website.
U2 released their third album, War, with an image of the same boy. From what I have heard (but cannot confirm with anything said from the band) the boy was in a fight at school around the day of the photo shoot.

U2 by Numbers

33

years ago, U2 formed as a band. The exact date:
September 25th, 1976 - exactly one month before I was born!

13

albums (studio recorded, not including the two "Best of" albums or U218)

240

songs written by U2

4

original members: Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr.

1

concert performed without all 4 members. Adam Clayton could not perform
due to his alcoholism (he swore off alcohol from that night forward).
His guitar tech played in his place.

1,000,000 +
lives touched through charities supported by U2

Until the End of the World

Song wrote about Judas and Jesus and Judas' betrayal. This song has been performed at every concert I have attended. It's an awesome theatrical scene.

This video is from U2's performance at Slaine Castle in Ireland.

New Moon - Meet Jacob Black Trailer

WARNING!!!!
IF YOU HAVEN'T READ NEW MOON AND
DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANY SPOILERS
THEN DON'T WATCH THE VIDEO :)

O.....M......G...... This trailer is amazing! There are more new images from the movie and the first sighting of the Volturi! This is going to be so freaking amazing...I can't wait!

My Life According to U2

I saw this on Facebook and thought I would give it a shot ;)

Using only song names from ONE artist, cleverly answer these questions. You can't use the band I used. Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think! Repost as "my life according to (band name)."

1. Are you a male or female? “Party Girl”
2. Describe yourself: “Even Better Than the Real Thing”
3. How do you feel: “Magnificent”
4. Your family: “Sweetest Thing”
5. If you could go anywhere, where would you go: “City of Blinding Lights”
6. Your favorite form of transportation: “Kite”
7. Your best friend: “Yahweh”
8. Your favorite color is: “Lemon”
9. What's the weather like: “Beautiful Day”
10. Favorite day: “Somedays are Better Than Others”
11. If your life was a TV show, what would it be called: “Walk On”
12. What is life to you? “No Line On The Horizon”
13. Your current relationship: “All I Want is You”
14. Looking for: “Where the Streets Have No Name”
15. Your fear: “Lady with the Spinning Head” (it’s a b-side and a good one I might add!)
16. What is the best advice you have to give: “Love and Peace or Else”
17. If you could change your name, you would change it to: “Grace”
18. Thought for the day: “Breathe”
19. How I would like to: “Trying to Throw Your Arms Around the World”
20. Your pet: “One”
21. My motto: “Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own”

Lemon

Bono wrote this song after viewing film of his mother in a yellow dress.

Bono's mother died at her own father's funeral of an aneurysm. Bono was only 14.

Lemon was released on the Zooropa album, that was recorded part way through the Zoo TV tour. Zoo TV not only featured The Fly persona but also MacPhisto. MacPhisto performed the song on stage as well as in the video.

"We came up with a sort of old English Devil, a pop star long
past his prime returning regularly from sessions on The Strip
in Vegas and regaling anyone who would listen to him at
cocktail hour with stories from the good old, bad old days."
~ Bono's description of MacPhisto

Lemon is not only a song that U2 sings, but they featured it in their Popmart tour. The lemon was mirrored and during the second part of the concert the band came out of the lemon. It was quite a sight to see, with lights reflecting off of the mirrors. lol

October

FACT: Bono lost (or someone stole) the lyrics he was writing for this album while U2 was touring the U.S. for their first album, Boy. The album was pretty much thrown together.

One of my favorite songs from the album is October, very different from any other U2 song you will hear.

Dear Editor, We Don't Care...

Today I opened up my People magazine and paged through it while I had a few minutes. I turn to the "Mailbag" section (letters to the editor) and see a photo of one of the latest covers featuring Rob Pattinson. The headline read, "Twilight's Robert Pattinson: His Messy Love Life."

Here is the letter that got my attention:

"Robert Pattinson should have a messy love life; that's what being his age is all about..... So go ahead, Robert, play the field!" Lydia Louli - Ottawa, Canada

**APPLAUSE**

That is EXACTLY what I said to my hubby after reading the article myself. Rob is young, good looking and I am sure has his pick of women to say the least. Let him be.

BTW, thanks People for actually posting those letters.

Stay (Faraway, So Close)

Recently I was thinking about this video. My favorite part is when the band starts to step in...wonder what I mean? Just watch...

Walk On

This song always pops into my head when I'm down or battling against something difficult. Take action and move through it...Walk On.

And love is not the easy thing
The only baggage you can bring...
And love is not the easy thing....
The only baggage you can bring
Is all that you can't leave behind

And if the darkness is to keep us apart
And if the daylight feels like it's a long way off
And if your glass heart should crack
And for a second you turn back
Oh no, be strong

Walk on, walk on
What you got they can't steal it
No they can't even feel it
Walk on, walk on...
Stay safe tonight

You're packing a suitcase for a place none of us has been
A place that has to be believed to be seen
You could have flown away
A singing bird in an open cage
Who will only fly, only fly for freedom

Walk on, walk on
What you've got they can't deny it
Can't sell it, can't buy it
Walk on, walk on
Stay safe tonight

And I know it aches
And your heart it breaks
And you can only take so much
Walk on, walk on

Home, hard to know what it is if you've never had one
Home, I can't say where it is but I know I'm going home
That's where the hurt is

I know it aches
How your heart it breaks
And you can only take so much
Walk on, walk on

Leave it behind
You've got to leave it behind
All that you fashion
All that you make
All that you build
All that you break
All that you measure
All that you steal
All this you can leave behind
All that you reason
All that you sense
All that you speak
All you dress up
All that you scheme.

(Click the title of this post to view the video)

CoeXisT

This is a video from the the Vertigo Tour. To me this moment spoke volumes to our world needing peace because we all come from the same place...

New Moon Trailer - 14 Seconds...

And here is one with extra bits from MTV's Movie Blog (pretty funny I might add ;):

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

Electrical Storm

Not a very well known song, but for those of you with the Best of U2 1990-2000 may have heard it. Enjoy the video. It's very different than anything U2 has ever done.

Sunday Bloody Sunday

This song is one of U2's most recognized songs; it's actually one of my favorites but not for reasons that people might think.

The song brings to life the mindless killing that has gone on and still happens in Ireland today. This song in particular is about civil rights activists being gunned down by British troops in Northern Ireland.

Bono made this statement in the middle of performing Sunday Blood Sunday. It was captured on film on Rattle and Hum:

"And let me tell you somethin'. I've had enough of Irish Americans who haven't been back to their country in twenty or thirty years come up to me and talk about the resistance, the revolution back home…and the glory of the revolution…and the glory of dying for the revolution. F*ck the revolution! They don't talk about the glory of killing for the revolution. What's the glory in taking a man from his bed and gunning him down in front of his wife and his children? Where's the glory in that? Where's the glory in bombing a Remembrance Day parade of old age pensioners, their medals taken out and polished up for the day. Where's the glory in that? To leave them dying or crippled for life or dead under the rubble of the revolution, that the majority of the people in my country don't want. No more!"

That was "no more" of the song being sung at a concert for over 10 years.

The first U2 concerts I was able to attend were the Popmart tour. I saw them before they went to Europe and afterwords. I remember being at the concert with one of my very good U2 freak friends and hearing the guitar riff from Sunday Bloody Sunday start....I gasped and turned to him! He told me that they had started performing at their concert in Sarjevo (a war torn city). That was the first time I cried at a concert... I knew I was experiencing something that was moving on so many levels...

The Edge did a solo performance during the last leg of the Popmart tour, which definately made the song more somber (as it probably should be). But the last two tours (Elevation and Vertigo) Bono headed the band in performing the song.

If you click the title of this post, it should take you to a video of the best performance of all time by of Sunday Bloody Sunday. U2, Live at Red Rocks.

Red Hill Mining Town

Song from the Joshua Tree album. I believe the general public probably will not recognize, although, it was slotted to be the second single released from the album. Might be why they made a video.

The beginning shows footage of old coal miners, but after the footage you are in for a treat... The first time I saw this video I don't think my eyes moved from the TV... Bono minus sunglasses and singing directly to the camera... nuff said....

Where the Stars Go Blue

Lately I have had one of The Corrs (another one of my favorite Irish bands) songs running through my head.

Bono teamed up with them and performed the song Where the Stars Go Blue.

Enjoy!

Pride and City

Pride (In the Name of Love)

A song that is near the top of my list of favorite U2 songs (don't ask for the list or you will get WAY too many! HA!) This song is clearly about Martin Luther King (and possibly Jesus).

"Early morning, April four
Shot rings out in the Memphis sky.
Free at last, they took your life
They could not take your pride."

When I thin of this song I think of President Obama's inauguration concert. U2 performed this song on the very spot that MLK gave his "I Have a Dream" speech. I cannot imagine how the band felt playing on that very spot and watching MLK's Dream come true with our new president.

In light of President Obama's recent birthday (on the 4th), I found a video of this performance.

City of Blinding Lights

And since I missed posting yesterday, this video is a two in one. U2 also performed the song "City of Blinding Lights" as it was a song that Obama used during his campaign.

Let me tell ya, if you see them live in concert this song tops the charts on the frakking amazing list! I won't go into detail here in case you want to experience it live yourself (if you were lucky enough to get tickets!). But if you are curious as to what I am talking about you can click here and it will redirect you to a video... Of course, it doesn't even compare to what it's like seeing it live.

What can I give back to God, for the blessing he poured out of me?

"Where the Streets Have No Name"

This is one song that I greatly anticipate seeing live. Ever hear someone say that being at a U2 concert is a religious experience? Well, this video gives a taste of why. The video does little justice to feeling the electricity that fills the stadium.

If you want to kiss the sky, better learn how to kneel

Mysterious Ways

First song I heard when I got in the car this morning. First song my son ever knew the words to at age 2 1/2. So it's today's insight.

Meaning? Here is it straight from the horse's mouth:

"I've always believed that the spirit is a feminine thing," (Bono) says. "Mysterious Ways" is not about a particular woman. It is about women in general, and the way they entrance, and often dominate men. Says Bono, "At times I do tend to idealize women. It's easy to fall into the trap of separating them into angels and devils for the sake of the drama. But there's no way that there's ever anything anti-women involved. Our songs are not politically correct. They are written from a man's point of view. He's wrestling with different things, there's a flash of anger and hurt here and there. But I don't think women come out badly." ~ Into The Heart by Niall Stokes

Interesting, eh?

The Fly

The Fly. Bono portrays an arrogant rock star (ironic eh? although I do not believe he's arrogant personally). This persona takes the celebrity ego to the edge of reality.

Ever wonder where Bono's sunglasses came from? The Fly. Before this, Bono may have worn sunglasses here or there, but never as a permanent accessory.

During the Zoo TV tour, where The Fly emerged, Bono would walk out in public in his Fly attire - leather with the glasses.

Zoo TV was after the Rattle and Hum tour for the Joshua Tree album. JT rocketed U2 to emmense fame with songs like "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," "Where the Streets Have No Name," and "With or Without You."

Bono has said before that he wears his sunglasses for a few reasons. One because his eyes are sensative to light and two to keep some privacy. I remember reading in a book that he felt uncomfortable with perfect strangers looking straight into his eyes. Being that he leads a very public life, both on and off stage with his activism, I can imagine that he would want to keep something to himself.

Watching The Fly perform you can see this character come to life. I posted a video below of Bono taking on this persona.... enjoy

Bono's Ego

I found this article today and found it rather amusing. So today, instead of a song you get an article of Bono being truthful. The Fly, MacPhisto, whoever he was during Pop.... I believe those stage personas were extensions of himself taken to the nth degree.

Bono admits he is 'annoying'

01/08/2009 - 08:39:09

U2 singer Bono - a keen political activist and charity campaigner - knows he makes it easy for people to dislike him but insists having an "ego" is an essential part of being a successful musician.

He said: "I can be annoying. I have a kind of annoying gene.

"As Delmore Schwartz said, 'Ego is always at the wheel.' It's just with rock stars, it's more obvious. The need to be loved and admired doesn't come from a particularly pretty place.

"But people tend to do a lot of great things with it. Ego, yes, but the ego is in everything human beings are capable of. Without ego, things would be so dull."

Bono - who is joined in U2 by guitarist The Edge bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen, Jr - explained to The Guardian newspaper: "The villain is usually me. The hypocrisy of the human heart is the number one target. Rarely do we point the finger at anyone other than ourselves.

"U2 choose more interesting targets than other bands. Your own hypocrisies, your addictions we never pick the obvious. I think we make our enemies very interesting."

Only Love Can Leave Such a Mark....

September 12th is drawing near and my excitement is building. I have seen stills of the concert in action, but I have refused to watch any video from it. I want to walk into Soldier Field experiencing the full force of the 360 tour, surprises and all.

Over the last few days I have been pulling out some of U2's older work. K had never heard Zooropa. As I drove and the music played I heard nothing but the sound of the music, a rare occasion in my car with a chatty 5 year old. I asked him if he knew who was playing the music, he said he didn't know so I told him it was U2. He didn't believe me LOL!

I said, "U2 made this album...." I paused realizing how long it had been since Zooropa released, "about 15 years ago...wow."

Anyway, I am starting to jabber on like my favorite Irish man likes to....lol

All this to say that in preparation of seeing U2 for the first time in three years I'm going to post daily (hopefully) about different songs. I hope it primes me for what I will experience. And I hope it might help those of you who do not understand my obsession to join me ;)

The song I chose to highlight today is Magnificent. One of my favorite songs off of U2's new album. In fact, it has sparked a new idea for my next tattoo....but I digress once again.

Today I was cruising around U2.com and watched the video for Magnificent for the first time. I had seen images of the shoot, but never watched the whole thing.

I wanted to link directly to the video but there it's not possible. If you want to see it click here then go to the third column and follow it down to the 6th row.

You won't be able to see the full thing, unless you are a member of U2.com, but you will get a good taste of what the video is like.

It amazes me how Bono still seems to woo the microphone as he sings into it. You can witness it for yourself in this video, with or without the membership.

I was right....

The opening scene in the next book described naked women and boobies.....yeah....good thing I braced myself lol

Thankfully it moved passed that.

Stone of Tears - Definitely written by a man

It was a good book, don't get me wrong. There were many times I found my eyes rolling up to the sky and reminding myself that a man wrote this book. Naked women, sexual violations of several kinds, gore of war.... Ok, the whole book isn't that way, but there are quite a few parts that are.

I have my audio version of the next book in the Sword of Truth series downloaded and ready to go. I will be keeping my earbuds in or close by so not to taint innocent, 5 year old ears.

I have a feeling i will be doing a lot of eye rolling again. But I gotta know what happens next!

Conehead Canine Strikes Back

Bleh. So our doggy has had some sort of itching issue since he got back from the kennel on Monday. This morning I woke up to huge clumps out of his fur (I will spare the gory details). I called the vet and they said they couldn't see him but to give him Benedryl and told me how much blah, blah, blah.

I am now thanking myself for saving that blasted e-collar that he had when his manhood was snipped away.

Right now I hear the poor thing trying to chew a bone with that blasted collar on. i would take it off but the moment I do he's right at his tail eating his fur.

I can't wait for Monday to get here so we can figure out wth is going on with him. As of right now I am not real happy having a dog ram into me every few minutes with his conehead.

An Ice cube is a cure all, who knew?

Last weekend our fam was out of town so we put the pooch in a kennel. He's been there before so no biggie.

We picked him up on Monday. He seemed super tired. He's 11 months old and is very active so it was odd to us. We just thought he was tired from the weekend like we were. The next day he slept, wouldn't eat or drink really anything, didn't play with K, didn't devour the rawhide I gave him when we got home. He was actually a really good dog! But it was not him.

Wednesday i realized by the middle of the day that he hadn't taken a drink that I knew of. He LOVES ice cubes. I grabbed a few from the freezer thinking ti would at least get some water in him.

Immediately after he ate two cubes he found his rawhide and started gnawing on it. Chased after K and became really annoying....yeah, he was back to himself.

Guess in this house an ice cube a day can keep the doctor away.

New Moon Sneek Peak from Comic Con

Don't watch unless you have read New Moon. You have been warned.

For those who have read, this is FREAKING awesome! I have already seen photos of the first scene. The second is AWESOME! They did an awesome job taking interpretation of the book.

November, come quick!

Rick Astley, New Lead Singer for Nirvana

Ok, I am not Rick Rolling - just wanted to make that clear

This video is freaking hilarious! It's Nirvana's song "Smells like Teen Spirit" while Rick Astley sings, "Never Gonna Give You Up." Make ya think that Kurt might have teamed up with Rick at some point ;)